Give Me A Reason

Lyn Gardner never disappoints. If you haven’t read her books yet, don’t waste another minute. I think this is her best yet. Her characters are three dimensional and come to life, so you just keep wanting more.

This was a story that was so hard to read. It still doesn’t really answer how she was sentenced. It doesn’t make sense. But anyway, the MC’s that she created were two of the best characters ever. I felt every emotion and sentiment between the two. The love and dedication between them was so palpable and amazing.Who wouldn’t and couldn’t fall for Toni? That love started when Toni was hidden underneath what the dregs of society did to her. But as soon as Laura saw her, she was above notice. For goodness to survive inside a person that saw and experienced what she did is beyond me. To maintain any humanity after that is miraculous.This book touched me from the very first page. My heart cried out for Toni. And it wanted Laura to answer that cry.The only thing I didn’t like was too much time spent around Christmas. I’d rather spend more time with the Epilogue and the hereafter versus all the talk about decorations and some of the other useless time spent describing things that just really didn’t matter.But I was indeed shock by many of the twists and turns this story took. Brilliantly written. I was also deeply disturbed when reading the perspective of a deeply hated individual. I mean wow.I know this a work of fiction. But there are many that may read this that can identify with Toni directly or indirectly. There are plenty of Toni’s out there. It can be almost anyone’s true story. That’s the sad part.I assume there is a sequel, right?

What a great storyline depicting the result of persistent trauma and the courage of the victim to overcome the pain and memories which haunted her. Patience, gentleness and love helped in that journey which slowly turned into a lovely love story. Greatly enjoyed and very highly recommended.

“Reality is where things appear as they should, rather than how one might wish them to be.” “Doing her best to safeguard herself from the ugliness of the world and the pain of memories etched into her soul, Toni had forgotten the definition of beautiful…until now.”+ • + • + • +📍…Can't even begin to explain my emotions & feelings… IJS— I SO LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! I'm just speechless……Another awesome, entertaining storywith captivating characters. Very very very enjoyable to read.I mean, OMG— What a book!!! Absolutely restores faith & hope in true love!! It broke my heart, pissed me the hell off & reduced me to tears, riding the emotional rollercoaster from the prolgue to the epilogue of finding & rediscovering the friendship, safety, power, pain & pleasure in real love!!!!Seriously, how incredible is a book that has a simplistically poetic yet still with such titillating complexities as a line like that—how could this book be anything but incredible!!!It has characters that become so authentic they truly become like real people in your mind & a riveting plot lines that draws you in so effortlessly & subtly without you even noticing.A love story so dripping with emotion that the burning hot sex scenes capably stoked & strengthened the book's enthralling presence & encompassing passion rather than just setting & sparked the electric intensity between Laura & Toni. Instead, the story relied on words & emotions not physical acts to drive the imagery of their love for each other.

She is an amazing story teller! The magnitude of emotions in this book blow me away. I’m sitting here trying to come up with brilliant words to describe how wonderful this book is, and they fail me. Just buy it. Read it. I can’t give you one good reason not to. 😉

I'm going to get my gripes out of the way first. Don't stop reading, because there are compliments coming as well.The grammar and punctuation need some work. Dangling participles, sentence fragments, and run-on sentences are common. Oxford commas tend to be missing. If you don't know what these are, they all basically disrupt the flow of the prose. Also, there's a bit too much description. The author devotes like two or three straight pages to describing Laura's mother's house and the way it's decorated, and it's like, "Who cares?"Now for the good. The story is compelling and moving. The horrible things Toni went through and the effect they had on her made me cry more than once, which isn't something that happens often when I read. The psychology of it all was very well done, from what I know of the field, and Toni's struggle to return to her old self was treated with the gravity it deserves. Unlike in some other books, there was no simple, quick solution, just a long, slow process of conquering her issues.Toni and Laura make a fantastic couple, they really do. The sex scenes are appropriately steamy, and everything in between is sweet and makes me wish I had my soul mate. The book is long, but the story justifies its length. It's a bit schmaltzy for my tastes in some places, but then the genre is outside my usual wheelhouse (I almost always read sci-fi/fantasy).Overall, it's a great book. Not perfect, but I can see why it won an award. Writing this review makes me want to reread it, and I only just finished it. I highly recommend Give Me A Reason to anyone who wants to read a touching love story.

A very well written story. It contains all the elements - drama, humour and romance. The characters and story are so well crafted I felt like I was watching the events unfold rather than reading it. All of Lyn Gardner’s books are pleasure to read (I’ve read this one 3 times lol) and I look forward to her next one!

This is a truly wonderful and moving story. It isn't just a love story. But the love story is touching and moving. It's a story of how love can heal. Of how courage can find a way and strength that was lost can be found again.This is much longer than your typical romance story. I didn't find a page wasted. It needed to be this long to do justice to an incredible and unique story. Be aware that this isn't a typical romance. One of the protagonists has, almost literally, been through hell. The effects of that are convincingly and touchingly portrayed. There is a level of detail here. Nothing gratuitous, but a reader should be aware. For me it adds depth so that you understand what Toni has been through.If you want a romance with depth, you won't go wrong with this book.

I don't usually give reviews, but after reading this book i thought i should give a review. This book raw and well written thank you Lyn for the depth, vulnerability and honesty you provided to your characters. What a read!

I loved this book. I have never read a book that kept me so captivated from beginning to end. I find the author takes her time in letting us understand the closeness and chemistry that is building between the main characters. And the story is captivating! This is the second book I have read from Lyn Gardner and she is one of my favourite author at this time.

Gardner has a wonderful ability to peel back characters in respectful and loving ways. She also provides powerful stories women experience. She does not shy away from sexuality and celebrates the excitement sexual relations between women. I have read all her books, and am hoping she will keep writing.