I'm not sure I was ready for The Heart Principle. My heart is still aching after reading this - in a good way, but readers should know this isn't your average, fluffy romance. That should be expected coming from Helen Hoang, but this book is full of heavy emotion. It might take some recovery.

Anna Sun is a violinist who became popular after a video of her playing went viral. Her career takes off, but the pressure to be perfect becomes overwhelming. Now, any time she picks up her violin, she gets stuck on a loop at every mistake and can't even finish a song. Nothing is good enough. She goes to therapy to help fix her career but ends up with more items on her perceived list of problems. Anna only wants to fit in, but never really knows how. She observes people and copies their mannerisms, masking her every thought and feeling. But it's not working. She has been struggling for years and she can't seem to make her family or her boyfriend happy.

When her longtime boyfriend decides they should see other people before settling down, it triggers something within her. Maybe this is her chance to do something for herself for once.

Enter Quan, tattooed and riding on a motorcycle, he seems like the ultimate bad boy, but that's just not the case. A more thoughtful man basically doesn't exist. Quan is recovering from a traumatic illness that took over his life for the last few years. He’s still struggling emotionally but knows he needs to get himself back out there - a one-night stand to take the pressure off. He re-downloads the dating apps and his path crosses with quirky, smart, intriguing Anna.

However, their attempts at a casual hookup don't work. Both of them have their own issues when it comes to sex. They try once, twice, three times. Sure, there's kissing, touching, and all-around good feelings, but there are complications. Despite that, neither are ready to let the other go. The spark between them is built for so much more than a one-night stand. In fact, it might be the only thing that can keep Anna's head above water as tragedy strikes her world. But can that spark survive when there are so many gusts and waves threatening to blow it out?

This story is about so much more than just romance. It goes full force into trauma, family dynamics, caregiving, and all the hurt and pain that surround them. At the core of this story is Anna learning to advocate for her own needs and realizing that what she needs is just as important as what other need from her. I'll say it was very hard to read parts of this book. Anna is so battered down she can't speak up for herself, and I think every reader will be screaming for her to just say something - anything - but of course, it's not that easy. This is not an easy book. But it's so full of heart. Helen Hoang is an immense talent.

When I received the ARC, the note from the publicist warned that this was not The Kiss Quotient; this was not The Bride Test; that this book would be different and gut-wrenching. I went into reading this with as few expectations as I possibly could because, honestly, I'd read a phone book if Helen wrote one.

Helen’s my favorite romance writer, and her past two books are extremely important to me personally and professionally. I know the date of this release has been pushed back for personal reasons. I would’ve waited another five years if it meant being able to read another book from Helen. This book did not disappoint. Yes, it was different, but I think this book needed to exist somewhere in the world. From the very first page, I could tell that this page is immensely personal to Helen. I related to so much of what she wrote about: as both a creative and someone enmeshed in sometimes difficult family dynamics. There is the characteristic quirky humor many readers are familiar with. There were some lines that genuinely made me giggle, and it reminded me why I love her writing (Am I going to go watch nature documentaries now? Yes.); the climax of Anna’s character arc made me gasp, and I felt so deeply for her. But I think what has always shone through the most, especially in this book, is Hoang’s ability to create a truly, deeply emotional, very human experience. Her writing is accessible, immersive, and unique as ever. In this case, she writes about her character’s difficulties with family members coming to terms with her autism diagnosis; burnout as a creator; burnout as a caretaker; struggling with sexuality; and nearly imploding underneath the expectation from our family members, the same people who we expect to love us but can sometimes also crush us. I went into this hoping for a powerful love story, but I think I came away from it with so much more. Ultimately, the book is about fighting for yourself and loving yourself. Not everyone will love how this story turned out, but I think the people who need it will keep this book in their hearts for a very, very long time.

Yes, Quan is everything I’d hoped he be. <3 We also see cameos from other beloved characters for past books! I’m so thankful this book exists, and that I got to read an ARC of it. Thank you, NetGalley.

This may be a very odd comparison, considering this is a contemporary romance novel, but I think if readers liked “Crying in H Mart,” “The Heart Principle” will also resonate with you.

