Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.
As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.
With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.
3 Stars
This is my 2nd book by Helen Hoang – My first was The Kiss Quotient which I adored!
I picked this book up a while ago. Finally, I picked it up during the quarantine and couldn’t put it down.
Khai has no feelings, he just works and sticks to his routine. He likes it that way. However, his mother is set on seeing him married to a nice girl of her choosing. She knows what her son needs in his life. A good woman. When Esme shows up, Khai is not prepared for her. He is not prepared for her or the spark she brings to his life. When she is in danger, can he go to her? Can he save her without giving up on himself? And what about his schedule?
Accepting a trip to America, to possibly attract a husband is a big step for My, now known as Esme. At the least, she is going to get a trip to America. At most, a trip and a husband. Only if she can convince Khai that she is worth it. He in’st receptive to her, so she leaves him alone. Lives her life, does her thing. Learns his way. Try to figure out what makes him tick. Does she want to marry him and his quirks? Does she want to stay here in America?
while I enjoyed it, there were parts that I felt were a little too long in some areas and I ended up skimming some. I get that Khai is set in his own ways and unable to bend at first. I did like how he explained his sensory issue. That was great. Overall a good read.
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