I didn’t like the writing and found it it to be slow. There was so much description except not a simple explanation of the Korean word imo. I only know it cause I am Korean but if you’re going to put those elements in, then you should explain a bit more about the culture.

Book: Give Me A Reason
Author: Jayci Lee
Rating: 4 ⭐ 1🌶️
I was immediately drawn to this beautiful book cover. I wanted to read the book without even reading the synopsis, especially being Asian, I don't see a lot of myself in books so I get very excited when I see it. I normally do not like second chance romance, however, once I started reading I was pulled in right away.
It's a 'modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, a K-drama actress (yay! I love K-dramas) gets her second chance at love with the man she left to save her family'
I loved the angst and yearning from both Frederick and Anne. I completely understand the family duty/loyalty/ responsibility from Anne's perspective.
I only wished there was more dialogue between the characters. We were in their inner monologue too much. Also wished there was more banter and dialogue from the friend group. It was there, but it could have been amped up a little to make it more fun.
If you love a slow burn, angsty, second chance romance, Give Me A Reason is for you. I would totally recommend it and I would read more of this author's work.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC

Persuasion is quite literally my favorite book, but this book was not a well done retelling at all, sadly. Do not recommend.

I think this is my first second chance romance; I requested it because the cover is gorgeous. This is a slow burn for sure. I liked the writing style, and the way the Korean terms/names being added and explaining some of their meanings without feeling like I was in a classroom. I will be looking out for more from this author.


I felt like the characters' personalities were well rounded but I didn't care about any of them enough to like them. It seemed to me that everyone got over all the problems pretty easily. I wouldn't say this is a miscommunication trope as much as it was a "say the opposite of what I mean and hope they guess my true feelings". I also did not understand the timeline at all. Did the events take place over a few months? A year? Several years? I don't know.

This one is for the Austen lovers. Anne and Frederick are brough to life in a modern, fresh take on Persuasion with a high level of angst and some great romantic moments. It will be easier to follow the fast pace and large cast if you're familiar with the story already, but new readers may find themselves falling in love with a classic.

✨Give Me a Reason by Jayce Lee || ARC Review ✨

I really liked this one!
It’s a Persuasion retelling, but from the eyes of a Korean drama actress returning home for a wedding—and it totally brought the drama (AND SPICE).

Anne Lee left behind the love of her life, Frederick Nam, to save her family from bankruptcy by pursuing an acting career in Korea. It was the only way she could protect him from sacrificing his own dreams for her. Now, ten years later, Anne returns to Los Angeles for her cousin’s wedding…only to find herself face-to-face with the man she never really got over. Frederick has built a new life for himself as a firefighter, but neither of them can ignore the tension—or the feelings—that still linger.

I ended up liking this way more than I expected! Persuasion is one of my favorite Austen stories, and this modern, second-chance spin was so sweet and emotional.
Also…the “Jane Austenception” at the end had me cracking up. (iykyk.)

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Well, this one wasn’t a hit for me. I was excited to read my first k-drama and I am hoping that this isn’t indicative of how I experience the genre in the future.
Like many others the cover is what pulled me in as well as it being a retelling of one of Austen’s less popular works , “Persuasion.” Unfortunately, the cover was the best part.

The prose was choppy and all tell and no show. Because of the massive info dumps there was little way to connect to the characters. I didn’t want to root for anything.

That being said this may appeal to certain readers so I don’t want to be too critical. I’ll leave it that it just wasn’t for me.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eAR from St Martins Griffin through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Give Me a Reason by Jacyi Lee was a delightful, captivating read from start to finish. This is my first book by this author. I hope it won't be my last.

I totally enjoyed reading this second chance love story. It was filled with wonderful side characters, friends/relatives/co-workers, who surrounded the leading characters, Anne and Frederick, and contributed much to their story. The writing was terrific, with plenty of fun, quick-witted dialogue as well as serious insights and conversations. I especially enjoyed that it was written from both leading characters' point of view giving the reader insight into Anne and Frederick's thoughts and feelings as their story unfolded. Their insecuriies and vulnerabilities were front and center contributing to their actions. Knowing their differing points of view really helped to understand them.

This story held my interest, was easy to read, emotionally charged and ultimately satisfying with a lovely ending that made me smile and shed a happy tear. Can't ask for more than that. I hope you'll read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

ARC review-
this book was so cute!! at first i was hesitant with the second chance start but i quickly got sucked into the story. there were a couple scenes that were not my favorite but overall this was a fun book! i would recommend :)

I picked up Give Me a Reason expecting a steamy romance, and it definitely delivered, but what surprised me was how much heart it had too. I loved the depth Jayci Lee gave to the characters; they felt real, flawed, and easy to connect with. The emotional tension pulled me in just as much as the romantic chemistry. It’s the kind of story that had me turning pages late into the night. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a while.

Ever since promo for this book hit my Instagram ads and showed me that beautiful cover, I was obsessed and anxiously waiting for its release! A huge thank you to NetGalley for making that wait just a bit shorter. Now I just need to wait a bit to get my book trophy to add to my shelves. I had the best time reading this book! As a Korean American myself, I thoroughly enjoyed having the representation and the little bits of Konglish that was thrown in here and there. I was kicking my feet and giggling at times and also shouting at the book at times out of frustration at the choices of the characters. Regardless, Give Me A Reason was a fun time and a quick read if you're looking for a little palate cleanser between your heavier reads!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Based on the blurb and book cover, I had really high hopes for this book This book just wasn't for me. I had to really push myself to finish this. The actually plot and the relationship between the main characters was just very lackluster. There was a bunch of info overload that was just unnecessary and in my opinion, it didn't need to be added.

This was an entertaining read. A modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, it features a Korean-American cast of characters, including the leads, Anne, a former K-drama star and actress, and Frederick, a firefighter Captain. As former lovers, you will very much root for their reconciliation. Their attraction and respect for one another were palpable, as Lee effectively uses language and mood to deliver the tense build-up between the once-lovers, who are now forced to be civil with one another, given the upcoming nuptials of their mutual friends and family.

The cover gravitated me towards this book and I’ve never read a persuasion retelling so I said why not? While it was very wordy and a little slow at some points, it was still interesting to read about the characters journey. I didn’t love it but it was still a fun read.

My sister loves K books. Whether they center around dramas or pop music they always draw her in with their future settings. I read a lot of them as well from her recommendations. This was such a fresh addition to that genre. It felt full of heart and depth in a way that touched me. Plus i love a wedding setting. Official review below.

A heartfelt and vibrant second-chance romance that brings Jane Austen’s *Persuasion* into the glittering, high-stakes world of K-drama stardom and Los Angeles heat.

Jayci Lee delivers a poignant update to a classic love story with Anne Lee, a once promising student turned K-drama actress, and Frederick Nam, the steadfast firefighter she left behind. A decade after their painful goodbye, fate brings them back together as members of the same wedding party, where old wounds and unspoken feelings simmer just beneath the surface.

Anne’s sacrifice for her family’s financial survival is rendered with clarity and compassion, and her emotional journey toward self forgiveness is as moving as it is satisfying. Frederick is equally compelling, his quiet strength and guarded heart giving the story both gravity and tension. Their reunion is marked by restraint, longing, and the kind of rich, slow burning chemistry that rewards every page.

Lee writes with warmth, nuance, and deep cultural resonance. The blend of Korean American identity, contemporary romance, and Austenian longing feels both fresh and timeless. As Anne and Frederick navigate the spaces between past and present, duty and desire, readers are treated to a romance that is tender, mature, and deeply earned.

A smart, stirring, and emotionally generous love story. Perfect for fans of modern Austen retellings, K-drama flair, and lovers who deserve another chance.

The cover drew me in. The story was okay. I haven't read Austen's Persuasion, so I'm unable to make the comparison.

I was excited to start this book because I have enjoyed Jayci Lee's previous novels and I love modern Jane Austen adaptions. The settings were beautiful and I loved the feeling of extended family and warmth the characters shared with one another. The main characters were compelling and the family motivations and back stories had real depth. The only downside was that I felt the language used in the dialogue was oddly formal for a group of 20-somethings. The word choice and selection took me out of the story at times because it felt strange. Overall, the book was a relaxing and romantic but there were certain areas that made it hard to believe.

Jayci Lee always delivers the most romantic, the most heartfelt, the most sweet books! I loved everything there was to love about this book! The characters gave me all the feels, and I loved both of their character arcs in this book! I have been reading Jayci's books since day one, and I am completely in love with how she has evolved as an author! Her work was delightful in the beginning, but it is breathtaking now! Can't wait to see what is in store for us next!

This follows a story of one Anne Lee and one Fredrick Nam in their tale of rekindling lost love and the art of yearning. Jayci Lee has written these characters and their namesake as homage to Jane Austen’s "Persuasion", with a modern retelling of Asian protagonists: Anne Lee, a K-drama actress and Frederick Nam, a firefighter. This captures a glimpse of their past as well as their present in their second chance at love.

This is a dual POV of Anne and Frederick that had the chance to explore their perspectives over the last ten years — the guilt, jealousy, tension, and the yearning. I admire Anne’s quiet perseverance as well as her selflessness that finally bloomed into a protagonist who owned up to her wants and realized her worth. Though, nothing can compare to the yearning Fredrick has gone through with those letters.

However, it may come to a question — did Anne fall in love with the Frederick of the present or was she stuck in loving the version of Frederick in the past and vice versa? A lot can happen in ten years and I hoped there would have been more build-up in encouraging the characters to know each others’ present selves.