This book was not it for me. Some romances just feel a bit too unbelievable. Not enough to feel like a full fantasy, just enough to feel a bit off. And this was one of those for me.

The Heart Principle includes:
-Adult romance
-Chinese female MC/ Vietnamese male MC
-Female mc is neurodivergent

Anna has been dating her boyfriend for 5 years but one night he tells her that he wants them both to take time apart to see other people to see if they are actually right for each other. After some time Anna thinks that she maybe does want casual sex and joins several dating apps. Quan hasn't been seeing anyone for a while because his health hasn't allowed him to, but his cousin Michael encourages him to try and get back in the game. Anna and Quan match and they immediately hit it off. However, when they meet their first attempt at a one-night stand fails as does the second and third. But over time they both realise that they are both good for each other and being together is more than just sex.

I've been anticipating this book for so long and unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped. When Entertainment Weekly released an excerpt in 2019 I instantly fell in love with and it made me excited even more. But then months later it was announced that this book will be going in a different direction. I didn't think too much of it as I absolutely loved the other two instalments. I was expecting a fun, lighthearted book as reading about Quan in the other 2 books he was such a fun character and a fantastic brother to Khai. I was expecting to fall in love with him more here, but he just felt like a side character in this book and didn't have much character development

Despite this, this book did focus on Anna’s growth and was executed well. As Helen Hoang states in her author’s note this was a personal story to her as Anna’s struggles were hers. It was very heartbreaking to read about Anna’s thoughts and feelings and I related a lot to her. I liked seeing her heal and finally stand up for herself. The plot mainly focuses on mental health which is not a problem and I like reading about it, but I expected the main plot to be romance.

This book also includes infertility, the loss of a loved one and gaslighting so proceed with caution if these topics are triggering.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The issue is I had high expectations and expected something different which is why I'm a little disappointed, but don't let my review discourage you as this story can resonate with many people due to how personal it is, especially Asians and POC who face pressure from parents and not being able to be themselves.

Thank you @netgalley and @atlanticbooks for an e-arc.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, having not been that enamoured with the first book in this series (I have not yet read 'The Bride Test.') The subject matter was much heavier than typical romance novels, and the central relationship felt so much more impactful as the characters slowly revealed their vulnerabilities to each other rather than falling in love/lust straight away. The exploration of family dynamics, with the contrast of Quan's network of support to Anna being crushed by the weight of her sister and mother's expectations was also very well done, which contributed to my usually dread third conflict trope feeling believable and earned, with the novel building up to that point. The depiction of Anna's ASD (which I believe derives from the author's own experience) felt so honest and really added another layer to the story, and I loved how it didn't make her any less desirable to Quan, who was so respectful and patient throughout their relationship.

(Many thanks to Netgalley and Atlantic Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.)

After the reading the Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test I was so excited to read Quan’s story. This did not disappoint. Such a wonderful, emotional, painful and real book. Quan still had those lovely qualities that made me always want more of his story. Loved him throughout this and how HH was not afraid to show his vulnerability and struggle following his illness and the resulting changes. How he was with Anna, that care, respect, love and understanding was everything.

Anna was wonderfully written and her journey to fully understanding herself and her diagnosis was so heartbreaking and painful at times but incredibly real. Those complicated family dynamics and having to suppress yourself to please people felt so relatable.There were a lot of heavy issues the author dealt with in relation to Anna especially in relation to the negative impact her masking was having on her emotional, mental and physical health. I felt they were handled with great sensitivity and honesty.

Anna and Quan had excellent chemistry. I loved how they were with each other They managed to bring the heat and the softness. An excellent read which has been well worth the wait (5 ⭐️)

This book is excellent. Anna and Quan are amazing. Helen Hoāng is the very best.

I thought this book was a brilliant five star read whilst reading it. The depiction of an adult woman's struggle to be who her family demand she is, how she learns that the behaviours she finds difficult are so for a reason - she is on the autism spectrum, how she starts to deal with and own that; all of it is exceptionally weaves into and around a sexy, passionate and loving romance.

Then there came the exceptional portrait of the strength, pain, resilience and flat out too much that caring for a sick loved once can ask of you. You are not less if you find it hard. If you just can't do it. If it makes you feel impotent, helpless or angry. You are a certain kind of wonderful if it doesn't make you feel that way, but there is a reason non-relatives can, at times, be better caregivers - some of us aren't built for it, and even if we are sometimes we can love someone in a way that makes it hard to see them on their deathbed.

