This book was too cute. It has clearly been too long since I've read an actual adult romance novel, so the very descriptive sex scenes and scenes where the male protagonist describes the female protagonist caught me a little off guard, but once I got into the flow of the novel I stopped noticing. I loved that the "mail order bride" trope was kind of turned on its head. My (or Esme) is such a great strong character and I loved watching her navigate the new immigrant experience as well as the experience of learning to love in a different way.

Ever since I fell in love with Helen Hoang's debut novel, The Kiss Quotient, I've been eager to get my hands on this follow-up... and it did not disappoint! She's done it again- brought charm, sweetness, humor, and genuine emotion to a diverse contemporary romance.

Once again, we have a Vietnamese-American guy as the romantic lead, which I am ALL ABOUT (please see my husband). The romance here is sweet, earnest, and all about finding commonalities and overcoming obstacles. It's steamy, but slightly less so in comparison to The Kiss Quotient. Which makes sense- the plot in TKQ centers around a woman trying to learn to enjoy physical intimacy, whereas the plot here is more about two people building a relationship that transcends a variety of barriers.

Hoang explores a variety of themes and topics in this one, including:

* arranged marriage - which, btw, is still totally a thing! When my husband was in his 20s, it was strongly suggested on multiple occasions that his grandmother would be more than happy to find him a nice bride from Vietnam instead of this useless white girl. (Spoilers: he ended up with the useless white girl.)

* the immigrant experience - navigating a culture when you're not entirely proficient in the customs or the language. This is always a challenge, and Esme faces the added burden of feeling inferior because of her lack of education and resources. She fights for everything, works hard for everything, and refuses to give up. Don't miss the author's note at the end, where Hoang talks about how she based Esme a great deal on her own mother's experiences.

* the big Vietnamese family dynamic, as seen in The Kiss Quotient. A little less warm-fuzzy this time, as much of the narrative is seen through Khai's eyes, and he's just not a warm-fuzzy guy. But the sense of a big, extended family (where everyone is kinda all up in each other's business) rings true, and I loved it.

* autism - Khai's way of navigating the world and relationships is different from Stella's in The Kiss Quotient. I find Hoang's portrayal of two very different adults with autism to be really thoughtful and nuanced-- autism is a big part of their lives, but it's not the thing defines them, and it's not the same for each character.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, absolutely didn't want to put it down, and hope hope hope Helen Hoang and Berkley Publishing will grace us with a third book about Khai's brother Quan!

THE BRIDE TEST by itself is a very entertaining, enjoyable contemporary romance. However, when compared to Hoang's breakout hit THE KISS QUOTIENT it falls short in a couple areas. I tried to keep this in mind while reading it and focus solely on THE BRIDE TEST"S merits, but comparison between the two is perhaps inevitable due to the first book's immense popularity.

Hoang succeeded in creating an endearing, immensely likable heroine in Esme, but I had trouble connecting with Khai's character. I appreciated the moments when he showed a tender side towards Esme, but overall there was a lack of vulnerability about him that bothered me, even at the end. This ability to show vulnerability was something that I so loved about Stella in THE KISS QUOTIENT, so it was disappointing to find such a lack of that here.

The other thing that felt lacking was the love scenes. They weren't bad, but again, I was subconsciously expecting the same level of sexiness that was found in THE KISS QUOTIENT. They had an almost lackluster quality to them that was surprising given that the sexual chemistry between Esme and Khai was actually very well done.

Finally, I did not feel this was as well-written a book as I've come to expect from Hoang. The writing felt rushed in certain areas, and there was a curious casualness to the language that didn't sit well with me.

Overall, I enjoyed THE BRIDE TEST, and it is certainly a step above the average romance novel. However, I don't think it achieved quite the same level of success as THE KISS QUOTIENT in terms of character development, hot love scenes, and the quality of the language.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

While reluctant to give 5 stars, The Bride Test deserved more than 4. I was one of the few who didn't read The Kiss Quotient, so I can honestly say I read this because of the description and I absolutely adored the cover. I think it is important for authors to write for people needing to be understood and for the reader who needs to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone, not just a person with Asperger's or someone who knows someone with Asperger's/autism, because it is such a powerful love story. What is love anyway? Haven't we proved that you can grow to love a stranger? Hit me in the heart!! I cried.

What a lovely and delightful book. Khai and Esme are such sweet characters. It was fun to see how they both grew. As with many romance novels, if there had been just a bit more communication, there would have been a lot fewer difficulties. It's wonderful to see a story highlighting both minorities and neuroatypical characters.

