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kortneyjamdahl's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of cute and quirky, but also kind of meh. I was hoping for a little more of Stella and Michael from #1.
cassiemedeiros's review against another edition
3.0
i really enjoyed the kiss quotient, the first book by this author in this series, but this one just didn’t live up to the first one for me. the main characters had little to no chemistry, there was major usage of the miscommunication trope (one of my least favorites), and the male romantic interest’s problem was presented as “not being able to love”. it was ultimately just a result of not being willing to be insightful and be open-minded, so his being adamant about his incapacity for love just got annoying after a while. i definitely didn’t have a bad time reading this, it was relatively short and had plenty of ups and downs, pacing was consistent, etc. the side characters were enjoyable if a little convenient to the plot at times but i didn’t mind it
readwithmesashamarie's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC of this novel. Regardless of the way I acquired the novel, the thoughts, opinions, and views stated in this review are completely unbiased and one hundred percent my own.
I definitely missed the boat when it came to The Kiss Quotient. After reading The Bride Test, I think it’s safe to say I’ll be backtracking and adding that book to my TBR. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like the books are connected in the traditional way that a series would be. I was able to pick right up with these characters, and this plot, and away we went!
I’m not sure how to approach this novel’s review, other than to say first and foremost that I think the fact that this novel exists and is part of the discussion is extremely important. The different cultures highlighted here were amazing, and the representation of someone on the autism spectrum was truly eye opening.
I struggled with my own ignorance when it came to specific cultural norms, or references throughout this novel. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the story or our characters, but showed me personally where I could benefit from learning more about people who differ from me. There was a point while reading where I thought I was going to call it a loss, because the novel touches on the idea of an arranged marriage. However, I thought the author ultimately handled these situations with integrity, intelligence, and grace.
I’m honestly admonishing myself for not reaching for a book like this time and time again. The last book I can recall that dealt with these themes was Flowers for Algernon: a book I was required to read in middle school. I genuinely loved having a look inside the relationship of a person who considers themselves to be autistic. It felt less like voyeurism and more like education. The questions I’d never feel comfortable asking were dealt with so efficiently, and it never felt like I was reading a novel solely about a guy with autism. I was reading a novel about a guy and a girl who were getting to know each other, and learning more about themselves. The guy just so happens to have autism, and the girl just so happens to be a poor immigrant who might not be able to stay in America.
The story itself felt powerful, charming, and even playful at times. I admired Esme’s story, her determination, and the fact that her story is the story of so many immigrants around the world. I hope people pick up this novel, and get a chance to see themselves in these characters. For once, I didn’t see myself in a novel, but as a white woman that’s okay! I’m ready to read about people who are not like me, I’m ready for Asian women to feel seen, and for autistic people to feel understood. I’m glad this book exists, and I hope authors like Helen keep writing for more than people like me.
I definitely missed the boat when it came to The Kiss Quotient. After reading The Bride Test, I think it’s safe to say I’ll be backtracking and adding that book to my TBR. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like the books are connected in the traditional way that a series would be. I was able to pick right up with these characters, and this plot, and away we went!
I’m not sure how to approach this novel’s review, other than to say first and foremost that I think the fact that this novel exists and is part of the discussion is extremely important. The different cultures highlighted here were amazing, and the representation of someone on the autism spectrum was truly eye opening.
I struggled with my own ignorance when it came to specific cultural norms, or references throughout this novel. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the story or our characters, but showed me personally where I could benefit from learning more about people who differ from me. There was a point while reading where I thought I was going to call it a loss, because the novel touches on the idea of an arranged marriage. However, I thought the author ultimately handled these situations with integrity, intelligence, and grace.
I’m honestly admonishing myself for not reaching for a book like this time and time again. The last book I can recall that dealt with these themes was Flowers for Algernon: a book I was required to read in middle school. I genuinely loved having a look inside the relationship of a person who considers themselves to be autistic. It felt less like voyeurism and more like education. The questions I’d never feel comfortable asking were dealt with so efficiently, and it never felt like I was reading a novel solely about a guy with autism. I was reading a novel about a guy and a girl who were getting to know each other, and learning more about themselves. The guy just so happens to have autism, and the girl just so happens to be a poor immigrant who might not be able to stay in America.
