The Kiss Quotient
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Published in 2018
Main Couple: Stella and Michael
The Story: Stella is thriving in career and that’s all she needs. Her autism keeps her world to a minimum, but at the urging of her mother (and the teasing of a co-worker) Stella endeavors to overcome what has held her back in romantic relationships, sex. So she hires escort Michael to help her with her problem. Or will they be each other’s solution?
The Sex: I was so thrilled with how they handled the sex in this book. I was nervous it would be exploitative or performative. Okay, it’s a little performative. But also empowering on multiple levels. Sex work is often looked down on, but this is a great example of why having legal sex work is important. There are people who need help. Maybe they’ve got trauma, insecurity, a specific kink or whatever. There needs to be a safe place to have non-judgmental sex. If you’re lucky to have a partner who is on the same wavelength as you, great. But not everyone is so lucky. Having a professional is essential for some. [Gets off soap box.] In general, the sex is vanilla. No kink. But there’s a lot of fun in the sex which makes the emotional journey of both characters that much more compelling.
Favorite Lines:
“‘You don’t mind?’ When he shook his head, she bit her lip and tentatively settled her left hand on his chest as well.” Chapter 3 | Consent!!! A simple touch might not seem like something you need to ask about, but you fucking should anyway.
“Her nerves jangled, and panic threatened, but he didn’t rush her. He stood still, watching her with his patient, kind eyes. Against all odds, she relaxed.” Chapter 3 | This is one of the benefits of a professional. They are calm, patient, and understanding with clients. So many people need that when it comes to the vulnerability to being intimate.
“The closed-mouthed kisses she’d liked so much in the beginning were no longer enough. She’d tried to capture his tongue, to take it into herself, but he evaded her. He brushed at her lips with maddening strokes, dipped inside for the merest second, withdrew, and she kneaded his shoulders in frustration.” Chapter 3 | This struck me. So many times we assume things about ourselves because we haven’t found a person or place that we can be fully at ease in. She was never comfortable kissing other people, so the kisses weren’t enjoyable. Michael was someone she could enjoy .
“I might like it with you, I suppose. It’s your smell, I think. Your body wages biological warfare on me.” Chapter 4 | Really it was the phrase “biological warefare.” Seems so out of place for a conversation about sex and intimacy, but I immediately understood what she was saying.
“Her head fell back, and her body softened. Michael was good, but he’d never been this good. It was like Stella was made for him, specifically designed to respond to him. Only him. The thought filled him with fierce possessiveness.” Chapter 18 | Oh, sexual chemistry! Take me now!
“He searched between their bodies until he could touch her right where she needed it. She burned and wound tighter and tighter. Moans tumbled from her lips as she arched into him. Through it all, their gazes held.” Chapter 19 | This scene was a culmination of the building feels they both have for each other and haven’t expressed yet. Honestly, people need to talk to each other.
Least Favorite Lines: This is a plot point. Her stealing financial information and his mail (FELONY!) when she’s at his house.
Final Thoughts: I am so glad books like this, written by and staring often silenced voices, exists. The author is AAPI and autistic herself. She is manifesting the spotlight her community needs to stop living in the shadows. YES! And I must acknowledge that this is just one story from a large and varied community. No story of a culture or community contains every facet of it. It tells one story. But the door is open now. We’ve heard one, and more can come through.
Sex work in a largely positive light is incredibly important. Sex workers are an exploited community that are often shunned and oppressed. Ya’ll it’s not going away. This story, while a rom com at it’s core, starts from a place that more people than just Stella feels themselves. Unable to express themselves sexually, and needing a safe, supportive, and experienced person to guide them on their journey.
Spice Level: 4/5
Kinks Explored: Vanilla sex, but positive about sex work
Voices Heard: AAPI cast, Autistic lead, sex workers
Did I like it? I adored it.