Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

262 reviews

lost_windsock's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This book. This book had me so full of feels. I was absolutely furious for Anna. The way her family treated her, and the way she felt trapped in her own mind, unable to say no, was devastating to sit through. I wanted to jump into the pages and shout NO for her! It was truly heartbreaking to see that no one would listen to her. Except Quan. Sweet, loving, caring Quan. What a journey he'd been through between the second book and this one. Quan was always one of my favorite characters, and while his story had a painful tinge in this book, it was still just perfectly him to be there for Anna and learn to trust himself again. This book made me feel so many things, and I just could not have loved it more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

tspice24's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer and Grief

Minor: Death of parent

cnricochet's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Sexual content

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Infertility

Minor: Classism, Excrement, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

shindanker's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death, Ableism, and Terminal illness

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

jadejade's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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 final book in this series is noticeably less light-hearted from the first two books but I loved it all the same. In particular, I appreciated the portrayal of the incapacitation or death of the head of the family leading to a permanent change to the family dynamic, potentially even destroying family relationships. I'm glad I read this now, when I needed an exploration of this subject, when I needed reassurance that it's not just in my head.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, and Grief

Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Infidelity, and Medical content

abitbetterbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this book. It was heart wrenching and painful but also sweet and romantic. The development of Anna and Quan’s relationship over time was well-crafted and felt unbelievably real. My heart broke for the both of them as they struggled to reckon with their own baggage and tried and failed to open up to each other, until they finally did. 

While technically a romance, I think this book is so much more. It dealt with ableism and the crushing weight of expectation to conform to neurotypical standards and familial obligation; the depth of sorrow and grief of caregiving for an ailing family member; the isolation of one’s own mind the barriers to communication; healing from past trauma and trying to see yourself as whole again, trying to be the person you once were again; the constant uphill battle of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and shame; being able to love yourself as much as you love another person; choosing to love a person who allows you to show up as your full, true self. 

I loved this book and tore through it in a matter of days. Definitely my favourite of the trilogy; I hope for more like this from Helen Hoang!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Cancer, Death of parent, and Mental illness

Minor: Classism and Suicidal thoughts

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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

3.5

This was what I needed in my current reading mood, with the book being fast paced! I had read other reviews that it was a bit different than the first 2 books and it is definitely more serious. For the second half of the book, the romance takes a major back seat. But I did still enjoy it! Mostly because I love Quan's character.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit

Toxic family relationships

annie_tonk's review

challenging 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Grief, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness

kirareadssometimes's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective 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

While I really enjoyed this book I feel a bit disappointed that sweet, happy, kind Quan got such a sad book. I know the book was more focused on Anna but I just want the best for that perfect man. As someone who struggles with their mental health I hope that one day I can find someone who is as gentle and steadfast a partner as Quan. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infertility

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

mayaism_01's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

Helen Hoang's books have been some of my favourite autism rep in media ever. The Heart Principle is just another brilliant (possibly my favourite) addition to her catalogue, this book specifically mirrors my own experience more than her previous books which made it pretty heart-wrenching to read. Hoang says in the author's note that this book is a work of fiction and half-memoir and you can tell. Hoang writes with so much love and compassion for the experience of discovering a diagnosis, being a caregiver, experiencing burnout, healing from shame, and learning to say no - it's so thoughtful and honest. I love love love how Hoang writes the autistic experience and it makes me so happy to see stories like this, especially love stories with healthy communication, patience, and understanding! Though the romance is a part of the story (it's great, they're so cute) it's more about Anna's personal journey, so if you're hoping for a rom-com maybe pass this one and come back to it when you're in the mood for more of a women's fiction with a side of romance instead! But definitely pick this up, this was so good and Hoang will forever be an instant-buy author for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Infertility, and Grief

Moderate: Medical content

Minor: Suicidal thoughts