• Home
  • Reviews
  • Ratings
    • 3 Stars
    • 3.5 Stars
    • 4 Stars
    • 4.5 Stars
    • 5 Stars
  • About Us
  • REVIEW POLICIES AND DISCLAIMER
  • Our Rating System
  • Contact
  • New Releases

TheBookBellas

  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Ratings
    • 3 Stars
    • 3.5 Stars
    • 4 Stars
    • 4.5 Stars
    • 5 Stars
  • About Us
  • REVIEW POLICIES AND DISCLAIMER
  • Our Rating System
  • Contact
  • New Releases

THE HEART PRINCIPLE (THE KISS QUOTIENT #3) by HELEN HOANG

August 28, 2021

About the Book:

A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this heartfelt new romance by USA Today bestselling author Helen Hoang.

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better.

That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex—he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she herself has just started to understand. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves.

 

My Review:

 

Romance lovers, rejoice! This book is for you. Helen Hoang has hit all the high notes with this surprisingly profound contemporary novel.

Anna is a brilliant violinist who has become crippled with anxiety and obsessive behaviors. She can no longer play her music without stopping and repetitively restarting songs. Her therapist diagnoses her as being on the spectrum, a not uncommon diagnosis for adult autistic women who have learned to “mask” their behaviors their entire lives in order to get along in society. The efforts Anna has made just to get along with her boyfriend Julian, her strict family and especially with her older sister, the over-achieving Priscilla, have led her to emotional exhaustion.

“I don’t like lying. I do it all the time, though. The harmless little lies that make people feel nice. They’re essential for getting along in society.”

When Julian decides that they should both see other people, Anna decides the best way to fill the void is to go on a series of dates with men she meets on a dating app. What would be the harm in a no-strings-attached one-night stand? She just doesn’t want to connect on a deeper level with anyone else.

Enter Quan, who has the same idea, too. Except that he didn’t count on the quirky, brilliant and kind Anna, who accepts him as he is. I loved their VERY steamy scenes together!! Quan’s cousin and best friend is Michael from ‘The Kiss Quotient’ but this book completely and 100% stands on its own.

This book is written in the first person, unlike Ms. Hoang’s previous books. A poignant author’s note explains why. The exploration of adult autism is very well done and very insightful. Not only can Anna never say no to her family or to Julian, every social gathering is painful, like a simple family party that is almost unbearable for Anna: “I shake hands with unfamiliar people and hug familiar ones. I make small talk, pushing my brain to its limits as I follow the conversations with careful attention, reason through what I think people want to hear as quickly as I possibly can, and then say it with the correct delivery, which involves facial expressions, voice modulation, and hand motions. I’m a marionette, hyperaware of all the strings I need to pull in order to give a convincing performance.”

Anna’s late introduction to therapy completely changes her life and while she still struggles, the way Quan supports her is amazing. If you are looking for an adult contemporary with depth and realistic, unconventional characters, then ‘The Heart Principle’ is for you!

“It’s me, Anna. There’s something I need to say.”

(Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Categories : 4.5 Stars, Contemporary Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged : Helen Hoang, The Heart Principle

The BRIDE TEST by HELEN HOANG

May 7, 2019

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 

Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.

As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.

With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.

MY REVIEW:

Helen Hoang does it again with her second novel. I was in a bit of a romance reading slump when I picked up ‘The Bride Test’ but it turned out to be an absolutely enchanting novel! While this book is funny and VERY steamy, it also touches on some very sensitive issues with depth and great care. Helen Hoang has a very deft touch with the outsiders of our society and this story was a joy to read.

The hero Khai is a brilliant, successful Vietnamese-American with autism. Nothing quite touches him the way others might be touched. He seems stone-hearted and cold but in reality, he just sees and feels things in a different way than most people. The author paints a very vivid picture of a high-functioning autistic adult.

“Nothing gets to you. It’s like your heart is made of stone.”

Kahi’s mother is desperate for him to marry and she thinks the only way is for her to bring a young woman to America from Vietnam. And that woman is Esme. She is uneducated, poor but smart and hard-working. She only wants a better life for the young child she left behind in Vietnam. While this might sound a little heavy-handed, the plot is actually sexy and light-hearted where it needs to be. I fell in love with Khai and Esme and all of the supporting characters!

“He was strange and tactless and very possibly an assassin, but when she looked at his actions, all she saw was kindness. Cô Nga had been right. Khải was good stuff. Very, very good stuff.”

