User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
This book had the nerve, the audacity, and the unmitigated gall to come into
my home where
I pay the bills… and
let me down.
On the bright side, however, at least it’s not a Percy Jackson movie.
I have so many issues with this book. But let me discuss first the brief list of things I liked about it: the fact that this is the book version of
Pretty Women but with a refreshing subversive twist that’s embodied in the gender role reversal; the honest and clear-eyed exploration of money and how fortune does not touch everyone with the same hand; how there’s a real sense of culture and history in the depiction of Michael’s community (his Vietnamese heritage shines through and there's tremendous joy in his interactions with his family: the banter, the support, the kindness threaded through ruthless teasing); and the knowledge that the events in this book and the author’s continued research has inspired her to seek out a therapist and be diagnosed on the spectrum. It's very important to see autistic women at the forefront of efforts at representation, expanding the conversation and the vision for autistic characters.
I really wanted to love this book. But it was, quite frankly, boring, averagely written, and riddled with clichés. But what grates at me the most is the way
The Kiss Quotient demonstrates great knowledge of vital issues only to overshadow the significance of its premise by refusing to delve deeper into something more nuanced and thoughtful. I expected more from this; more thoughtfulness, more artfulness, more craft. Instead, I was left uncertain how to feel about the whole thing—about an ending that felt easy and trivial, almost mocking the seriousness of the rest of the book, and a fizz of uneasiness that I couldn’t quite shake afterwards.
This is the story of a woman who is smart and beautiful and accomplished and who simply has had the poor misfortune of coming across men who had never cared for more than their own entertainment, who didn’t have her welfare anywhere remotely near at heart, and who treated her either like a boring convenience or an exciting toy. So, she stood there and accepted the weight of the blame, because clearly, if someone hurt you, there’s something wrong with you to deserve it. For Stella, it is her autism.
If it were obvious and unmistakable at any point in the book that the author was highlighting this attitude as a
problem, I might feel more kindly disposed toward it. Instead, it’s almost positioning autism as an inherent flaw that you’re supposed to overcome, and showcasing the love interest, Michael, as someone who will, and I quote, “seduce [perhaps more aptly termed in this context:
fuck] the anxiety out of [Stella]”, failing throughout to properly examine the crucial fact that Stella’s past sexual encounters didn’t go awry because of her autism. Not at all: her past dates are simply pieces of shit who didn’t treat her like a human being. And then, Michael comes along, shows Stella the barest scrapings of human decency, and she feeds off that because she’s been starving and thought such crumbs a feast. It’s like the novel version of those cishetero dating articles whose basic premise is “Ladies, Here Are 10 Tips to Make Men Treat You Like a Human Being.”
This is a frustration exacerbated by the fact that once Stella establishes that she enjoys physical contact with a man (read: a man who treats her decently and who doesn’t leave her laying on the bed like an unloved doll splayed out on the floor), she suggests that they now forgo the sex altogether and work together to figure out how to make her comfortable in romantic situations, and so begins a fake-relationship which of course blossoms into a romance.
I fault this book for trying to depict a well-balanced pairing only to deploy it in ways that feel manipulative and disingenuous.
The bar was already set so low for Michael…and yet, he still managed to slide right under it. Michael says all the right things to make Stella feel comfortable, but his words stand in blatant contrast against his actions—which are infuriatingly manipulative and alarming. For instance, when Stella clearly voices her discomfort with something, Michael sweeps aside her comments like you’d brush crumbs from a table and assures her that she’ll enjoy it when she tries it, and of course, she does
—her agency completely disregarded by this point. In moments like these, the relentless patronizing Michael is subtly practicing left a deeper impression than anything else, and I couldn't just chalk it up to character unreliability. It made me want to furiously wave my fist at the book in outrage.
Also egregious is how Stella’s symptoms seem to conveniently disappear around Michael. In fact, it is pretty obvious early on that the narrative is charitably embellishing Michael’s traits, palliating his possessiveness and elevating his character only by
villainizing literally every single other male character. This is made even more manifest in the second love interest, Philip, Stella’s coworker, who is painstakingly one-dimensional: he’s an unmitigated jerk. That’s it. That’s the extent of his contribution. I can’t overstate how exhausted I am of this trope. If the romance in your book only works because every single character who’s not the potential love interest is even more of an unbearable asshole, that's just not it.
Speaking of unbearable assholes, there is a particular scene early in the novel that almost made me DNF: Philip comes into Stella’s office, casually asks her if she’s a virgin and gives an unsolicited advice from “a man who’s been around the block a few times” (I rolled my eyes so far back I could see the last of my brain cells dying). His advice is that if she goes out and fucks a lot more men, she’d be more experienced and have more luck. The entire scene is howling “sexual harassment in a workplace” and the fact that this whole encounter is just... simply glossed over in a "oh well, boys-will-be-boys" kind of way still strikes a sour note.
