Scan barcode
alysses's review
3.0
This was on the path of greatness. Allison has been newly diagnosed with a condition that can cause her to faint. She faints at one of the weddings and Lance is there to take her home and for eight months he watches over her. He sleeps on the couch and doesn't touch her. They are clearly attracted to one another but he refuses to go there with her. Le sigh--- can you imagine?
It went left for me when Father Valentine, for whatever reason, felt comfortable enough to ask Allison if she had fertility issues that he needed to know about. Not Lance, but the dad. Mind you, Lance and Allison were still not an actual couple. Then Lance defended his dad as if it is completely normal to have those kinds of conversations with a possible father in law. It was weird. Then Allison, without actually knowing for sure, breaks up with Lance because she believes she won't be able to give him a child.
It was all sorts of whack.
It went left for me when Father Valentine, for whatever reason, felt comfortable enough to ask Allison if she had fertility issues that he needed to know about. Not Lance, but the dad. Mind you, Lance and Allison were still not an actual couple. Then Lance defended his dad as if it is completely normal to have those kinds of conversations with a possible father in law. It was weird. Then Allison, without actually knowing for sure, breaks up with Lance because she believes she won't be able to give him a child.
It was all sorts of whack.
audiogirl511's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishrealm's review
3.0
Ahhh this was such a hard one to rate because there was so much going on. Some of it I really enjoyed and other parts just had me rolling my eyes. I really enjoyed the discussion surrounding the disability representation and Lance definitely made my heart melt.
I've been slowly making my way through the In the Heart of a Valentine series and switched over to working on the Rose family books to prepare for the crossover novella. Give Me a Reason focuses on Allison and Lance. They have a pretty quick start into their romance, but it begins to lose steam when there is an awkward encounter between Allison and Lance's father. Honestly, I thought it was strange for him to even feel comfortable asking fertility questions to a woman who his son just recently began dating. He really shouldn't have been asking the questions at all. And then I found it even more awkward that Allison allowed this to deter her relationship with Lance especially when she never talked to a doctor about fertility as it related to her chronic illness. Because of the way that it was incorporated into the book, a lot of the elements just felt like plot devices and not something that was necessarily realistic. I did appreciate the way that Norris captured Allison's disability and broader conversation it created for readers about environment and genetics. And, of course, I thought that Lance was an amazing character. He really supported and stood by Allison and even challenged his family on some things in regard to Allison. I think that this is my least favorite book in the series so far. It was a solid read, but I'm interested in seeing how the rest of the series will be laid out with the rest of the brothers. I'm even more interested in the crossover that will take place with the Rose family.
I've been slowly making my way through the In the Heart of a Valentine series and switched over to working on the Rose family books to prepare for the crossover novella. Give Me a Reason focuses on Allison and Lance. They have a pretty quick start into their romance, but it begins to lose steam when there is an awkward encounter between Allison and Lance's father. Honestly, I thought it was strange for him to even feel comfortable asking fertility questions to a woman who his son just recently began dating. He really shouldn't have been asking the questions at all. And then I found it even more awkward that Allison allowed this to deter her relationship with Lance especially when she never talked to a doctor about fertility as it related to her chronic illness. Because of the way that it was incorporated into the book, a lot of the elements just felt like plot devices and not something that was necessarily realistic. I did appreciate the way that Norris captured Allison's disability and broader conversation it created for readers about environment and genetics. And, of course, I thought that Lance was an amazing character. He really supported and stood by Allison and even challenged his family on some things in regard to Allison. I think that this is my least favorite book in the series so far. It was a solid read, but I'm interested in seeing how the rest of the series will be laid out with the rest of the brothers. I'm even more interested in the crossover that will take place with the Rose family.
freev's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jazzreads32's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I want to start by saying that Lance is my favorite brother so far however, Allison was so damn hardheaded. When she said no to Lance engagement pissed me off lol.. I understand why she didn’t want to get into anything serious because of her health issues however, that man has a whole medical degree plus he was very supportive throughout the book. I was happy that Allison friends gave her good advice because she was really working my nerves.
babeinlibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
jigsawgirl's review
3.0
This Valentine tale served to irritate me a bit too much to be enjoyable. It all had to do with Allison.
Admittedly, Lance's father seemed to be overstepping. I was surprised at Allison's reaction. She didn't really get angry about him being intrusive. She didn't go to Lance and have a discussion about what was up with his father. With Allison being in the news business, I kind of expected her to question Lance's father more thoroughly about his need to know her business.
Then we have Lance being film maker extraordinaire, AND a medical doctor. BUT, I suppose if there are people out there that get both a law degree and a medical degree, then Lance isn't any different.
My other issue is referring to Allison's body part as a canal and a harbor. Artistic license? Cutesy? Why not refer to Lance's as an appendage or a pole or something else?
The two things that made me almost stop reading was the entire situation at the party Lance held for Allison through her behavior at the fund raiser. She was just ridiculous and I had to make myself finish the book. I felt like the book had lost some of its romantic quality by having to read through Allison's immaturity. I would really expect someone her age to face her issues with a little more aplomb.
This wasn't a bad book, but there was too much in it that irritated me. But that should not keep you from reading the book and forming your own opinion. After all, Lance and Allison do get their HEA.
Admittedly, Lance's father seemed to be overstepping. I was surprised at Allison's reaction. She didn't really get angry about him being intrusive. She didn't go to Lance and have a discussion about what was up with his father. With Allison being in the news business, I kind of expected her to question Lance's father more thoroughly about his need to know her business.
Then we have Lance being film maker extraordinaire, AND a medical doctor. BUT, I suppose if there are people out there that get both a law degree and a medical degree, then Lance isn't any different.
My other issue is referring to Allison's body part as a canal and a harbor. Artistic license? Cutesy? Why not refer to Lance's as an appendage or a pole or something else?
The two things that made me almost stop reading was the entire situation at the party Lance held for Allison through her behavior at the fund raiser. She was just ridiculous and I had to make myself finish the book. I felt like the book had lost some of its romantic quality by having to read through Allison's immaturity. I would really expect someone her age to face her issues with a little more aplomb.
This wasn't a bad book, but there was too much in it that irritated me. But that should not keep you from reading the book and forming your own opinion. After all, Lance and Allison do get their HEA.