Give Me A Reason Paperback – March 19, 2014

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?

This is a great book that will break your heart and then make it swell again before keeping you on the edge of your seat.

At 662, I though this book would be at LEAST 200 pages of fluff. I am happy to say I was sorely mistaken. While the plot moves at a gradual pace, the author does so in such a manner that you FEEL for EVERY character and spend time in each developing stage. It's definitely not too slow. I didn't want to and I'm not used to it, but there are at least 5 or 6 times I wanted to cry and a few where I just could not hold it in. Some were tears of sadness while others were tears of joy. This doesn't include the sheer anger one feels in hearing such atrocities that Antoinette had to survive. However, the book is not just about Toni's trials and imperfections, Laura and the secondary characters have their own multi-faceted developments that weave an unmistakable thread of understanding and love. The gradual pace through learning to trust and love make the story believable, but the romance still appeals to the escapism we all enjoy.I also appreciate Lyn's spirituality in her books and as someone who shares those same beliefs; I actually appreciate how she doesn't shove it down anyone's throat. It's there for those who appreciate it and for those who don't it's non-offensive and subtle to the point where if you want to ignore it you can. The end was almost cleansing and it seems like Lyn might do a follow up, but as emotionally charged and beautiful as this book was I'm not sure I could handle these characters going through anymore.I read her other two books Ice and Mistletoe and thoroughly enjoyed those as well.

This is a story of trauma and loss, and then finding life and love again. At times it was difficult to read - the terror that Toni had endured. I loved seeing Toni come to life again, sometimes wondering if she would ever be able to love or trust anyone again. And Laura... what an amazing woman, her unconditional love never wavered. I loved how their relationship grew from friendship to lovers ever so slowly. For me this story is about healing and it shows that no matter what you've gone through to never give up hope and to never stop trying to get better, to heal, to grow. And sometimes all it takes is one person who makes a difference, who really cares, to change your life. Ultimately all that matters is love and gratitude and a sense of belonging, and that's what I loved most about this story. It touched me deeply at a difficult time in my own life. So thank you Lyn Gardner for giving me a reason :)

I loved this story so much!! This love story makes us realize what we have in our lives. It makes us appreciate the things we posses and forget what we want. It shows that pure love that comes from the heart goes behond all sacrifices. The story teaches us how important is to understand with love people's fears and frustrations. To never give up!! There were parts that I laughed, but believe me, there were parts where I couldn't hold my tears. The vivid sensory images used for describing scenes brought everything to my mind as a movie. This story was a movie, so realistic that I could feel the fear and the love presented by the main characters. That's why I Was so captivated with them and their actions. It was a mystery to follow them since every event was a surprise on what was coming ahead. I loved the variety of different kind of genders interacting with each other. Since I started to read the book, I couldn't stop reading it as I was always expecting what was going to happen next.