The Kiss Quotient crossed my radar around about the same time I got wind of The Wedding Date. Both debut books looked like exactly the sort of charming romcoms I wanted in my life at this specific point in time (always, really), and both sported perfectly adorable covers. I was intrigued not only by the obvious mathematical aspect of this novel, but with the fact that the protagonist is on the spectrum and that the story itself was inspired by Helen Hoang's own diagnosis with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I found myself very eager to dive in and find out just what this gender-swapped Pretty Woman revision had to offer.

Stella Lane's mother will not leave her alone. She would like a suitable suitor for her daughter and the requisite grandchildren, and she would like them now. And Stella just can't with the pressure anymore. Relationships―interactions with people in general―have never been her strong suit. She far prefers math and her job as an econometrician to attempting to unravel the muddy subtleties that make up dating, to say nothing of the absolute minefield that is physical intimacy. Which is where the idea of hiring an expert comes into it. Stella figures if she can study and train, as it were, under the tutelage of a male escort, maybe, just maybe she'll be able to learn the skills to find someone she can and would want to be with. Enter Michael Phan, who Stella selects from the agency because he looks like Daniel Henney―one of her favorite K-drama stars. Michael has his own reasons for working as an escort, when it was never what he wanted to do with his life. But the demands of family and finances led him here, and he does take pride in being excellent at what he does. If only he didn't have to do it anymore. But when Stella outlines her unorthodox plan for him, even unflappable Michael is taken aback. He should leave. He really should leave. It's just that something about this efficient, self-conscious, highly intelligent, if unusual, woman will not leave him alone. And before he knows it, he is all in. Even knowing that there's no chance it can end in anything but disaster.

The Kiss Quotient is wildly entertaining, the kind of book that lures a smile to your face the moment you open it, the kind of smile that lingers undimmed until the moment you close the book and sigh in pure happiness. I closed it and wanted nothing more in this world than to read it straight through again the next day. Helen Hoang exceeded any and all my expectations, as did Stella and Michael, who were so likable and right that I hardly felt the passage of time as my eyes tracked across the page. How is it even possible to resist this setup? It is not. I am convinced it is not possible. As impossible as it is for Michael to walk way from Stella's stacks of ordered lists, her pristine, but empty house, and her unwilling but real need for someone she can learn (at her own pace and in her own time), who wants to learn her in return. And that is what they proceed to do, though thankfully nothing is glossed over in this story.

The progression of their relationship is halting and filled with missteps and moments of incomprehension and pushing back desires to run or just be done with this insane plan so that one or the other (or both) of them don't have to face the realities of how much they want to be together and how difficult that would necessarily be. To say nothing of the attendant (sometimes ugly) baggage of his occupation, the needs of the family he doesn't talk about, Stella's intense dislike of being touched, and the huge differences in their cultures and temperaments. But it is also filled with all of the undeniable reasons they should be together, with all of the minute ways they care for each other and unconsciously reshape their lives around that person that is somehow their person. I loved the slow-building realization that while this crazy notion of Stella's was undoubtedly flawed, it also managed to start two solitary souls on the path to something not only valuable, but vital. As Stella says,

"I don't want just a night or a week or a month with you. I want you all the time. I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe."

This line is my very favorite line of all the lines because it is so very Stella. Because Ms. Hoang so deftly captures the day-to-day realities of Stella's life, this line came along and flooded me with its import, packed as it is with all of her need for order and space and reason together with her longing for this beautiful, unexpected man who somehow seems to have eased his way seamlessly into her life, taking care to take up just enough but not too much of her order and space and reason. Who makes everything brighter and who needs her, too.

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

They're so kind to each other, Michael and Stella. They are so kind and dear. Swoony, funny, heart-stopping, and massively fun, The Kiss Quotient is an absolute keeper.

Stella Lane excels at all that she does. Already a wildly successful econometrician at thirty, her life is comfortable and in perfect order. Everything – except for her love life.

The most efficient solution would be to hire a professional to teach her all about the art of passion. But when she comes face to face with Michael Pham – her best intentions fly right out the window.

“Can I tell you where to kiss me?” she whispered.
A smile slowly stretched his lips. “Yes.”
“M-my temple.”
His breath fanned over her ear, sending goose bumps down her neck, before he pressed a kiss to her left temple. “Now where?” The words were spoken softly against her skin, each one a caress.
“My cheek.”
The tip of his nose grazed her skin as he moved lower. He kissed the hollow beneath her cheekbone. “Now?” he asked without lifting his lips.
So close. She could hardly breathe. “The corner of my m-mouth.”
“Are you sure? That’s very close to being a real kiss.”
Impulsive impatience seared through her, and she sank her fingers into his hair, held him in place, and pressed a closed-mouth kiss to his lips. Bolts of sensation zigzagged straight to her chest. After a surprised hesitation, she did it again, and he took the lead, showing her how it was done, drawing the kisses out.
This was kissing. Kissing was glorious.

Michael Pham is far more than just a pretty face. Beneath a gorgeous hard bodied exterior is a man that would do anything for his family. Even sell himself.

When Stella hires him for his services as an escort, he knows immediately that there is something extraordinary about her. She turns out to be the exception to his every rule and even though the odds are against him, he’s going to prove that all of his kisses belong only to her.

“She wished she had his cell phone number, but she figured he never gave that to his clients. It was too personal. Especially if his clients had the tendency to get obsessed.
Which was actually one of her main weaknesses, and a defining characteristic of her disorder. She didn’t know how to be semi-interested in something. She was either indifferent . . . or obsessed. And her obsessions weren’t passing things. They consumed her and became a part of her. She kept them close, wove them into her very life.
Just like her work.
Going forward with Michael, she had to tread carefully. Everything about him pleased her. Not just his looks, but his patience and his kindness. He was good.
He was an obsession waiting to happen.”

The Kiss Quotient is one of those rare literary finds that exceeds all the hype! Helen Hoang’s debut novel brings to life characters that are as beautifully awkward as they are heroic. They make you laugh, make you think and give you the strength to embrace your truest self without regret.

With its poignant prose and irresistible story line, it’s a book that makes an indelible mark on your heart. And we think that the world be an amazing place if everyone tried to be just a little like Stella...

This review comes to you live from my warm and snuggly position on cloud nine. I loved every moment of reading The Kiss Quotient, and my head is well and truly in the clouds with the lasting effect it’s had on me.

But before I get carried away with the gushing, let’s go back to the beginning. The Kiss Quotient tells the story of thirty-year-old, Stella Lane. She’s incredibly successful in her career as an econometrician, but it’s the romantic aspect of her life that brings unfulfillment. By nature she’s a problem solver so it makes perfect sense to her to seek the expertise and instruction of a professional.

The professional would be drop-dead-handsome escort, Michael Phan. His movie star looks and ratings are just Stella needs to provide her with the skills to forge ahead in the world of dating. It’s simple really, under Michael’s tutelage Stella hopes to at the very least overcome some of the difficulties she experiences with her Asperger’s and physical contact.

Michael was once on the cusp of a promising career himself, but events out of his control have led him to “dating” women for money. His family need his help so his pride takes a back seat to that. Stella is unlike any of his other dates and like us he’s immediately endeared to her. He’s probably not what she needs but if she’s willing to pay for his help, he isn’t in a position to refuse it.

As unconventional as their meeting is there’s no denying the authenticity of their connection. It possessed all the trappings and heart fluttering feels that I adore in romance. Paired with humour and a wonderful supporting cast, it’s almost hard to believe it Ms. Hoang’s debut novel.

Taking pride of place on my list of favourite reads this year, it’s no surprise I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for Ms. Hoang’s next offering.

The Kiss Quotient is a lovely romance that is by turns sexy and sweet. Helen Hoang’s imaginative spin on Pretty Woman charmed me thanks to its wonderfully unique characters. Stella captured my interest from the first. She’s a brilliant econometrician and her honest love and joy for her work was endearing. But Stella is also deeply vulnerable in ways that broke my heart. She feels her Asperger’s impedes her love life and she worries that she will never be good at relationships. Thus Stella embarks on a quest to become better at sex and relationships by hiring an escort to teach her what she wants to know. Michael is the perfect mix of sweetness and sensuality; definitely a swoon-worthy hero. He’s kind, loving, patient, and he sees Stella for the wonderful woman that she is. I really liked that Michael had his own vulnerabilities as well, though I feel like it’d spoil the story a bit to give away his background and his reasons for becoming an escort.

The attraction between Michael and Stella is instantaneous and the sexual tension was fun to watch build. But the best part of the story (for me) was watching Stella and Michael learn more about one another. Ms. Hoang isn’t afraid to let her characters be flawed and their lives messy and that’s what truly makes The Kiss Quotient special. There’s a level of emotional honesty and realism mixed into the fantasy that really captured my attention and had me rooting for Stella and Michael.

Stella and Michael are the heart of The Kiss Quotient, but it’d be shameful if I didn’t mention Michael’s wonderful family. His sisters and cousins are all vibrant characters and the only downside of meeting them is I desperately want their stories (especially Quan’s). I finished The Kiss Quotient a well-satisfied reader, but I cannot wait to see what Ms. Hoang has in store for Michael’s cousin Khai in The Bride Test.

Stars

The Kiss Quotient, debut book by new author - and I am now a big fan! And I can’t wait to read more from this author. I absolutely adored this story.

This book is unique and refreshing, with quirky characters that will have you reading non stop. Michael and Stella couldn’t be more of a perfect match. Stella Lane has a brilliant mind and is set with her everyday rituals. She has Aspergers. Getting into Stella's mind is amazing. She's quirky and honest. Her mother starts pushing her to date (and give her some grandbabies!) and the thought of dating, sex and men -- just pains her to think about it. It's the last thing Stella wants to do. So what a better way to improve her dating skills is to hire an escort.

Michael Phan, is trying to survive one day at a time. He's been escorting on the side to help pay for medical bills. He's a hard worker, helping out his mom and sisters, but working in their dry cleaning doesn't cut the bill. That's where he ends up meeting Stella.

There's something about Stella that has Michael wanting to get to know this client. Unlike his other clients, he knows there's something unique and special about Stella.

I'm a big fan of romance, and there really isn't a lot of stories that involve a main character as Asian-American. Michael Phan and his family reminded me of my family, who have similar culture traditions.

