Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) LLC/ Dreamscape Media, LLC
Source: Audible Escape/Edelweiss
Format: audiobook/ebook
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Genre(
Pages: 315 Length : 10hrs
Speed: 1.25x
Reading Challenges: 2019 New Release , Netgalley and Edelweiss,
Speed: 1.25x
Reading Challenges: 2019 New Release , Netgalley and Edelweiss,
The Kiss Quotient was one of my favorite reads for 2018. When I learnt there would be a second book I knew I had to get my hands on it. I must admit I was wary to start it because I feared the author might not deliver as she did the first time. My fears were for naught as she delivered a story that took me on a journey that stirred my emotions and left me breathless and hankering for more.
It is said that mothers know what is best for their children. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang illustrated the phrase well. In this installment of The Kiss Quotient series, we meet Khai and Esme. Now Khai is not typical of the heroes you generally find in romance novels because of his autism. He does not process feelings the same way other people do. As a result, he feels he is defective and not capable of loving anyone. His family does not agree with him and his mom sets out on a matchmaking journey to Vietnam to find the perfect girl for him. What follows is a stream of emotional moments that had me laughing, crying, and wanting to shake sense into the characters.
I found Esmie and Khai to be great characters. They both faced challenges, which they fought to overcome. Esme is one of those characters you start of not being too fond of, but as the story progresses, you cannot help but admire her strength and determination. Her desire for a better life for her daughter drove her success. She proved that whatever your mind conceives you can achieve.
I loved watching Khai’s development throughout the story. He was such a sweet and caring guy opposite of what he believed himself to be.
I believed Esmie and Khai, made a wonderful couple. Esme worked at trying to make Kai happy, but due to her ignorance about autism, she had a hard time understanding his needs.
Kai’s embracing the idea of a relationship with Esme was a funny yet heartwarming moment. Watching him navigate the complexities of said relationship made for a compelling read.
I loved the secondary characters, with my favorite being Quan, Kai’s older brother. He stood by his brother. I loved the tactic he used to convince Khai that he was in love. It was so much fun.
My only problem with the story was the secrets/lies on Esme’s part, but it did not hinder my enjoyment, and it did not create any unnecessary drama.
Narration
I listened to the audio book, and I loved the narration I thought Emily Woo Zeller did an excellent job with the character voices. I loved the accents, which helped to bring a authentic feel to the story.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, this was a sweet, fun and passionate story, which featured relatable characters. If you have not read this yet, I recommend you do so as soon as possible.
STORY
NARRATION
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 important emotions, like love. 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. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.
Nadene's addiction to reading began at an early age, when a family friend gifted her a copy of Wuthering Heights. From that moment she was never without a book.She will read anything as long the material is compelling enough to hold her attention. She gained many experiences through the pages of the books she had the opportunity to read.She created this blog to share her love of books with like minded individuals hopes that in sharing reviews of the books read visitors to the blog will discover their next addictive read. When not reading, Nadene enjoys cooking, listening to music and watching television.
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This is a series that I plan to read. It looks so good and I’m all for seeing a hero with autism find love. 🙂
Great review! Everyone loved this series, so I have super high expectations. I am planning on reading this book soon, so hopefully I’ll love it. Happy reading!
Wonderful review. I need to curl up with this one.
Great review, I’ve been seeing mix reviews about this book but I am really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
So glad you listened to this and liked it as well. I loved it, it was just so much fun and way more emotional than I thought it would be.
I keep trying to get to this series – I am woefully behind
I heard so many things about this author and I would love to try her novels!
I loved The Kiss Quotient and really need to make time to read this one!
Great review, everyone seems to love this book.
I loved this one. This author has really knocked it out of the park for me with her quirky characters. Having a son with on the spectrum only enhanced my enjoyment of them. I would really like to listen to them sometime.
I listened to this one shortly after it was released. I think that I actually liked this one a bit more than The Kiss Quotient. I really enjoyed Kai’s character. Glad you enjoyed this one, Nadene!
Sometimes secrets and lies can make or break a book. I’m glad this one worked out for you! Great review, Nadene!
I loved this story so much, and am glad you enjoyed it too! It bothered me with the huge secret Esme kept too, but other than that I loved the story like you 🙂 Quan was a favorite of mine as well. I’m so excited that his book is next!!! Excellent Review Nadene!
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
It does sound like a passionate story and I think it’s different, which is also why I’m intrigued!
Great review! Been wanting to read this.
I keep seeing this book, maybe I need to look into it.
Great review!
I read a lot of great reviews for the first book and this one sounds good as well.
I love mythology so it sounds very interesting
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good job
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Awesome job on all your reads
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