Publication
Corvus, c2018.
Series
Status
Available
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. 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 as well as way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that she has Asperger's and that French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. She decides that she needs lots of practice�??with a professional�??which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese-Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and he 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 also to crave all of the other things he's making her feel. Their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges convinces Stella that love is the best ki… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Othemts
Stella Lane is a successful and prosperous econometrician in Silicon Valley. She's obsessed with math and works long hours, but struggles with interpersonal relationships, especially dating men. She also has Asperger's, so she's definitely not a typical romance protagonist. Her mother's desire for
Stella hires male escort Michael Larsen for an extended program of practical sexual lessons that are humorous with their dispassionate checklists. There's an immediate attraction between the pair and yet each thinks that other would not be interested in a real relationship. Stella's social anxiety makes her feel that someone like Michael would not be interested in her if she wasn't paying him. Michael is embarrassed by being relatively poor to Stella and carries they weight of his absent father, a philanderer and con artist, who he fears he may be too much like.
It's refreshing to see these characters sort through some very ordinary problems of social anxiety and self-identity. They are both constantly described as being incredibly hot, though, so I guess they're extraordinary in that way. This book has a lot of lot of sex, but also a lot of talking. It's very good in dealing with issues of consent in relationship, which alone, makes it worth a read.
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grandchildren prompts her to decide she will need to practice having sex in order to be more attractive to potential partners.Stella hires male escort Michael Larsen for an extended program of practical sexual lessons that are humorous with their dispassionate checklists. There's an immediate attraction between the pair and yet each thinks that other would not be interested in a real relationship. Stella's social anxiety makes her feel that someone like Michael would not be interested in her if she wasn't paying him. Michael is embarrassed by being relatively poor to Stella and carries they weight of his absent father, a philanderer and con artist, who he fears he may be too much like.
It's refreshing to see these characters sort through some very ordinary problems of social anxiety and self-identity. They are both constantly described as being incredibly hot, though, so I guess they're extraordinary in that way. This book has a lot of lot of sex, but also a lot of talking. It's very good in dealing with issues of consent in relationship, which alone, makes it worth a read.
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LibraryThing member haymaai
It’s been a while since I’d been really enamored with a story, and ‘The Kiss Quotient’ was so enticing to me, that I completed the book in record time. It’s a delightful story about Stella Lane, a brilliant, quirky econometrician who is on the autism spectrum and has been absolutely
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unsuccessful with male relationships. Stella decides to hire a male escort, handsome, Vietnamese-Caucasian Michael Larson to teach her the fine nuances of a sexual relationship, as well as how to relate to a male partner. Stella is wealthy and comes from trust fund money of the upper echelons of society, while Michael upholds a chaotic Vietnamese household with a mother and several sisters, and he uses his escort income to pay for some family debts. Both Michael and Stella have their own issues and insecurities, and this novel brilliantly portrayed both characters with heartwarming empathy, so I crossed my fingers to hope for a desirable resolution to the story. Please be forewarned that some of the sexual scenes were quite steamy, so if one is not comfortable with the intimate sexual encounters, then perhaps this book might not be for you. Show Less
LibraryThing member mzonderm
What would you do if you were a very well-off and well-respected professional woman who was terrified of dating and sex because you had Asperger's? Perhaps you would hire an escort to help you become more comfortable with those interpersonal areas of your life. And what would you do if you were a
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man who had mountains of debt and responsibilities, but had been told you had a particular talent for sex? You'd become an escort, naturally. Thus, the basis for 2018's greatest love story. Michael and Stella are both characters you root for, to be able to overcome their own shortcomings and power through the things that challenge them. It gives nothing away to say that they end up together, but the process, oh, the process. Very steamy and very sweet. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
When you're sitting poolside and someone tells you she's reading a fantastic book, you like to check it out. I'm not sure we have the same taste in books though, admittedly I did learn a lot about autism and Aspergers in women, and what porn star nipples are. Doubtful I'll read more in this series
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or another recommendation from the person who loved this. There were some insightful moments, though, and I did like the author's after note. Show Less
LibraryThing member dcoward
Really enjoyed this non stereotypical romance. The heroine is autistic, the hero is an aspiring fashion designer, and the tilt is feminist. The book still manages to be what a romance novel should be - fun and hot.
