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entiresunset's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. I can only say wow.
This book turned out to be so much more than I expected. Being a part of the Kissing Quotient series I expected this to be also about an autistic protagonist trying to find love and struggling but this was just so much more complex and also darker as I expected.
First of all I absolutely adored Annas and Quans love story. The way Quan was so patient and kind and loving with Anna right away melted my heart. The way their struggles matched another and made them both able to help each other moved me.
This was not just a story of lust, crushes and passion. It was that too but mainly it was a story of trust, commitment and deep love. And also a story of tragedy, loss and grief.
I loved to see Annas Story arch. It was so complex and multi layered. I liked the fact that she didnt just miraculously healed and felt better just cause everything between her and Quan was resolved.
I loved how the author was able to portray mental health struggles in such a respectful but still impactful and real manner. So many times I just wanted to hug Anna and tell her that everything is gonna be okay.
Im impressed how the author always manages to create sucht complex and loving relationships in her books with autistic protagonists while still not making their autism the center of their character.
And the sex scenes? I love how they are always the right mixture of sexual tension, spice but also based on consent and love.
This book turned out to be so much more than I expected. Being a part of the Kissing Quotient series I expected this to be also about an autistic protagonist trying to find love and struggling but this was just so much more complex and also darker as I expected.
First of all I absolutely adored Annas and Quans love story. The way Quan was so patient and kind and loving with Anna right away melted my heart. The way their struggles matched another and made them both able to help each other moved me.
This was not just a story of lust, crushes and passion. It was that too but mainly it was a story of trust, commitment and deep love. And also a story of tragedy, loss and grief.
I loved to see Annas Story arch. It was so complex and multi layered. I liked the fact that she didnt just miraculously healed and felt better just cause everything between her and Quan was resolved.
I loved how the author was able to portray mental health struggles in such a respectful but still impactful and real manner. So many times I just wanted to hug Anna and tell her that everything is gonna be okay.
Im impressed how the author always manages to create sucht complex and loving relationships in her books with autistic protagonists while still not making their autism the center of their character.
And the sex scenes? I love how they are always the right mixture of sexual tension, spice but also based on consent and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
_b0ok_l0v3r's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
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
belovedsnail's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Somehow this was just perfect for the mood I’m in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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
ghostsversion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the fact that I wasn’t 100% emotionally invested in the previous one. I feel like Mrs heard me and was like “Oh really? Well here’s an entire book about two people pleasers falling in love and also about how tiring it is to try and be what others want you to be.” Like, ma’am, I’m already dead, stop stomping on me. And maybe I related a bit on the masking autism part but whatever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
caitlinemccann's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
The romance is almost the background to Quan and Anna's personal journies with grief and identity, but that makes everything about this story more personal and poignant. Yes, you still get the tender moments and the spice that the other books in the series do so well. But it's really a romance for readers who love character development and self-reflection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
nutmegandselkie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Mental illness
sas_lk's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was definitely my favourite of the entire series. Anna and Quan felt so real to me, and their problems felt like they were my own, even though I can't really relate much to either.
In this novel, Hoang discusses something that I very rarely see discussed in books and that is being diagnosed and coming to terms with it. Most books I read, the characters usually already have the diagnosis and most people around them know about it already. But in this novel, Anna has no idea in the beginning, and you follow her coming to terms with it and having to "come out" to her family and friends. Big trigger warning for the discreditation of one's own experience and diagnosis.
Hoang also touches on sexual insecurities and coming to terms with your own body and loving it as it is after sickness, as Quan is.
Helen Hoang is a very good writer and she's been a big part of my understanding of the autism spectrum - specifically autism with low support needs. Although I know that everyone on the autism spectrum is different, Hoang truly makes you feel like you are in their heads, and feeling their emotions.
These topics were so important and I highly recommend this series if you're looking for a romance with heavier topics.
In this novel, Hoang discusses something that I very rarely see discussed in books and that is being diagnosed and coming to terms with it. Most books I read, the characters usually already have the diagnosis and most people around them know about it already. But in this novel, Anna has no idea in the beginning, and you follow her coming to terms with it and having to "come out" to her family and friends. Big trigger warning for the discreditation of one's own experience and diagnosis.
Hoang also touches on sexual insecurities and coming to terms with your own body and loving it as it is after sickness, as Quan is.
Helen Hoang is a very good writer and she's been a big part of my understanding of the autism spectrum - specifically autism with low support needs. Although I know that everyone on the autism spectrum is different, Hoang truly makes you feel like you are in their heads, and feeling their emotions.
These topics were so important and I highly recommend this series if you're looking for a romance with heavier topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Cancer