I knew nothing about this book when I started listening to it. The plot is a bit like “The Rosie Effect.” Both have a protagonist on the autism spectrum with a systematic approach to relationships. But “Kiss Quotient” is much more romance-novelish and steamier than I’d expected. (The first big clue is when econometrician Stella hires a heart-of-gold male escort to teach her to be “better” at sex and relationships.) I enjoyed the writing and the characters, especially Michael’s Vietnamese-American family, and the chance to see how someone with autism might experience the world & relationships.

Kind of a minor aside but I’m throwing it out there: the story touches briefly on Stella’s history with men & sex and it is not cool and not super consensual, so be aware if that’s something you are sensitive to.