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A review by niamhreviews
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
4.0
As she discusses in her author's note, 'The Heart Principle' is Helen Hoang's most personal book - and you can tell from how she writes it. Interweaving a parent's serious illness, a character who discovers she's on the autism spectrum, mental block and a romance can be difficult, but Hoang's book examines the good moments and the bad moments of them all to create a smart and ultimately, rather hopeful romance.
Like all of Hoang's book, the third instalment in this series is immensely readable, heartfelt and sexy as FUCK. It's honestly one of the things that sets her apart from some other romance writers in this sub-genres - she's not afraid to really write down and dirty. What I especially liked about the sexy scenes was the consistent presence of consent, of no judgement, of partners respecting partners even when they don't feel comfortable enough to share all of themselves with you. Quan is kind of a dream guy in that respect.
There were moments that didn't quite do it for me, generally in just the way the book was plotted and how certain themes were interwoven, but I don't want to pass judgement on it. Especially because I know that feeling of mental block very well - and so much of this has come from Hoang's life over the last few years.
Like 'The Kiss Quotient' and 'The Bride Test' before it, 'The Heart Principle' establishes Helen Hoang as one of the most original and exciting romance writers currently out there, her novels always looking beyond the classic love story and giving its readers something to adore and to think about all at once.
Like all of Hoang's book, the third instalment in this series is immensely readable, heartfelt and sexy as FUCK. It's honestly one of the things that sets her apart from some other romance writers in this sub-genres - she's not afraid to really write down and dirty. What I especially liked about the sexy scenes was the consistent presence of consent, of no judgement, of partners respecting partners even when they don't feel comfortable enough to share all of themselves with you. Quan is kind of a dream guy in that respect.
There were moments that didn't quite do it for me, generally in just the way the book was plotted and how certain themes were interwoven, but I don't want to pass judgement on it. Especially because I know that feeling of mental block very well - and so much of this has come from Hoang's life over the last few years.
Like 'The Kiss Quotient' and 'The Bride Test' before it, 'The Heart Principle' establishes Helen Hoang as one of the most original and exciting romance writers currently out there, her novels always looking beyond the classic love story and giving its readers something to adore and to think about all at once.