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A review by kerosenelit
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm truly torn on this one. I loved the first half. The trauma entwined around these characters is what I live for. With an accident thirteen years ago forever connecting them, the initial anger Helen holds against Grant was so understandably complicated. The separation of painful memories from the growing fondness Helen develops for Grant made my heart ache.
Despite the weirdly uncomfortable interactions between the group of colleagues within the writing room, I really enjoyed seeing the process of bringing a TV show to life (Grant is a screenwriter for the adaptation of Helen's successful YA novels). And at the same time, seeing Helen work through her feelings of imposter syndrome was so lovely.
I majorly lost interest in the romance in the second half, though. The bedroom scenes filled with over-the-top dirty talk did not fit the emotional undertone of the story for me. It was unexpected, to say the least. Chapter after chapter, I found it focused too heavily on their sexual relationship.
That said, I absolutely loved Yulin Kuang's writing. The way she captures emotions is truly beautiful. Depending on the spice level in future books, I wouldn't hesitate to try something from her again.
(heat level: multiple open-door scenes, moderate to explicit details)
Despite the weirdly uncomfortable interactions between the group of colleagues within the writing room, I really enjoyed seeing the process of bringing a TV show to life (Grant is a screenwriter for the adaptation of Helen's successful YA novels). And at the same time, seeing Helen work through her feelings of imposter syndrome was so lovely.
I majorly lost interest in the romance in the second half, though. The bedroom scenes filled with over-the-top dirty talk did not fit the emotional undertone of the story for me. It was unexpected, to say the least. Chapter after chapter, I found it focused too heavily on their sexual relationship.
That said, I absolutely loved Yulin Kuang's writing. The way she captures emotions is truly beautiful. Depending on the spice level in future books, I wouldn't hesitate to try something from her again.
(heat level: multiple open-door scenes, moderate to explicit details)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident