The Heart Principle is yet another amazing, emotional, and steamy romance from Helen Hoang. Anna is a violinist who struggles to play because she fears not living up to other people's expectations. She meets Quan through a dating app and begins to discover what real kindness and affection feel like. Anna experiences true acceptance from him and that helps her through the challenges she soon faces. This book's focus on Anna's journey of self-discovery and self-love is an emotional roller coaster, but it's a ride I am so glad I took. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC.

“I can never please everyone. It’s hard enough just pleasing myself. Instead, I must focus on giving what I have, not what people want, because that is all I can give.”

This was brilliant!! Helen Hoang, once again, knows how to give us a romance worth rooting for whilst simultaneously having discussions on a multitude of important topics. Please do not let the long list of Content/Trigger Warnings stray you from picking this book up. The Heart Principle does talk about a lot of serious and sad topics, but overall, this book is one about hope. If you are going into this wanting a fun romance, with no other plotlines, this is not for you. This is a book about self-discovery, standing up for yourself, and learning to live life after receiving hard news after hard news.

Overall, I rated this a FOUR out of five stars. My heart broke for Anna. I see a lot of myself in her. Learning you are autistic later in life is a difficult experience. You feel lonely, scared. You feel like a fraud; thank you, internalized ableism. Anna deals with a lot in this novel. She starts it in an unhappy relationship, dealing with a toxic family, getting her autism diagnosis, and then immediately gets news that her father has had a stroke. Processing all of those emotions is difficult on its own, but all at once, it takes its toll. Helen Hoang managed to spin these plotlines together so eloquently. We see Anna struggling, but we also see her persevere. She works hard for her happiness. Anna finds a romantic relationship that actually brings her joy, she stops masking around people, she fights. People will read this and not enjoy it because both the protagonist and love interest spend some of their chapters focusing on their own personal issues. I personally think that is what makes this book realistic and brilliant. Our lives do not stop once we get into new relationships, as some romance books will have you think. Yes, both Anna and Quan have their own issues going on, but at the end of the day, they still come home to one another. They still work to make their feelings for each other turn into something more. If that’s not what you want out of a romance, that is fair. But to say this is not a romance novel because Hoang makes her characters real people is unfair.

“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.”

CWs/TWs: Autistic burnout, masking, ableism, discussions of sexual discomfort/fear/complacency, anxiety, panic attack, depression, cancer, sterility, toxic family relationship, toxic romantic relationship (old relationship, not the one the book is about), stroke, caretaking, death of a family member, classism, putting oneself in danger, overexertion/suicidal ideation, on-page sex, sexual harassment.

Acho que eu me surpreendi mais do que eu esperava com esse livro.



⚠️ Esse livro possui gatilhos para: depressão, luto, entre outros assuntos que podem ser sensíveis.⚠️



Anna é violinista e está com um problema para tocar desde que um vídeo seu viralizou. Quando seu namorado, Julian, decide que eles devem ter um relacionamento aberto não dando nenhuma escolha a ela. Anna então decide que se ele quer ver outras pessoas, ela também pode. Assim, ela baixa um aplicativo de encontros e é quando ela conhece Quan, um homem alto, cheio de tatuagens e lindo. O rapaz que acabou de se recuperar de uma doença grave está querendo voltar a ter encontros e Anna tem algo que ele não consegue tirar da cabeça. Eles tentam ter uma noite, mas acabam tendo muito mais.



Esse é o segundo livro da autora que eu leio e posso dizer que a capa não passa absolutamente nada do que o livro traz. The Heart Principle entrega um romance sobre escolhas, família tóxica, saúde mental e sobre se priorizar.



Anna descobre depois de anos que tem transtorno do espectro autista e entre questões familiares, ela se perde cada vez mais em suas questões. A única coisa boa em sua vida passa a ser sua relação com o Quan.



Quan, por sua vez, acabou de passar por uma situação de vida e morte, apesar disso me pareceu durante todo o livro que ele tem o coração e o dom de ser um cuidador. Durante todo o romance, ele se dedica a Anna e da a ela tudo que ela precisa emocionalmente.



A autora conseguiu construir a relação dos dois de forma muito consistente e não apenas física. Para ambos o apoio emocional vai muito além da relação física. Eles constroem uma amizade e depois disso vem a parte física da coisa.



Infelizmente alguns dos personagens secundários, como a família de Anna, são o que estragam o livro. Não sobra um prestando naquela família. Por outro lado, os amigos e família de Quann são simplesmente incríveis.



Eu espero ler mais livros dessa autora em breve, acho que ela consegue escrever com sensibilidade trazendo assuntos importantes de forma responsável e consistente.

