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lightsuplibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i just…have to overwhelming need to grovel at the feet of yulin kuang and tell her how much i loved this and beg her to keep writing and feed me more novels that make me feel the way this one did. this is simply her debut and i know with every cell in my body she WILL become one of the big hits of romance books. and rightfully so.
this book starts out with helen zhang in high school who has now lost her baby sister, and grant shepard (who goes to school with her) who is involuntarily involved. helen is resentful, angry, begrudged that grant’s life gets to keep going. fast forward and helen is in her early 30’s, a successful writer, and now with a tv adaptation of her novel happening! only…grant shepard is a screenwriter - a damn good one. and he’s hired to work on her show. so, with months of the writing room ahead, they decide to put the past aside and just make helen’s show. they can be grown ups. until helen realizes maybe she was too hasty in putting all the blame on him.
helen was…wow. what a complex character. i found myself relating to her more than i thought and i loved that. especially on her fronts of social anxiety. and grant. sweet little baby grant. he was so warm and charming. like a big hug. and when he suffered panic attacks it felt like my heart was out of my chest.
i truly just don’t have the words to express just how much i loved this. i will be re-reading as soon as i can. its original, funny, angsty, sexy (i mean, SEXY!), and well rounded. just perfect.
this book starts out with helen zhang in high school who has now lost her baby sister, and grant shepard (who goes to school with her) who is involuntarily involved. helen is resentful, angry, begrudged that grant’s life gets to keep going. fast forward and helen is in her early 30’s, a successful writer, and now with a tv adaptation of her novel happening! only…grant shepard is a screenwriter - a damn good one. and he’s hired to work on her show. so, with months of the writing room ahead, they decide to put the past aside and just make helen’s show. they can be grown ups. until helen realizes maybe she was too hasty in putting all the blame on him.
helen was…wow. what a complex character. i found myself relating to her more than i thought and i loved that. especially on her fronts of social anxiety. and grant. sweet little baby grant. he was so warm and charming. like a big hug. and when he suffered panic attacks it felt like my heart was out of my chest.
i truly just don’t have the words to express just how much i loved this. i will be re-reading as soon as i can. its original, funny, angsty, sexy (i mean, SEXY!), and well rounded. just perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A gorgeously written and all encompassing contemporary romance, that tugged at my heartstrings just as much as it made me swoon. If you love your romances slow burn, sizzlingly intense and bordering the literary— then you’re in for an absolute treat!
Told through the alternating POVs of Helen and Grant, whose complicated history (Helen’s sister committed suicide via moving car, which happened to be driven by Grant) and growing attraction sees them navigating grief, guilt, the long term effects of trauma, forgiveness and even love in a heartfelt (and surprisingly pragmatic) way that I found incredibly relatable.
Given that gut punch of an opening chapter, I had no idea how Yulin Kuang was going to get our protagonists to actually talk to each other (let alone fall in love.) But the intricate (and nuanced) way in which their chemistry and intense attraction for one another is explored was simply breathtaking.
I don’t think I’ve ever rooted for a couple quite as much as I did Helen and Grant, who have far more in common than either could ever imagine. Both struggling to cope with the after effects of their shared trauma and the loneliness caused by their emotionally guarded, workaholic lifestyles. I loved watching them slowly puzzle each other out, and begin to open up to one another—healing emotional wounds they’ve both carried for thirteen years.
Helen’s complicated bond with her mother and the guilt she feels surrounding her relationship with Grant adds the perfect amount of conflict to keep things interesting without spiralling into anything overly dramatic or unbelievable.
I do think this is the kind of book that needs to be read to be truly appreciated, and I honestly feel Kuang’s background in screenwriting helped soo much with that. Oftentimes with prose dripping with sensory imagery that evoked grand and complex feelings without a single line of dialogue needed (which I absolutely loved.)
Overall, How To End A Love Story was a lush, emotional rollercoaster of a debut that has me eager for more of Kuang’s work. Fans of Emily Henry or Sally Thorne should definitely consider picking this one up. Just check the TWs first.
Also, a huge thank you to Tallulah over very at Hodder Fiction for the fabulous proof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Car accident, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
belarna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wonderfully paced and sprinkled with just the right amount of spice and tension - How To End A Love Story is an easy recommendation from me, especially for fans of Emily Henry (the fact that Kuang is set to direct the film adaption for Beach Read and is the screenwriter for the film adaption of People We Meet On Vacation should make you want to pick this up!).
How To End A Love Story is an endearing romance with a focus on acceptance, grieving, and personal growth. Kuang writes the leads in a way that makes them feel real, which is showcased through their complex past, shared trauma, and the evident tension between the two.
This debut was exceptional, kept me thoroughly engaged, and I truely cannot wait to see what Kuang brings out next!
I’m speechless and consumed by heartache. Thank you to both Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, and Drug use
michbrito's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
ninjamuse's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Drug abuse
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