A review by jcstokes95
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

 I should have reviewed this when I first read it, because my god, did it engender strong reactions in me as I was reading. It really boils down to this, and really, Goodreads, please answer my question: how much do you bump up a romance with top tier spice but a tough plot? Because, I found the actual reasons for these two folks to be together insipid and insane. But also, this had some of the steamiest scenes I’ve read this year. And I am conflicted. 

Let’s reduce the plot harshly: Grant Shepard ran over Helen Zhang’s suicidal sister when they were teenagers. Decades later, she is a successful author making her book into a TV show. And he’s been hired as head writer. Instead of bowing out like ANY MORAL SANE NOT FUCKING SOCIOPATHIC HUMAN would do, he stays on and is generally fucking rude and arrogant to her. At this point in their relationship, I’d be writing my piece for The Cut on how this man ruined my life. But, Helen’s…also fucking weird, so she’s into this. And, as if they are cosmically linked, decides it’s a good idea to fuck and fall in love with this man. 

I think this woman needs a new therapist, but I guess this is what love is nowadays. 

Grant Shepard is the WORST romantic lead of all time. I hate him. There is a point in here, where he describes what the night he killed her sister was like. And Helen…comforts him? At no point does he seem to directly show any remorse toward Helen. Or comfort her. It’s frankly a baffling narrative choice. 

Some reviewers mention the third act breakup is great because, unlike in many romances, it makes sense. And yeah, I’d fucking say so, because imagine bringing the dude who had your dead sister in the grill of his car to meet your parents. They were unhappy. And honestly, I’m on the toxic parents’ side. The worst part of this, is when things are inevitably fixed, she doesn’t even seem to patch things up with her parents. 

There is so little conversation in this book about the MAIN PROBLEM in the relationship. It can only feel like two deeply ill people who really have great sexual chemistry and thus decide nothing can keep them from screwing. Good for them, bad for my buying into their love. But at least the steam was good and constant. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings