I originally was not going to give this book a review. But I feel after reading other reviews my feelings are valid. This book was simply not for me but may be for you. It felt very info dumpy and rushed in some parts. Lots of cussing which is okay but it seemed like some of it could have been skipped. It was really hard to finish this one.


Overall I do appreciate giving this book a chance. Thank you NetGalley and Jayce Lee for this book.

I really wanted to love this because I love anything Jane Austen and I love a second chance romance but this book was not for me. The writing style unfortunately was just a lot of telling and not showing. There was a lot of info dumping which made for clunky exposition and dialogue.
Thank you so much Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC

I appreciate being chosen for the ARC! I hate to say it but this book just wasn't for me. I'm not a fan of miscommunication and MANY readers would agree. This book had too much miscommunication. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it

My dislike for this book is partly a me problem, partly a story problem. I'm not a fan of second chance romances, but I will give them a go every once in a while. Jayci Lee is a hit-or-miss author for me, so I hoped I would finally find a second chance romance I actually like. But I really didn't like this book. I would have DNF’d it had it not been an ARC.

There’s slow burn, then there’s barely a spark. The attraction between the characters was told and not shown, and I only understood it to be physical attraction.

And the inner monologues of both characters were so repetitive. After the second time, thanks for the reminder. After the twelfth time, I get it, move on.

Pining? More like whining. Literally everything could have been resolved with a conversation. There was zero relationship development. I rooted against them.

🌶️🌶️ - Mildly-descriptive scenes that rarely happen

Thank you Jayci Lee, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

"Give Me a Reason" has a jarring beginning. Jumping straight into the drama was not a great feeling. It felt too fast. Having two POVs also ruined the chance of the plot being mysterious. However, something made me continue reading. The yearning between Frederick and Anne made me want to stay along for the ride. The miscommunication did get ridiculous at certain points but somehow, yet again, I continued reading. I did enjoy the intimate moments between our main characters. All in all, somethings could've been done better but it was a decent read. Also, the cover is gorgeous.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I was so excited when I first heard of Give Me a Reason, Jayci Lee’s latest novel. Why? Because it’s a modern take on Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion, one of my favourites. The novel was published at the end of July but I saved it to read for Austen August and, great news!, I enjoyed it immensely! It’s a great addition to the world of Austen adaptations.

Here’s the book’s description:

A Korean drama actress gets her second chance at love with the man she left in order to save her family--if she can work up the courage to risk her heart on forever…one last time.

For ten years, Anne Lee told herself that Frederick Nam was her past. In order to save her father from bankruptcy, she left Frederick for an acting career in Korea. This was the only way she could stop him from following her and ruining his future. It was the best way she could love him.

After Anne left, Frederick spent years loving her, missing her, and hating her until he decided to live his life for himself. He followed his dream and became a firefighter in Culver City. He didn’t need romance. He had his work and his friends.

When Anne returns to Los Angeles, she and Frederick are thrown together in the same wedding—she as her cousin’s bridesmaid and he as his friend’s groomsman. Even though he is angry and distant with her, Anne can no longer deny that she never got over him. Not even close.

With so much hurt and uncertainty between them, Anne and Frederick suffer their love in silence. But all it would take is a single leap of faith to bring them together...

I think the best second chance romance novels (or movies) start as Persuasion adaptations. While Pride and Prejudice was one of the first enemies-to-lovers romances, Austen’s novel featuring Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth is one of the first second chance romances and, ooh boy, it’s a doozy. It also usually makes for really great and interesting adaptations. Even though I knew how the story would unfold, I loved how Lee modernized Austen’s story and added her own twist. I always really like to see how authors will choose to adapt a story and what they’ll focus on and what they’ll leave out or gloss over. I thought Lee did a great job and definitely recommend this one to other Austen lovers.