THE KISS QUOTIENT by Helen Hoang has been on the radar of every romance reader for the last six months. You’d have to be in a hole the size of Mars not to have heard or have seen the cover to a book I’d like to say is the romantic comedy of the year. A book immersed in the realm of own voices offers more than just the Asian American experience but also a heroine that is smart, unpredictably funny and showcases great relatable experiences. Sunny and I both agree that we laughed and enjoyed this tale of discovering love from a unique heroines perspective. What makes this story worthy of all its praise stems from a few different angles Sunny and I hope to explore in this book chat.

CHARACTERIZATION
Sunny: To say Stella is non-traditional would be an understatement. Sure, she is shy and quirky. She has characteristics that those of us nerds could relate to highly. Most of us understand what it means to have an awkward moment of social ineptitude. Who has not been dumbstruck when meeting a guy who could grace the cover of GQ? But for Stella, her challenge is more than just discomfort. She lives with Asperger’s Syndrome and struggles with reading social cues. Instead of feeling sorry for her, Ms. Hoang writes Stella in such a manner that shows her strength. The author gives us insight into her insecurities and her struggles. Yet, she is determined and charmingly innocent. As a reader, you just want good things for her.

Lola: I agree with you, wholeheartedly, Sunny! My penchant for nerdy heroines is no secret in these parts and there is realness to her persona that just rings so true. Ms. Hoang brings Stella’s character to life in a way that exudes so much purity, you can’t help but root for her throughout this story. No one should mistake her awkwardness for pity as Stella is strong in her own right and makes for a very endearing character.

DISCOVERING LOVE THROUGH THE EYES OF STELLA
Sunny: Stella, like a lot of us, feels a tremendous amount of pressure to live up to social conventions of marriage and family. She is expected to find a successful partner, get married and have kids. However, she finds it difficult to date, to connect with men. She would rather stay home and be by herself. She is happiest when she is alone. When she meets Michael, at first, her encounters are literally transactional, but I love how she evolves to learn that relationships are more than just checking off items on a list.

Lola: From the first page of the book, I could sense that Stella’s journey was going to be an entertaining ride. As you mentioned, she like many females in their late twenties encounter some kind of pressure from family and friends to conform to societal norms of checking off the marriage and child boxes. We learn from past experiences that the courting process isn’t something Stella enjoys but when the decision to take matters into her own hands comes about you can’t help but get ready for what’s to come. Every experience she encounters with Michael is met with an analytical brain and fresh eyes.

STELLA’S FAMILY
Sunny: It would be easy for me to say that Stella’s Asian family is the stereotypical high achieving model minority. If I did, it would be very easy to miss the nuances of what Ms. Hoang is sharing with us. There are definite class issues present. Stella’s parents are both professionals. They are well established in their affluent community of Atherton, which is one of the most expensive zip codes in the country. They belong to a country club and civic life. Mrs. Lane helps organize charity benefit balls. The Lane’s are not new immigrants. The disdain Stella’s father initially has for Michael shows his class bias. Furthermore, the ease with which Stella’s parent accept and promote Phillip (a non-Asian) as a possible future son-in-law speaks to a level of acculturation we might not find in newer immigrant communities. This is not accidental. Northern California has had a longer experience with Asian communities dating back to the nineteenth century when San Francisco was the gateway for Chinese labor into the United States. Asians have been a part of Northern California life for multi-generations. In my, non-scientific, observations, there seems to be more acceptance of interracial relationships, especially with Asian males and non-Asian partners. There is a fluidity in that region that is beyond other geographical areas in my opinion.

Yet, with all these differences, what is absolute is Stella’s family still expects her to find the perfect life-partner and live the storybook life. This pressure goes beyond culture or race. It is so interesting to me that no matter how well established Stella is, she is considered incomplete without a man.

Lola: This is what makes THE KISS QUOTIENT so relatable to a reader like myself. A little personal story to tie-in to the point you made above… It’s no secret that I’m the single fortysomething nerd on the blog that has a successful creative career in upper management for a leading energy technology-based company, I’m a homeowner and my job affords me the luxury of travel and I’m blessed to be able to attain these things all on my own. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t pat myself on the back for a job well done. Except for the days, I would get a call from my mom…God rest her soul! I loved that woman to death but to her, I was incomplete, despite all my achievements and abilities, she felt my independence was what deterred men from me and often encouraged me to become more subdued in order to possibly attract a male suitor. Like I said earlier, Stella’s journey is relatable.

MICHAEL’S PERSPECTIVE
Sunny: Michael is such a sympathetic character. His love for his family and his sacrifice for his family are honorable. I know so many 1.5 or 2nd generation children who feel obligated to help their families businesses. LIke Michael, they sacrifice their own dreams in order to help their families. Some have resented the obligation, not being able to forge their own identities. Perhaps, this is the quintessential immigrant story.

What I love most about Michael is how he readily embraces Stella. He is infinitely patient with her and views her awkwardness as quirky and cute. In some ways, it is his kindness that causes a rift between them. She views his attention as charity because she cannot fathom a relationship that is not transactional. Michael teaches her about unconditional love and sacrifice.

Lola: If I were to ever have to hire an escort I would like him to display the character traits of Michael. His patience and intrigue were super sexy. His motivation and commitment to help his family comes from an honorable place. And his looks are compared to Asian American actor Daniel Henney. What more can a girl ask for? Although, my selfish perception kept leaning towards a sexy, Carey Fukunaga… google him, you won’t be sorry!

