This is one of those books that'll put you into a book hangover, and no other books will do. I found myself wanting to immediately start reading it again as soon as I'd finished. Stella, the heroine, is autistic, and struggles with social interaction. Feeling pressured by her mother to find a man and settle down, she hires Michael, a male escort to teach her how to be in a relationship. Both Michael and Stella have their own baggage that makes them feel like no one would want to be with them, but of course, they're both in love with each other. This was so refreshing, funny, and heartwarming. Definitely my favorite read of 2018!

The well-heeled but socially-awkward person hiring an escort for schooling in seduction with the transaction soon turning personal isn’t a new one, but Helen Hoang puts a spin in this reverse Pretty-Woman tale that had me glued to the paged from start to end.
 
There’s much I like about Hoang’s debut book: the racial diversity and how some cultural norms can seem so foreign and the sensitive portrayal of people with disabilities, to start with. But I also needed to mention how much the writing shone.
 
It was Stella Lane however, who stood out so sharply like a diamond in the dust. A true-to-the-core heroine who deals with autism and the need for structure, the difficulty with processing emotions. And the list goes on until a fantastically-rounded character along the autism spectrum emerges: quirky, artless with no games played, truly clueless about handling people, yet really wanting to learn all she could—I loved Stella from the start, felt and hurt for her, wished things had worked out better for her without her need for an escort’s services.
 
But where would the story be otherwise? I found it harder to care about Michael, the professional escort who put the word ‘professional’ in escorting because it was simply more profitable to turn what he’d already been doing for years into a job that also helped to pay the bills. But that’s me—my intense dislike for manwhores, professional or not, bogged down by daddy-issues or not—and I hadn’t gotten a big enough sense that Michael wanted to break out of his escorting work despite feeling it was like a noose around his neck. That he was perceptive enough to know that he was trying hard to become what his father wasn’t and ironically became the man who’d fallen just as far unfortunately still didn’t do it for me at all.
 
In many ways, ‘The Kiss Quotient’ was more of Stella’s book for me despite the obvious romance written into it. It was her story that shone, her struggles and her growth that appealed. So I cheered a heroine I loved, and found myself shrugging at a hero who seemed lacklustre in comparison. With the HEA that was almost inconsequential for me, her eventual acceptance of herself felt like the ultimate triumph that I always wanted for her.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang delivered a feel good, swoon-worthy read that needs to be your #mustread summer romance.  Diverse, fresh, funny and heartwarming I fell in love with these characters and devoured The Kiss Quotient in search of happily ever after. Full review to come.

"I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe."

Brilliant! This book is an absolute gem, and I loved every minute of it. Sweet, smart, steamy, romantic, this book is so much more than a gender-swapped Pretty Woman.

I don't read too many books in the romance genre, because it's usually too cliche for my taste. But this book kept me interested and entertained from start to finish. It's a breath of fresh air.

Helen Hoang is an inspired new voice in romance fiction!! I devoured The Kiss Quotient. Could not put it down! The main character Stella is on the autism spectrum and is navigating life just like everyone else. I loved that Stella isn’t like everyone other cookie cutter heroine. Finally something different, and real, in romance fiction. And the love scenes are pretty great too.

Helen Hoang has created a quirky, romantic story that's going to ring true to a multitude of readers. Stella's mother, like most mother's who have children in their twenties and thirties, tries to convince Stella to date more and puts the pressure on her to have children. But Stella isn't an ordinary young woman with a non-existent love life; she's a ridiculously intelligent, integral part of a company that does econometrics. She also happens to have Aspergers Syndrome; while she understands most social situations, some still baffle her. When she hires a private escort, her whole world changes. It's a beautiful story and one I will wholeheartedly recommend.

-From page one, Hoang roped me in with her delectable writing style.
-Unputdownable. Read it all in one sitting, housework be damned!
-My favorite kind of romance: smart, sexy and funny.
-Unique and quirky characters you want to cheer for.
-Diversity on many fronts... check!

This is probably my favorite book of 2018 so far.

This book made me have all the feels!!! When I finished it I went right back to the beginning to re-read this book that made my heart happy because I couldn't bear to leave Stella and Michael!
Helen Hoang has written a very impressive debut novel, one that left me a huge fan of hers....she writes with such heart...that is the only way that I can describe it.
Stella Lane is great with numbers but she has a hard time connecting with people. Determined to figure out dating, without her mother's help, she finds Michael Phan online to help with dating and sex. At first Michael can't quite put a finger on what makes Stella tick, all he knows is that he is into her and wants to keep seeing her. The lines eventually start to become blurry as their relationship continues to grow and pretty soon Stella and Michael will have to decide what they each want from one another.
I can't wait to see what Hoang will come out with next!!!

