Thank you to Net Galley for approving me for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Now... it is no secret that Helen Hoang and The Kiss Quotient in particular sit very close to my heart as one of my all time favourite books so of course I have been dying to read The Heart Principle. I was a little apprehensive considering some of the conversation around the book but I knew Helen would not disappoint me and she didn't.

Anna is a brand new character that we did not meet in the previous 2 books but I was so happy to see Quan back. Anna was incredible, I would get frustrated with her for most of the book but it is also what made her such an incredible character. Learning about a diagnosis can be a very hard thing and the journey she went through is I think very realistic and maybe it can be a way for neurotypical people to truly see what it can be like for a neurodivergent individual and how everyday life and tasks can be challenging, as well as learn about masking and mirroring.

I did not expect Quan to develop in such a way that he did in this book, his life took a turn that wasn't mentioned or even hinted at in the previous books but I ended up falling for him even more than before. He went through his own life changing journey and it felt like a privilege to read about his acceptance as well as Anna's.

A few might have said that this does not fit into a romcom or romance category but it DOES!! This is a heart wrenching, cute, hot, amazing romance between Quan and Anna but at the same time the book is so much more than that. This book made me feel every single type of emotion, that is something that Helen Hoang excels at and that is why she is one of my favourite authors. My only slight negative would be is that I wish that the AFTER was a little longer, but at the same time the dazed feeling you get while reading it is pretty consistent with how you feel when you're going through something like that.

Please look up possible triggers for this book as the content is very raw and it will make you feel.

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS:
Autism diagnosis (denial, gaslighting, lack of family support), sick parent, care taking, suicidal thoughts, cancer

Helen Hoàng has done it again.

The Heart Principle is probably Hoàng's rawest book and it's shown with the switch from third to first person and the exploration of difficult themes that contrasts the light hearted nature of The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test. And even though the story was more raw and real, I loved it all the same,

Anna was a character that went through such a difficult time and Quan, who went through his own difficult time, showed much growth as a character that I read about in the first two books of the series.

The Heart Principle is always going to hold a dear place in my heart, much like TKQ and TBT, because who else in the industry is writing wholesome erotic romance* right now?

*Yep i've made this a thing and Hoàng is leading the charge!

This book was a lot heavier than I was expecting and the authors note at the end really hit me hard.

This story is so powerful and vulnerable and important.

We follow Anna and Quan on their journey of romance and tragedy, and watch them learn to love and value themselves for who they are.

Tbh Anna absolutely broke my heart. I was genuinely terrified for her and just wanted things to work out for her. And she goes through the ringer so many times in this book.
First her long term partner (who's a total narcissist emotionally abusive toxic arsehole) suggests they have an open relationship so that they (he) can make sure he's not missing out before they settle down.
Anna has a hard time saying no to people (the reason will become apparent later in the book) and so agrees. However, the boyfriend's plan backfires when she meets our wonderful Quan who keeps coming back after all their disastrous attempts at one-night-stands and makes her see that she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to and she can be herself around him.

She's also suffering with creative block with her work as a violinist and keeps getting stuck in cycles of compulsive playing.

Then she has to care for a very ill relative.

Quan isn't without his own problems either. After recovering from his own serious illness and subsequent surgery, his confidence with women and in himself is at an all time low, but finding Anna really helps him regain his confidence and love himself again.

I would argue that maybe this book is bittersweet but maybe it's also just realistic? It also made me Very anxious throughout and it's a testament to Hoang's writing that I cared so deeply and could relate to Anna even though I haven't been through what she has.

However it's not all sad! There is romance and spiciness and fluffiness, and after reading all 3 of Hoang's books back to back she is now an autobuy for me and I can't wait to see what else she'll write.

This book features asian rep, POC rep, autistic rep, cancer, terminal illness and is an own voices story.

CW: cancer, death of a relative, toxic relationships, grief, autism, sexual content

If you followed the Kiss Quotient series, you will be familiar with Quan. And if like me, you loved Kiss Quotient and often spoke of Michael as your favourite fictional male character, you may be surprised to hear that Quan stole my heart for good.
The Heart Principle follows Anna, a violinist whose recent and unexpected fame left her anxious and thrown off balance so… she decides to have a one night stand to regain some control over her life choices. Cue Quan…

It’s often said that reading book at the right/wrong times alters our perceptions of them and I can definitely agree with that. I also know that whenever a book is difficult to read, when it touches too close for comfort, I have a tendency to put it down but I simply couldn’t do that with The Heart Principle. It wrenched my heart, it made me angry, sad and it made me feel every emotion Anna and Quan were experiencing. Prepare yourself for uncontrollable sobs and finding your new favourite characters.

