The Bride Test was one of my most anticipated 2019 books and I knew Helen Hoang would deliver. She has such a beautiful way with words. Khai is on the spectrum and Hoang writes these characters dynamically. Even if you don't know anyone on the spectrum, you can understand Khai because Hoang ensures it.
My (Esme) won my heart as quickly as Khai! She is a poor single mother cleaning hotels in Vietnam. Khai's mother is in town interviewing potential wives for her son and quickly realizes Esme is a gem. She is keeping secrets from Khai, but as a reader, you get why and it isn't a bad or selfish decision. She really does develop feelings for Khai and she has the patience of a saint!
I loved seeing Khai develop an understanding of himself. He had one version of himself that he thought was who he was, and throughout the story, he begins to rewrite his own ideas on Khai. Their romance is slow burn and perfect for their story. The best thing about The Bride Test is it isn't "The Kiss Quotient" with a different couple. Autism is a spectrum, and no two people have the same behaviors or quirks. While Khai and Stella might have had the same medical diagnosis, they certainly are not the same and neither are their experiences. Hoang not only brings the diversity with characters on the spectrum, but having an entire story about an Asian family and with Esme being from Vietnam (and of mixed heritage) and in America for the first time , the level of diversity is high and on point!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: a few
- Trope: arranged relationship, virgin hero, mental health
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes
Josh and Hazel's guide to not dating by Christina Lauren, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Elements of Chemistry by Penny Reid...then you will probably like The Bride Test!
See full review on The Book Disciple