Sunny: Um, sorry for jumping in here, but speaking of Asian American actors, this book gave me the perfect excuse to populate my Pinterest board with images of men who could be Michael. This was as much fun as I have ever had. Since we are also sharing stories, I will be the first to admit that while growing up, I had absolutely no attraction to men from Asian backgrounds. I remember reading a magazine article about the emasculation of the Asian male image. I agreed with the article. There were very few images of attractive Asian males. There was Bruce Lee and then there was Bruce Lee. Now we have Daniel Henney, Carey Fukunaga, Daniel Dae Kim, and my personal favorite, Godrey Gao, to name a few. I’m so thrilled to be able to say, “We’ve come a long way, baby!”

Lola: Godfrey Gao…hubba hubba!

WRAP UP
Lola: One of the takeaways from the last RT BookLovers Convention held last month was a keenness from publishers, authors, and even readers to see more romance stories from strong voices. It was the mantra of the whole convention and I confidently declare THE KISS QUOTIENT by Helen Hoang worthy of the title. Not only has Ms. Hoang knocked out an unforgettable debut novel, she surprised me with the humor, cultural subtleties and erotic nature between the two leads and how balanced these elements could make for a fantastic summer read. If kissing, is as hot as Ms. Hoang writes it, she could write only kissing books and I would read them all day, every day! If you love this book as much as we did then you’ll be happy to know that there will be more from this talented debut author. We are expected to wait, a little over six months for the second book in the series titled THE BRIDE TEST and it seems that we have a hero nerd who has a penchant for numbers.

Sunny: I have to admit, sometimes I get a little turned off by “highly anticipated” books. No one, especially me, wants to be disappointed. Have no fear, folks, this one is a WINNER! This one was a joy to read because of its winning combination of wit, humor, compassion, and erotica.

Lola: To conclude, I’ll be giving away a print copy of THE KISS QUOTIENT to one lucky reader, so enter the giveaway below.

Delightful, evocative and refreshing story of two people finding love where they least expect it. Stella is a mathematical genius and quite wealthy young woman determined not to be defined by her autism. Relationships and sex are difficult for her because her tendency to speak the truth under any circumstances and her challenge in reading social cues means men don't linger. Hiring Michael, an escort, to teach her how to be comfortable in sexual situations and eventually in relationship prowess turns out to be the right decision. But transitioning from client/vendor to something real is the tricky part.

Michael's Vietnamese family and cultural background are authentic (and familiar, as I have some Vietnamese friends and the grapefruit peeling scene is spot on!). He's a very talented clothing designer but had to shelve his business plans due to abandonment by his conman father, and hefty medical bills for his mother. Being an escort has some perks (money, and sometimes good sex which he enjoys) but is definitely something he keeps hidden from his family. When Stella becomes his client and wants to book him for more than one night, it's the start of a friendship and a steamy sexual relationship. While Stella doesn't tell Michael she's autistic for fear that he will look at her differently, he does figure it out (he has a cousin who is autistic and has some of the same mannerisms) but it doesn't make him care for her any less. If anything, he's amazed by her brilliant mind, body and heart.

Finding their way to a happy ending takes a bit of work on both their sides but they get there in a thoroughly believable and satisfying manner. The author has introduced some intriguing secondary characters with Michael's family and I genuinely hope we'll see them show up in future stories. This is a fabulous debut romance, and destined to be on my best reads list of 2018.

Stella is a strong confident woman in her field of work but where she struggles the most is with people. See Stella has Asperger's Syndrome which makes some things a little more difficult for her than most people. Does that make her weird or different, in her mind it does. The last thing she wants from anybody is pity. She has put herself on a mission to tackle her issues with touching, feeling and put herself out there.

Michael is definitely not living the life he had planned for himself. Sometimes the world has other plans for us. Right now his priority is his mother and family. Doing whatever he can to make sure bills are paid and the family holds strong. Even if it means working as an escort secretly. But when he meets the beautiful Stella, things start to unravel.

Can these two people help each other to see they are worth it? They are not different or destined by their past/circumstances. They need to thrive as the people the are and be proud of it. Is there a chance for romance and a HEA?

I truly loved the message behind the story and the way the characters come to realize.... You are enough as you are!

I received the eARC from the publisher Berkley thru Netgalley and Read It First. With this, my review and opinion is on my own.

Sexy, funny, and a heartwarming story that will surely melt your heart and will swoon you off your feet.

The story revolves around Stella Lane, an econometrician who has Asperger's or simply  Autism. And Michael, the escort that Stella hired to teach her to be better at sex.

It is a story where both characters has their flaws. Having that flaws didn't let them to be a hindrance to their relationship but instead it is the main ingredients to make their relationship stronger and unbreakable.

Stella in the book is kinda naive. She wasn't a fan of talking to others, noises and self-confident as she have what we call Asperger's or Autism. When her mother told her to have a relationship and children already she hired Michael Phan, an escort that will help her to come up on her own shell and teach her about sex. Michael didn't fancy the idea at first as he only allowed one client to have one and only session with him. And one session with him will not allow Stella to learn all the things she need to know. Later on, Michael had the heart to teach Stella as he learns that she really needed the teachings and she have Autism. 

As they goes by and their relationship is going into something, Michael broke up with Stella as he have lots of baggage in his own that he knows that Stella didn't need. But Stella on the other hand was really devastated as she didn't mind what bad things Michael has as she love him already.

