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aichaa's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
i wanted more of quan, and to know more about how he dealt with the stuff he went through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content
ashley_reya's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Enjoyable and relatively quick read. Didn’t grip me as much as I had hoped, but Anna and Quan’s story was sweet and honestly the highlight. Anna and her family drove me up a wall, and often felt like a losing battle. The proposal party chapters had me worked up enough that I needed to walk away for a bit 😂
Overall, a sweet story of self-discovery, personal growth, grief, and found family.
Overall, a sweet story of self-discovery, personal growth, grief, and found family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, and Vomit
alex2you's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
binevolentbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Classism
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A strong finish to this series! The Heart Principle just barely edged out The Bride Test for that #1 spot when I look back at all three and consider which I enjoyed best. And you know who get's to wear the crown of Consent King? QUAN! Consent between the main characters in this book is consistent throughout the narrative. In comparison to the first two books in the series, The Heart Principle also had the best pacing after the dark/challenging moment between the MC's.
Much of the story here centered on acceptance (both internal and external) and communication. Ana is doing just about everything she can in pursuit of acceptance and validation from her family, her boyfriend, her therapist, etc all to the detriment of herself. This also plays into the way she masks her behaviors as a response to her Autism Spectrum diagnosis. She wants to please everyone and constantly holds herself back and remains silent when it comes to disagreements, which leads to the theme of communication. She's left wondering, "Why is it so hard to say what I really think? Or to just say no?" When it comes to communicating her physical needs to Quan, saying the words is even more challenging. Because if you've never explored what you desire physically, how can you even begin to communicate that to an intimate partner. Quan, like the consent king he is, exudes patience and builds trust with Ana so she is comfortable exploring that side of her sexuality. For his part, Quan also has a character arc centered around acceptance. After an illness changed his physicality, a physical part of himself that is typically associated with "manhood," he is coming to terms with what that means for him in intimate situations and the way it has impacted his future. Layered on top of this is the challenge he faces professionally when it comes to his apparel company's acquisition deal.
Other interesting themes/ideas addressed:
Much of the story here centered on acceptance (both internal and external) and communication. Ana is doing just about everything she can in pursuit of acceptance and validation from her family, her boyfriend, her therapist, etc all to the detriment of herself. This also plays into the way she masks her behaviors as a response to her Autism Spectrum diagnosis. She wants to please everyone and constantly holds herself back and remains silent when it comes to disagreements, which leads to the theme of communication. She's left wondering, "Why is it so hard to say what I really think? Or to just say no?" When it comes to communicating her physical needs to Quan, saying the words is even more challenging. Because if you've never explored what you desire physically, how can you even begin to communicate that to an intimate partner. Quan, like the consent king he is, exudes patience and builds trust with Ana so she is comfortable exploring that side of her sexuality. For his part, Quan also has a character arc centered around acceptance. After an illness changed his physicality, a physical part of himself that is typically associated with "manhood," he is coming to terms with what that means for him in intimate situations and the way it has impacted his future. Layered on top of this is the challenge he faces professionally when it comes to his apparel company's acquisition deal.
Other interesting themes/ideas addressed:
- Sibling relationships in Chinese culture
- Anxiety, grief, and suicidal thoughts
- End of life caretaking
- Assumptions made based on physical appearance
- Internalized ableism
Overall, really happy that I finally read this series. All the books can standalone but are best read in order.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Infertility, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
leximoonbeam's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book absolutely gutted me. I don't have autism but I felt Anna's exhaustion from masking and burnout in my chest, because that is how elegant a writer Helen is. The truth of this book is that there is a line where you have to recognize your own brain and body's limits, or else your brain and body will tell you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
annaonthepage's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Cancer, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Brief mentions of mental ill health and cancer as things the characters have survived so has a hopeful angle. Disablism in the form of scathing dismissal by a family member of a late diagnosis of autism in the protagonist. Slight infantilisation of protagonist throughout, through the voice acting and through the dialogue and action.dsforbus'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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Death, and Death of parent
sabrinaleaf's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Probably my favourite in the series. I loved them together
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
iconicavocado's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
(read via audiobook)
Book 📖: 4/5 stars
Audiobook 🎙️: ⭐⭐⭐
Three takeaways:
Three takeaways:
• A nice representation of female autism for this being a romance book
• You don't need to read the 2nd book (The Bride Test) in order to enjoy the story
• If you're looking for a feel-good story, think again.
• If you're looking for a feel-good story, think again.
Boy, was this book unexpected. This book went beyond a simple, sweet romance book. While I actually connected a lot with Anna in the later half of the book and what she goes through I was really taken back by the dramatic turn the story took. I have a love-hate feeling towards this change up and ultimately dock a star because the switch up is so strong that I think other readers would be really jarred when they read it. It's a nice book, but I do caution you to read trigger warnings before you start this book.
To read more spoiler notes of mine see below:
I wish there was more of Quan and Anna's relationship within the book. The book takes a major turn midway that overtakes the whole story from romance to self discovery through massive hardship. The love story definitely takes a backseat the rest of the book. Which I didn't mind because the themes that come out of it connected to me personally. I just don't think this serious emotional twist is "for everyone" especially in this kind of genre.
This is not a book you read to cheer yourself up, that is for sure!
I also didn't think it was totally necessary for Quan to have had cancer. I personally felt that was a bit unnecessary to have that much sadness between both main characters considering where the last half of the story goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts