A review by rcrow
Give Me a Reason by A.L. Jackson

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book had me rolling my eyes for most of it.

Let’s start with the facts: I spent about 75% of this book irritated. We went from zero to 120mph on the love meter in what felt like thirty seconds flat. The chemistry was there—but so was the whiplash. And can we talk about the word “Daddy”? Not in a fun way. Eden calling her father daddy every few pages. It’s one thing to call him daddy to his face, but her constant use of that word when he wasn’t even around had  me cringing like I was watching a bad reality show.

Also, the writing? Sometimes heartbreakingly lovely, often spicy, but occasionally so over-the-top I felt like I was reading a spicy soap opera written by a 9th grader. And listen—if I had to hear one more time about how massive this man’s eggplant was one more time, I was going to punch someone.

BUT.

(And it’s a big but—no pun intended.)

The last quarter of this book? Hooked me. It was emotional, it was twisty, and even though I guessed the big twist right before it happened, it still hit me in the feels. Suddenly, all the broody stares, whispered threats, and chaotic feelings made a little more sense. By the end, I wasn’t just turning pages—I was invested.

So yes, I had complaints. A lot of them. But the heartbreak, the redemption arc, and the twisty unraveling of secrets? That’s what saved this for me. I’m skeptical about the next book in the series—but I’ll definitely be reading it.