I adore the writing style of the author as she really write the book in a way that readers will enjoy and be swoon off with their feet by the steamy scenes in the book. Helen also depicted in the story that people who have Autism has the right to be in love, be free with what they love and be respected by others. 

With regards with the sex and kissing. You don't have to worry as it was narrated in a wholesome way that readers will not feel awkward. That's also the thing that I love in the story. The erotic scenes didn't let me feel awkwardness, but instead, let me feel the love of love-making in a beautiful relationship. 

I'm giving the book a solid 4 stars as it really gives me the joy and fun in reading it.

Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I felt this way about a book. The Kiss Quotient has affected me probably more than any other book I’ve read recently. Easily my top favorite this year. I have a feeling it will be a 2018 favorite for many people.  The writing is superb and the characters are absolutely perfect.  Add to that a sweet, swoon worthy romance and voila you have this amazing story!

I didn’t know anything about the author before reading this book. I had heard a lot of buzz on social media about the book. I was intrigued by the storyline, a woman with Aspergers who hires a male escort to teach her about sex. This isn't a fluffy romance, it deals with a serious subject matter.  But it's presented in a totally romantic, sweet, loving way.  It's immediately obvious that the author has first hand experience with Aspergers. I just knew with really knowing that Helen Hoang was deeply affected and connected to this disorder. Her writing is rich and deep, yet it it sensually coats you in this happy giddiness that only a really good romance can do.

My heart was immediately and completely engaged with the beauty of Michael and Stella’s relationship. Her insecurities, her awkwardness, her compartmentalizing, compared to Michael’s patience, compassion, and good heart, made for an epic love story. I couldn’t get enough of Michael. The way he thought about Stella. The way he understood her needs on a subconscious level really sold their relationship for me.

There were many times when I had to pause to reflect on the many emotions I felt while reading The Kiss Quotient. Helen Hoang’s brilliant writing shines light on a subject we don’t often read about.  I feel so much more empowered after this story.

* I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book *

I have been looking forward to this book since I first heard about it last year. If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time you’ll know I love romance. It is definitely my favorite genre. I love love stories. I love reading about characters who learn from their mistakes, and grow in order to open themselves up to love.

THE KISS QUOTIENT is a perfect example of everything I love about romance. The story centers around Stella and Michael (it’s dual POV!). Stella is an econometrician who happens to have autism. She is being evermore persistently pressured by her mother to get married and give her grandchildren. One of the things Stella deals with because of her autism is an aversion to touch. She doesn’t love it. She tolerates it when necessary; like when her mother hugs her with her overwhelming Chanel perfume, or holds her hand for too long. Stella doesn’t know how she’ll give her mother grandkids when she can hardly stand being touched by another person.

A passing comment from a jerk of a coworker leads her to hire an escort to teach her how to be good at sex and relationships.

Enter Michael. A Swedish-Vietnamese escort who has issues of his own. Although we don’t know exactly what those issues are until later. Right away the reader knows Michael doesn’t love being an escort. He does it because he needs the money due to the fact that he has a never-ending pile of bills coming every week.

Something about Stella strikes Michael right away. She’s different. She’s interesting and sweet, and he’s drawn to her immediately.

Their arrangement slowly morphs from Michael teaching Stella how to be good at sex to Michael being Stella’s practice boyfriend… and I think I’ll leave it there so you can find out the rest of it for yourself. :)

I loved these characters. Although I don’t have autism, I feel like I could relate to Stella and some of her insecurities. Stella’s such a caring and sweet soul, and you want her to have everything she’s ever wanted. Which soon becomes Michael.

I don’t think there are enough good words to use to describe Michael. Caring, thoughtful, attentive, gorgeous, loving, funny, tender, creative, smart… you get the idea. He definitely has things he has to work through though. He has issues with his father and has to learn that just because his father is a terrible human, doesn’t automatically make Michael one as well. He is his own person and won’t become his father —> but Michael has to learn that on his own.

Both Stella’s and Michael’s individual character growth was lovely to read. Seeing how these characters navigated new situations, unexpected feelings, and stepping out of their comfort zone, was one of the reasons why this was just an enjoyable and unputdownable story.

I loved how Stella and Michael were as a couple, even if it was just ‘practice.’ They were so sweet together and you could tell as a reader that this wasn’t as much as a practice relationship as it was a real one.

A big part of the story is consent, but it's done in a way that shows that it doesn't hinder the romantic aspect of consensual sex. It actually makes the scenes that much hotter in my opinion. Michael uses consent as a way to figure out what Stella is comfortable with and to get her comfortable with being intimate. He never does anything she isn't okay with and instead of trying to convince her, he consistently tells her to let him know if she's uncomfortable and that they can move onto something else. He listens and pays attention to her verbal and nonverbal cues in a way that shows he truly cares about her. It is a great example that shows that consent doesn't ruin the mood, it only adds to the intimacy.

All of this is a testament to Hoang’s writing and storytelling ability. She brings you into the story right away by exposing Stella’s vulnerabilities. You can’t help but feel compelled to read to find out what happens. I did my best to drag out my reading time on this. Even going so far as to leave the epilogue to the next morning so it wouldn’t be over.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you love romance, if you love a great story and even better characters, read this book!

