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A review by bunnybunny_mp3
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
DNF at 73%
This book starts on a VERY serious note talking about sexual assault. Actually, the way that SA is described here is shocking, I really didn't see any warning whatsoever and how it happened is written in a more explicit way.
There are major themes such as consent, life as an autistic person, and sex work. HOWEVER, the way that such serious themes were sometimes poorly exploited made me give up on this story.
The story was cute at first, and I was really cheering for the main couple. But as the story progresses, you start wondering if Michael is really as great as Stella makes him seem to be.
The most basic thing you need to have in a sexual relationship is the safe, sane and consensual rule. The main couple had some issues with some of these aspects, in my opinion. There's no shame in exploring intimacy as a couple, but that has to be made in a safe space, with all people involved being sane and actually consenting. There's no such a thing as "I'm gonna try something even though you said you didn't feel comfortable because I think you're going to like it". Assuming that someone will be ok with something sexual is really dangerous.
There's also that trope of the love interest - that is described as nearly perfect in every single thing - and the main antagonist who wants to have a romantic relationship with the main character - who is described as perverted and basically an asshole, to be honest. Not a super fan of this trope, but that was more of a personal preference.
I think that the main couple should have had more conversations about what they wanted to try, what they didn't want to try at all and establish more communication between them.
Overall I enjoyed the autistic rep and seeing a male sex worker being honest about how his job makes people dehumanize him to the point where he's seen more as an object than a person. Besides that, the story became repetitive and some major themes didn't get as much attention as I think that they should have.
This book starts on a VERY serious note talking about sexual assault. Actually, the way that SA is described here is shocking, I really didn't see any warning whatsoever and how it happened is written in a more explicit way.
There are major themes such as consent, life as an autistic person, and sex work. HOWEVER, the way that such serious themes were sometimes poorly exploited made me give up on this story.
The story was cute at first, and I was really cheering for the main couple. But as the story progresses, you start wondering if Michael is really as great as Stella makes him seem to be.
The most basic thing you need to have in a sexual relationship is the safe, sane and consensual rule. The main couple had some issues with some of these aspects, in my opinion. There's no shame in exploring intimacy as a couple, but that has to be made in a safe space, with all people involved being sane and actually consenting. There's no such a thing as "I'm gonna try something even though you said you didn't feel comfortable because I think you're going to like it". Assuming that someone will be ok with something sexual is really dangerous.
There's also that trope of the love interest - that is described as nearly perfect in every single thing - and the main antagonist who wants to have a romantic relationship with the main character - who is described as perverted and basically an asshole, to be honest. Not a super fan of this trope, but that was more of a personal preference.
I think that the main couple should have had more conversations about what they wanted to try, what they didn't want to try at all and establish more communication between them.
Overall I enjoyed the autistic rep and seeing a male sex worker being honest about how his job makes people dehumanize him to the point where he's seen more as an object than a person. Besides that, the story became repetitive and some major themes didn't get as much attention as I think that they should have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Rape, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Abandonment and Stalking