I already know that this review won’t be able to completely express everything I feel for this book, but I am going to try anyway. The Heart Principle is a journey of two people, Anna and Quan, and their readiness (and willingness) to bare their heart and souls to one another, and to us, the reader. Their story draws you in and shifts your perspective from being just a third party observer to someone who’s completely experiencing what they’re experiencing; it’s intense, unexpected, sexy and wholly vulnerable, adjectives that you’d come to associate with Helen Hoang and her brilliant writing.

Quan has always been my favorite character from the TKQ universe (as I’ve mentioned in previous reviews), even with the little page time he gets from the previous novels, he always manages to shine and bring laughter with every line. It’s impossible even trying to resist falling for his charms (seriously, don’t bother trying). So when I found out his book would come after Khai’s, I was ecstatic, but hooo boy... this was not what I expected his story to be, but at the same time… it fits him perfectly. Quan has so much love to give and it only makes sense that he’d give that love and support to someone like Anna. Likewise, he deserves to be loved and cared for just as fiercely and generously. And note that he’s a different Quan from the one we met before, he’s a warrior in his own right.

I was originally worried that The Heart Principle would cross the boundary between Women’s Fiction and Romance, leaning towards the former, but I was relieved that after reading it, it still stayed in the Romance category. While this book explores both Quan and Anna’s perspectives, it still heavily draws life from Anna’s ordeals. Coming from a Chinese family and a predominantly Chinese community, I absolutely understood the familial pressures Anna was going through; from needing to be academically or artistically gifted to dating the proper type of “Asian”, these types of pressure still exist and a lot of people cave under them. It was both incredible and worrisome how Anna was able to live through all of that without completely breaking down, and she did her best to smile through it all. Which we later discover is called “masking” a mechanism in which autistic persons try and fit into social circles by performing socially acceptable behaviors.

The difference between the ASD rep in this book compared to TKQ and TBT is that we see how Anna navigates being diagnosed with ASD at a later age. It was eye-opening experience seeing things click for Anna, finding answers to questions she didn’t know she had and finally seeing a place for herself in a world that felt so closed off before. One of the things I love about Helen Hoang’s books is the various types of ASD representation we get, there are no set signs or characteristics, while people may have some similar experiences, not all ASD experiences are the same and it was enlightening to see different aspects of the spectrum be shown.

The Heart Principle also has an honest conversation about caregivers and the burdens they carry taking care of family members with ailments. As someone who’s in the healthcare profession, I’ve been privy to discussions with family members who choose to be the ones to take care of their husband, wife, father, mother, so and so who either experienced a stroke or another condition recently or have been living with it chronically, and it’s never easy. Helen Hoang tackles the guilt and pressure these caregivers feel too well and it truly spoke to me (and she discusses how the things Anna went through in the novel partly reflect some of her own experiences as well). At the end of the day, there are some things that are better left to professional caregivers and laying all that responsibility to a lay person, who never volunteered for it in the first place, helps no one.

This was, by no means, an easy book, but it’s easily the most real Romance novel I’ve read in a while and so much of what both Anna and Quan went through (and are still going through but slowly working out) resonated with me. The Heart Principle taught me that we’re all really a work in progress, we’re all a little bruised and some a little broken, but we’re all deserving of love, in all its shapes and forms. And love doesn’t always manifest perfectly for everyone, it could be like Anna and Quan’s love: it started off clumsily, slowly found its bearing, made its leap and landed as best as it could. (I found that I especially liked the way this novel ended, it signified both the end to one chapter of their lives, and the beginning of the next. It was hopeful.)

I didn’t mean it lightly when I said that The Heart Principle was my favorite Contemporary Romance of the year. Since reading the book for the first time back in June, I’ve constantly found myself looking back and rereading certain parts of the book, ones I found comfort and joy in, and even scenes that hurt me. Through the whole journey of The Heart Principle what picks you up and holds your hand to pull you towards the end is Anna and Quan’s profound love. There was so much joy, hard work and honesty in their love—even in the midst of sadness and heartbreak—and that’s the magic of Helen Hoang’s writing.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for providing an advance digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

You guys.
I LOVE Helen Hoang. The Kiss Quotient is still a romance novel that is close to my heart.
I love the representation. Depression, anxiety, autism, ticks... it's all done so well. I love that the characters learn to love themselves, not changing for someone else. I love that the biggest character development in these books is those around the characters beginning to understand.