I have one little thing that gets me sometimes in modern Jane Austen adaptations and that’s when the characters reference or are somehow involved in something Austen. And in the case of Lee’s book, (very slight spoiler ahead) Anne ends up getting a part in an Austen film adaptation. Which is great but it kind of ruined the effect of the novel being an adaptation of an Austen novel itself. It’s a little meta and not in a good way.

But what if you don’t read Jane Austen and don’t care one jot that this is an adaptation? That’s OK! I think you’ll still enjoy the romance Lee created. Anne is someone who’s at a crossroads in her life and her family life is a little bit complicated. Her cousins and aunt are so supportive but her father and older sister are…not. Not even a little bit. She’s strong but she’s also a caretaker and that means she struggles to put herself first. Frederick is a little bit the same way. He takes what happens at the fire house to heart, even if he did everything in his power to avoid tragedy. But he sees Anne, really sees her, and takes care of her the way she deserves - by appreciating her independence and smarts but being there to help when she really needs it. Green flags all around!

Give Me a Reason was a great romance that I really enjoyed reading. Jayci Lee’s modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion was done well but will still appeal to readers who aren’t Austen fans. Pick it up especially if you love second chance romances!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

I feel like you have to have read (or watched) Jane Austen’s Persuasion to truly appreciate how well Jayci hit every single mark in the storyline while writing Give Me a Reason.

The retelling was so spot on, with a modern twist, and Jayci’s own take on the well known scenes — for instance, powdered donuts instead of jam.

My only critique is that I would have loved to see Anne and Frederick get to know each other better in current day, instead of most of their feelings being from what they knew of each other ten years ago. However, this is exactly how Jane Austen’s version is too, so it makes sense in a retelling that Jayci would do it similarly as the original.

Overall, this is a great k-drama spin on a classic and I had a fun time reading it! If you’re a Jane Austen fan, I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the physical and e-ARC of this!

DNF @ 50%

Unfortunately, this just dragged and I couldn't get through it. I tried the e-book and the audiobook, which is the only reason I made it to 50%

Persuasion is my favorite novel by Jane Austen, so I was very excited to read this retelling! Give Me a Reason managed to hit on all the key plot points of the classic, while also delivering a new story that is fresh and modern.

Anne Lee and Frederick Nam (IYKYK) met when she was 21 and he was 19. They fell fast and hard, but Anne decided to end their relationship when she relocated to Korea for an acting career. Yes, her aunt persuaded her to do so, but there were also other factors at play. Anne felt obligated to save her family from bankruptcy and didn't want Frederick to give up his future for her. However, Anne doesn't share any of this with Frederick, which leaves both of them heartbroken.

After a decade apart, Anne returns to Los Angeles and she and Frederick are immediately in each other's orbit again. Anne's cousin is marrying Frederick's friend, and they are both in the wedding party. There is nothing I love more than forced proximity!

The angst and pining between Anne and Frederick is simply unmatched. These two characters YEARN like it's their job! It honestly hurt to watch them together. I desperately wanted them to give in and just TALK to each other about their feelings, but then there wouldn't be a story to tell. I think this is a testament to Jayci though - she made it hurt so good!

Fortunately, Anne and Frederick find their way back to each other and get their HEA. It does take the entire novel, which makes sense, based on the source material, but I do wish we had more of an opportunity to see Anne and Frederick together as a couple! The flashback scenes and epistolary elements gave us some insight, but I would have loved more of them after they reunite in the present.

I also have to acknowledge the GORGEOUS cover and the nod to Pride & Prejudice in the novel. I absolutely love that Anne's American film debut will be starring as Elizabeth Bennet!

I thoroughly enjoyed Give Me a Reason, and I am excited for what Jayci does next!

As I read the blurb of this book, I thought oh this will be great. A retelling of Jane Austens book Persuasion. Anna Lee drops out of school to peruse a career in Korea for a K-drama lead roll. For a decade she wonder what it would have been like to live her life with her boyfriend Frederick. His story has an added twist we now see more of Fredericks pov and I loved it. The longing, angst and slow build up of their undying love for one another. The regret of what happened, of Frederick not going after Anna. Anna thinking he would disposed her. Not giving him the chance to prove himself to her. Though they were young when they met, they knew they were it. But Anna’s aunt thought other wises, they are young and that he was not worth her time.

Oh contra my friend, Frederick became Captain of the fire department. Her sister is marrying his best friend. They are now forced to see each other after ten years. Feeling once buried in hatred and confusion flares up in Frederick. Yet other emotions run rampant to. Anna realizes she still has feeling for him and hopes if there is a chance on becoming cordial with one another at the wedding rehearsal.

Give Me a Reason is a second chance romance retelling of Persuasion, featuring a K-Drama star and the firefighter she left behind for stardom a decade ago.

I really wanted to love this one. I LOVED the cover. I loved the author's marketing of this book which promised swoon-worthy romance with yearning to make the stars jealous. Unfortunately, it just felt...flat.

I think my main issue was how often the story was told to us rather than showing, particularly how the past affect both Anne x Frederick's future. The most of the past we get is from Frederick's letters to Anne which are filled with love, heartbreak, and yearning. I ended up listening to an ALC of this title and the letters were my favorite part as we got to hear Greg Chun breathe life into our mmc. I wish production had decided to give Chun the opportunity to read Frederick's POV rather than Michelle H. Lee reading it. In my brain, it didn't make sense why Chun was reading Frederick's letters but not his perspective?? I digress...

Overall, it's a sweet (and spicy) retelling of a beloved classic filled with moments of intense yearning and love.

*review cross posted on e-arc format*

This book immediately felt like you jumped right into the middle of the story. The background of this second chance romance was built slowly over time with flashbacks and memories that the main characters felt in the moment and it was definitely an interesting take on how to set the timeline but also felt real. The way the characters immediately had overactive minds because of the way they had left things a decade ago felt so similar to real life experiences. Their yearning and guilt and confusion about their feelings.

I just wish they could’ve had a talk, that the story could’ve moved on from the repetitive miscommunication… I mean they’re late 20’s early 30’s come on. A phone call would’ve cleared so much up.

In the end, it was a sweet wrap up. Everyone had their HEA even if it felt rushed. Second chance romance never felt so sweet.

For ten years, Anne told herself that Frederick was her past. In order to save her father from bankruptcy, she left Frederick to act in Korea. This was the only way she could stop him from ruining his future.

After Anne left, Frederick spent years missing and hating her all at the same time until he decided to live his life for himself. He followed his dream and became a firefighter. He didn’t need romance. He especially doesn't need Anne.

When Anne returns to LA, she and Frederick are thrown together again.They are both in a wedding. She as her cousin’s bridesmaid and he as his friend’s groomsman. Even though he is angry with her, Anne can no longer deny that she never got over him.

Will time and distance bring them back together?

A fun and lovely romance!

3.5 this one wasn’t necessarily for me. Personally I don’t always enjoy third person books. The flipping back and forth between past and present I don’t feel like it really added anything, except maybe their breakup but even then it wasn’t fully needed. The story in and of itself was okay, her family sucked, her cousin getting engaged to a guy she knew for maybe a month was wild and everyone needed therapy. Or in Fredrick’s case more therapy

Jayci Lee’s Give Me A Reason offers a thoughtful and heartfelt retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion set against the backdrop of a Korean-American second chance romance. Anne Lee and Frederick Nam, once inseparable in college, are thrown back together a decade later as part of a family wedding party. Lee’s choice to write the story in dual POV feels especially refreshing for a Persuasion retelling, allowing readers to experienceAnne’s regret and longing alongside Frederick’s anger, hurt, and quiet devotion. The balance of tension and tenderness between the two is well drawn, and their shared history gives weight to every glance, conversation, and near-miss.

