An enemies-to-lovers, forbidden, workplace romance set in the writing room of a series adaptation in L.A.
Must Read Review: How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Hi Librarygoers!
Remember how I said something about not demolishing your TBR 20 books at a time? Well that’s because I’m doing it one book at a time. Starting with How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang.
This book ended up on my TBR because for one, it was everywhere and also, I was curious to know how Emily Henry’s screenwriter would tell her own story (Yulin Kuang is the screenwriter for the adaptations People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read). I also get really excited to read stories about women of color (the main character Helen is a Chinese-American) just living. Novels centered in culture are incredibly important but so is acknowledging that the stories of women of color are multifaceted, layered, and engaging.
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CW: Always check your trigger warnings before reading! This title deals with death of a sibling by suicide and the complicated accompanying grief.
What is this story about?
Imagine, you (Helen) move cross country from New York to LA to join the writing room of the series adaptation of your YA novel series only to find a man from your past (Grant) that you really, really need to hate sitting across from you at the table.
Why do you hate him? Well, you are from the same small East Coast town and were acquaintances at best (you absolutely had a crush on the nicest boy in school) before your sister Michelle ended her life by jumping in front of Grant’s car.
It goes without saying, Grant was persona non grata in your house moving forward, even though he was not responsible for the tragedy that placed you in one another’s lives forever. Since he left your hometown he’s been making it in LA as a series writer so you’re stepping directly into his world. You don’t have to be in the writer’s room for your show’s adaptation but decide to do so because you’re struggling at writing literally anything else. Your (metaphorical) pen turns to ash every time you try to pick it up and are hoping that the writing room and new city will get your creative juices flowing.
But there’s another option.
What is the tone of this book?
This novel is a masterclass in complicated grief. The tone is heavy (this is absolutely not a romcom) when they are dealing with their personal growth journeys. Helen is snippy and sometimes cold and constantly considering her grief, the perception of literally everyone around, and the feelings of her family. Grant is aloof, anxious, and used to frequently being a party of one. Eventually, they get very steamy and very dirty and it’s very lovely.
So, balance.
Are you sure this is a romance?
↑ This is a question I asked myself a few times because SO MUCH GRIEF. The answer is absolutely yes. I did spend most of the first half of the book wondering “how are these two going to not end up in a brawl much less end up in love?” but the HEA absolutely did happen. And it was believable. And it was beautiful. And it was healing to both Helen and Grant.
What made this work for you?
I don’t use the term enemies-to-lover lightly. A lot of enemies-to-lovers can be described as rivals-to-lovers or miscommunicating-that-I-actually-love-you-to-lovers and not miss a beat. This story however, imho is decidedly an enemies-to-lovers book because the hate is real. The hate is mostly on Helen’s side but it’s also easily understandable. On Grant’s side, the hate comes into play because Helen is not any version of kind or cordial to her coworker when she begins interacting with him.
Outside of their relationship, they are both struggling. Helen doesn’t know if she fits in in the writing room, with her friends from back home, or with her aging immigrant parents. They both suffer from anxiety, though Grant’s is often more pronounced and acute. They have to trust each other to work through their issues before love ever comes into play.
Then once love comes into play, or probably lust, things get really really steamy. It’s perfect.
I also really enjoy their cast of supporting characters at the writing table and a really fun scene involving edibles and a camping trip.
Why do you recommend this book?
Grief is weird but even if you’re grieving, or will eventually grieve, you still deserve love. It might not be easy but it will change you and it will be worth it. This is a heavy, emotional read and I feel better for having read it.
This book makes me excited to read more from Kuang in the future and to see any adaptations she’s a part of.
Have you read this? Are you moving it up on your TBR? Does it remind you of any other books you’ve loved? Let me know what you think.