It makes my heart so happy.

4.5

Months ago, Anna Sun was called upon by her orchestra to perform a last-minute solo at one of their concerts. That solo performance went viral and garnered a lot of attention for Anna. Now, Anna is struggling with the expectations set forth for her by the outside world, and she's been unable to make it all the way through a new piece written especially for her. The longer it takes, the more time she feels she's wasting for everyone looking for her to deliver perfect, beautiful music. Then her long-term boyfriend tells her he wants an open relationship. Well, Anna is not just going to sit around while her boyfriend sees other people so she joins an online dating community where she meets Quan.

The intention is just to meet up for a one-night stand, but when that doesn't go to plan, Anna and Quan reschedule again and again. Finally, they realize that it's not just the promise of sleeping with the other that keeps them trying again and again, it's that they enjoy spending time with each other. And Quan seems to understand and take Anna for who she truly is unlike her family who expect perfection without complaints.

However, when a tragedy strikes within Anna's family and she's called upon to step into the expectations set before her, it just may threaten the beautiful thing between Quan and Anna.

I've always felt like this series speaks on a very personal level which it does as author Helen Hoang pulls many of the same characteristics/situations from her own life. I think it's because of this that this series, with The Heart Principle in particular, resonates to well.

Even if you personally don't 100% identify with Anna, I will guarantee you there is some aspect of her character - or even Quan's - that will make you sit up and say "yes, that's me, I've been there". I think it's Helen Hoang's generous and inclusive writing that makes the reader feel so seen within the pages of her stories.

Now, I say this next part with all the respect and care, for me The Heart Principle wasn't always an easy carefree kind of read. It deals with some heavy topics and many times throughout I felt so caught up in Anna's story that I too could feel almost the sense of smothering under the weight of having no voice.

Anna has lived much of her life not being able to fully express herself because if she does her family points the finger of imperfection at her, and she too wonders what it is that is wrong about her. She has learned to wear a "mask" of agreeability and perfection. But when her therapist diagnoses her as being on the autism spectrum, Anna finds relief in finally understanding herself. I could feel the lightness as Anna finds her strength and gains her voice throughout the story.

Along the journey, Quan provides the support that Anna sorely needs. But it's not just one-sided. Quan, himself, has been in recovery from cancer. It was an experience that understandably and irrevocably changed him. He's not yet sure, in the beginning, that he wants to put himself out there again. But once he meets Anna, that's it. She takes him for who he is no preamble. I just loved how they healed those parts of each other that needed it and provided support to those parts that also needed it. I feel like we need to see more relationships like this in fiction, romance, everywhere. Just the person who so effortlessly understands you on some core level and will stand for you and by you.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. No matter the heavy subject matter, you can be guaranteed that Helen Hoang will deliver the goods.

Now, I'm looking forward to seeing where she goes next. Wherever that is, this reader will be there.

*Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange of an fair review* I received an ebook and digital audio copy.


I love this series. The Heart Principle continues explore a new genre of romance that is more inclusive and humanizing. Anna has always felt different and had to mask her true feelings to the world. Finding out she is on the Autism spectrum is both a relief and devastating, especially since her family fails to give her the love and understanding she's always craved. When her boyfriend of many years suddenly declares he wants to see other people, she isn't all that upset. A change hookup on a dating app allows her to meet Quan Diep (yes, that Quan from the series!), a man dealing with his own challenges but with the capacity to SEE Anna for who she truly is and love her no matter what.

Bottom Line: I adored the book. I'm sad it's over. I want more. The audiobook is also fantastic!

Helen Hoang is one of my favorite authors, and I was looking forward to reading The Heart Principle for quite some time. The Heart Principle is the third book in The Kiss Quotient series, but it's different from previous books. It's a heavier and darker read. This book has dual POVs, and reading some chapters from Anna's point of view was very hard. I could feel her unhappiness and anguish seeping from the pages and making me very sad.

