The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient, #1) by Helen Hoang Series: The Kiss Quotient #1
Published by Berkley on June 5, 2018
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
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A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.
Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.
It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...
Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he's making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...
The Kiss Quotient is Helen Hoang’s debut novel, and she slays the heck out of it. I was hoping for a nice feel-good romantic comedy, but I feel like I won the lottery. This book is complete perfection—every single sentence.
I adored everything about Stella: the analytical way her mind works and all her little idiosyncrasies; her determination; her openness; and kind, gentle heart. I know virtually nothing about Asperger’s, so it amazed me to discover just how exhausting it is for Stella to try to appear normal in day-to-day social situations.
It would have been easy and cliché to portray Michael as a sleazy professional escort. I’m so glad the author didn’t go down that path. Instead, he is rather vulnerable and somewhat jaded, but completely devoted to his family. He is genuinely thoughtful and charming.
Being with Michael is surprisingly effortless for Stella. In spite of Stella’s awkwardness, Michael is completely taken with her quirky personality and candidness. Their student-teacher sessions are funny, warm, and wickedly sexy. The pacing of the plot is just right to make their growing attraction believable and allow time to explore how Stella copes with Asperger’s.
A wonderful cast of intriguing supporting characters adds even more dimension to this tender, multi-faceted story. I especially enjoyed Michael’s colorful large family.
Prepare yourself to swoon, laugh, and cheer over this spectacular romance. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end. It’s lovely.
Recommended for fans of:
Romantic comedies
Quirky heroines
Fashion
Vietnamese food
* I received an early copy of this book. It does not affect the content of this review. *
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About Helen Hoang
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, which comes out in June 2018 with Berkley.
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.
Gah! I wanna read this SO bad! Can’t wait!
Only a few days left to go! 🙂