HOW DOES HELEN HOANG DO IT? This was perfection. Hoang writes such unique romances in just about every way, but especially the circumstances in which the characters get together (an “arranged marriage” here and the whole “male escort” thing KISS QUOTIENT).

When Khai’s mom heads to Vietnam to essentially hand-pick a woman for her son to marry, she finds that Esme, who is working in the restroom, would be the perfect match. She is hesitant at first because she has a young daughter, mother, and grandmother to support. Her mother insists that she comes to California for the summer to try to make things work with him. She can also try to find her father, an American on business who never knew he got her mother pregnant. She eventually agrees for those reasons – why not give it a shot? Khai, on the other hand, just decides to appease his mom, live with Esme, and see what happens. He was obviously in for a surprise when he found himself instantly fascinated by her.

I was completely charmed by both Esme and Khai; they were totally lovable in their different ways. Esme talked a lot while Khai would just take it all in. They were opposites but complementary. Watching them open up to each other was so entertaining and heartwarming. They didn’t just grow as a pair, but absolutely grew as individuals too. Esme learned about her own interests and goals while Khai opened up to the fact that he DOES have feelings, of all kinds. Superb, natural character development.

I am so eager to read more and more of her stories. LOVED this one, just a tiny tiny bit (okay one half-star) more than TKQ. If I could complain about ANYTHING, I wish there was a tiny bit more development at the beginning of the story and toward the end of the story. I’m nitpicking, but a little bit more backstory could have been interesting! (This is mostly about Khai’s mom and Esme’s mom.)

I gobbled this book up in a single day. A sweet, funny, and sometimes sexy romance, with a lot of substance. I loved getting to know these characters and I can't wait to read what this author writes next!

***ARC received for an honest review***

At first I wasn’t sure how I felt. I couldn’t identify with the characters - their cultures were unfamiliar, and they were both difficult to identify with. I felt uncomfortable as Esme struggled, as Khai pushed.

But I wanted more. I wanted what’s next. I wanted to watch these two strange people bloom and unfurl because it became abundantly clear they both had amazing just under the surface.

And then I was swept away. Esme’s determination to be the hero of her own story. Khai’s grappling with his feelings. I feel like they started this book like tiny little acorns - hard and green and bitter. And they finished it like towering oaks - strong and resilient and majestic.

I liked The Kiss Quotient a lot. But I loved this book. There was a core of sweetness and strength to Khai and Esme that is rare and lovely. Characters that felt scratchy and off in the beginning came to feel like home.

I am so excited for all of you to read this.

<a href="http://alleskelle.com"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1531392914r/25962167.jpg?v=1531392917324"width="400"></a>

I loved The Kiss Quotient by this author and this was just as good, if not better. A sweet love story with good character development.

What a lovely book! I definitely think Helen Hoang lived up to the TKQ hype with this story. It was a darling take on the mail order bride trope and she knocked it out of the park! It was such a cute story.

When Khai Diep's mother brings Vietnamese Esme Tran to live with him for the summer, she's hoping for a match that will end in marriage. Khai's just hoping Esme will leave his stuff alone and Esme is hoping for a better life for her and her young daughter. Told with heart and humor, this steamy romance novel features a neurodiverse male lead and a feisty, independent female lead based on the author's mother's experiences. Buckle up; if you have fans of the author's first novel they will be clamoring for this one.

Simply couldn't wait for this book to come out after falling in love with Hoang's The Kiss Quotient, and ended up reading it in one sitting once I had it in my hands! I loved The Bride Test; it had just as much heart as its predecessor, but offered new characters with their own lives and motivations that I fell for immediately. Esme and Khai's romance had me enthralled at every turn: I was smiling along whenever a new barrier was broken, crying with every setback, and experiencing just about every emotion in between. I can't wait to suggest these books to patrons, whether they love romances specifically, or just enjoy unique, character-driven stories with delightfully happy endings.

Vietnamese My--who takes on the western name of Esme--is coming to America because she passed a test. No, she's not going to a college, though she would like to, having left high school to raise her young daughter. Nor is she coming for work, though she needs the money to support her family. The test she passed was one presented by a Vietnamese-American woman looking for a bride for her son. A test she passed unknowingly, issued in the bathroom of the hotel Esme works at. Now Esme is in America for the next three months with two goals: find the white father she has never known, and woo Khai Diep into marrying her.

Terminator. Heart of Stone. Incapable of love. These are all the things that Khai believes to be true descriptors of himself, as his autism effects how he feels and expresses emotions, perceives the world around him, and how he interacts with people. All of the order and routine of Khai's life is turned upside down the moment his mother arrived with crates of fruit and telling him when to pick up a woman at the airport--a woman who his mother wants him to marry. Next thing he knows, his life and routines are completely upended by a gorgeous woman who hacks at the dead trees in his yard with a meat cleaver, reorganizes his pantry, and starts to make him question how happy he is and what he wants for the future.

Both characters are fantastic, and I love that even though the focus is on the will-they-or-won't-they? aspect of the story both Esme and Khai have their own additional story lines and character development. As they grow together, they also grow separately. This separate personal growth leads to stronger romantic growth. They learn a lot about themselves and each other, and both Esme and Khai find themselves doing what they once thought to be impossible. For Khai, that involves healing, grieving, and soul-searching. For Esme, that means taking chances, taking control of her future, and daring to dream.

Readers of The Kiss Quotient will be happy to see the return of several familiar faces, as well as fall in love with new characters. The Bride Test is a delightful romance that you won't be able to put down!

I had been in a book slump (made obvious by my lack of NetGalley reviews) until I got the notification in my inbox that I was approved for another Helen Hoang book. I devoured The Kiss Quotient and couldn’t wait to read more from the same author.

I finished The Bride Test in one day and found the characters equally as charming and endearing as in Hoang’s previous book. While I didn’t always like them and the choices they made, the author created them as real, raw people dealing with real, raw life and everything that gets thrown at them. I loved that the story went beyond the typical “boy meets girl, boy seduces girl, boy marries girl” narrative and focused on Esme’s individuality and independence as well. Another great read! Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

It took a little longer to get into this book than I was hoping but once Khai and Esme started actually interacting with each other the pace picked up. I found myself confused by Esme's lack of knowledge about some aspects of America and her apparent ease with others, like reading emails and websites in English. In spite of that, this was an emotional and compelling story of two "strange" people finding their "one" person. I also can't wait for Quan's story which I hope will be coming in the future.

The Bride Test is a delightful love story. Hoang once again offers up an amazing hook. I was drawn in and couldn’t put this uplifting book down. Khai and Esme are magical. Getting to know them felt like a privilege. They are awkward and uncertain, and also brave and determined. I absolutely adored them together from the very beginning. Their chemistry was undeniable. I couldn’t get enough of Khai’s family. I feel greedy wanting his brothers’ stories (but I do). The Bride Test feels light-hearted and warm yet delves deep into important issues. The storytelling is thoughtful and I was thoroughly entertained and enlightened. The ending left me with a deep sense of satisfaction.

Absolutely sublime. This book reminds me of why I read romance. Beautifully written, funny and heartwarming.

Having heard great things but not yet read "The Kiss Quotient", I was eager to try this second book by Helen Hoang. Focusing on major themes like the immigrant experience and autism, this novel's characters, both primary and secondary, simply shine. Esme is brought from Vietnam to California to hopefully become autistic Khai's wife. Their journey is complicated and filled with surprises, but it is one well worth taking, and love most assuredly wins out in the end.

A unique love story that pairs a new immigrant struggling to understand her new country with a man with autism who is afraid to become attached to anyone after losing a best friend. Thrown together by a meddling mother that wants her son to be happy the 2 must learn to understand and trust each other to find love and happiness.

I love the way Helen Hoang writes. The Kiss Quotient was a breath of fresh romance when it came out and I'm thrilled that she's gifted readers another book in the same vein.

But don't mistake this as a repeat! The Bride Test is unique unto itself, and while it has a similar set-up, an autistic lead bumbling through love, the story is completely different and addicting. I love that Hoang features heros and heroines that don't often get the spotlight. I also love that the situations are repeatedly awkward in new, and surprising, but incredibly sweet ways.

In The Bride Test we get a deeper look into the American/Vietnamese culture clash. As well as a reminder that every person is different and processes situations and emotions in their own distinctive ways. Khai and Esme are so completely different but the ways in which they are thrown together and grow are both similar and yet different than other Romances I have read. We get a book that isn't pushed too far outside of the genre we expect but Hoang manages to craft and create a new experience and loveably awkward and relateable characters. It's unputdownable.

It's all rooted in communication and understanding, not only other people, but themselves, individually and together. It's a beautiful story, as well as sweet and funny. Overall, I loved it and definitely recommend it, especially if you're a fan of Hoang's first book! (It should be noted that this book definitely stands on it's own. While Michael, from The Kiss Quotient, makes a small appearance, the focus never shifts off of the story being told in this book)

Oh, and I'll wrap up with this, (small, but not really, spoiler alert), the Khai sex talk with his male relations was the highlight of this book. I died. You have to read it for that alone. The end.

* I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.