Helen Hoang's books just continue to surprise me on so many levels. They're so much more than the cover and descriptions give them credit for. They look like fun, light-hearted romance novels but instead they are the most beautiful, heart-felt, emotional contemporaries that I have ever picked up. These books are just incredible, Helen puts so much heart in to what she writes, and it comes through in her writing.

The Heart Principle contains less smut than the other two books, but like the other books in the series it still focuses on meaningful, trust filled relationship based on love and acceptance. Out of all of the male love interests in the series, Quan is my favourite, and from now on I am going to blame Helen Hoang if I have high standards!

I loved the other two books in the series for their autistic characters. Invisible disabilities (and disabilities of all kinds) are so underrepresented in books, especially in romance novels, so these books stood out straight away for that alone. But this book resonated with me on a hugely personal level. Some of Anna's struggles are struggles I have experienced too, and the situation she finds herself in with her family is unfortunatly something I have experienced in the past too. It was a bit chilling to read a book that got me so much, but I loved it even more because of that. I felt heard.

I am incredibly grateful to Netgalley and Atlantic books for accepting my request to read this book, especially as it gives me the chance to shout about this wonderful book before its offical publication. The Heart Principle is emotional and beautiful. It's so much more than a contemporary romance, it's about mental health, loss, acceptance, and forgiveness. It really resonated with me more than any other book in this genre has, and I know this is going to stay with me for a really long time.

CAWPILE: 9.33

The Kiss Quotient: ★★★★★
The Bride Test: ★★★★.5
The Heart Principle: ★★★★★ (and more if I could)

CW: ableism, suicide ideation, lack of eating, end of life care, family struggles with the previous, family ignoring medical needs / and personal needs, scumbag boyfriends (unsure about this last one, but its relevant humph)

** Spoilers below **

I'm not really sure where to start with this book - firstly, its deeply personal in everyway - and it leaps off the page as such. I'm not on the spectrum, and I'm not sure what it would feel like to have a diagnosis for something that you didn't understand or realise was ongoing throughout your days (my issues have generally been ongoing since I was little) - however, I have had my father and stepfather in serious health issues, were end of life has been a thought, where papers have been signed andn I've seen the toll that has taken on my mum over time, on my brothers. It is something that changes your thought process, and not feeling up to caring - I understand that.

I wanted to kick her ex, shake her sister to mke her see that Anna needed help, and given Anna a long hug to try and help her. I hadn't realised until recently how exhausting masking is, and I hope that Hoang (and other books like A Kind of Spark) help those on the spectrum to feel comfortable in themselves.

I feel like Hoang is an artist of writing unresolved sexual tension - none of her books are overly explicit, or filled to the brim with sex scenes, but boy do you just feel the desire and the connection leaping off the page.

I sensed a collision coming, and went to bed before it could hit as I knew if I kept reading I would have read this all in one sitting and I wouldn't be sleeping until I finished it. It wasn't easy to put it down and sleep - but I was very happy to pick it up again and finish it today. Couldn't stop is the understatement of the century.

Can I give Quan, Anna and Helen a hug please?

thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. i loved some of the other books by this author, so i went into it with high expectations, and i certainly wasn’t disappointed. i loved this book. because of this i’m going to give it 4/5 stars.

Quirky Anna and Quan (who ticks all the boxes for best book boyfriend) are really sweet together and they are the most adorable characters. The book gives a great insight into ASD and the struggles people face who suffer from this. There is a bit of sadness in the story and a lot of bullying, which makes you feel quite exasperated for Anna. I have no way of knowing whether the way Asian culture is portrayed in this book is accurate, but it felt authentic.

Although the romance element of the story wasn't always the primary focus, I think most readers will love this book and it could be a great book to take to the beach this summer - I highly recommend it.

The Author's note explaining her personal struggles is really brave and heartfelt.

Many thanks to Atlantic Books and NetGallery for allowing me a copy of the book which I enjoyed immensely.

I enjoyed this as I enjoyed the previous novels in this series. There were times when I felt frustrated by how Anna was treated, but, I'll admit to feeling very frustrated with Anna herself at one point in the book and I should've been working harder to really understand her.

