[Review] The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Series: The Kiss Quotient #2

Rating: 4 stars

Published: May 7th 2019

Goodreads Synopsis: 

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.

Another enjoyable romance by Helen Hoang!

This time, we're with Michael's cousin Khai, who has recently lost his best friend Andy. Khai is autistic, sensitive to touch, and believes that he is immune to love. His mother wants to change that, and goes off to Vietnam to find him a bride. She meets Esme, a housekeeper with drive, and so, chooses her to come to America on visa. If she can convince Khai to fall in love with her over the summer, she can stay.
To impress Khai, Esme hides several secrets about herself - especially the fact that back in Vietnam she has a young daughter. But despite Khai's refusal to fall in love, he finds himself doing quite the opposite!

The two of them are so cute together I just can't. They both get each other perfectly. The trope of one character being in complete denial about their feelings worked here well, because when Khai opens up, he gives Esme the world.

"Please, don't let me make you cry," he whispered in her ear. "if something is wrong, tell me so I can fix it. Please." - p. 186

Also, I just loved Esme's ambition. She initially goes along with Khai's mother's plan in order to give her daughter a better life. A lot of what she does in the beginning is all for Khai to fall in love with her. But, over time, she realizes her self-worth and isn't afraid to chase after her own dreams that start to form.

She couldn't have Khai, but she didn't need him. She was going to earn her way all by herself, and that was a billion times better. - p. 261

There were also these mentions of Michael and Stella - and their wedding! Yes!

I just didn't like the idea that Khai/Esme had to rush their love for it to be possible. For Khai, who's autistic, him being forced to tell Esme he loves her was a big step! And it felt super forced, because it was over the course of the summer. I can see him developing feelings for her... but love itself felt like a giant leap of faith that I don't think his character was ready for yet. I am glad, however, that they decided to postpone the wedding, until Esme finished college.

I can't wait to see what happens to Quan in the next book!