LibraryThing member Herenya
Thirty year old Stella, a successful econometrician with Asperger’s, has never had a boyfriend. She decides that this is another “interpersonal thing she needed to exert extra effort on”, the way she has for social skills like eye contact, and hires a male escort so she can practice.
I
On one hand I think it’s very important that people like Stella (and like Michael) are represented in genre fiction. On the other hand, romance isn’t really my genre. Maybe this story was successful on its own terms and does what romance readers want? I don’t know.
My favourite part of the book was, to my surprise, the author’s note about how she ended up researching Asperger’s and the effect that had both the story and her life.
He exhaled sharply, and his brow creased in puzzlement. “You don’t like French kissing?”
“It makes me feel like a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish.” It was weird and far too personal.
I
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enjoyed reading this but I kept expecting it to spend more time on things like Stella’s relationship with her parents and her career, and Michael’s large Vietnamese-American family. I wanted more worldbuilding! But instead, The Kiss Quotient adheres closely to romance genre conventions and it keeps its focus on the romance.On one hand I think it’s very important that people like Stella (and like Michael) are represented in genre fiction. On the other hand, romance isn’t really my genre. Maybe this story was successful on its own terms and does what romance readers want? I don’t know.
My favourite part of the book was, to my surprise, the author’s note about how she ended up researching Asperger’s and the effect that had both the story and her life.
He exhaled sharply, and his brow creased in puzzlement. “You don’t like French kissing?”
“It makes me feel like a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish.” It was weird and far too personal.
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LibraryThing member triscuit
This gets 2.5 stars even though I didn’t finish it because I was really intrigued by the characters and I liked the writing. Interesting plot but it went on too long. I also got bored with the pacing and the soft porn was odd.
LibraryThing member jmoncton
This was a fun romantic lark! Imagine Pretty Woman, but with a gender switch -- lead female character, awkward in relationships and a male escort. It had all the elements of an upbeat Romantic Comedy, that was probably R rated. Light, but fun.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
When Stella Lane's mother drops the not-so-subtle hint that she wants grandchildren, Stella is at a bit of a loss. Interacting with other people has always been a bit of a challenge for her due to her autism and all of her attempts at romantic relationships have been completely dissatisfying for
A fantastically diverse and very smutty romance novel. Hoang does a fantastic job of putting the reader inside Stella's way of experiencing the world and also makes Michael a thoroughly believable hero with a whole cart's worth of baggage that led to his current job as escort. The romance between the two is very sweet but be warned that if you aren't into lots of sex in your romance novel, this one may be a bit much.
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everyone involved. In an effort to try and make herself better at the whole romance thing, Stella comes up with an unorthodox solution: hire a male escort to teach her the basics of sex and romance. But when Stella hire Michael Larsen, neither of them are prepared for what will come of their business arrangement.A fantastically diverse and very smutty romance novel. Hoang does a fantastic job of putting the reader inside Stella's way of experiencing the world and also makes Michael a thoroughly believable hero with a whole cart's worth of baggage that led to his current job as escort. The romance between the two is very sweet but be warned that if you aren't into lots of sex in your romance novel, this one may be a bit much.
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LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
After lots of pressure I finally gave this book a chance. It was the perfect dirty little happy joy machine. Stella is on the autism spectrum. She likes things just certain ways. She really likes work, but her mom likes the idea of a husband and babies. Stella has been on dates, and she has had
Michael is an escort. He is also caring individual looking after his family. His friday night job isn’t always his favorite but it pays the bills. Right from the beginning Stell is not like any other client. She wants to talk and have things explained, and she doesn’t treat him like a piece of meat. By the end of this story Michael will break every rule he ever had about clients, girls, and love.
This story is sweet and funny. It’s dirty in a classy way that is more than just raunch or repackaged 50 Shades. At the heart it is two people finding each other when they need it most. I listened as an audiobook, and could not stop once I got started. It was a pleasant way to spend 9 hours.