I liked Anna very much and, of course, I loved Quan, whom we met in previous books. But I despised Anna's family, especially her sister, Priscilla. She treated Anna horribly and would sneer at Anna when she was struggling emotionally and asking for help. Quan was the one who understood and supported Anna, unlike her family. The romance between Anna and Quan was beautiful. I also appreciated the author's note (make sure you read it). Helen Hoang poured her heart into this book, and it showed. I highly recommend The Heart Principle, just don't go into it thinking it's a fluffy rom-com. And check the trigger warnings.

I am not an avid romance reader, but this book will definitely be in my top ten this year. As a classical musician myself, I related to Anna and her struggles with being a performing artist, while dealing with personal issues. I have never read a book so spot on with being a professional classical musician and felt beyond seen through Hoang's writing. The Asian American representation was also very relatable and never felt "forced". Hoang tackled autism, family expectations, career expectations, romance, and mental health beautifully. I didn't always agree with the characters, but always understood their motivations. The romance in this book was equally parts steamy and heartfelt. The characters took the time to get to know one another and truly cared for one another, despite the pretense of how they met. This is the kind of romance story girls should be aspiring to, rather than the typical man saves a woman story we hear so often. I cannot praise Hoang enough for tackling real world issues in such a candid vulnerable way.

NetGalley ARC | After hearing about Hoang for so long, we finally had to get on board. Thankfully, you can read The Heart Principle as a standalone. We also saw this one as a BOTM selection.

An upcoming August 2021 romance, we found the story deeply intense, gripping, and heartbreaking -- while uplighting at the same time.

What we most appreciate is the talk about sex, the troubling family dynamics that Anna must overcome, and the caring romance with Quan.

There are many trigger warnings, including suicide ideation, depression, toxic families, cancer, and hospice care.

You can find The Uncorked Librarian's full review here: https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/upcoming-2021-new-book-releases/

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing us with a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was really, really heavy. It had some dark elements as well as interesting. I learned a lot in this book. It started off as a look into quan and Anna but quickly delved into just Anna. The more interesting and complicated of the two. As she discovers more about herself through therapy, love and time. The novel moved slowly through her discover and then sped through her recovery. I was expecting a quick love story but this quickly delivered a lot of insight and life lessons. In a very sad, melancholy way.

The Heart Principle was a book that carved a spot in my heart. I think Anna's character development, and growth, brought tears to my eyes. Her late diagnosis with autism is such an important conversation to hear. Not only does it seem incredibly personal to the author (based on the author's note), but I think it's an important topic to discuss especially considering the ableism Anna experiences. All the masking, the ways her high functioning Autisim has manifested, and her relationships with her self.

Not only was Anna's journey and character growth intensely emotional, in an unexpected turn of events, her family's experience of taking care of a loved one - along with the expectations of her family, the pain and power of love/grief - were incredibly heart wrenching. As someone who has experienced situations where I've had to take care of my loved ones, this element was so incredibly relatable to me and made my heart ache.

I would actually give this book 6 stars if I could. The romance between Anna and Quan was achingly sweet, perfectly steamy, and just all around incredible. But Anna's story and point of view is what really got me. Helen Hoang clearly poured her soul into this one, and it shines through in the amazingly poignant authenticity of what Anna goes through as she learns to be unapologetically who she is for all the world, including her very critical family, to see. Her journey is tremendous and daunting and I was so honored to go along for that ride. This seals the deal: I will voraciously read anything and everything Helen Hoang writes, and you should too.

