I've never read anything by Helen Hoang, but have heard a lot of good things about The Kiss Quotient so I was really excited to receive an ARC of this one. It did not disappoint.

I loved the back story we got of Esme/My. We get to see a glimpse of her life in Vietnam prior to her going to America. I feel like getting that bit of back story really helped nail home just how strong of a woman she really is. I loved how compassionate and patient she was with Khai. I also loved how she adjusted to his needs fairly quickly, but was also willing to push his boundaries just a little bit farther. I loved how she stuck to her guns and wouldn't settle for less than what she deserved just because others would say she should. She was just a really strong character and a great role model.

Khai just broke my heart throughout the book. I hated that he felt like he had a "heart of stone" when you could see how big his heart was throughout the whole book. I loved how sweet he was to Esme when he didn't even realize what he was doing. I really enjoyed his relationship with his mom and brother, too. Quan was such a great older brother and definitely has helped shape Khai into the man he grew up to be.

The story line itself was excellent. I didn't really know what to expect because I've never read anything that dealt with this content in this way. Usually it's some sordid affair, but this wasn't at all. It was very sweet and romantic and definitely tugged on the heart strings quite a bit. My one and only complaint is that I felt like the ending was just a little bit rushed, but maybe that's because I just wanted more of the story. I definitely don't feel unsatisfied after finishing it.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I can't think of another book to compare it to, but if the synopsis strikes your fancy, even a little bit, you should pick it up! You won't regret it.

Admittedly, I was almost afraid to pick up this book. Hoang's The Kiss Quotient was my favorite read of 2018 and I was afraid I had hyped the sequel up in my head so much there was no way live up. I'm so grateful I was wrong! This book gives us a whole new couple, new challenges, but the same writing style and authenticity that made me love her debut novel. Definitely pick up the Bride Test. It won't disappoint. Looking forward to what this author brings us next!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

An absolutely delightful book that is even better than The Kiss Quotient (if that's possible!). Drawing on experience from her own mother (don't forget to read the Author's Note). Hoang introduces us to Esme, a single mother from Viet Nam struggling to make ends meet. Invited to California by a slightly meddling mother, she moves in with Khai who sits somewhere on the spectrum. As we see their relationship develop we get to learn a lot about the immigrant experience in the US as well as exploring the Khai's different ways of interacting with people and the world. Khai's family adds a lot to the book, although I do wish we had learned a bit more about Esme's family. But - it is a charming and well-written read that anyone will enjoy.

This book! THIS BOOK!!!! It hits me all in the good places! It is touching and funny and sweet and so much more!
My/Esmeralda is such a strong woman ! She was given a hard life and she still finds way to see the beauty in it. Being the daughter of immigrant Asian parents, I recognize and understand so many parts of this book and lemme just tell you all : the fish sauce really smells but is oh so delicious!
And Khai, sweet and closed Khai, who breaks my heart, makes me angry and fills me with so many emotions at once.
Helen Hoang’s the Kiss Quotient was great but this one is even better in my opinion! So don't hesitate, do yourself a favor and go enjoy The Bride Test !

I really want to like Helen Hoang's writing--I like her characters! Esme is so compelling!--but this story just didn't click for me. There was an element of physicality in this book that made me feel really uncomfortable.

That being said, I absolutely love how much time is spent inside Esme's head. Her journey towards valuing herself was very rewarding, and I really wanted her to find happiness. Also, the family support network is heartwarming and obnoxious, as many families are. Hoang's endnotes are more than worth the price of admission.

Helen Hoang's sophomore novel is sure to keep fans of The Kiss Quotient satisfied. This awkward and endearing story of Esme and Khai's budding (and bumbling) relationship is fun, sexy, and facepalm-inducing.

Helen Hoang has done it again! Khai and Esme were both wonderfully drawn characters, and their romance was beautiful. I cannot wait to see what Hoang comes out with next (please give Quan a book!)

Wow! What a great follow up to Helen Hoang's last smashing success, The Kiss Quotient. I enjoyed The Bride Test from page 1. I enjoyed that it was a different perspective, both culturally and neuro-typically than other romance books. The "romance" parts of the book were steamy and great.

Highly recommend!

The Bride Test was a fun read filled with a diverse cast. I loved that the book brought awareness to those on the autism spectrum. This would be a great read and author for those who liked the Crazy Rich Asians series.

This was a beautiful novel about belonging and inner strength that was inspired by the author's own mother, who came to the U.S. from Vietnam as a refugee and grew to own four restaurants. The love and respect for this character was actually visible to me while I was reading.
Esme, the heroine, was originally intended to be the awkward third wheel in this story. She doesn’t have the “glamour” that a typical romance heroine possesses. In fact, the story opens with her cleaning a toilet at her job as a janitor/maid. She’s used to poverty, and her naivety when she arrives in the U.S. makes for some awkward moments. But her honesty, boldness and belief in her own self-worth make her an incredibly resilient and memorable character.
She originally moves to the U.S. to “marry” Khai Diep, an autistic accountant who believes he is incapable of love. Esme helps Khai come to the realization that he is worthy and capable of deep emotion and reunites him emotionally with his friends and family. She also takes her future into her own hands, learning English, finishing her GED, and ultimately going on to college to pursue her PhD—accomplishing everything she wanted to and then some.
I found myself caring so much about these characters and their love for one another that I was almost in tears by the end of their story. I’m so proud of both of them and all that they’ve done, and I can’t wait to read about their futures in coming books.
I am also so, so ready to read Quan’s HEA! He deserves some love!

