The Kiss Quotient

by Helen Hoang
The Kiss Quotient cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Romance
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 1733
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9780451490810
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2018-06-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang is a celebrated romance novel that combines humor, sensitivity, and heartwarming moments. Stella Lane, a successful but socially inept woman with Asperger's, decides to hire an escort to help her navigate the complexities of dating and intimacy. What starts as a practical arrangement with Michael Phan, a Vietnamese and Swedish stunner, quickly evolves into a deeper connection that challenges Stella's preconceived notions about love and relationships. Hoang's writing is praised for its originality and emotional depth, making this debut novel a standout in the romance genre. The story explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the unexpected ways love can blossom, proving that sometimes the most logical choice is to follow your heart.

Reviews
Neuroclastic · 2020-09-15
enjoyable 3.50

They found the main character's nerdy and data-driven approach endearing, but felt the story could have delved deeper into certain aspects.

The reviewer appreciated the nerdy and data-driven approach of the main character, finding it endearing and unique. However, they felt that the story could have benefited from a deeper exploration of certain themes and relationships. While they enjoyed the overall narrative, they believed that some elements were left underdeveloped, which slightly diminished the impact of the story. They still found the book to be an enjoyable read, with a charming protagonist and a refreshing perspective.

Quick quotes

    The Kiss Quotient is a little nerdy.

    The main character is an econometrician who's favorite activity is crunching data.

    Aside from that, it's pure romance.

B for Bookslut · 2019-07-21
disappointing 2.00

The book was disappointing, with a weak representation of relationships despite its good portrayal of autism. The story falls short in delivering a satisfying romantic experience.

This book had a lot of potential but ultimately fell short. The representation of autism is well-done, but the portrayal of relationships is lacking. The main character's journey is interesting, but the romantic aspects feel forced and unconvincing. The story is disappointing, especially considering the high expectations set by its unique premise.

Quick quotes

    To sum it all up, The Kiss Quotient was disappointing to a fault. I had initially given it three stars but after much thought, I decided that ...

    The ending of this book is really a beginning for Stella. Hopefully she continues opening her world and builds new connections with others ...

    This book had it all and I can not praise it enough. 5 stars is nowhere near enough for this outstanding read. Helen Hoang has written an amazing and touching ...

Smart Bitches Trashy Books · 2018-06-07
delightful 5.00

They loved this book, feeling like a champagne bubble—fizzy and light. Each page brought a bigger smile and a sense of joy.

This reviewer absolutely adored the book, comparing the reading experience to feeling like a champagne bubble—fizzy, light, and utterly delightful. They found themselves smiling more with each page, appreciating the joy and warmth that the story brought. The reviewer highlighted the engaging characters and the heartwarming narrative as key elements that made the book so enjoyable. They felt that the book's ability to evoke such positive emotions was a testament to its quality and charm.

Quick quotes

    I truly loved this book.

    It made me feel like a champagne bubble – all fizzy and light.

    Each page brought about a bigger smile and my heart felt so full.

Goodreads · 2018-06-05
heartwarming 4.50

This heartwarming debut novel is refreshing and proves that love cannot be predicted by data. They appreciate the unique perspective and emotional depth of the story.

This reviewer found the book to be a delightful and heartwarming debut. They were particularly drawn to the refreshing take on love and relationships, highlighting that the protagonist's unique perspective adds a layer of depth that is often missing in romance novels. The story's ability to blend humor and emotion resonated with them, making it a standout read. They believe it challenges conventional notions of love and offers a fresh, engaging narrative.

Quick quotes

    A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

    This book is a delightful and heartwarming debut.

    The story's ability to blend humor and emotion resonated with them, making it a standout read.

Appears in Lists