Review: The Heart Principle

Author: Helen Hoang

Publication Date: 31 August 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Page Count: 352

Reading Method: Digital ARC [Thank you to the publisher!]

Dates Read: August 13 

Synopsis: 

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better.

That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex—he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she herself has just started to understand. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves.

Review: 

This book was *sigh* p h e n o m e n a l.  You know those books you finish and then just sit there contemplating what to do with your life?  I didn’t want The Heart Principle to end.  So much so that I actually read the author’s note and acknowledgements.  I never do that.  But I just wasn’t ready to let go.  

You can tell just how much Hoang loves these characters.  They are so complex, well thought out, relatable, loveable, ALL THE ADJECTIVES!  Anna is coming out of a long-term relationship and decides to see if the one night stand scene is for her.  Quan is facing his own personal changes and happens to match with Anna.  Though they are truly awful at the one night hook up, watching their relationship develop was a beautiful journey.  Don’t let that fool you, there is so much healing and personal growth that happens along the way. 

Anna, in particular, goes through so much as the story unfolds.  I wouldn’t want to spoil anything but there was so much of her story that resonated deeply with me.  Her struggles with her family, discovering herself through therapy, and the big event towards the end of the book – it all struck a chord and I just adore Anna’s character. 

I can’t wait to pick up more of Hoang’s work.  The Heart Principle was absolutely excellent.