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sex, but it sucks. She’s so bad at it. After an offhand comment by a coworker Stella hires a professional. Sex is just like anything else it takes practice, and a good teacher. Michael is an escort. He is also caring individual looking after his family. His friday night job isn’t always his favorite but it pays the bills. Right from the beginning Stell is not like any other client. She wants to talk and have things explained, and she doesn’t treat him like a piece of meat. By the end of this story Michael will break every rule he ever had about clients, girls, and love.
This story is sweet and funny. It’s dirty in a classy way that is more than just raunch or repackaged 50 Shades. At the heart it is two people finding each other when they need it most. I listened as an audiobook, and could not stop once I got started. It was a pleasant way to spend 9 hours.
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LibraryThing member rosalita
I'm not generally a reader of contemporary romances, but I saw this one reviewed here on LT and thought the premise — beautiful, brilliant woman with Asperger's hires a male escort to teach her the necessary social skills to land a boyfriend — was more interesting than the usual cowboy/hellcat
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plot line. And it was, with the added bonus of learning about the Vietnamese family and heritage of Michael, the male escort. Along the way there's a fair bit of smut, so if that's not your thing you'll want to steer clear. Show Less
LibraryThing member gpangel
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is a 2018 Berkley publication.
A real charmer!
Stella, an Econometrician, has intimacy issues, perhaps a symptom of her Asperger’s. With her mother growing impatient for grandchildren, and after absorbing an ugly comment, which took aim at Stella’s lack of sexual
Michael Phan has never had a client like Stella. She touches a part of him, he keeps barricaded, especially with clients. Her effect on him is so powerful, he agrees to give her lessons on sex and dating, against his better judgment, and breaking every single personal rule of his profession.
However, their business arrangement soon develops into something neither of them could have anticipated. Before long, Stella begins to figure in a new type of equation- love!
Okay, I’ve seen the huge marketing push for the book, and I’ve had many friends on social media and book sites fawning it. From experience I know when a book gets this level of hype it is very important to approach it with a modicum of caution. Even though I was chomping at the bit to start this one, pushing everything else to the wayside if need be, I cooled my engines and let some of the furor die down before I finally allowed myself to read it.
So, did it live up to all that publicity?
I adored this story. It’s unique, featuring a female character who struggles to find her niche in a world that embraces conformity and uniformity. I don’t have Asperger’s syndrome, but I am an extreme introvert, so I could relate to some of the struggles Stella fought to overcome. I immediately warmed to her character and hoped she would find the confidence she had buried inside of her all along.
While I didn’t know how to feel about Michael’s unorthodox occupation, I did LOVE this guy’s gentle patience. It was fun watching Stella crawl under his skin, seeing how he understood her, quirks and all, and how they managed to create a relationship with each other, as Michael slowly draws Stella out. Michael turned out to be a terrific hero, and I might have developed a secret and deliciously sinful crush on him.
That said, the book was still a wee bit over-hyped. While I understand why some felt this one was special and deserved a lot of attention, the format, at its core, is not much different from any other contemporary romance. The writing or prose didn't set it apart from any other books out there, although it is obvious the author knew her subject matter intimately.
What does set it apart is the diversity, and the boldness of placing a character with Asperger’s as a lead in a romantic comedy. The delicate balance of approaching the syndrome with respect and the gravity it deserves, while adding in humor and poignancy, is very well done. From that perspective the story is very original, unique, and refreshing!
Everything you love about romance is here: It's hot and steamy, funny, charming, emotional, and inspiring, with a lovely feel good ending.
However, this one gives voice to those rarely featured in these types of stories. I love that about this book!! I for one, applaud this new angle and approach to contemporary romance, and hope to see more books step away from the standard 'Plain Jane' tropes and branch out into new, mostly unexplored territory, in the romance genre. Books like this one could help the genre shake off a few of its hardwired stigmas and reach a much broader audience.
4.5 stars
A real charmer!
