From the USA Today bestselling author of The Kiss Quotient comes a romantic novel about love that crosses international borders and all boundaries of the heart…Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows … defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.
As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.
With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.
more
Absolutely loved!!! I loved that this book looked at Autism in a totally different way than the first book. I loved Esme so much, and Khai is just the sweetest. I felt so emotional seeing his struggles, and the way that Esme was there for him was so heartwarming. The spicy parts were a lot of fun too! Definitely recommend and can’t wait for the next!
Helen Hoang is such an amazing writer. She has become one of my favorite after reading both books in this series.
Her characters are fun, provocative, unexpected and real.
I appreciate that she treats serious topics such as autism and immigration and makes them relatable in an easy way. By far one of my favorite books of 2020!
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance anymore, but this one was SUCH a fun, full story with some satisfying and unexpected twists. It had this old-time Harlequin fairy tale romance feel combined with a very modern setting and great characterization. I recommended it to my sister who’s now obsessed with this author, LOL. Good job, me!
3/5 Steam Rating
Although this is the second book in the “series”, it can easily be read as a standalone. This book contains characters from The Kiss Quotient but it’s not needed to enjoy this one.
I really enjoyed the twist on the Mail Ordered Bride part of the story, it’s not something that I’ve seen often in romcoms. Esme is not your typical heroine; she comes from a place of deep poverty, she’s undereducated, and she’s had a child out of wedlock. What she has though is a great work ethic and the drive to give her daughter a better life. I found her character to be realistic and also brave. Khai has grown to believe that he has no heart and therefore cannot love anyone. Then Esme walks into his life, she starts to cause disarray in his ordered life.
As with The Kiss Quotient, what I loved about this book was the AAPI & Autistic representation. This time around though, we’re given a new perspective on what someone with Autism might face when forming new relationships. And if The Kiss Quotient was a bit too steamy for you, this one is more tame in that department (though there’s still some steamy).
I have to admit, I very rarely read the Author’s Note when I’m done with a book. However, I’ve read each of Hoang’s notes and I think it really helped me understand her writing and the characters even more. I highly recommend taking a few minuted to read through them before you close your book.
I loved every second of The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. The author has blown me away again. Similar to The Kiss Quotient, there is not a single unnecessary extra word or paragraph. The story is perfectly crafted. It’s a completely different tale then TKQ, but it’s just as charming and laugh out loud funny. I felt Khai’s horror when Esme was out deconstructing his tree with a kitchen utensil! Hilarious, absolutely lovable and relatable characters, and Khai and Esme’s romance was perfectly paced and authentic to the characters. And steamy! Yum! With lovable family. The whole book is delicious, and strong. It could have gone cliche or sideways at multiple points, but it stayed on track and is 100% awesome!
My Rating:
Type: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Fiction Romance
Primary Characters: Khai Diep & Esme Tran
Narration: Limited third party
I had heard of this novel from several fellow bookstagramer’s. I wasn’t sure which one I wanted to pick first – “The Kiss Quotient” or “The bride Test”. Finally, I picked this based on blurb. This is my first Helen Hoang and diversity novel. I had high hopes on this after reading several reviews.
I may fall under the minority category in rating this, as I was disappointed when I finished this one.
Plot revolves around Khai and Esme. Khai’s mother thinks, with khai’s autism he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands. Khai’s mother is desperate to find her son a wife. She travels all the way to Vietnam and gives an interesting proposal to Esme (Vietnamese name of Esme is – My). Esme Tran has lived her entire life in Vietnam and is working at a hotel when she is approached by a woman who has an interesting proposition. Esme’s struggle in living day by day life in Ho Chi Min city, supporting her daughter, mother and grandmother felt realistic. It portrayed a harsh truth of life. Next part of the plot revolves around the emotions and interactions of main protagonist when they are arranged to face each other.
When I read about Autism in the blurb, I was intrigued about Khai. I wanted to know how autism’s person’s belief to show strong emotions will play a role a leading normal life. It’s very difficult character to write. I totally appreciate the Writers effort in this. Along with Autism, this book held the promise of mixed race life of Caucasian and Vietnamese. I was hoping for a cultural jolt. Somehow I personally feel it sort of took a back track.
I personally felt the relationship development between the protagonists weren’t that good. The qualities they supposedly see in each other weren’t highlighted much. Esme’s daughter was totally sidetracked. I liked Quan. I liked the way he helps and pushes Khai to see that he is capable of love and does a great job of coaxing Khai out of his shell. Narration and plot has its own up’s and down’s. It was good at some points and dragged in between and was good in the end.
This was a cute story of an arranged encounter that worked out for the couple involved. I liked the way love is portrayed among minorities and people with disabilities and that in itself is a beautiful thing.
Blog — https://meander23.com
Bookstagram – https://www.instagram.com/meander_read_roam/
5/13/21- A twist in a class chick-lit novel. I loved the premise of the story of the woman finding a wife for her son and watching the characters develop. Seeing their relationship grow throughout the novel and how both characters learn and develop was good. Plus a little romance is always good!
I liked The Kiss Quotient, but I LOVED The Bride Test! Khai was amazingly real and sweet and likable. Esme is so chipper and cute and, well, sweet too. The two are magical together! LOVED it!
I enjoyed reading the story of Khai and Esme. They both were brought together over a marriage deal but throughout the course of reading the story, I watched their relationship change. Helen Hoang does another great job with this series, her relatable characters and real life scenarios.
I loved this book. The characters are so lovable and real. It’s just a delightful story.
Big fan of this author!! Great romance. Love the culture change. Sex scenes are a slightly steamy. Definitely recommend.
I reread this specifically to find Michael and Stella mentions, but I still enjoyed the characters immensely! Reading this book has made me realize some things about my own relationship with someone on the spectrum, and I think it’s a beautiful description of love in all its different forms.
This was the first book I read by this author. Loved it! The protagonists won me over right away. A great romantic comedy.
I loved this book about Vietnamise immigrants. The story of an autistic but brilliant man and his mother’s choice of a bride for him is at times very funny and whimsical. It has some real value in helping to understand cultural norms and the struggles for a better life.
If The Kiss Quotient was 5 stars, this is 6. I love romance but it rarely makes me cry. This book made me laugh my head off and made me tear up in parts too while not at all being sad, depressing or tear-jerky (which I loathe lol). Best romance I have read in a while.
One of the best books I’ve ever read. I loved the Kiss Quotient by the same author (I actually read it twice), and I’m now waiting to purchase the next book by Helen Hoang. The characters are so real to me, and the family dynamics are fascinating. Bravo!
I love Helen Hoang and her books. I love the autistic characters. I love the way she draws from her experiences to create memorable and fresh stories. This is no exception.
Interesting premise but constant mentions of male erections turned me off. Is this female fiction? Not the kind that interests me.
Interesting take on a relationship with a person with autism. I appreciated the varying viewpoints of the characters.
I wasn’t ready for the story to be over. Translating what you feel physically into emotions can be so difficult. But I really enjoy stories about normal people that most people don’t think are normal.