Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

57 reviews

hbarreto's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, and Gaslighting

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

laur_mckenzie's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Medical trauma

lustrous_frog's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love Helen Hoang's books, thank you very much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Ableism, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

imanqblake's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The heartwarming romance between both Anna and Quan gave me joy. They both are so respectful and patient with each other (Quan in particular), that their love story doesn't feel forced at all but rather something that was always meant to be. I also loved how the author writes the pain caregivers go through, and the burden and guilt they hold. I do love that Anna, despite going through some tough hurdles, manages to push through even when she's scared. Truly, a story that everybody who's up for some heavy hitting romance should read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness

0701mango's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a really touching book about family, love, and life. Both Anna and Quan are unique and lovable in their own ways. They are so different and Helen Hoang makes their chemistry work. I also appreciate Hoang writing main characters on the autism spectrum.

Though it saddened me, I appreciate that Hoang left Anna and Priscilla's relationship at the end unresolved. Sometimes this kind of thing never resolves, or if it does, it happens over a decade or more. A bit sad, but realistic all the same, and something to appreciate.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Mental illness, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Medical content, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Infertility, Death, and Grief

The female lead has autism spectrum disorder and her characteristics relating to that are described in detail. The main character also goes to therapy. A significant time in the book is spent on discussions of medical illness and chronic/terminal illness. I believe "toxic relationship" is an appropriate tag for describing the relationship between Anna and her sister Priscilla.

kshertz's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s pretty lighthearted but this author likes to keep it real. This author always has characters on the spectrum. The sex scenes are too real. It takes a long time for these characters to have the perfect sex together and that was hard for me because I’d rather have fantasy sex in my books but I can appreciate keeping it real! I love that they end up having to communicate a ton because of the autism spectrum diagnosis for her. I love that she learns who she is and how to stand up for herself. I related too hard to the big sister who is kind of a villain in this so I guess I need a lot more therapy ? Call me out why don’t you this author. Anywho, it’s a great book with good themes. The hardest is there is a lot of caretaking and survivor guilt but overall I think it’s a great book and I’d recommend for anyone who loves romance and wants more realistic romance in their life. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death, Chronic illness, Abandonment, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Bullying

faegyrl_reads's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Cancer

riona_y's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer

unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang aka a cute cover masking a knife to the heart aka the crushing mental load of late diagnosed autism and extreme burnout aka sky high family expectations aka the second book I have read this month featuring a online violin sensation aka home of one of the best book boyfriends aka Helen pouring her heart and soul out on the page for all of us to see in its messy glory and then putting it back together again in some amazing way.

This is a romance in that it has a love story and a happy ending for the couple BUT it is extremely heavy and quite sad. I have never felt angrier on behalf of a heroine, and mainly because of her family and not romantic interests (although Julian really pissed me off, too).

You should read this, but be ready, it deals with terminal illness and caregiver burnout in an extremely detailed and heavy way. Please check the CW. But if you can make the space? Do it.

Also? QUAN!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

👍🏻 Recommended. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness

meghancraft's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Death of parent, Excrement, Grief, and Self harm