Book Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

A modern romance novel by a relevantly new author: Stella Lane is being pressured by her parents to find herself a husband. The problem is that Stella is not only content focusing on her successful career as an econometrician but has had almost no experience in successful romantic relationships. In fact, she struggles with physical intimacy, like finding the idea of french kissing beyond gross. It doesn't help that Stella is on the spectrum, something she has accepted and doesn't want to be the only thing defining her. She believes that she needs to desensitize herself enough to please a potential suitor, she enlists the help of Micheal Phan, a local escort.

Overall, I really liked this book. It's an "own voices" novel, which is absolutely fantastic: both the author and the main character are on the spectrum and the treatment of that definitely benefits from the author's first hand experience. I think that the relationship between Michael and Stella is also pretty great. There is a lot of discussion and exploration of likes and dislikes, which is something I always appreciate in a romance novel.

I think that both main characters felt three dimensional with their own motivations, wants, and needs that felt in character. While Stella is autistic, she isn't comfortable with that being her defining characteristic. She often doesn't tell people about it, in order to keep people from treating her as her label. Michael has turned to escorting as way to be pay the bills. His mother has cancer and is racking up expensive bills. He gave a comfortable life in New York in order to take care of mother, after his father left her penniless and heart broken. Because of that, Michael often feels that he needs to prove that he is not his father's son.

Additionally, there were quite a lot of steamier scenes which and it was nice to see those these character in those situations played out in positive ways. However, it was not something I was comfortable reading in all spaces, particularly at work; especially since neither the description nor the cover had prepared me for such a bodice ripper. But aside from that, that was a good read! I definitely recommend to this book to those looking for modern romance, particularly those looking for a diverse cast of characters. I give warnings to readers who are sensitive to explicit content.