"A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick. Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position... Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his …
"A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick. Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position... Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but crave all of the other things he's making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic.."--
Michael is a male escort catering to women. Stella is an autistic woman who lacks confidence. She hires Michael to teach her how to be better at sex, then to he better at relationships. Of course it turns into more.
But the conflict relies on characters that hear one thing said and assume it means another. lots and lots of that. And each character blows those meanings up into all sorts of drama that could have been avoided by asking what they meant.
Review of 'The Kiss Quotient [Paperback] Helen Hoang' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
As an erotica, it's ok.
As a book with a neurodivergent protagonist, it's ok.
As an exploration of Asian-American culture, it's ok.
Some icky stuff. Sexual assault is not a peccadillo only to be used as a setup to show how cool your boyfriend is. Boundless jealousy, feeling of ownership and violence fantasies should maybe not just hang around uncommented.
Most of all, I'm interested in the political future of this book. The Kiss Quotient can definitely be read as the "lesbians just need some good dick" spiel applied to ace people. Let's see.
Review of 'The Kiss Quotient [Paperback] Helen Hoang' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Stella is determined to learn how to have a relationship, in spite of her social awkwardness and single-minded focus that comes with autism. Michael is an escort well-versed in sex, that Stella hires to teach her "how to be good at sex" and then "how to be good in a relationship." Against his usual judgment, he agrees to help Stella.
High on the steam level, this gender-swapped retelling of Pretty Woman features strong characters that are fascinating in their respective role. The dialogue is crisp and peppy, driving the plot forward. The plot offers plenty of surprises, and the ending is satisfying. A fast-paced, enjoyable book. I recommend it.
Review of 'The Kiss Quotient [Paperback] Helen Hoang' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Borderline erotica. Well, maybe this is full on erotica.
Anyways, usually erotica has only action and no depth of characters or deep connection between the characters. This book was not like that, the characters connected and helped each other grow and evolve. I liked it.
I haven't read 50 shades of grey, but I feel that even if I do someday read it, I would still prefer this over that.
My first "romance" novel. Do they all have this much detailed sex in them?
So, yep, there is sex in this and may not be ideal for the youngsters.
The writing seemed middle of the road but I really felt for the characters within the last thirty pages and only good writing, (character development, story, circumstances), can hit the reader at this emotional level, THEREFORE, this is good writing.
Review of 'The Kiss Quotient [Paperback] Helen Hoang' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I often get the first 20% of the ebook to decide if I like it enough to request it from the library. I want you to know that I got the first twenty percent, and then when I saw that I was no. 27 on the library request list, I paid full price for this book and read it one pass.
It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.
If the blurb appeals to you, you should definitely read this book, (with one caveat). It's a romance that at no point made me say "this is some heterosexual nonsense", which let me tell you, is the rare m/f romance. (I should …
I often get the first 20% of the ebook to decide if I like it enough to request it from the library. I want you to know that I got the first twenty percent, and then when I saw that I was no. 27 on the library request list, I paid full price for this book and read it one pass.
It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.
If the blurb appeals to you, you should definitely read this book, (with one caveat). It's a romance that at no point made me say "this is some heterosexual nonsense", which let me tell you, is the rare m/f romance. (I should add a "heterosexual nonsense" rating to books with m/f content, but not sure what the rating would be out of; gender reveal parties?)
Caveat: Stella's mom repeatedly subjects her to unwanted stimuli to "desensitize" her. Stella does not object to this because she knows her mom loves her and does it for "her own good" but honestly, it was uncomfortable for me, a person who has never experienced this. OTOH, this is actually fairly minor content, volume-wise, in that her mother only appears twice (I think?).
Also, there's a thing in sex-worker romances, where the sex-worker rejects their partner's money because they don't want it to be "business", but honestly, as person who works for money, people acknowledging your labour with money is very nice, and Michael definitely puts in real labour to help Stella achieve her goals. On the other hand, I have no idea how actual sex-workers feel about this trope? On the other other hand, do a lot of sex-workers read sex-worker romances? Surely not? On the fourth hand, I can't believe a lot of sex-workers date their clients? Like, a non-zero number, because humanity is vast and varied, but surely?
