A review by seawarrior
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

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

4.0

This is the first romance novel I've read featuring an autistic protagonist, but won't be the last, thanks to Helen Hoang. I definitely found Stella to be a relatable portrayal of an anxious autistic person. It was highly rewarding to witness her self esteem blossom, especially since many of her behaviors and insecurities reflected my own.

Truth be told, I've avoided romantic attachments like the plague my entire adult life, worrying that any attempt at one would end as Stella's first three had,
where she was essentially sexually assaulted after becoming too overwhelmed to participate in the act or even to say no to it
. This justifiable anxiety has weighed on me since I was a young teenager, but these things are embarrassing and scary to discuss, so I've never known how to work past it. I've desperately needed a story like this to remind me that there are people out there who will be empathic to my struggling social skills and tendency to lock up and lose some or all ability to speak when nervous. Anyone else is not worth spending time and heartbreak on, but it would never be my fault if someone exploits my trouble saying no. Like Stella, many autistic people are interested in romantic relationships and sex and need to be educated on how to enjoy them safely, which includes understanding our undeniable right to protect ourselves from predators and feel no obligation to please them. Stella's story starts when she hasn't fully grasped this truth, but Michael's genuine respect and love for her eventually emboldens her to feel those emotions towards herself, and to seek out what primarily pleases her. 

This book is sweet, sensual, and sparkling with energy, but I think its most shining merit is how it reminds autistic readers that we deserved to be loved wholeheartedly, and should never view our worth through the lens of those who have previously exploited us or leveled unfair expectations against us. Stella's journey with Michael teaches her, and by extension, the reader, that she is perfectly lovely as she is. Autistic romantics, and the world in general, were achingly in need of this story.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings