I loved everything about this. From the prose to the characters to the way the story was told.
Jayci Lee tugs at your heart strings and I loved it.

Long lost love, second chance, and a hope for forever.

Anne and Frederick were a nice change of pace. Though I strongly dislike the miscommunication trope, like any good K-drama—which I’m a sucker for—this hit the mark.

Though they made their mistakes, and lost years of what could’ve been a great relationship, I’m glad they took those years apart to find who they were without the other and came back.

There definitely was some ill feelings towards each other. Frederick: made that the woman he loved chose everything but him. Anne: a woman who had so many insecurities that it tarnished the one relationship that haunted her for the next ten years.

It was a quick read, and though both main characters were a bit childish in the way the thought at some points, I understood completely on each point given.

A great read, and can’t wait to see what else Jayci Lee has in store.

Congratulations on your release, and thank you NetGalley for the e-Arc

Personal Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

TIL Next Time,
Ally

I was excited to read this book of Jayci's because I thought That Prince is Mine was adorable! I'm not as familiar with Jane Austen's Persuasion, so I fear I missed some of the nuggets that connect to the book. That's okay. I still enjoyed myself.

This book has a lot more angst than I was expecting. (Again, I don't know Persuasion.) The emotional, and physical, slow burn had me screaming! I completely understand why these two were pulled apart, held themselves apart, and refused to open up to the other, BUT DAMN! I wanted them to get together SO BADLY!!!!

Anne and Frederick dated secretly in college. When Anne's family was in dire financial straits, Anne auditioned for and got a job on a Korean TV drama. She believes staying with her will ruin Frederick's life and breaks up with him. She's been longing for him for the last 10 years, even as she's built a career for herself overseas.

Frederick was destroyed when Anne left. After years of trying to become the same he thinks she would want, a rich dude in finance, he realizes he needs to live for himself and becomes a firefighter. He's now a captain, but the hole Anne left in his heart has never healed.

Anne and Frederick are thrown together when Anne returns to the states. She's ready to transition to the U.S. film market, and be with her family. Her cousin is getting married to a firefighter in Frederick's station. As they are both in the wedding party, they have to spend more and more time together.

There's so much mutual pining. If you love people yearning from afar, this is gonna be a great book for you. The tension between them is palpable. It gave me Anthony and Kate vibes. The minute they are in each other's vicinity they are drawn towards one another.

While the burn was slow, I will say that the getting together part felt really fast. Both on the page and in the timeline. I wish we'd gotten more time to see them together as a couple. How are they when they are healed? What is it like when they aren't hiding their feelings? Do they actually work as a coup[e?

Overall, this was a great time. A wonderful follow up to That Prince is Mine for me.

I love a good retelling and this was filled with so much yearning!

There was this slow build and slow burn aspect that worked just right. I really do not mind miscommunication in books, to me it feels so real life. I also was super taken aback by the passion these two had once the burn part came through.

This modern retelling of Persuasion completely stole my heart! Anne Lee’s story is beautifully crafted—an emotional journey of sacrifice, love, and second chances that feels fresh and deeply relatable. The way the author blends K-drama flair with Austen’s timeless themes is nothing short of brilliant. Anne and Frederick’s chemistry sizzles on the page, full of tension, regret, and undeniable pull. Watching them navigate old wounds and new hopes kept me hooked from start to finish. The setting in LA with firefighter Frederick adds just the right modern edge, and the wedding reunion scene is pure perfection. If you’re craving a heartfelt romance with complex characters and a story about risking it all for love, this book is a must-read. Absolutely adored it!

Give Me a Reason is such a tender, emotional second chance romance. It’s like a Korean drama meets Persuasion, and I loved every bit of the slow burn tension between Anne and Frederick. Full of longing, heartbreak, and just the right amount of hope it’s a sweet story about love that never really fades, even after ten years. So good. And that’s coming from the girl who usually doesn’t like Second Chance romance. #bookrecs #bookreview #bookrecommendations #romancebookstagram #bookstagrammer

"I have to become stronger so I can hold you in my heart. I have to become strong enough to love you with everything in me. Strong enough to deserve you."

