The Bride Test (Kiss Quotient #2)

Helen Hoang

5/5 Motorcycles

Khai has a heart of stone. He didn't even cry when his cousin - his best friend - died. Ever since the funeral 10 years ago, Khai has known that there's something severely wrong with him. He's always know that he's on the autism spectrum, but that funeral solidified the belief that there must be another reason that his heart is so cold and unfeeling.

My works to clean toilets and make hotel guests happy in Vietnam. After having her daughter 5 years ago, her one goal is to give Jade the life My never had. While cleaning the bathroom one day, My meets Khai's mom, who has a proposition: come to the America and make her son fall in love. My is full of doubt, but Jade influences her decision: she must give America a try and try to make her dreams come true. Changing her name to Esme, My travels to America for the first time.

To say Khai is unhappy is an understatement. How could his mother meddle to the extent of bringing home a bride? However, his mother's happiness means the world to Khai. What's three months of coexisting with a girl who is a lot more beautiful than Khai pictured? He can easily do that... right?

Hoang did it again! I planned to read this book for a well-deserved thirty minute break. I got some coffee and hunkered down... before I knew it, my stomach was growling and it was four hours later. There's something about Hoang's writing that I completely get lost in. I don't even realize I'm reading - the characters are just too real and raw. Hoang's writing is fluid and easy, making her novels the perfect books when an escape is needed.

I actually enjoyed this book better than The Kiss Quotient. Khai's autism played more of a part than Stella's, and this series installment was centered more around love rather than sex. While I loved The Kiss Quotient, the steamy scenes did add some discomfort for me. There was much less of that in The Bride Test, and I think that made me love it even more. Not to mention, we get a tiny glimpse at a current day Michael and Stella, so what's not to love?

The Bride Test can stand alone if one wants to skip the first book of the series; however, I highly recommend both! Hoang is an expert at skillfully describing autism without making it the focal point. I firmly believe that her writing would help others try to understand before jumping to conclusions and judgment. Another fantastic read that took me just one day to devour! (In my defense, I can't leave the house because of coronavirus, so it's less sad than it sounds... I promise!)