At the bottom of everything, that's really my problem with this book as whole: its frustrating refusal to explore and thoroughly examine so many important themes and ideas in favoe of escalating a plot that keeps a very tight, narrow focus on a romance with really questionable dynamics. I know a lot of readers felt differently about this book and will not agree, and that's fine! Regardless of my experience of this novel, I believe books like
The Kiss Quotient are important for their capacity to help improve awareness and diagnosis rates for a community that's undeniably under-represented, and I really hope to see a greater plurality of representation for autism in this genre, and all genres.
Rating: really liked it
4 1/2 stars. Well,
this book. I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I'll begin with an overview.
The Kiss Quotient is a seriously sexy, fun book that has rekindled my interest in the romance genre. When it hits the spot, I LOVE a good romance, but I rarely find one that goes beyond cliches and instalove so I usually end up bored. Not with this one. Not one bit.
It's the
perfect blend of sweet and steamy. And let me be clear: this is not YA. There's a lot of graphic sex scenes, though I should also say that the author builds up to it really well; she knows how to tease us. It was just so nice to read a book where sex is actually sexy and not political, cold, a form of manipulation, or not sex at all because consent went out the window.
This is an ownvoices book about Stella, who has Asperger's syndrome. Convinced she needs lessons on how to be good at sex and relationships, she hires Michael, an escort, to teach her. Michael is mixed race - Vietnamese and Swedish - and described as a hotter version of k-drama star Daniel Henney. In a gender-reversed
Pretty Woman scenario, the two inevitably end up developing feelings for one another.
Stella's autism makes it difficult for her to know how to behave around other people, and she also struggles with being touched. Through this, the author explores the
importance of consent - Michael is deeply respectful of her boundaries and always waits for her to be 100% ready. Perhaps it sounds less sexy than the spontaneous grab-and-go on the office desk sex but it actually isn't. It's kinda wonderful.
Okay, and here's the weird thing. I don't know how to talk about this or if I really should, but I think it is worth mentioning. We talk about the importance of diverse books all the time and the way voices by POC, LGBT+, and those with disabilities are absolutely essential. They foster understanding and help a lot of people realize they are not alone. Well, I got a lesson in just how important books like this can be.
As I was reading about Stella, I started to make some comparisons. I was so affected by it that I made a list. This list:
• Extreme social anxiety
• Loss of focus; frequent "zoning out"
• Fanatic obsession with a small number of interests
• Difficulty reading verbal cues and understanding sarcasm
• No interest in playing with others as a young child
• Avoiding eye contact or overcompensating and staring
• Clumsiness and poor spacial awareness
• Called "quiet" "shy" "weird" and "odd"
• Outbursts of anger when losing or unable to complete a task
• Deep levels of frustration and anxiety when routine disturbed
• Practicing "conversation trees" in head
• Facial tics
Um, yeah. So this is me. Some of these are behaviours I exhibited as a child, but many I still do. It turns out I probably have autism. I currently only have a self-diagnosis and a score of 35 out of 40 on the Cambridge autism test (over 32 is high probability of autism) but I am pursuing a professional diagnosis.
Huh.
Honestly, this book just made me feel so... understood. Everything that I've worked so hard to hide and bury about myself is normalized and even celebrated. So yeah, it is sexy as hell and really sweet, but it's also so important. Seeing as so many women and girls go undiagnosed, this book could offer validation to so many who need it.
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Rating: really liked it
things about this that were very good:
- the autism rep
- the fact that while the author was researching said autism rep, she got diagnosed with autism
- this is #ownvoices for autism and asian rep! yay! cool inclusion of vietnamese culture!
- the female character is the moneymaker/works in STEM and the male character has less money/is a creative! employment gender role reversal.
things about this that were not very good, for me, personally, sorry:
- a woman getting f*cked out of some of her autism symptoms
- a man not taking no for an answer (one time a man does this and it's Bad. but when the hot love interest does it, it is Very Very Good, apparently.)
- i did not like the smut and i am sorry but i did not
- the word "quirky" turns me off a character faster than you can say not like other girls
- the protector-man gender roles were so bad
- also so much "chicks love that romantic stuff" and "men never talk about feelings" type gender roles
- REALLY WEIRD PARENT CHARACTERS WITH INCONSISTENT CHARACTERIZATION
- felt pretty insta-lovey to me. like one second both are like "we cannot be in love!!!! never will we allow ourselves!!!" and the next. boom. lovefest city, population these two nerds.
anyway. this book didn't work for me but clearly i'm in the teeniest minority in world history so.
bottom line: read this if it sounds good to you i guess? basically the bottom line of all my reviews is "please do not feel compelled to listen to my opinion and/or take it seriously."