This is the first novel I have read in which the protagonist is autistic. The exploration of Anna's disability resonated so much with me and the representation felt genuine. After reading the author's note at the end, I can see that it was largely inspired by Helen's own experience which highlighted how personal this book is.
I felt Quan's storyline wasn't given as much attention in comparison to Anna's so I would have loved to hear more from him about the cancer. Overall, an incredible contemporary novel that delves into the intricacies of living with autism as well as the stresses of being a caregiver.

Really Enjoyed this new addition to the Kiss Quotient series. I loved Anna and Quan together and how the author deals with the sensitive issues that surround them.

The chemistry between the two of them was off the charts and I found myself laughing, sniffling and loving the book in equal measure.

I have loved everything i have read by Helen and hope we get more from her very soon!

I received with thanks e-arc of The Heart Principle from Atlantic Books / Corvus and Netgalley. Even though I have been gifted this book for review, all opinions are my own.

This is my review of The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

This book was one of my highly anticipated reads of 2021. I loved books one and two of the Kiss Quotient series. For me, this failed to meet my expectations. The book was enjoyable, but I felt Anna’s journey overtook the romance of the story. I don’t mind women’s fiction, but when the other two books in the series are more focused on romance, that’s what I wanted. I picked this up, wanting nothing more than a hot and steamy romance featuring one of the best characters in the series. Don’t get me wrong; the story still had some spicy moments like the other novels. For me, I felt like I needed more than I received.

I would recommend it if you enjoy a woman’s literature with a hint of romance.

Helen Hoang could write anything and I will read and love it with my whole heart and The Heart Principle was no exception. I love this book and this series so much.

Everything about this book was perfection. The relationship between Anna and Quan was everything, but this book was not all fluffy happiness and love. I loved how deep this book was. I felt every emotion Anna and Quan felt. I related to Anna in so many ways and I simply adored her character so much. This book was so raw and emotional and I found myself tearing up at times, but even despite all of the emotional/dark parts of this book, there was still the light-hearted and adorable relationships, not only between Anna and Quan but also all of the other characters within the book too.

The Kiss Quotient was the first adult romance I read four years ago and so that book and this series owns a special place in my heart as it introduced me to my favourite genre. No words can describe how wonderful this book was and how much it broke my heart whilst simultaneously piecing it back together, I hope Helen Hoang never stops writing romance as she does it so well and I adore her books.

Loved this book the writing style I loved every page of this book a fast paced read which I love. The characters were amazing and the story had plenty of drama you love this one

I went in expecting a rom com, and was caught off guard by the seriousness of the subject matter. Our main character, Anna, is diagnosed with autism, and also takes on the role of caring for an elderly parent. It’s not a cheery romance, but the characters are sympathetic and there’s a love story you really root for. A touching and emotional read.

I think The Heart Principle is going to be one of my favourite books of the year, however this book was not at all what I was expecting.

The front cover led me to believe this would be a lighthearted and cute romance (similar to the previous two books in this series) however that's not what this book is.

The first third of the book focuses on building the relationship between Anna and Quan, then the story starts to deviate from the romance.

It felt emotionally raw, and after reading the author's note at the end I could appreciate how this was an extremely personal story for the author to write.

Although this meant the romance started to feel secondary to the main plot, I still loved the chemistry between the characters and the steamy scenes were as good as in the previous two books. I found myself genuinely rooting for Anna and Quan.

My one criticism is the ending felt a little rushed, and it felt like I was being told what was happening instead of being shown.

However overall this book made me feel so many emotions and I think it will stick with me for a long time.

I was quite excited to read this final book in The Kiss Quotient trilogy because I really enjoyed Quan in the previous two books. Unfortunately, this ended up being a huge disappointment for me. This story follows Anna Sun, a burned out violinist who is struggling to play music again after one of her performances went viral. Anna crosses path with Quan Diep, a CEO of a small clothing company, when her boyfriend tells her that he wants an open relationship, which leads to Anna looking for a one-night stand.

