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A review by ontheoffbeat
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
emotional
hopeful
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
"The only good thing this broken heart of mine can feel is love for you."
There are two love stories occurring in The Heart Principle. The first is that of Anna and Quan. The second is Anna's path towards self love. In fact, the journey Anna goes through to love herself is just as, if not more, powerful than her love story with Quan.
Helen Hoang's books always feel like a safe space for her fictional characters as well as her reader. Her characters’ struggles are often real struggles that people can relate to and they are written in such an honest and tender way. Quan, who we have seen as a source of confidence and charisma in past novels, grapples with body image issues after recovering from cancer. The depiction of body issues in men remains to be lackluster in stories so it's a very big step seeing a romantic hero express his personal struggles with his own body image. We also see genuine support and love shared between Quan, his cousin Michael and his brother Khai, both of whom can be considered his closest confidants. When thinking about how masculinity is presented in past fictions (i.e. toxic as all hell) it is uplifting to read about this new form of masculinity where men are emotionally secure and free to express love for himself and his friends/family.
"No one should need a diagnosis in order to be compassionate to themself."
As for Anna, we observe her during a very difficult period. From receiving a late-in-life diagnosis of ASD to becoming a caregiver for her father after a stroke, Anna is going through a tumultuous time in her still young adult life. Building a relationship with Quan becomes the only secure thing she has going for her but maintaining it while also coping with the variety of events in her personal life pushes her towards a difficult metamorphosis. It is painful to read at times but I couldn't be more grateful that this plot exists in a romance novel. It only makes perfect sense that there would be a display of emotional resilience and total support between a couple along with the usual banter, romantic gestures and intimacy scenes.
Speaking of gestures, Quan planting milkweeds on Anna's patio so she can watch the monarch butterflies outside her window is the most romantic thing I have read in a very long time.
The Heart Principle is not your typical romance. In fact, for a genre that relies on formula, this goes completely against that and becomes its own unique story. Some may not like it but I for one am grateful that this book exists.
There are two love stories occurring in The Heart Principle. The first is that of Anna and Quan. The second is Anna's path towards self love. In fact, the journey Anna goes through to love herself is just as, if not more, powerful than her love story with Quan.
Helen Hoang's books always feel like a safe space for her fictional characters as well as her reader. Her characters’ struggles are often real struggles that people can relate to and they are written in such an honest and tender way. Quan, who we have seen as a source of confidence and charisma in past novels, grapples with body image issues after recovering from cancer. The depiction of body issues in men remains to be lackluster in stories so it's a very big step seeing a romantic hero express his personal struggles with his own body image. We also see genuine support and love shared between Quan, his cousin Michael and his brother Khai, both of whom can be considered his closest confidants. When thinking about how masculinity is presented in past fictions (i.e. toxic as all hell) it is uplifting to read about this new form of masculinity where men are emotionally secure and free to express love for himself and his friends/family.
"No one should need a diagnosis in order to be compassionate to themself."
As for Anna, we observe her during a very difficult period. From receiving a late-in-life diagnosis of ASD to becoming a caregiver for her father after a stroke, Anna is going through a tumultuous time in her still young adult life. Building a relationship with Quan becomes the only secure thing she has going for her but maintaining it while also coping with the variety of events in her personal life pushes her towards a difficult metamorphosis. It is painful to read at times but I couldn't be more grateful that this plot exists in a romance novel. It only makes perfect sense that there would be a display of emotional resilience and total support between a couple along with the usual banter, romantic gestures and intimacy scenes.
Speaking of gestures, Quan planting milkweeds on Anna's patio so she can watch the monarch butterflies outside her window is the most romantic thing I have read in a very long time.
The Heart Principle is not your typical romance. In fact, for a genre that relies on formula, this goes completely against that and becomes its own unique story. Some may not like it but I for one am grateful that this book exists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Moderate: Gaslighting