Helen Hoang takes a sweet and sexy love story between fan-favorite Quan and anxious violinist Anna and turns it into a book about so much more. I freely cried the during the second half of this book and Anna's pain and burnout was heart-piercingly real. Hoang is genuinely my hero for managing to depict the seriousness and sadness of mental health issues while still telling a love story that made my heart sing.

Disclaimer: I got this ARC in exchange for media coverage on pop-culturalist.com. It will be up closer to the release date.

This is the third book in the series and I really enjoyed all of the unexpected twists that I didn't see coming. I guessed one or two but it didn't ruin the book for me. I love Helen's writing style and I intend to have a more in-depth review in August!!

The Heart Principle was a beautiful and powerful story that I raced through reading. It was especially moving to read Helen Hoang’s author notes. I loved this novel!

I anxiously awaited The Heart Principle and literally squee'd when I saw the ARC on NetGalley. What I was not expecting, however, was how difficult of a read this would be for me. Overall, the book was excellent, but similar to what the author wrote in her note at the end of the book, being a caregiver at this point in my life is a draining experience, and reading what the MC was going through really cut through me on a deeply personal level. I was touched by the author writing her own experiences into this book, but like I said, this was a tough read for me. It was an excellent addition to this series, and I loved reading about Quan, but the rushed ending put a damper on the book for me.

Hoang will break your heart in this third installment of the The Kiss Quotient series.

I feel like I just ran a marathon. But with my feelings. This was very different from the other two books in this series, but still special. For starters, the commentary on burnout and perfectionism was too real.

I liked getting to see Anna heal - though she did have me ripping my hair out for about 30% of the book. Quan was Quan, but different, as well. I can't go into depth about it without spoiling but his development did have me making a sad face while reading. Suffice to say he's been dealt a bad hand since the last time we saw him in The Bride's Test.
(Also, Khai popped up but there was no mention of Esme!! I'm mildly outraged!!)

This book was sad, but real, and while I didn't love this story as much as the other two in this series, I commend Hoang for being so honest in her writing!

Big thank you to Berkley Publishing for sending me an ARC copy of this book!

✒️ Writing Quality: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🖤 Characterization: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
😈 Playful Banter: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
📍 Plot: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
🌶️ Smut & Spice: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
✈️ Running-through-the-Airport-Love Declarations: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
😇 Enjoyment Level: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ .75
「 Overall: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆」

This book was very powerful, with many layers of nuance and several interesting subplots. There were heartbreaking moments that had me sobbing at 3 am. I couldn't put it down!

this was one of my anticipated releases of the year and i’m honestly so sad because i was disappointed by it. Quan was my favorite character in the trilogy and for his book to be my least favorite book hurts. i really don’t care for online dating as a romance trope because why would i read about that when i can just go experience it myself? i just expected something more fun and i did not get that.

I mean… I just… I don’t know how to write a review for a book I think is perfect. It’s absolutely amazing and there are only so many ways I can say that before it gets ridiculous. The Heart Principle is Hoang’s best work yet, and my new favorite of her Kiss Quotient series. I would and will wait years and years for content with this type of emotional depth and exploration.

It’s a romance novel, and I don’t want to throw that aside because her skill at writing the romance is superb, but I don’t want you to think of this as just another romance novel. It’s so much more. It’s so sincere and speaks to often ignored or overlooked issues. Nothing feels more real than Hoang’s characters. You laugh and cry and ache and dream for Anna and Quan as individuals and then again as a couple. There are wonderful layers!

But since it is a romance in addition to being a wonderful work of fiction (nearly full stop) let me also say that the sweet and sexy beginning is everything you would expect and more. Anna and Quan build a great relationship. And even when the tone of the story veers off partway through, making way for a much more serious and emotionally complex personal discovery and family driven plot, the foundation of their relationship that was established early on is what sees us through and brings the reader that heart.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC!

This book is deeply personal to Helen Hoang (the author's note is a must read), and it DID feel very raw to be in the main character Anna's head as she dealt with burnout and a family emergency. Though I ultimately liked it, there was a portion of the book that was very frustrating and I thought the resolution of the book needed more space to breathe. I'm glad that Helen is back!

