Review #428
I rated ”The Bride Test” a 3.75/5 stars. I absolutely loved The Kiss Quotient but this one definitely felt a different vibe. I’m unsure if I’ll try the next in the series, called The Heart Principle.
At first I was hesitant to try it because of the title. I don’t like arranged marriage plots or themes only set in weddings. Yes, they attended three weddings but the characters had more depth.
Esme and Khai are a unique pairing. The typical struggles of a standard romcom couple weren’t obvious since he has autism and she’s looking for marriage for a green card and doesn’t speak English. So a lot of the communication break downs weren’t just from common relationship issues of misunderstandings and assumptions but also adding on the difficult cultural barrier and someone who processing information differently than typical.
Here are my random comments while reading (some spoilers):
Her hunt for her father feels very passive for most of it. I wish she took more of a proactive role in that. I’m glad she initiated the classes at the school to find her place and self confidence.
Omg the mom is insane. Who in the world approaches a stranger, asks them to marry her son by tricking him into getting pregnant when the man doesn’t even want kids! … okay, it was a test. Phew!
There’s soooo much manipulation in the beginning of the book
I don’t like that the undertone is sex shaming
It’s very presumptuous of her to change all the things in his home.
The “irritated to lovers” trope feels a little off since there is a culture difference and his atypical responses during to an autism diagnosis.
There is so much self shaming and family shaming. It’s a bit nauseating.
This is gonna sound harsh but she seems kind of pathetic so far. And kind of superficial too.
I’m unsure what she sees in him or would want to dance with him when he hasn’t given her any reason to enjoy his company or personality yet.
The closet scene was funny.
OMG… doctors don’t do that lol.
He’s sweet by carrying her but he’s not trying to be sweet so I’m unsure if it counts.
She seems desperate the way she reacts.
I appreciate her respect at touching him a certain way and being aware of his request.
It’s annoying how much she cares about what others think of her.
It’s frustrating how she needs those 3 words said when actions speak louder than words. And how hot and cold she gets.
Well, at the end… The best character was the big brother. I was invested enough to finish the book in a binge session instead of working on my own work in progress, so that’s a plus sign.