Caroline Builta's Reviews > How to End a Love Story

You're so easy to love, Helen.

Helen Zhang, a bestselling YA novelist, is thirteen years removed from the suicide of her sister - a tragedy that will forever link her to Grant Shepard. She's succeeded at building a fortress around her heart, but when her and Grant are thrust back into each other's worlds in the writer's room for the adaptation of Helen's novels, her carefully constructed walls begin to show cracks.

Helen is truly a character study in resilience and depth. She goes on a powerful and poignant journey through grief and self-discovery. Grant is layered and compelling - exactly the way that I like my love interests. The dynamic between Helen and Grant is filled with so much tension that you can't help but root for them, despite their painful past.

This isn't just a book - it's a masterclass in blending the complex, the tragic, and the beautiful into a contemporary romance that grips you by the heart and will not let go. It's clear that Kuang has brought her screenwriting past into her literary debut - the dialogue here is sharp, the scenes she paints are vivid, and the journey each of the characters take is both sensitive and nuanced. Not to mention... this is STEAMY. No closed doors here! The ending is also incredibly satisfying and feels totally earned and true to the characters she has created.

This is a beautifully written and deeply affecting story that will stay with me for a long time - an easy 5 stars.

This book is out 4/2. Thank you to Yulin Kuang, Avon Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.