This book felt very raw and real. I did grab this title expecting a rom-com, but this is something that features much more depth than the typical romance. I really appreciated the caregiving aspect as I think that there are a lot of people going through something similar or know someone in that position. I also really liked that the male protagonist was fighting his own battle of social expectations.

I devoured this book. Wholeheartedly. And I spent the latter half of reading it in a constant state of almost tears. If the first person narration and subject matter don't clue you in, this story was very clearly close to Hoang's heart, and it made the pain and joy that much more overwhelming as I was working my way through this plot. I could feel it as I was reading, and it swept me away until the last few chapters. There were parts of this book that resonated so painfully with me that I wanted to look away. Don't get me wrong--there was still happiness and romance (and QUAN), but I think it's really important to go into reading this knowing that it's not written like The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test, and it really shouldn't be compared to them.

I adored The Heart Principle, but I did struggle with the "After" portion. I'm never very good with time-skips, and I wanted a little more of a peek into how Anna and Quan managed their relationship and connection after everything spiraled. I don't know, I guess I just wanted a little more from both of their POVs. It's like we were taken on a very long downward journey, but weren't given insight into Anna's upward journey. Maybe that's the point. Maybe this was never meant to be a story about being "better." It was something that was hard for me as a reader, though.

All in all, I thought this was a wonderful, heartbreaking yet hopeful book, and as long as you don't go into it with the assumption that it's a Kiss Quotient sequel, it's a great read. Please check the content warnings before you jump in though, because there are a lot more than Hoang's other two works.

Anna Sun needs a hug. After being an overnight musical sensation, the pressure makes her freeze from playing without picking apart her work. Not helping is her family (really her older sister), who wants her perfect. Then her boyfriend (who is the worse) wants to have an open relationship. Fortunately, this leads her to Quan, who can give the best hug in the world.

I love Anna. She was so hard on herself, and the people surrounding her were also so hard on her. When she finds out that she is on the autism spectrum, she can start forgiving herself, but her family refuses to deal with the diagnosis. When Anna's father suffers a debilitating heart attack that leaves him unable to move or communicate. The pressure for Anna to continue to be perfect goes into overdrive as she cares for her father. Pride won't let the family seek outside help. The book shows caretaker burnout realistically and painfully. The reason Anna doesn't crash is that Quan is her one bright spot.

Before I read this book, the publisher sent me an email warning me that this isn't a romance book in the usual sense. This is true. Anna and Quan are pure and adorable together. They're very open with their communication. Instead of dealing with their romance, most of the book deals with Anna's problems. There is nothing wrong with this. It works wonderfully. It's heartwarming to watch a man be a rock for a woman.

A note to Helen Hoang (I only include this because Anna's anxieties are based on Helen Hoang's): The reason people love your work is because you're true to yourself. I doubt writing in such a way is a mentally easy process to go through. Take your time. Be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself for having a difficult time.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

This book, ya'll...its intense and personal, sometimes heavy, brutally honest...and real. It's got Helen Hoang's hallmarks, including the steam, but the tone is VERY different than her previous books. So don't go in expecting a light, frothy romcom.

Is it a perfect book? No, but I think that's part of its message....that people are messy and the road to HEA isn't always paved, it's sometimes filled with ruts and potholes. That even if you don't fit society's definition of perfect, happiness and an HEA are still for you.

Check the CW's before you dive in. In addition to the ones others have already called out I'll add that Anna is Chinese American and The Heart Principle also looks at the complicated attitudes Asian American families often have toward neurodivergence, mental health, and therapy. Filial piety and birth order play into this one, too, compounding Anna's issues with her family .

Anna's journey to advocating for herself is an arduous one, but you can't help but cheer for her and Quan once she gets there.