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CURRENTLY-READING UPDATES
this is...a lot.
Rating: really liked it
3.5 or 4? Not sure, but I’ll bump it up on Goodreads just because I personally enjoyed it despite some of its faults! It’s a cute, light, and fluffy read with very minimal conflict and stakes, making this an easy and simple book to indulge myself in a mental break. The relationship dynamics (the successful woman + the sweet guy who pines after her and thinks she’s too good for him) and the male love interest (so patient and sensitive!) are right up my alley, and I also enjoyed the smut scenes for how steamy they were.
Downsides: it’s very instalove-y to the point where it can be distractingly unrealistic and contrived, though I tried my best to just go with it haha. And though I didn’t mind minimal conflict for the sake of light reading, when the book does try to ramp up with conflict towards the end, it’s done with very contrived miscommunication that was a little frustrating and too drawn out. The sudden character development in gaining confidence also felt thrown in for the sake of wrapping up the story. I think the book is better when it goes along with the light and fluffy moments and smutty scenes, rather than trying to add conflict or narrative developments, which doesn’t work as well.
Rating: really liked it
this shit had no reason to be that cute and filthy as it was. my ovaries were shaking
Rating: really liked it
This was my pick for the June 2018 Book of the Month box!
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. “I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.”
Friends,
The Kiss Quotient is so deserving of every ounce of hype it has received thus far. I am not sure I’ve ever been so happy, and had such a lame grin on my face, while reading any other book. This was heartwarming, beautiful, and a treat to read. Don’t sleep on this one. Also, Michael and Stella are both partner goals, I swear.
This is an ownvoices novel about autistic woman who has succeeded in every aspect of her life, except for love. Her mother is putting pressure on her to find someone and start thinking about family, now that she turned thirty. Plus, Stella is kind of lonely anyway, and as much as she loves throwing herself into her work, she wants to spend her life with someone who she can completely be herself with. The problem is, Stella thinks her autism makes her unable to successfully date, and maybe even unable to be good at/enjoy sex. So, she hires the dreamiest escort to help her!
“Girls like me intimidate boyfriends away. Girls like me have never been asked out by a single boy. Girls like me have to find their own way, make their own luck. I’ve had to fight for every success in my life, and I’m going to fight for this. I’m going to get good at sex, and then I’ll finally be able to entice the right person into being mine.”
The thing is, Michael is an escort that doesn’t do more than one session per client. Yet, after his and Stella’s first night, he might be willing to make an exception. Michael is biracial (Vietnamese and Swedish), fashion designer, and has always put his family first, especially after the way his father left them all. Michael’s mother is also battling cancer, and the medical bills are piling up.
Trigger and content warnings for unwanted touching and forced kissing, lowkey sexual harassment, anxiety attacks, abandonment, a loved one with a chronic illness, a fatphobic comment/insult, and someone telling someone else about a person’s diagnosis.
Also, this book has very explicit and graphic sex scenes. But, like, all of the sex scenes in this book are 11/10. So damn hot, I swear. I have a lot more experience with sex than Stella, but I would happily let Michael teach me a thing or two. *clutches pearls forever* But please use caution if that is something you do not enjoy in your books!
But besides the steamy sex, the beautiful romance, and the lovely messages that are inside this book, my favorite part is that this book never shames Michael for being an escort, and it sure in the hell doesn’t shame Stella for being on the autism spectrum. A lot of other conflicts happen throughout, but those two things are never put in a negative light and it was such a blessing.
And I never expect a fiction book to teach me anything, but this book gave me such a wonderful glimpse and perspective into some people’s autism. (Obviously, I know that no two people are the same!) From overstimulation with lights, sounds, and smells, to the preferred clothing, to focusing everything into one thing, to the importance of schedules, lists, and reminders! This book was really insightful, and I loved that about it.
The importance of consent is always at the forefront of this novel. I think that’s why most people who are reading this right now are so in love with Michael, and it’s because he always is thoughtful and so very patient with Stella. He truly puts her needs first, and makes sure he is never overstepping any line that she is not willing to cross.
And I just loved Stella Lane as a character. She is actually probably my favorite heroine of 2018. Not only does she know who she is, she refuses to change for anyone, even the guy she has fallen in love with. I had happy tears in my eyes so much while reading this, and it was mostly just because I was so proud of her. Michael might be most people’s wet dream, but Stella felt like the character I’ve been searching literature for forever.