The narrative overall looks at consent in a way no book I've ever read before has. Anna's relationship with her family is one wherein she is never allowed to say no. She has to do what is asked of her even if it feels wrong to her, and she has to do it without complaint and with a smile on her face. Along comes Quan, who seeks to establish genuine sexual consent and Anna is...overwhelmed. The book shows how a partner giving you space to consent, reconsent, to not consent....it is all kind of futile if your parents, your family, your friends have never given you space to make genuine choices without judgement, to trust your own mind and to use your voice to express it. Consent doesn't start with sex. It never has, and of a person is taught they have now power or agency in their life, a sexual partner asking for consent may not seem like a genuine offer.

Quan. Last but not least, Quan ❤ Strong, intelligent, caring and sexy - with this romantic hero the reader is asked to genuinely consider notions of male body insecurities, of toxic standards of masculinity and of what it means for a man to emotionally deal with the after effects of health trauma. It is so, so well done I can't even begin to explain how happy men would be with it if they were to pick up this book. I imagined the Bromance Book Club reading it and absolutely losing their minds for it.

So, yeah, I thought this books was brilliant whilst I was reading it.

And then I read the author's note. Helen Hoāng is amazing, and I can't actually express how much it means to know that an author is willing to share so much of herself to represent and support others. I will buy any book she ever publishes.

I have never been disappointed by Helen Hoang and this is no different. She writes with such heart and I love that she portrays autism in romance novels. It means so much to me!

This is my first book by Helen Hoang and it won’t be the last! I LOVED this book 🥰 I was expecting a fluffy romance but this was SO much more! I don’t really give 5 stars unless it was a truly exceptional book, welcome The Heart Principle as my first ever 5 star book.

The story is about Anna who has a bunch of issues going on in her life, her struggles with them and how she learns to overcome them. I love the relationship between Anna and Quan, since they both have their own battles but they help one another through them no matter what. I felt I could relate to Anna as I’m also from an Asian family, so I understood some of what she went through family wise. I was totally rooting for Anna throughout the book.

The author’s note at the end was truly emotional and definitely needs to be read. I had no idea this book is the third of a series, so the first two are going onto my TBR for sure.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

In enjoyed reading it. It was a funny reading but in the same time didn't expect it to be so complex about the emotions involved in taking care of the people around or dealing with the emotions when discovering more about own persona. I was hoping for Michael and Khai to be in the story and they were.

WOW. I was not expecting to love this so much. Anna Sun is a violinist who is struggling in almost every aspect of her life, but especially when it comes to her career. Quan is struggling with his identity after a health scare. These two meet when they're both in a bad place, and yet they never judge each other, they never ask for more than the other can give. Their love feels so genuine, so pure and natural. It definitely has some steamy moments but unlike the other two novels in this series, the love almost feels like it takes a back seat as Anna deals with a downturn in her mental health following a family crisis, and a lot of this book follows her growth as she learns to advocate for herself and her health. The authors note made this book hit even harder and I really can't recommend it enough.

'The Heart Principle' is the first novel I have read from Helen Hoang, and will certainly not be the last. The raw emotions on display left me reeling and have stayed with me long after I finished reading. Anna is a violinist on-leave from the San Francisco symphony, stuck in a self-destructive loop and experiencing emotional burnout. To add to her burden, her boyfriend insists they open their relationship. In her quest for a one-night stand, she meets lovely Quan, cancer survivor and entrepreneur. Their attraction is destined to be something more than a brief fling - we are left to wonder whether their love will survive against the reality of life, loss and familial expectations.

Anna and Quan are not your typical romance novel protagonists. Their story is not neat - it is characterised by suffering and struggle, yet this makes their love something to admire and fully invest in. I raced through the novel, emotionally drained but driven by wanting to know the outcome of Anna and Quan's story. Helen Hoang channelling her experience of autistic burnout and caring for an unwell parent makes this book personal, raw and real. It is an essential read for anyone who enjoys a well-plotted romance firmly rooted in the truth of the human experience.

All in all, Helen Hoang has written something beautiful which many readers are going to love and feel seen in its pages. I already have her other two novels waiting on my Kindle ready to devour - I can only hope they are as emotionally affecting and romantically stirring. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Heart Principle centres Anna Sun, who after accidentally achieving career success from a viral violin performance, finds herself with creative block and burned out. On top of this, her boyfriend announces he wants to date other people before finally committing to her. Hurt and angry, Anna creates an online profile and meets Quan with the intention of a one-night stand. Their attempts to hook up fail because being with Quan is more than just sex. When a tragedy strikes, Anna and Quan must fight for their change at love, but to do that, they also must fight for themselves.

