The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

I’ve officially blossomed into adulthood in my 31st year of life; my husband and I purchased our first home (!!!) and it’s been a whirlwind of activity since the beginning of April.

We’re actually required to do grown up things now like weeding, mowing the lawn, and ripping up old, yucky carpet (actually very satisfying, but I’m pretty sure I have carpal tunnel now).

Now that things are beginning to settle down and we’re creating a routine, I’m hopping back on the blogging train! Though I didn’t get to write much this past month, I’ve continued to devour books like crazy, and The Bride Test was definitely a top contender during my hiatus.

If you read The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, you’re aware that she writes romance novels that put people on the autism spectrum at the forefront of the story. When I first heard she was writing a follow up book, I thought it would be a sequel to Stella and Michael’s story. Maybe something along the lines of marital life for the two of them with a baby thrown into the mix.

I was wrong. Though they are briefly featured in this new book, the story is not even remotely about them.

And I have to be honest, I actually LOVED The Bride Test way more…

The romantic couple (or are they?) featured in this book are Khai, a sexy, super smart Vietnamese-American man with high-functioning autism, and My a.k.a Esme, a young woman working as a maid in Vietnam, who’s propositioned by Khai’s mother to marry him.

The catch? Esme has the summer to bag Khai’s heart and convince him to get on bended knee, or she goes back to Vietnam empty handed.

From there, there are a snowball of conflicts, not least of all that Khai is convinced he is absolutely incapable of love and cannot marry Esme. And frankly, he’s convinced she doesn’t fit into his regiment (or personal space) in the least anyway.

For Esme, she has a child in Vietnam depending on her success with Khai and an unknown American father to track down. As she gets closer to Khai, she begins to develop feelings for him, making possible failure that much more difficult to endure.

As with The Kiss Quotient, there’s a whoooole lot of steamy sex going on.

Get the wine and turn your fan on high, ladies! It’s a naughty ride!

One huge win in this book is the chemistry just felt more real between Khai and Esme. I bought a little more into their romance and passion. Khai, though a bit stereotyped in his autism, is super intense about Esme in a lot of endearing and sweet ways. He’s learning about what affection between two people can do to better him, while simultaneously upending the life he’s created.

Esme, though definitely smitten with Khai, is strong and ultimately wants to put the betterment of her family first. But Khai’s pull on her heartstrings is too much to deny, thus leading to some complicated, potentially life ruining decisions.

Khai and Esme’s story was less corny and male prostitute-y than The Kiss Quotient, which made all the difference for me in the long run. I’m sorry, but the reverse Pretty Woman angle just didn’t do it for me. I literally could only think about the impending STIs being exchanged. I know, I’m a buzz kill.

One character I would absolutely looooooooove for Helen Hoang to write a love story around in Quan – Khai’s older brother and Michael’s cousin. He’s played a secondary role in both books, but he’s probably my favorite character, hands down.

When I picture him in my mind, he’s the Vietnamese version of The Rock – hot, adorable and ridiculously charming. My brain can’t even fathom those love scenes. *swoon*

Basically, you need this book in your life. I’m going to go write Helen Hoang a letter with my novel pitch now – catch you guys later!

Happy & healthy reading!

Alexis