Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Tropes: Friends to lovers; Forced Proximity; Ex’s best friend; soulmates
Kylie Scott’s End of Story is a romance between loosely-defined friends who fight their attraction because the MMC is the best friend of the FMC’s ex. This romance, for me, feels like a departure from Scott’s usual fare. Readers who come to her looking for her famous Stage Dive, Larsen Brothers, or West Hollywood flavor might be shocked by End of Story. This is some paranormal meets rom-com banter between two people who are fighting their chemistry. And even after ending this story, I’m still unsure of my feelings about it overall.
Let’s begin with the cons first:
- It’s a slow burn that feels slow for the first third of it. Other reviewers noted how easily they moved through the story. It took me a bit to get through it.
- The impetus for their eventual connection seems a bit silly. I don’t think the prequel story, Beginning of the End, sets up enough chemistry for Susie and Lars. Therefore, the reason for their chemistry in End of Story isn’t initially believable to me.
- I think a dual POV might have helped the credibility of their attraction.
- It took me most of the book to engage with Lars and Susie.
Now, for the pros:
- Once Susie and Lars found their groove, they are adorable and sweet, very rom-commy.
- The ending is poignant, and while the book was slow for me at the beginning, the ending left me with a smile.
- Lars’s brother, Tone, and Susie’s best friend, Cleo, add some layers to Susie and Lars’s connection.
- Kylie Scott writes a d-bag villain well with Susie’s -ex Austin. You love to hate him in End of Story.
- A little over halfway through the book, the story picks up, and the attraction you hope to feel finds its pacing, specifically after Lars lands himself in the hospital. I enjoyed the book more as Lars and Susie fall more deeply in love.
- The turning point of the story at Lars and Tone’s parents’ anniversary party is the highlight of the book besides the final chapter and epilogue.
If you’re a Kylie Scott fan, you should definitely read this story. If you’ve never read her before, I’d begin with her Stage Dive series. Once you recognize her capacity to shift between stories, then grab End of Story and appreciate her rom-com sense.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 