Book Club December Review: How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang

After last month's unfortunate choice of book, and because it's cuffing season, I was keen to pick something easy (and romantic) to read with a little bit of spice. A quick scan through the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards nominees made me shortlist two options: Ali Hazelwood's Not in Love and Yulin Kuang's How to End a Love Story. Due to my own experience with film production, my Chinese upbringing, and a guilty pleasure for tragic premises, I ultimately decided to go for Kuang's novel.

How to End a Love Story is about Helen Zhang, an author whose book has been picked up for a TV adaptation, and Grant Shepard, one of the screenwriters on the show. The tragic accident from thirteen years ago has tied them together, and it still hangs over their heads to this day. Will the undeniable attraction between the two allow them to overcome their past? Or will this all end as yet another tragic love story?

The Good Stuff

One of the deciding factors for me to have chosen this novel over any other romance book was the portrayal of a Chinese immigrant family, and I was glad to see that Kuang had accomplished it well. It was relatable and well-written, depicting the subtle nuances of a complicated relationship between daughter and parents, one that I experienced in my own upbringing.

I loved the spice, the enemies-to-lovers trope, and the push and pull between the main characters. Turns out, I'm a sucker for the popular guy in school being a big softie that falls in love with the nerd. The characters were mostly well-developed, showing us Grant as this homecoming king who has now become an anxiety-ridden loner in LA and Helen with a complex filial responsibility. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a character as much as I could identify with Helen and her pressure to make her parents happy.

Moreover, the book successfully portrayed the long journey and difficulties of coping with grief, and certain scenes have made me cry, proving that Kuang knew exactly the right buttons to push to break the dam.

The Not So Good Stuff

Whilst I was quite hooked on the story and kept turning the pages to see if Helen and Grant would end up together, I have to say Kuang’s execution of the ending was quite cliché.

START OF BIG SPOILER!

Why do romance books always end with a wedding? What’s the deal with that? Couldn’t they just profess their love in a grand gesture without tying the knots at the end? Why is a wedding always the end goal?

END OF BIG SPOILER!

Kay also made a good point about the characterisation of Helen and Grant. Whilst I do believe they were interesting characters, I have to agree that Grant was a little bit too perfect despite his shortcomings and Helen was relatable but not compelling enough for me to adore her as the female lead. Kay even took it further and thought Helen was annoying for always pushing Grant away as the obstacles in their relationship seemed minuscule in her opinion.

Also, I think it’s a preference, but I wasn’t overly keen on the constant perspective changes within a chapter. I’m not sure it really needed to switch so much as it slightly pulled me away from the story.

Rating

CY - Despite some of the negative points, I still have to say this might be my favourite romance book of all times. The relatability, the spice, and the tearjerking moments made me rate this a 5/5.

Kay - I liked the realistic exploration of Helen’s grief and struggles relating to her parents, but the love story was a bit cliché. 3/5.

Did you read this book? If so, are you Team Kay and found it a bit boring, or do you consider yourself Team CY and was swooning over the romance?