“But I want you to know I can handle the truth. If I’m not enough for you, that’s fair and I accept it. I’ll get over you eventually. I don’t want to be coddled or lied to because of what I am. I don’t need your pity friendship”
Overall, this was such a perfect read! I loved this from first to last page, and I couldn’t put it down. Here, I’ll really sell you on how good this book is: Muse of Nightmares, my most anticipated release of 2018, came in the mail while I was reading this book. And you know what I did? I finished
The Kiss Quotient before starting it. Seriously, this is a masterpiece. And I can’t wait to see what Helen Hoang does next.
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The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
Rating: really liked it
The Kiss Quotient is quite the unexpected romance novel. Stella Lane is on the spectrum and wants to get better at sex so she can, hopefully, find a life partner and start the family her parents so very much want her to have. To get better at sex she hires Michael, an escort with a lot of debt and a few secrets but who, somehow, is exactly the man she needs. Of course he is! That's how romance novels work. But this is such a fun read and it's also quite original and sexy and sensitive. Stella is a really compelling protagonist and Hoang does a fine job of showing us who this woman is and how she negotiates a world that isn't as welcoming to her as she deserves. Lots to admire her! Well worth a read.
Rating: really liked it
“I’m obsessed with you, Michael,” she confessed. This story still has me losing my mind. I’m obsessed with it in every way and each time I reread it, I don’t think my obsession can grow but it does.
I adored the journey both these characters went on. Both have held themselves back. Both haven’t actualised the life they want for themselves but they come together and everything falls into place. Well, almost everything. We go on a journey with them to find the people that they were supposed to be, apart and together.
I remember reading this for the first time and loving the small insight I got into the escort business. I loved seeing what it meant to be autistic and not seeing it as a disorder, but as a part of who you are amongst everything else.
I appreciated how unapologetic Stella became. How comfortable she became in her skin. It was so powerful to read.
What seals the deal off even more is the Author’s Note. Not only was this a journey for Stella, but for Helen Hoang too.
It just reinforces how much I love what fiction can do. Storytelling is the most perfect of ways to understand others. There are emotions that get triggered when we read that allows us to form a deep bond to the story and its characters, all because of the way an author decides to tell that story. Because they chose to be vulnerable.
It leads us to remember thing that meant something to us and allows us to reminisce specific aspects that have touched us the most, because at the end of the day, storytelling deals with subject matters that make us fundamentally human.
The sex scenes are still, hands down, some of the best I’ve read. I still have problems breathing properly whenever I read them. It’s so intimate but filthy as fuck too.
This remains one of my favourite books ever.
Rating: really liked it
lord jesus mama needs a cold shower
Rating: really liked it
5+ Stars!!! 
There isn't much better as a reader than finding a debut novel that you have zero expectations for, and it blowing you away.
The Kiss Quotient did just that. Helen Hoang wrote a book that is smart, sexy, made me laugh, and gave me just the right amount of feels. There wasn't one thing I would change about this story or the characters. I loved everything about it!
Stella Lane is a thirty year old econometrician who is smart and successful, but lacking in one area of her life. Relationships. After her mother pressuring her to settle down and meet someone, Stella decides it's time she gives it a try. Stella has Aspergers, a high-functioning form of Autism that makes her a little awkward when it comes to relationships, sex, and certain social situations. Due to this, she decides to hire an escort to 'teach' her how to navigate this.
This is where Michael enters. Michael is an escort, but he's so much more than that. He is a stand-up guy who only escorts on Friday nights as a way to help his family financially. Honestly, he feels that he has no choice. When he meets Stella, he is stunned someone like her would hire an escort. She fascinates him. Michael is kind to Stella, he's patient and understanding to her situation. So much so, that being with him one night won't do.
These were supposed to be simple sex lessons. Why was it getting so complicated?
Michael and Stella develop a friendship and relationship of sorts. One of my favorite things about this book was seeing how Michael grew to care for Stella, embraced her quirks and handled everything that made her different. Both of these characters made my heart so happy. I adored them both and wanted nothing more than their relationship/friendship to go to the next level.
One thing I found so refreshing about this book is Stella's character. I could tell Hoang knew what she was talking about when she wrote Stella. Even though Stella is much different than me, she was very relateable. Michael and Stella brought out the best in one another and their connection and chemistry were off the charts.
The Kiss Quotient is quite honestly one of the best books I've read this year. It was perfection. The story is refreshing and unique, and the writing is intelligent and fresh. I can't wait to see what else Helen Hoang has in store. I'll definitely be reading every and anything else she puts out!
