Reviews with content warning for Medical content - The Heart Principle – L'ipotenusa dell'amore

This book captures the toll of caregiving, the pressure of living up to others' expectations, and the value of finding people you can be your authentic self around. That said, there were a few things that didn't work for me. For example, how was Anna able to get by without working for so long? Just... financially, her situation doesn't make sense to me. I've read other books, particularly romances, that skim over these practicalities too, but it felt odd when other harsh realities of life were given such thorough attention in this book.

A lovely book, though not for those seeking a relaxing, lighthearted romp of a romance.

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citymouse's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense

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

2.0

This is nothing I expected it to be. If you want a book about extreme mental roadblocks to standing up for yourself and emotional fatigue, this is the book for you. If you want a romance anything like Hoang's previous books, maybe look for something different or reread the first two in the trilogy because this book is the farthest thing from being romantic, even though there is technically a relationship starting within these pages. It fell flat for me and I needed to skip through entire sections because I was simply bogged down with annoyance and frustration for the situation and choices the main character made. The Heart Principle is an extremely dense book that has you wading through medical trauma, abusive relationships, and a majorly emotionally taxing undertaking.

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jackie_recommends's review against another edition

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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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kingrosereads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

4.25

I waited for Quan’s story and this exceeded my expectations. At first, the switch to first person threw me, but after reading the author’s note about the book, it all made sense and gave the book even more meaning. This book was incredible and was more than just love and sex. Way more. It talked about a lot of intense things and what it’s like to get a diagnosis later in life that changes so much for someone as well as dealing with being a caregiver to a loved one and the challenges that come with it (something that isn’t often talked about). I related so much with Anna in more ways than one and really appreciate this book for existing. I love Quan and Anna’s relationship so much, I’m so glad there was a conversation about the aftermath of cancer had on a man, especially one as sexually positive as Quan.

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