A friend lent this book to me last year. As it's a paperbook, I had it on pause for a long while. I tend to read kindle books, as I find it more comfortable reading the kindle when lying down, than lying with a book. Not only that, I can carry multiple electronic books around with me, without needing a ginormous rucksack! I do read paper books when I'm in the car, however. Assuming it's light enough to read, that is, I always have a paper book with me in case, God forbid, my kindle runs out of charge and I have nothing to read! A different friend lends me various (paper book) biographies to read, so I had to wait until I finished that book, before slipping this fiction inbetween Joe Lycett (read) and Jo Brand (to read).
I started reading this book in the car, whilst picking up my girls from school, and I was hooked from almost the first page. As such, when I got home, rather than leaving it in the car as I normally would, I took it out and read it all evening until it was finished. I couldn't put it down.
The blurb for The Kiss Quotient says:
"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.
It's high time for Stella Lane to settle down and find a husband - or so her mother tells her. This is no easy task for a wealthy, successful woman like Stella, who also happens to have Asperger's. Analyzing data is easy; handling the awkwardness of one-on-one dates is hard. To overcome her lack of dating experience, Stella decides to hire a male escort to teach her how to be a good girlfriend.
Faced with mounting bills, Michael decides to use his good looks and charm to make extra cash on the side. He has a very firm no repeat customer policy, but he's tempted to bend that rule when Stella approaches him with an unconventional proposal.
The more time they spend together, the harder Michael falls for this disarming woman with a beautiful mind, and Stella discovers that love defies logic."
This book is simply amazing. You can tell the author is autistic as the protagonist's portrayal is spot on. I'm not one to get emotional at books (admittedly I don't often read "harrowing" books, unlike my sister who actively chooses them, but then can only read 1 chapter at a time as it's too emotionally intense), but this is the first book I have cried at. I don't want to give too much away, but there is a scene in the middle of the book where Stella meets Michael's family for dinner, and it is painful reading because it is so close to home.
The book itself is really sweet. It's not suitable for young teens, as it does describe sex in detail, but it is not tacky <cough>50 shades<cough> at all. It fits in with the story and the trusting, but logical, nature of Stella. It's a book about what sex should be (note, I'm not saying that it should be with a male escort, lol): consensual, sensual, erotic and enjoyed.
Highly recommend.
