***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
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 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.
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang is the second book in her popular The Kiss Quotient Series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. I just loved this book and I believe itās the best book, so far, in The Kiss Quotient series.
Khai Diep believes he has no feelings unless you count irritation, which he feels when someone has moved something from its place, or heās forced to socialize at his cousinās wedding. Or socialize anywhere.
Esme Tran lives in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City with her mother and young daughter, barely eeking out an existence as a cleaner. When she is given the opportunity to move to California and meet a potential husband, she knows itās the only way to make a better life for herself and her daughter. She reluctantly agrees to move to America, temporarily.
Khai doesnāt appreciate his motherās meddling and is against sharing his modest home with anyone, much less the woman his mother wants him to marry. But, living with Esme, he feels sexual attraction, but it canāt be any more than that, as he canāt feel anything besides irritation.
What I loved about this book more than anything, is Khaiās internal dialogue. His character made this book for me, as I was just rooting for him to figure out heās more than just a machine without feelings. And I loved Esme, who initially started trying to seduce Khai to improve her life but learned to love him and his quirks and obsessions. I loved that she could find his best qualities, wasnāt concerned with his quirks and loved him for who he is.
The narration is done by Emily Woo Zeller and it was excellent. She did the voices of both male and female characters very well, and her accent was also done well. I found her voice to have the right amount of emotion and it was modulated enough to keep me from getting bored.
About Helen Hoang
Helen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since. In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger's Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT. She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish
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Zeller is such a wonderful narrator. I liked this book but think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t billed as a romance. It really felt like Esme’s story !
I haven’t read this title yet, Wendy, although I own it and The Kiss Quotient. I felt they’d appeal to me because of the autism element but after reading your review, I know they will. The details of Esme’s life and move to America and Khai’s internal dialog really pique my interest. I’ll have to pull them off the shelf and put them in the queue. Great review!
Itās so good that the female narrator did the male voices well. I was attempting yet again to listen to one the other night where that wasnāt the case and itās both funny and disrupts the enjoyment of the story. Excellent review!
That internal dialogue could best be written by someone on the Autistic spectrum. I’m sure that made it much more interesting and realistic. Nice review, Wendy!
I havenāt heard of this series before, but itās great that you can read this book as a standalone too. I can see why it would be a great story! Great review Wendy!
I really enjoyed this one and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite between it and The Kiss Quotient. I loved both Esme and Khai – especially how Esme accepted him just as he was. I wasn’t a fan of how long Esme kept something a secret, that wasn’t revealed to Khai until practically the very end, but it didn’t ruin anything for me.
I was so impressed with the way the author wrote Khai’s internal dialogue. It just seemed so realistic to me. But, I loved all of the books in this series, but this one was my favorite.
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Great review. I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series.
This book sounds really wonderful and my library has it on audio. I was hesitating on picking it up but I’m moving it up my list!
I really loved it, and many others have too.
I adore this author. My son falls in the spectrum and her characters are spot on.
I agree, Kimberly. She’s just so good.
Zeller is such a wonderful narrator. I liked this book but think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t billed as a romance. It really felt like Esme’s story !
Yes, that’s true, it really is Esme’s story
I wish I had loved this one more! I also wish I had listened to the audio.
I bet the audio was better than reading for this one.
I haven’t read this title yet, Wendy, although I own it and The Kiss Quotient. I felt they’d appeal to me because of the autism element but after reading your review, I know they will. The details of Esme’s life and move to America and Khai’s internal dialog really pique my interest. I’ll have to pull them off the shelf and put them in the queue. Great review!
I loved them both. I thought the author did such a wonderful job with the representation.
I’ve heard good things about both books, and I’m glad this one worked well for you Wendy. The audio sounds very well done too. Great review, Wendy
Thank you, Mallika!
Itās so good that the female narrator did the male voices well. I was attempting yet again to listen to one the other night where that wasnāt the case and itās both funny and disrupts the enjoyment of the story. Excellent review!
That’s so funny, Tessa!
This sounds interesting, great review š
Thank you, Jenny!
That internal dialogue could best be written by someone on the Autistic spectrum. I’m sure that made it much more interesting and realistic. Nice review, Wendy!
Thank you, Linda!
I havenāt heard of this series before, but itās great that you can read this book as a standalone too. I can see why it would be a great story! Great review Wendy!
Thank you!
I really liked Khai in this one. Her books are a lot of fun. I’m currently reading The Heart Principle.
Oh, I hope you enjoy The Heart Principle. I loved it.
I really enjoyed this one and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite between it and The Kiss Quotient. I loved both Esme and Khai – especially how Esme accepted him just as he was. I wasn’t a fan of how long Esme kept something a secret, that wasn’t revealed to Khai until practically the very end, but it didn’t ruin anything for me.
I was so impressed with the way the author wrote Khai’s internal dialogue. It just seemed so realistic to me. But, I loved all of the books in this series, but this one was my favorite.
I loved this one too! I think the first was my favorite but this one was a close second. Glad to hear you loved it Wendy!
The first one was so good too!
I’ve enjoyed all the books by this author.
She’s so good!!
Great review, Wendy, sounds like a fun one!
Thank you, Cindy!
Khai’s internal dialogue was really good in this one. I loved this book, so I was happy to see you did as well. Great review!
I’ve seen some mixed reviews for this one, but I just loved it.
I don’t know this author but I enjoyed your review.
Thank you, Rosie!
Excellent review Wendy. I read the first one and loved it and can’t wait to get to this one too.š¤šš
This is my favorite of the three books so far. I hope you enjoy it