Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

111 reviews

kirareadssometimes's review against another edition

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 against another edition

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

ashleyvaleria's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.0

2nd book i read after a long reading slump. different from the other 2 books in this series but still very much enjoyable. a lot more tense and sad than the others but still amazing writing as always. anna’s journey was difficult to read as her journey in this book is very tense but her character development is amazing. again there is autism representation that helps me understand it a little more which i appreciate. overall a pretty easy read with a lot of character development :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Toxic relationship

Minor: Vomit, Infertility, Medical trauma, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment

slavic_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

Once again Hoang doesn’t disappoint! And there she goes, onto my too favorite authors list. I am just sad that there is no more books of hers I can read. She is a brilliant romance author.

Now onto this book. There were moments where Anna made me a little frustrated, but I do not struggle with the same mental issues as she did and I think that frustration that I felt made me a little closer to the main character since clearly that is what she felt a lot of the time. This book deals with a lot of triggers so be sure to be in a good mind set when reading this book. Now onto Quan. Quan,Quan,Quan. Life would be so much better if everyone had a Quan in their life. Hell, I wish my husband could take a couple lessons from him in dealing with people with compassion and understanding like he does. Wow! This is definitely a make me feel good book, especially for someone that does deal with mental health issues.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders

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

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

dejanira's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Grief, and Infertility

astridrc's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring 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

This was such a surprise. Mainly because the cover and the title don't represent what the story is about AT ALL.
It was filled with heavy topics (check trigger warnings) and the family dynamics took a much bigger role than I expected. Also, I loved how realistic everything related to sex was. It was truly great. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Death of parent

Moderate: Infertility

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

amplawrence's review

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Ableism, Medical content, Death of parent, Bullying, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Cancer and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Infertility

inthemoonforcheese's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Grief, Infertility, Mental illness, Death, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Ableism, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment