The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is one of the most heartwarming, sexy and quirky romance novels I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It follows Stella Lane, an autistic econometrician, who’s convinced that she needs to master the bedroom arts so that she can land a boyfriend. And what better way to become incredible at sex than to study under a professional? 😉
Stella decides to hire Michael Larsen, an alluring escort with a troubled past, who agrees to her unconventional arrangement. What begins as a simple contract turns messy when their erotic lessons and electric chemistry lead to…tender, fuzzy feelings.
The Kiss Quotient made me so happy! It was such a charming and uplifting story- I practically inhaled it. Stella is one of my new favorite characters. I found it easy to empathize with her lack of social skills, love of routine and borderline obsession with math (her true passion in life).
I appreciated that Stella has actual flaws rather than being painted as some impossibly perfect specimen of the female species. What a refreshing development in this sometimes stagnant genre. She’s plucky, intelligent and so eager to get things right, even when she’s way out of her comfort zone and feels like a fish out of water.
Stella and Michael’s relationship was both over-the-top adorable and scorchingly hot. I was smitten with how patient and understanding Michael was with Stella. I liked how he helped push her socially to grow as a person and transcend her self-imposed limitations. In bed, he made sure to move at her pace and confirm that she was at ease at all times. This might sound boring to some, but believe it or not, it only made the steamy scenes all the more titillating. And woah were they deliciously mind-blowing. You *may* need to keep a fan nearby…
Was the plot a teensy bit predictable? A little, yes, but this is romance after all- expecting otherwise is unrealistic. There are only so many ways the plot can unfold while remaining fun, fluffy and wildly entertaining.
Hoang’s writing is top-notch, effortlessly witty and laugh-out-loud funny. If you’re looking for some genre-bending, sexy escapism, The Kiss Quotient is just the ticket. Stella and Michael’s love connection is guaranteed to make you swoon.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
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