Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

177 reviews

ririreadss's review against another edition

dark 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

3.5

This was so damn depressing Wtf. Thought this was supposed to be a romcom 🙄🙄🙄

Definitely made me cry because of how similar Ana’s dad situation was to my Grandpa and that got to me 🤧

Wasn’t as good as the first 2 but still a great (if not DEPRESSING) way to end this trilogy.

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Content Warnings

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

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

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

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.

krsalvati's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad tense 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

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

romie_chat's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

there is so much love in this book. so much and so many tears, but above all love. out of all the books Helen Hoang has written, I think this one was the hardest for me to read, as I saw a lot of myself in these pages, particularly in Anna. it was a lot to take in. many tears were spilt. I felt triggered and extremely sad (please be kind to yourself) and overwhelmed at times, but that's because this book resonated with me on a very deep level. I adore Anna and Quan, and reading about them felt like a real privilege.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

jenna_gilb's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense 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

One of my favorite books ever now 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting

bananauyu23's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

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

januaryapril's review against another edition

emotional 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

I love this book so so much. I relate to these characters a lot. In the first section I just loved this book as a cute romance and thought it was the best I had ever read. The the second part happens and I was worried my love of it wouldn’t continue through the end. The second and third part are much more emotional and do somewhat feel like a different book but it feels so real and raw. I’m the beginning I thought I would be loving this book as my new favorite rom com but by the end I just love this books so much for all the emotion and realness it gave me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Grief

nerdinthelibrary's review against another edition

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? Yes

4.5

Quan is the perfect man. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual harassment

regen20's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief

Moderate: Ableism and Death of parent