Anna's life feels out of control, she is struggling to play her next piece and her boyfriend has declared he wants an open relationship. Her friends convince her to try one-night stands to learn more about herself and exact some turn about on her boyfriend, But on her very first attempt she meets Quan who is struggling with his own things. They connect in an unexpected way. When Anna's family 'needs' her she finds herself falling back into family expectations and Quan does not fit their expectations. Will Anna have to lose herself and Quan for her family? A story of family expectations, unexpected connections, and finding a way to be yourself even when it is not what your family wants.

I am writing this in tears, and I believe this might be one of the best books I have ever read. I had no idea how hard this book would be to read for me personally and how much I would love it when I started it last week. This book is an amazing addition to Hoang’s work, and so touching and thoughtful. I personally have been a caregiver to an elderly, dying father and my husband went through testicular cancer, so I believe that this book touches upon love, grief, heartache, depression, anxiety, and hope in a beautiful and poignant way. I will recommend this book for everyone, but particularly for anyone experiencing the singular pain and loneliness of caregiving for a loved one while sick. Quan and Anna’s love story was hard to read at times, but so real, lovely, and sexy that I will never forget them. Thank you for giving me this book, and I will recommend it for all time.

Wow. Words can't express how amazing this book is and moving it is to read. This is the third novel in a series by Helen Hoang where one of the main characters is on the autistic spectrum. Because of the range of the spectrum each character is unique in how autism impacts their lives. Alice Sun is a violist with the San Francisco Symphony and a YouTube sensation. She is overwhelmed with the challenges of her new success and the need to be perfect. While struggling with her playing and her need to please people, her boyfriend of five years suggests they see other people so they can be sure they are right for each other.

Alice decides to try a dating app and meets Quan Diep. Quan is insecure with his body after successful cancer treatments. He is planning on one night stands to boost his confidence. The one night stand plan isn't successful but the two like and trust each other. There is much more depth to the story and I don't want to give everything away. The MC's are fabulous and the story is told alternating in first person from their POVs. To be inside Alice's mind is fascinating and overwhelming. Quan is simpler to understand but he has his own challenges and strengths.

I related to Alice with tissues in hand as she struggles to be a caregiver to her father. As a daughter of someone who was homebound for 3 years, one of those fully bed bound from the effects of Parkinson's, I understood her emotions. I can't imagine adding in the issues of culture expectations and living with ASD.

This can be read as a romance with heat, which it is, but it is so much more. It has humor and sweetness and is heart wrenching and hopeful to read. Many of the aspects of this book lets it easily crossover into women's fiction. This is a novel I will remember long after I've finished reading and will gladly recommend to my friends. It easily stands alone but does have cameos from the MCs in the first two books. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Sigh-smile-cry : I’m repeating this routine for last 28 hours after finishing this book because I keep replaying the special moments of the story on my mind. It affected so much more than I expected!

I can honestly say two things about this freaking brilliant story: it’s the most intense, sad, emotional book of the series with most adorable characters.And it’s also best of best book of the series.

Yes, it extremely sentimental, touching your soul, making you sad and stabbing you my heart several times with tiny little glass pieces. You are shaken to the core. You feel so much and it makes you exhausted.

Both of the main characters are so real, genuine, struggling, suffering, exhausted, carrying so much on their shoulders. It’s so easy to connect with them and their problems they’re dealing with.

Especially Anna’s family dynamics, her fight against her own anxiety issues, the pressure she feels to adjust and form normal social relationships are so familiar to me.

There are so many sensitive issues are realistically addressed in this book including grief, terminal disease, cancer, caretaking, stroke, AS. Each issues are discussed open heartedly and teaches us a lot to help connecting with our own life problems and our loved ones who also suffered or still suffering from the same issues.

Anna Sun is a talented violinist who became popular with a viral YouTube video , her career takes out. She goes to international tour, getting record deal and modern composer writes a piece just for her. But after the virtual popularity and being called as music prodigy from several highly important music authorities she feels like suffocated for carrying extra pressure on her shoulders to be unique and perfect! She’s overwhelmed by people’s high expectations. Now she gets lost playing in loops because nothing is good enough.

That’s not her only issue forced her to see a therapist ( if they adapt this book in movie: I hope Jen Anniston plays the therapist) She’s full time people pleaser. She always put people’s needs first and she has no idea what makes her happy, what she truly wants or desires. She observes people and copy their manners to feel normal and be part of social circle.

But she has been struggling for years and she cannot make her family or her boyfriend happy. She never feels good enough! Something should be wrong about her!

When her self centered, narcissistic douche bag boyfriend who never cares to listen her opinions decides they should see different people before getting married ( by the way he didn’t even ask her to marry with him) she gets flabbergasted and angry. Her virtual musician friends encourage her to use dating sites for rebound!

And that’s how her faith crosses with the most sweet, charismatic, kind hearted Quan who can check all the boxes for best book boyfriend ( I think I need extra review space to tell how much I loved him. )

Quan recently survived from a fatal disease. He’s still emotionally struggling but luckily he has lovely supporting family, a great friend and also business partner Michael who may be defined as real brother for him. After his trauma and critical surgery, he buried his head into his kids apparel business he created which attracts attention of leading fashion companies of the industry.

With Michael’s endorsement, he applies dating sides and his path crosses with quirky, smart, intriguing Anna. They start texting, discussing documentaries and their common adoration about the octopus they’ve seen on series.

They decided to have one night hookup but they both have issues to keep things casual and trust a stranger when they’re so sensitive and scared. So several hookup tries later, Quan realizes he doesn’t want to stop seeing her and Anna feels the same about him.

But people make plans God laughs. A family tragedy strikes and Anna takes on role that she’s ill suited for, until her family demands threaten to destroy everything she built with Quan.

It’s sad, meaningful, heart wrenching, powerful and one of the most genuine, real, touchy, soul crushing romantic story. This book is about our traumas, our family issues, being brave, liberating ourselves, taking risks, getting out of our shelves, destroying the barriers we built, our weaknesses make us who we are, power of true love!

No more words! This is best romance of the year. And the best book Helen Hoang has written! I freaking loved it so much!

So many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy of the most anticipated book of the year with me in exchange my honest opinions..

This book took me less than 24 hours, start to finish. I fell in love with the characters from their first sentences. The depth of emotion in this book was so much stronger than her previous two, but it is, in my opinion, the by far best of her books so far. It's not a happy little love story, it's a potent and real and hard and beautiful love story.

Wow.... Helen Hoang never fails to amaze me. The Heart Principle was fantastic. When an author can make me feel what the character feels so viscerally.... there really is nothing like it. I loved this so much. So worth the wait.

Violinist Anna Sun is a YouTube sensation. Not only does she have a viral video of herself playing the violin, but she also has a great boyfriend. On the surface it looks as though her life is idyllic. But Anna is struggling. Struggling with her violin practice, struggling to always appease her older sister and her parents and now she’s also struggling with her relationship. When her boyfriend suggests they have an open relationship, Anna is hurt. But if he can see other people then she can too. Anna turns to the most recent dating app to help her with her predicament.

Quan hasn’t dated or been with anyone in some time. After a recent health scare, Quan doesn’t feel completely like himself. When his cousin Michael suggests Quan date or even casually see someone, Quan decides to try his luck with dating apps. Soon Anna and Quan are chatting via the dating app. And what starts as a one night stand suddenly turns into more. Will these two be able to see themselves in a long term relationship?

I enjoyed the relationship between Anna and Quan. There’s was an unconventional love story. From their chats to their first meeting, I loved how patient they were with one another. Both Anna and Quan are at a point in their lives, where they are trying to figure out who they are. Their respective worlds have recently been turned upside down and they feel as though they have a common link and person who grounds them. I liked that they both go through this process together even though they started as strangers

After reading both The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, I couldn’t wait to get to Quan’s story! He is definitely one of my favorite characters in the series. Be forewarned though that The Heart Principle isn’t a light read. Although there were definitely moments that had me laughing (Quan + Michael + Khai are the best!), there were definitely a lot of heavier topics discussed. There is definitely something to be said about an author that can make me feel so much. There were moments where I was so angry on behalf of the characters and also moments that had my heart hurting.

