Sunday, February 10, 2019

Backlist Book Review #3 | The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be doing another backlist book review. Backlist book review is a new series on my blog where I review books that I read weeks, perhaps months, ago. Check out my first two backlist book review posts, where I reviewed This Cruel Design and Restore Me. Instead of my usual paragraph format, I'm going to be answering four questions:
  • What is my rating?
  • What is the book about?
  • What do I remember?
  • Does my rating still stand? 
Goodreads
Without further ado, here is my backlist book review for The Kiss Quotient!

Title: The Kiss Quotient
Author: Helen Hoang
Series? Technically, no. Helen Hoang is publishing a novel following a secondary character in this book, though.
Pages: 336
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Publisher: Berkley
Source: I read a library copy of the Kiss Quotient. 






What did I rate it? 

4.5 out of 5 Flowers!

What is it about?

The Kiss Quotient is a romance novel following Stella and Michael. Stella is a brilliant economotrist, but she isn't so brilliant with relationships. Stella, who has Asperger's, hires Michael, an escort. She thinks one night will do the trick, but things go off plan. Michael isn't comfortable having sex with Stella for one night, especially because she is so uncomfortable. Michael then begins to teach Stella how to be in a relationship - dates, flirting, meeting the family, the whole shebang. While Michael teaches Stella the ins and outs of how to be in a relationship, the unthinkable happens - Michael and Stella begin to fall for each other. All the while, Stella does not tell Michael about her Asperger's leading to some very stressful situations for her. Cue the drama! 

What do I remember?

Surprisingly, I remember a lot about The Kiss Quotient. Since reading the book at the end of August, specific scenes just continue to jump out at me, like when Stella meets Michael's family for the first time, their first date, and even the horribly awkward first night they spend together. While I do remember the specifics and the ending, I don't remember too much else. I forgot what the problem was between Stella and Michael (we had to have a breakup to have tension!!), and I don't remember too much of the secondary characters or the sexy times. I'm not too surprised about this, though. I'm actually shocked that I remember what I do, because those scenes are still very vivid in my mind! 

Does the rating still stand? 
 
Yes, the rating still stands! Though I might not have remembered the more explicit scenes, I do remember Stella and Michael's relationship pretty well. I also remember how great is was to read such a diverse and own voices novel. I've never read a book with a character who has Asperger's, let alone from an author that is diagnosed as well. I think The Kiss Quotient is a great example of how to have diversity in a novel that seems authentic, while still keeping the angst, tension, and chemistry of a great romance. 


Have you read The Kiss Quotient? What did you think? 

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

 

8 comments:

  1. I thought this book was something special. Most of my contemporary romances clock in at a solid 4-stars. Look, I love the genre, but this one had that little something extra, and I am excited to read many more books from Hoang.

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    1. I totally agree Sam! Most my contemporary romances are also around 3.5 to 4 stars and generally feel the same, but The Kiss Quotient was such a breath of fresh air.

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  2. This is such a fun way to review a book, I love it! I should do that a lot more, too, since I tend to review books a little while after I read them (and I feel terrible about it, more often than not, haha). I'm so happy you enjoyed this book so much! I've been hearing so many good things about it, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy and give it a try :)

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    1. Aw, thank you Marie! This was a way to make me feel less horrible about it, tbh. Books get lost in the sidelines! If you start to read the book, please let me know! I'm excited to know what you think. :)

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  3. Great review!! I just had a friend recommend this one to me! :)

    Erica | Erica Robyn Reads

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    1. Thank you Erica!! TKQ is so well loved; I'm not surprised! I hope you enjoy it. :)

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  4. The Kiss Quotient was one of my favorite books of 2018 and I can't wait for her next book. I am glad you enjoyed it! :)

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    1. It was definitely a highlight of my romance reads next year. Here's hoping that The Bride Test does the same!

      Thanks for stopping by, Kay. :)

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