The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient #2)
Summary:
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. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)
Review:
I really enjoyed “The Kiss Quotient” and wasn’t sure if the formula would be as good the second time around. Many romance authors follow a similar track and this was no exception, but I still solidly enjoyed it. Khai and Esme are both at a time in their life that they’re trying to manage the best they can in a tough situation. They both have their frustrations with each other and in developing an appropriate dynamic to fulfill other’s expectations.
I was a bit worried I’d be disappointed because of the power imbalance of Esme essentially being a mail-order bride as well, but Hoang manages that in a reflective way that is appropriate and allows for future growth. Hoang alternated their perspectives which helped the reader really understand where each of them were coming from and created a solid story I’d certainly recommend.
Rating: 4 stars!
Who should read it? Romance fans looking for something a little different
Want to read the whole series?
The Heart Principle (The Kiss Quotient #3)