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corinniebee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
snellreader100's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
sheiltheshell's review against another edition
5.0
Um,,, this was fantastic and I loved the insight into masking and how it impacts people. Just fantastic
lyndibradley94's review against another edition
4.0
So much more emotional than I was expecting. Not that it was bad... just be prepared for your heart to literally break on multiple occasions. There was not as much steam as I was hoping for. If you’ve read KQ and BT you know that Quan is
kait_kosub's review against another edition
3.0
3.75⭐
I wanted to love this so much! I love Quan but I feel like he was done so wrong! Explain why this book is set 2 years after the last one and Quan in that time got cancer and got treated and is all fine now... like what. I just felt like that should have started in the second book or at least some signs, instead of throwing it in out of no where.
This book at least had more of Michael in it and their company! But why wasn't Khai and Esme in it at all (besides one hang out)? In the last book Quan cared for Esme so much he was willing to marry her so she could get a Visa... and now they don't even talk. Quan was a big part of Khai's story but barely part of Quan's. I wish the family bond was as consistent throughout the whole series.
I was interested in the concept of this story but soon disliked the execution of it. It's supposed to be about how Anna finds herself in an open relationship and wants a one night stand but can't seem to stay away from Quan. While that's kinda true it's not because they are having great sex or anything its because they can't seem to get to that part. I don't know I get that they feel a connection through their kisses and limited texts but it just doesn't seem believable. Once they do start spending more time together I feel like they say their dating very fast and Quan confesses his love to her without them still being sexually intimate. I'm glad unlike in the second book Anna and Quan actually talk and connect on a deeper level and I can believe it more than Khai and Esme's relationship but it's still not enough to convince me of true love. And 70% into the book Anna knows that she doesn't want to be with her boyfriend but still hasn't told him that which is odd and frustrating. Anna's whole open relationship seems more like a break as the two never see each other and barely communicate. I just found I didn't feel their love and passion as much as I wished. Them getting together also felt rushed as it was so late in the book.
I wanted to love this so much! I love Quan but I feel like he was done so wrong! Explain why this book is set 2 years after the last one and Quan in that time got cancer and got treated and is all fine now... like what. I just felt like that should have started in the second book or at least some signs, instead of throwing it in out of no where.
This book at least had more of Michael in it and their company! But why wasn't Khai and Esme in it at all (besides one hang out)? In the last book Quan cared for Esme so much he was willing to marry her so she could get a Visa... and now they don't even talk. Quan was a big part of Khai's story but barely part of Quan's. I wish the family bond was as consistent throughout the whole series.
I was interested in the concept of this story but soon disliked the execution of it. It's supposed to be about how Anna finds herself in an open relationship and wants a one night stand but can't seem to stay away from Quan. While that's kinda true it's not because they are having great sex or anything its because they can't seem to get to that part. I don't know I get that they feel a connection through their kisses and limited texts but it just doesn't seem believable. Once they do start spending more time together I feel like they say their dating very fast and Quan confesses his love to her without them still being sexually intimate. I'm glad unlike in the second book Anna and Quan actually talk and connect on a deeper level and I can believe it more than Khai and Esme's relationship but it's still not enough to convince me of true love. And 70% into the book Anna knows that she doesn't want to be with her boyfriend but still hasn't told him that which is odd and frustrating. Anna's whole open relationship seems more like a break as the two never see each other and barely communicate. I just found I didn't feel their love and passion as much as I wished. Them getting together also felt rushed as it was so late in the book.
stepka095's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so good and so important. Grief, speaking up for yourself, accepting yourself are the greatest things about this book. I really related to it and learned so much from it. Thank you so much Helen, this book was definitely my favorite one!!
elemomi's review against another edition
emotional
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
stephxsu's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
3.0
I've now (finally) read all three of Hoang's published romances, and THE HEART PRINCIPLE has got to be the most personal one to date. THP is vulnerable, frustrating, swoony, and validating. It is a very emotional read, expertly co-narrated by Natalie Naudus.
Over the course of the book, Anna receives an autism diagnosis, comes to terms with what it means for her, and struggles with autistic burnout. And Anna is BURNT. OUT. She has had a lifetime of masking to please her demanding, patronizing family, and this compulsion to be exactly what everyone wants from her extends to other parts of her life as well, such as her relationship with Julian. Reading about Anna's constant insistence that she can't say no, the thought circles in which she traps herself, and the ever-encroaching cliff at the end of her ability to repress her own needs for the sake of others.... As someone who's also had to work through my own tendencies to put others' needs over mine, I read all of this and couldn't help but feel annoyed at times and exhausted by Anna myself. Helen Hoang really can wring all the emotions out of her readers, for better or for worse.
Quan, like most of Hoang's male love interests, is just a bit TOO perfect. He apparently loves Anna for her quirks and is endlessly patient and selfless with her. It is to the point that his own insecurities kind of take a backseat in the story, only rearing its head at the most awkward time. There was some serious wish fulfillment going on here, which took me out of the story a bit.
I say that THE HEART PRINCIPLE is probably Hoang's most personal book because of Anna's journey with her autism diagnosis, something which features very prominently in Hoang's author biographies and interviews. Hoang has perfectly captured the liberation of finally finding a label that describes you and what you've gone through, as well as the heartbreak of wondering what your life could have been like had you discovered that label for yourself earlier. Anna's slow spiral into burnout is also written incredibly intimately. You almost feel like you're reading Hoang's cathartic journal entries, making everything all the more gut-wrenching.
THE HEART PRINCPIPLE wrung a lot of emotions out of me, but I was just the slightest bit put off by Quan's perfection and Brian Nishii's slightly stilted narration. If you've loved Hoang's other books, and are looking for a romance with neurodiverse representation, then THP will be a delight.
Over the course of the book, Anna receives an autism diagnosis, comes to terms with what it means for her, and struggles with autistic burnout. And Anna is BURNT. OUT. She has had a lifetime of masking to please her demanding, patronizing family, and this compulsion to be exactly what everyone wants from her extends to other parts of her life as well, such as her relationship with Julian. Reading about Anna's constant insistence that she can't say no, the thought circles in which she traps herself, and the ever-encroaching cliff at the end of her ability to repress her own needs for the sake of others.... As someone who's also had to work through my own tendencies to put others' needs over mine, I read all of this and couldn't help but feel annoyed at times and exhausted by Anna myself. Helen Hoang really can wring all the emotions out of her readers, for better or for worse.
Quan, like most of Hoang's male love interests, is just a bit TOO perfect. He apparently loves Anna for her quirks and is endlessly patient and selfless with her. It is to the point that his own insecurities kind of take a backseat in the story, only rearing its head at the most awkward time. There was some serious wish fulfillment going on here, which took me out of the story a bit.
I say that THE HEART PRINCIPLE is probably Hoang's most personal book because of Anna's journey with her autism diagnosis, something which features very prominently in Hoang's author biographies and interviews. Hoang has perfectly captured the liberation of finally finding a label that describes you and what you've gone through, as well as the heartbreak of wondering what your life could have been like had you discovered that label for yourself earlier. Anna's slow spiral into burnout is also written incredibly intimately. You almost feel like you're reading Hoang's cathartic journal entries, making everything all the more gut-wrenching.
THE HEART PRINCPIPLE wrung a lot of emotions out of me, but I was just the slightest bit put off by Quan's perfection and Brian Nishii's slightly stilted narration. If you've loved Hoang's other books, and are looking for a romance with neurodiverse representation, then THP will be a delight.
kaylaogle's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.0
WOW this is different from all the contemporary romances I typically read in such a refreshing way. I loved this whole series so much and this was such a great way to end it!