I tried several times to read this, but I could not get into the story or the style. Full disclosure, I had kind of a visceral reaction to people walking all over someone who is on the autism spectrum, as well as the plot points of caring for someone dying, discussions of suicide, and all kinds of emotional abuse, manipulation, and dysfunction. I also hadn't read the first two books in the series, so that's probably a factor as well. Other people seemed to have liked it, though?

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I waited to read this book, and I'm glad I did. I wasn't ready for it until now. Similar to Hoang's other titles in the series, there's a main character who is autistic, and the narrative delves into struggles with mental health. Hoang skillfully navigates both topics, in my opinion. Read it if you're prepared for a powerful emotional experience – a genuine, heart-wrenching cry. I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley, thank you to them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hoang does it again! She delivers yet another steamy pair of characters with depth and nuance that you can’t help but root for despite being frustrated at times. I did want to shake Anna at times and talk some sense into her but I loved the path she and Quan took to get to their ultimate HEA. Representation is top notch as always and I continue to be grateful for authors that do such a good job of showing the intersectionality of two underrepresented voices in literature, especially in the romance genre.

dnf - 10%

i know this is so incredibly late, and i am so sorry for that, but three years ago i dnfed and never picked it back up. it just didn't hold my interest then and i just can't see myself ever picking it back up.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Anna was just a person you felt so much for. You want to hug her even though she would not like that. Quan just accepted her and loved her quirks and all, which made for some passionate moments. Anna family I just want to bap on the head a few times. Hoang as once again wrote a book you need to read slowly to get all the feels.

I can see why this took the author an extra year to finish. Not that any of Hoang’s books shy away from difficult topics but this one runs straight through them. This title focuses as much on mental health and burnout as it does the relationship between the main characters. The romance was gentle and sweet to balance out the rest. Not sure if it beats Kiss Quotient for my favorite of the three but still an incredible read.

This is ok. 2.5 stars? I think I want to like these more than I actually like these. The FMC's story feels authentic (there's also an author note about the autobiographical inspiration). Characters from the previous books in the series make an appearance but don't require the reader to remember a lot of details-- I followed along ok, even with a gap of several years between the books. Both primary characters are Asian, and there's some narration about how they're still from two separate groups and how one of their families is a little bit racist about it.

Like other books in the series, the boyfriend is a little too perfect. The life experience of being any flavor of ND would be a lot easier with a partner like this!
Readers who are reading the series close together may be thrown by abrupt change this late in the game of switching to first person. I wouldn't have noticed, again with a big gap in the middle, but the writer gives her reasoning in the author note; I think it would have made more sense, and provided a better reading experience, to have all series books written in the same style.
This story also just kind of peters out. The FMC has her big confrontation with her family, and then falls into a depression. The rest of the story is told very vaguely, with developments over the next year.

This was fiiine. I thought the first half was good and I liked the romance. The second half went into a completely depressing direction.

This is really not my usual genre, but looking at my Read shelf, it’s clear I’m in a mood for escapism. I enjoyed this the most out of the three “Kiss Quotient” books. I appreciated that Hoang wove bits of all her characters’ lives throughout the series, and in this one I found the most heart. Discovering (in the afterword) that it drew from experiences the author herself lived through enriched my enjoyment of the book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Helen Hoang's books, and The Heart Principle is no exception. In fact, I think it's my favorite of all of her books.

Anna is a violinist. She's on a leave of absence from her job; she's inadvertently become an internet sensation, with a record deal and music written especially for her. Unfortunately, she's stuck in a loop and can't play.

Quan is struggling with self esteem after a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. His body has healed but his self-confidence hasn't returned.

I absolutely love this book. It was a one sitting read for me. I would give it 10 stars if I could. I would highly recommend this title to anyone who loves chick lit and romance.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this book to review from Net Galley.

#TheHeartPrinciple#HelenHoang#NetGalley

The Heart Principle by Helene Hoang is the third in the Kiss Quotient universe series. I LOVED this book. Like the first two, I listened to the audiobook version. This story follows Anna Sun, a violinist who goes viral and really has her career kicked off. Unfortunately, she's burned out and just can't be bothered to play her music. To top it off, her boyfriend decides they need to open their relationship and he needs to sow his wild oats before fully committing to her. However, what's good for the gander is good for the goose, yeah? So, Anna decides to join Tinder. There she meets Quan Diep who has tattoos, rides a motorcycle and is so very different from her boyfriend. The connection is instant. Will it last longer than a hookup?

As I said, I loved this book. It blends joy and pathos perfectly. You see, Anna's father experiences health issues in this book which require her to be a caregiver. Yet, we get a different perspective as it is not really something Anna can handle and do well. We also see Quan's company going through acquisitions. And we see Anna and Quan get to know and fall for each other. Oh, and Anna learns she's autistic. I loved the thoughtfulness and intention in this book. I also loved the representation. The audiobook of The Heart Principle is narrated by Natalie Naudus and Brian Rishii. It is 9 hours and 30 minutes long and a fabulous listen. Seriously, if you are newer to audiobooks and like contemporary romance -- pick one up by Helen Hoang, they're really great listens.

My favorite of Hoang’s romances - witty, romantic, and relevant. Each character felt fully developed who each struggled with real-life questions. The narration was a highlight!

Helen Hoang does no wrong. So much tension and pinning. I loved the characters and was rooting for them the entire way. Also the spice🤌🏻

I loved loved loved this book. Somehow The Heart Principle was my first Helen Hoang book and I am outraged with myself for not reading her before this. The Heart Principle is everything you want in a romance novel. The characters are complex, delightful, and relatable. The pacing isn’t languid nor the expedient; but rather falls in the perfect pace where it isn’t in a hurry nor dilly dallying about.

I’ve been wanting to read more #ownvoices /books featuring autistic MCs and when I got to looking, I realized that #TheHeartPrinciple by had been sitting in my kindle untouched for a long time.
I realized that I had put it off because I kept hearing mixed thoughts about how it differed from both Kiss Quotient & Bride Test. I wish I hadn’t let other’s opinions influence my decision making because I really should have picked up this book sooner.

Ya’ll .. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

It’s weird because it is very different from its sister books yet I feel it completely belongs in the series! Yes, it’s heavier, I got very VERY emotional while reading it, but I don’t see that as a negative at all. Heart Principle shows a whole different side of living with ASD and I’m here for it!!!
Honestly, I think of all of Helen’s MCs, Anna is the one I relate to the most 🥰

But is the love story good?? YES!! OMG Quan is just THE BEST! He deserves the best and while his mettle is definitely tested, I think he was giving a love story worth while!

It felt like this was the author's catharsis project - she needed to write down her own experience and it didn't really matter if it worked for the story or not. It felt more like a "this is what it's like to be an autistic woman" novel instead of a romance novel - which is only a problem because I went in (based on the previous books and the marketing) expecting a romance novel. I've really enjoyed Quan in the other novels and I was looking forward to his story, but I feel like it was pushed aside for something else.

Another great installment in the Kiss Quotient series. I love the autistic representation in all of these books and that all three autistic characters display different aspects of ASD. I like that Anna finds her voice and stands up for the things she needs from the people around her, especially her sister, Anna had a great story arc. This book doesn't have as many sex scenes as the previous books so it isn't as saucy as the last two but it was still a great read.

Cute and sexy, and very easy read. I was excited to read another book by this author and they've kept the same style and tone as from the other book I've read. It's fun and sparky which is exactly what I wanted to read.

Quan and Anna are wonderful characters in this moving and well-plotted novel. The author tackles difficult themes in a sensitive and realistic way. Highly recommended.