The beginning and middle of this book...just...:chef's kiss:

Wonderful. Stella was incredibly relatable and sweet. Michael's focus on her, his ability to intuit what she needed, was equally so.

The end...was where the star got knocked off. The villain is very two-dimensional (he was much more three-dimensional before he became the villain), and Michael...wasn't really like the Michael we got to know in the first and middle parts of the book. He pursues her after she says they're done (acting rather like the villain). When they're about to reconcile, he kisses her without her consent (while they're arguing). I would have loved to see it end with them reconciling on their own original terms.

Overall, I did like the book and look forward to the author's work in the future.

I was given an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Please note: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A professional woman hires an escort to teach her about sex and relationships in this phenomenal adult romance.

Hoang's The Kiss Quotient is the best romance I've read in years. The main characters, Stella and Michael, bring something unique to the romance genre. Stella is a high functioning autistic! She's not a side or stereotypical character, but the 👏 LEAD 👏 character in this romance. Michael is a dreamy biracial escort! He's not a side character or the comic relief, but the 👏 LOVE 👏 interest to Stella in this romance.

While successful and brilliant, Stella struggles with confidence in the romance department. While passionate and loving, Michael struggles with financial issues and his own pride. Together the two of them embark on a sweet, romantic exploration of love. Their romance helps them grow as individuals in a genuine way. Sex is a major component to their relationship (duh, Michael IS an escort), and the author is explicit in her descriptions. Readers uninterested in explicit sex scenes be forewarned - you will read quite a bit in this book.

Not only does this book deliver amazing main characters, it immerses readers into a rich setting full of diversity. The secondary characters, especially Michael's family, are complex and layered. The setting, from the elite golf clubs to the dry cleaners, feel vibrant and real. Even the careers are something new and delightful to read - Michael and Stella's careers are just as much a part of the story as their personalities.

tl;dr A must read for contemporary romance fans interested in a genuine, steamy relationship between two uniquely wonderful characters.

I'm sitting here talking to my book bestie who is attempting to write a review for this book as well and we both are a little intimidated by the task because it's hard to do it justice. So let me get one thing out in the open:

READ. THIS. BOOK.

I suppose I could end this review here but I need to explain how awesome this book is and why I'm demanding of you to read it. Even if you don't believe ME, check out the other reviews about THE KISS QUOTIENT.

I have only read one story in the past that involved an autistic main character, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley, which is one of my most favorite books of all times. Autism is rare in books so I had to have this debut novel by Helen Hoang.

Stella is a shy, gentle-spoken, and so so brave, young woman. As an autistic woman with a brilliant mind she needs her routine. She also thinks that she's bad at sex and that practice with a professional might fix this problem. What she didn't anticipate was the connection she makes with the hired escort at their first meeting. The way Stella reacts to Michael shows how lonely and excluded she often feels and that's all kinds of heartbreaking. Stella's pain and struggles left me raw and had me tear up.

Uninvited touch is more often than not unwelcome, it makes her feel highly uncomfortable, but Michael's touch soothes something inside her. Her fear of being labeled is so deeply seated that she can't tell Michael about her disorder even when they become close. He would see her in a different light, would treat her with kid gloves and she doesn't want that.

She had a disorder, but it didn’t define her. She was Stella. She was a unique person.

Stella's courage is inspiring. I loved the things that came out of her mouth just because she doesn't have the filter that society insists on. I found it charming, funny and sweet. Her way of looking at problems is unique, brilliant and fascinating. She shows the clarity that children often portray. While her train of thought is often complicated the results are simple and logical.

Michael needs his job as an escort. It pays the bills he shouldn't have to pay. At the same time he feels guilty for his dreams of having his old life as a designer back. He never meets a client more than once - being stuck with a stalker he has learned the hard way but right from the start he feels that Stella is different. He knows he shouldn't get close to this woman, whose thoughtfulness and desire for him as a man and not an escort slay him. Feelings for a woman and escorting don't go well together, things can get messy fast. But how can he resist her plea for help when being close to her is all he wants?

