The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient, #2)

by Helen Hoang

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

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