Small little disclaimer for those of you who don't normally read romance. You should know this one is quite steamy. In my opinion, it added to the story and was necessary for the characters’ journeys. Personally, I don’t like sex scenes for the sake of having a sex scene. They have to have a greater purpose, and I think these did. Just wanted to give y’all new to the genre a heads up!

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Two Minute Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Monday, June 4, 2018
Title: The Kiss Quotient
Author: Helen Hoang
Genre: romance
Series: N/A
Pages: 336
Published: June 5 2018
Source: publishers via NetGalley
Rating: 5/5

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 to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, 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...


Wow -- a strong debut and a thoroughly wonderful surprise. This was just absolutely fun and one I didn't want to end though I gobbled it up in two great marathons of utter concentration. Nothing could divert me from Stella and Michael's slow-but-also-not courtship. From the start, it's authentic and engaging and focused on several often ignored perspectives with both sensitivity and care.

The Kiss Quotient is romance done really well -- it's warm, funny, and the plot is driven by more than just superficial conflict. It's an impressive effort for a debut because the story hardly misses a step. The author may be new but she knows her way around a trope; how to use them, invert them (reverse Pretty Woman!) and how to create sexual tension.

The Kiss Quotient makes for a memorable and heartwarming read; one full of well-drawn characters in an engaging love story that brings the feels and the shipping. A promising debut and easily a full five-star read. It's just plain fun to read. This is one that will be visited again in the near future when I need a guaranteed winner.

Every now and then I feel like I hit the lottery when I get to read a book that blows me away for so many different reasons. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is one of those books. It’s UNIQUE and HEART-WRENCHINGLY BEAUTIFUL. It toyed with my emotions, going back and forth being elated and hurting as Stella and Michael navigated a complicated relationship. I don’t think I ever fell this quickly and hard for characters in a book. These two just had me from the start. They are raw and real. Both struggling with a complexity of issues. They are vulnerable, but somehow as they cross paths, we see hope and this undeniable connection that takes over the pages.

Their first kiss was one of THE MOST innocent yet sexy and HOTTEST kiss I ever read. The Faith Hill song popped into my head as I read it —>
“It’s the way you love me
It’s a feelin’ like this
It’s centrifugal motion
It’s perpetual bliss
It’s that pivotal moment
It’s, ah, unthinkable
This kiss, this kiss
Unsinkable
This kiss, this kiss” <— that KISS was the best first kiss of all the first kisses!!!

What if you are different, you don’t fit the mold of the society. What if you try desperately to fit in, to find love but failed time and time again. Stella IS different, she is struggling with social interactions. So she hires Michael, an escort to teach her how to be more comfortable around males. Her previous experiences broke my heart. This woman is amazing, sweet and my hero.
Michael is not your typical escort, from the start there is something about him. It’s like he is in tune with her. He is just so perfect!!! One “date” turns into 4… and the rest is history.

But Michael has a past that makes him question his worth when it comes to Stella.

“You did. You said you were done helping me but I still wasn’t enough. You said it, and you meant it. You can’t take it back now.”

I almost felt like an intruder as I watched their intimacy unfold on the pages. It’s DIVINE!!

I was stealing glimpses of their private moments because they became real. It’s sensual and erotic filled with seduction and yearning. Yet innocent and beautiful at the same time. I was mesmerized and swept up into the story with these two. I didn’t want it to end. To witness these two brilliant characters fall in love is a privilege that I will cherish in my heart.

“The world stopped. All was silence but for their hearts trying to synchronize their crashing.”

This story broke me and put me back together. It’s sad and happy. It’s inspiring and heartwarming. Innocently sexy, swoony and brilliant. It’s just simply UNIQUELY and UNDENIABLY BEAUTIFUL. A complete stand out in the sea of books. Helen Hoang’s debut is fantastically written and so important!! It’s a smart romance with all the elements that will make you swoon but also think. It’s a different kind of love story. It’s almost a “first kind of love” because it felt like that before these two met, there was no one, no one significant, no one worthy enough. It’s INSPIRING, it’s BOLD, it’s RAW, it’s REAL and it’s MAGNIFICENT!!

*Complementary provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Kiss Quotient is a book that has been on my radar ever since I saw the cute cover circulating on Twitter few months ago. As most of you know I am such a cover lover and this one was no different for me. What attracted me the most were the the bright beautiful covers, and the cute couple in embrace, after diving into the book I was so happy to discover that the cuteness on the outside was in abundance on the inside!! I was hooked from the very beginning by the story line, and by the characters, and by the writing. There wasn't a time where I felt bored and I did not want to put my kindle down for one second.

In The Kiss Quotient we follow our main characters Stella, and Michael. Stella has Asperger's and feels that she's come to a point in her life where she needs help in the relationship department, namely with help in the bedroom. She wants to be able to feel comfortable with a man touching her and not be limited to her disability. She decides to hire Michael a male escort to help her with her dilemma. Micheal is a biracial escort mixed with Vietnamese and Swedish, and he takes the offer because he really needs the money. He thinks that this will just be the typical job for him, then move on to the next. But from the moment he meets Stella, and the more time he spends with her over the course of their lessons, the more he becomes intrigued by her. And for Stella, the more time she spends with Michael the more she feels like she's more than her Asperger's. He opens up new feelings within her that make her feel like someone is finally seeing her for her.