I don’t know if you got to read the first synopsis that came out almost a couple of years ago of this book, but it does nothing to do with the plot of this final version. The original idea seemed to be focused on Anna having a crush on Quan while he only had eyes for her sister. That plot promised a fun romance that, like The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, would also be very focused on mental health. But although the last part is also present in this book, this new instalment feels more like a contemporary story with very little romance, which would be totally fine if it was not marketed as a romance book.

The Heart Principle focuses entirely on Anna and has two main plots. The first one being how she handles her diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the second one focusing on her depression once she has to become her father’s caregiver. I truly appreciate how Hoang always explores different types of ASD in her novels, but the way the plot about her father was developed didn’t sit well with me. Maybe it is because it touched some personal themes for me, but Anna realising that her father didn’t want to live anymore and don’t speaking up so as not to upset her family instead of focusing on what her dad wanted and needed, just made me feel terribly uncomfortable. She even had the nerve to compare her choice to remain silent with her father’s inability to speak anymore. This storyline rubbed me the wrong way.

I was also surprised about Quan being just a secondary character. While the previous books focused on both main characters, this one relegates Quan to a back seat. He is introduced at the beginning as the other main character, who is struggling with some insecurities about his body after overcoming a testicular cancer. But as the plot progresses, his appearances in the book diminish and he becomes just Anna’s love interest instead of focusing in his individual journey and personal issues.

Last but not least, I found the chemistry between Anna and Quan non-existent. This is supposedly a romance book but the scenes between them are few and far between. They just talk a couple of times before starting to have feelings for each other. Overall, their relationship felt rushed and inconsistent. And honestly, the way she humiliates him at one specific moment is so awful that I can’t understand how he could be able to forgive her so easily.

All in all, I respect that The Heart Principle is a very personal book for the author and that some of the themes included come from some of her experiences, but sadly I couldn’t connect with the characters or the story. I also think that the storyline about Anna’s father wasn’t handled in the best way and it bothers me that there was no criticism from the narrator about how Anna’s family goes against doctors’ recommendations and her father’s own wishes. It’s completely unfair to keep the people we love alive at the cost of their suffering just because we don’t want to let them go.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc.

Stars: 4

I enjoyed reading this book and I thought it had a full depth story that centered on important issues. It went the full spectrum of emotions, from happiness to sadness and everything in between with heavier issues bringing some tears. The author's writing is as superb as the last two books and didn't miss a beat.

With this said, I do believe this book is being advertised incorrectly. From past books, I expected a lighter feel to it, more of a romance book. I believe this would best be advertised as fiction with romance as I do believe the romance is secondary here. The main love interest is so beloved in the first two books I was disappointed not to see him play a bigger role in this book with more paper (screen) time.

The final, long-awaited book in the trilogy that began with The Kiss Quotient is Helen Hoang’s best book to date. It’s raw, emotional, and incredibly tender and romantic.

The story focuses on Anna Sun, a violinist, who, due to unexpected Internet fame, is struggling with creative burnout as a result of the pressure she feels to perform perfectly. To make matters worse, her long-term boyfriend decides he wants an open relationship before he’s willing to make a commitment to her. Encouraged by her friends, Anna decides that she’s going to see other people too.

Enter Quan Diep, the motor-cycle-riding, tattooed cousin of Michael from the first book and brother of Khai from the second book. Quan is a fan-favourite from the series, and many readers have been eagerly awaiting his love story. In this book, Quan has recovered physically from testicular cancer, though he’s still emotionally vulnerable. Encouraged by Michael, Quan decides to get back in the dating game. Both he and Anna are only looking for one night, but when they meet, one night turns into two, then three, and the pair form a connection that’s so lovely to see develop.

In her author’s note, Hoang explains that this book is ‘half a memoir’, and this is what makes the story feel so real and emotional. Anna, like Hoang herself, gets a later-in-life diagnosis of autism that helps her understand herself in new ways. She also, like Hoang, becomes a carer for a dying family member. Her struggles to stop the masking behaviour that has allowed her to fit in, but is physically and mentally exhausting, and her feelings of inadequacy as a carer for her father, cause Anna a huge amount of emotional trauma. She wants to be accepted as her authentic self, but habit, her desperate need to be loved, and the cultural expectations of her Chinese family, put enormous strain on her. Some parts of this story, relating to her feelings of inadequacy and fear of not being loved, are desperately sad and poignantly written.

