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penguins_save_lives's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Death, and Alcohol
thehannahclaire's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, and Car accident
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
emmy_likes_2_read's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a great listen that I sped through! Kinda wish I had listened at a slower rate š
The narrators did a really good job with the material. And the material was solid. There was drama, there was spice, there was angst. Really hitting my sweet spots.
A note on the spice: it was all vanilla, nothing dark or kinky, but this author knows how to write a š„š„š„ vanilla scene! So it's still š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø (out of 5) for me.
The narrators did a really good job with the material. And the material was solid. There was drama, there was spice, there was angst. Really hitting my sweet spots.
A note on the spice: it was all vanilla, nothing dark or kinky, but this author knows how to write a š„š„š„ vanilla scene! So it's still š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø (out of 5) for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Itās been a long time since a book has truly surprised me, and I commend Yulin Kuangās debut (!) for doing it. This novel was a doozy, folks, and I loved it very much.
I think, if youāre looking for a modern book that has the vibes of Jane Austen when it comes to YEARNING and dramatic romance, this one has to be it??? That may sound crazy to say. But I couldnāt help feeling that familiar great tug and ache of Georgian-era stories. Okay, maybe this one has more of the tragedy synonymous with the Brontes. In any case, Kuangās writing swept me away. The desperation on the pages gripped me to the bone. The way Grant wanted and needed Helen was so TANGIBLE.
āHow To End A Love Storyā was much more romantic and sexual than I thought it would be, especially considering the cold beginning and introduction to these two characters with the worst kind of shared tragedy. It worked so well obviously because one second Iām like okay and then Iām obsessed with the way they sink deeper into each otherās orbits and forgive themselves for being who they once were. I love that Grant falls first and isnāt afraid to tell Helen what he wants. Itās so genuine and so soft. Helen is more the stand-offish unsure one and their pairing doesnāt feel forced at all, even with the circumstances of their past and present. Kuangās writing is harsh in a whimsical way, somehow an oxymoron of sweet subtle sentences and hard honest dialogue. There are heavy overall themes of suicide, grief, panic attacks. The story is very demanding of all of your emotions. It is definitely not a romcom. Itās a romantic drama for sure, with lots of deep trauma and healing.
THIS is how you do the grumpy x sunshine trope. Itās not too much of either, one character being a little ball of rainbow and glitter, the other the grim reaper who hates children and animals. Itās just the right amount of give and take, of one falling first and the other afraid to admit it. Thatās that on tortured slow burns, baby. Lololololol the head of The Tortured Poets Department will see you now.
āLoving can hurt, and I want to do it anyway.ā
READ THIS BOOK!!!!! Sorry if you cry but actually not really because crying is HEALTHY!!!!
I think, if youāre looking for a modern book that has the vibes of Jane Austen when it comes to YEARNING and dramatic romance, this one has to be it??? That may sound crazy to say. But I couldnāt help feeling that familiar great tug and ache of Georgian-era stories. Okay, maybe this one has more of the tragedy synonymous with the Brontes. In any case, Kuangās writing swept me away. The desperation on the pages gripped me to the bone. The way Grant wanted and needed Helen was so TANGIBLE.
āHow To End A Love Storyā was much more romantic and sexual than I thought it would be, especially considering the cold beginning and introduction to these two characters with the worst kind of shared tragedy. It worked so well obviously because one second Iām like okay and then Iām obsessed with the way they sink deeper into each otherās orbits and forgive themselves for being who they once were. I love that Grant falls first and isnāt afraid to tell Helen what he wants. Itās so genuine and so soft. Helen is more the stand-offish unsure one and their pairing doesnāt feel forced at all, even with the circumstances of their past and present. Kuangās writing is harsh in a whimsical way, somehow an oxymoron of sweet subtle sentences and hard honest dialogue. There are heavy overall themes of suicide, grief, panic attacks. The story is very demanding of all of your emotions. It is definitely not a romcom. Itās a romantic drama for sure, with lots of deep trauma and healing.
THIS is how you do the grumpy x sunshine trope. Itās not too much of either, one character being a little ball of rainbow and glitter, the other the grim reaper who hates children and animals. Itās just the right amount of give and take, of one falling first and the other afraid to admit it. Thatās that on tortured slow burns, baby. Lololololol the head of The Tortured Poets Department will see you now.
āLoving can hurt, and I want to do it anyway.ā
READ THIS BOOK!!!!! Sorry if you cry but actually not really because crying is HEALTHY!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood
juanat77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
datskira's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Car accident
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mix of heavy and fun (and spicy). I also appreciated the author's use of dual POV. It was so nice to get almost simultaneously, both characters' perspectives throughout the shared scenes. I could definitely feel the author's experience in screenwriting. The story felt very cinematic. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction and Drug abuse
meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have incredibly mixed feelings about this book. I was really excited to read this authorās debut because sheās the screenwriter on Dollface, one of my favorite shows (that was unjustly canceled after two short but perfect seasons!) I know she has also garnered a lot of attention for her upcoming work with Emily Henry as the screenwriter for her book to film adaptations. I think my expectations were too contingent upon my own preconceived notions, because the story was much less whimsical, lighthearted, romantic comedy, and much more dramatic, emotionally heavy exploration of the concept of love in all its forms. While Iām normally a fan of both of those things, this one just felt a little too melodramatic and messy in places.
