How to End a Love Story

Yulin Kuang is getting a lot of press as the screenwriter for two upcoming films based on [a:Emily Henry 13905555 Emily Henry https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1573928938p2/13905555.jpg]'s novels. Unfortunately, Kuang's own debut novel isn't strong enough to support its challenging plot - a love story between two people who are linked by a devastating tragedy. Thirteen years ago, Grant was behind the wheel when Helen's younger, troubled sister darted in front of his car and was killed. Grant wasn't at fault; Michelle had researched suicide online, and her toxicology report showed illegal substance use. But Helen, in her grief, still blamed him. When they meet again as a successful YA author whose books are being adapted into a TV series (Helen) and the screenwriter for the show (Grant), Helen can't stand to be in the same room as her sister's killer. Cue chemistry, a few heart-to-heart conversations, and spicy lovemaking. Helen and Grant's passion is easy to accept (hate f*cking exists), the love much less so. Screenwriting and novel writing are separate skills, and Kuang is unable to capture that magical spark of connection that makes a HEA possible (including a wedding!) between two people with such a traumatic beginning (hint: it's more than witty dialogue). Emily Henry's debut, [b:Beach Read 52867387 Beach Read Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387.SX50.jpg 67832247], heralded the arrival of a bright new talent right out of the gate, and her subsequent novels have been equally successful. Kuang's admiration and respect for the author make me optimistic about the translation of Beach Read and [b:People We Meet on Vacation 54985743 People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743.SX50.jpg 67832306] to the big screen, but as a novelist she's not in Henry's league, at least not yet.