The Heart Principle

 

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. - excerpt from Goodreads.

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang is the third book of the series following after the timeline of the second book. This time Quan is the main instead of the support character along with his leading lady Anna. More focus is definitely on Anna instead and her story of discovery and struggles are the essence of the book. The story shifts view points between Anna and Quan so we get to read about their thoughts and reactions. I definitely enjoyed Anna's story more than Quan's, hers is something that everyone should learn about and be able to empathise with. 

Although this book was not too thick, it did not feel lacking in any way, the plots were smooth and some incidents were necessary to trigger emotions. I went in this without expectations and I just read without trying to guess the plot. The steamy parts were super entertaining which is one of the reasons of reading Helen Hoang's books. The emotional parts definitely pulled at my heart string and I learnt something important about the author through this.

Isn't it bromantic?

 

Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.

Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance—both on and off the page.

The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love—and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt. - excerpt from Goodreads.

Isn't it bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams is the fourth book in the series with the Russian as the main protagonist. Vlad was elusive and full of mystery from the first to the third book, the thing that is usually highlighted about him was his lactose intolerance and how bad it smells when he farts. It was really enjoying reading about his personality, his struggles and his romance story.