Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

250 reviews

kcrutch's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer

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

openbookheartmind's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Cancer

jesseeeka's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Cancer, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Gaslighting, Classism, Ableism, and Death of parent

Minor: Infidelity

hlorgan1's review against another edition

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Ableism

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Cancer

baileyt2424's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Infertility, Medical content, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness

cnoguera's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Mental illness

Moderate: Cancer

butterbrioche's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

I really liked the first book a lot and I still haven't read the second one but this was something else. Honestly, after everything, I really do believe that Quan deserved so much better. This isn't the love story I would've given him. Fuck Anna's mom and especially her sister. This was sad as hell and I just believe that how they got back together wasn't not good enough compared to what Anna did to them. I understand that Anna struggled to say no, I really do but I just felt that the way they got back together was half assed compared to the enormity of what happened with Anna and Julian, in front of Quan. Whew.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cancer and Death of parent

emmagossage's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• 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: Death of parent, Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Grief and Suicidal thoughts

doubletherazzle's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

Initial review immediately after finishing: 

I’m not quite sure what to say beyond I found this book beautiful. The raw depiction of the characters’ struggles resonates with me. There are heavy themes, but they are treated both with honesty and with hope. Enjoyable, sweet, romantic. 

Additional review thoughts:

The last couple of chapters did feel rushed and was lacking Quan’s perspective, which I would’ve appreciated. I’m also realizing, after coming out my emotions for Anna’s arch, that I don’t feel like Quan really got the resolution to his insecurities and challenges in the way his character really deserves. Maybe I just needed the book to be a bit longer so it could bring both of them to a healthy resolution of their character development and get the “happily ever after” vibe. That being said, I still stand by my initial feels. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Ableism

Moderate: Infertility, Grief, Cancer, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Emotional abuse