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The Heart Principle (The Kiss Quotient, #3)

Helen Hoang

Start date: September 1, 2021

Finish date: September 30, 2021

Discussion: Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Sep 03, 2021 Aly rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley, romance, audiobook, contemporary, 2021

3.5 stars

I'm starting this by saying that I know very little about Autism or any neurodivergent diagnoses. I understand that the author has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder so I assume the portrayal of Anna is realistic to her experiences.

Overall I did like this story and was happy to get more of the Kiss Quotient universe. Michael got a decent amount of page time, but we saw the other characters very little. I would love a novel or novella showing all three couples together so we c ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 05, 2021 Aneta rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-english, adult, favorites, audiobook, contemporary, romance, doctena-serie, fiction

This was so sad and heartbreaking! I definitely didn't expect it. I was listening to an audiobook at work and at one point I wanted to cry so bad I had to take a break.

Relationship between Anna and Quan was beautiful. Both of them had to overcome some things (and it was hard for them) and let me be honest Anna's boyfriend and sister suck! Anna has so much on her plate - she is diagnosed with ASD, she is taking care for her dad and her boyfriend wants an open relationship. This book deals with a ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 09, 2021 ❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-read-list, best-ever

I think I enjoyed this book as much as I did because of how much I personally related to the heroine Anna. She tries so hard to fit into the world and live up to others expectations she forgets to live for herself. In fact she 'masks' so often she herself doesn't even know who she is, thus a very big journey of self discovery is on the way.
This book does portray the autism spectrum pretty accurately IMO and how for women especially it is extremely hard to even be diagnosed. Once Anna's therapis I think I enjoyed this book as much as I did because of how much I personally related to the heroine Anna. She tries so hard to fit into the world and live up to others expectations she forgets to live for herself. In fact she 'masks' so often she herself doesn't even know who she is, thus a very big journey of self discovery is on the way.
This book does portray the autism spectrum pretty accurately IMO and how for women especially it is extremely hard to even be diagnosed. Once Anna's therapist mentions this to her it was like suddenly things in her life started to make sense. However becoming her own person and not living up to others expectations is not an easy habit to break, particularly when Anna has spent her whole life pretending, especially with her family. In regards to her family, well they are kinda horrible if you ask me and don't treat Anna with the kind of respect she deserves. It was heartbreaking when her father suffers a stroke and is then bedridden for much of the book. The poor man is so horribly depressed and unhappy with his new life but no one but Anna even notices his discomfort. It was so beyond cruel to watch them baby him like a pet rather than a grown adult man. It was so clear they only cared about themselves rather than him.
I loved the romance in this book as well. Quan and Anna are just too perfect for one another. Quan is so patient, kind and understanding with Anna it's pretty disgustingly sweet. The two find each-other at the perfect time in their lives and I love that their 'one night stand' was dragged out so much as it really gave them time to get to know one another. Where most men would leave Anna without a backward glance, all her quirks and oddities are what attracts him to her the most. This was just a great read and even though Anna's character is a bit neurotic and probably a bit annoying to some I absolutely loved her and watching her growth throughout the book. She may be a grown woman but it's taken her all these years to really find herself and be free to be whoever she wants. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 24, 2021 Lee added it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, romance

CW: parental death, bad caretaker experience

After the author’s last book, I did come into this one a little skeptical, but I really enjoyed this book. The Heart Principle has such a different vibe than the other two and I clicked with it.

Anna is a famous violin player, but soon, the pressure starts to get to her as her fame and expectations grow. Stuck playing the same song over and over, unable to get past a certain part as her desire to be perfect is overwhelming, it starts to take over her l CW: parental death, bad caretaker experience

After the author’s last book, I did come into this one a little skeptical, but I really enjoyed this book. The Heart Principle has such a different vibe than the other two and I clicked with it.

Anna is a famous violin player, but soon, the pressure starts to get to her as her fame and expectations grow. Stuck playing the same song over and over, unable to get past a certain part as her desire to be perfect is overwhelming, it starts to take over her life. As she starts going to therapy, she realizes that she is autistic. But, that is only step one in her life starting to crumble.

I really fell in love with Anna right off the bat. I connected with her and her struggles. Her journey was one I loved going through and seeing her go through. After learning about her autism, it was fascinating to watch her grow into that and learn to accept that despite not having the support that she needed and really wanted.

It was hard to watch as she cared for her terminally ill father. On top of that being a hard topic in general, Anna is dealing with her austic burnout at the same time which adds a whole new layer to it. I really enjoyed reading this struggling and seeing how this affected her, but do go in with caution as this was hard to read as well.

As a dual POV story, I feel like it fell short. Anna has a lot going on in her POV that completely overpowers Quan. Even though Quan had a number of things he was going through as well, I couldn’t tell you what they were which is a shame because Quan did seem interesting and I would have loved to connect with him more. I really think this book could have been better if it solely focused on Anna’s POV and her story.

The ending was also a little rushed. There are a number of flash forwards that show a lot of growth that I would have really liked to see in a different way.

The Heart Principle was a wonderful read. It wasn’t fluffy, definitely go in with caution as it does tackle a number of heavier topics, but it was enjoyable. Anna and her journey make for a fascinating journey.
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Dec 01, 2021 Anne Marie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-5-star

What took me so long to read this book?? I adored the whole freaking thing. Anna, she has some screwed up people in her life. You fall in love with her right away and you know she will blossom. Quan, who doesn't want a tattooed, motorcycle driving stud to save the day??

This book is funny yet serious. I loved how it touched on Autism and Cancer. How two people who feel broken can be whole together.

Now I have to back track and read the first two books!! Helen Hoang is my new favorite author!! ...more

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Aug 06, 2023 Shannon The Co-Captain rated it liked it

Shelves: 2023, friends-scavenger-hunt

2.5 ⭐️⭐️✨

I was so excited about this book as I really like the first two. Especially, her second book, The Bride Test. I loved Quan. I loved him in all three books and especially this one but I really struggled with Anna. I just couldn’t reconcile her thoughts with her actions. I do hope Helen Huong continues to write even though this particular book fell short for me personally.

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Oct 01, 2021 Kate rated it really liked it

This is a light and easy romantic comedy book about a girl who becomes diagnosed as having autism and her attempt at having a one night stand as her long term boyfriend decides he wants to have an open relationship to explore other relationships.

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May 19, 2023 Jenner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: stand-alone, contemporary-romance, z2023

I loved this representation of autism and I related to the main character. The storytelling and writing were good. I loved the characters and their development.

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