The high point in Anna’s life, though, is her budding relationship with Quan, who is patient and kind, and cares for her unconditionally. Quan does go through his own feelings of inadequacy as a result of surgery to treat his cancer, as well as life changes that he struggles to accept, and while his individual story is secondary to Anna’s, the bond between them is a central aspect of the story, and what unites them is their acceptance of each other as they are.

I thought this book was wonderful. It is slightly different in tone from Hoang’s previous books, and it’s a romance that’s more centred on the heroine than on the couple together, which some readers may not like. I was swept up in the tender love story, though. I also loved the characters. Anna reminded me of Stella from the first book, who I loved, and I loved Quan’s warmth and kindness also. Hoang’s intimate scenes always feel important for the relationship and character development, and that was particularly the case here. Anna and Quan both feel insecurities that they overcome together. Their bond makes them stronger, and it’s so touching to see them be there for each other, particularly during Anna’s long recovery from autistic burnout.

This is the most romantic novel I’ve ever read. I think that’s because Hoang is exploring a couple that is emotionally vulnerable in ways that feel authentic, and in their emotional insecurity, they find acceptance in each other. This acceptance then helps them through difficult times. We see this particularly with Anna, but, in Quan’s story, we also see how important Anna is to his sense of self worth. Their story felt to me like a realistic portrayal of two people struggling, but finding joy and peace in each other.

All of Hoang’s work has broken ground in the world of romance literature and this one is no different. I think this book broadens the scope of what a romance novel can be. It shows two broken people finding each other and finding happiness, even if other aspects of their lives are painful or hard. The Heart Principle shows that people in pain deserve love and that love has power to save and help heal in the most touching of ways.

Hoang says in her author’s note that she hopes the book was worth the wait, and it most definitely was. This is my favourite of her books so far.

Content warnings here for burnout, judgemental/unaccepting families, gaslighting, mental strain, detailed hospice care, stroke, cancer, suicidal ideation.

Helen Hoang's storytelling just gets better and better. This is NOT a light-hearted romcom and I can appreciate why some readers found it triggering. As for me, I was moved, heart-broken and then made whole again. I love how her characters are allowed to be flawed. There is no HEA in the way so many other novels end, but the promise that hope, patience and perseverance brings. I was particularly moved by Anna's struggles with later in life autism diagnosis, the pressure of birth-order / asian parent expectations and the age-old quest for one's "person".

Love love love. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy from this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As always, thanks so much to Netgalley for sending this to me!

The Heart Principle follows Anna, a violinist who’s struggling to get her mojo back after going viral, being thrust into the spotlight and promptly forgotten again, and Quan, an entrepreneur who’s getting back in the saddle of sex and relationships after struggling with medical issues. When Anna’s boyfriend suggests they open up their relationship, Anna decides to go after the most unsuitable candidate possible—a heavily tattooed biker. To her surprise, though, she and Quan have a connection that ends up going far deeper than she expected, and as she begins to learn more about herself and tackle her burnout, her relationship with Quan becomes far more serious than she had expected.

This book came at me in some very unexpected ways. One of the primary themes of the book is Anna being diagnosed with autism and understanding herself for the first time. So many little things about herself start to add up, and she experiences this great relief as she finally realises why she is the way she is, that she’s not wrong or bad or broken… and so many of Anna’s experiences resonated with me so deeply.

I haven’t really shared or discussed this anywhere, but for a few years now I have suspected that I may be autistic and I’m currently looking to pursue a professional diagnosis. Reading this book hit home so hard because so much of Anna’s experiences and feelings felt as if they had been pulled directly from my brain. Her constant analysing of the people around her, playing the part that’s expected of her and not knowing how to react or behave; her people pleasing and inability to say no; the dismissal from her family, all the way down to her intimacy issues. I connected with her so strongly that seeing her tackle some of the struggles she faced in this book genuinely made me cry. It was like looking into a mirror. I don’t think it can ever be underestimated how it can feel to read a book that feels like it really, truly understands your experience and how seen and validated I was while reading this.

