The Bride Test

“Happy people don't wear all black.”

There's something about the way Hoang writes romance that doesn't work for me. I honestly couldn't feel the love blooming between the two protagonists, but I'm obviously in the minority.

I also discovered that I might be more of a prude than I though (got tired of steamy bits very quickly) and that I have a real aversion for the mail-order-bride trope. The power imbalance between the wealthy and the desperately-in-need counterpart makes me uncomfortable. Moreso, there was so much angst and there were so little good moments between Khai and Esme that I honestly felt she stuck it out for the financial stability. And the fact that she lied about her daughter until the last moment also felt rather sketchy.