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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang – Review & Giveaway

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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
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.

 

 

Review:

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang is the 2nd book in her The Kiss Quotient series.  Hoang gives us another wonderful romantic story, with a fabulous couple and she continues with the background theme of one of them being autistic.  I was once again totally surprised when I found myself unable to put the book and down enjoying it very much.

Khai Diep, our hero, is a smart successful accountant, but he is also autistic.  Khai avoids any kind of relationship, as he feels he is incapable of love, grief or any kind of feelings.  He has a wonderful family, who watch over him, and his mother takes matters in her own hands when she travels to Vietnam, and tries to find the right girl to win over Khai.

Esme Tran, our heroine, is a young mixed-race girl helping to support her mother and daughter, by working odd jobs cleaning or in restaurants.   When Co Nga (Khai’s mother) offers her the opportunity to go to America, for the summer to try and win the son’s hand in marriage.  Esme accepts the chance to change her life and her family for the better, as well as find the father she never knew.

When Khai finds out that his mother is bringing a young girl to live for the summer at his house, he is not pleased.  Khai will find himself battling his attraction to Esme, who is also very sweet and beautiful, as well as caring.  Esme, who is quirky and overly friendly, tries everything to make him comfortable around her, doing things in the house, but he does come across as cold and uncaring.  Esme has her own issues, always concerned that she comes from the slums, and doesn’t fit in; but she is determined to make Khai see that she is falling in love with him, and would be the perfect wife for him.

As time goes on, Khai and Esme will act on their growing feelings, with Khai beginning to accept that perhaps marrying Esme will work.  I loved them both together, and rooted hard that they would succumb to their feelings.  I also loved Quan (Khai’s brother) who also tried to convince his brother that Esme is the one for him.  Quan was willing to do anything, even to make Khai jealous; this was a fun part.  Khai doesn’t believe he is capable of love, and denies admitting that loves her; even after she proclaims she loves him, which pushes her away.

To say too much more would be spoilers.   You need to The Bride Test, as it brings out so many emotional, as well happy feelings as we read this story.  The Bride Test was a sensual, emotional, heartwarming and sexy story.  As I said, I loved Esme and Khai together, as well as the wonderful cast of secondary characters.. This was so well written by Hoang, as she manages to keep us glued to our seats with this wonderful story, with a fantastic couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Helen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since.

In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT.

She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.

Helen is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency.

 

 

Helen Hoang’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE BRIDE TEST to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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3. Please Like HELEN HOANG on Facebook

4. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from May 9 to 13, 2019

 

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The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases–a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn’t help that Stella has Asperger’s and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice–with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can’t afford to turn down Stella’s offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan–from foreplay to more-than-missionary position…

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he’s making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic…

 

 

Review:

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is the 1st book in her new Kiss Quotient series.   I did not know what to expect when I decided to read this debut novel by Hoang, as sex was a major background of this story.  I was totally surprised when I found myself unable to put the book and down enjoying it very much.

The whole concept of The Kiss Quotient is based on a girl who has Asperger’s  (autism spectrum).  Stella Lane is close to 30, smart, very successful in her job as an econometrics, and she loves her job, being a workaholic, working 7 days a week.  Stella is also wealthy, both from her job and her family.  Stella does not deal with socializing, and especially dating; which her parents pressure her to find a man, get married, and have kids. But Stella does not enjoy dating, and hates kissing or sex.  She decides that since she has no social skills, she needs someone to train her how to act on dates, and to practice sex.  Stella feels this will help her find someone to be in a relationship with. 