While I really loved FMC, Helenās, journey to finding peace after the trauma of losing her sister, the fact that MMC, Grant, was the one driving the car that accidentally caused her death was simply too much for me. I liked that it allowed them to both related to one another in a meaningful way, but the trauma bond of it all took me out every time. Especially when it came to Helenās relationship with her parents. I related in a lot of ways with her compartmentalization and the way she tried to preserve peace in their relationship, but the way they reacted to her dating Grant was so hard to read. The character of Grant was a well rounded romantic hero and I liked that he had his own emotional journey. (My only complaint about him is they way he rudely asked his mom to make him coffee and bring it to his room that one time he brought Helen to his childhood home!) There were a lot of romantic moments between him and Helen that were well written and very sweet (the flea market coat rack date, the train scene, the library proposal) but, unfortunately, a lot of the writing in the spicer scenes made me cringe. Also, the nickname Cracker Jack was weird and unnecessary.
Overall, I feel like this book would have been better edited for and marketed as contemporary fiction instead of romance. I will definitely pick up whatever Yulin Kuang puts out next, but this one was not an all time favorite for me.
Overall, I feel like this book would have been better edited for and marketed as contemporary fiction instead of romance. I will definitely pick up whatever Yulin Kuang puts out next, but this one was not an all time favorite for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Cursing and Drug use
bookishbrenbren's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Um what. This book make no fking sense. Bc the characters are underdeveloped and have no internal arc/growth. So their decisions and choices make no sense and are not connected to who they supposedly are as people. The story is all plot *things are happening and there is sex!* but I need something deeper to believe true love is real lmao this book made me feel nothing except these two horndogs have sexual chemistry.
The very icky premise is laid out in the first chapter: the pair is a woman whose sister committed suicide and the man who was driving the car when she ran into traffic. Um why??? Why did that need to be a couple?!?! so anyway, i go on reading because it's so highly hyped, waiting for the ickiness to smooth itself out and for all these characters to like work through their collective, shared trauma and like let that emotional work bring them closer lol no none of that happens. For some reason, the main character is not turned off enough by her own grief and her partner's role in that grief - or at least his connection to it - to not have sex with him. And it's very weird like all around like have any of the people on the production side of this book ever lost a family member and/or experienced grief?? Like I know they must have, but I'm just wondering how this book ends up the book that it is. Idk call me crazy but grief is not a huge turn on for me. Much less grief by suicide! Were there sensitivity readers? I'm dying to know because some of the language used in this book seems very yeah I'm just gonna say it again icky.
If this was real like and the girl you ran over's sister asked you to fuck off their show's adaptation writing team, why would you say No!? Obviously he's not hurting for opportunities. And why would you EVER forgive him for saying no???? Can I not just suffer once, you want me to suffer every day I show up to work? Again I return to the idea that none of these editors, agents, writer, have ever actually lost anyone close to them.
Anyways. Ultimately the biggest issue here is that there is no character development. The pair has sexual chemistry as I mentioned before, but we have no idea why they do the things they do. Like it's clear, given their shared trauma, why they would *not* want to get together but what is making them ignore all of that self preservation? We'll never know because these characters are like an inch deep.
The very icky premise is laid out in the first chapter: the pair is a woman whose sister committed suicide and the man who was driving the car when she ran into traffic. Um why??? Why did that need to be a couple?!?! so anyway, i go on reading because it's so highly hyped, waiting for the ickiness to smooth itself out and for all these characters to like work through their collective, shared trauma and like let that emotional work bring them closer lol no none of that happens. For some reason, the main character is not turned off enough by her own grief and her partner's role in that grief - or at least his connection to it - to not have sex with him. And it's very weird like all around like have any of the people on the production side of this book ever lost a family member and/or experienced grief?? Like I know they must have, but I'm just wondering how this book ends up the book that it is. Idk call me crazy but grief is not a huge turn on for me. Much less grief by suicide! Were there sensitivity readers? I'm dying to know because some of the language used in this book seems very yeah I'm just gonna say it again icky.
If this was real like and the girl you ran over's sister asked you to fuck off their show's adaptation writing team, why would you say No!? Obviously he's not hurting for opportunities. And why would you EVER forgive him for saying no???? Can I not just suffer once, you want me to suffer every day I show up to work? Again I return to the idea that none of these editors, agents, writer, have ever actually lost anyone close to them.
Anyways. Ultimately the biggest issue here is that there is no character development. The pair has sexual chemistry as I mentioned before, but we have no idea why they do the things they do. Like it's clear, given their shared trauma, why they would *not* want to get together but what is making them ignore all of that self preservation? We'll never know because these characters are like an inch deep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol