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smillas_tales'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
4.5
Let’s start off by saying that this book was absolutely ✨DELIGHTFUL✨! I’ve loved both of the previous books in this romance series, but this is my favorite og them all!
This novel follows Quan and Anna. They meet when Anna’s boyfriend tells her they should start seeing other people. When their casual hook-up doesn’t exactly go to plan, they decide to try again, and a swee romance grows from there!
Compared to the two previous books, the romance itself isn’t as big of a focus in this one, but it works so well! The novel is just as much about Anna gaining confidence in her autism spectrum diagnosis and learning to set boundaries, as well as dealing with difficult family relationships … and I loved it!!!
Anna’s story is heavily inspired by Hoang’s own life, and it is clearly felt how personal this story is to her, and it made me love it even more! The romance itself is already adorable, but the extra elements added so much weight to the story and the characters, and there are few things I love more than good character work!
I’ve loved Quan as a side character in the first novels, so I’ve been super excited for this sequel, and it DELIVERED! He’s the perfect tough-on-the-outside/soft-on-the-inside himbo, and I’m probably (definitely) a little in love with him! Anna is also lovely, and while I was frustrated by her at times, I loved reading from her perspective and getting to understand her struggles and motivations!
They really make the perfect couple, and this is the perfect example of bad communication not being the only way to drive forth a romance novel! Anna and Quan actually talk about their feelings, and AAAH MY HEART, IT’S SO SWEET! It also (no surprises there) made the steamy scenes even better, cause we love good communication in this household!!
If you’re at all into romance books, I have nothing left to say, except RUN … run to the nearest bookstore or library and read this immediately!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
criticalbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
cariam's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
I found this book the easiest of the trilogy to fall into, and I honestly thought the Bride Test was amazing. I’m so glad I did read the authors end note first, and felt it gave me a deeper feeling for Anna and her emotions for how they connected like a memoir to Helen’s. 💕
Going into this I was so giddy for Quan to be the male lead, and Helen just ripped my heart out and twisted my brain to make me understand why I should love him more. Every part of Anna and Quan’s love story was real and rough, and I loved how both of them were so separate and working on themselves throughout the novel.
Going into this I was so giddy for Quan to be the male lead, and Helen just ripped my heart out and twisted my brain to make me understand why I should love him more. Every part of Anna and Quan’s love story was real and rough, and I loved how both of them were so separate and working on themselves throughout the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
jhaneveauguste's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Infertility, and Medical trauma
maja_mecia's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
It does not have as much spice as The Kiss Quotient but deals with more than just romance. You can really tell that the author grew in her storytelling. It's also great how the books shows that sex which can be put of pause in a relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Infertility
sara1621's review
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
analiurale's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
jessgreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.0
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⬜
Title: The Heart Principle
Author: Helen Hoang
Genre: Romance / Contemporary
Setting: California, USA
Month Read: February 2022
Book Type: Hardcover
Publication: 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 339
*February 2022 Book of the Month Pick
TRIGGER WARNING-
Sex / Death / Burnout / Cancer
"No one should need a diagnosis in order to be compassionate to themself."
No Spoiler Summary:
The Heart Principle is the third book in The Kiss Quotient series, and we finally get a book about Quan! The story centers on Anna, a violinist, who has semi-recently reached viral fame with a video of her playing violin, and seems to be buckling under the pressure and high standards she sets for herself. As this is happening, her boyfriend announces he'd like to have an open relationship before they settle down, and Anna decides that she's going to use this time to have a one night stand for revenge.
Enter Quan, who is not looking for anything serious, and decides to have some fun with Anna. Except, the one night stand plan keeps failing, and he finds himself enjoying spending time with Anna even with no sex involved. Anna and Quan have a hard time figuring out what they are with each other, but hopefully they can let down their walls and let love find them.
Review (partial spoilers):
I'm such a fan of this book, and I would definitely go so far as to say it was my favorite in the entire series. I empathized with Anna SO much, and being a musician in my own right, I wanted her to beat her burnout, or artistic block so badly and it pained me every time she couldn't get through the piece. I think she was such a lovely character, and found myself rooting for her to find herself, her courage, her artistry, and love the entire novel right from the first page.
Can I also mention how much I adore Quan? I was in love with him with the snippets we got in the other books, but to finally get a first person POV from this man just gave me everything I could have ever wanted. I loved seeing how absolutely soft he was under his bad boy persona, and I loved how good he was in every way for Anna. I have been honestly getting a bit tired of the third act breakup, but Helen Hoang makes them so perfectly set, that they haven't really bothered me, and they feel so absolutely natural.
If you like romance novels, and want to dive into some that feature neuro-divergent or autistic characters, run to these books. They are so beautiful, and so different, and the characters are so incredibly lovable that I can't say enough good things about them. I'm so happy a discounted E-Book + Book of the Month led me to these novels because I've so enjoyed them the past few months, and cannot wait to see what Helen Hoang writes next!
"Tough love is brutally honest and hurts you to help you. Tough love cuts you when you're already bruised and berates you when you don't heal faster."
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cancer, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Blood
blackveilbeccy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I liked this book but it was a much heavier read than the other two. I felt the female lead had way more screen time than the male lead and would have liked this a bit better balanced. The family dynamics of the female lead were challenging for me as they were so toxic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Ableism, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity, Violence, Classism, Cursing, Racism, Self harm, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
kellyofcali's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
This book was a delight of a romance - the romance itself was wonderful, yes, but so was the wraparound plot and characters, including their fears and anxieties, their neurodiversity, their joy and warmth. A really wonderful and well-written romance novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse