Give Me a Reason
by Jayci Lee
Ten years ago, Anne Lee left college and the man she loved, Frederick Nam, to rescue her family from bankruptcy by building an acting career in Korea. Now a famous K-drama star, she returns to Los Angeles and finds herself in the same wedding party as Frederick, who has become a firefighter and has never forgiven her. He is cool and distant, yet still can't stop looking out for her. Anne realizes she never got over him at all. A modern second-chance retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
About This Book
Give Me a Reason is a contemporary romance novel by Jayci Lee, first published in 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin. It runs 352 pages. Readers can expect second chance.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Second Chance
- Length
- 352 pages
- Format
- Trade Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- Ten years after leaving the man she loved to save her family, a K-drama star returns to Los Angeles and reunites with him at a wedding.
- Fans of Jane Austen's Persuasion
- Readers who enjoy angst-heavy second chance romances
- Nostalgic
- Features Second Chance
This may not be ideal if…
- Heat level is currently undefined for potential readers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Relatively equalized, though complicated by status (star vs. firefighter) and past grievances.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High tension, high angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult contemporary romance readers.
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Ten years ago, Anne Lee prioritized her family's financial stability over her relationship with Frederick Nam, leaving college and her love behind to launch an acting career in Korea. Now an established K-drama star, she returns to Los Angeles only to find herself in the same wedding party as Frederick, who is now a firefighter. While Frederick remains distant and unforgiving, he cannot hide his instinct to look out for her, causing Anne to realize their past connection never truly faded.
Central Conflict
The tension between past abandonment and present attraction, complicated by Frederick's lingering resentment and the professional worlds Anne now occupies.
Setting
Los Angeles
Strengths
- Strong emotional core based on a classic literary structure
- Clear, compelling central conflict
Consider before reading
- Heat level is currently undefined for potential readers
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Jayci Lee
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- St. Martin's Griffin
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Length
- 352 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781250907783
Give Me a Reason: quick answers
- Who wrote Give Me a Reason?
- Give Me a Reason was written by Jayci Lee.
- When was Give Me a Reason published?
- Give Me a Reason was first published in 2025 by St. Martin's Griffin.
- What genre is Give Me a Reason?
- Give Me a Reason is a contemporary romance novel, with second chance.
- How many pages is Give Me a Reason?
- Give Me a Reason is 352 pages long (Trade Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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