This story tackles some very timely and important subjects such as immigration, education and poverty. Helen Hoang has a knack for writing brave, lovable characters who are intelligent and caring. Although the main protagonists certainly “meet cute”, their story is warm, sexy and very emotional. And a Vietnamese heroine! I love it. I highly recommend this very quirky and sweet romance. And the Author’s Note is a must-read!

(An ARC was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.)

 

Giveaway

I have an extra unfinished paperback copy of THE BRIDE TEST to give away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories : 4 Stars, Adult, Fiction, Giveaway, Reviews, Romance Tagged : Helen Hoang, The Bride Test

THE KISS QUOTIENT by HELEN HOANG

June 18, 2018

Release Date: June 5, 2018

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.

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…

Excerpt:

“You’ve watched Pretty Woman too many times. Kissing doesn’t mean anything, and it’s always best if you’re not thinking too much in bed. Trust me,” he said.
Her mouth thinned into a stubborn line. “This is too important for me not to think. I’d rather not kiss anymore if you don’t mind.”
Michael’s irritation redoubled, and he forced his hands to relax before he popped all his blood vessels. How the hell had he gotten himself into this? Ah yes, he’d been worried about his escort colleagues taking advantage of her. Stupid of him. His life was complicated enough without worrying about his clients. This was exactly why he had the one-session policy.
He would have backed out—it was tempting—but he’d promised. He always carried through on his promises. It was his way of balancing out the universe. His dad had broken enough promises for the both of them.
“All right,” he made himself say. “No kissing.”
“Do the other plans look okay?” she asked.
He forced himself to read them and found them pretty similar, only she’d moved from hand jobs to blowjobs and changed the sexual positions.
Amused despite himself, he said, “I’m surprised you used the terms ‘doggy style’ and ‘cow girl.’”
Her cheeks went bright red, and she adjusted her glasses. “I’m inexperienced, not clueless.”
“Your plans are missing something important.” He held his hand out, and she placed the pen in his palm with wary motions.
She tilted her head to the side as she watched him write FOREPLAY at the top of all the plans in capital letters. As an afterthought, he drew a box in front of each iteration with hard stabs of the pen.
“But why? I was under the impression men don’t need it.”
“You do,” he said flatly.
She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “You don’t have to bother with me.”
He narrowed his eyes. “It’s not a bother. Most men like foreplay. I do. Getting a woman hot is satisfying as hell.” Besides, he was not having sex with her if she wasn’t ready. No fucking way.
Swallowing, she stared down at the menu. “So you’re saying I don’t have a chance to improve.”
“What? No.” His mind scrambled to figure out why she might say that and came up with nothing.
“You saw how I reacted. It was one button.”
“And then you slept with me all night. You were basically naked, and you cling.”
“Are you two ready to order?” the waitress interjected. Judging by the amused glimmer in her eyes, she’d caught the last part of their conversation.
Stella perused the dinner options, her nails picking at the fabric edging of the menu.
“We’ll have the special,” Michael said.
“Wise choice. I’ll leave you to it.” The waitress winked, gathered the menus, and disappeared.
“What’s the special?” Stella asked.
“I have no idea. Let’s hope it’s not woolly.”
A troubled frown bracketed her mouth, and she leaned forward hesitantly, meeting his eyes for the briefest second. “What exactly do you mean by ‘cling?’”
Michael grinned. “It means you like to cuddle when you’re asleep.”

“Oh.”
She looked so horrified Michael couldn’t help laughing. “I confess to liking it.” Which was the truth, and unlike him. Cuddling was an obligatory thing he did for his clients because he understood they needed it. He usually spent the time counting the seconds until he could leave and go home to shower. Holding Stella had been nothing like that. They hadn’t had sex, so there’d been nothing to wash away, and the trusting way she’d curled into him had made him feel things he didn’t want to think about.

My Review:

I absolutely loved this sparkling debut novel by Helen Hoang! I am not often surprised by a book but ‘The Kiss Quotient’ was a total delight. Sexy, warm-hearted and totally refreshing, this story has become one of my favorite reads this year!

Stella is brilliant but has Asperger’s Syndrome and so is unable to read and interpret common social cues. As a result, she is lonely and seeks an instructor to teach her how to act in social situations. In total control of her professional life, she has no clue how to act with members of the opposite sex or even how to act around friends.

”While she was ahead on all her deadlines, need was still the right word for it. Work fascinated her, channeled the furious craving in her brain. It was also therapeutic.

Inside her office, she initiated her most beloved routine. First, she powered on her computer and entered her password into the prompt screen. As all the software booted up, she plopped her purse in her desk drawer and went to fill her cup with water from the kitchen. Her shoes came off, and she placed them in their regular spot under her desk. She sat. Power, password, purse, water, shoes, sit. Always this order.”

Michael works as an escort but his passion is in clothing design. He is handsome and smart but his family has fallen on hard times and he has taken it upon himself to make everything right again.

”As Michael padded through his cheap apartment toward the bathroom and shed his clothes, he tried to revive his old enthusiasm for this job. The taboo nature of it had been enough in the beginning, but after three years of escorting, that was pretty much old hat. The revenge aspect still satisfied him, though. ‘Look at your only son now, Dad.’”

Michael cannot believe a woman like Stella needs the services of a professional escort. He sees a beautiful, sexy and smart young woman who is very different from his usual clients.

”He stared at her open expression and proffered hand for a stunned fraction of a second. This wasn’t how clients greeted him. They usually waved him into a seat with a sly curl of their lips and a sparkle in their eyes—that sparkle that said they thought they were better than him but were looking forward to what he could offer anyway. She greeted him like he was … an equal.”

I was enthralled by this book from beginning to end. The story touches on family, unconditional love, individuality and acceptance and I could not put it down! The writing was sparkling and entertaining and intelligent. Stella and Michael came alive on the pages!

Once Stella hires Michael to teach her the ways of the world, so to speak, he begins to realize that she is a bit different from most people. But as they get to know each other, Stella literally blossoms and she also encourages Michael to follow his true path in life.

A grin tugged at his lips again. “Are you a scientist, Stella?” “Oh, no. I’m an economist. More precisely, I’m an econometrician.” In Michael’s book, that put her solidly in the brainiac category, and an odd feeling ghosted up the back of his neck. Damned if he didn’t have a thing for smart girls. There was a reason why his favorite fantasy was Hot for Teacher.

This book is funny and poignant and romantic and filled with life. I absolutely adored the unique storyline and the quirky supporting characters. The author is a talent to watch, that’s for sure. I cannot wait for more!

”Saying nothing, she let the moment wash over her, the uncertainty, the breathless hope, the anxiousness, and the shimmering contentment. The sight of their intertwined hands pleased her.

So different, but still five fingers and five knuckles, the same general blueprint. She tightened her grip, and he squeezed her back. Palm to palm, two lonely halves found comfort in together.”

Categories : 5 Stars, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Reviews, Romantic Comedy Tagged : Excerpt, Helen Hoang, The Kiss Quotient