What's interesting is that her masking behaviours have been so successful that people don't associate her with the usual signs of being on the autism spectrum. This is such an important reminder that we don't know what's going on in someone else's mind, that appearances can be deceiving and that we should listen to someone when they tell us what they need.

It's also a good reminder that it is a spectrum and that people on it may share similar attributes but they're still individuals and not everyone will be great at maths for example.

I do think that the overall shape of the book didn't really work as well as it could have. I understand it was deeply personal but I'm not sure it all quite fit together.

I did enjoy that the ending seemed realistic. She isn't suddenly better.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

wow! this was so different to the kiss quotient and the bride test, the heart principle was less about the romance and more about serious sensitive topics such as medical related trauma. it was so emotionally raw.
would recommend but be aware before reading,

This was an amazing representation novel. I absolutely loved the series so far and this book did not disappoint. The right mix of steamy and romantic that I love in a romance. Will be recommending to everyone I know.

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She's going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better.

That's where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex - he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she has just started to understand herself. However, when tragedy strikes Anna's family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves...
Very good novelist. Exciting, engrossing, page turner.

I received a free ebook version of this through Netgalley. Thankyou to both Netgalley and the publisher for reading this! My review is still honest.

Okay. Wow. I love The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, but if you're expecting this one to be like those, you'd be wrong. This one is on an entirely deeper level, is more serious, is less about the romance than about character development and really goes for the heartstrings. It deals with loss, a toxic family and partner, medical related trauma and insecurity, career and achievement struggles, depression and grief, caregiver burnout, adulthood autism diagnosis and so much more in a healthy, well-written way. The focus isn't the spice or the romance, but on the two character's journeys finding themselves and overcoming struggles. Lots of TWs for loss of family, terminal illness of a close relative and caring for them, etc. but if you feel comfortable, give this one a go. You will not be disappointed.

This book surprised me in the best possible way. I went in expecting one thing and was completely blindsided when the story went in a totally different direction but I'm delighted it did.

The Heart Principle is a raw, nuanced story tackling the reality of a late asd diagnosis, depression, the lasting effects of a serious illness, and familial strife. This entire novel resonated with me in a way that few contemporary romances do and it's going to stay with me for a while I think.

Both Quan and Anna are likable, complex characters with full lives and struggles outside of their involvement with each other but their dynamic together is absolutely gorgeous and gripping. I was particularly invested in Anna's journey accepting her autism diagnosis and it is clear from the accuracy and depth of that plot that it comes from a deeply personal place in the author's own experience. This is not a neat, compact story. The characters (Anna especially) are messy but it works incredibly well.

This is the first book I have read from Helen Hoang and it certainly will not be the last. It was so well written and absolutely gripping. It was a heavy and emotional read in places but absolutely worth it.

Thanks to Netgalley for an e-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After experiencing issues with the way boundaries were portrayed in the previous two books, I was a little apprehensive about reading this one. But I was relieved to discover that we finally have a true consent king in the form of Quan in what is hands down the best book in this series!

A badass on the outside and a marshmallow on the inside, Quan is pretty much everything you could want in a LI.

I also adored Anna and loved following her journey to becoming a strong, independent woman as she adjusting to life as someone on the autistic spectrum.

My only complaints are things being left a little unresolved between Anna and her sister, and missing out on parts of Anna and Quan’s relationship due to a large time jump.

Have you read any of Helen Hoang’s books? I’d 100% recommend this and The Kiss Quotient to anyone who loves a slightly steamy romance!

I simply devoured this book, reading it almost in one sitting. The emotions are heartbreaking and soul quenching, the depth and the intensity of the feelings unlike anything I've experienced in similar fiction. The book never leaves doubt as to who, or indeed what, is the main thing that binds everything together - honesty and understanding.

It was incredibly powerful to read a story about two people who love one another. There is no trope to speak of, not that underpins Anna and Quan's relationship, but instead it's a bond that is powerful and true, and that allows the characters themselves to understand and heal personally, and together.

This is more than a piece of fiction, it's a window into the soul of humanity.

