Book: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Read From: 14th August - 16th August 2021
Rating: 3/5 stars
Summary: Stella Lane is a data analyst with Aspergers who has had next to no experience in the dating world. Consequently, she hires local escort Michael to help her become well-versed in all things relationships and sex so she can finally settle down and give her parents the grand-babies they have been longing after.
Whilst this isn’t my favourite romance story of all time, it was still such an enjoyable read nonetheless. This was a book that came highly recommended to me after loving Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters series and I can clearly see why! Whilst you expect a cute and fluffy romance from the cover, the inside of this book is packed with spice and even the exploration of deeper topics such as living with autism and the impacts of a not-so-great parental figure.
Stella is an absolute angel and is one of the most real and raw characters I’ve ever read about. Hoang mentions in the authors note that she has poured her heart into writing Stella’s character and this is so evident in just how loveable she really is. I felt like I could really connect to her and she is the type of character you feel like you know personally after finishing the book. Every time Stella’s POV was introduced I really felt transported into her mind and whilst at times it wasn’t the happiest place to be, it only made me love her even more!
Michael on the other hand… eh. Whilst his upsetting backstory helped me to understand some of his decisions and actions, I couldn’t help but feel like he was frustratingly possessive throughout the course of this book and I really didn’t like that. I think it would have been a different story if this were a book that suited that type of trope, but in this instance it really was not it. Being in his head was sometimes uncomfortable for me and this definitely impacted the reading experience, particularly when I desperately wanted to connect with him as the love interest.
That is literally my only complaint about this book and it’s a shame for me to have to reflect it in my star rating, as this definitely had the potential to be a 5 star read! Regardless, I definitely have the romance bug now (who wound have thought!?) and The Kiss Quotient has only fuelled my desire to read MORE! I’ll definitely be getting to the second book in this series, whilst I desperately want more Stella I’m intrigued to follow some new protagonists who I will hopefully get on with more than Michael. This is a definite recommend from me, although as always please do check the trigger warnings before going in.