Hello everyone!
Today we will be talking about two Romance novels which I read in the Fall of 2019. I am catching up on reviews that I have yet to do, so here we go. :)
The first story I will be reviewing is "The Kiss Quotient" by Helen Hoang's debut novel. This story was a cute and light read about a woman with Asperger's, named Stella, who is very intelligent in all ways concerning math and computer programming, but when it comes to dating she is at a complete loss. So, as one does, she goes to an escorting website to hire a man who will teach her how to date and be someone's girlfriend as well as how to be intimate with a man. Totally reasonable in all ways, at least it is in her mind. She meets Michael and all things steamy and heartwarming ensues, yet falling in love with Michael wasn't a part of Stella's plan.
My thoughts on this book: I loved this book!!! It was such a sweet and slow-burn romance story that was much needed after studying and stressing out about school final projects, (this was obviously from the 2019 fall semester). However, my thoughts remain the same, but I will add that Stella having Asperger's gives her character an added layer of complexity, and awkward moments when she interacts with people around her. While many Romance novels do have important topics that are discussed, this was the first one I read where the main character has a form of autism, which was enlightening.
If this book sounds like one you're interested in, then I highly recommend it.
My overall rating: 5 bookmarks.
(image credit: https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Quotient-Helen-Hoang/dp/0451490800)
On to the next book!!!
Next I will be talking about "Get a Life Chloe Brown" by Talia Hibbert. This is an own voices story, (own voices meaning that the protagonist and the author are from the same marginalized or underrepresented group. In this case Chloe and Talia are both African American), and a romantic comedy.
This story is about Chloe Brown who has a chronic illness where she experiences constant physical pain and discomfort, she is also a website builder. After going for one of her daily walks she almost gets hit by a car which causes her to create a list of things she wants to do in order to "get a life". The list includes:
1. Moving out of her family's mansion
2. Enjoy a drunken night out
3. Ride a motorcycle
4. Go camping
5. Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex.
6. Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage
7. And do something bad
After checking off the first item on her list is when she meets her apartment building's handyman, named Red. It's a hate to love romance which begins when Chloe more or less hires Red to help her check the rest of her items off, and in exchange she will build him a website for his art. However, what wasn't on Chloe's list was falling in love with Redford Morgan.
My Rating: Three Bookmarks
My Thoughts: This was a cute and thoughtful story. In her Author's note before the story begins, Talia says that she hopes she treated her characters and us gently, in regards to the sensitive topic of healing after an abusive relationship well this reader was pleased with how she handled it. A few years ago I left an abusive relationship and she nailed it on the head with the feelings that not only go with the abuse, but also the ones that occur long after the abuse has stopped. Both Chloe and Red were very relatable with regards to picking themselves up after going through abuse and abandonment. This was also a book that had me rolling on the ground with laughter, she also nailed it with their humor, wit and charm. I began falling in love with these characters and their relationship from the beginning. This was a well crafted and well written book. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves romance, stories about finding yourself after an abusive relationship/ after being abandoned by your close friends and fiance, and for anyone currently in a reading slump. :)
That concludes this dual review of two romances I thoroughly enjoyed and helped me through the Fall 2019 semester. :)
I hope you are all doing well and we are able to go out with our loved ones once more.
Happy Reading!!! :)
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