“THE KISS QUOTIENT” by Helen Hoang

This love story made quite an impression on me because it was for the first time that I read a book where one of the main characters had Asperger syndrome.

Helen Hoang, the author of her first novel “The kiss quotient”, wrote Stella, the character with Asperger syndrome, with a lot of empathy because she has it as well (a mild form of Asperger syndrome).

Stella wishes to become an expert in kissing like she is already an expert in IT; therefore she hires Michael, the most expensive male gigolo found online.

For the beginning, Michael has to teach her how to kiss
(“That was a novel concept to her. The men enjoyed it–sort of. She did not.”):

Stella: “-Will you show me how to be a good kisser?”
Michael: “-I’m not certain you aren’t already one.”
Stella: “-I’m really not.”

“He bent toward her mouth once again, and she fisted her hands against his chest and braced herself. Instead of pushing his tongue between her lips, he kissed her like he had before, more drugging closed-mouth kisses. These she could do. These she liked.  They rained upon her mouth in an unhurried procession. Some of her stress drained away, and her fingers uncurled.

Wet heat stroked over her bottom lip. His tongue. Another stroke, and shivery sensation cascaded outward. More kisses.

Soon he was seducing her mouth, stroking her bottom lip, the top lip, teasing the crease. The closed-mouth kisses she’d liked at the beginning were no longer enough.

Over and over again, he gave her a brief taste of salt and heat, and then retreated. Without consciously deciding to do it, she sealed her mouth with his and touched her tongue to his. His taste flooded her senses. Butterflies exploded in her stomach and sped through her veins. Her legs went weak, but his arms tightened around her, keeping her from falling.”

Coming up for air, she said, <<Oh my God, you taste good.”

Michael: “-Do you always say exactly what you’re thinking?”

Stella: “-Either that or I don’t talk.”

Editura: Penguin Random House, 2018