This book is so much more than a typical Romantic Comedy. It tackles tough themes such as ASD, discrimination, grief, caregiving amongst other topics in a beautiful and honest way.

Anna shot to fame when a YouTube video of her playing the violin exploded online. Seemingly she has the perfect life including everything from professional success to a long term boyfriend. That is until Julian, said long term boyfriend, decides he wants an open relationship.

The way an open relationship is discussed amongst characters is wonderful, minus Julian that is. There is no shame or judgement about something that many could see is the end of a relationship or an alternative lifestyle. If anything the concept is normalised.

Anna's autism is also skillfully handled and clearly demonstrates research, own experience and compassion. The book gracefully avoids all stereotypes and sweeping generalisations and instead educates the reader. The very personal author's note just emphasises the care taken when writing this book.

Quan the love interest is the sweetest guy that ever existed. My only slight gripe was he seemly had no backbone. At points it was farfetched to be believe he would stand for other people's behaviour when he did. This didn't cause a hinderence to the book at all though.

I throughly enjoyed the dual perspective of Quan and Anna. Both characters were distinct with narratives equally important. I feel the Anna's arc was slightly more fleshed out than Quan's and it would've been nice to hear from his experiences more.

I would recommend this book in a heart beat and can definitely be read separately from the author's other books.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Hoang is redefining the genre and it is wonderful to see, The Heart Principle is full of positive representation and provides an authentic (own voice) characterisation of a young woman on the autism spectrum.

The Heart Principle follows a young violinist, Anna, who has become "internet famous" overnight and whose boyfriend has decided he wants to see other people before they settle down. In a bid to stick it to the boyfriend (and regain some self worth), Anna embarks on a one night stand mission that doesn't go quite to plan.

Another incredible book from Hoang that I was so excited to read - this really felt like a book I could get to grips with the narrator in and in the afterword Hoang says that Anna was the character she felt she could connect to the most. This emotion really came across and she was instantly vibrant and jumped off the page from the offset.

My main complaint about this novel is actually that I wanted it to be longer! I wanted more about Quan and more about letting each other in. An even slower burn! I just didn't want to let go of them! I feel like the whole period when Anna was struggling after her lowest point and he was just there for her was magnificent but as a reader I needed more reason to believe in and invest in that. I also didn't know much about his background!

I will still instantly preorder anything Hoang writes!

What a fabulous addition to an already great series.
I have bought all of the books written by Helen Hoang in this series and I just adore her writing and, I love the way the characters grow throughout the book.

I would highly Recommend this book and it explores the main characters individually and allows them to grow on there own as well as a couple

*a big thank you to NetGalley ant the publishers for giving me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review *

An absolutely fantastic, beautifully written book. It's a masterful exploration of a relationship that has to navigate the emotional and practical complexities of ASD and mental health challenges, caregiving and grief, family expectations, corporate machinations... Professional Violinist and social media sensation Anna meets motorcycling kids apparel company CEO Quan on a dating app, after Quan re-enters the dating scene after a health crisis, and Anna is thrown by her long term boyfriend's selfishly suggesting an open relationship to explore his horizons before settling down. They bond over their difficulties navigating relationships and Netflix nature documentaries. Both Anna and Quan are both relatable and challenging of our norms and assumptions of what makes the perfect romantic heroine and hero. Their actions and dialogue are by turns hilarious, sweet, exhilerating and tear-jerking. The treatment of both the ASD and cancer elements of the storyline are highly sensitive and normalising, bringing insights into the characters, and explorations of what it means to be modern men and women in romantic, supportive relationships. The book is definitely slow burn heat-wise, and its exploration is sweet and just the right level for the story. I also loved the friendships and though Anna's family dynamics destroyed me at times, I appreciated the subtle twists and turns in the relationships, and how characters were redeemed, at least partially, by then end, despite some really awful things said and done. I adored this book and genuinely sat staring into space in something akin to shellshock when I finished it, such was the emotional journey it took me on. I read it super fast, and it's one of those books I'll probably return to over and over and definitely will recommend to others. Definitely a 5 star read for me. I don't think it's necessary to read the series in order, but reading the others too does add to the experience. Thank you Netgalley and Corvus for the ARC!