While I did enjoy The Heart Principle, I do feel like I wanted more of Anna and Quan together. I completely understand that Anna is fighting her own battles and so is Quan, but I really loved their scenes together and wanted more of them.

I appreciate Helen’s representation of autism. As with The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, I feel as though I am more knowledgeable about the spectrum. Helen’s note at the end of the book was touching and definitely gives us more of an insight to Anna’s character and Helen’s feelings while she was writing this deeply emotional book.

Tired and burnt out from a lifetime of pretending to be someone she isn’t, violinist Anna Sun gets another twist in her life when her long-term boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship. So Anna gets online and finds herself a one-night stand in the form of the tattooed and kind-hearted Quan Diep, who is also looking for something simple to ease him back into dating after a health crisis.

But their first date doesn’t go quite as planned, leading to another, and another….

Anna and Quan’s budding relationship then gets tested when a family emergency gives Anna more than she can handle. She has to figure out how to live honestly as herself instead of knuckling under and saying “Yes” to everything. Can she hold on to Quan, whose unconditional acceptance gives her a safe place to call her own?

This book has plenty of sexytimes that are more about the developing relationship than just titillation. In fact, I love it when romance novels show getting past “bad” sex as an important part of an honest relationship. Seeing Quan accept and care for Anna (while being totally sexy and vulnerable himself) turns me into a hearts-in-the-eyes cartoon. It’s adorable.

The middle of the story goes to incredibly dark places, and I was wondering how it was possible to deliver the HEA. (I do think that some of the humor that drew me into the first third go missing in the later parts, which is too bad, but the high drama would make getting the tone balanced difficult.)

This book was 100% worth the wait. And after reading the author's note and acknowledgements, I'm even more grateful to have read it, much less to get an advance copy (from NetGalley, thanks to the publisher). Also, #ownvoices bonus for the honest and lovely depiction of its neurodiverse heroine.

**minor spoilers**

The Heart Principle is raw, emotional and so real. While this is still part of The Kiss Quotient series, this book deserves to be classified differently. This could be read as a standalone literary fiction. This is about learning who you are, accepting who you are and standing up for yourself to be treated the way you deserve. I want to briefly discuss some of the important themes found within this book, but there are so many more important discussions in this book. I just can't write about them all in one post!

1. Mental health: Wow. I loved how real this book was. This book was told in first person, so you really connected and felt Anna and Quan's emotions. Through Anna's different relationships you see how they change throughout the book as Anna learns what is best for her mental health. This book discusses therapy, communicating with loved ones, saying NO, showing emotion, and asking for help. You also get to see glimpses of Quan, Anna's mom and sister's mental health as well.

2. Autistic spectrum relationships: I will talk about the romantic relationship, but I want to highlight that this book also focuses on important discusses relationships with family and friends The ending scene when you see who is supporting Anna in the crowd made me emotional, and I was so sad to see who wasn't there. Anna's conversation with her mom towards the end broke me. Quan was an amazing supportive partner, and he lets Anna be herself. Quan handled his own emotions well when thinking about how Anna was feeling. He was able to understand what Anna couldn't say out loud. While this story deals with tough topics, this also had many heartfelt swoony moments! Some favorite scenes were when Quan said he would wear rainbows in public with Anna, when they were equally nerding out with documentaries about octopus, and my absolute favorite scene was with the butterfly garden! Helen's dedication to her husband and kids had me in tears! *heart eyes*.

3. Caregiver burnout: This is not talked about enough. Reading this book took me back to memories of visiting my grandma in the hospital and at the rehab facility while I was in high school. I am still haunted by the memories of watching her, waiting for her to take her breath. I would visit with my mom as much as I could in the months leading up to her death. Then afterwards we realized my grandma was hiding my grandpa's memory issues, and my grandma's death made Alzheimer's progress rapidly. We went years of trying to help my grandpa, and t was a relief when he died because I knew he would be with my grandma again. This story helped me realize it is okay to feel the way that you do, and that it is okay to say that you are not okay. It is also important to listen when others say they need help. Believe them and help them any way you can.