Stella, an Econometrician, has intimacy issues, perhaps a symptom of her Asperger’s. With her mother growing impatient for grandchildren, and after absorbing an ugly comment, which took aim at Stella’s lack of sexual
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experience, she decides to hire a male escort to ‘teach’ her everything she needs to know about dating and sex. Michael Phan has never had a client like Stella. She touches a part of him, he keeps barricaded, especially with clients. Her effect on him is so powerful, he agrees to give her lessons on sex and dating, against his better judgment, and breaking every single personal rule of his profession.
However, their business arrangement soon develops into something neither of them could have anticipated. Before long, Stella begins to figure in a new type of equation- love!
Okay, I’ve seen the huge marketing push for the book, and I’ve had many friends on social media and book sites fawning it. From experience I know when a book gets this level of hype it is very important to approach it with a modicum of caution. Even though I was chomping at the bit to start this one, pushing everything else to the wayside if need be, I cooled my engines and let some of the furor die down before I finally allowed myself to read it.
So, did it live up to all that publicity?
I adored this story. It’s unique, featuring a female character who struggles to find her niche in a world that embraces conformity and uniformity. I don’t have Asperger’s syndrome, but I am an extreme introvert, so I could relate to some of the struggles Stella fought to overcome. I immediately warmed to her character and hoped she would find the confidence she had buried inside of her all along.
While I didn’t know how to feel about Michael’s unorthodox occupation, I did LOVE this guy’s gentle patience. It was fun watching Stella crawl under his skin, seeing how he understood her, quirks and all, and how they managed to create a relationship with each other, as Michael slowly draws Stella out. Michael turned out to be a terrific hero, and I might have developed a secret and deliciously sinful crush on him.
That said, the book was still a wee bit over-hyped. While I understand why some felt this one was special and deserved a lot of attention, the format, at its core, is not much different from any other contemporary romance. The writing or prose didn't set it apart from any other books out there, although it is obvious the author knew her subject matter intimately.
What does set it apart is the diversity, and the boldness of placing a character with Asperger’s as a lead in a romantic comedy. The delicate balance of approaching the syndrome with respect and the gravity it deserves, while adding in humor and poignancy, is very well done. From that perspective the story is very original, unique, and refreshing!
Everything you love about romance is here: It's hot and steamy, funny, charming, emotional, and inspiring, with a lovely feel good ending.
However, this one gives voice to those rarely featured in these types of stories. I love that about this book!! I for one, applaud this new angle and approach to contemporary romance, and hope to see more books step away from the standard 'Plain Jane' tropes and branch out into new, mostly unexplored territory, in the romance genre. Books like this one could help the genre shake off a few of its hardwired stigmas and reach a much broader audience.
4.5 stars
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This so sounded familiar. I get the wanting things to be organised logically and trying to come up with strategies to cope with the world, Oh boy do I.
I can see the logic of deciding that if you're not good at something, like dating, to experiment with it and test how it should work, and how
Stella wants to settle down and marry, it's the next step for her life, not least according to her mother. She decides to hire someone to help. Into her life comes Michael who uses his good looks and charm to make sure his mother is getting the medical help she needs. Michael has rules about not getting involved with clients but he finds Stella compelling. He understands her and wants her to have a fulfilling life, but he's not sure he's enough for her. Meanwhile Stella is getting used to wanting to have someone else in her life, she cares for Michael and it's somewhat confusing her.
I liked it, liked the characters and the fact that they all had their own agency, I did want to punch her co-worker.
I can see the logic of deciding that if you're not good at something, like dating, to experiment with it and test how it should work, and how
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numbers are so interesting.Stella wants to settle down and marry, it's the next step for her life, not least according to her mother. She decides to hire someone to help. Into her life comes Michael who uses his good looks and charm to make sure his mother is getting the medical help she needs. Michael has rules about not getting involved with clients but he finds Stella compelling. He understands her and wants her to have a fulfilling life, but he's not sure he's enough for her. Meanwhile Stella is getting used to wanting to have someone else in her life, she cares for Michael and it's somewhat confusing her.
I liked it, liked the characters and the fact that they all had their own agency, I did want to punch her co-worker.