First things first, one of the best things about The Kiss Quotient is the rep. We have a main heroine with Asperger's, and a biracial male mc. 2018 has continued to become a great year of diversity in publishing with the big house publishers and I think it's a big step in the right direction. From the moment I read the first chapter I was hooked on the dynamics of the story line, and by the relationship that developed over the course of the book. Stella quickly became a favorite heroine of mine, and I loved that despite the challenges stacked against her, she was still a headstrong independent woman that knew what she wanted out of life. And although her fight was different than mine, I still related so hard to her struggles in social settings. It's always comforting to read about a character having the same struggles you face daily and have never been understood for. She wasn't painted as a person that was only defined by their disability, and more importantly she wasn't a character that was made out to be someone that had to be saved by love in order to be accepted or normalized.

And Michael was such a gentleman. He was seriously the sweetest person for Stella and I loved how patient he always was with her. The way her treated and respected her filled my heart with all the feels and I loved them both together. The love and care he showed to her from the very beginning was so swoon worthy and I loved reading and seeing their relationship progress over the course of the book. And I really loved how Michael's Vietnamese heritage was shown in the book and I loved his family!! I feel like sometimes in books we don't always get a lot of a character's family being involved but his was. I loved seeing glimpses of his family members and seeing all of their personalities and how close they all were. You could tell that they all genuinely loved one another and the sacrifices they all made for one another showed that love even more.

Another thing I loved about reading this was the steaminess!! Y'all know I'm a proud smut lover and I was lowkey shook by how sexy this book was. Don't let the cute cover fool you, there's some steam within these pages lmao. But also don't let that deter you from reading this one. There was a great balance of sexiness and actual plot to keep the story moving along. I do wish that part of the conflict between them as far as Michael's life wasn't such a conflict because I feel like it was a bit cliched. I think it's a thing we see quite a bit in romance novels, but it wasn't such a huge issue in my overall reading experience because I was still very much invested in the book.

Helen Hoang has blown me away with this debut, and I am now eagerly awaiting any future releases!! If y'all are looking for a cute romance book with some feels, but also want a but of a sexy fix and some diversity then do not hesitate to pick this one up!!

It's my first time to meet an econometrician and I am in awe of what Stella can do. She's fascinating, especially when she talks about her profession.

Michael is equally fascinating. You'll understand when you find out more about his craft. HE'S SO DREAMY. ♥

Why I love this book:
-It's reaching for your dream. Michael's real profession surprised me. I fell in love with him more when I found out what he really wanted to do, and it broke my heart that he wasn't entirely supported to do it.
-It's fighting for love. Both Stella and Michael had to compromise. They come from different socio-economic backgrounds and they have very different families. Making their relationship work was not an easy task, but love won.
-It's born from the author's self-discovery. I absolutely loved reading the author's note because it's where Helen shared her "journey of self-realization" and it made the book extra precious. I want to send endless hugs of gratitude to Helen for writing The Kiss Quotient. ♥

Other things I love:
-Representation. 'Nuff said.
-Michael's tattoo. And his abs. #sorrynotsorry
-MICHAEL DOES KENDO!
-THAT ICE CREAM SCENE. Truly iconic. I need that scene in a movie. I need this book to be a movie.
-The appearance of the character I hate the most. I never saw the plot twist coming and I just have to give Helen a slow clap for that.
-Stella's theory!
-Calla Lilies. I'm about to get emotional.

The Kiss Quotient is a remarkable debut that will steal hearts with its charm. Amazing in so many ways. Five stars all the way. ♥

The following review is gushy and wordy. I am not paid by the author, she wouldn’t know me from the next romance fangirl. There may be a wee bit of word vomit and squeeing sounds, because when I love, I love hard. Here we go.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between

The Good
I always bring it back to food and music. So much of what brings me joy in life is tied to good music and good food. If you equate a romance to a recipe, tropes are the ingredients that make it all taste good, when handled well and seasoned with just the right emotional touches. If handled poorly, heated to the wrong temperature, you get a hot mess. This book, is a tasty treat that I’ll be savoring for a long while.

The recipe for today’s romance is a dash of hooker with a heart of gold with a twist (it’s the hero, not the heroine who’s an escort), a dash of socially awkward heroine trying to learn to be “normal,” a and have a relationship, a splash of diversity represented in the hero’s ethnic background and in the ‘verse itself, blended with a real life issues in a sensitive and responsible manner that give dimension and depth to this flavorful stew.

The character arcs for Michael and Stella are well developed and strong. Both Michael and Stella have spent a lifetime being define by what people see on the surface. As they both grow and learn from each other, I was enchanted.

The romantic Firsts (meet, kiss, sex scene) are a great blend of sweet and heat. I loved that I went from awwing at a tender moment, to slightly sweaty because for some reason (I know, foolish), I didn’t expect the heat that was here, but it was definitely there. In spades.

The protectiveness and sensitivity that Michael displays in his interactions with Stella, even before he realizes she is autistic, is just swoonworthy. This is a man who respects her and values her, every bit about her and it melted my butter. Several times.

Stella was a fantastic character, well thought out, and easy for me to connect with. In my work as a criminal defense paralegal, my firm handles many cases involving clients on the spectrum. Like reading lawyer romance novels, it’s hard for me to give up and dive into the fantasy, because there’s that voice in my head that turns into that GEICO commercial saying "That's not how this works!"

But I didn’t have those moments with Stella. My heart broke for her, several times, because I understood why she had such a hard time, why she couldn’t always articulate what was wrong, and above all, why she did not want anyone’s pity. By the end of this tale, I loved that it wasn’t about her “curing” herself, it was about accepting herself. Truly well done.

The supporting characters are well drawn too. None are cookie cutter, none just act in a certain way to prop the plot. Well, maybe one but I’m not mad at it. Also, can I tell you how refreshing it was to read about a hero/heroine’s mother who isn’t stereotypically horrible for plot convenience? I finished this story yesterday and I’m still thinking about the little moments that made this ‘verse shine. It was stellar.

The Bad
Nope.

Sigh. Ok, if I take a moment and try to be objective, was the reason for Michael’s escort work conveniently noble? Perhaps. Were there other moments that could have been handled in a much more serious manner? Probably. Is that what I want in my romance? Not necessarily. The story’s narrative could have easily been overpowered by the subject of autism and the issues that autistic people face every day. It could have spent way too much time focusing on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. I loved that her autism is part of her but it not all that Stella is. Michael is an escort, but that’s not all he is. I never thought that I was being preached to.

My primary objective is to immerse myself in the romance and to enjoy it as much as I can. There was nothing that took me out of the moment so badly that I consider it a flaw. I never forgot that I was reading a romance. So, nope, nothing bad to see here.

Everything in Between
I had a hard time, putting this down just to do every day stuff. Thank goodness I read it over a weekend, and that my husband understands this reading obsession of mine. This is a ‘verse that I wouldn’t mind visiting again, if say a story happens to develop around Michael’s cousins or his family. I’m just saying, if you write it Ms. Hoang, I’d probably read it.


The Bottom Line
I adored it. It was the story of two people falling in love, each with their own challenges, learning to accept themselves and each other, just as they are. That’s all I ever ask of any romance. I don’t hesitate to recommend it.

I am honestly shocked that The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is a debut novel. The story was intriguing, sexy and brilliantly written and I can say that I feel smarter after reading The Kiss Quotient!

I adored Stella, she is a brilliant and strong woman, even though she struggled with social cues, among other things due to Asperger's, that is really what made her more endearing to me. The Kiss Quotient is very much a Pretty Woman role reversal, and I loved the way that Stella's analytical mind made her more ballsy than most other women. She didn't just use her escort, but she was actually considerate of his feelings.

Michael was supposed to be the utter professional when it came to escorting, and he had rules to keep him on track. That is until he met Stella and broke every single one of them. Watching Michael fall in love slowly with Stella was so heartwarming. Actually watching both of them, they were so freaking cute.

The Kiss Quotient is brimming with some of the hottest kissing scenes. In fact, I would probably go as far to say that the kissing in the Kiss Quotient is hotter than sex scene's in other books that I have read.

If you are looking for a smartly written love story with diverse characters that is witty and empowering then you must read The Kiss Quotient!

The Kiss Quotient is quite the unexpected romance novel. Our main character, Stella, is somewhere on the autism spectrum and desires to become better at sex and relationships. To do so, she hires Michael, an escort. to teach her how to “be good at sex” so she knows how to flirt, attract and maintain a sexual relationship. As Stella doesn't naturally enjoy begin touched, this is quite the challenge. Of course, because this is a romance novel, Michael is able to break through her barriers and be the person Stella needs. This is a fun, original, sexy and real read. Highly recommend.

5+++ STARS!

The Kiss Quotient, a debut novel by Helen Hoang swept me away from the very first page! It was such an unexpected surprise and a sweet, memorable romance.

Understanding these complex characters and really seeing them made this book extremely special. They didn't allow their struggles to define them, especially Stella who has Asperger's. She's independent and strong and I felt a connection to her instantly.

Stella and Michael couldn't be more opposite, yet one in the same. Their chemistry was undeniable and I loved the in's and out's of their relationship. What started out as a business arrangement soon became so much more. They were two broken pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly.

This book was everything you love in a romance story. Angsty at times, sweet, and steamy with relatable characters. Helen Hoang put pieces of herself into this story and every single piece shone brightly! She's truly a phenomenal writer. I cannot wait to read more of her books down the road!

Every once in a while, a book comes along and blows you away. The Kiss Quotient is that book for me. By day, I am a special education teacher and I have had the joy of working with many students on the Autism spectrum. These kids are awesome! So, to read a book about a woman with Asperger's trying to figure out relationships and love is amazing. Hoang does a marvelous job of really making the reader understand the quirks of someone with Aspergers. Seriously, some of the things Stella says or does I have heard or seen my students do! And so many of the things the adults do (her parents, coworkers, exes, etc) I have seen as well.

Stella doesn't like sex. She decides that a tutor would be helpful! This leads her to Michael, an escort! The set up between these two was great! I loved how Stella approached sex and I loved that Michael was not judgmental about it at all. These two are so different but it works perfectly.

If you love unconventional characters (a woman with Aspergers and a male escort-seriously! Thats pretty unconventional!), The Kiss Quotient delivers. Helen Hoang has become my hero author and I will forever buy every one of her books. This is a story I know I will reread. I will probably grab the audiobook so I can listen whenever I want!