Author: Helen Hoang
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Carly Robins
Publication Date: April 25,
2017
2017
Genre: Literary Fiction
My Rating: 4.5
Goodreads Synopsis
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
My Thoughts…
This
is a book community suggestion, and as usual, my bookish friends were spot
on. This is such a fun book, but also so
inclusive. As a person who doesn’t know
anyone with Autism (or at least haven’t told me), I feel like I was given an
inside look at someone’s life I wouldn’t otherwise understand.
is a book community suggestion, and as usual, my bookish friends were spot
on. This is such a fun book, but also so
inclusive. As a person who doesn’t know
anyone with Autism (or at least haven’t told me), I feel like I was given an
inside look at someone’s life I wouldn’t otherwise understand.
The
story is really unique in its own way.
Obviously, the idea of a couple faking a relationship isn’t new, but
doing so to teach the girl how to be in an adult relationship while dealing
with Asperger’s is genuinely different.
story is really unique in its own way.
Obviously, the idea of a couple faking a relationship isn’t new, but
doing so to teach the girl how to be in an adult relationship while dealing
with Asperger’s is genuinely different.
The
tone is extremely light hearted and fun, though it deals with the tough issues
very well. This is an easy read, but not
unfulfilling. I really do feel like I
became almost friends with the characters and am hoping we get a
follow-up. I’m not ready to let Stella
and Michael go, I need to know what is happening in Michaels fashion
business.
tone is extremely light hearted and fun, though it deals with the tough issues
very well. This is an easy read, but not
unfulfilling. I really do feel like I
became almost friends with the characters and am hoping we get a
follow-up. I’m not ready to let Stella
and Michael go, I need to know what is happening in Michaels fashion
business.
The
only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, and it’s a total personal
preference thing, but I don’t like entire plot points based on the characters
not talking to one another. I don’t mind
this from Stella, since that is a part of her personality that gives the book
such depth, but I feel like Michael should have said something. Especially, given his experience with
austism.
only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, and it’s a total personal
preference thing, but I don’t like entire plot points based on the characters
not talking to one another. I don’t mind
this from Stella, since that is a part of her personality that gives the book
such depth, but I feel like Michael should have said something. Especially, given his experience with
austism.
The Characters…
Here is where Helen
Hoang really shines. The villain of the
book isn’t all bad, and the heroes aren’t all good. Michael’s family is so richly developed, with
all types of personalities. Their
Vietnamese heritage added another layer to this already interesting novel, and
I felt like I was learning so much.
Hoang really shines. The villain of the
book isn’t all bad, and the heroes aren’t all good. Michael’s family is so richly developed, with
all types of personalities. Their
Vietnamese heritage added another layer to this already interesting novel, and
I felt like I was learning so much.
Michael is not your typical
book boyfriend, seriously, he’s an escort.
Stella is not your normal heroine either. This book is one of the most inclusive
stories I have ever read, but it never seems forced. This is how literature should be because this
is life, different people making their way in the same world.
book boyfriend, seriously, he’s an escort.
Stella is not your normal heroine either. This book is one of the most inclusive
stories I have ever read, but it never seems forced. This is how literature should be because this
is life, different people making their way in the same world.
Audiobook Review…
The narrator did a good
job with the cast of characters, giving each a different voice. As usual, the best compliment I can give a
narrator is that I didn’t notice she was reading to me.
job with the cast of characters, giving each a different voice. As usual, the best compliment I can give a
narrator is that I didn’t notice she was reading to me.
Memorable Lines…
“All the things that
make you different make you perfect.”
make you different make you perfect.”
― Helen Hoang, The Kiss Quotient
“Michael was mint
chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her
favorite.”
chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her
favorite.”
― Helen Hoang, The Kiss Quotient
Stella! I adored her.
Right?!?! She’s so different from other characters I have read, and not just because she was autistic. I just loved her!