Let me preface this by saying that I had no interest in this book until I learned the main character was on the Autism spectrum. I’m not really a fan of romance, but given this little ASD twist, I was willing to give it a shot. As a romance newbie, and just a prude in general 😳, I was super uncomfortable by the first 70 pages which were filled with very descriptive and steamy sex scenes! These scenes were not gratuitous, by any means. They absolutely served a purpose and were vital to the story line, but for this non-romance reader, it was all very explicit. 🤭
With that out of the way, I did enjoy this story. I think the author portrayed Stella and her high functioning Autism in a very realistic way. Hoang was careful not to turn Stella into a caricature. Dating is a real thing people with ASD struggle with. It involves some very advanced social skills: reading non-verbal cues, letting someone else into your space, and taking the perspective of others...just to name a few. I immediately became invested in Stella and wanted her to find love. And how can you not fall in love with Michael?! He’s the dream we all want to meet (well minus the escorting gig), sweet, sensitive, patient, romantic...and a great dresser! Once I acclimated myself to the sex scenes, I was really able to enjoy this sweet love story.
With that out of the way, I did enjoy this story. I think the author portrayed Stella and her high functioning Autism in a very realistic way. Hoang was careful not to turn Stella into a caricature. Dating is a real thing people with ASD struggle with. It involves some very advanced social skills: reading non-verbal cues, letting someone else into your space, and taking the perspective of others...just to name a few. I immediately became invested in Stella and wanted her to find love. And how can you not fall in love with Michael?! He’s the dream we all want to meet (well minus the escorting gig), sweet, sensitive, patient, romantic...and a great dresser! Once I acclimated myself to the sex scenes, I was really able to enjoy this sweet love story.