This book was adorable! I love Khai!! He was such a likable character with so much dept. I really enjoyed how he got to know Esme before he informed her about his Autism. He is so matter of fact that it is too cute when he opens up to her! I loved Khai's family, especially his Mom and the respect he has for them. I like how they are all so supportive of him and his life. He's just the right amount of nerdy and hot! Lol Khai learns so much about himself in this book and so does Esme. They find their own kind of affection and love. Heartwarming story!!

For Netgalley and Edelweiss:

I like this book and the first one in the series, ‘Kiss Quotient’, for different reasons even though they are broaching similar topics. In the first book I felt that there was a more of a plight for the main character that had autism. As a reader I really felt for that character and the struggle she went though. However, in the Bride test even though the main character had autism as well, it felt a little stagnant and was just there in the background. What I really loved about ‘The Bride Test’ is the role of family and the Vietnamese culture. The line drawn by family support vs family evasiveness into the main character’s life is absolutely wonderful. The Mother was just a gem and so realistic. The characters are all so warm hearted and kind. Some of them I would even call a bit naive, but that only adds his and her charm.

Khai Diep's mother is eager for grandkids. So eager, that on her trip home to Vietnam she interviews potential women to be his bride. Esme is cleaning the toilets in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City when a rich American offers to fly her to America to marry her son. She has the summer to see if they will suit. Esme is no stranger to hard work and she is determined to make a better life for herself but Khai's autism means that he processes the world and love in a different way.

Why I started this book: Hoang impressed me with [book:The Kiss Quotient|36199084] and I was eager to read her next book.

Why I finished it: I read this in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I laughed and cried. So wonderful to have a story about non-standard romance leads, to show the strength of immigrants and their challenges. This story was more realistic than [book:The Kiss Quotient|36199084] but no less engrossing and heartening.

Another it out of the ball park for Helen Hoang!

The Bride Test is so good. It's not as steamy as the Kiss Quotient but there is so much sexual tension. You laugh, cry and be glad that your mother didn't go to another country to find you a spouse!

Helen Hoang pretty much writes everything I love. Her character's are diverse, with depth which makes them easy to love. She touches on autism, which I know affects her and her family in a very real way, but its eye opener for us readers that have no contact with it. I found myself learning along with Esme as she navigated Khai and with Michael as he navigated Stella in her first book. The tension she writes between the love interests is, wonderful. It's the kind that keeps you wanting more and more and more. Though, to be honest it's so much more than the physical tension that makes this book. I can't even begin to explain it.
I, myself am not great with words, all I can really say is that I loved this book, probably more than I loved her first book. She's one of those authors that make you want to buy whatever is published, because you know, no matter what she writes it will be amazing and relevant and it will leave you wanting more and more.

Khai is a Vietnamese-American man who has trouble navigating other people's emotions. He's happy with his work and his solitary life, but his mother wants him to get married--so she goes to Vietnam in search of a bride for him. Esme is a Vietnamese hotel maid struggling to provide for her family. When Khai's mother makes her an offer--a summer in California and a chance to marry an American and make a new life there--she reluctantly agrees to try it. Started out a little slow but ended up being a sweet story of second chances and finding your place in the world.

This was one of my most-anticipated reads of 2019 and it did not disappoint. Khai and Esme are wonderful characters and their romance sizzles. What a wonderful follow up to The Kiss Quotient.

OMG, I loved this book so much!! This was an excellent follow up to The Kiss Quotient.

My, a hotel janitor in Viet Nam, in a moment of great serendipity met Khai Diep's mother when she was present to locate a wife for Khai. Khai is not like other men, much like Stella of The Kiss Quotient, Khai has autism. I appreciate learning about Khai, especially how he believes that he cannot love, or does not love My (also known as Esme).

My presented as an incredibly strong and smart heroine. I appreciated learning about the various foods and aspects of her Vietnamese culture. My, also a single mother, has to grapple with the tough decision to leave her daughter at home in Viet Nam while she moves to California to meet Khai.

Thankfully, we meet up with some of the characters of The Kiss Quotient again....I'm really, really, really hoping that we will see Quan in a future book. I think he is my favorite....I just picture him as such a hot bad boy (but that is beside the point).

Overall, this awesome book will resonate with readers longing to learn about different perspectives, different cultures, and also those who greatly enjoy romance.

While good, not as strong as her first novel. This story revolves around Khan, Michael's autistic cousin from The Kissing Quotient. Khan's mom finds him a match in Vietnam and has Esme come over to convince him to marry her. Khan is closed off to love because of a favorite cousin passing away years ago. Khan starts feeling for Esme but can't admit his true feelings to her or himself. I felt myself understanding Khan more than Esme, which was odd. I couldn't get over the secret she was keeping from him, and it nagged me through the book. I thought more would be resolved with the mystery Dad, but it was left unfinished. Again, things tidy up so quickly and Khan goes from 0 to 100, and wish there was direct communication between Stella and Esme. The Author's note was very important to read and am glad it was included. It really helped to bring authenticity to the story.

I really loved this book. I read it in one day! Esme and Khai are such great characters and I loved how their interactions developed. I liked how they both brought out the best in one another and how she helped him feel things he thought he was incapable of.
I liked seeing characters from Hoang's other book. I felt like we got to know more about Khai's family and about Quan. Quan, Khai's brother is definitely a good guy and I would love to see him get a book of his own and maybe finally settle down.
Khai's autism is handled so well in this book and we see how he figures out his different emotions and feelings about things. He think he can't love, but he just doesn't realize how to really show how he is feeling. I am not saying he got it down in this book, but Esme really did teach him how to open up and see what he was capable of.