Rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Contemporary, 4 Stars, Romance
People who should read this: People who love modern romances with a fresh twist, Pretty Woman, and any romance in general.
“She didn’t know how to be semi-interested in something. She was either indifferent . . . or obsessed.”
Where’s the fan? I need to cool down.
There’s no doubt this is a romance book. A well written romance book. And like it’s contemporaries, not your grandmother’s dime store versions. There’s no bodice ripping or damsels, but strong people trying to find love in today’s modern age.
I seriously teetered on that four and five star ledge, but the book pulled some things that just make me cringe. There was no going back. However, I’m still inclined to recommend The Kiss Quotient to everyone that I know.
So what is this grievous act?
Everyone who knows me knows that I scream communication until I’m blue in the face. I literally did it just last weekend. Any good relationship can be torn apart if the couple does not communicate. So if you haven’t figured it out yet, the couple in here doesn’t communicate well. Hoang uses this as the tension and driving force behind them not being together. Not okay with me. I can’t handle that. Mix it with the conclusions they pull from each other’s actions and it feels like my skin is crawling. I want to grab both characters by their throats and scream at them.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Turns out, the minute they do start talking everything becomes oh so clear.
“How did one not obsess over something wonderful? How did one like something a reasonable amount?”
Most of the time, when authors use communication as a tension builder, they don’t pull it off well. They end up making the characters form conclusions that make no sense. Hoang was mostly spot on since Stella has Asperger’s but it was still a stretch for me.
If this grievance can truly be overlooked though, I really loved the book. It was fresh and cute and oh so hot in all the right ways. I’m a huge sucker for strong women that also feel protected by their love. They’re not weak around anyone else or let anyone else help them. But it doesn’t mean that the man has to be this macho, rich guy. And that’s exactly what Hoang created with Michael. The reverse Pretty Woman is perfect for the story. In the end, they also stay as their own strong people, realizing what their love languages really mean.
What else can I say? I love the turn that the romance genre is taking. These new books are fresh with so much more story. It’s not all about the sex though that is a vital tool in the genre.
Before I end this, I need to say something from the writing perspective. I feel like I’ve been slacking in that area lately and I’m sorry.
The writing isn’t anything too fancy which I love. I think it’s really important to notice that. Your writing doesn’t need to be the next Mobey Dick. We don’t need long drawn out Charles Dickens level writing. This is a new day and age. Who even talks like that anymore? Sometimes, simple is truly the best. Not only is it clear and concise, it lets your readers get lost in the story and not your words. That’s what we all want isn’t it?
Happy Reading
Love Kait
Reading Challenge: 26/175