In addition to this, the romantic relationship between Quan and Anna was amazing. It was soft, sweet, loving, respectful and so steamy. These two are so supportive of each other and they had a wonderful relationship. Again, they didn’t have the smoothest ride, but seeing Quan be so supportive and willing to listen and understand and work with Anna, while she did her best to meet him where he was at and support him through his insecurities, was so heartwarming. They were truly a wonderful couple—and the sex scenes were steamier than a sauna! They were raw and very real and I also liked that they didn’t just have the perfect sex that so often seems to come up in romance where everyone knows exactly how to please each other and they barely have to communicate. Anna and Quan faced some real obstacles and insecurities in their sex life and I loved seeing this kind of discussion and difficulty tackled on the page.

I would say if you’re looking for a light read, this book probably wouldn’t be a good one to reach for. Despite the cutesy cover, it deals with end of life care/death of a parent, in quite graphic terms, as well as depression and severe burnout and other illnesses. It wasn’t afraid to handle these issues head on, really examine them and all the ugly or unpleasant parts, and say that it was okay for things to be messy, and I really admired that.
This book isn’t fluffy or light, but it was meaningful, hopeful, and so real, and I know that it will mean a lot to so many people, as it did to me.

4/5 stars.

Content warnings for The Heart Principle:
- Illness, hospitalisation, and death of a loved one
- Ableism
- Explicit sexual content
- Reference to prior illness

To say my hopes were high when I started The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang would be an understatement. After two certified bangers (The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test) I was certain that Huang was going to absolutely kill it. That, paired with the fact that my lovely (and very trustworthy) friend, Caden, praised it for its representation of Autistic People, I was certain I was in for a good time.

I’m happy to report that not only did Hoang live up to my expectations, she succeeded them immensely. The Heart Principle is so much more than her two prior novels, and it is clear that it is a much more personal novel - and with great payoff. Anna feels real and I felt her pain, love, excitement, and repression all throughout the book in the best way. This gave me such an insight to what Autism feels like for some people and I’m incredibly grateful that it was done with Hoang’s usual talent for writing and flair for getting her readers invested in not just the story, but the characters.

As for the romance, it felt believable, sweet, and I was rooting for Quang’s lovely, lovely heart the entire way through. Anna and Quang undeniably deserve each other and it was wonderful to see the pairing hit it off as well as they did. This book is perhaps lighter on the romance than the other two books in the series, but that does not take away from the fact that The Heart Principle is an absolute masterpiece.

It is with great delight that I can say that I rate The Heart Principle by Helen Huang 5 / 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is my second Helen Hoang books and I learned my lesson from The Kiss Quotient and dived into The Heart Principle blind. I didn’t know much of anything about it and it made my reading experience super good as I didn’t have any expectations.

I absolutely loved this book, as well as Anna and Quan. I found myself in Anna in little ways and I felt for her more than once. I did wish we could have gotten more about Quan himself, though.

Moreover, I love Hoang’s honesty in her books and in her characters. The representation in her books is not only necessary, but needed. And I really appreciate it, and the way she breaks down stereotypes regarding the autism spectrum. I hope it helps people learn and be more open-minded.

Wow, I’m not sure how I feel. This book was moving, emotional and all together very good.

I think that personally this hit very close to home as someone who struggles with social interactions and what I like to call “people pleasing”.

It was very hard for me to read especially when events seemed to hit a peak, so I probably won’t ever re-read but that is completely my personal circumstance.

Anna has a place in my heart and I love the way the author portrayed her struggles, they felt genuine and at the same time sensitive to others who may read about these characters. The relationships between family members was particularly interesting for me to read as she has a very different dynamic than I do, I really felt for Anna at times.

Overall, great book, very quick read and very worth it!

“The thing with feelings is they pass. Hearts aren’t designed to feel anything too intensely for too long, be it joy, sorrow, or anger. Everything passes in time. All colors fade.”

This is not the novel you would expect after reading Helen Hoang's previous books. A lot is going on and most of it is quite sad. That being said, this story is very powerful and absolutely my favorite. I loved Anna’s character development but most of all I love Quan's personality. He's such an inspiration.