Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

155 reviews

jackie_recommends's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Ok so, first and foremost, this was well worth the wait. 

Secondly, Helen, thank you so much for this book. To me, it was amazing. It deals with some pretty heavy things, and it does it well, and it does it in a way that feels authentic. 

The Kiss Quotient was the first book I had ever read that featured a main character, let alone a heroine, with ASD, and I stayed up past midnight to finish that one. The Bride Test was more difficult for me to love, but upon rereading it I appreciated the culture and the storyline so much more. And now we have Heart Principle, a book that truly feels like it’s Helen’s baby; for those who don’t read author’s notes or acknowledgments, I encourage you to do so for this book, and for Helen’s other two books- they enrich the story and really put everything into perspective. 

This is not a romcom. Not in the slightest. 

But it does feel real.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

elidhios's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

just_klaudia's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

library_of_alexandra_'s review against another edition

challenging 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

Helen Hoang just keeps topping herself! This book is fantastic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

kayladaila's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Gaslighting

Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Gaslighting

narsere's review against another edition

emotional 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

2.25

This is NOT a romcom. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Infertility

kath_reads's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

 Anna's long time boyfriend suddenly wants them to have an open relationship before deciding on getting married. So if he wants it then she does too. She decides to use a dating app and have one-night stands. She is matched with Quan, who is still recovering from a surgery. The one-night stand doesn't go according to plan but it doesn't stop them from having a deep connection. Until an unexpected tragedy strikes Anna's family.

Anna is an amazing and a very relatable character. Her struggles (especially when dealing with her family) were hard to read at times and her character development brought me to tears. Quan, is sweet and just incredible. I adored him since I've met him in The Kiss Quotient. Just like Anna, he's also going through some hard times. The chemisty between the two is undeniable.

This isn't a light and fluffy romance. I don't even think that romance is the main focus in this book. It reads more like a women's fiction for me. Unlike the first two books, The Heart Principle is written in first person POV which I really liked. This book is also personal to the author and I admire her for being so brave.

There wasn't a lot of focus on Quan's character which was a little disappointing. Honestly, he's one of the main reasons why I (or probably most of us) was excited for this book. Overall, this is a heavy and an emotional read but it's also powerful and inspiring. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cancer and Suicidal thoughts

theunabridgedlifeofsalamacita's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad 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

This is my first Helen Hoang book and it certainly will not be my last. I have not read a book like this that just sticks with you in a very long time. On the surface it seems like a romance novel, but it is so much more. Helen addresses issues like self-identity, autism, caregiver burnout, societal labels i.e. people with tattoos, etc, family expectations, self-love, self-care, therapy, medications and their positive influence, suicidal ideation, depression, sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual fears and expectations, and the significance of fully trusting someone you want to have meaningful intercourse with. 

This isn't just a laundry list of things that were mentioned in the story, it's merely a highlight of the profundity that dominates this book. It's such a beautiful story of love that brings two seemingly very dissimilar people together, and that love is not perfect, and (spoiler) there are second chances that are given, but it is soooo beautiful. It literally ripped my heart into pieces and put it back together. HIGHLY recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Outing, and Gaslighting

annalisaely's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

Own Voices Autistic Review:
I adored the representation and also as with the previous two books the relationships between the characters are so immersive and enjoyable.
I have dealt with autistic burnout myself, am still recovering after 4 years. I also deal with rejection sensitive dysphoria as the main character does, and seeing her go through these things and the affirming way the author handles it is so meaningful to me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

kateflood's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Infertility, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, and Gaslighting