Brief Summary: Esme is picked by Khai’s mom to be his wife. He’s trying to fight it. He really is.
Review
Setting
The book takes place in modern times and most of it is in California. The point of view is third person limited where it switches primarily between Khai and Esme (I’m using this name because it’s the one most used in the book.)
Characters
When it comes to romance, I’m such a character reader. If I can’t like the characters, I can’t like the romance. I loved the characters of this book. I like Khai and Esme as individual people and together as a couple. Khai just wants a simple life and due to his sensory issues and trouble with social cues, you feel for him when he gets misunderstood. And him thinking he is incapable of loving someone broke my heart. Esme is such a good balance for him. She doesn’t take anything for granted and wants to learn how to make Khai comfortable. Also, she has her own ambitions and things she wants in her life.
Quan, who was in the Kiss Quotient, makes another appearance and he’s amazing as usual. I do hope he gets his own romance. I would love to see it.
Plot
This is a great “sequel” to the Kiss Quotient. You get to revisit Michael and Stella but you can also read this as a standalone. I like this take on an arranged marriage story. Khai fights it in the beginning and Esme is going all in. It’s nice to see Esme’s point of view on the idea of arranged marriage as it doesn’t have to be looked at with a negative outlook. Esme just wants a better life for herself and her daughter. She does want love, too.
I’m such a sucker for a little bit of jealousy in my romance novels and this had the perfect amount. It isn’t harmful to the relationship. Neither of them blame one another but they still don’t like the idea of the other with someone else. Also, they both just want the other to be happy.
Overall
A sweet love story with quality awkwardness of two people trying to get to know one another. I definitely recommend. This is the second Helen Hoang book I’ve absolutely loved.
May you get lost in a book,
Chrissy