Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Review: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Title: The Bride Test
Author: Helen Hoang
Series: Book Two in the Kiss Quotient
Genre: Contemporary
Published By: Berkley (May 7, 2019)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 5 Solid Stars!!


Book 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.











The Kiss Quotient was one of my absolute favorite reads last year and one I still thinking about and if I'm being honest, use to compare other books to so picking up Hoang latest was a complete no brainer for me. In fact, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I knew not only was I getting a treat but more than likely one heck of a romance and emotional ride to go with it. 

I adore those stories that can pack a punch and worm their way right into your very soul and Haung has a way of doing that with her characters, her story line, and her words. Stories that leave a mark long after you have put them down. I want to start off by saying, read the Author's Note, maybe even before starting this story, because it truly adds so much more to it.

This story is one I won't soon be forgetting. It really did pack in the feels, the emotions, the everything,

A story about one woman's struggle to overcome her circumstances and to be better, not only for herself, but for those she loves.

A story about a man, that overcomes just as much as the woman but in totally different ways.

I have never swoond more for a characters, than I think I have for Khai. He wanted to be better, be stronger, be...more. And he didn't even realize, the whole time, he already was. Sometimes he broke my heart in the best possible ways.

I still have so much I want to say about this story and very few words that are good enough to express them all. What I will say though is this, with as much as I loved The Kiss Quotient, I loved this even more. So much more. This is a story that I want to read and read again and then re-read again. One that will never get old, never lose it's potency. A story that can change everything and anything. One that gives you hope, compassion, understanding, and so much more. 

Well done Ms. Hoang, well done. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

40 comments:

  1. YES, Ali!! I loved this one too! Khai & Esme were my babies! They were both brilliant and amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great review. I have not read this author and I know that I am missing out. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely try her, she really is quickly becoming a favorite and auto-buy author for me.

      Delete
  3. I'm picking this up next so I'll come back and read your review when I'm finished but love your 5 stars! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great review Kindlemom, I've heard some really good things about this author

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah your making me even more excited for this!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved TKQ too and can't wait to read this one and feel all the feels. Wonderful review :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really need to try one of her books

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ahh.... so glad that this one lived up to the expectations and the hype. I am eager for more from this author. Sadly I didn’t get an ARC and I am on a super long library wait list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bummer Heidi! I hope you get it soon and you love it just as much.

      Delete
  9. I need to try her books, especially since lately I've been into romances again. They look really cute

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her books are so good Lily, you really can't go wrong with them.

      Delete
  10. You know, there aren't a lot of these kind of romance stories that deal with an autistic person in them. This sounds good. Sounds like you really enjoyed this one too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both of her books do and I love it because you're right, there aren't and we definitely need more of them!

      Delete
  11. I agree with everything you're saying, I loved TKQ too! It was a 5 star read for me, but I loved this story even more. These books and characters are so special to me as well. I agree with what you said about Khai and how he wanted to be better, stronger, and more, but he already was. You nailed this review and your words did it justice.

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Lindy, that means a lot and I'm so glad you agree! I adore this author and how much awareness she is bringing in her subject matters.

      Delete
  12. I haven't read either book yet, and I'm kinda worried to in case it doesn't live up to the hype!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know how you feel but I'm pretty darn sure these will so I really hope you do try them!

      Delete
  13. I loved this book so much! It’s definitely one I could reread. Fantastic review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I definitely can see myself re-reading this as well! I loved it so much.

      Delete
  14. I keep meaning to read The Kiss Quotient, so that's great you loved this one too. Sounds like a go-to author for you now.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yay! This might be my MOST anticipated read of 2019! I love, love, loved The Kiss Quotient, and was thrilled when this one popped up on my radar. I'm so happy you enjoyed it! <3

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you will like this one even more, so. Darn. Good!

      Delete
  16. This sounds great, and I love it when an author's note adds to a story. I always look for those now (why are they in the back so much lol) and read 'em first. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know! They should have them in the front!

      Delete
  17. Squee!! I love this one too Ali. It had all the feels and warmth.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I really need to try these books. Everyone has been raving about them since the first book came out. Great review!

    Simply Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the first book but truly, this one was even better so I really hope you give them both a chance!

      Delete
  19. I want to read the Kiss Quotient. I saw this one first and wanted to read it before I knew it was the second one. Glad to hear it was good!

    Ash @ JennRenee Read

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even though it is part of a series, they aren't related in the sense that you need to read them in order so read away! ;)

      Delete
  20. Glad to hear you loved this even more than The Kiss Quotient! I loved it too, but I loved TKQ just a little more. Still, both were amazing! :)

    ReplyDelete