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LibraryThing member SimplyKelina
Finally, a book that lived up to the hype. Most of the time I find myself disappointed or not liking at all the books that everyone else seems to love. But, I really loved The Kiss Quotient. I loved the relationship between Stella and Michael. I also love that this an own voices story, as Helen
I loved the pacing and writing style as well. There was never a dull moment, and I felt engaged the whole time I was reading this which is a problem I have been having recently.
This was pretty steamy, and I think that it is important to know going into the story. I have heard so many people talk about this and that was never mentioned. I did not mind, and encourage you to still pick this up even if that is not your thing (you can skip over those sections) as the story is worth reading!
Overall, I loved this!
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Hoang has Asperger’s. I loved the pacing and writing style as well. There was never a dull moment, and I felt engaged the whole time I was reading this which is a problem I have been having recently.
This was pretty steamy, and I think that it is important to know going into the story. I have heard so many people talk about this and that was never mentioned. I did not mind, and encourage you to still pick this up even if that is not your thing (you can skip over those sections) as the story is worth reading!
Overall, I loved this!
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LibraryThing member Sheila1957
Stella hires Michael as an escort so her mother will get off her back about being single. She also decides to have him teach/practice social skills/sex with her so she will be able to get a husband. Michael does not do doubles but decides to help her because he is attracted to her. He does not feel
This was fun! Both Stella and Michael are lovable. They are perfect for each other. As Stella stumbles along in relating to others Michael accepts her as she is. I like the squabbles between Michael and his sisters. I like that Stella is able to stand up for herself. The story was believable. I hated for it to end. It is a keeper.
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he is good enough for her as they get deeper into their relationship because of his family and past. She's not interested in anyone else after Michael.This was fun! Both Stella and Michael are lovable. They are perfect for each other. As Stella stumbles along in relating to others Michael accepts her as she is. I like the squabbles between Michael and his sisters. I like that Stella is able to stand up for herself. The story was believable. I hated for it to end. It is a keeper.
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LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I thought that this was really good. I have had a copy of this book for some time but never picked it up despite the fact that other readers have been raving about it. I wanted to read the book but I just couldn't seem to work it into my reading schedule so when the audiobook went on sale recently,
I wrongly assumed that this would be a sweet and rather tame romance largely because of the cover. Boy, was I ever wrong! The story may have had its sweet moments but this is not a tame romance. This was pretty steamy and there were a lot more sex scenes than I would have guessed. I don't mind romances with a lot of heat and rather enjoy them in most cases so the fact that my assumption was wrong didn't make a difference to me but I thought I would mention the fact to other readers.
Stella has Asperger's and sometimes looks at the world a little different than others. She excels at her profession as an econometrician but knows that she has a few things to learn when it comes to sex. She decides that the best course of action is to hire a professional to teach her what she needs to know which is where Michael enters the picture. Michael is not proud of his job as an escort but he is resigned to doing what his family needs him to do. He has a one date rule for his clients until he meets Stella and agrees to help her with her lessons.
I really liked getting the opportunity to be in Stella's head. I loved the way she described everything and her internal monologue provided a lot of insight to the reader. She tries to break everything down into logical steps but is really unsure about a lot of things. Michael's character was just as interesting. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of his family. He really was a great guy and I loved how he was with Stella. He thought highly of her and thought others should as well. He seemed to know just what she needed.
I had a great time watching these two fall for each other. They had such great chemistry with each other but they also seemed to be able to see everything good about each other. They didn't hold anything against each other. Michael didn't care about Stella's labels and Stella didn't care about Michael's history. They instead saw what kind of person the other was.
Carly Robins did a fantastic job with the narration of this audiobook. I think that her performance really helped to bring the story to life for me. I think that she captured the personalities of both Stella and Michael and brought a lot of emotion into the reading. She had a very pleasant reading voice that was easy to listen to for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This was a great romance with wonderful characters that made me laugh and touched my heart. I look forward to reading whatever Helen Hoang comes up with next!
I received a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via Bookish First and purchased a copy of the audiobook.
