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A review by ashleychaney
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
5.0
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, as well as Yulin Kuang for my eGalley copy of this novel via NetGalley.
Helen has not seen Grant in thirteen years, since one of the worst days of her life, after a horrible accident intertwined their lives forever. That's all about to change now that her hit YA book series has been picked up for TV and they find they're both going to be in the writers' room. Will they be able to work together even with the tension that has existed between them all these years? Does their shared history set them up for even more?
If I'm being entirely honest, the main reason I even noticed this book was because Emily Henry posted about how amazing it was, and a few days later I saw it on NetGalley and had to try for the opportunity to read it. Oh.My.Gosh this book was deserving of every positive review.The character development we see with Helen is profound but doesn't feel rushed. The way she processes her trauma from her sister's death and how their last conversation went, as well as her inability to love freely, was moving. The way Kuang tackled these difficult topics was so well done that I felt immersed in the story, often forgetting I was reading because I felt like I could see the story playing out on the page.
I loved Grant's character and hate how Helen's parents treated him, though I know the death of a child can often leave parents in an irrational state. He was just a kid, and was completely innocent of responsibility for her death, but was experiencing the natural trauma that one would experience after living through/witnessing such a horrific event. When he had his panic attacks, especially when he witnessed the car accidents during his commute, my heart broke for him. I think though I would have loved to see him completely overcome his panic attacks as the reader, the way the story panned out represents mental health in real life. He was doing the work, seeing a therapist, yet the panic was something he still had to deal with but he now has the tools to do so.
On that note, the entire books dialogue on mental health was so refreshing. As someone with severe anxiety myself, it was nice to see these "normal" characters suffering with trauma responses/anxiety/perfectionism, but it wasn't the main topic of the book nor was it the main topic of their lives. They were professionals, friends, lovers, etc. and their mental illnesses were a part of their lives as the common cold may be. I feel there aren't many instances where books touch on mental health where it isn't the main crux of the storyline, and it was nice to see.
The relationship between Grant and Helen's relationship naturally progressed from "enemies" who had spent years thinking about how each other's lives were playing out, to two people who loved each other and pushed each other to be their best selves felt so natural that I almost feel disappointed that they aren't based on real people. I loved that Grant was so into Helen early on that he was acting like a horny teenager, it was really cute. Also when she was high I was dying, I found myself laughing out loud.
There really wasn't anything I didn't enjoy in this book. I know it's only February, but I think this miiiiight be my number 1 read of the year so far, and it's going to be hard to beat. I know many take issue when there are a large number of side characters, but I felt they were just as interesting and enjoyable as the main characters (though obviously not as well rounded as a main character). They helped develop the story and add depth to the writers' room aspect of the book.
I am going to recommend How to End a Love Story to everyone I know. I already cannot stop talking about it, and I hope it eventually gets made into a movie, because that would be amazing. Just from my experiencing this book, I'm even more eager to see the coming movies Kuang is working on, her gift for storytelling is unmatched.
Helen has not seen Grant in thirteen years, since one of the worst days of her life, after a horrible accident intertwined their lives forever. That's all about to change now that her hit YA book series has been picked up for TV and they find they're both going to be in the writers' room. Will they be able to work together even with the tension that has existed between them all these years? Does their shared history set them up for even more?
If I'm being entirely honest, the main reason I even noticed this book was because Emily Henry posted about how amazing it was, and a few days later I saw it on NetGalley and had to try for the opportunity to read it. Oh.My.Gosh this book was deserving of every positive review.
I loved Grant's character and hate how Helen's parents treated him, though I know the death of a child can often leave parents in an irrational state. He was just a kid, and was completely innocent of responsibility for her death, but was experiencing the natural trauma that one would experience after living through/witnessing such a horrific event. When he had his panic attacks, especially when he witnessed the car accidents during his commute, my heart broke for him. I think though I would have loved to see him completely overcome his panic attacks as the reader, the way the story panned out represents mental health in real life. He was doing the work, seeing a therapist, yet the panic was something he still had to deal with but he now has the tools to do so.
On that note, the entire books dialogue on mental health was so refreshing. As someone with severe anxiety myself, it was nice to see these "normal" characters suffering with trauma responses/anxiety/perfectionism, but it wasn't the main topic of the book nor was it the main topic of their lives. They were professionals, friends, lovers, etc. and their mental illnesses were a part of their lives as the common cold may be. I feel there aren't many instances where books touch on mental health where it isn't the main crux of the storyline, and it was nice to see.
The relationship between Grant and Helen's relationship naturally progressed from "enemies" who had spent years thinking about how each other's lives were playing out, to two people who loved each other and pushed each other to be their best selves felt so natural that I almost feel disappointed that they aren't based on real people. I loved that Grant was so into Helen early on that he was acting like a horny teenager, it was really cute. Also when she was high I was dying, I found myself laughing out loud.
There really wasn't anything I didn't enjoy in this book. I know it's only February, but I think this miiiiight be my number 1 read of the year so far, and it's going to be hard to beat. I know many take issue when there are a large number of side characters, but I felt they were just as interesting and enjoyable as the main characters (though obviously not as well rounded as a main character). They helped develop the story and add depth to the writers' room aspect of the book.
I am going to recommend How to End a Love Story to everyone I know. I already cannot stop talking about it, and I hope it eventually gets made into a movie, because that would be amazing. Just from my experiencing this book, I'm even more eager to see the coming movies Kuang is working on, her gift for storytelling is unmatched.