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 Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee



A Beautiful Premise with Rich Cultural Roots, May Work Better in a Different Format

I was immediately drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover and the promise of a Persuasion-inspired romance with strong Korean representation, a combination that felt tailor-made for fans of Jane Austen, K-dramas, and manhwa.. The premise had so much potential, and I truly appreciated how the author brought cultural depth to the forefront.

I want to acknowledge that sometimes the right story just doesn’t land in the right moment or format. For me, the third-person narration created a bit of distance that made it hard to fully connect with the characters emotionally. I tend to gravitate toward character-driven stories, especially in contemporary romance, but I also look for steady pacing or subtle momentum to keep me engaged, and here, the plot progression felt a bit too slow for my personal taste.

I would love to read the audiobook to see if I can connect more through that form.

There’s a lot to appreciate here, the Korean cultural elements are beautifully woven in, and what I did see of the Anne/Frederick dynamic was lovely and full of potential. While this one didn’t fully work for me on the first try, and I think readers looking for quiet, introspective romance with rich representation might find something really special here.





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