The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

May 28th, 2018 Kimberly Review 30 Comments

28th May
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Kiss Quotient
by Helen Hoang
Series: The Kiss Quotient #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameOne Flame

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 to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, 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...

2018 Fave Beach Read ROMANCE smartfunny Diverse

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang delivered a feel good, swoon-worthy read that needs to be your #mustread summer romance.  Diverse, fresh, funny and heartwarming I fell in love with these characters and devoured The Kiss Quotient in search of happily-ever-after.

Do you ever enjoy a book so much that you are dying to pick it back up and finish, but you want the perfect uninterrupted time to do it? I read this in two sittings. The first until I knew if I didn’t stop I’d be a zombie in the morning, and the following evening as soon as my hubby’s basketball game was turned on. The premise of this story was refreshing and at first, made me a tad nervous.

Stella is an econometrician who loves all things math and has Aspergers. Having a son with the disorder made me understand this sweet, driven woman. Her work is her obsession, it makes her happy, but her mother wants grandbabies and is determined to set her up.

When a male co-worker makes a remark that rings too close to the truth about Stella’s intimacy issues, she decides to hire a male escort to teach her about sexual intimacy. Her own sexual experience was downright horrible and she tackles this analytically.

“Girls like me have never been asked out by a single boy. Girls like me have to find their own way, make their own luck. I’ve had to fight for every success in my life, and I’m going to fight for this. I’m going to get good at sex, and then I’ll finally be able to entice the right person into being mine.”

My nervousness stemmed from the said escort. This isn’t a scenario I particularly enjoy, but Hoang gave me a character I instantly swooned over. Michael Phan a Swedish-Vietnamese clothing designer stole my heart. The man was sexy, patient and beautiful.

Hoang herself lives with Aspergers and  I adored her portrayal of Stella. She showcased not only her brilliant mind but how different their thought process and perception of the world is. Like most folks, she wants to be known for herself, not her condition. Like many, she keeps her disorder a secret. However, routines, crowds, clothing issues and open unabashedly candid comments made for some of the sweetest, laughable and tender moments in a romance I’ve ever read.

Michael has his own hangups most stemming from his father, but he is very close to his mother and siblings. In fact, the whole reason he works for the escort service on Friday evenings is for them. It melted my heart and only further endeared him to me.

“Michael was mint chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her favorite.”

I laughed, wept and simply lost myself in this sexy, heartwarming and sometimes erotic story as Michael gave Stella lessons that began as sexual and moved to dealing with relationships, family, and social outings. As the two worked towards helping Stella learn the nuances of a relationship something incredible happened. Of course, there were plenty of stumbling blocks and growth but the story that unfolded was one that will stick with me. In fact, I may never look at my hubby’s underwear the same way again. Ha, and I don’t mean sexually, you’ll have to read the book to discover the true meaning of briefs.

“I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.”

Read It. Love It. Own It. If you read one romance this summer make it, The Kiss Quotient. This is a book I’ll be buying for all the girls on my holiday shopping list. It has something for everyone. Stella and Michael need to be shared.

Read It. Love It. Own It. Make The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang your #mustread romance this summer. It has something for everyone. Stella and Michael need to be shared. Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

30 Responses to “The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang”

  1. Barbara Strickland

    This is my second comment here but just finished the book (you made me read it with your review) and loved it. Made me really look at my work. My lead has a little of that but dealt differently with life. I didn’t do him justice and although my re-edited copy did a little more, it could have pushed further. I think as my series progresses I may work on this because Helen managed to spotlight so well just what this condition can be like.
    Love your reviews, love that I pay attention because I am learning more and more. Thank you Kimberly for the great work you do with books.

  2. Sophie

    Fantastic review Kimberly! I pre ordered the book after having read one of my friends review. I can’t wait!

  3. Andreea

    The cover looks indeed like a must-read for summer, and I am in for any beach read although I might not even go to the beach this year, but hey, reading will make me feel like I am there! And I agree, there are some books I really want to read but I just need to find the perfect timing to dedicate my time to them!

    Andreea recently posted: Letter to June
  4. Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra

    This book has consistently received rave reviews from almost everyone I know. It sounds so wonderful too. I’ve added to my summer reading list since that’s usually the time when I’m most interested in reading anything with romance in it.

  5. Heidi

    I am itching to get this one. I keep hearing such brilliant things about this book. I have my copy on hold at the library, I will get it on very soon!

  6. Tyler H Jolley

    Yes, I’ve had a few books that I wanted to devour, but didn’t want to dive back in until I knew I could have my a snack, diet coke and uninterrupted silence. Those books must be savored.

  7. Kristin @ AddictedtoHEA

    (Where is the damn Squeel button!!) This book was so freakin’ amazing and one of my favorites of the year so far!! I’m so stinkin’ grateful to you and glad I picked up it!! I, too, wanted to read it in one sitting… and I did to my head’s detriment. SOOOOOOO worth it. I even went back and re-read parts that I originally read at 1am at night. I was surprised how well written it was, too, for a romance on such a touchy (ouch!) subject. Yep, the escort thing worried me, too. So well done, though, you’re right!!

    BRAVO!!!!!!

  8. Lorna

    I loved this so much as well. So different and quirky. Full of humor. Glad you loved it as much as I did! Fantastic review!

  9. Rita @ View From the Books

    This! Yes and yes… “Like most folks, she wants to be known for herself, not her condition.” & “Like many, she keeps her disorder a secret.” I have a son who was dx’d with Asperger Syndrome way back when it was still an unknown label to most, including medical professionals. Even today, many folks just don’t get it. There is no cookie-cutter, one size fits all behavior as the media loves to present. Not all with AS are savants; not all of any population are either.

    Kudos to Ms. Hoang for writing this story and making her MC be smart, candid, and sexy. The only thing that stops me from running out and getting this book is this: heat level=4. That’s a sizzling good time for many readers… but unfortunately not for me 🙂

    Thank you Kim, for a wonderful review!

  10. Angie @ Ba_BAMB

    Oh my goodness. What a great review. I have seen so much about this book, and I don’t think one thing has been negative. I can’t wait to read it!`