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bandherbooks 's review for:
The Heart Principle
by Helen Hoang
Unfortunately, my high hopes for this book were not met.
Spoilers ahead:
While I appreciate the author's note indicating this was a very personal story, I would have preferred the note be at the beginning of the book, or at least a short list of CWs be provided. I too cared for a parent in home hospice, and this was really a really rough read for me. The descriptions of medical care are very explicit, and Anna's father also indicates to her he no longer wants to live.
As I see many readers are excited to read "Quan's Book", this is not Quan's book. Quan is a very kind and amazing partner to Anna when he can be, but he is also dealing with his own trauma and difficulties, besides being in an open relationship with Anna. The scenes with them together sparkled, their love scenes were tender and beautiful, but ultimately I did not buy their HEA.
Also, I do not believe Anna really resolved any of the real harmful behavior and abuse her family put her through, specifically her sister who told Anna she didn't believe her Autism diagnosis, that Anna didn't love her father, that Anna did a shitty job caring for their father.
And the way the book starts, with Anna basically being forced to endure a horrible BJ her "boyfriend" insists on, that was really rough to read.
Spoilers ahead:
Spoiler
For the majority of the book, Anna is miserable. She's made miserable by her horrible boyfriend (not the love interest in this book), her callous and hurtful family, and having to care for a parent who has a debilitating stroke and no advance directive.While I appreciate the author's note indicating this was a very personal story, I would have preferred the note be at the beginning of the book, or at least a short list of CWs be provided. I too cared for a parent in home hospice, and this was really a really rough read for me. The descriptions of medical care are very explicit, and Anna's father also indicates to her he no longer wants to live.
As I see many readers are excited to read "Quan's Book", this is not Quan's book. Quan is a very kind and amazing partner to Anna when he can be, but he is also dealing with his own trauma and difficulties, besides being in an open relationship with Anna. The scenes with them together sparkled, their love scenes were tender and beautiful, but ultimately I did not buy their HEA.
Also, I do not believe Anna really resolved any of the real harmful behavior and abuse her family put her through, specifically her sister who told Anna she didn't believe her Autism diagnosis, that Anna didn't love her father, that Anna did a shitty job caring for their father.
And the way the book starts, with Anna basically being forced to endure a horrible BJ her "boyfriend" insists on, that was really rough to read.