She only has this debut novel so far, but I'm decidedly going to buy anything Yulin Kuang writes! This was a smartly-written romance with authentic characters, gripping vulnerability, and spice spice spice! I love the Asian American representation, and I also love the family dynamics and overall introverted social doubts the heroine has. This will be a book I pull off my shelf to re-read. This isn't appropriate for a high school library (although no doubt teens and adults alike will devour this. 5 stars from this picky reader!

A heartfelt enemies to lovers romance book that is well-paced and multi-dimensional. Often, an issue I have with this particular trope is that the protagonists are enemies because of a trite misunderstanding or because they have highly competitive type A personalities. In contrast, the characters in this book have deeply personal issues with each other due to a past trauma involving their families. Each of the main characters, Helen and Grant, deals with the pain caused by this in their own unique way, which felt authentic and...kind of heartbreaking. They end up working together, in the writers room of the screen adaptation of a popular book series. It is easy to become wrapped up in their world and invested in their potential happily ever after. The author, Yulin Kang, is a screenwriter, so the dynamics within the writers room seemed genuine, and informative without over-explaining the particulars. I loved this "inside baseball" look at the writer's room, and despite some of the heavier aspects of this book, there is a lot of humor and levity sprinkled throughout. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it to fans of Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez.

If you want an angsty romance with wit and emotion, this is the book for you! I couldn't put it down-I was totally hooked from start to finish. You'll get a sneak peek into how the screenwriting process works. Plus the writing is so effortless. If you are into romances that make you laugh, cry and everything in between give this one a shot.

THIS BOOK. This book. I mean, wow. I absolutely loved the story, and the introverted Asian in me could really relate. I can't quite believe that this is the author's debut offering because it is poignant, emotional, and brilliant. Emily Henry fans will gobble this up. A definite must-add to any collection.

Thank you Avon Books and Harper Audio for providing me with a complimentary audiobook and eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I had a mixed bag experience reading How To End A Love Story. This book isn’t going to be for everyone and that’s okay. Kuang, is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more romance novels from her. Especially since she is the screenwriter for the adaptations of Emily Henry’s People We Meet On Vacation and Beach Read.

Like I said previously, I had a mixed experience with this book. I loved our leads, Helen and Grant. I thought they were well-written and captivating main characters. I thought Kuang’s character work went really deep and I knew Helen Grant very well. The novel is written in third person present tense. The present tense allowed for the deep and intimate character examination of Helen and Grant. But at the same time, I somehow felt a little disconnected from the story due to the present tense narration.

Due to the narrative choice, I felt more connected to Helen and Grant individually rather than being connected to the relationship that developed between them. A tragedy that occurred when they were teenagers is what connects our main characters and I sometimes had a hard time believing Helen and Grant should be together due to the tragedy that connects them. Whether you think Helen and Grant should be together will be based purely on personal preference.

Another critique I had was the third act breakup, which I was not a fan of. I felt the miscommunication was unnecessary. Especially for the way Helen and Grant’s relationship evolved.

I thought the audiobook narrators Katherine Chin and Andrew Eiden did a great job. A dual narration was a smart choice, and the narrators brought Helen and Grant to life.

I don’t think How To End A Love Story is going to be for everyone but if the premise sounds interesting to you I think it’s worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for your next audiobook!

Ignoring the awful, overly dramatic initial connection these two characters have, this was funny and sweet and quick. The characters were charismatic and the setting was one I hadn’t experienced before (bts Hollywood) which made it exciting! I really wish I could give it 5 stars, but the characters would have to meet in a different scenario for that to happen.

Sometimes, books surprise you with the depth of what they have to say about life and family, and this one one such book. On the one hand, it's got some great back and forth, second chance love banter, and spicy scenes. On the other hand, the story it's telling about family, and tragedy and how our parents can really screw us up was just top notch. Helen and Grant are super fun, nuanced characters, and I want to spend more time with them, and see what kinds of stories they tell in the future. I also really related to the unresolved sibling relationship. Siblings can be some of our hardest, most complex relationships, and I appreciated that there wasn't a neat and tidy ending in the offering here. Will definitely recommend to readers looking for something a little more thoughtful than the average romance.

This is hands-down, my favorite book of 2024 so far. I cannot wait for more people to read it so I can talk about it with them! It broke my heart and the best way. I finished the book immediately wanted to reread it!

Could you fall for the guy who accidentally killed your sister? This intense story shares two sides to a devastating loss. TW for suicide. A really beautiful story, with an intense storyline.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The plot is good, but the story dragged in the middle for me. I liked the last part of the book however.