I enjoyed this book, but admittedly it wasn’t quite as I had expected. It is a very deep and emotional story, obviously very personal to Hoang as explained in the authors note at the end. There is a large focus on autism spectrum disorder, mental health, anxiety, and depression – I did find it refreshing and I’m so pleased to see these represented so unashamedly and honestly.

The story is very different to the others in the Kiss Quotient series, and I felt it had very little romance. There was a large focus on Anna and I would have loved more exploration of Quan. At times, I really felt for him because he had his own personal struggles on top of having to compete with Anna’s boyfriend, care for her and try to become accepted by her family.

I would recommend this one! It is bittersweet and I loved watching Anna and Quan’s relationship develop. Be warned for an emotional one.

Talk about reading a book in one sitting!
This story proves once again why it was one of my most anticipated read of the year or better said years now. But I’m so happy that the author took her time because it’s just the perfect romance book that you’ll fall in love with without even realising.
I loved how everything starts and while I mightn’t be so brave as Anna to start over or just give a chance to a new experience after her douche boyfriend did what he did, I was rooting for her all the way through.
Quan was the perfect hero in every possible imaginable way. Caring , assertive and very thoughtful, he was there for Anna even when he wasn’t asked for it.
There’s a few topics that are tackled here and I love how the author managed to give them voice and true colours.
Family dynamics and interventions aren’t always the best, and while I hated her sister for so many reasons, I cheered Anna on her way to break the chain and just be herself.

I really hope we’ll get to see this series on the screen soon because it’s worthy much more than anything else.

Very grateful to the publisher Atlantic Books for my review copy.

Witty, charming & heartfelt! I love Helen Hoang's romances because they're thoughtful, steamy & packed with fun sentiment. The 3rd book in the series was so worth the wait!

Helen Hoang knows how to grip you. Right from the start I was hooked, just like I was with The Kiss Quotient (another 5 star read).

I love that this book touches on so many sensitive and delicate subjects. I genuinely felt my heart breaking and a pounding in my chest alongside the characters.

The authenticity shown behind each autistic character that Helen Hoang portrays does so much justice and helps the reader to understand how it is to think differently to what you’re used to. This is shown in the heartfelt authors note that made me fall in love with her writing style even more.

Each character in this book are so unique, I love Quan and his supportive nature. How no matter what he has been through and is currently going to he is able to still concentrate on others, which makes him feel like a genuine character.

There isn’t a part of this book that didn’t flow or any cliches that normally come with a romance novel. Because it is so much more than that ans 100% worth the read.

I've loved all of Helen Hoang's books, and 'The Heart Principle' did not disappoint. Anna's struggle with her autism diagnosis, and then with her father's illness really hit hard.

The romance between Anna and Quan was so sweet (and sexy), and I loved how patient Quan was when Anna was struggling. The inevitable third act conflict didn't even really bother me the way they usually do, as often I find the third act conflicts in romance novels to be very forced. However, due to how intense and horrible Anna's situation was, while preventable, the conflict did feel realistic.

I also urge everyone to make sure they read the author's note at the end of the book, it really brings the whole novel into context, and gave me a new appreciation for how amazing Helen Hoang is.

I was super eager to read this one, after binging the other books in the series this year. I love Hoang's romances, they're diverse, imperfect and believable (and cough, steamy, cough) but this one struck a new level for me. It was raw and real, I cried multiple times reading this book! A perfect example of why contemporary romance is so much more than 'chick lit'.

Anna is a violinist who has been struggling since a video of her went viral. Now she is stuck in a loop of practicing music but never feeling good enough.
When her boyfriend tells her he wants an open relationship she confides in her friends, who tell her to go and have some fun of her own. She meets Quan via a dating app. He has his own issues he is dealing with, but wants to be with Anna. Will they find a way to be together?

A great read,which is qute emotional at times.

I like how Michael and Stella from The Kiss Quotient appear in the book too.

Oh my. ‘The Heart Principle’ maybe my favourite out of Helen Hoang’s books so far! I loved the characters and story, and basically everything about this book. While in ‘The Kiss Quotient’ and ‘The Bride Test’ I have enjoyed the author’s writing style, and rep in the books, I wasn’t as much in love with the main storyline. But ‘The Heart Principle’ not only delivered on my favourite aspects of Helen Hoang’s books, but also had a storyline that resonated more with me, and lovable characters that I absolutely adored.

