Publisher: Berkley Romance
Published: May 7, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Print ARC
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb:
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.
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-
I have to say—Ms. Hoang has fast become one of my favorite authors since The Kiss Quotient came out. Just like it’s predecessor, The Bride Test is genuine, romantic, and perfectly awkward. We have Khai and Esme as our front runner and lovely main characters.
Khai not only has autism but he’s also the cousin to the hero in the first book, Michael. He has no feelings and knows for sure that he will never fall in love. He can’t. Then we have Esme, a woman from Vietnam, who’s given a proposition to come to America and convince Khai to wife her.
What I loved and adored so much about the book was watching these two adorkable characters figure out love for the first time in their lives. There were so many memorable moments that had me laughing and crying; sometimes at the same time! Khai was unintentionally funny at times and Esme was insanely strong and independent. Her sheer will and determination to make a better life for herself was admirable.
We see glimpses and cameos of characters from TKQ and Michael is STILL swoony. Now for the next book I’m hoping it’s Quan’s book because HOT DAMN...he’s something else. So please, please, please be his book! I’ll forever be grateful. Overall, this was a great second book from Helen. I can’t wait to see what more she comes up with.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author:
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.
