Review - - Give Me a Reason

Give Me a Reason: A Novel

by Jayci Lee

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: July 29, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

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.

PJ's Thoughts:

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. 

Review - - Booked on a Feeling

Booked on a Feeling

by Jayci Lee

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: July 26, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

Lizzy "Overachiever" Chung, Esq. has her life mapped out neatly:
* Become a lawyer. Check.
* Join a prestigious law firm. Check.
* Make partner. In progress.

If all goes to plan, she will check off that last box in a couple years, make her parents proud, and live a successful, fulfilled life in L.A. What was not in her plans was passing out from a panic attack during a pivotal moment in her career. A few deep breaths and a four hour drive later, Lizzy is in Weldon for three weeks to shed the burnout and figure out what went wrong. And what better place to recharge than the small California town where she spent her childhood summers with her best friend, Jack Park.

Jack Park didn't expect to see Lizzy back in Weldon, but now he's got three weeks to spend with the girl of his dreams. Except she doesn't know of his decades-long crush on her--and he intends to keep it that way. She's a high-powered attorney who lives in L.A. and he's a bookkeeper at his family's brewery who never left his hometown. He can't risk their friendship on a long shot. Can he? When Lizzy decides that the local bookstore needs a little revamp, of course, Jack is going to help her bring it back to life. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore there might be more than just friendship among the dusty shelves and books...

Sometimes the path to the rest of your life has been in front of you all along.

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun, feel-good story! This one had me grinning pretty much the entire way. I just loved these two so much! The way Jack looks at Lizzy, the way he thinks her quirks are so adorable, the way he is always there for her, the way he understands and appreciates her love of books... Is it any wonder I fell for him as hard as Lizzy does?

Friends-to-Lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and one this author does very well. Jack and Lizzy have been best friends for twenty years, since the age of ten. It's evident in the comfort level they share, the freedom to tease and joke around, their rock-solid support and belief in one another, the deep affection, and the openness and honesty that is the foundation of their relationship. Well, except for that one little thing: the fact that Jack Park has been in love with Lizzy Chung for almost his entire life. 

Lee guides Jack and Lizzy through this journey with almost flawless execution. Their unexpected, gradual transition from friends to lovers occurs alongside their individual journeys of personal growth in a way that feels real and authentic. Each of them is at a professional crossroads, with looming decisions that will impact family expectations as well as personal relationships. Lee allows the gravity of those decisions to play out with necessary emotional introspection, giving it the gravity it deserves while also balancing it with the lightness, humor, and sweetness of the ever-deepening dynamic between Lizzy and Jack. 

As with her previous books, Lee also immerses the reader in the Korean-American culture of her main characters. I enjoy the inside view of these families; their traditions, expectations, food (yes, I drooled), and differences. The dichotomy between Jack's parents and Lizzy's is quite striking. 

I also appreciate the approach the author takes with Lizzy's anxiety and Jack's feelings of unworthiness, issues so many people deal with. It makes these characters even more relatable and it makes their growth, as evidenced by their eventual life-changing decisions, and ultimate HEA, even more satisfying. 

I'm already excited to discover what Jayci Lee has in store for readers next. In the meantime, I enthusiastically recommend adding Booked on a Feeling to your summer reading list.   

Review - - Off Limits Attraction

Off Limits Attraction

by Jayci Lee

The Heirs of Hansol - Book 3

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: December 15, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

 

Mixing business with pleasure changes the entire script…
But that’s no reason to stop…

Jihae Park’s icy heiress facade is quickly melting—all because of Colin Song. A fling with the sexy film producer could jeopardize her one shot at achieving her own success—and the movie they’re making together. But resistance to her searing attraction—and Colin’s breathtaking bedroom skills—proves futile. Even as Colin’s ulterior motives threaten to destroy their chance at a picture-perfect ending…

PJ's Thoughts:

I have fallen in love with Jayci Lee's Song family but Colin and Jihae, with their off limits attraction, are my favorite of the group. I began their story with preconceived opinions about both Colin and Jihae, based on events from the two previous books, but quickly realized there was much more to both of these characters than their surface personae would indicate. 

I enjoyed how Lee showed the dichotomy between the Jihae that is the creation of her controlling parents and the fiery, ambitious, and fun-loving woman longing to break free. The reader knows almost immediately who this woman really is but the struggle to claim her own destiny is compelling and brings an added depth to her story.

Colin matches her with his own ambition and determination to prove himself to his family. It gives them a common bond though it also presents an obstacle to their potential happiness of which Jihae is unaware. Having to walk that fine line between passion and loyalty brings a compelling uncertainty to their gradually deepening relationship that will force Colin to make some difficult decisions but, perhaps, will result in him attaining his heart's desire. 

Lee brings steam, humor, and her rich cultural heritage to this third story in her Heirs of Hansol series. I've enjoyed getting to know the Korean-American Song family and learning more about their traditions. The characters, both primary and secondary, are vibrant, complex, and add richness to the story. I've especially enjoyed Grace Song, the grandmother and matriarch of the Song family. 

Off Limits Attraction can be enjoyed as a standalone but I enthusiastically recommend all three books in the series, including Temporary Wife Temptation (book one) and Secret Crush Seduction (book two). 

Review - - Secret Crush Seduction

Secret Crush Seduction

by Jayci Lee

The Heirs of Hansol - Book 2

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Reviewed by PJ 

She’s done waiting for what she really wants…

“If I don’t have you after that kiss, I’ll burn to dust from the inside out…”

Aspiring fashion designer Adelaide Song wants to prove she’s more than just a pampered heiress. All she needs is a little courage—and the help of deliciously sexy Michael Reynolds, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. But when her secret crush turns into an illicit liaison, Adelaide realizes mixing business with pleasure spells trouble for all her plans…

PJ's Thoughts:

In the second book of her Heirs of Hansol series, Jayci Lee brings readers an interracial, multi-cultural, friends-to-lovers story filled with sass, sizzle, and a whole lot of heart. 

I so enjoyed Adelaide. Yes, she's rich, beautiful, and privileged but life hasn't been all fun and games. There's heartbreak, and mistakes, in her past but at twenty-six she's grown up and put that behind her. Her soul burns to prove her worth to her grandmother and secure her position in the family company. In order to convince her grandmother to give her a chance she'll need the help of Michael, a PR guru who is also her brother's best friend, an unofficial member of the Song family and, oh yeah, one of those heartbreaks from her past. 

The chemistry between these two is off the charts. I loved how Adelaide owned her passion, not hesitant to demand what she wanted, and needed, sexually from Michael. It was fun to watch her rock his world. But I also enjoyed the emotional growth and relationship building between the two that occurred before things turned physical. I enjoyed watching deepening feelings evolve between two individuals determined to keep their liaison in the 'temporary' zone. I admit that I grew frustrated with Michael at times and his penchant for treating the woman he's having relations with like the child she was when they first met. An honest conversation would have solved everything. It was very satisfying to watch Adelaide take him to task over the actions he took 'for her own good.' Groveling was involved. I would have been happy with more. ;-)

I enjoyed all of the behind-the-scenes peeks into the planning of the charity fashion show Adelaide takes on to prove her worth to her grandmother. It was an interesting vehicle to showcase Adelaide's growth in confidence and skill. It also spotlighted awareness of the dearth of fashionable, sensory-friendly clothing for individuals with Autism. And it expanded the cast of characters with more diversity, including a teen-age Latinx character with Autism, on the verge of a much-dreaded Quinceañera. She, and her father, were two of my favorite secondary characters in the book.

Another aspect of this series that I'm enjoying is the celebration of the Korean-American family at it's center. I'm learning about their heritage and traditions, including some delicious sounding food. Food porn is a thing, and I'm here for it. 

Book three, Off Limits Attraction, is scheduled for release in December, 2020. It stars Adelaide and Garrett's (book one:Temporary Wife Temptation) cousin, Colin and the arranged bride Garrett was supposed to have married. I've already pre-ordered the book and am counting down the days.