The story itself felt powerful, charming, and even playful at times. I admired Esme’s story, her determination, and the fact that her story is the story of so many immigrants around the world. I hope people pick up this novel, and get a chance to see themselves in these characters. For once, I didn’t see myself in a novel, but as a white woman that’s okay! I’m ready to read about people who are not like me, I’m ready for Asian women to feel seen, and for autistic people to feel understood. I’m glad this book exists, and I hope authors like Helen keep writing for more than people like me.
saamannthaaa's review against another edition
4.0
The beginning was kinda boring and not interesting for me, but the ending was very nice.
wattsyareading's review against another edition
4.0
This book was super sweet. I loved the autism representation and it felt very real how the male MC struggled with communication and social cues.
I know a lot of people gripe about the weakness of the female MC, but not every woman is a badass, independent, powerful being. And that's okay.
I do wish the daughter's reveal would have been more substantial. It was just kind of tacked on at the end as an afterthought.
I know a lot of people gripe about the weakness of the female MC, but not every woman is a badass, independent, powerful being. And that's okay.
I do wish the daughter's reveal would have been more substantial. It was just kind of tacked on at the end as an afterthought.
verorinconin's review against another edition
4.0
QUÉ HISTORIA MÁS BONITA!!!! Helen Hoang sabe muy bien de lo que habla y es muy buena plasmando los sentimientos en papel. Muy fan de sus historias y personajes ◕‿◕
prairiephlox's review against another edition
4.0
Not as much of a revelation as Kiss Quotient, which was my whole heart and knocked me on my heels, but still fantastic. Esme/My was such an amazing character, the beautiful weaving of Vietnamese culture and diaspora, but the Happily Ever After came hard and too fast. After being there with Esme and Khai through so much internal strife, I felt the ending really needed to be drawn out longer. I needed more time to experience their happiness than a few pages, more time for Esme to meet her father, for Khai to realize the hard work she'd been putting in, for them to talk and have a moment to grow together. The epilogue helped and was beautiful, but the preceding chapter needed a longer moment to land in my opinion.
Still, I hope that Hoang continues to write in this series as I will buy every single one. I see so many similarities between my husband and I to Khai and Stella. Its prompted so many discussions with each other that neither of us knew we needed to have. Its such a moving journey to see autistic characters written with love and understanding in her own voice, and it means so much.
Still, I hope that Hoang continues to write in this series as I will buy every single one. I see so many similarities between my husband and I to Khai and Stella. Its prompted so many discussions with each other that neither of us knew we needed to have. Its such a moving journey to see autistic characters written with love and understanding in her own voice, and it means so much.
kaida710's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not one to usually read romance novels, but this one was a really fun and I felt represented the culture very well. While the Vietnamese pronunciation in the audiobook sounded forced, I felt the whole mail-order-bride situation, pushy mothers, nosy relatives, food (and how it smell) was pretty accurate!
alhaider's review against another edition
5.0
Read this book in a day. Really enjoyed the characters and how this story is different than most.
teresatronic's review against another edition
5.0
This was a “page-turner” for me even tho I did the audiobook. I even cried during one scene. The happily ever after was very satisfying and not predictable. There are a few steamy scenes, but it’s more a slow courtship leading up to even Khai letting her touch him. Weeks later after finishing this book, I’m still thinking about it. Both of the author’s books have main characters with autism. I appreciate the attention to detail about the disease without making it a big obstacle since the author is married with autism spectrum disorder herself. I liked how the book dealt with family and the characters’ personal journeys. I tend to like contemporary romances with a healthy dose of realism and conflict between the characters. I need to read Hoang’s debut for Cannonball Read 12 before the third book is released! I highly recommend The Bride Test if you loved The Kiss Quotient and if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with lots of humor and heart.
Full review: https://cannonballread.com/2019/12/the-bride-test-teresaelectro/
Blog: http://teresaelectro.wordpress.com/
Full review: https://cannonballread.com/2019/12/the-bride-test-teresaelectro/
Blog: http://teresaelectro.wordpress.com/