A review by trivial_reads
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

4.0

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang is an incredible debut novel that captures the complex web of emotions following a tragic accident that binds Helen and Grant together since their teenage years. Initially, the novel’s pace and the shifting third-person point of view mid-chapter might take a bit to get used to. But once you're in, you're really in.

Helen initially comes off as cold toward Grant, a frostiness rooted in a shared, life-altering past event. Yet, Grant gradually chips away at her defences, transforming their relationship from bitter enemies to reluctant friends bonded over shared trauma and eventually to friends with benefits. Unexpectedly, the book takes a spicy turn—more than I anticipated. In particular, Grant's dirty talk felt a bit jarring, seeming slightly out of sync with his character.

I thoroughly enjoyed How to End a Love Story and will definitely keep an eye out for more from Yulin Kuang. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions—witty, tense, spicy, and heart-wrenchingly sad. It had me in tears more than once. Helen and Grant perfectly embody that black cat/golden retriever dynamic, making you root for them despite the odds. This story tugs at my heartstrings, and I’m not afraid to admit it got the best of me.