Her eyes shot to his face, and Michael lost his train of thought. Those sexy librarian glasses showcased the most stunning pair of soft brown eyes. And her lips— they were just full enough to be tempting without detracting from her overall air of sweetness.

If Michael doesn't make you swoon you must be dead inside. He is intuitive, patient and kind and understands Stella on a level only soulmates do. He teaches her that she was never awful at sex, that she only had douchebag lovers who didn't care about her pleasure. Through his eyes she learns her own sexuality and sensuality. He knew when to push and when to give Stella space. The tenderness he feels for this sweet, smart, special woman accompanies you through the whole story. Everything she considers a flaw is perfection to him. But he can also be demanding and sexy and I loved how he flustered Stella with his dirty talk.

The story packs a surprising and very welcome amount of steam. These are some of the most erotic scenes I've read in a while. Plus, it has some really good grovel towards the end.

Michael was mint chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her favorite.

Michael's family is pretty special too - as it is with big families his mom, sisters and cousin are all up in his business. I loved his cousin Quan, who gave it straight to Michael, there was no sugar-coating. When he is mad, Michael knows it but Quan forgives fast. I'm hoping he will get his own story.

As somebody who doesn't have anyone with autism/Asperger's in her life the disorder is an abstract medical term I know the definition of. I know the symptoms but at the end of the day it it's hard to understand what's going on in the mind of somebody who processes emotions differently. THE KISS QUOTIENT gives you a glimpse into the brilliant workings and emotional world of somebody with this disorder (and I hate to call it that) and an understanding beyond the medical concept. The lessons you will take with you after closing this book are fundamental, integral and authentic.

She could change her actions, change her words, change her appearance, but she couldn’t change the root of herself. At her core, she would always be autistic. People called it a disorder, but it didn’t feel like one. To her, it was simply the way she was.

When you open a book and you have that gut feeling that tells you this book will end up being an all-time favorite, one that you'll go back to and re-read multiple times, then you've found book gold. It's how I felt right from the beginning and the farther I got the more this conviction manifested itself. Stella and Michael will take you on a journey of self discovery and self appreciation, of accepting that autism is just a word for saying somebody is special and just as valuable and wonderful as somebody without. If you had only one more book to read in your life, this one should be it.

Can you imagine that this is a debut novel? I think we will hear a lot from this author - there is a new bright star in the sky and it carries the name Helen Hoang.

PICK THIS UP AND BE WOOED!

If you've been dialed into Romancelandia over the last few months, then I'm sure you've been hearing a lot of buzz around début author Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient -  and I'm here to tell you the book lives up to the hype.

It feels a bit like a gender-swapped take on Pretty Woman, but in addition to being sweet and sexy, it's also been modernized and updated with the inclusion of a mixed race-hero - who works as an escort for an altruistic reason - and an autistic heroine who works in a STEM field. Not only is this novel refreshing in a #ownvoices and diverse way, but it's refreshing for the sole fact that, stripped down to the basics, it's the woman who is more successful, brainy, and has the cash to make her the perfect shiny package. Everything else isn't just a bonus but instead makes the fantasy feel like reality. The characters are layered, flawed, and perfectly imperfect.

Stella Lane is a genius when it comes to econometrics but when it comes to social interactions and worse, dating, she's not exactly getting full marks; she’s barely even making the grade. Having Asperger's means she’s honest when so many people prefer pretty prevarications, sarcasm totally misses its mark, and as a result she finds solace in spreadsheets to keep from engaging in potentially disastrous conversation. French kissing makes her think of pilot fish cleaning a shark’s teeth, she’s uncomfortable with casual touches; and the handful of times she's had sex have been awful for her (and she believes for the guy, as well). When an offhand remark suggests her problem might be due to lack of practice, her problem-solving brain finds a solution : hire someone. If she can be taught, surely she will then be able to  apply her learned skills to real-life situations. Easy.

Michael Phan has a pretty face and a gorgeous body, but no heart for sleeping with strangers. Once a week for three years he's been selling himself in order to make enough money to crawl out of massive debt, support his mother - who is recovering from chemotherapy treatments - and hold his large family of strong-willed sisters together in the wake of his father’s abandonment. Michael’s issues aren't on the spectrum, but he's just as insecure as the woman who ends up hiring him. A woman he is surprised hired him at all, as she’s a quirky, brainy, beautiful woman who inspires real attraction, negates his need for his own fantasy to get through the assignation, and yet requires gentle handling and patience.