Disclaimer: I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the third in The Kiss Quotient series by Helen Hoang. Each book features a character who is neurodivergent. He or she may or may not have been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, but as the story progresses, this comes to light. As readers, we are given the opportunity to see the world in a new way thanks to Hoang's insight as a person on the spectrum.

While we are set up to see Anna as the main character, for those of us who have read the first two books, this is supposed to be Quan's book. And therein lies the problem. While we do see some aspects of the relationship from Quan's perspective, so much time is spent in Anna's head that the story moves at a snail's pace. There is too much repetition, which is to be expected given that is Anna's issue. She is stuck in a loop and cannot get out of this spiral. We are lead into it with her, but a little goes a long way.

Given that Hoang herself suffered from the same sort of issue (she tells us so in her Author's Note at the end of the book) explains a lot. Still, it is surprising her editor didn't ask that she trim a bit of the last third of the book where we are simply re-reading Anna's days and (same) thoughts over and over. Honestly? I skimmed many, many pages because I was beyond caring at that point. And, when Quan and Anna were apart, I cared less about Anna. I really wanted this to be Quan's book after getting to know him in the other two.

I had been anticipating this book after the previous two. I'm sure it is the culmination of Hoang's series for her as it is her own story on paper, but for me it was a let down. I still recommend it, but it wasn't all I was expecting.

Helen Hoang hits deep with this romance novel that also requires tissues for reading. True to form, this one has neurodiversity, steaminess, and this time with heartfelt family drama that honestly portrays the very hard journey of a caregiver.

This really packed an emotional punch. I love how intimate it felt and I’m looking forward to her next book.

Violinist Anna Sun becomes famous after a video of one of her solos goes viral. Unfortunately, since then, she’s also unable to play through a single piece of music, her expectations for herself are so high. To make matters worse, Julian, her boyfriend of five years, proposes an open relationship so they can explore dating other people before making a more serious commitment.

Although Anna knows Julian expects that he will be the only one playing the field, she resolves she will embrace an open relationship as she downloads dating apps and prepares herself for a string of meaningless one-night flings.

Quan Diep, who has his own reasons for avoiding commitment, responds to one of Anna’s posts. The heavily-tattooed, motorcycle-driving man, though handsome, is not like anyone she’s met before—and is not someone of whom her family would approve, not that it matters. But a one night stand isn’t as easy as it seems, and the first, second, and third tries end without sex. Yet, Quan treats her with respect, kindness, and compassion as he sees her true self.

Anna starts to feel happy—but after a lifetime of conforming to her family’s expectations and demands, she struggles to find her own voice.

Although I found 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 difficult to read on an emotional level and cried through most of it, I loved the book. I strongly related to Anna and her struggles, and enjoyed many of the secondary characters while being infuriated with others. Though I thought Quan possibly more angelic and forgiving than an average person, that doesn’t mean he’s not my favorite #bookboyfriend of the year so far.

I have not read the other books in The Kiss Quotient series but didn’t feel disadvantaged. It might have even been to my benefit since I didn’t have any expectations going in (though I plan to read Books 1 and 2 now).

If you enjoyed Me Before You, One Day, or The Girl I Used to Know, I think you will love The Heart Principle. Just have some tissues nearby!

"The Heart Principle": 5⭐

(Unpaid Review: thank you to @netgalley, @helenhoang and @penguinrandomhouse for allowing me to read this eArc copy in exchange for a review.)

My new favorite romance read! Absolutely incredible, loved every bit of it! Loved the main characters, loved how real their relationship felt and loved to see new concepts flourishing in this story! Loved Quan and Anna together, their beautiful and honest relationship, how they contrast and yet, how they fit perfectly together.

Loved the author's writing style, loved how I could feel everything she was feeling while writing this book! I felt so compelled and so seen, I couldn't believe what I was reading. By 30% in, I knew this was my new favorite. Also, really important tws: loss and family relationships. Really frustrating ones, for that matter. Also, autism representation! We love to see it!

There's no better word for my feelings for this book other than love. I loved every second!

I cannot emphasize enough how I love this book. I thought helen’s last work - the bride test, was her last book that would make me cry, but this one pulled the strings too, a little harder this time (though tbt is still my favorite in the series).

the steamy romance was still there, the realistic characters, mental health topics, heartfelt scenes, and stories of hope.