4. **MOST IMPORTANT** Take time for yourself. YOU ARE ENOUGH. As readers we fall in love with authors, and we become such devoted fans that we immediately hound them for their next book. We get so excited that we forget that authors are people just like us. Lately there have been discussions about negative reviews and tagging authors, but this book opens up a discussion about pressure to write more books. I will never beg for a book to be released early or get upset if a book release is delayed ever again. When I think about what I do for a career I couldn't imagine getting pressured the way authors do. I am forever grateful to read more books by authors I love, but I understand if they choose to no longer write or wait 10 years in between books.

Helen if your next books aren't what you hoped they would be, then that is okay. I will still read anything you write because I want to support you because you are a strong, resilient artist. Thank you so much Berkley for my eARC. This story will stay with me forever. Helen thank you for taking care of yourself and for sharing your beautiful writings.

Another beautiful book from Helen Hoang. In her Acknowledgements, she notes that this was far more personal for her, and you can feel it from not only the first-person perspective but also from the heart-wrenching self-awareness that the heroine navigates. This book has more tragedy than her others, and the romance is beautifully used as a counterpoint to show how support makes all the difference.

Two individuals from different worlds that cross paths towards the way of healing, and learning more about each other for the better of their individual selves... .

Years of anticipation made us all Helen Hoang lovers crave Quan's novel for a very long time. Now that's finally here there is a lot that shocked me while reading his book. This is not just a romance novel that touches base on two characters that find the best of each other both physically and emotionally. This is also a story of a young woman who struggles with the institution of finding herself and accepting her real identity as a woman that is part of the spectrum. The beauty of it all, with the knowledge that we know of Helen's personal story as being part of the spectrum as well, is the first pov difference in comparison to the first and second novel that we got.

With Anna being at a cross roads of accepting the open relation her boyfriend wants to be in, or separate from the one person whom she has thought will be the one for her due to the fact that her family adores him. She has to come to a realization by herself that saying "no" is a standing decision that is an inner struggle. Because all she wants is to please her family and the struggle to say "no" is not an easy task. Especially when her older sister puts so much pressure on her to not have an "attitude" and act like the way she should be acting. With that, Anna is also stuck with the fact that she must find some inspiration to help her finish her violin piece that has been in the loop of not ever being done.

And then we have Quan... the sexy, kendo lover, tattooed big hulk of a man that has a heart made of passion and love. A teddy bear of a man who wants nothing more in life than to love Anna and make her feel comfortable with herself. But at the same, he keep himself guarded after a life changing choice he had to make that made him doubt whether he would ever be able to be with someone as beautiful and smart as Anna. And when they are both finally together, he learns that struggle of being accepted by her family is not an easy task either. Something in which I can relate to as being part of the hispanic culture, where your parents will always want the best for you and will judge anyone who comes in the way. Even without them knowing you. And that is the first encounter he comes across when he meets Anna's parents. Being judged is not something new to him, but not being accepted after demonstrating that he is worthy is unlike his character. But no matter what, Anna will always accept him the way he is, and her path with his will always align;
"I'm not surprised that I'm coming straight to her. My compass always points to her..."

With that being said, this is a story filled with personal acknowledgment by Helen. A story that will give you an insight to her inner mental battles as a woman in this generation that is part of the spectrum. Not everyone can understand, but knowing what to do and what not to do is also a good insight to those whom cannot express themselves in the spectrum. Helen knows how much I appreciate her as an author, and she knows that hers have a strong power to brake it or make it in the book community. To end this long review, I just want to give you a fair warning to have your box of tissues ready... because you will need 'em.

5 stars! I loved it! I cried! Helen Hoang's best to date!

It's been a long wait for Quan's book, but it was worth it. I already love all of Hoang's characters, however this book felt so incredibly personal and so heart-filled, it go to be my favorite of hers.

After 5 years together, Anna's boyfriend suggests that they open up their relationship, so that they know they are not missing out on anything before they decide on the marriage. As he proceeds to immediately hook up with other people, Anna decides that she should have a one-night stand of her own too.