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I jumped on it. Sometimes, it is just easier to work an audiobook into my reading schedule and I have to say that the narration added to my enjoyment of this wonderful little story.I wrongly assumed that this would be a sweet and rather tame romance largely because of the cover. Boy, was I ever wrong! The story may have had its sweet moments but this is not a tame romance. This was pretty steamy and there were a lot more sex scenes than I would have guessed. I don't mind romances with a lot of heat and rather enjoy them in most cases so the fact that my assumption was wrong didn't make a difference to me but I thought I would mention the fact to other readers.
Stella has Asperger's and sometimes looks at the world a little different than others. She excels at her profession as an econometrician but knows that she has a few things to learn when it comes to sex. She decides that the best course of action is to hire a professional to teach her what she needs to know which is where Michael enters the picture. Michael is not proud of his job as an escort but he is resigned to doing what his family needs him to do. He has a one date rule for his clients until he meets Stella and agrees to help her with her lessons.
I really liked getting the opportunity to be in Stella's head. I loved the way she described everything and her internal monologue provided a lot of insight to the reader. She tries to break everything down into logical steps but is really unsure about a lot of things. Michael's character was just as interesting. He is willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of his family. He really was a great guy and I loved how he was with Stella. He thought highly of her and thought others should as well. He seemed to know just what she needed.
I had a great time watching these two fall for each other. They had such great chemistry with each other but they also seemed to be able to see everything good about each other. They didn't hold anything against each other. Michael didn't care about Stella's labels and Stella didn't care about Michael's history. They instead saw what kind of person the other was.
Carly Robins did a fantastic job with the narration of this audiobook. I think that her performance really helped to bring the story to life for me. I think that she captured the personalities of both Stella and Michael and brought a lot of emotion into the reading. She had a very pleasant reading voice that was easy to listen to for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This was a great romance with wonderful characters that made me laugh and touched my heart. I look forward to reading whatever Helen Hoang comes up with next!
I received a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via Bookish First and purchased a copy of the audiobook.
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LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Stella is a math genius in econometrics and has Asberger's. She's rich and attractive, but her condition has taken away her confidence, especially with men. She hires Michael, an escort, to help her learn how to make sex better. Michael has his own issues due to his father's criminal history, but
I didn't like the first part of the book. I'm no expert in the autism spectrum, but Stella can't even bear her mother's touch yet almost instantly is all over Michael with little problem. It was too much like an 'insta-love' trope which I dislike and just didn't seem probable here. The middle part of the book where Stella and Michael grow closer and she meets his family is great. I enjoyed that a lot. Then the ending seemed rushed and predictable.
The book is a nice first effort, but the writing was just okay to me and I don't see how it got all the accolades. BTW, I loved The Hating Game, but this book doesn't compare.
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he falls for Stella while determining they can never be together other than as sexually.I didn't like the first part of the book. I'm no expert in the autism spectrum, but Stella can't even bear her mother's touch yet almost instantly is all over Michael with little problem. It was too much like an 'insta-love' trope which I dislike and just didn't seem probable here. The middle part of the book where Stella and Michael grow closer and she meets his family is great. I enjoyed that a lot. Then the ending seemed rushed and predictable.
The book is a nice first effort, but the writing was just okay to me and I don't see how it got all the accolades. BTW, I loved The Hating Game, but this book doesn't compare.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
I haven't read a romantic comedy in a while so I was excited to check out The Kiss Quotient because it had been receiving a lot of buzz! A successful businesswoman obsessed with her job in economics becomes frustrated and scared at the prospect of dating and sex. It doesn't help that her mother
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keeps pressuring her to find a man and hinting that she ants grandchildren. Stella decides that her Asperger's is getting in the way of relationships and she vows to get more practice so she can find a man and not scare him away. She decides to hire a male escort to show her the ropes in the bedroom and to give her tips on dating and small talk. To each of their surprise they hit it off perfectly, and soon her "training" is stretching out, it's almost as if they're really dating. She's all in, but her sexy male escort has some skeletons in his closet. Pretty sexy and mildly explicit, fun, and fresh. A nice beach read. Show Less
LibraryThing member karenvg3
My mug sums up my morning. I stayed up way too late finishing this one last night but I couldn’t help it. It was so good. Man was this a steamy one for sure. I loved the characters especially Stella. I’m on a roll with good books this month. 4🌟
LibraryThing member Moniica
Synopsis: Stella Lane's parents are becoming increasingly persistent in their quest for their daughter to find true love. Stella - who has Asperger's - comes up with the perfect idea, to hire an escort to help teach her how to be intimate and be in a relationship.