I can fully relate to anna’s story – the toxic past, almost 5 years of only dating one guy, and being left that way. I saw myself in the pages with each remark and reflection. I realized it wasn’t a shame. at all. I am enough, and my feelings are valid. thank you for seeing me, helen.

meeting quan was a blessing, made me wonder for (my) quan kind of guy. also made me believe that it’s still possible. that not because someone mistreated you in the past doesn’t mean everyone else would too. in my opinion, it was risky to enter another relationship after just days, for broken parts must be healed first. however, quan really helped a lot with the healing, and I thank him for that. anna deserves all the love she’s been receiving after she learned to let new people in. their weirdness, dorkiness, and honesty to each other – I love, I crave that. there was truth, hence there was also peace. I hope we all receive our truths one day. and maybe when the time comes, share them with pride.

I cried as the story concluded because I felt everything: quan’s, anna’s, their families, struggles. anna’s character development is a triumph after she learned to stand up for herself, say “no” over and over, and not regret any it. I love everything put together, and it couldn’t have ended better.

another book worth reading from one of my favorite authors. we absolutely need more of her enlightening stories with thrills.

characters in the series who also appeared in this book are michael and stella.

This book was absolutely beautiful and so much more than just a “romance” novel. I read the Kiss Quotient back when it first came out but have not read the Bride Test, so I appreciated that this sequel could also be read as a standalone. The Kiss Quotient was a fun and enjoyable romance, but I did not find it that memorable. However, this book is so moving. You could really tell that Hoang poured a bit of herself into the pages, as evidenced by her author’s note.

I went into this book expecting it to be a steamy romcom; what I got was so much more.

I really appreciated the author’s real talk about real-life characters. It was at times emotional, steamy, romantic, and had all the elements of a five star book for me.

The author’s notes in the end of the book really drive home how personal this story was to the author. I admire her for her honesty and sharing just parts of her personal story with us.

This is the third book in The Kiss Quotient series. I’ve read the first book in this series, but haven’t read the second book yet.This book can definitely be read as a standalone...so dive right in!

This is another fantastic novel by Hoang and one that will absolutely tug at your heartstrings. It’s simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. It’s about the main characters learning to take charge but also learning to let go. The book reflects the contradictions that make up life and shows us how to embrace them.

And while all of Hoang's novels deal with mental health issues, feature neurodivergent characters, and challenge stigmas in multiple cultures, The Heart Principle takes it to the next level. After reading the Author’s Note at the end, you’ll understand why. This book became very personal for author Hoang and that’s reflected in the entire book.

Quan was a fantastic main character, but Anna was the star of this novel in my opinion. My heart broke for her often, and there were times I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room in frustration. Watching her character grow was almost painful at times, but so worth it in the end.

This is the third in the series, but can be read as a standalone since each book features different main characters. Although I enjoyed the appearances of Michael, Stella, and Khai! (Was Esme mentioned at all?! I might have missed it.)

This is a wonderful conclusion to this series and a must-read!!

THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL AND HEARTWRENCHING AND WONDERFUL AT THE EXACT SAME TIME!! I cant even see through my tears as I type this. This touched me in all the perfect places. It was SO different from Helens other books and I was expecting it to be, but I didn’t realize how impactful this story would be. So beautiful!!!! Amazingly done! Another beautiful hit!

I love the way Hoang always incorporates disabilities into her writing. It's not forced, like she's trying to check a box, but always organic to the story. Anna and Quan were the very definition of chemistry. I loved the way their love poured off the page. Another hit from Hoang. I can't wait to see what she does next.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. This was a tough book to read. It was compelling, and well written, but it was tough to read. If you have ever struggled with burnout, dealing relatives with long term diseases, caregiving, or trying to live up to your family's expectations of you, this book might be difficult for you.
Anna is a musician who is hardcore struggling with her sudden rise to fame. As soon as she went viral, she got caught in a loop of trying to live up to the professional expectations of everyone around her. After her jerk of a boyfriend decided to open up their relationship, she met Quan, and their multiple failed attempts at a one night stand provided most of the humor for this book. Quan is a fundamentally good man who is the heart of his family, and he is absolutely the kind of man we all deserve.
I will warn that after this, there is a lot more heavy subject matter than the blurb hints at, and much of this book is full of grief and pain. This is an intensely personal and emotional story, but it is also a brutally realistic depiction of the truth of long term hospice care. My heart ached for Anna and Quan, I appreciated that the end was more nuanced than love curing everything. Quan and Anna are a pair of good people who learn to be their most authentic selves for themselves and each other through some truly awful times, and their story is definitely worth the read. Just maybe grab some tissues before you start to read.

AHH this book is just SO SO good. I loved it and just want to throw this one at people. There are so many nuances to this story involving body image, autism, responsibilities, familial obligations, how to care for someone in the way they need, and more. It's a heartrenching story that will leave you feeling for both Anna and Quan and also taking a look at how you're treating others in your life.

