Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

46 reviews

angelfireeast24's review against another edition

I thought this was going to be a romance but it's more a heartbreaking story about Anna. There is romance but I can't deal with so much pain right now

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Sexual content, Ableism, Misogyny, and Sexism

jadejade's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The final book in this series is noticeably less light-hearted from the first two books but I loved it all the same. In particular, I appreciated the portrayal of the incapacitation or death of the head of the family leading to a permanent change to the family dynamic, potentially even destroying family relationships. I'm glad I read this now, when I needed an exploration of this subject, when I needed reassurance that it's not just in my head.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, and Grief

Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Infidelity, and Medical content

doubletherazzle's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Initial review immediately after finishing: 

I’m not quite sure what to say beyond I found this book beautiful. The raw depiction of the characters’ struggles resonates with me. There are heavy themes, but they are treated both with honesty and with hope. Enjoyable, sweet, romantic. 

Additional review thoughts:

The last couple of chapters did feel rushed and was lacking Quan’s perspective, which I would’ve appreciated. I’m also realizing, after coming out my emotions for Anna’s arch, that I don’t feel like Quan really got the resolution to his insecurities and challenges in the way his character really deserves. Maybe I just needed the book to be a bit longer so it could bring both of them to a healthy resolution of their character development and get the “happily ever after” vibe. That being said, I still stand by my initial feels. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Ableism

Moderate: Infertility, Grief, Cancer, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Emotional abuse

amissabellator's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Ableism, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Medical content

The text follows Anna Sun - a woman who is diagnosed with autism with low-support needs - (and, to a lesser extent, Quan Diep - a man who has recently overcome personal illness (

Spoiler

testicular cancer

)) as they fall in love. This includes graphic depictions of sex and sex acts, in line with the previous installments in the series. However, this story also includes a family medical emergency storyline (

Spoiler

father is rendered immobile and requires full-care after a stroke

) and goes into detail about burnout, toxic families, and mental health struggles. It also talks about expectations, both physically (

Spoiler

Quan suffers anxiety about his genitals following his cancer surgeries

) and emotionally (

Spoiler

Anna is repeatedly misled/gaslighted about her life and her autism symptoms

).

micaelamariem's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I just finished this book in the airport and am sobbing. It was so emotional and dealt with so much tougher topics than Hoang’s previous romances, which I appreciated but was not emotionally ready for. Through it all, the main theme was about self-compassion, learning to say no, and learning we don’t need to be perfect. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Excrement, Ableism, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content

amplawrence's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Ableism, Medical content, Death of parent, Bullying, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Cancer and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Infertility

jayessicaa's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

1.5

I'd give it fewer stars but I did finish it. I thought the whole relationship was creepy and predatory. I felt uncomfortable the whole time. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Fatphobia

dukeofkel's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Ableism, and Infertility

peachani's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Infertility, and Suicidal thoughts

escapismforlife's review against another edition

This book was deep.  Even the romantic relationship had more depth added on top of it being a modern day love story. I mean of course with everything  
 Anna is dealing with in her present. And what Quan's gone through and is now getting used to while being a comfort  person  for Anna suddenly.  

 The issues dealt with are done in the most beautiful  way. But there could've been further  explanation  at points throughout this contemporary  story. Having just read this one there was little I knew though. But it seemed very concentrated on both characters  being comfortable and supportive  for each other .  And in the end I think that was the best end for this standalone series  book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Mental illness