This is one of those books that people are going to expect to be happy, and then they're going to be destroyed. It is sad. It is hard. It's depressing. But the light at the end of the tunnel is Quan and Anna's romance, and how Anna's therapy and realization of her own masking leads to a new life for her. Does this have as much of the sexiness of Hoang's first novel, The Kiss Quotient? No. Does it have the deep underlying cultural roots of The Bride Test? Not so much. But it does have what I think is the most realistic portrayal of an adult discovering her own neurodiversity, and I think, having read interviews with Hoang, that it's very true to her life. I was super absorbed in this book from the first, and stayed up very late for several nights because Hoang's writing was amazing. And that's something because it is a ROLLER COASTER of emotion. I'm not sure why I thought that a diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum as an adult would be easy. It's not, and I don't think I really understood a lot of it until I read this book. So maybe it's not quite as romantic as the others in the series. But out of all of them, it feels the most real, and that's worth something. Will readers of her other books enjoy it? Definitely. But don't go into this expecting a super romantic, sexy novel.

After becoming a Youtube sensation, violinist Anna Sun is burnt out and finds herself unable to play music. If that wasn’t bad enough, her long-time boyfriend decides they should have an open relationship before they settle down. A hurt and angry Anna decides she’ll go out and have a string of one-night stands with completely unacceptable men. Enter Quan Diep, a tattooed, motorcycle-riding guy with a heart of gold. Anna and Quan's attempts at a one-night stand are unsuccessful because they realize they have amazing chemistry and want to spend more time with each other. Anna also cannot ignore that Quan accepts her unconditionally and doesn't pressure her to do things she isn't comfortable with.

However, when tragedy strikes Anna's family, she finds herself taking on the role of a caregiver, a role that she isn't comfortable with and can’t really do emotionally and mentally. Anna's life starts to become overwhelming and bleak; the only bright spot in her life is Quan. If Anna and Quan want to be together, they will have to stand up and fight for themselves and each other.

The Heart Principle is the third book in The Kiss Quotient series, and it really had a different tone to it. Don't panic, it's still a fabulous book, but it is pretty different from the series's previous two books. To me, this book felt like it was more than just a rom-com love story; it had a personal touch to it. When I read the Author's Note at the back of the book, I learned that Helen wrote this book as a sort of memoir of her life. As a reader, I could hear Helen's voice in this book; it was like she was telling the readers her struggles and the pain she experienced at times in her life. This could not have been an easy book for Helen to write, but I am glad she did because it's a truly remarkable story. I would like to thank Helen for writing such a profound book that helps readers understand what life is like for people who have autism. I hope that this book helps people be more understanding and compassionate to people affected by illness and disabilities.

Now, on to what I thought about the story. I love Helen's books; she does such an excellent job giving her books their own voice and story. The characters and the relationships that they form are diverse and just so likeable. Readers will find that each book in this series is very different, and the books can be read as a series or on their own. The Heart Principle follows the story of Anna and Quan. We have met Quan in previous books, and I am so happy this gorgeous man gets his own book. I must admit I have this slow-burn trope thing going on with this fictional man. I liked him in the first book, had a crush on him in the second book, and fell in love with him in the third book. Quan is sweet, kind, and hella sexy. I also like how he treats Anna. He respects her boundaries, loves her for who she is, and stands by her during the tough times. I also enjoyed seeing a more vulnerable side of Quan, it made him feel more human, and I was able to connect with him better.

Anna is a new character, and this book is really about her journey of healing and coming to terms with the fact that she might be autistic. It was hard at times reading the scenes where Anna struggled to stand up for herself, especially when it came to her relationship with her sister. There were times where I felt like yelling at Anna to grow a backbone. But I would then stop and think that Anna is dealing with an illness and cannot process or react to situations the same way I would. I really started to look at the world through her eyes and how hard her life is, and how much I take my ability to deal with a situation so easily for granted. Anna is also such a loveable and cute character. When she is truly herself, she really shines, and I loved that this fabulous side of her would come out when she was with Quan.

Even though this book really focuses on Anna, there are plenty of romantic and steamy moments between Anna and Quan. Their relationship is full of ups and downs because they both are dealing with their issues. But there are lots of cute moments between these two that will have you swooning. Their relationship also has Helen's trademark slow-burn feel to it, leaving readers feeling hot and bothered (in a good way of course).