My Opinion: The quality of writing
My Opinion: The quality of writing
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was more of a young adult book (being easy to read and simple sentence structures), however the content contradicts this. Some parts were just way too cheesy. The plot unravels rather quickly and I personally found that while some authors really make the most of suspense - dragging them out for a couple of chapters - Helen didn't make the most use of this (i.e. there is not much tension/suspense). That being said, I really enjoyed it and really enjoyed the characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
Stella is an autistic econometrician who decides to solve her problems having sex (and thus attracting a mate acceptable to her mother) by hiring an escort. Michael, said escort, is a super-hottie devoted to his mom, whose cancer treatment led him to give up his aspirations in fashion design and
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return home to take care of her, and they quickly get far more involved than a mere business transaction. I know it’s endemic to the form, but I never quite warmed to the idea that Stella’s immediate, unique physical attraction to Michael made it relatively easy for them to have sex (although they did have communication problems at first). Still, the sex scenes were hot and mutual pining is always tasty. Show Less
LibraryThing member shequiltz
Stella is an attractive, rich and intelligent woman who also happens to be on the spectrum, with certain autistic traits. In her case she is extremely awkward socially and with her parents hounding her to marry, she decides to hire a male escort to teach her social and sexual skills.
While this was
While this was
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a mildly enjoyable read, it comes across like a cheesy romance novel. I found the constant, graphic descriptions of their sexual encounters off putting and ended up skipping over many of those passages. And there were many! Show Less
LibraryThing member Narshkite
I couldn't stop reading this adorable and very sexy story, and I couldn't stop smiling. What more can I say about a romance. I loved the neurodiverse Stella and the beautiful but damaged Michael. I loved Michael's family (I hope they all get their romances.) I loved pretty much everything about
ETA, I did the audiobook for this, and really liked the reader very much.
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this book. Perfect beautiful escapism with a deeply moral center and really sexy sex. Bring on book 2!ETA, I did the audiobook for this, and really liked the reader very much.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
The premise of this story is that Stella Lane, a 30-year old attractive and smart woman with Asperger’s living in Palo Alto, California, caves into pressure from her mother to find a man and generate some grandchildren. To this end, she signs up with an escort service so as to have a
The only problem is, in spite of having just a contractual arrangement, Stella and Michael are immediately attracted to each other, not only physically but emotionally. But neither one of them knows what to do with that fact. Stella is afraid if Michael finds out she is “autistic,” he won’t like her. Michael is afraid if Stella knows who his father is, she will think he is not good enough for her. Plus, he has a rule never to get involved with clients.
The plot is predictable and the outcome obvious, but in this case, Stella and Michael are so likable and interesting, it turns into a very entertaining story. Both of the characters are devoted to their families; excited by their work (Michael is only an escort “on the side” because he has a legitimate need for a lot more money); kind and considerate; overwhelmed by insecurities in spite of their assets; and needing love and acceptance so deeply you can’t help but provide it to them, just as they do that for each other.
The story is perhaps unusual in that sex comes first, then the romance and eventually love. It also has more sex than I ever can remember in any book. Ordinarily I would have eschewed a book like that, but the characters and their complications kept me interested throughout. The author is so good at realistic family relationships and dialogue that I would love to see her write a “regular” novel, as opposed to one that is clearly geared to the “hot romance” category.
Evaluation: This is a lovely story, but be prepared for more graphic descriptions of physical encounters than you might ever find outside of a sex manual. . . . not that I would know, needless to add....
