music, books, love and kindness

The author's frequent use of dangling modifiers in the beginning distracted me, but once that got under control and the compelling plot, lovely characters and excellent dialogue took over, I found myself falling into this beautifully sad story.

Very sweet, though often emotionally exhausting (I had to put it down at various times and watch Golden Girls), Give Me A Reason is well worth the read. The very last part of the epilogue seems like a small slap in the face and quite unnecessary, but the heart of the love story (plus great character development) keeps everything together.

Lyn Gardner creates a very convincing atmosphere (through the torment and phobias Toni suffers from and the amazing mutual love she finds with Laura) and situations that make you experience everything from tears to laughter to intense sympathy.

But just when you think you can relax and enjoy all the hard-won happiness and love, you're left hanging...luckily the hope that is infused throughout gives you reason to believe it will all work out okay.