Overall, I really enjoyed re-reading this book. It still has everything I first fell in love with so long ago. I really need to re-read these books to I can finally get around to reading the end of this series so far....

Reread: this was just as sweet and fun the second time around.

The Kiss Quotient was lots of fun and will be a book I'll likely pick up again before the sequel on a rainy day when I want cheering up.

The things I really liked about the book:

- Stella was a successful businesswoman in her own right; she made lots of money, she was good at her job and she enjoyed her job. She owned her own house, did what she wanted and was very happy in that. I think this was the biggest selling point because her relationship with Michael didn't impact on this. The reason this was so refreshing was because lots of contemporary romance involve the man being the Hollywood star, the rich quarter-back etc who can help the woman out and I loved the refreshing change her.

- Stella had Asperger's; I can't name one other novel off the top of my head (I am sure there are many if you look for those novels specifically), that tackles women with Asperger's, or does so in the context of a romance. I think it is important that these themes are brought into the mainstream. I know lots of people fell in love with Jojo Moyes Me Before You because it tackled issues of disability and euthanasia etc. However, this wasn't a pity parade, and I think personally tackled a series issue much better.

- The romance; I really liked Stella and Michael and the blossoming of their relationship. It wasn't perfect and I did want to bang their heads together a couple of times but I enjoyed it.


What I didn't enjoy:

- There were a couple of points in the relationship where it felt like things had taken a different direction to what they had (very hard to explain without spoiling), and it wasn't very clear.

- Stella's parents.


Overall, this was an enjoyable, fun read and I couldn't put it down. It's fluffy and light-hearted as well as talking about series issues that people face.

Another enjoyable re-read!

**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** The Bride Test was a very enjoyable follow-on from The Kiss Quotient. I have to admit that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first one. I did fall in love with this story and the narrative that Helen Hoang wrote and I did not want the book to end.

The part of the novel I actually enjoyed most was the author's notes where Helen Hoang spoke about her original intentions for the book. She spoke about how she originally intended there to be an American love-interest not a Vietnamese love-interest. Her discussion about how she was inspired by her mother's story and felt strongly that her character did not have to be America was the most important message for me of the story. It really cemented the whole narrative and the focus on how no matter your background, with drive and determination you can achieve your dreams.

This is particularly why I found it so problematic that Hoang Americanised My's name to Esme and her daughter's name was Americanised. It felt like there was no need for this, especially when Khai did not have an Americanised name anyway. It was a very unusual choice and I couldn't really understand it. For me, this definitely meant I docked a star from my rating, as I think My/Esme should have been proud to come over as who she was with her Vietnamese heritage.

I very much liked how My/Esme developed across the story however. I think she was a stronger character by the end and was not dependent on Khai it pleased me that she didn't have to depend on Khai for her visa, right to stay and that she was able to get this through her family. Although admittedly I still would have preferred if she had gotten it through her scholarship programme.

Overall I really enjoy the new angles and life Helen Hoang brings to contemporary romance as she introduces autistic characters, immigrant stories and strong female characters. I will be looking forward to more from Helen Hoang in the near future.