The following version of this book was used to create the guide: How to End a Love Story: A Novel. Harper Collins: 2024. Kindle Version.

This novel is primarily set in California, New York, and New Jersey. Prior to the beginning of the novel, Helen’s sister, Michelle, committed suicide while high by running in front of Grant’s car. Grant is a popular boy at the sisters’ high school. Michelle does not leave a suicide note, and she took her life the night she had a fight with Helen, leaving Helen to always feel guilty and uncertain about what happened. Michelle routinely searches her sister’s computer files well into adulthood to try to figure out why her sister did what she did. The family reacts poorly when Grant goes to the funeral.

Grant and Helen reunite years later when he is hired as part of the writing team that is working to develop her young adult book series into a television show. She does not want him on the show, and she pressures him to quit. He refuses to quit, but before accepting the job, he did try to talk his agent out of it because he wanted to respect Helen.

The two work together in the writers room, and Grant is excellent at using his charisma to win the room over and to help everybody access the vulnerability needed to write television scripts. Helen does not succeed in the same manner. She has always tried to impress people, so accessing a place of vulnerability is not easy for her. She struggles for quite some time.

Eventually the group goes on a camping trip in order to help them bond. The hope is that this will help their writing process. Grant and Helen show up first and speak cordially to one another. Eventually Helen takes a cannabis gummy in an effort to fit in, and the whole group goes on a hike while most of them are high. At one point Helen starts to fall, and when Grant goes to catch her, they both roll down the hill together and he gets injured. Helen takes him back to the cabin and helps clean his wounds.

Slowly the two become closer, and they develop a sexual relationship. Despite this fact, Helen maintains that they must remain casual and that the relationship has to end when their work together ends. She believes they can avoid getting hurt this way. Grant’s feelings for Helen are strong, and he is willing to take anything she is willing to give to him.

Eventually Helen’s parents find out that she is working with Grant, and this ultimately leads to the end of Helen’s relationship with Grant. Grant has been pushing for more all along, and Helen has been keeping him at a distance. Their work on the show ends, and they part ways. Helen gets in a car accident, however, and all of her loved ones come to the hospital. It is at this time that she tells her parents they must give her more space in her life.

After Helen is released from the hospital, she has dinner with her parents. After leaving, she writes a letter to Michelle and believes she has Michelle’s forgiveness for Helen’s relationship with Grant. Helen and Grant eventually reconcile after Helen sends a manuscript with her feelings to Grant. Her parents learn to accept Grant, and the two wed in Ireland.