The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang is a deeply personal, steamy, intense and poignant story centred around virtuoso violinist Anna as she struggles to overcome burnout, navigate an unhappy relationship and come to terms with her Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
After suddenly becoming an internet sensation, leading to a famous composer writing a special piece for her, Anna finds herself crippled by expectation and unable to play despite having recording and concert deadlines looming. Her long-term boyfriend, although handsome, wealthy and loved by her family, doesn't appreciate the strain she is under and, instead of offering comfort, breaks the news that he wants them to have an open relationship before they finally settle down.
Feeling dejected, reeling from her ASD diagnosis, and unable to turn to her family for support, Anna decides she will have a string of one night stands too and put into practice her therapist's advice to stop trying to please everyone else.
Gorgeous, tattooed, motorbiking Quan seems like the perfect candidate, although he also has his own reasons for wanting a brief hookup. After several false starts the sex is undeniably smouldering, but it soon becomes obvious that there is a lot more to their connection. He seems to understands her on a very deep level and is able to help her get through incredibly difficult times.
The writer draws on several aspects of her own experience, including her ASD diagnosis, making this a deeply personal and emotional read. She makes it clear that it isn't obvious who has ASD and people can experience it in very different ways.
After suddenly becoming an internet sensation, leading to a famous composer writing a special piece for her, Anna finds herself crippled by expectation and unable to play despite having recording and concert deadlines looming. Her long-term boyfriend, although handsome, wealthy and loved by her family, doesn't appreciate the strain she is under and, instead of offering comfort, breaks the news that he wants them to have an open relationship before they finally settle down.
Feeling dejected, reeling from her ASD diagnosis, and unable to turn to her family for support, Anna decides she will have a string of one night stands too and put into practice her therapist's advice to stop trying to please everyone else.
Gorgeous, tattooed, motorbiking Quan seems like the perfect candidate, although he also has his own reasons for wanting a brief hookup. After several false starts the sex is undeniably smouldering, but it soon becomes obvious that there is a lot more to their connection. He seems to understands her on a very deep level and is able to help her get through incredibly difficult times.
The writer draws on several aspects of her own experience, including her ASD diagnosis, making this a deeply personal and emotional read. She makes it clear that it isn't obvious who has ASD and people can experience it in very different ways.