I keep trying to read popular fiction and often end up disappointed—How to End a Love Story was no exception. While I finished the book, it felt like a messy blend of unresolved trauma, repetitive storytelling devices, and a plot stretched thin to accommodate a few steamy scenes.
Helen, our protagonist, doesn’t seem to form meaningful connections. Her friendships are shallow, and she rarely makes an effort at anything until late in the book when she begins writing about her sister. Even then, the emotional payoff is minimal. The subplot about her sister’s death—possibly suicide by running into traffic?—is left frustratingly unresolved, making the third-person narration feel unreliable and the emotional stakes muddled.
Also, the sex scenes felt idealized to the point of distraction. Does Helen ever not have an orgasm? It’s not exactly representative of most heterosexual experiences, and it detracts from the realism the book seems to aim for.
Honestly, this story might have worked better as a lighter adult romance: “He was the hot homecoming king, we were years apart, and now we’re hooking up as adults.” That premise alone could’ve been fun and engaging without the weight of underdeveloped trauma and distant parents.
This book needed a stronger editorial hand. I wanted more emotional clarity, more believable relationships, and less reliance on drama that never fully lands.
REVIEW: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
RATING: 2-stars
© Jennifer R Clark. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. You may share and adapt this content with proper attribution.
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