I was excited to read this because Persuasion is my favorite Austen. While it clearly mirrors the original, it lacks everything that made me love the story so much. All of their dignity and poise is gone, replaced with possessive growling, pantherine stalking, and extremely repetitive and immature inner monologues. Entire plot points and scenes slipped by with no weight, and the spice was weirdly slow and detailed when compared to the rest of the writing. There were a few really funny moments and a couple nice turns of phrase, but they were nearly overshadowed by the 5+ occurrences of "i left him all those years ago."

I just wanted to say Thank you so much Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the Arc. I appreciated the chance to read this early. I think the story being told in third person is really what is not working for me. I feel like a lot of the story kind of fell flat. I refuse to continue a book when I am not invested fully. I really wanted to like this because the story line was personal to me, but it just didn't resonate . I loved the concept, but this just wasn't for me.

Fans of Jane Austen’s Persuasion will devour this modern retelling.

When I saw that Jayci Lee was releasing a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion in the year we are celebrating 250 years since Jane’s birth I was all over it. Plus, with the added bonus of writing Anne as an actress who starred in K-Dramas for years, it is the diverse read I’ve been waiting for!

I admit that I have never read Persuasion before but I did recently watch the latest film adaptation starring Dakota Johnson so I had that film and its key plot points in my head the entire time reading this and I’d say that it hit all the marks!

You’re instantly thrust into the moment when Frederic and Anne once again come face to face with each other after ten years a part after a brutal break-up that neither has been able to forget.

Instead of them meeting in an English countryside, however, they come face to face in an elementary classroom where Frederic is going to talk about his career as a firefighter and Anne as an actress in K-dramas in Korea. From that very first moment Jayci does an amazing job of denoting their tortured pining and the hurt and the devastation of Anne cutting off their relationship all those years ago.

So don’t expect a subtle build up or a lot of background at the beginning just as you don’t really get in the movie. You’re immediately swept into their tortured reunion and forced proximity in the coming months as his friend and co-worker is set to marry her cousin.

If you are a fan of the film adaptations, then I think you will adore this book and love the modern twists that Jayci gives this popular story. If you’re completely brand new to Persuasion you might wish that there was more background at first but it’s just not how I saw this playing out given the original story. The letters from Frederic to Anne that he wrote in the past that are sprinkled throughout the book however do a great job bridging this gap to show just how enamored and devoted he was to her from the beginning and helps to explain why he would still be so in love with her all this time later.

When reading a modern retelling, I’m looking for the story to hit all the highlights of the classic which this one did. You got the ignorant father and spoiled older sister that Anne sacrifices for, the miscommunication that Frederic might be falling for someone else right in front of her eyes, Anne’s injury and Frederic coming to the rescue, and many other moments that stand out as iconic to Persuasion.

Their pining does gets a bit repetitive and it was hard to keep all the secondary characters straight but overall I think it is a wonderful retelling. Plus it has one of the most beautiful covers of the year!

*I received an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

K-drama star Anne Lee sails across the ocean blue to her old home and reconnects with an old flameee that she apparently hurt really bad 10 years ago. Drama drama drama galore!!

This book definitely had some good aspects, but it also had some poor ones. I will start off positive. Woo! Likeable side characters, cute banter, pretty cover. Okayyy, now. I can't say that I wasn't hooked by this book, I will give it that much credit, I did want to know what happens next. That's pretty standard for me in any book I read, but at least that wasn't ruined. And now that I can't delay it any further, let's get to the criticism. This book was not my favorite for the following reasons: the writing felt very rudimentary, like my 13-year-old sister was writing it, with random lusty scenes sprinkled in that felt like they did not fit at all. Another reason was that I just did not like the main characters. I will admit, I started to empathize with them and like them a bit more towards the end, but at the beginning, mostly Frederick (guy love interest) was so unlikeable and just such a jerk for no reason. Oh well. This book was in the least, entertaining.

Let me start this with the fact that the cover is absolutely gorgeous! It was definitely one of the reasons I really wanted to read this book.

Give Me a Reason is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. It's a dual POV rom-com about second chance romance featuring Anne and Frederick as the MCs.
There's yearning, pining and tension between that characters that made this quite enjoyable to read. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Jane Austen that enjoy second chance romance and stories full of feels and love.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ebook arc in exchange for an honet review.

Give Me a Reason is a second-chance romance retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Our two main characters, Anne and Frederick were in love in college, but broke up unexpectedly and both were heartbroken. Ten years later, they meet again and are constantly in each other's orbit due to an upcoming wedding between Anne's cousin and Frederick's best friend. Cue forced proximity, mutual pining, unresolved emotions, and internal conflict.

This was cute and sweet with just the right amount of angst and longing. I enjoyed getting to see the internal conflicts within both our main characters and how they overcome and reconcile in the end. I liked the story, cast of characters, and relationship dynamics with the side characters.

I haven't read Persuasion, so I'm not sure how much of the arc is drawn from the original, but I think some of the story would've been more impactful if I had. I didn't love the miscommunication/misunderstanding, though this may be true to how the original unfolds.

If you love Jane Austen novels, slow-burn, second-chance romances that include pining, angst and tension in a dual POV, then this might be a good fit!

ALSO can we give it up for the cover art?! GORGEOUS

Thank you to NetGalley, Jayci Lee, and the publisher for the eARC!

The cover of this book drew me in because it is stunning! This book is a Persuasion retelling following Anne and Fredrick and their love story. I liked that this book is told in dual POV because it was nice to have both of their perspectives as the story unfolding over the years. I thought is was really well written and I liked that it even included letters at the end.

Look, I don’t know why people are hating on this book. It is SO good! It was hard to put down. It is definitely a k-drama version of Pride and Prejudice. I LOVED it. I’m a huge fan of both, and this was a magical blend of them both. If you don’t watch k-dramas or if you don’t like the intense obliviousness of Austen characters then you may not like this book. It’s a second chance at love romance novel. The author did a great job of storytelling. I recommend it!

Heat Index: 7/10

—Persuasion retelling

—K-drama heroine, firefighter hero

—first love to last love(?)

The Basics:

Frederick Nam and Anne Lee were once wildly in love; until Anne left for Korea to become a K-drama star, leaving Frederick bitter and brokenhearted. A decade later, Anne is back in the States, and Frederick is now better than ever. Her feelings linger; he's, despite his best efforts, still resentful... and still longing for Anne. The pain is intense—but so is the wanting. Is that enough to overcome years apart?

The Review:

There are retellings that basically exist to capitalize off fanservice, and there are retellings that exist in name only. Give Me a Reason is neither of those things—it's a retelling that considers and takes into account its modern update (and its focus on Asian leads) while honoring the original. In a lot of ways, this is a better adaptation of Persuasion than a lot of the movies we've seen (it's certainly better than the most recent).

Persuasion is a story about aching longing and regret; it's deeply romantic, but it's also relatable in a way I think some Austen books aren't. This has the same effect. We all have "would've, could've, should'ves" in our lives, and while breaking up with Frederick is Anne's BIGGEST regret, it's not her only one. Because she's in her early thirties now and she can look back on time that feels wasted and choices she would redo, and that is just... so real. I'm about Anne's age, and I'm certainly feeling it!

But the romance of it all is that you don't usually get this kind of second chance in real life, and boy does it hurt so good in just the right way here. This isn't a super plot-heavy novel. For much of the book, Anne and Frederick are both very internal (thank God we have dual POVs) and yeah, they do struggle so spit it out. I know that this is "miscommunication" and miscommunication is apparently a sin, but... It makes so much sense here. You don't end so badly and spend a decade apart and just leap back into love. There's a lot of fear involved! A ton of anxiety!

And so, when Anne and Frederick do get it together, it feels that much more impactful. I'm a hard sell on a slooow burn, but this one is very satisfying, and it's a great blend of complex feelings and the kind of Austenian romance that's very hard to capture in contemporary right now.

The Sex:

You know what's not Austenian? The sex scenes. There aren't a ton, and you do have to wait. But what you get after the wait is GOOD. Passionate and fraught, and mixed with just enough roughness that it feels like two people who've been waiting... and waiting... and just can't wait anymore. HOT.

The Conclusion:

A book of pining and longing and heavy emotion that nonetheless hits the romance beats that will leave you swooning. That's a success in my book!

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Poignant, heartfelt, and beautifully bittersweet

Give Me a Reason is a modern love letter to Jane Austen’s Persuasion, reimagined through the lens of a Korean-American K-drama actress and a firefighter with a broken heart. Anne and Frederick’s second-chance romance is tender, slow-burning, and full of quiet ache, the kind that lingers even after the last page.

Anne’s sacrifices, though frustrating at times, felt grounded in love and duty, making her a sympathetic lead. Frederick is emotionally guarded, but the glimpses of his lingering affection and protectiveness are deeply affecting. Their reunion is layered with tension and regret, making every small moment of connection feel earned.

The K-drama influence is subtle but effective, and I loved how the story honored its roots while still standing strong on its own. The supporting cast brought warmth and dimension, especially during the wedding scenes.

Why not five stars? I would’ve loved just a bit more time with Anne and Frederick truly rebuilding their relationship—some emotional beats felt rushed near the end. Still, this was a gorgeous, romantic read with enough yearning to melt any Austen fan’s heart.

Highly recommended for fans of modern retellings, emotional slow burns, and love stories where the past never quite lets go.

Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee is a contemporary romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, but infused with a distinct K-drama feel. At its heart, it’s a story of lost love, lingering regrets, and the quiet ache of missed opportunities.

Years ago, Anne Lee left college in America to pursue a career as a Korean actress, sacrificing her own happiness to save her father from bankruptcy. In doing so, she shattered both her heart and that of Frederick Nam, the man she loved. Now, she has returned, and fate has placed them both at her cousin’s wedding. But time hasn’t erased the wounds of the past, and their reunion is steeped in longing, unspoken words, and the weight of everything left unsaid.

The novel unfolds slowly with a delicate emotional dance between Anne and Frederick. The dual POV adds richness, allowing us to truly understand Frederick’s feelings, though I found myself wishing for more time spent on their rekindling connection. Open communication remains elusive between them, yet this restraint aligns perfectly with the story’s K-drama atmosphere.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This book was so sweet! I loved the characters and the writing style! It was so cute and fun! Highly recommend!

The book was great and I love this turn of a classic. I wasn't sure at the time if I was gonna like it or not but her story made me forget it and love the story even more.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Jasyci Lee for allowing me to read a NetGalley copy of her upcoming book, Give Me a Reason, which will be available on July 29th, 2025.

Ten years ago, Anne Lee broke up with Frederick Nam to become an actress in Korea and save her father from bankruptcy. She has tried to forget about him, convinced that it was the only way to love him and prevent him from sacrificing his dreams. During that time, Frederick’s feelings transitioned from love and pining into hatred as he became a firefighter in Culver City. When Anne returns to Los Angeles, she and Frederick unexpectedly reunite as members of their loved one’s wedding party, and Frederick is curt and distant with her. As they spend more time together, Anne can’t deny that her feelings ever stopped, but the hurt and uncertainty they share makes it hard to close the gap between them. Can Anne and Frederick find the courage to reconcile and give their relationship a second chance, or is their love story doomed to remain in the past?

This was a great story. You have Anne Lee, a kind, talented, thoughtful, quiet, shy, and beautiful young woman that is used to putting others before herself and does her best to support her loved ones. You have Frederick Nam, a loyal, considerate, brave, strong, and handsome young man that is still hurting from his breakup a decade ago and does his best to look after his friends and crew. I haven’t seen many persuasion retellings personally, but enjoyed this one a lot. The interactions between Anne and Frederick were tense, honest, wistful, and sweet. This retelling had the same raw emotions that the main characters had in Jane Austen’s classic, but also featured conversations that I presume probably would have happened that weren’t mentioned in the original story. The main characters’ friends were fantastic, and I appreciated having Frederick’s POV to explain his side of the story to add more depth to his character. I felt for Anne as an elder/ acting as elder daughter who feels obligated to protect and provide for her family, especially in an Asian household. Overall, if you like Jane Austen retellings, great found family dynamics, Korean representation, and sweet second-chance romance with spice, then I would highly recommend this book.