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“professional” teach her how to manage the physical end of a relationship. From online pictures she selects Michael Phan, a half-Vietnamese, half-Swedish escort who looks a Korean martial arts movie star from her favorite film genre.The only problem is, in spite of having just a contractual arrangement, Stella and Michael are immediately attracted to each other, not only physically but emotionally. But neither one of them knows what to do with that fact. Stella is afraid if Michael finds out she is “autistic,” he won’t like her. Michael is afraid if Stella knows who his father is, she will think he is not good enough for her. Plus, he has a rule never to get involved with clients.
The plot is predictable and the outcome obvious, but in this case, Stella and Michael are so likable and interesting, it turns into a very entertaining story. Both of the characters are devoted to their families; excited by their work (Michael is only an escort “on the side” because he has a legitimate need for a lot more money); kind and considerate; overwhelmed by insecurities in spite of their assets; and needing love and acceptance so deeply you can’t help but provide it to them, just as they do that for each other.
The story is perhaps unusual in that sex comes first, then the romance and eventually love. It also has more sex than I ever can remember in any book. Ordinarily I would have eschewed a book like that, but the characters and their complications kept me interested throughout. The author is so good at realistic family relationships and dialogue that I would love to see her write a “regular” novel, as opposed to one that is clearly geared to the “hot romance” category.
Evaluation: This is a lovely story, but be prepared for more graphic descriptions of physical encounters than you might ever find outside of a sex manual. . . . not that I would know, needless to add....
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I finally picked up The Kiss Quotient from my TBR pile, but it wasn’t the racy, romantic and entertaining novel I discovered.
Thirty year old Stella Lane has everything she needs – a successful and satisfying career as an econometrician, plenty of money,
The plot of The Kiss Quotient is, in part, a twist on the classic movie, Pretty Woman (if you aren’t familiar with, watch it asap!),. Though Hoang gives it her own creative flair, the novel offers the same delightful sense of unexpected romance, drama and fun.
Fair warning, there are no fade to black scenes in The Kiss Quotient, there are several explicit sex scenes between Stella and Michael. I was surprised to find such explicit encounters in a mainstream romance novel but I thought they were tastefully written, and sexy, as opposed to tawdry.
I thought Stella was a wonderful character. I’ve read several books lately that feature a neuroatypical character and I felt Stella’s voice was one of the more authentic, something that was less surprising when I learnt the author herself, and her daughter, are on the spectrum.
Michael has an interesting backstory, and though it could be said that he personifies the ‘hooker with a heart of gold’ trope, I thought he was a well rounded character. I had to google Daniel Henney (whom I recognised by sight if not by name), and I certainly can’t fault Stella’s taste in men.
A charming and thoroughly modern romance novel, The Kiss Quotient is an enjoyable and engaging read.
Thirty year old Stella Lane has everything she needs – a successful and satisfying career as an econometrician, plenty of money,
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and an orderly daily routine. However her mother wants grandchildren, and Stella wants to oblige, despite a lack of suitors and an aversion to intimacy. Recognising the need to overcome both of these issues, Stella approaches the challenge in her own unique way – she hires an escort to tutor her in the art of lust, and love.The plot of The Kiss Quotient is, in part, a twist on the classic movie, Pretty Woman (if you aren’t familiar with, watch it asap!),. Though Hoang gives it her own creative flair, the novel offers the same delightful sense of unexpected romance, drama and fun.
Fair warning, there are no fade to black scenes in The Kiss Quotient, there are several explicit sex scenes between Stella and Michael. I was surprised to find such explicit encounters in a mainstream romance novel but I thought they were tastefully written, and sexy, as opposed to tawdry.
I thought Stella was a wonderful character. I’ve read several books lately that feature a neuroatypical character and I felt Stella’s voice was one of the more authentic, something that was less surprising when I learnt the author herself, and her daughter, are on the spectrum.
Michael has an interesting backstory, and though it could be said that he personifies the ‘hooker with a heart of gold’ trope, I thought he was a well rounded character. I had to google Daniel Henney (whom I recognised by sight if not by name), and I certainly can’t fault Stella’s taste in men.
A charming and thoroughly modern romance novel, The Kiss Quotient is an enjoyable and engaging read.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781786495730
Original publication date
2018-06-05