Helen Hoang is such an amazing writer. I have connected with her books and will continue to read whatever she writes. This one took longer to publish but she talks about why in an author's note in the back.
This is such a good look at anxiety and autism. Anna is struggling so much, but it is amazing to see her growth and learning to love herself and stand up for herself.
I loved the relationship with Anna and Quan and how it grew and developed. I loved that he took his time with her and got to know her and showed her he really cared and really didn't care if she had certain eccentricities. I liked how they worked together to be more confident in the bedroom with each other. Quan has issues himself after having cancer.
I liked how we got a look at both of their sides of the story. I liked seeing Michael again and would have loved to see some of Esme and Khai too. But maybe there will be more books will all of these characters
This book is hard to read at some points with Anna's circling struggle and the suicide ideation, but it is so open and honest and real and that's what I really love about Helen Hoang and her characters. I think it is so brave of Hoang to include parts of herself within this story and these characters.
I wanted a little bit more closure with Anna and her sister Priscilla, but I understand that the ending of this book was really hard for Hoang to write.
This is a really amazing story and I look forward to reading anything Hoang writes in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The Heart Principle - I loved seeing where other characters from previous books were and revisiting with them. This has many of the same elements you love from Helen Hoang's books but also has a much deeper message. I adored the author's note at the end where she says it's half memoir and it was the most personal book she's written. I love that she wrote partially about her experiences as an autistic woman, with creative block, caring for her dying parent, and how her diagnosis was perceived and supported by others.

Not me crying while reading a book :(.

I have 2 of this authors other books on my shelf to read but I haven’t read them yet, so this was my first by her and it did not disappoint.

This is a ‘romance’ but I feel like it steers away from that throughout the book, instead focusing on family, mental health and personal struggles.

I liked Anna and Quan. Quan was so respectful and helpful to Anna during a difficult time in her life. He never pushed her, never demanded anything from her.

And Anna. Ugh. Selfless and trying to figure out a new prognosis in her life.

I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet, spicy, romantic and heartfelt. 4.5 stars from me (I just wanted a little more of Anna and Quan at the end)! A must read!

This one was a hard read - rather much more about the main character's revelation into her own neural divergence than a fun-loving romance (which isn't necessarily reflected by the cover). Good insights into how the many different shades of autism can affect the many different facets of relationships.

it is to my greatest dismay that I announce I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped/expected to 😭

knowing quan’s personality from the previous books, I mistakenly believed that this would be the most lighthearted, fun book of the series. it was in fact the opposite. the storyline was extremely heavy from start to finish, and judging by the author’s note, it dealt with issues very personal to the author, and I respect them so much for that.

however, a lot of the many plot points this book explored seemed underdeveloped to me, and a few were just very random in general. on a personal note, the biggest obstacle in this book for one of the main characters was overbearing family members, and that is always a miss for me unfortunately. and to make matters worse, this plot point overshadowed the romance in a big way.

this last(?) installment didn’t ruin the series for me, and I didn’t hate it at all, but it was a lackluster conclusion, and disappointing because Quan’s story had the absolute potential to be the best of all. I feel like his story was clearly set up in the other two books, and it ended up going in the complete opposite direction that I was expecting it to go.

I’d say my overall enjoyment of this book was between 2.5 - 3 stars.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

While this was a perfectly satisfying read for me, it just didn't quite get to me quite as much as the previous two books in the series. It still did an interesting job portraying people on the autistic spectrum and the issues involved in discovering the diagnosis post-childhood. Looking forward to whatever comes next from this author.

The Heart Principle wrecked me. I have no other words to describe it. Helen Hoang wrote with such raw emotion and authenticity. I was incredibly moved throughout the entire book... and then to read her author's note at the end... I was in tears.

After reading the summary, I started the book expecting it to go in one direction and it went a completely different way - and I was more than pleased. When Anna's boyfriend decides he wants to "take some time to make sure she's the one" she's encouraged by her friends to attempt something new: one night stands. According to her friends, this is a good opportunity to take chances without a lot of personal risk (aka embarrassment) involved. From that description, I expected to read about a fair amount of gratuitous hook ups and superficial relationships until Anna finally meets "The One." What I found was something so much deeper and way more meaningful.

Anna and Quan are so lovely together. The way he cares for her and the way she opens up to him is really so beautiful. Hoang writes of Anna's and Quan's respective journeys to love and accept themselves. Self-care, awareness, mental health, and acceptance are all themes throughout the book, but Hoang manages to advocate without preaching. As the parent of a child with special needs (even though every person and every need is different), I felt like I could see my child in parts of this book and even more, it helped me understand my child better just by reading. Helen Hoang has written a book that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming - the emotions are real, the journey is real, and The Heart Principle is absolutely worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.