A Rollercoaster Ride in The Bride Test: My Thoughts on Helen Hoang’s Latest
Helen Hoang has this incredible knack for weaving together tales of romance that immediately draw you in—so much so that I found myself excitedly diving into The Bride Test, the second installment in her Kiss Quotient series. With the promise of heartfelt representation and unconventional love stories, I expected it to be another winner. Instead, I came out feeling like I’d taken a rollercoaster ride: moments of soaring excitement intertwined with stomach-churning drops. Spoiler alert: I rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars.
At the center of this story is Khải, a character grappling with his autism, and Esme, a spirited woman from Vietnam brought to America by Khải’s mother in hopes of finding him a bride. The concept alone intrigued me—how could an arranged marriage set the stage for an authentic exploration of love? However, as I dove deeper, the story’s execution fell short of my expectations.
Hoang succeeds at portraying the complexities of love and connection, but at times it felt overshadowed by Khải’s emotional immaturity. I found myself rooting for Esme, with her selfless heart and determination. That said, I often wanted to shake Khải awake; he kept pushing Esme away at critical moments, reflecting a frustrating cycle of emotional denial. One memorable quote that stood out was, “I like holding you.” It captured a depth of feeling, yet came almost too late in the narrative, leaving me conflicted about his journey.
The pacing was baffling—despite being just around 300 pages, the narrative felt sluggish at times, making me wonder if we were ever going to get to a resolution that felt satisfying. Hoang’s writing style is, as always, engaging, but my emotional investment fluctuated dramatically—it went from agitation to hope and back to frustration in a matter of chapters.
The side characters, especially Quan and Michael, provided delightful levity and wisdom throughout, offering a refreshing contrast to the central turmoil. They reminded me that sometimes, emotional support comes from unexpected sources, even in the most challenging situations. Additionally, the moments shared between Khải and Esme had a sweetness to them, but were often marred by the tension of misunderstanding, a recurring theme in Hoang’s work that I find both relatable and irritating.
I couldn’t help but appreciate some of the touching moments between the leads, particularly the realization of imperfections making Esme more beautiful in Khải’s eyes. That poignant insight truly shines a light on the theme of accepting oneself. However, I found myself wishing that Khải would grow more instead of stubbornly clinging to his fears.
On a reflective note, The Bride Test has indeed sparked my thoughts on love, communication, and the complexity of human emotions. It’s a tale that will resonate with those who appreciate heartfelt representation and the struggles of navigating love as a multifaceted experience. Although this book didn’t hit the mark for me as much as The Kiss Quotient, it still explores important issues faced by many.
If you enjoy stories where characters wrestle with their identities amid chaotic emotions, The Bride Test may still be worth checking out. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride, filled with moments of both heartache and revelation. While I can’t say it was my favorite read, it certainly prompted a lot of self-reflection, and in the end, isn’t that what great literature is all about?
Discover more about The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient, #2) on GoodReads >>