Helen Zhang is a writer whose YA book is being turned into a TV series. The head writer is Grant Shepard, and he and Helen have a difficult history. When they were teenagers, Helen’s sister deliberately ran into traffic to take her own life, and it was Grant’s car that hit her. Helen’s parents call him a murderer and have never forgiven him.

To complicate matters, Helen and Grant are attracted to each other. They both know that the relationship can’t be anything long term, but continue on with it in spite of everything.

The backstory is so heavy, I’m not sure the characters could get past it especially when Helen’s parents are so triggered by the mere mention of Grant’s name. However, the writing is good and I’ll definitely read her next book. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my

I found this author through Emily Henry and I am so pleased I did. This was amazing—a truly surprising romance and unforgettable characters.

This was a really good book! It definitely had some spice in it, so if that’s not your thing you can skip it and still enjoy the story! I enjoyed all the characters and was really rooting for Helen. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Yulin Kuang is a gifted writer. Unfortunately for this book, it has two things going against it. It follows the publication of ROMANTIC COMEDY by Curtis Sittenfeld and RIGHT ON CUE by Falon Ballard. The parts I enjoyed the most didn’t have anything to do with the romance aspect. It had to do with the psychological exploration of the two protagonists. I hope the author will realize that about their work and explore such themes in more depth in their next book.

I’M OBSESSED. The best thing about this book is that it’s not just the same old romance novel that we come across time and time again. I felt like I was actually in the story with the way this book just takes you there. You will love the characters but more importantly relate to them, feel like you know them, and feel like you’ve been them. This is perfect for fans of forced proximity, work romance, kind of second chance romance, forbidden love.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was truly impressed by how much I loved this book start to finish. The characters were so well fleshed out and the dialogue so realistic. I particularly enjoyed the unique setting of the story being in a TV writers room and all the eccentricities that go on there. Watching a romance build from a place of seemingly impossible odds to a realistic outcome was so satisfying as a romance reader who needs to see realism and endings that are earned to be enjoyed.

I’ve been a fan of Yulin Kuang since her Kissing in the Rain web series. This both was the love letter to love that I remember feeling 10 years ago when I watched that series and also deeper and more nuanced in its exploration. She is so adept and creating characters you know and understand and hurt for but also writing toe curling sweet sexy romance

I loved this book so much

Thank you to Avon Books and Book Club Girl for the advanced reader copy and to Harper Audio and LibroFM for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Wow! The writing here was simply phenomenal. Grant and Helen went to high school together. They weren't friends, but they were tied by an awful incident. And now he is one of the primary TV writers adapting her hugely popular YA series to television.

Grant and Helen have forced proximity that feels so rough. And they both need to keep on with in given they work together. Since I so frequently call out miscommunication in romances, I think it's important to highlight just how great the communication was here. I was so impressed by both of them separately and as individuals. And this was hot. The two had so much chemistry. I was so invested in their relationship and whether they could really make it work.

Katherine Chin and Andrew Eiden brought it to life on audiobook. Their narration was absolutely spectacular, and I am glad I chose to listen to this one. It was deeply emotional and moving.

CW: car crash, death of a loved one

REVIEW🎥

How to End a Love Story ~ Yulin Kuang
Pages: 384
Genre: Romance

Gist: Helen’s best selling YA novels are being adapted for TV and she has negotiated her way into the writer’s room. That’s where she sees Grant Shepard, a pretty well-known LA based screenwriter. He’s also an integral part of the tragic demise of Helen’s sister.

But this is a love story after all and their shared grief builds understanding, while their undeniable chemistry might be more than both Helen and Grant can deny.

Thoughts: This was fab! As you may or may not realize by now, I’m really soaking in the romance reads and this was the perfect combination of sweet, steamy, and serious. I loved the banter and attraction Helen and Grant shared but I also really enjoyed those vulnerable moments when Helen was with her family or the writers were navigating being “heard” in the writer’s room. This is definitely not a one-note romance.

I knew early on that I was impressed with Yulin Kuang as this is her debut, but then I got word that she is the screenwriter bringing Emily Henry’s novels to the big screen and my respect exponentially grew. What CAN’T this woman do??

Highly recommend. Out now (published April 9th) and also available on Book of the Month so you can add it on when the May selects drop. You won’t regret reading this one. Thank you @avon for the chance to read it early!

WOW!

In high school Helen and Grant didn’t really know each other. A tragedy made them sure they would never forget one another.

Years later work opportunity brings them together in ways neither one of them could’ve seen coming.

Oh I loved this book. The premise was interesting from the start. I could totally tell where Helen was coming from and I adored Grant. They were both fully rounded characters and the author did such a good job bringing them together.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

Absolutely loved this one! Going to be one of my new favorite romances that I'll recommend to anyone who loves Emily Henry or Carley Fortune.