Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Bride Test

Book 2 in the Kiss Quotient series. Could this one standalone? YES. If you are reading this as a series, there is a more developed arc for character growth. In comparison to book 1, The Kiss Quotient, I liked The Bride Test more.

Kai and Esme both hold on to deep seeded insecurities and doubts. Kai in relation to his autism and emotive capacity; Esme in relation to her lack of financial security, education, and ability to provide for her daughter. Both main characters struggle with these internal conflicts while also grappling with the courage to admit these doubts to one another (ie. miscommunication is at play here). But it makes sense within the context of the plot and how the characters interact and understand one another - especially when you consider some of the cultural and language challenges at play. This was a truly charming romance centered around interesting and nuanced main characters with a believable HEA.

Similar to book 1, I found the end resolution slightly rushed in terms of pace even if it did tie up all the open plot lines.

Tropes/Themes/Elements I Enjoyed:

Vietnamese MCs
Set in northern California (Bay Area-ish)
Close proximity (roommates)
Single mom
Neurodiverse MMC (autism)
He's a virgin ;)
Arranged marriage / mail order bride plot line
Immigration and economic differences

Content Warnings

cjconway2's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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m_a_j's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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ghostsversion's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Yay my first book of the month! Honestly I thought this was really cute. I mean, sure, it was a bit too horny at first, but who wouldn’t be after abstaining from sex your whole life and then BAM ya got somebody who is full on seducing you. Bro didn’t stand a chance. However, I just feel like I didn’t fully connect with it or like it was just lacking something. Like, I don’t know, for all that Esme was like

“Oh no how am I going to tell him about my daughter what will he think of me?”, I felt like it was maybe a bit too quickly resolved? I mean, obviously there were other issues at hand but still.

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shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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modryzamek's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I really enjoyed the fact that the main characters had longer to interact with and get to know each other than in other romance works.

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