3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Heart Principle follows violinist Anna Sun after she accidentally went viral and became extremely successful. Now Anna is a bit stuck in her music and is experiencing burnout. To top it all off, her long term boyfriend has suggested they have an open relationship so they can assess if they're truly meant to be together. So Anna decides to go and have a one night stand with Quan.

This book is very emotional and heavy and there's definitely some trigger warnings to look out for including death of a parent, depression, anxiety and toxic family.

The romance did feel a bit rushed and all over the place for my personal opinion but I really enjoyed the way certain issues were discussed in the book and the way Quan and Anna were such incredible characters.

5 stars is not enough, This needs at least 10!

I’d firstly like to thank Helen Hoang and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. It is one of my anticipated reads this year so you can imagine how I excited I was to receive this copy.

Ever since I read book 1 Quan stood out for me, I loved his relationship with Michael and I loved his relationship with Khai in book 2 so I was so excited to read his story!

Things I loved about this book.

✨ Quan - obviously. He is so used to taking care of everyone, for being the strong one and seeing him in this book not only with Anna but also how he feels about and see’s himself (no spoilers here) just made me love him more.

✨ Anna - from the first time I met Anna, I loved her. Everything she felt through the book I felt with her, I rooted for her and I cried for her.

✨ Anna and Quan together - from their very first octopus adventure together I was rooting for them. I thought they were perfect together and they seemed so much in love, their story was so well written.

✨ That you got to see Anna face some challenges (again no spoilers) as they happen. I particularly like how Helen dealt with Anna’s situation and showed how things don’t just get better, they take time and energy and sometimes things don’t get better, you learn how to manage them.

✨ The authors note. Although the book was quite emotional at the end, Helen’s note broke my heart, I cried for longer than I care to admit. If you read this book, read that note. It’s important.

Like I mentioned, this was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it blew me away! I can’t wait for my paperback book to arrive to complete my collection.

Woah I have a lot of feelings about this book. I really appreciate Helen Hoang writing books with autistic protagonists that all experience it in a different way. This book is very intense, with an awful lot of pain for the protagonists to get through. It is not an easy read, but I found myself drawn into the story and caring so much about Anna and Quan, and their individual journeys.

Anna Sun got internet famous after she steps in for a famous violin player and completes a beautiful solo. But the pressure that comes with fame and catching the attention of composers made playing music a million times more difficult for her. She’s stuck playing the same song on repeat, starting from the beginning every time she makes a mistake, tortured by the desire to perfect it. Anna has been going to therapy, and between her therapist and herself they realise she is autistic, not that her family are supportive of the revelation. When Anna’s boyfriend suggests they have an open relationship, Anna is upset but decides to have one night stands, because if Julian can, why can’t she?

Enter Quan, the brother of Khai and cousin of Michael from Helen’s other books. Recovering from cancer hasn’t been easy for him psychologically, but he’s ready to get back out there in the dating game. Anna catches his attention on a dating app and the two hit it off with their love of nature documentaries. But both are anxious about sexual intimacy with each other, so their one night stand desires take a few hits.

I loved that Helen brought in the modern terminology with respect to autism – I was worried at the beginning that she would be using outdated terms for the whole book. Anna defies the stereotypes perpetuated by the likes of characters like Sheldon Cooper. Apart from music, the other big challenge for Anna is when her father becomes seriously ill and she has to help her mother and sister take care of him. Understandably, this has an extreme impact on Anna’s mental health and her family, particularly her older sister, only exacerbate the problems she’s facing by not understanding and pushing Anna too far. Julian also brought out a lot of anger in me. He’d been using Anna for so long because she was so attentive to his needs and he knows she would do anything for him. I loved that Quan could show her what a positive relationship could look like, and they both learned intimacy and to trust again.

Overall this was an amazing book that tackles a lot of serious issues. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed through a series of flash forwards, but get that the book was probably long enough already! I loved Anna and Quan together. A neat end to this trilogy of romance novels, but it definitely isn’t one to read if you want a fluffy love story.