Enter Michael Phan, who is an escort who reserves only Fridays to offer his services.  Michael needs money to help his family (mother has cancer and big bills), and the escorting pays well.  He also helps his mother, as a tailor in their store, and on the side, Michael is a designer, which he has not had much time to concentrate on developing more.  When he meets Stella, she gives him a list that she wants to learn, which at first he finds amusing.  But he senses her fears, tension and awkwardness, and decides to take it slow; just getting her used to being kissed and stopping there.  Michael never escorts the same woman again, but he decides to give her three more lessons, which will include going out on date, attending a club, and slowly having her get used to taking her clothes off.   Michael was a great hero, as he was so sweet, patient and understanding of Stella’s issues.  In a short time, their chemistry together was sizzling, especially as Stella began to learn to enjoy her training, as she began to feel things she never knew existed.  When Michael learns later about her autism, and he work towards helping her overcome her fears. He was the perfect man for Stella, though they both felt nothing would come from their “training”.  Michael had his father issues (he left them years ago), his mother’s illness, as well as his siblings to help take care of.  Even as he was falling hard for the sweet Stella, Michael felt she deserved more.

The Kiss Quotient was a sensual, emotional, heartwarming and sexy story.  It was amazing to see Michael help Stella through her social anxiety, and the loud noises that made her tense and awkward.  I loved Stella and Michael together. This was so well written by Hoang, as she manages to keep us glued to our seats with this wonderful story, with a fantastic couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Her mouth thinned into a stubborn line. “This is too important for me not to think. I’d rather not kiss anymore if you don’t mind.”
Michael’s irritation redoubled, and he forced his hands to relax before he popped all his blood vessels. How the hell had he gotten himself into this? Ah yes, he’d been worried about his escort colleagues taking advantage of her. Stupid of him. His life was complicated enough without worrying about his clients. This was exactly why he had the one-session policy.
He would have backed out—it was tempting—but he’d promised. He always carried through on his promises. It was his way of balancing out the universe. His dad had broken enough promises for the both of them.
“All right,” he made himself say. “No kissing.”
“Do the other plans look okay?” she asked.
He forced himself to read them and found them pretty similar, only she’d moved from hand jobs to blowjobs and changed the sexual positions.
Amused despite himself, he said, “I’m surprised you used the terms ‘doggy style’ and ‘cow girl.’”
Her cheeks went bright red, and she adjusted her glasses. “I’m inexperienced, not clueless.”
“Your plans are missing something important.” He held his hand out, and she placed the pen in his palm with wary motions.
She tilted her head to the side as she watched him write FOREPLAY at the top of all the plans in capital letters. As an afterthought, he drew a box in front of each iteration with hard stabs of the pen.
“But why? I was under the impression men don’t need it.”
“You do,” he said flatly.
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “You don’t have to bother with me.”
He narrowed his eyes. “It’s not a bother. Most men like foreplay. I do. Getting a woman hot is satisfying as hell.” Besides, he was not having sex with her if she wasn’t ready. No fucking way.
Swallowing, she stared down at the menu. “So you’re saying I don’t have a chance to improve.”
“What? No.” His mind scrambled to figure out why she might say that and came up with nothing.
“You saw how I reacted. It was one button.”
“And then you slept with me all night. You were basically naked, and you cling.”
“Are you two ready to order?” the waitress interjected. Judging by the amused glimmer in her eyes, she’d caught the last part of their conversation.
Stella perused the dinner options, her nails picking at the fabric edging of the menu.
“We’ll have the special,” Michael said.
“Wise choice. I’ll leave you to it.” The waitress winked, gathered the menus, and disappeared.
“What’s the special?” Stella asked.
“I have no idea. Let’s hope it’s not woolly.”
A troubled frown bracketed her mouth, and she leaned forward hesitantly, meeting his eyes for the briefest second. “What exactly do you mean by ‘cling?’”
Michael grinned. “It means you like to cuddle when you’re asleep.”

“Oh.”
She looked so horrified Michael couldn’t help laughing. “I confess to liking it.” Which was the truth, and unlike him. Cuddling was an obligatory thing he did for his clients because he understood they needed it. He usually spent the time counting the seconds until he could leave and go home to shower. Holding Stella had been nothing like that. They hadn’t had sex, so there’d been nothing to wash away, and the trusting way she’d curled into him had made him feel things he didn’t want to think about.


 

Helen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since.

In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT, which comes out in June 2018 with Berkley.

She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.

Helen Hoang’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE KISS QUOTIENT to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please Like HELEN HOANG on Facebook

4. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from June 5 – 9, 2018

 

 

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