Rating: really liked it
I started reading this Friday night on a plane, and as usual, I suspected I probably wouldn't make it past chapter 3 before just putting on my headphones and opening up my laptop to write instead. Most of my readers know I don't read much romance anymore, not because it's not good, but because I write it all day, I kind of need a break when I'm reading for pleasure. So I veer toward other genres.
It's like a hairstylist, you know? You think their families would constantly be able to get their hair done, but oh, no. They're the last people to get their hair done! A stylist comes home, that's the last thing they want to do! lol
So anyway, I started reading. And I kept reading. By chapter 2 I was laughing. By chapter 3 I was like "oh, yeah." By chapter 5 I was denying my complimentary pretzels and Sprite. And by chapter 12 my tired eyes were glancing between my Kindle screen and the hotel room clock, knowing I had to be up for a signing in 7 hours, and should I go to sleep or...ok, just after this part and then I'll definitely go to bed.
The author gives us an incredible hero in this story. He has a tough hurdle to overcome, but he's noble and strong but also incredibly hot. He has just the right amount of edge and a touch of bad boy, but at the same time he's doing what he has to do and he's the only man who understands Stella. This guy from a completely different world than her is the only man who can talk to her and connect with her. When they strip everything away and are alone, close and quiet, they are everything the other one will ever need.
Stella is strong and smart, educated and awkward in social situations, and I absolutely loved her. I connected with her. What built between these pages was a relationship between a striving woman and the man she hired to help her, both of whom never expected or tried to make it happen. It wasn't supposed to happen. The lines of the professional relationship start to blur, and slowly, their bond seals, even as they try to resist it.
I loved this story. I loved both of the characters. I adored the side characters and how everything felt natural, the writing flowed, and the heat and need and longing for someone you're not supposed to fall for got stronger and stronger.
And I really wish Hoang had more books out right now!
Give this one a try when it releases, everyone! You won't be sorry!! And I can't wait to read your thoughts. And have others to swoon with <3 Because I feel so alone right now. Lol
Rating: really liked it
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! okay i’m lowkey embarrassed it took me so long to read this HAHA but LISTEN it was worth every second of the wait! I love stella so much, and her story had my heart SOARINNN’ (breaking free vibes!) & michael? my guy!!! gentleman in the streets BUT A FREAK IN THE BED 🤸 This book had me hooked the entire time & i adored seeing the aspergers representation and the diversity in the characters. 5 economic stars ⭐️!!
i’ll leave you w my two favorite quotes:
“Michael was mint chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he would always be her favorite.” 🖤
“Two lonely halves found comfort together” 🤍
Rating: really liked it
Re-read 6/12/18: Hi hello I am still SO obsessed with this book. If you haven’t read it yet, PLEASE READ IT. You absolutely will not regret it.
Original read 5/2/18: I am a swooney mess, oh my LANTA. I haven’t swooned this hard since Joshua Templeman. My heart is so happy right now, I can’t even. WHAT A ROMANCE.
Rating: really liked it
this has an average of 3.89!?!?!? Ya’ll wild this book is phenomenal 20/5 would recommend ✋🏼
Rating: really liked it
I love this book.
________
Alright, I am just going to up my rating to 5 stars. I devoured every sweet, smutty page of this story. Again. While I am not blind to this romance’s flaws, I simply love it. I feel like this story was written exclusively for me.
Original review The last time I enjoyed a romance novel this much was... hm, I think the word I am reaching for is NEVER. I am always looking for good love stories but rarely find them. This book scratched my romance itch
just right. I pretty much loved it.
So the setup goes like this. An autistic econometritian unable to form relationships and under pressure from her mom to start a family hires a male escort to teach how to “be good at sex” so she knows how to attract and keep a man. She doesn’t really like to be touched, so this challenge is no joke. If you’ve read romances or at least watched Pretty Woman, you can see what happens next. The escort Stella hires is hot and fun, and most importantly, kind.
You know how you read something soul-crushing like Cat Person or that notorious recap of a date with Aziz Ansari and get nauseous and depressed? Well “The Kissing Quotient” is the opposite of that. It is a celebration of human connection, consent, pleasure and, as clinical as it sounds, enthusiastically reading the other person’s nonverbal cues.
As it always happens with romance novels, I did lose a little interest once the hottest part was over and the inevitable dramatic breakup started unfolding before the final sprint to HEA (I am not really keen on wedding, engagements, babies, etc.) To the author’s credit, the novel mostly stayed away from tedious misunderstandings I loathe.
But all in all this was a fantastic experience. A romance equally hot and sweet.
You can request it on Netgalley.
