ARC Review: Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee

Give Me a Reason
Author: Jayci Lee
Publication: St. Martin's Griffin

Description: In this modern retelling of Jane Austen's PERSUASION, a K-drama actress gets her second chance at love with the man she left to save her family, if only 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. To save her father from bankruptcy, she dropped out of UC San Diego to pursue an acting career in Korea. Anne had to stop Frederick from following her and ruining his future. Breaking up with him was the best way she could love him.

After Anne left him, 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 she returns to Los Angeles, Anne and Frederick find themselves in the same wedding—she as her cousin’s bridesmaid and he as his friend’s groomsman. Even though he is cold and distant with her, Anne can no longer deny that she never got over him. Not even close. As for Frederick, needing to take care of Anne is a habit he can't seem to kick, but that doesn't mean he has to forgive her.

My Thoughts: This is a contemporary romance and a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion which I haven't read. 

Anne Lee left the college boyfriend she loved with all her heart to pursue an acting career in K-drama to make money to save her family home. She spent ten years there before returning home. She had always regretted leaving Frederick Nam behind but convinced herself that it was for his good.

Frederick Nam has never gotten over having his heart broken by Anne. But he has made a life for himself, first in finance where he was very successful and currently as a Captain in the fire department. 

When his best friend and fellow fireman is set to marry, he learns that the bride-to-be is Anne's cousin and Anne will be playing a big part in the wedding. 

It is difficult for both Anne and Frederick as they need to spend a lot of time together in the run-up to the wedding. Neither has gotten over their love for the other, but neither can find a way to tell the other about the state of their heart.

This story is set in Southern California and people by quite a number of Korean Americans. Anne is especially steeped in the culture and attitudes which wasn't good for her romance with Frederick. 

This was an engaging dual-viewpoint romance. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.