Categories

  • 2 Stars
  • 2.5 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 3.5 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 4.5 Stars
  • 5 Stars
  • Action Romance
  • Adult
  • Adult Coloring Book
  • Adult Romance
  • Adult Suspense
  • Alpha male
  • Alpha- hero
  • Angsty
  • Anthology
  • Audiobook
  • Author Interview
  • Author Signing
  • Autobiography
  • BDSM
  • BDSM – Dark and Angsty
  • Biker
  • Billionaire Romance
  • Biographical Fiction
  • Biography
  • Bisexual Romance
  • Blog Hop
  • Blog Tour
  • Book Blast
  • Book Blitz
  • Book Launch
  • Book Tour
  • Charity
  • College
  • College Romance
  • Coming of Age
  • Contemporary
  • Contemporary Erotic Romance
  • Contemporary Fiction
  • Contemporary Gay Romance
  • Contemporary Homoerotic Romance
  • Contemporary M/M Romance
  • Contemporary Queer Romance
  • Contemporary Romance
  • Contemporary Western Romance
  • Courtroom Drama
  • Cover Reveal
  • Cowboy Romance
  • Cozy Mystery
  • Crime
  • Crime Romance
  • Dark
  • Dark and Twisty
  • Dark Contemporary Romance
  • Dark Erotic Romance
  • Dark Erotica
  • Dark Humor
  • Dark Romance
  • Diverse
  • Domestic Fiction
  • Domestic Suspense
  • Domestic Thriller
  • Dominant
  • Dystopian
  • Enemies to Lovers
  • Erotic
  • Erotic Humor
  • Erotic Romance
  • Erotic Romantic Comedy
  • Erotic Suspense
  • Erotic Thriller
  • Erotica
  • Erotica/Sci-Fi
  • Events
  • Family Drama
  • Family Saga
  • Fantasy
  • Fashion
  • Feminism
  • Fiction
  • Fighter
  • Financial Thriller
  • Forbidden
  • Giveaway
  • Gothic
  • Gothic Romance
  • Guest Post
  • Hispanic American Literature
  • Historical Fiction
  • Historical Romance
  • Holiday Fiction
  • Holiday Romance
  • Horror
  • Horror Romance
  • Human Sexuality
  • Humor
  • Legal Thriller
  • Lesbian Romance
  • LGBQT Science Fiction
  • LGBT
  • LGBT Romance
  • LGBTQI
  • Literary Fiction
  • Literary Saga
  • M/m
  • M/M Contemporary Romance
  • Mafia Romance
  • Magical Realism
  • Mature YA/NA
  • MC Romance
  • Memoir
  • Ménage
  • Mental Health
  • Military Romance
  • MM Romance
  • MMA
  • Movie Star Romance
  • Multicultural Romance
  • Mystery
  • Mythology
  • Nature
  • New Adult
  • New Adult Contemporary
  • New Adult Contemporary Romance
  • New Adult Romance
  • New Adult Romantic Comedy
  • New Adult Romantic Suspense
  • New Release
  • Non-con
  • Non-Fiction
  • Novella
  • Office Romance
  • Organized Crime Thrillers
  • Own Voices
  • Paranormal
  • Paranormal Romance
  • Political Romance
  • Post-Apocalyptic
  • Prequel
  • Psychological
  • Psychological Thriller
  • Release Blitz
  • Reviews
  • Rock Star
  • Rock Star Romance
  • Rocker
  • Romance
  • Romantic Comedy
  • Romantic Erotica
  • Romantic Suspence
  • Romantic Suspense
  • Romantic Thriller
  • Romantic Women's Fiction
  • Satire
  • Sci-Fi Romance
  • Science Fiction
  • Second Chance
  • Second Chance Romance
  • Self-Help
  • Serial
  • Series
  • Shifter
  • Short Story
  • Single Dad
  • Slow Burn Romance
  • Small-town Romance
  • Speculative Fiction
  • Sports
  • Sports Romance
  • Sports-Hockey
  • Spotlight
  • Spotlight Tour
  • Standalone
  • Student-Teacher
  • Suspense
  • Taboo
  • Tattooed hero
  • Teaser
  • Teaser Tuesday
  • Thriller
  • Time Travel Romance
  • Trailer Reveal
  • Uncategorized
  • Urban Erotica
  • Waiting on Wednesday
  • Western Romance
  • Women's Fiction
  • Women's Studies
  • Young Adult
  • Young Adult Contemporary Romance
  • Young Adult Fantasy
  • Young Adult Fiction
  • Young Adult Romance
  • Young Adult Thriller
  • Young Adult Time Travel
  • Young Adult-New Adult

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Recent Favorites:

Search The Book Bellas

New Posts Delivered Straight To Your Inbox

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 37 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • DEMON COPPERHEAD by BARBARA KINGSOLVER
  • SPARE by PRINCE HARRY DUKE OF SUSSEX
  • BEFORE I LET GO by KENNEDY RYAN
  • AESTHETICA by ALLIE ROWBOTTOM
  • SIGN HERE by CLAUDIA LUX
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Archives

Find us on GoodReads

Goodreads: Book reviews, recommendations, and discussion

Grab our Button


Tags

4 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars A.L. Jackson Aleatha Romig Alessandra Torre alpha male BDSM Bella Jewel Blog Tour Book Blitz Book Launch Cat Porter Chelle Bliss contemporary romance Cover Reveal Erotica Erotic romance Excerpt Giveaway Jane Harvey-Berrick K. Bromberg Karina Halle Katy Evans Kristen Ashley Laurelin Paige Mara White Nelle L'Amour New Adult New Releases Pam Godwin Penelope Douglas Penelope Ward Pepper Winters R.S. Grey Release Blitz Review Reviews S.L. Scott Skye Warren Tarryn Fisher Tessa Bailey Tia Louise Vi Keeland Young Adult

Copyright © 2023 · Annabelle Reloaded Theme