The Heart Principle

By: Helen Hoang

Narrated by: Brian Nishii, Natalie Naudus

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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 has just started to understand herself.

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.

©2021 Helen Hoang (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Another hit

I've loved Helen Hoang since The Kiss Quotient. this book was hard to get through. only because it was so real. it presented Ana's struggle so clearly that I had to take several breaks from listening. I'm not familiar with autism and a big part of me could not understand her struggle. I appreciate this book because not everything was fixed overnight or with only the love of a good man though seriously Quan was a sweetheart and had his own battle to overcome. Listen to this with an open heart and mind it is a beautiful book.

really good

I loved everything about this, especially the storyline. There were a lot of important topics expressed in this book. I love books that can captivate and educate me at the same time. I hope to read more like it.

This is such amazing story !

I will forever try to find books from Helen Hoang..she is such a good writer!!

Would rather spend the time with something more rich

Too much unnecessary details. Too graphic. She could have used the chapters to explore more other characters.

Something more

This is second book that I have read from her series. I love that it shows how people are different and how it is hard and how we should be more caring and caring. I loved the love story of main characters but last part of the book was just too heavy for me and in the end heaviness remained even though it was happy ending.

Unfortunately, this is not Helen's best work.....

The book dragged. The lead character became annoying. Very annoying. It took her too long to finally make the change we all knew was coming. The waiting was a bit painful....nah, it was very painful. The female narrater was not good. I miss the female narrater from the other books. I was able to hang on through to the end but not without an extreme urge to hit fast forward. So disappointing because I LOVED her other books.

Raw, Real and Exceptional

I love every single thing @hhoangwrites creates. But this #book is exceptional.

Hoang is known for writing quirky, charming and kind portrayals of #neurodiverse individuals on the #autism spectrum. Her #romances involve comedic elements and her protagonists are #Asian.

#TheHeartPrinciple is different. It’s a foray into darkness- into a place that centers unhealthy #perfectionism, emotional exhaustion, emotional abuse, #caregiverburnout, #depression and more. Hoang’s main male character struggles with insecurity following a bout with #testicularcancer that has left him physically changed. This book is RAW and it is meaningful.

A brief synopsis- Anna Sun is a #violinist who has achieved accidental Internet fame. Now she feels paralyzed by her achievement and cannot play a piece through continuously. Her boyfriend informs her he wants an open relationship. Anna has trouble saying no or prioritizing herself. But she decides if her boyfriend isn’t going to be faithful, she will also color outside the lines.

Then she meets Quan. Quan rides a motorcycle and is covered in tattoos. He’s unsuitable. Except..he isn’t. He’s kind. He’s caring. He takes the time to understand Anna. And he supports her- as much as she’ll let him- through the challenges in her life.

The portrayal of #familydynamics in this book, and the role that Vietnamese #culture played in it - was excellent. I don’t want to spoil the conflict so I won’t discuss further other than to say that it read as really realistic.

This is a beautiful book with real depth. If you’re new to Hoang, I’d recommend with starting with her first book (#thekissquotient) but this can be read as a stand-alone as well.

Loved this!

The complexity of the characters kept me captivated. I really enjoyed the pace and the perspectives!

So many emotions

This one doesn't have the humor as the others in the series for me. It takes on a much serious tone as the Anna has some really serious issues that she deals with for herself. Trying to be everything for everyone in her family, friends, boyfriend etc. and not realizing that she is on the spectrum of autism, but as a functioning adult makes it difficult to navigate through many things. She meets Quon who also not realizing that she is on the spectrum accepts her just as she is even when he does realize it. The family dynamic in this story is really hard for me. The story is sad and happy all at the same time.

I can’t write a full review

I can’t write a full review because I have too many tears. The poignancy of this story is overwhelming and I’m grateful to witness it. I want a Quan! Thank you also for the audio so I could experience it.