The Kiss Quotient characters

Appears from the start

A highly successful econometrician whose work with data is far easier for her than dating. Stella is autistic and dislikes unexpected touch, noise, and social ambiguity. After her mother urges her to gain experience and find a partner, she approaches the problem methodically and hires a professional to teach her about intimacy.

First appears in chapter 2

A thoughtful escort whom Stella hires for a series of lessons. Michael limits this work to Friday nights and keeps it separate from his close Vietnamese American family. He is attentive to Stella's boundaries and quickly recognizes that her comfort and consent matter more than completing her planned curriculum.

Appears from the start

Stella's mother, who loves her daughter but worries that work has displaced the rest of her life. Her repeated questions about marriage and grandchildren help prompt Stella to seek practical help with dating.

Appears from the start

Stella's colleague, an outwardly confident man who treats attraction as something he can explain and manage for her. His comments about her lack of experience contribute to her fear that she is incapable of satisfying a partner.

First appears in chapter 4

Michael's cousin and confidant, relaxed in manner but alert to the pressure Michael places on himself. Quan knows about Michael's Friday work and encourages him to consider what he actually wants rather than treating every choice as a family obligation.

Also known as Má

First appears in chapter 10

Michael's warm, observant mother, whose illness and medical bills weigh heavily on him. She leads a busy family household and is quick to make Stella welcome when Michael brings her home.

First appears in chapter 10

One of Michael's younger sisters. She is part of the lively family circle that Stella encounters when a carefully controlled arrangement begins to overlap with Michael's ordinary life.

First appears in chapter 24

Michael's absent father, a successful designer whose treatment of Michael's mother has left lasting anger and distrust. Michael's fear of resembling him is bound up with his reluctance to pursue his own talent for clothing design.