Reviews with content warning for Death - How to End a Love Story

This was an impressive debut novel and one that I really enjoyed, but interestingly enough it is one that I don’t find easy to write a reflection about.

It is a story about how the past can shape the future until we do the work to process it and shape it for ourselves. Sometimes romances have silly reasons for characters not being able to be together, but this one was… legit. Helen Zhang’s younger sister, Michelle, commits suicide via Grant Shepherd’s car, only for Grant to later be a screenwriter on the tv show adaptation of Helen’s book series. The situation is obviously complicated, as Grant doesn’t want to make Helen uncomfortable but won’t quit the job, while Helen first feels pressured by her parents’ expectations to not connect with Grant and then feels selfish and guilty for doing just that. Grant was so lovable in a he-falls-first and he-falls-harder way, while Helen was definitely a harder sell, for Grant and for me.

Forced proximity catalyzes a reluctant acquaintance between them that grows into much more in an understandably complex way. I loved the way both Grant and Helen have thought about one another over the years in relation to Michelle’s death and that Helen does not blame him for it. The trauma-bonding that happens years after this horrible event makes both characters question how their fates are entangled, but it becomes so much more than connection through a mutual loss. Their relationship becomes the spark Helen needs so she is able to finally reflect on and recognize the ways she wants to heal and how she wants to love in a brave, bold way.

To me, this couple had a bit more angst than tenderness, but Grant says it best when he tells Helen: “You don’t have to be completely healed to be everything I want. To be mine. I love every part of you, you silly, infuriating woman. I love the parts of you. I haven’t even met yet.”

The discussed expiration date on the situation-ship due to the tv show’s schedule adds another layer to the drama, as does Helen thinking Grant is better off without her. By establishing some much-needed boundaries with her parents and communicating (in writing) all the things she wishes she could say to Michelle, Helen can process her past and move forward into the future she wants. I could be wrong, but the title makes me wonder whether the love story she is writing the ending for is her own with Grant or her writing to Michelle when she ends their story with love.

P.S. I can’t forget to mention Grant writing his address on Helen’s thigh after they fooled around in his office. 🔥

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kcbas1's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

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jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad 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

I will not accept any criticism of How to End a Love Story! From the start to finish, I loved each and every second of this. Yulin Kuang is without a doubt an auto-buy author. The freaking idea itself was so unique because who falls from the person who the person that drove the car that killed their sister?!?! They're like two sides of the same coin, forever tied together after the horrible event. I cried so hard at so many parts.

I wanted to wrap Helen and Grant in my arms and make sure they never experienced any pain again. I loved the character work and how they each wanted to be like the other while in the writer's room (soulmatism if you ask me). The romance was so damn good that I can't imagine anything topping it for me.

THIS MAN WROTE HIS FREAKING ADDRESS ON HER THIGH

It's been a week and I can't stop thinking about them. The big and small moments, the kisses and the smut, the joy and pain, literally everything about this was phenomenal!!!

Read this if you like angsty, slow burn romance, writing like Emily Henry with Ali Hazelwood smut, sad girl reads, hurting yourself for fun, books about writers, the inescapable fear that you've already done the best thing you will in life, or are the traumatized oldest daughter of a family that never talks about their feelings! 😄

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dearbookboyfriend's review against another edition

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challenging emotional lighthearted reflective fast-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

workplace, forced proximity, enemies, casual to lovers, opposites attract, angsty, author x screenwriter, tortured heroine, chinese american rep, new jersey, los angeles, open door

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hanz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

4.0

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