The Bride Test by Helen Hoang – Review & Giveaway

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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.

Review:

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang is the 2^nd book in her The Kiss Quotient series.  Hoang gives us another wonderful romantic story, with a fabulous couple and she continues with the background theme of one of them being autistic.  I was once again totally surprised when I found myself unable to put the book and down enjoying it very much.

Khai Diep, our hero, is a smart successful accountant, but he is also autistic.  Khai avoids any kind of relationship, as he feels he is incapable of love, grief or any kind of feelings.  He has a wonderful family, who watch over him, and his mother takes matters in her own hands when she travels to Vietnam, and tries to find the right girl to win over Khai.

Esme Tran, our heroine, is a young mixed-race girl helping to support her mother and daughter, by working odd jobs cleaning or in restaurants.   When Co Nga (Khai’s mother) offers her the opportunity to go to America, for the summer to try and win the son’s hand in marriage.  Esme accepts the chance to change her life and her family for the better, as well as find the father she never knew.

When Khai finds out that his mother is bringing a young girl to live for the summer at his house, he is not pleased.  Khai will find himself battling his attraction to Esme, who is also very sweet and beautiful, as well as caring.  Esme, who is quirky and overly friendly, tries everything to make him comfortable around her, doing things in the house, but he does come across as cold and uncaring.  Esme has her own issues, always concerned that she comes from the slums, and doesn’t fit in; but she is determined to make Khai see that she is falling in love with him, and would be the perfect wife for him.

As time goes on, Khai and Esme will act on their growing feelings, with Khai beginning to accept that perhaps marrying Esme will work.  I loved them both together, and rooted hard that they would succumb to their feelings.  I also loved Quan (Khai’s brother) who also tried to convince his brother that Esme is the one for him.  Quan was willing to do anything, even to make Khai jealous; this was a fun part.  Khai doesn’t believe he is capable of love, and denies admitting that loves her; even after she proclaims she loves him, which pushes her away.

To say too much more would be spoilers.   You need to The Bride Test, as it brings out so many emotional, as well happy feelings as we read this story.  The Bride Test was a sensual, emotional, heartwarming and sexy story.  As I said, I loved Esme and Khai together, as well as the wonderful cast of secondary characters.. This was so well written by Hoang, as she manages to keep us glued to our seats with this wonderful story, with a fantastic couple.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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.

Helen is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency.

Helen Hoang’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of THE BRIDE TEST to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from May 9 to 13, 2019