The concept of this romance is adorable and the switched gender roles make it refreshing and fun, but the strength of Hoang's story is in her characters. Stella's personality is so vibrant. Her anxieties, her need for routine and dislike of overstimulation, none of these are blown out of proportion or used to create drama and that’s all thanks to the author and her familiarity with Stella’s circumstances. You feel for her, her uneasiness, her struggle, but you never pity her. She is strong and smart so unaware of the fact she isn't all that different from what is defined as 'normal' even if there are labels that apply to her and not others. Michael is a devastatingly sexy hottie with just enough baggage to make him feel unworthy of Stella but he devotes patience and possessiveness in equal measure in their every interaction. We also see a lot of Michael's family, his mother and grandmother, his various sisters, and his cousins Quan and Khai – the latter of whom is getting his own book. I can’t wait to learn more about him - you’ll understand why once you’ve read this one! -- and I loved how the overwhelming family dynamics that were used to introduce them also reflected back so much of Stella's character, and just what it meant to have her particular autistic characteristics.

Honestly the only thing that doesn't feel completely solid is the other interested romantic party on Stella's side; Phillip could have been used differently, or maybe better developed. We aren't really supposed to be concerned about him swooping in to steal Stella away, he’s not a real threat to the romance, but he’s used more as a battering ram instead of a subtle potential for conflict and it just quite work. I would've liked to have seen more of Stella's parents, although I can see why the focus was on Michael's family instead of our heroine’s as his are more layered and interesting, while Stella's are more cookie-cutter. This isn't a criticism, really. Their personalities are just meant to be more straight-forward but I’d have liked more moments of tenderness with her mother.

As for everything else? The swoons are seriously topnotch -- and kind of unexpected. I went into The Kiss Quotient expecting a quirky rom-com and while there’s definitely a bit of comedy, it was more of a scorcher than I thought it would be. There was some definite face-fanning required and every time I tried to sneak a page during my day job, I had to slam the kindle shut for fear the heat coming off the pages would make its presence known on my cheeks. Oh yeah. It was hot. But it’s also a slow burn in the sense that Stella has to explore her own limitations, demolish or determine boundaries, and Michael is with her every step of the way to ensure she’s aroused, yes, but also comfortable. There are no hazy grey-area moments of dubious consent or situations where she’s brave enough to push through overwhelming discomfort. You wouldn’t think having to repeatedly hit pause on the sexytimes would be, well, sexy - but let me tell you, readers, respect and patience is my new favourite kink and Michael definitely deserves all his five star ratings. But beyond the scorching aspect of the romance, this story is also adorable, sweet, and though not overly emotionally wrought by drama, I still found myself choking back the occasional bout of tears. Helen Hoang has written characters that resonate and you feel for them, feel what they feel; and I found it hard to look away or put them out of my mind. This is a stunning début and I'm so looking forward to reuniting with her words, and some of these characters, in her companion novel to come.

The Kiss Quotient has a home on my Keeper shelf and I think it'll look great on yours, too!

Buy it at: Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iBooks/Kobo

When you look up “hit you in the feels” in the Dictionary, it’s just a picture of this book. I laughed. I cried. I hugged my stuffed bear so tight fluff was threatening to burst out. Helen Hoang’s debut and #ownvoices novel is an adorably cutesy love story and a steamy romance at the same time. Stella Lane is an econometrician, meaning she spends her days immersed in numbers and algorithms. After a coworker implies she doesn’t know how to date (and do other things), she decides that research and evaluation is the best way to go. Her solution is to hire a male escort to teach her the ways of the bedroom and of the heart. Which leads her to Michael, a Vietnamese/Swedish god. (Seriously, where is MY Michael?) Hoang’s author’s note at the end recalls her own diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder and what it meant to her as an older adult. And in regards to the steamy part, it went past my usual level of comfort of description for sex scenes and I wasn’t bothered at all. Ok, I definitely blushed a lot. But it was worth it.

While working on my Master's in Library Science I once wrote a paper on the history of erotic romance, so it's not like I've ever been snobby about sex in books. However, this is the first time that I've read an erotic romance that was so smart and so enjoyable that I'm willing to name it one of the best books of the year. Hoang has written such a fantastic story with the best characters and motivations. She touches on issues of consent with a deft hand and builds a believable relationship between Michael and Stella. I fell head over heels for this title and have already begun telling people to keep an eye out for it upon its release date. And not only will it be purchased for my library, but I have also preordered it for my personal collection.