The novel’s strongest element lies in its emotional detail. Frederick’s letters provide both context and intimacy building toward the climactic love letter that Austen fans expect. The mutual overthinking between Anne and Frederick, while occasionally repetitive, gives authenticity to their hesitation and highlights just how difficult it can be to bridge a decade of silence. Moments like the Thanksgiving dinner scene exemplify Lee’s ability to show affection and care without overt declarations making the eventual reconnection feel earned. The mix of angst, pining, and small acts of care delivers the emotional payoff central to any successful retelling of Persuasion.

That said, the book is not without shortcomings. The Elliot family, and Mr. Elliot himself, take on smaller roles than in Austen’s original reducing some of the external drama and conflict. The occasional nod to Jane Austen’s existence within the story also feels a little distracting and breaks the illusion. Still, these quibbles are minor compared to what the novel accomplishes. Give Me A Reason is faithful to the spirit of Persuasion. It's saturated in yearning, misunderstandings, and the possibility of love regained while carving out its own identity as a modern romance. For readers who enjoy emotional depth and the slow burn of second chances, it’s a retelling worth picking up.

Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee is a second-chance romance full of longing, regret, and the lingering ache of first love. Ten years ago, Anne Lee walked away from Frederick Nam to save her family from ruin, sacrificing their relationship in the process. Now a successful actress in Korea, she returns to Los Angeles for a wedding—only to find Frederick, now a firefighter, still carrying both the love and the hurt she left behind.
The emotional foundation of the story is strong. Jayci Lee captures the tension of unfinished love, the rawness of heartbreak, and the hope that comes with risking vulnerability again. Anne and Frederick’s chemistry is undeniable, and the K-drama–style angst will definitely appeal to fans who enjoy heightened emotion and intense romantic stakes.

However, the execution didn’t fully land for me. The characters often circled the same emotional beats without much forward momentum, making the middle feel repetitive. Frederick’s anger and Anne’s guilt were well-drawn, but sometimes overshadowed their attempts at reconciliation, which left their eventual steps toward love feeling slightly rushed. The wedding setting added charm, but I wished for deeper exploration of Anne’s family dynamics and Frederick’s personal growth outside of their relationship.

Overall, Give Me a Reason is a heartfelt, angsty romance with moments of tenderness and passion. While it didn’t completely sweep me away, it will resonate with readers who love K-drama–inspired storytelling and second-chance love stories built on sacrifice and redemption.

Persuasion but make it kdrama? I was into it! I love a good adaptation and this one does what the best ones do: hits all the major plot points but still feels fresh and fun. It’s exciting and comforting all at once. Highly recommend if that’s your jam.

I'm a sucker for any kind of Jane Austen retelling, so I was thrilled to receive this book for review! This story is such a fun and fresh retelling of Persuasion. I don't always love the dynamics of a second chance romance, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it working so well here. The characterization was the star of the show for me, as I really loved getting to know Anne and Frederick, and seeing their slow burn and chemistry on the page. If you're a fan of Persuasion, don't miss this modern retelling!

I know the miscommunication trope is polarizing… but not to me baby! I love the trope and there were moments in here that made me absolutely feral. Frederick and Anne were such great protagonists and I thought it was a nice love letter to Persuasion. There were scenes where the cheesiness are a but much, but honestly? I don't care this was fun and if you are a fan of:

Miscommunication
Mutual Pining
And
Second Chances

This is for you!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.3 ⭐️ I really wanted to like this one due to it being a Jane Austen retelling, and the writing was wonderful. But the MMC was just so toxic. Frederick, sure, got a little better over time but his back and forth attitude and assumptions about how Anne feels without having a conversation with her are a Reoccurring theme. This wasn't even a full miscommunication trope to me, because he constantly does it through out the book where he just assumes he knows the situation. Anne did that as well, but she at least went off context clues. I struggled to get through this one just because I couldn't connect with the MMC and he drove me crazy.