The Heart Principle is a heart-wrenching story about healing, finding love, and standing up for yourself.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for giving us the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not quite what I was expecting after The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, both of which I loved. In fact, The Kiss Quotient reignited my long-dormant love of romance fiction when I read it a few years ago, and I didn't think Helen Hoang could exceed my expectations for any book after. But she did it with The Bride Test, and I shouldn't be surprised that The Heart Principle somehow reached new heights.

However, this book is more emotional, serious, and personal than her previous novels, with characters that are more exposed and vulnerable. At times, the romance took a backseat to the other issues that Quan and Anna were facing. Though the expected elements of a romance novel were all there and just as sizzling and satisfying as Hoang's previous novels (honestly, no one writes "consent is sexy, communication is key" as well as she does), they appropriately played a smaller role in this novel and actually supported everything else that was occurring.

The rest of my review contains spoilers.

Deeply heart-wrenching to read at times, this book spoke honestly about a number of issues. Anna Sun is an adult woman who was diagnosed late with ADS and who must come to terms with the fact that she has been masking her whole life to compensate and to appear "normal" and "acceptable" to the people around her.

Her experiences are sometimes painful to read, particularly the interactions she has with her sister and the struggles she has with playing her violin, and as a reader I was filled with dread as we followed her to the brink of autistic burnout and, eventually, suicidal ideation. The events leading up to her mental collapse were what surprised me the most about this novel: caregiver burnout is very real, but so is the guilt and shame that is associated with it, and Hoang addresses the issue head on in a way that is frighteningly relatable. Both Anna's mental health and new diagnosis of ADS are dismissed by someone she loves and admires, and unfortunately, this is not uncommon as the stigma persists.

Ultimately, though, the book is about love and healing and finding the courage to be honest with yourself and those around you, even if that means letting some relationships go if they are actively harming you. Quan's feelings of inadequacy and insecurity following his cancer and Anna's own struggles are what bring them closer together as they heal, both with each other and apart. So this book is a romance, yes, but it is also much more.

I loved this book! It was nice to know that I am not the only person in the world that practices masking. Lol

There is something so raw, emotional and beautiful about this book that makes it really hard for me to put my thoughts into words. Calling The Heart Principle a romance novel feels too small. This was so much more than a love story between Anna and Quan. Don’t get me wrong, I loved their story and think everything about it was absolutely perfect for them. What I mean is that this isn’t just their love story, it is so much more, and I genuinely feel like my review won’t do them justice.

My recommendation is to read the Author’s Note about Anna’s story to better understand it as a whole. This book is told in first person, unlike Helen Hoang’s first two books, which were both told in third person. She explains in the Author’s Note that the reason for that is her deep connection to Anna’s character, and you can feel it. I cried for at least the last twenty percent of this book and teared up many many more times throughout the other eighty percent.

While this is a more emotional book, in my opinion, it still holds all of Helen Hoang’s humor and her writing pulled me right into the story, as it always does. Finally getting Quan’s story and seeing glimpses of Michael, Stella, and even Khai made me insanely happy as well.

After three books, all of which I’ve loved and rated five stars, I think it is safe to assume that there will never be a Helen Hoang book that doesn’t absolutely blow me away.

An interesting start that really pulls the readers in. It settles somewhere on a plain of curiosity where you know for certain how it's going to end but you're still curious to know how it will really end.

A strong part of why I enjoyed this book so much is the level of resonance I had with the main character, Anna. Although, in all fairness, Quan himself is not a character so far off in difference with her in terms of personal struggles.

Helen Hoang did a marvelous job in creating her characters. The fact that the struggles Anna faced was of her own gave her [Anna] a deeply rooted reality that makes her grow out of the pages. Moreover, the flow of writing was so fluid you wouldn't even notice that you're flying through page after page.

As much as I loved the diverse characters and the attention given to autism and caregiver issues, I didn’t love The Heart Principle as much as loved The Kiss Quotient. I still really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

Oof, this one hit me right in the feels. I’ve been looking forward to THE HEART PRINCIPLE for ages, and it was well worth waiting for. While heavier than her previous novels, Hoang still delivered everything readers love (humor and heat) with an extra helping of heart. That happy ending was well-earned, and I look forward to seeing where Hoang goes next!