Yes, this is a review for adults. No kiddies allowed.

I've read a lot of reviews comparing Hoang's debut to Sally Thorne's The Hating Game (which I LOOOOOVED) Yes, both books are hilarious and peopled with characters you really care about, but I think The Kiss Quotient pulled ahead of The Hating Game on my list of favorite contemporary romances.

Why? Because I've never read a romance novel where the characters are so honest. Seriously, Stella's reaction to Michael is so refreshingly REAL I just couldn't get enough.

And Michael? He is nuclear meltdown HOT. And not just his body, he is also funny and hard-working and responsible and self-aware--yes, he is the freakin' UNICORN of men!!!! But you believe in this unicorn because of Hoang's deft development of his character. Mainly it is his family that makes you believe.

He has a PILE of sisters who keep him from getting conceited (these girls need their own book. HINT. No, I'm serious. I want a book about Janie. Now.) I love his family.

But back to Michael. Not only is he hot, he is also smart, sensitive, and he knows his way around women's clothing (see, unicorn, right?) He is a decent, funny, witty (and did I mention HOT) guy who gets better and better the more you get to know him.

My favorite part of the book (other than the sex scenes, which are not only plentiful but SCORCHING) is the fact there are no "too-stupid-to-live" misunderstandings. These guys are about as honest with each other as you can get, which doesn't mean they don't both have their secrets, but the things they DO keep from each other you can understand.

This book is a mo*&%$#ing blockbuster. I can SO see it being made into a movie. Just two words about that: Daniel Henny.

I love love loved this romance. It was so steamy and so real. Can't wait for more from this author as this was a truly wonderful debut.

If you've been dialed into Romancelandia over the last few months, than I'm sure you've been hearing a lot of buzz around debut author Helen Hoang's The Kiss Quotient; and I'm here to tell you the hype lives up to the promise.

This felt a bit like a gender-swapped take on Pretty Woman but in addition to being sweet and sexy, it's also been modernized and updated with the inclusion of a mixed race hero, who is escorting for an altruistic reason, and an autistic heroine who works in a STEM field. Not only is this novel refreshing in a #ownvoices and diverse way, but it's refreshing for the sole fact that, stripped down to the basics, it's the woman who is both more successful, brainy, and has the cash to make her the perfect shiny package. Everything else isn't just a bonus but instead makes the fantasy feel like reality. The characters are layered, flawed, and perfectly imperfect.

Stella Lane is a genius when it comes to econometrics but when it comes to social interactions and, worse, dating, she's not exactly getting full marks; she’s barely even making the grade. Her Asperger's makes it so she’s honest when so many people prefer pretty prevarications, sarcasm totally misses its mark, and as a result she finds solace in spreadsheets to keep from engaging in potentially disastrous conversation. French kissing makes her think of pilot fish cleaning a shark’s teeth, she’s uncomfortable with casual touches, and the handful of times she's had sex have been awful for her (and she believes for the guy, as well). When an offhand remark suggests her problem might come with lack of practice, her problem-solving brain finds a solution : hire someone. If she could be taught, surely she could then apply her learned skills to real-life situations. Easy.

Michael Larsen has a pretty face, a gorgeous body, but no heart for sleeping with strangers. Once a week for three years he's been selling himself in order to make enough money to crawl out of massive debt, support his mother who is recovering from chemotherapy treatments, and hold his large family of strong-willed sisters together in the wake of his father's scandal and subsequent abandonment. His issues aren't on the spectrum but he's just as insecure as the woman who ends up hiring him. A woman he is surprised hired him at all as she’s a quirky, brainy, beautiful woman who inspires real attraction, negates his need for his own fantasy to get through the assignation, and yet requires gentle handling and patience.

The concept of this romance is adorable and the swapped gender roles make it refreshing and fun but the strength of Hoang's story is in her characters. Stella's personality was so vibrant. Her anxieties, her need for routine and dislike of overstimulation, none of these were blown out of proportion or used to create drama and that’s all thanks to the author and her familiarity with Stella’s circumstances. You feel for her, her uneasiness, her struggle, but you never pity her. She is strong and smart so unaware of how she isn't all that different from what is defined as 'normal' even if there are labels that apply to her and not others. Michael is a devastatingly sexy hottie with just enough baggage to make him feel unworthy of Stella but devotes patience and possessiveness in equal measure in their every interaction. We also see a lot of Michael's family, his mother and grandmother, his various sisters, and his cousins Quan and Kai – the latter of who is getting his own book. I can’t wait to learn more about him, you’ll understand why once you read this one! -- and I loved how the overwhelming family dynamics that were used to introduce them also reflected back so much of Stella's character, and just what it meant to have her particular austistic characteristics.

