Read an exclusive excerpt from Kuang’s debut romance, ‘How to End a Love Story.’
Yulin Kuang knows a thing or two about romance fiction.
He never rowed crew in high school or college, but Karina had assured him that didnt actually matter.
Yulin Kuang; ‘How to End a Love Story’.Sela Shiloni; Avon
Itll look cool when you wear it on set.
She never steered him wrong in wardrobe, at least.
Maybe this whole thing was a mistake, but its too late to back down now.
Good, youre finally here, Suraya says, a minicrab cake in hand.
Everyone, this is Grant, my number two.
Suraya glances up and beams.
And heres our guest of honor, Helen Zhang.
The table cheers rowdily and Grant looks up.
Helen Zhang, in the present tense.
She looks intimidating, put-together, andgrown upand he suddenly feels inadequately prepared in every way for this moment.
Helen, weve got Tom, Eve, Owen, Saskia, Nicole, and Grant.
Helens gaze snaps to Grant immediately and he feels like an insect pinned to paper.
Weve met, she says neatly.
Grant and I went to high school together.
She had noticed him immediately, standing next to Suraya like a cosmic joke.
The showrunners brows lift and she throws Grant (Grant!)
You never mentioned that in your interview.
Grant shucks the jacket off and sips his water in an obvious bid for time.
He watches her over the rim of his glass.
Finally, he swallows and sets the glass down lightly.
Didnt feel like a fair thing to do.
Suraya rolls her eyes.
Hes the number two, she adds to Helen.
If Im not in the room, Grants in charge of running things in the writers room.
Ah, says Helen.
Grant looks up at her then.
Youll have to tell us embarrassing stories about Grant later.
What are we eating?
Sometimes I wish you werent my sister.
Grant reappears first, two drinks in hand margaritas, which feel inappropriately festive.
Is one of those for me?
If you want it to be.
He sets it down.
Helen takes the drink and knows shes going to lose whatever game theyre playing first.
I think you should quit, she says abruptly.
Grant lifts his brows, then sips his drink coolly.
Do you, he says, sounding bored.
From HOW TO END A LOVE STORY by Yulin Kuang, published by Avon Books.
Copyright 2024 by Yulin Kuang.
Reprinted courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers.
