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A review by themoonwholistens
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
5.0
You guys have no idea how long I have waited for a story about a violinist that feels the burned out feeling and creative block that comes from musicians who have been playing for their whole lives. Even without being on the autism spectrum, it’s a very real thing and I have experienced it (and continue to) with my having played the violin for as long as I can remember. Especially with how well-written that aspect was, this resonated with me on another level.
The fact that this book gave me both a reality check and a romance in one is sending me. I loved that even though this was mainly a romance, it was also a very real piece of self-development. The last time i read about a violinist written this accurately was v.e. schwab.
Having to get over the fact that you can’t play a piece perfectly every time or just accepting the fact that it’s okay to make mistakes is a very real thing that I think every musician goes through. It really is a constant battle and struggle, and this is the first time I have read about it in a book. I really feel like I was reading about myself that it was unreal. This book reminded me that it’s okay to lean on other people too and the best thing you can do for yourself, is be kind to yourself.
That said, this isn’t the most lighthearted of romances since it deals with grief, ableism, emotional abuse, and familial denial among other things. It does deal with sensitive topics but I’m happy the taboo around them is slowly being removed in romance novels. But I found it so funny how this book goes from wholesome romantic to steamy to heartbreaking in a page.
I don’t know how to live with the fact that I don’t have my own Quan. Both main characters were Asian and I love that the author didn’t feel the need to have a white love interest. As an Asian person, I just really appreciate that a lot every time. Despite how i felt about it at first, the family dynamics were actually well-written even though her sister was the manifestation of prejudice and judgement put on max level. Even then there were parts that shows the realistic dynamics in Asian families even though it may be complicated to see at first and there were some that were a little dramaticized.
I have not read the second book though I did love the first one. But I saw the premise for this third one and it called out to me. No regrets. I loved seeing Michael and Stella in this book since The Kiss Quotient is one of my fave romances and I loved their chemistry there. And even though I haven’t read The Bride Test nor do I remember Quan in TKQ, those were fun easter eggs. I found it really adorable how all of the male MCs in the series are friends because I find that rare? Quan might be one of the most realistic male mcs I have read in a while. I don’t remember him from Kiss Quotient but I wish I did.
Additional note: we love tattooed men
↣ Highly recommended if you like steamy romances that deal with very real themes that also hit all the right ups and down you need in a romance novel. Especially recommended if you are also a violinist or a musician that has gone through or continues to go through that creative block/anxiety struggle. ↢
This book inspired me to pick up my violin again after months and is now my constant reminder that you don’t need to get every note, every crescendo, and every beat perfect. It’s a simple reminder to remember but I know it’s hard to do: Just play from the heart.
For personal reasons, I will now be putting this on my faves list.
— 4.75 —
⇢ content warnings// Grief, Ableism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Anxiety & panic attacks, Depression, Suicidal thoughts & ideation, Infertility, Cancer, Death of a parent/caregiver
⤜ pre-read review ⤛
a violinist
”Nothing I actually do can compete with the boundless potential of what I could do. But if I allow myself to trap me in perpetual beginnings, I’ll never create again.”
The fact that this book gave me both a reality check and a romance in one is sending me. I loved that even though this was mainly a romance, it was also a very real piece of self-development. The last time i read about a violinist written this accurately was v.e. schwab.
Having to get over the fact that you can’t play a piece perfectly every time or just accepting the fact that it’s okay to make mistakes is a very real thing that I think every musician goes through. It really is a constant battle and struggle, and this is the first time I have read about it in a book. I really feel like I was reading about myself that it was unreal. This book reminded me that it’s okay to lean on other people too and the best thing you can do for yourself, is be kind to yourself.
That said, this isn’t the most lighthearted of romances since it deals with grief, ableism, emotional abuse, and familial denial among other things. It does deal with sensitive topics but I’m happy the taboo around them is slowly being removed in romance novels. But I found it so funny how this book goes from wholesome romantic to steamy to heartbreaking in a page.
”Stranger doesn’t feel like quite the right word for Quan. But he’s not my one-night stand—not yet. He’s definitely not my lover. Acquiantance seems too distant. He’s talked to me a reasonable amount, listened to me, laughed with me, seen me at my worst, held me while I cried. And he stayed because I asked him to.
I think… he might be my friend.”
I don’t know how to live with the fact that I don’t have my own Quan. Both main characters were Asian and I love that the author didn’t feel the need to have a white love interest. As an Asian person, I just really appreciate that a lot every time. Despite how i felt about it at first, the family dynamics were actually well-written even though her sister was the manifestation of prejudice and judgement put on max level. Even then there were parts that shows the realistic dynamics in Asian families even though it may be complicated to see at first and there were some that were a little dramaticized.
”I want to give in and see what it’s like to not fight so hard.”
I have not read the second book though I did love the first one. But I saw the premise for this third one and it called out to me. No regrets. I loved seeing Michael and Stella in this book since The Kiss Quotient is one of my fave romances and I loved their chemistry there. And even though I haven’t read The Bride Test nor do I remember Quan in TKQ, those were fun easter eggs. I found it really adorable how all of the male MCs in the series are friends because I find that rare? Quan might be one of the most realistic male mcs I have read in a while. I don’t remember him from Kiss Quotient but I wish I did.
Additional note: we love tattooed men
↣ Highly recommended if you like steamy romances that deal with very real themes that also hit all the right ups and down you need in a romance novel. Especially recommended if you are also a violinist or a musician that has gone through or continues to go through that creative block/anxiety struggle. ↢
This book inspired me to pick up my violin again after months and is now my constant reminder that you don’t need to get every note, every crescendo, and every beat perfect. It’s a simple reminder to remember but I know it’s hard to do: Just play from the heart.
For personal reasons, I will now be putting this on my faves list.
“It never gets easier. I fight every time I set my bow on the strings, but I stay true to myslef. I play from the heart.”
— 4.75 —
⇢ content warnings// Grief, Ableism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Anxiety & panic attacks, Depression, Suicidal thoughts & ideation, Infertility, Cancer, Death of a parent/caregiver
⤜ pre-read review ⤛
a violinist