Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

So I just need to say, this book was NOT AT ALL what I was anticipating. I picked up this book because so many people we’re talking about and because I was particularly interested in The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. So I decided to dive in and give it a try. 

Now, I will say this book is good. It’s sweet, romantic, and sexy. But it’s definitely not a challenging read and I frankly found myself really frustrated with the characters. What I mean when I say it wasn’t challenging, is that the problems are very easily solvable. 

This book is about Stella Lane, an autistic economist who wants to hire an escort to teach her how to be a better lover and someone who can attract a long term relationship. Stella is on the autistic spectrum, she has high functioning autism, formerly knows as Asperger’s. She has an aversion to touch, loud noises, and says everything on her mind, regardless of social cues. 

The escort she hires is Michael Larsen, the son of a con artist who feels he is completely unworthy of love due to the crimes his father committed. He escorts “on the side” to supplement his income in order to care for his sick mother and 5 sisters. 

Alright so here’s the thing, these characters frustrated me to no end because if they simply communicated with each other, all their problems would cease to exist. I wish Hoang has put larger obstacles in front of them, to really make them work for what they want from each other. It all just seemed too easy, and only made harder by their own stubbornness and insecurities. 

Maybe that’s life though. A lot of problems in our own lives could be solved if we just sucked up our pride and told the truth. 

This was not a high brow read by any means but it was definitely racy. I kept worrying someone was going to peek over my shoulder on the subway and read something you shouldn’t see in public! It’s tamer than 50 Shades, but definitely on the same wavelength. 

I think I will definitely read The Bride Test when it comes out next month though!