The author took a rather risky approach by creating a sort of retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I don’t like Austen’s books (I’m weird, I know!), but I have to admit that her approach is very interesting because instead of a single POV, we were able to see the perspectives of both Anne and Frederick. Likewise, the detail in the letters Frederick wrote to Anne after they broke up was very good; Frederick’s evolution not only in his feelings for Anne but as a person gave a refreshing touch to the plot. Which is ironic considering we’re in the 21st century, where technology can make us believe that letter writing is outdated. However, if this had been translated into emails, voicemails, and text messages, in keeping with our times, it wouldn’t have had the desired effect for this story (not to mention that emails and messages can be deleted).

Jaicy Lee is an author who knows how to tell a story that highlights Korean culture and traditions. This book may not be perfect, but it’s a good read for second-chance romance lovers.

FULL REVIEW IN:
https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com/2025/07/29/review-give-me-a-reason-by-jaicy-lee

• ARC given by Jaicy Lee & St. Martin’s Griffin via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for your trust.

The cover is gorgeous.
This is a spin on Jane Austen’s Persuasion. This is a sweet, slow burn, second chance romance. As always, I love this author’s writing style. Beautiful characters, especially some of the secondary characters who try to steal the show. This is a story with a lot of historical angst between the main characters. There are moments when if they would just communicate it might clear the way to avoid a significant portion of the story. But that’s the journey we must take to see their HEA.

This was such a stunning, heartfelt retelling of Persuasion! Jayci Lee brings all the yearning, heartbreak, and quiet strength of Austen’s original into a modern romance set between Los Angeles and the K-drama world, and it works. Anne and Frederick’s story is emotionally rich and deeply satisfying, full of unresolved tension and the ache of what might have been.

Anne is a compelling heroine, torn between family obligation and personal happiness, and her internal conflict is so well drawn. Frederick is equally unforgettable: steadfast, wounded, and quietly smoldering. Watching them navigate their shared past and uncertain future was both tender and gut-wrenching. I found myself rooting for them on every page.

The supporting cast was lively, the wedding setting provided just the right mix of awkward reunions and forced proximity, and the nods to Persuasion felt respectful without being overly derivative. This is a second-chance romance that feels in all the best ways.

If you're a fan of second chances, aching slow burns, or modern Jane Austen adaptations, this one is a must-read. My heart is still recovering.

I love a second-chance romance. Give me that trope with a Korean-American cast of characters, dysfunctional family, firehouse chosen family, and a K-drama actress/Fire Captain main couple all wrapped up in a story by Jayci Lee that's a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion? I couldn't wait to dive in!

I've enjoyed every book I've read by Jayci Lee and this one was no exception. I love how she immersed me into this Korean-American extended family and their culture. My heart ached for Anne and the way she was treated by her father and sister, not only in the present but also in the past when she sacrificed her happiness for those who would never have done the same for her. I appreciated the time Lee took to show the inner workings of Anne's family and the impacts - both intended and unintended - their actions caused.

Giving readers a dual POV gave me insight into Frederick that I might not have had if this story had only unfolded within Anne's frame of reference. I could feel the pain he suffered in the past and how that had shaped him and his relationships in the present. There were times when I wanted both Frederick and Anne to get out of their heads and talk to one another but I also think watching them work through their issues internally helped me understand them better and be more appreciative of their relationship when they finally open their hearts again.

Lee does a good job of blending emotion, humor, and slow-burn romance in this book. I enjoyed the friendships depicted, especially Frederick's friends and how staunchly they protected and supported him. I also appreciated the love and support among Anne, her younger sister, and her cousins as she reestablished herself within the family unit after her return from Korea. Certain events added elements of awkwardness, humor, and angst to the journey which, for me, gave it more of an authentic feel. I'm glad Anne cleared the air with one family member but would have liked to have seen her do the same with another as well. Still, I felt like she found her strength and would not be walked over again.

If you enjoy Austen retellings or just enjoy a good, second-chance, contemporary romance with intriguing characters, family dynamics, and Korean-American representation, add Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee to your reading list.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

Thank you to Jayci Lee, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was drawn to this book based on the gorgeous cover but unfortunately I think that cover is my favorite part of the whole book. It wasn’t *bad*, but I think the miscommunication just went on for far too long. Y’all are grown adults, please, I beg, just TALK to each other and stop speculating.

POV: dual third person

You can expect: second chance, first and only love, actress FMC, firefighter MMC, healing

Rep: Korean-American MCs, grief

Spice: 2/5

CW: death of parent(s) (past), narcissistic parent and sibling.

I adore all things Jane Austen, and this modern Persuasion retelling was everything I hoped for and more! Anne and Frederick’s story absolutely stands on its own with just the right amount of emotional angst and heart.

The characters are charming, hilarious, and so easy to root for. The drama never felt over the top, and their struggle to communicate made sense given their past and fears for the future. It’s heartfelt, engaging from the very first page, and beautifully written.

This has quickly become one of my favorite books by Lee—a must-read Persuasion retelling for any Austen fan or romance reader!

This was a really cute second-chance romance! I loved the Jane Austen "Persuasion" re-telling aspect of it, but it was still a unique story in itself. I loved how much Anne and Frederick were pining for each other throughout the book, even though their past held them back from making any real moves. The entire group of friends and family had such interesting and fun character dynamics. I enjoyed the little moments between Anne and Frederick that showed just how much they still cared for each other, even after 10 years. The slow burn was slooooooow, but it really hit, and when they finally got together, it was that much sweeter.

Thank you to Jayci and SMP for the ARC!

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the EARC in exchange for an honest review.

Modern day retelling of Persuasion + KDrama Actress and a Firefighter = the recipe for a perfect romance book.

Jayci Lee truly captured all the things I love about Persuasion and gave it a modern spin. Truly as someone that took a whole class on Austen—she truly is my favorite classic author— I found myself finding all the little details this book incorporated from the original Persuasion and loved how it was executed.

I absolutely adored every minute of their book and fell in love with the whole cast of characters. The writing was as beautiful as the cover and I was hooked from the first page.

I'll be honest, the plot of Persuasion is not one I remember well. but a skim of the plot shows that this book is more faithful than I initially thought. Nonetheless, the setting update to modern-day LA and the tweaks to various characters serve to disguise the inspiration quite handily.

Apart from the events of ten years ago and a shared inability to spit it out, both Anne and Fredrick seem almost too good to be true - a self-sacrificing K-drama star and a respected firefighting captain. Their chemistry is sparking from the first page and I couldn't wait for them to fall into each other's arms.

I personally found the Korean-American update really effective in explaining some of the dynamics between characters and I enjoyed Anne's journey out of self-denial, but I do wish this got a bit more of a conclusion and perhaps something more satisfying around her more selfish family members. I also loved the delicious pining in this book as both Anne and Fredrick realise that beneath the hurt, regret, and anger, love remains - but the tension seemed to melt away partway through in favour of a persistent misunderstanding that just got frustrating and seemed to be resolved in-story by a deus ex.

I couldn't put this book down and was rooting for the happy ending, but I can't help but wish for a little more out of the ending. If Austen retellings or second chance romances are your jam, I think you'll enjoy this as much as I did.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

💚💛 Give Me a Reason ARC Review 💛💚

Thank you so much to Jayci Lee and St Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Give Me a Reason is a standalone contemporary romance and a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Ten years after a painful breakup, Anne is retired from her successful KDrama career and moved back to the US to be closer to her family. But when she’s invited to a wedding and realizes her ex is there too, can they make it through the celebrations without exploding??

This was a cute read! I liked Anne as a character and enjoyed her growth in this book. Frederick was a fun character and they were a good match together. I did like that they openly communicated about their past early-ish in the story instead of letting it slide, but after that this book had more miscommunication than I personally enjoy

Overall this was a solid three star read. I enjoyed the characters and the story instead general, but felt like it relied too much on miscommunication to progress. This book does have some potential triggers, so please check if you’re sensitive. This book was a bit of a slow burn but did have some spice later on, so overall two flames for spice

If you’re a fan of second chance romance with forced proximity with interesting characters, then pick this one up!

Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee is a sweet wonderful second chance slow-burn romance. We meet Anne Lee, who after 10 years as a successful drama actress in Korea, moves back home to be with her family in California. Anne left the love of her life ten years ago, in order to help save her father from bankruptcy, breaking her boyfriend’s heart.

Frederick Nam spent years harboring anger and resentment about Anne, and now he is a firefighter and captain in Culver City. They unexpectedly meet again due to Fredrick’s close friend who is getting married to Anne’s cousin, Caroline. Anne and Frederick keep running into each other because they are part of the wedding planning; as she is a bridesmaid and he is his friend’s groomsman. Seeing him regularly makes Anne realize she never truly got over him. Early on, the tension between them had unresolved feelings, frustration, as well as pining and tension. But in a short time, Frederick began to have strong feelings for Anne; and she worried that her cousin would fall for him.

I really loved Anne, who was always there for her family, as she was used to putting others before herself; she is perfect kind, talented, sweet person, who was considered a superhero to her family. I also liked Frederick, who was also loyal to his friends, as well as looking after his crew. I really loved the supporting characters, who were awesome; throughout being part of Anne’s family and cousins, and Frederick’s crew.

Give Me a Reason was a sweet, heartwarming story of love, angst, longing and healing. Give Me a Reason was very well writing by Jayci Lee. This was a modern takeoff of Jane Austen’s Persuasion novel. I really enjoyed this story, and suggest you read Give Me a Reason.

Jayci Lee is one of my go-to authors when I want to read angst. I’ll even re-read certain chapters of her books because the characters are so miserable without each other. 😈

Give Me a Reason is a modern retelling of Persuasion, where Anne is a K-Drama actress who shattered Frederick’s heart a decade ago. They’re unexpectadly reunited at an elementary school career day, and once I read how Frederick acted indifferent while Anne yearned for him, I knew these characters were going to go through it before getting their HEA!

I appreciated that Frederick is vocal about being in therapy post-breakup, and understood why he was guarded against falling for Anne again. She left to pursue acting to save her family from financial ruin, and accidentally implied Frederick wasn’t good enough for her. The penultimate scene of Frederick finally getting answers and telling Anne not to look away from him while she’s reopening his emotional wounds was heartbreaking! But Anne owning up to her mistake is necessary before they can move forward.

There’s so. much. PINING! Frederick and Anne never stopped loving each other, and their separation was devastating. Even after reconciling the past, the lingering looks, accidental touches and conversations are misinterpreted, creating more angst.

Throw in some forced proximity with a wedding (her cousin is marrying his co-worker), Frederick’s love letters from the past, and a grand gesture that happens in an English castle — it’s one of Jayci’s best books!

- Korean FMC and MMC
- second chance
- forced proximity
- slow burn
- low steam
- WDTK? Ch. 21

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

As a proud Jane Austen fan, I knew I’d enjoy this modern retelling of Persuasion—and I was right! 😍📚 From the very beginning, Give Me a Reason hooked me with its emotionally rich narration, the deep yearning (SO STRONG it practically jumped off the page 💔🔥), and the surprisingly zesty spice scenes (🔥🔥🔥).

There’s also something really fresh and charming about the K-Drama vibe woven throughout the story. I loved that Anne, the FMC was the celebrity! The heightened emotion, the second-chance romance trope, the passionate glances across the room? Loved it. 🎬❤️‍🔥

That said, I did get a little frustrated with the classic FMC and MMC's communication struggles. 🙄 Anne and Frederick spent way too long stuck in their own heads, refusing to believe the other cared—even after multiple friends basically shouted, “HELLO, you two are still in love!” 📢 There were spicy scenes between them and then they STILL felt like they wouldn't be together 👀 At a certain point, their mutual obliviousness made me wonder if they really deserved that happily ever after. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!

But even with that hiccup, this was such a fun, emotionally satisfying read. A swoony, dramatic, slow-burn second-chance romance with a fresh twist and plenty of steam. 🫶🌶️

Thank you to the Jayci Lee, NetGalley, and Macmillan for the advanced copy! 💌✨

Happy release day Jayci Lee and Give Me a Reason! This was such a sweet story. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read this via gifted eARC. All thoughts are my own and honest.

I discovered Jayci Lee’s books last year and I am definitely a fan. I knew I wanted to read this one when I found out it was a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, which is one of my favorite Austen novels. I loved all of the Austen references sprinkled throughout this story!

Anne and Frederick were a lot of fun to read. It’s clear even after ten years that they both still have feelings for each other. This is a VERY slow burn (they don’t kiss until around 75ish%). I think it was essential for them to rebuild a friendship before they tried a romantic relationship again, so it worked well here.

I did not care for the perceived love triangle, but this was still a solid read. If you enjoy Jane Austen, I think you’ll enjoy this one.