I have loved Quan from the other books in this series and was so excited he was getting his own story. I really liked this book I want to make that abundantly clear. I wasn’t exactly prepared for how heartfelt the story was going to be though. This is definitely a lot deeper and probably truer to life than the other books of this series.

Quan has been through a pretty big experience over the last few years and it has changed the playboy into a man who is a little nervous to jump into bed with someone. He feels less than, like maybe his body isn’t what it once was and it sometimes doesn’t feel like his own. To rip the band aide off so to speak he decides to try out the dating apps he once used to find a quick hook up.

Anna on the other had is going through some pretty big things in her life. She had some fame due to a YouTube video going viral and it has sent her into this strange spiral where she can’t seem to finish a song anymore. It isn’t perfect enough, it isn’t emotional enough, it isn’t perfect and so she starts over. You can tell right away she is struggling with some pretty big issues right away; her therapist tells her she masks for others to make them comfortable.

***In these modern times, people are told that they have the right to say no anytime they want, for whatever reason they wish. We can let the nos rain from out lips like confetti.
But when it comes to my family, that word is not mine. I’m female. I’m youngest. I’m unremarkable. My opinion, my voice, has little to no value, and because of that, my place is to listen. My place is to respect.***

Then her ‘boyfriend’ wants to have an open relationship before they settle down, together. That is enough to push her out of her comfort zone to try to have a one-night stand to both practice being herself completely and see if she might enjoy sex.

It seems though that Anna and Quan are really having a hard time with the one-night stand thing. Both are a bit nervous and so they are easing in to the one-night stand. Which ends up feeling a lot like dating. Anna and Quan are so cute together. I love how patient he is with her and he is great at not rushing her. Anna gets to see how someone can like her true self with all her quirks and idiosyncrasies.

***Some people collect stamps, I collect quirks, stowing away secret traits about people in my mind like treasure. It makes people real to me, special.***

Anna didn’t know she was on the spectrum, she just thought she was weird and she tried so hard to just fit in. Always thinking about what to say to make the other people in her life happy, no matter what it did to her. She has always been so hard on herself but when she gets this diagnosis it speaks to her.

***No one should need a diagnosis in order to be compassionate to themselves.
But I did. Tough love doesn’t allow room for weakness, and though love is all I’ve known. Maybe for now I can experiment with a different kind of love. Something kinder***

This is really an empowering story. The road Anna has to travel to get better is long. Her issues will not be solved overnight and she has to work at them every day. There are set backs, there are break throughs and in her discoveries of how to be herself she hurts a few people. But it is a heroic journey none the less.

As a romance goes, I have to say Quan is “The Man” he is pretty steady, strong and patient through all of the stuff Anna is going through with her family, with herself and he doesn’t push and tries to remain positive and supportive. This book deals with a lot of issues.

- Having to care for a parent after a stroke and the emotional toll that takes on a family.
- Recovering from cancer and the emotional residue being sick can have on someone.
- Autism and learning how to live with it and love and take care of yourself.
- Family dynamics and dating someone who is not completely adored by your family at first.
- Finding a way to love yourself and all your imperfections.
- Briefly feelings of depression and suicide are discussed and getting help for those.

This is definitely the truest to life story of the bunch and for that it makes me love it. My heart went out to Anna for the struggles she was going through and rejoiced when she finally found her voice and stood up to the people in her life to be able to break patterns and become her own person. These characters will stay with me long after this story because they felt so real.

This book is not like its predecessors. It was an incredibly hard read. In Helen's authors note, she writes that this book is incredibly personal to her and it shows. If you read and loved The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, I have absolutely no doubts you will love The Heart Principle.

Hoang talks about late diagnosis for AFAB people, the struggle with ableism from family members, toxic familial relations, the burden of internal and external expectations, and caregiver burnout. I cried a fair amount during this book.

Hoang does a beautiful job writing the most swoon worthy romances and love stories while incorporating some of the cold harsh truths of reality. It truly is a feat to manage that balance.

All in all, I would absolutely recommend you pick up The Heart Principle (even if, by some great misfortune, you have not read The Kiss Quotient or The Bride Test)