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cyndi1966's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Grief
alpinchi's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Car accident, and Suicide
meghan_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
AN ABSOLUTE STUNNER. I’m not usually a cryer (and I don’t seek it out in my reads) but all of the emotions in this book were so deep and real and earned that I cried multiple times. On top of that, the chemistry between the MCs was 🔥🥵.
Phenomenally well written, but warnings for LOTS of on-page struggles through grief & trauma rooted in the FMC’s sister unaliving herself by jumping in front of the MMC’s car when they were all teenagers. Layered on top of that are the FMC’s immigrant parents and the distant relationship they all have with each other… I know it sounds like Entirely Too Much, but the MCs felt SO believable and true. The setup felt intense, but deftly managed.
Phenomenally well written, but warnings for LOTS of on-page struggles through grief & trauma rooted in the FMC’s sister unaliving herself by jumping in front of the MMC’s car when they were all teenagers. Layered on top of that are the FMC’s immigrant parents and the distant relationship they all have with each other… I know it sounds like Entirely Too Much, but the MCs felt SO believable and true. The setup felt intense, but deftly managed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Grief, and Death
amberlfaris's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Grief, and Car accident
izzcharles's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
#IndigoEmployee - all views are my own.
I've been wanting to read this since I heard about it some months ago. It was cute! This is another book that I unfortunately took a long time to read and that's because there were days I wasn't reading. Which is normal. When I first started this book, I was hooked, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Then I got in a short slump and when I picked up the book again, I wasn't turning the pages as fast as I was. So perhaps if I read this with no week-long periods where I'm not reading anything, I would've loved this more than I did. However, I still enjoyed this book, and Grant Shepherd *Starletta DuPois voice in Waiting to Exhale* is a good man.
I've been wanting to read this since I heard about it some months ago. It was cute! This is another book that I unfortunately took a long time to read and that's because there were days I wasn't reading. Which is normal. When I first started this book, I was hooked, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Then I got in a short slump and when I picked up the book again, I wasn't turning the pages as fast as I was. So perhaps if I read this with no week-long periods where I'm not reading anything, I would've loved this more than I did. However, I still enjoyed this book, and Grant Shepherd *Starletta DuPois voice in Waiting to Exhale* is a good man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, and Suicide
krisloveskihei's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Car accident, Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
kimapede's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Minor: Suicide, Medical content, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
thatswhatshanread's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It’s been a long time since a book has truly surprised me, and I commend Yulin Kuang’s debut (!) for doing it. This novel was a doozy, folks, and I loved it very much.
I think, if you’re looking for a modern book that has the vibes of Jane Austen when it comes to YEARNING and dramatic romance, this one has to be it??? That may sound crazy to say. But I couldn’t help feeling that familiar great tug and ache of Georgian-era stories. Okay, maybe this one has more of the tragedy synonymous with the Brontes. In any case, Kuang’s writing swept me away. The desperation on the pages gripped me to the bone. The way Grant wanted and needed Helen was so TANGIBLE.
“How To End A Love Story” was much more romantic and sexual than I thought it would be, especially considering the cold beginning and introduction to these two characters with the worst kind of shared tragedy. It worked so well obviously because one second I’m like okay and then I’m obsessed with the way they sink deeper into each other’s orbits and forgive themselves for being who they once were. I love that Grant falls first and isn’t afraid to tell Helen what he wants. It’s so genuine and so soft. Helen is more the stand-offish unsure one and their pairing doesn’t feel forced at all, even with the circumstances of their past and present. Kuang’s writing is harsh in a whimsical way, somehow an oxymoron of sweet subtle sentences and hard honest dialogue. There are heavy overall themes of suicide, grief, panic attacks. The story is very demanding of all of your emotions. It is definitely not a romcom. It’s a romantic drama for sure, with lots of deep trauma and healing.
THIS is how you do the grumpy x sunshine trope. It’s not too much of either, one character being a little ball of rainbow and glitter, the other the grim reaper who hates children and animals. It’s just the right amount of give and take, of one falling first and the other afraid to admit it. That’s that on tortured slow burns, baby. Lololololol the head of The Tortured Poets Department will see you now.
“Loving can hurt, and I want to do it anyway.”
READ THIS BOOK!!!!! Sorry if you cry but actually not really because crying is HEALTHY!!!!
I think, if you’re looking for a modern book that has the vibes of Jane Austen when it comes to YEARNING and dramatic romance, this one has to be it??? That may sound crazy to say. But I couldn’t help feeling that familiar great tug and ache of Georgian-era stories. Okay, maybe this one has more of the tragedy synonymous with the Brontes. In any case, Kuang’s writing swept me away. The desperation on the pages gripped me to the bone. The way Grant wanted and needed Helen was so TANGIBLE.
“How To End A Love Story” was much more romantic and sexual than I thought it would be, especially considering the cold beginning and introduction to these two characters with the worst kind of shared tragedy. It worked so well obviously because one second I’m like okay and then I’m obsessed with the way they sink deeper into each other’s orbits and forgive themselves for being who they once were. I love that Grant falls first and isn’t afraid to tell Helen what he wants. It’s so genuine and so soft. Helen is more the stand-offish unsure one and their pairing doesn’t feel forced at all, even with the circumstances of their past and present. Kuang’s writing is harsh in a whimsical way, somehow an oxymoron of sweet subtle sentences and hard honest dialogue. There are heavy overall themes of suicide, grief, panic attacks. The story is very demanding of all of your emotions. It is definitely not a romcom. It’s a romantic drama for sure, with lots of deep trauma and healing.
THIS is how you do the grumpy x sunshine trope. It’s not too much of either, one character being a little ball of rainbow and glitter, the other the grim reaper who hates children and animals. It’s just the right amount of give and take, of one falling first and the other afraid to admit it. That’s that on tortured slow burns, baby. Lololololol the head of The Tortured Poets Department will see you now.
“Loving can hurt, and I want to do it anyway.”
READ THIS BOOK!!!!! Sorry if you cry but actually not really because crying is HEALTHY!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Cursing, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood
instalovewithbooks's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I started this book as an audiobook, but soon realized that the audiobook wasn't fast enough for me, and that I had to switch to my physical copy I bought for Indie bookstore day and I'm so glad I did.
This book took me longer than I thought it would, but honestly I'm glad it did. I'm glad I didn't gobble it up, and slowly enjoyed Helens and Grants story.
I wasn't sure how this love story would end. It is a romance, and you need a HEA but there was so much against them. I did find that the ending was severely rushed and that possibly another 20 or so pages would have been nice.
Overall, a great read. Would read another book written by Yulin.
This book took me longer than I thought it would, but honestly I'm glad it did. I'm glad I didn't gobble it up, and slowly enjoyed Helens and Grants story.
I wasn't sure how this love story would end. It is a romance, and you need a HEA but there was so much against them. I did find that the ending was severely rushed and that possibly another 20 or so pages would have been nice.
Overall, a great read. Would read another book written by Yulin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
moreadsnrambles's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Car accident, Sexual content, and Mental illness