I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Give Me a Reason
by Jayci Lee
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on July 29, 2025
Setting: Los Angeles, California
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 346
Format: Audible Audiobook, Kindle, Paperback
Source: NetGalley
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
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...
Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee is a second-chance romance for a KDrama actress and a firefighter.
Will Anne and Fredrick get back together?
Anne Lee
Anne Lee broke up with Fredrick when they were still in college, so she could go to South Korea and pursue her acting career. She is the middle child of three girls, and just like any middle child, she gets overlooked until she meets Fredrick. Anne gave up a lot to help her family out of a financial situation, and now that she’s back in the States, she wants to do things for herself. I love the growth that Anne shows throughout, especially in stopping herself from letting people walk all over her and taking things for herself.
Fredrick Nam
Fredrick Nam is a firefighter captain who was hurt by what Anne did to him ten years ago. He has had a tough life, and being with Anne made him feel better, more alive, and that he’s worth something. I like that Fredrick had the most growth and how he realized things about himself that he didn’t want to remember, as only Anne brought it out of him. Fredrick is a good character, and I like how he’s not just some lovesick fool, since he still has his own life, one that he can work around Anne’s schedule.
The Romance
Anne and Fredrick’s romance started ten years ago when they were both in college, before Anne broke up with Fredrick and went off to South Korea without him. They are both good for each other, as they bring out in each other what they both need. Fredrick keeps Anne from going overboard in helping people, and Anne keeps Fredrick grounded while realizing that some things are beyond his control. These two are sweet together.
We also have at least four other romances going on in the book. They are all sweet and loving.
Four Stars
My rating for Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee is four stars. This is my first book by Ms. Lee, and it certainly won’t be my last. I loved this book and Ms. Lee’s writing style. I felt like I was back in Southern California, surrounded by these characters living their lives around me. This is definitely a book that you shouldn’t skip out on, especially if you like second-chance romances.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
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About Jayci Lee
Jayci Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance featuring Korean American main characters. Her books have been in O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, E! News, and Women’s World. Jayci is retired from her fifteen-year career as a litigator because of all the badass heroines and drool worthy heroes demanding to have their stories told. Food, wine and travel are her jam. She makes her home in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys, and a fluffy rescue.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Goodreads RC
- 2025 Romance Book Reading Challenge
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