On the other hand, after 2 years filled with health issues, Quan is considering getting back in the game and wants to start with an easy hookup.

Anna and Quan are matched on the same dating app, and voila. However, their attempts at a casual hookup don't work. Both of them have their own struggles. They try once, twice, three times. Smutty things happen, but there are complications. When does this, whatever this is, become a real relationship?

I love these people. I love their deep human connection. Anna and Quan are just so, so nice, so vulnerable and open. It has to be said, I am glad the era of "a bad boy" is over. Nice and kind and caring is what's sexy now.

But besides this hot and sweet romance, The Heart Principle is much more. There is a conversation about diagnosing autism in women, learning to advocate for one's needs, there is a recovery after serious health scares and the psychological burden of caring for terminally sick. It's not a light, easy book. But it's so full of heart. No wonder, it is based on Helen Hoang's personal experience.

I've said it about Helen's previous two books, and I'll say it again about The Heart Principle. Read it. You'll love it.

I gave The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test five stars, so now I need a sixth star to emphasise how Hoang's latest book was my absolute favourite. The Heart Principle was everything I wanted, and so much more. Hot, sweet, sad, deeply personal. This is a big claim, but it genuinely might be my favourite romance novel ever.

As always, Hoang's author's note explains her personal reasons for writing this kind of story, but I suspected early on that the raw emotions the book explores, and the sad places it goes to, were inspired by her own experiences. For one thing, The Heart Principle is written in first person, not third like her other books, which I generally prefer for romance anyway. For another, I felt completely immersed in this story, pulled so entirely into Anna and Quan's world, their feelings and experiences seeming so real.

There's a lot going on in this book; a lot more than a romance, though that is done excellently too. Anna and Quan are so lovely (I think “I’ll wear rainbows out with you" is the most romantic thing I've ever heard a guy say) , so kind, their vulnerabilities so real, yet the chemistry between them sizzles off the page. One thing Hoang continues to excel at is writing sexy romances where neither of the protagonists are assholes.

As I said, though, there's a lot more than romance going on here. It is about a woman being diagnosed with ASD later in life and beginning to make sense of everything she had previously struggled to mask. It's also about caregiving for someone who is terminally ill, and I really appreciate the discussion Hoang has opened with this. A lot of caregivers find themselves struggling and unable to cope, though they feel too guilty to ask for help. Nobody should feel too ashamed to ask for help when they need it. And the book is also about depression and anxiety, how they can make you feel immobilised, and the long journey of fighting against these illnesses.

It's also, I think, about the burden of expectations. From society, to perform a socially acceptable role. From family and friends, when it comes to caregiving. And from an audience, when you've gained a certain amount of popularity. It makes me sad to think this quote from Anna might reflect Hoang's own feelings:

The truth is art will never be as effortless as it used to be, not now that people have expectations of me.


It's another beautiful emotional book from an author who seems to put so much heart into everything she creates.

When one of your most anticipated books lands in your lap, you stop everything & read it. And that’s exactly what I did with The Heart Principle.

This story is about Anna & Quan, two people who are very different from one another, yet find themselves at just the right moment in their lives. Anna is struggling to find her voice with her violin & Quan is battling his own insecurities from a recent health issue. What begins as what’s supposed to be a one night stand, quickly alters into something much deeper & more complicated.

To avoid spoilers, I won’t list the specifics of their challenges, but I will warn readers that it is very heavy, very raw, & very emotional.

I do believe books find us when we need their stories the most. The Heart Principle found its way to my own heart when I needed it, the most. Once again, thank you Helen Hoang, for gifting us with a beautiful story - something tangible that allows readers to feel deeper than any printed word ever can. This one here, it’s a fighter, so stay with it. Its story is worth every tear, every ache, & absolutely every swoon.

I loved this book. It feels deeply personal for Hoang and you truly feel her experience coming through. It gave me a rollercoaster of emotions, it is a fitting end for the series. I look forward to her future works and cannot stress enough how much I loved this book, especially the articulation of the burnout I'm feeling over the last year.