I adored this Persuasion retelling! I finished reading this then immediately watched the newest Persuasion movie because I cannot get enough, I didn't want it to end. The stories aren't the same of course but I enjoyed this book way more. It read exactly like a kdrama and was a refreshing modern spin on the classic.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, this did not disappoint. Some of the miscommunication was a reflection on their own self doubts and self worth, so it felt believable even when it was getting unbearable. If you dislike that trope, I'd say this story isn't for you - but also, you should already know that because Persuasion is all miscommunication lol.

The main characters!! These two fools were absolute fools for each other. All their yearning killed me in the best way, felt like reading a classic. I got so attached to them, I'm experiencing a little book hangover, idk what to do with myself now. I LOVED this. Thanks so much Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy!

I enjoyed the book. I liked Anne and Frederick’s character and relationship development as well as the development that was developed amongst the other side characters. I also love how Jayci showed the nuances of being in an Asian-American family. The issues I had was that it was established pretty early in the book that these two wanted the each other so it felt very one step forward, one step back up until the last chapter and it got both repetitive and tiring. The prose was also beautiful in some parts so it was a shame that there was a lot of telling in the book as well, which also felt repetitive. I did like the dual pov but it also felt like they shared the same voice/thoughts of wanting the person but not knowing where they stood. That’s really the main critique that I have so it would have been nice for a gradual of realization of feelings and zeroing in on this initial I-hope-you-don’t-hate-me in the beginning and then it grows to realizing how the feelings haven’t left instead of being told they haven’t left right off the bat. Thank you again for letting me read this arc!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I wish I could say i enjoyed it, but it was a DNF for me. I just couldn't make myself keep going. Everything is told to us, and it's just so weirdly written in my opinion. Both characters seem to have the same voice, and I just didnt have any sort of feelings about it at all besides being bored. There were also some weird lines that I couldn't look past, like, "She kept singing even when powdered sugar puffed out of her mouth and rained down on her nose." Unless her nose is on her chin, I am unsure how someone manages to have powdered sugar rain down on a body part that's set above the mouth. It was just a no from me. Could have been a great second chance, but it just didnt hit the way I would have liked.

This was a fun, sweet, steamy read. I love second Chance romances and this one was a doozy. I liked Anne and Frederick a lot. I wish Anne’s family was better but I like seeing her growth. Both of theirs actually. This was a good book.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t my favorite. I think I usually have a hard time reading on third person as it can take away from the impact of the story. It feels more like I’m being told how the characters feel and act versus being able to feel or see it. I love second chance and it was fine but I think I had a hard time being invested. I love being able to see myself in books (as a Korean-American) so that was a huge plus. Thank you for the ARC!

Lee really is faithful to the inspiration for this book, Jane Austen's masterpiece, "Persuasion". In this adaptation, she places the main characters in current day Los Angeles.

Frederick and Anne met in college when her aunt recommended she break up with him to star in some K-Dramas in Korea. She moves to Korea for 10 years and becomes a bit of a K-Drama star. When she comes back to L.A. she runs into Frederick again when her cousin is engaged to one of his coworkers. Frederick is now a Captain in the local fire department.

Pretty much everything in the original Persuasion is translated into current Los Angeles. I was a bit bored by the endless longing and first person perspective by both main characters as to how they weren't sure the other was still in love, and it was very slow burn, but ultimately I enjoyed this version of a classic second chance romance. As a Californian I also appreciated her faithful rendition of the beach town of Cambria and its famous olallieberry pie.

I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.