4.5

The Heart Principle

Helen Hoang
Book
August
2021

Review:

I have been waiting so long for this book, and I am not disappointed! I love the way the book feels real, even more so than the other two. I also absolutely love how at least one of the main characters in all of the books are on the autism spectrum, which is not seen much in books, least of all romance novels. The books also show the unique challenges people on the spectrum face and all the many ways they can affect a person. I also love that almost all the characters in this book are POC, and not once does it mention how they wished they were a different race as a kid, which sometimes happens. I read the author more, and I am so glad she got through her challenges, made it to the other side, and had an amazing story. The only part I was a little confused about was why Kai’s wife wasn’t mentioned. Quan was such a big part of their love sort, so why wasn’t she even mentioned in passing like Stella. But besides this, it was a great book with fantastic information about autism and other types of people in general.

Trigger Warnings:
Ableism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Anxiety & panic attacks, Depression, Suicidal thoughts & ideation, Infertility, Cancer, and Death of a parent/caregiver

Synopsis From Book:

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better. That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex—he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she herself has just started to understand. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves.
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