Anna is a violinist struggling with her career and a long-term relationship that may have an expiration date when her boyfriend announces he wants to try an open relationship for a while, while Quan is dealing with the aftermath of cancer and coming back to living the rest of his life. I really liked Quan, who appeared in the previous books by Helen Hoang as a secondary character, and it was lovely to see him at the forefront of his love story this time. But Ana is also interesting, full, and raw character. As always, in Helen Hoang’s books, I have enjoyed the characters’ bonds with their families and the friendships and families’ interaction – Helen Hoang writes these so well!

Helen Hoang’s books never shy away from hard topics, and it was true in ‘The Heart Principle’ as well. This time, Anna has to deal with her father’s quickly deteriorating health, and the book asks serious questions of whether sometimes prolonging somebody’s life by all means may mean making them miserable, and how to say goodbye. ‘The Heart Principle’ is a romance, but it’s not a completely light-hearted or uplifting one (even though it has those moments). Anna and Quan’s story feels more real as a result, and you grow to care about these characters and their families very quickly. It’s definitely one to read!

“𝗦𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆”

Anna’s longtime boyfriend decides that before he fully commits to her, he needs to play the field first. He wants to ensure that he doesn’t get married and end up with regrets of missing out on sexual experiences with others. Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does too! It’s only fair, right?

This is the third book in the The Kiss Quotient series, I haven’t read the first two yet but still fully understood and enjoyed this one. It covers some difficult subjects such as depression, anxiety, cancer and autism whilst still being sensitive, romantic and steamy.

If you enjoyed the Brown sister books (Chloe, Dani & Eve) you will probably enjoy this too!

This is Quan's book (Michael's business partner from The Kiss Quotient and Khai's brother from The Bride Test).

Anna Sun became an overnight sensation as a violinist when a performance she gave went viral on YouTube. However, she has struggled ever since and has taken a leave of absence from the San Francisco orchestra to try to overcome her obsessive need to be perfect, which is forcing her to restart pieces from the very beginning if she makes a single mistake when practicing. Then her long-term boyfriend (let's call him douchebag Julian) tells her he thinks he may be ready to commit but wants to see other women first, to get it out of his system!!! As the youngest of two daughters (by fifteen years) of a traditional Chinese family, Anna is used to being subservient and obeying her elders at all times, she puts up with her mother's disapproval and her elder sister's bullying without complaint, she's even the perfect girlfriend to Julian, but it is making her unhappy and she has started to see a therapist, although therapy isn't going well because Anna always tells her therapist wants to hear. Basically, Anna is a people pleaser.

Anna reacts badly to Julian's suggestion of an open relationship, she is only dating him because his family is close to her family and he has her family's approval: good job, good family, etc. She determines that she is tired of wearing a (metaphorical) mask when dealing with others, pretending to smile etc, she will have a one-night stand (or more) and act more like her authentic self.

Quan is a Vietnamese, shaven-headed, tattooed, partner in a start-up children's clothing enterprise (think dinosaur dresses with tutus) and a part-time martial arts instructor. He has recently recovered from cancer, but is reluctant to resume his dating activities, particularly because he feels vulnerable after his surgeries, so his partner Michael suggests a one-night stand to get him back in the game (but not phrased as crudely as that). Swiping through potential matches on a dating app, avoiding the women who are clearly looking for relationships, he comes across Anna's profile; she might look like a woman who is searching for a husband but her profile is very clear that she is looking for a one-night stand. They message each other and a friendship is born, not least because each of their attempts at a hook-up is foiled and they end up watching documentaries about sharks or doing something totally PG.

Quan and Anna may be Asian, but they are worlds apart in every way, socially, economically, etc and yet they click. Quan is the only person that Anna can truly be herself with, and she is the only person that he can talk to about his cancer. When Anna's therapist suggests a potential diagnosis for Anna's anxiety and other issues it shines a light on why Anna finds social engagements so stressful, but her family refuse to even entertain the idea. When tragedy strikes will Anna go back to her subservient, people-pleasing ways, or will Quan's love help her to make her own way in life?

I loved this book, it felt really authentic and detailed, unsurprisingly as Helen Hoang has stated that this draws heavily on her own life. My only criticism would be that Quan is not as fully realised a character as Anna, she's turned up to 120% brightness and he fades into the background a bit. Don't get me wrong, he has storylines but the spotlight is definitely on Anna.

I loved Helen's first book, was less enthused by her second but with Anna she drew me in completely and I felt everything that she felt. I understand from the notes at the end of the book that this was an incredibly difficult book to write, and I can understand why because the angst jumps off the page. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.