The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

 The Kiss Quotient

Wow.

I have been in a reading slump for a very long time. A very, very long time. However, I found an easy read within this book, demolishing it in approximately four hours. I feel like finally, I'm back in my stride.

So, of course, I will begin this review saying that this book was a quick, light, easy read. As you could've guessed based on what I said above. Hoang leads us through a story overflowing with imagery to the point where for a brief moment, I couldn't remember if I had read a book or watched a movie. 

We meet Stella, a young-ish individual diagnosed with Asperger's. We are exposed to her overbearing mother whose agenda seems to consist of babies, babies, and boyfriends for Stella (of course, so the babies can come to exist). We get to see the real-life symptoms that someone with Asperger's might have to deal with day in and day out. It was very honest, to the point, and realistic. It was so realistic, you could've mistaken part of it for a non-fiction explanation. I say this, but want to reiterate that it was effortlessly interwoven throughout the overall theme of the novel --> fake boyfriend.

Initially, Stella wants to get better at romance. She meets Michael and presents an offer to him - one that he definitely knows that he should resist. 

Their love together feels unmatched throughout literature, a very high compliment from me. It is clear throughout the novel that each of them have challenges that they need to overcome in order to be good for each other. 

Although the central theme is love, there are innumerable sub-plots that add much much more to this novel, which is a feat in itself as sub-plots often render the book complicated.

I found myself rooting for Stella and Michael. Their story feels unforgettable. It feels timeless.

Five out of five stars. 

I will definitely be watching out for more of Hoang.