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Cover of The Bride Test

The Bride Test

Helen Hoang (2019)

SubgenreContemporary Romance
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingR
Pages (Standard (250-400))
SettingContemporary Urban
CSM age18+

Content levels

ViolenceNone
Sexual contentSteamy
LanguageMild

Synopsis

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.

Tags

Own VoicesMulticultural RomanceNeurodivergent RomanceVietnamese-American Romance

The Bride Test: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

This contemporary romance features explicit sexual content and adult situations. The story sensitively portrays autism and explores immigration, cultural differences, and economic disparity with humor and heart.

What to know going in

This book has no graphic violence, steamy sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include ableism, class struggle, and poverty (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Adult readers will love this sweet, steamy romance about two people from different worlds finding love while navigating family expectations and cultural differences.