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The Bride Test by Helen Hoang is a rec I kept seeing everywhere, and I’m glad I finally picked it up! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Khai is a skilled accountant, a loyal friend, and a dutiful son, so when his mom asks him to consider an engagement to a woman she’s selected for him, he agrees - if only to put an end to her scheming. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Esme is a spunky single mom who gets the offer of a lifetime - one that could finally answer her biggest question and give her daughter the kinds of opportunities she never had. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This forced proximity romance brings together a super cute couple who navigate a ton of obstacles to be together. Although I struggled at first, I ultimately ended up super invested! I love that this story not only has autism rep, but also speaks to both Vietnamese immigrant and 1st gen experiences. Khai and Esme are absolutely adorable together, but I also love the way they both have their own journeys independent of their relationship - each overcoming a different type of loss. I loved Khai’s big, boisterous family. The scene where Khai’s brother and cousin give him a crash course on sex is one of my favorites. His mom could so easily have become the stereotypical helicopter mom, villain of the story, and I’m so glad she didn’t. If you’re looking for a romance with a rom-com movie feel - dramatic wedding scenes and all - you’ll love this. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ TW: loss of a loved one, anti-autistic ableism via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/COkpgTIL8c7/