The lives of Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard were changed in one moment 13 years earlier, when Helen’s older sister died in a tragic accident. Now a bestselling author, Helen has landed a spot in the writers’ room as they bring her book to life onscreen. One of the newly hired writers, Grant, has worked hard to build a life and forget his role in the accident, despite constant panic attacks. As he and Helen cautiously reconnect, they must reckon with the past and learn what kind of love story they are meant to have. Though Kuang’s debut is steeped in pain, listeners will be buoyed by its enduring hopefulness. Katharine Chin and Andrew Eiden narrate Helen and Grant with tenderness and sensitivity, allowing listeners to experience their growth over the course of the novel. Kuang explores love through grief, so while there is plenty of romance and heat, it is tempered by the weight of past choices. VERDICT A layered, slow-burn romance that tackles tough topics with delicacy.