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A review by djf15
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
emotional
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
4.0
I received this book as a Giveaway from Goodreads - Thank you Avon & Yulin Kuang!
When I got this book in the mail, I wasn't expecting it to blow up on social media like it did, so I honestly didn't immediately add it to my next-to-read pile. I am so disappointed that I didn't! As the publication date approached, not only was this book everywhere on social media (I was getting FOMO), I also wanted to read it so I could provide a review prior to release.
Anyways, this book wasn't really at all what I was expecting. It tells the story of a woman named Helen, whose little sister committed suicide (as a teenager) by jumping in front of a moving vehicle driven by a boy named Grant. Helen and her family learn to dislike Grant deeply, and put a lot of the blame for Michelle's untimely death on him. Fast forward several years, Helen's popular book series is being adapted into a show and Grant is a writer on the show. Their new adult relationship starts off fraught. Of course, like any good enemies to lovers, they fall deeply in love fairly quickly. Their relationship was emotional and tense, and an interesting aspect to their love story was Helen's parents. Kuang beautifully wove a side plot of the relationship complexities between children and their immigrant parents.
One aspect of the book that was also really well done (albeit very unexpected) was the spice! There is a lot of spice in this book, and it definitely is not closed door. Kuang does a wonderful job crafting these scenes in the book, and I was really impressed by her ability to make these scenes filled with tension, romance, heat, all without making them corny or awkward. I'm thinking that part of this is because of Kuang's experience as a screenwriter.
Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to watching Kuang on the book scene for years to come! I took away one star because some of the pacing of the book was a little "off." Some parts seemed to last quite a chunk of the book while other parts of the book would be glossed over and time would be flying by. Not a huge deal, but it was strange to read at times.
When I got this book in the mail, I wasn't expecting it to blow up on social media like it did, so I honestly didn't immediately add it to my next-to-read pile. I am so disappointed that I didn't! As the publication date approached, not only was this book everywhere on social media (I was getting FOMO), I also wanted to read it so I could provide a review prior to release.
Anyways, this book wasn't really at all what I was expecting. It tells the story of a woman named Helen, whose little sister committed suicide (as a teenager) by jumping in front of a moving vehicle driven by a boy named Grant. Helen and her family learn to dislike Grant deeply, and put a lot of the blame for Michelle's untimely death on him. Fast forward several years, Helen's popular book series is being adapted into a show and Grant is a writer on the show. Their new adult relationship starts off fraught. Of course, like any good enemies to lovers, they fall deeply in love fairly quickly. Their relationship was emotional and tense, and an interesting aspect to their love story was Helen's parents. Kuang beautifully wove a side plot of the relationship complexities between children and their immigrant parents.
One aspect of the book that was also really well done (albeit very unexpected) was the spice! There is a lot of spice in this book, and it definitely is not closed door. Kuang does a wonderful job crafting these scenes in the book, and I was really impressed by her ability to make these scenes filled with tension, romance, heat, all without making them corny or awkward. I'm thinking that part of this is because of Kuang's experience as a screenwriter.
Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to watching Kuang on the book scene for years to come! I took away one star because some of the pacing of the book was a little "off." Some parts seemed to last quite a chunk of the book while other parts of the book would be glossed over and time would be flying by. Not a huge deal, but it was strange to read at times.