Honestly the only thing that didn't feel as solid to me was the other interested romantic party on Stella's side. I felt Phillip could have been used differently, or maybe better developed. We aren't really supposed to be concerned about him swooping in to steal Stella away, he’s not a real threat to the romance, but he was used more as a battering ram instead of a more subtle potential for conflict and it just didn't flow as well for me. Additionally I would've liked to see more of Stella's parents, however I can see why the focus was on Michael's family instead of our heroine’s as his were more interesting, more layered, and Stella's more cookie-cutter. This isn't a criticism, really. Their personalities were just meant to be more straight forward but it was the moments of tenderness with the mother that I would've liked more of.

As for everything else? The swoons are seriously topnotch -- and kind of unexpected. I went into The Kiss Quotient expecting a quirky rom-com and while there was definitely a bit of comedy, this was more of a scorcher than I thought it would be. There was some definite face-fanning required and every time I tried to sneak a page during my day job, I had to slam the kindle shut for fear the heat coming off the pages would make its presence known on my cheeks. Oh yeah. It was hot. But it was also a slowburn in the sense that Stella had to explore her own limitations, demolish or determine boundaries, and Michael was with her every step of the way to ensure she was aroused, yes, but also comfortable. There were no hazy grey-area moments of dubious consent or situations where she was brave enough to push through overwhelming discomfort. You wouldn’t think having to repeatedly hit pause on the sexytimes would be, well, sexy but let me tell you, readers, respect and patience is my new favourite kink and Michael definitely deserves all his five star ratings. But beyond the scorching aspect of the romance, this story was also adorable, sweet, and though not overly emotionally wrought by drama, I still found myself choking back the occasional bout of tears. This author has written characters that resonate and you feel for them, feel what they feel, and I found it hard to look away or put them out of my mind. I am stunned this was a debut and I'm so looking forward to reuniting with her words, and some of these characters, in her companion novel to come.

The Kiss Quotient has a home on my shelf and I think it'll look great on yours, too!

I literally do not have a single negative thing to say about Hoang's debut novel. From the first chapter I was hooked by the heroine Stella and her voice. Heartwarming, funny, charming--there's so much to love about it!

I am so floored by The Kiss Quotient. What an absolutely lovely book. Helen Hoang has completely swept me off of my feet.

I’ve said this a hundred times before, but I don’t read the synopsis of books anymore. I like to go in as blind as possible. I picked this one up based solely on recommendations from friends and because the cover is adorable. I thought it would be a mainstream contemporary romance that bordered more on women’s fiction. I thought it would be mild and sweet, and I was fairly certain I’d like it due to the reactions of so many friends whose opinions I trust. But I was not at all prepared for how much I would love it, how much it would make me swoon, or think, or feel.

This book is a reverse Pretty Woman retelling that will steal your heart. I was so intrigued by Stella’s character and the fact that she’s on the autism spectrum. I’ll be honest – I didn’t even see that coming. (Shocker, considering I don’t read the synopsis, huh?) I was kind of afraid of her in the beginning, to be honest. Maybe more like afraid for her. I was terrified of her getting hurt, being humiliated in some way, forced into uncomfortable situations. And she does, but watching her learn how to navigate them was fascinating.

I really felt for her character. Being inside her head was an interesting place to be. But then, there’s Michael. Ohhhhh, Michael. How I love thee. He’s a wonderful, delicious, sweetheart of a man. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him.

I’ll be honest, this book wasn’t always easy for me to read. For personal reasons I’d rather not disclose, it brought back a lot of feelings from what feels like a lifetime ago that weren’t necessarily happy ones. But the overarching story and the characters carried me through it. And what I was left with was this feeling of lightweight, colorful joy.

The writing is fantastic and I can’t wait to read Hoang’s next book. This was a sweet, insightful romance that I will recommend to everyone. And don’t let the cutesy cover fool you (like it did me), this book is also super steamy. Totally unexpected. Totally wonderful. That basically sums up the book: Unexpected and wonderful. Read it.

This is the best straight contemporary romance I think I've ever read. Super hot, achingly sweet, with characters who are truly good people that never feel like Pollyannas. Completely delightful!