Anna is struggling. She is in a rut professionally and she is just going through the motions in her relationship. She is a professional violinist but can't finish a piece after a bout of fame left her to over analyze every note she plays. Her boyfriend is a piece of garbage who just uses her for sexual release and when he says he wants to see other people before settling down (this whole conversation will leave you fuming fyi), Anna decides she has the right to see other people too and maybe during her one night stand she can learn to set boundaries for her self and demand what she needs.

Quan is the life of the party that we all know and love from the previous books. He and Michael are thriving at their clothing company and he is living his best lift, except he is recovering from cancer and is left with a big secret that he can't even bear to say to himself. (This part tugs at your heartstrings like no other). Quan stepped back from the party life while he was sick and Michael convinces him to try out a one night stand to get his confidence back up.

Anna and Quan were made for each other in their own unique ways. They are extremely different yet their personalities and behaviors are tailored to each other. Quan's caring nature leaves his feeling emotionally connected to Anna after she has a panic attack at their first attempt at a one night stand. They bond over dorky things and watch nature documentaries together. Quan brings Anna out of her shell and protects her at the same time. Anna supports and provides the open acceptance and comfort Quan so desperately needs.

They hit a snag with Anna's dad gets really sick and requires round the clock at home care. Anna is subjected to the hostile attitude of her older sister who expects Anna to just suck it up and do it and is constantly demeaning Anna. This part of the book hits hard because it showcases the fact that not everyone is made to be a caregiver and THAT'S OKAY. Not everyone is able to take joy in caring for others and it can be extremely detrimental to their mental health. This perspective is really important because we always get the narrative that everyone loves to take care of others and that everyone would thrive in that environment and get satisfaction out of caring for those they love, but that's just not the case and its okay to say.

Anyway, this story is about learning to stand up for yourself and those you love. It's about setting aside your assumptions about what you think people need and actively working to love people the way they need to be loved. It's about providing support where you can for others but also supporting yourself emotionally and mentally. It's about recognizing that differences are beautiful and not a flaw and that they allow us all to live as our most authentic selves.

Can't recommend this series enough. You don't need to read The Kiss Quotient or The Bride Test in order to read this one, but I recommend them anyway because they're wonderful.

I don't know that I'm yet ready to write a review for this one, mostly because I just have lots of feelings. But I'm going to mark it as read for the moment so that my order/count doesn't get all messed up. Because that would ironically cause me anxiety. And if you've read the book, you know why that's ironic 😂

Rep: Chinese American autistic woman with anxiety, Vietnamese American man,

CW: ableism, racism, cancer (post experience), side effects of cancer and surgery, anxiety, misogyny, a stupid ass selfish straight man (yes that needs to be a CW because Julian is an asshole and people should be warned (Julian is a secondary character)).

Raw emotions that were inspired by the author’s own experiences. Highlights the burden of expectations. Hoang always delivers and continues to create beautiful story.

I am having a hard time writing a review of this book because I loved it so much. How do I put into words what kind of emotions it brought forth?
Helen Hoang is so vulnerable and caring in the way she shares Anna's story, which is clearly inspired by something that she has personally experienced. You can see it in the way she creates this world for Anna and Quan. Having read her previous two books, I expected more about Quan, but I was satisfied in the way she tucked him into this story that is primarily about Anna's journey from an adult diagnosis with autism (Aspberger's) and her families expectations and hospice care.
This book is rich in emotion, heritage, and heart. Don't let the cover fool you. It is a story of a woman learning to be seen, of healing, and growing into what she is meant to be. There is definitely romance and some steamy scenes that are perfectly fitted in, too.
Thanks so much for the ARC!

I waited a bit longer for this book, but it was absolutely worth it. Less a book about romantic love, this semi-autobiographical novel focuses more on self love and self care. Hoang has a wonderful writing style, and transitioned seamlessly into first person narrative- a very difficult thing to pull off. Another great work by Hoang and she’ll be on my go to list for years to come.

I knocked off one star for the following reasons: the final part was rushed and wrapped up too quickly, the description says romance but that is not the foundation for the story, and readers should have more warning about a bulk of the work being a caregiver story - not everyone will want to show up for that and that’s ok bc they’ll be rewarded if they do. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my review.

This third installment in The Kiss Quotient series, Hoang crafts a deeply personal story focusing on a violinist's career and life struggles, with a bit of romance thrown in. The love interest, Quan Diep, appeared in the first two novels in the series, so I was looking forward to reading his story. While the novel leaned more toward women's fiction than romance, it was a truly wonderful book.