How to End a Love Story
A Novel
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4.1 • 771 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK!
“Emotional, relatable and binge-worthy." –Tessa Bailey
“I’ll read anything she writes. An absolute star." –Emily Henry
“I was hooked on the very first page. Don't miss this one!" — Carley Fortune
Two writers with a complicated history end up working on the same TV show... Can they write themselves a new ending? A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and give you a book hangover from brilliant new voice Yulin Kuang
Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Entertainment Weekly · Today.com · Paste · Daily Waffle ·The Nerd Daily and more!
Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the thirteen years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever.
Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels, and if she can hide her imposter syndrome and overcome her writer’s block, surely the rest of her life will fall into place too. LA is the fresh start she needs. After all, no one knows her there. Except…
Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past, including building a life across the country. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects that he just can’t pass up.
Grant’s exactly as Helen remembers him—charming, funny, popular, and lovable in ways that she’s never been. And Helen’s exactly as Grant remembers too—brilliant, beautiful, closed off. But working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all.
When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. And yet… the key to making peace with their past—and themselves—might just lie in holding on to each other in the present.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A writer sees her dreams come true—with one hitch—in this touching rom-com. Best-selling YA author Helen Zhang has just landed in L.A. to work on a TV adaptation of her series of novels when she finds out that the other person in charge of the writers’ room is Grant Shepherd. The same Grant Shepherd who was driving the car that Helen’s sister Michelle had jumped in front of 13 years before, when she ended her life. Unsurprisingly, Helen and Grant’s relationship is a bit frosty at first. But as they work together, they begin to understand how Michelle’s decision has affected both of their lives. First-time novelist Yulin Kuang has an eye for how love can manifest itself in the most unusual ways, especially between parents and children. As a screenwriter herself, Kuang’s on-set working scenes pop with vibrant life. How to End a Love Story is a marvelous, lively read not to be missed.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Screenwriter Kuang's debut beautifully probes the lingering effects of grief and guilt while offering readers a glimpse behind the curtain of Hollywood glamour. Thirteen years before the start of the book, Helen Zhang's younger sister, Michelle, took her own life by jumping in front of Helen's classmate Grant Shepard's car. Ever since, Helen and her family have channeled all of their grief and anger into despising Grant. Now a successful YA novelist, Helen leaves New York City for sunny L.A. to join the writing team for a TV adaptation of her work. Then she learns that Grant is leading the team. Michelle can barely bring herself to be civil toward him and her anxiety and anger over having to work together casts a pall over the writers' room. Slowly, however, she sees Grant's talent and comes to be impressed by how diligently he takes care of the people on the team. Like Helen, Grant is scarred by the past, but he also senses that he and Helen belong together if only she would give him a chance. Once feelings blossom, however, Helen fears her traditional Chinese immigrant parents are not ready to forgive Grant and may get in the way of a relationship. Kuang handles her characters' complex emotions with sensitivity and skill, and makes the chemistry between Helen and Grant leap off the page. Readers will have no trouble rooting for these two.
Customer Reviews
See AllJust wow
I’m dying. So beautiful!!!
Cheap thrills
A mediocre read until you come to the trash that some people need for cheap thrills. I definitely would not recommend this book to anyone I know.
Slow start
Almost gave up, but glad I finished it…. Some demons that I didn’t see much resolution of, but it was a nice ending