My Reason

by Alycia Carosella

Dexter Laclaire is the type of teacher that is more than just a teacher to his students. He is a friend to many, but one in particular means more than all of them. He shouldn’t feel this way toward a student and he blocks out the feelings.
Except graduation is upon Allison Pierce and she is no longer his student. Dexter is currently in a long-term relationship and Allison has her whole life ahead of her.
Should Dexter finally tell Allison how he feels or let her experience life without him holding her back?
This book follows Dexter through the seven years apart from Allison after graduation. How he deals with the feelings of finding the one, but at the wrong time. This book is a prequel to The Reason.

114 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2024

Reviews

[Katelyn Vanaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I have not read the book this is a prequel to yet, so I feel like I may have enjoyed this a little bit more if I had. The high school teacher pining after a student was a little bit of a stretch to me. I did however love the discussion of loving someone and being comfortable with them, but them still not being the person for you. I am excited to read about Dex and Ally in their book.

[❤️Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Dex's point of view. I now have to read The Reason again since it's been a while, but having Dex's view on how his feelings for Ally were true but never acted on those feelings until they met again 7 years later!

[Jaime Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet.. and a bit spicy.

Dexters pov before he met Ally. He was a bit obsessed but knew what he wanted. I liked the backstory to The Reason. If you haven’t read this series, you should!

[Juliann Hartford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute back story to Dex! Short sweet introduction on how they met from his pov.

[Fowzi A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owo!! Okay I soo invested to see where dex and ally go for their book as this was just the prequel!! You really can see the obsession dex has for her! I did really the family support Dex has in his sister and their relationship! I was not expecting so time jumps and with these it makes sense. It felt a like whole story but still short lol There was a dynamic that kinda made iffy for me but was able to still enjoy it despite this. I am more excited to continue this series! I am glad I got this chance to read this! That ending hahaha I was like nooo what’s gonna happen . I guess that why this is a prequel and did it job!💕💕💕

[Sarah Seelbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! I loved experiencing the story through Dex's perspective, and I’m eager to read the other installments in the series for more insights. I found it particularly heartwarming that his feelings for Ally were so genuine, yet he didn't act on them until seven years later. The story is a delightful mix of spice and sweetness, even though it's brief. I genuinely enjoyed this book! Alycia's writing style is captivating; it flows effortlessly, and before you realize it, the book is finished!

[Erin McN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella definitely whet my appetite for the main novel! It was a quick read, engaging & made me want more of Dex & Ally!

This novella is from Dexter’s POV. It’s about a forbidden love between teacher & student. Dex is the teacher & Ally is his student. They lose contact after she graduates but he thinks about her every day. He even makes life decisions hoping that the universe will bring them together again. One day fate does step in & they cross paths again. Now I need to know what is in store for these characters!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a cute little love story of how something’s are worth waiting for. I loved that it didn’t happen right away and that you had to let the story unfold. Everything happens for a reason and I loved the view point, I wish there was a little more of Allison’s view point and if her feelings were always there, if they came and left, or if she never had The feelings. I loved seeing it all unfold.

[Hailee Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting Dex’s point of view on how he fell for ally and his feelings for her, to see his struggle on how to handle his feelings . It’s more of a different trope than I would usually pick up and read but it’s a great novella to dip into the series. It is more of a forbidden romance with a second chance along with it. It was nice to see his point of view of how exactly it happened and how he managed to control his feelings and navigate through them.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this ARC opportunity!

I loved this one, it was super cute.

I’m really happy I read this before The Reason because now I’m super excited to read it!!

I loved getting to know Dexter like this & I can’t wait to read on to the rest of his and Ally’s story.

Cute. Short. Spicy. Prequel. Backstory of the MMC.

🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[Leah Ochoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great introduction to this world!

I haven’t read ‘The Reason’ (1st book) but I am glad so I didn’t have any preconceived thoughts.

Relatable situations within (job opportunities, moves, conflicting feelings)

If you love 2nd chance romance & forbidden romance then this little novella is a great pick for you!

Thank you to the author for allowing me an ARC of this novella!

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Dex’s story! The way he just knew how much he loves Ally, just made me love him more! Yes he was her teacher and there is 10 years difference. But…. he didn’t act on anything like he could of! That right there shows true love right there! Ahhh I just love him! Can’t wait to read more of this series! I’m definitely hooked.

[Katelyn Welytok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prequel to The Reason and I loved it. It’s short and sweet and add a little bit of spice to it. Just perfect.

This is told from Dexters point of view before he met Ally. He saw her, knew what he wanted and fell first. He was a man who knew what he wanted and was going to get it. I think this was a great prequel to the series and definitely recommend both books.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨️ 📚 ARC Review ✨️ 📚
I have not read The Reason yet, so this prequel review may change later on.
The teacher-student romance is hard to do well, and reading from just the teacher POV felt a little creepy/unrequited. The backstory, and meeting the other characters in Dex's POV prior to the main novel is probably a great addition. Sounds like I'll have to keep reading!

[Ashley Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an engrossing novella. I read it all in one sitting! To follow Dexter as he learns what he really wants and how it comes to be is rewarding to a reader. I already own and am excited to jump into The Reason, the next installment. After meeting the author at a local event, I am even more invested and excited to see this story play out and develop.

[Amanda Parker-Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reason by Alycia Carosella
⭐️4/5⁣⁣⁣
🥰Forbidden Love
🥰Novella
🥰Student x Teacher

This was a cute Novella. Dex was Ally’s teacher. Dex made life choices in hopes to get to see his old student again. Eventually he does get that chance but that chance isn’t until 7 years later! I can’t wait to see what comes next!
⁣⁣⁣⁣
I would highly recommend this as your next read!

[Chelsey Yannarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute and obviously quick read. But goodness so worth it! I love Dex so much and I am about to jump right into The Reason! I should have read that first but this was an ARC my review is just late sadly :/ but this wS so good and while quick it was the perfect information story and everything in between. Sometimes novellas are just eh but this was good!

[Kelsee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little introduction to Dex and Ally’s relationship. I love how supportive Rachel ended up being of Dexter, even though she ended up losing him. There was a lot of plot packed into just under 100 pages.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute quick story! Now I need to read the series!

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading The Reason and haven’t finished it, it was fun to be able to read My Reason to get more on Dex! A very short and simple novella for those that may need/want a little more on him :)

[Kaitlyn Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book , but then i felt like i lost interest . I kept waiting for more to happen , but then it was 2 years later … and again. And I’m like ok where’s this going ?

I love Alycia’s writing , but this one was not my favorite .

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun Novella that fits in perfectly into the series. Thank you to Alycia for letting me ARC read!

[Charlynda Propst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun back story that spans over years but it goes to show when you have a soul mate there no length of time that won’t wait for the one that “worth waiting for” I ate this up because I wasn’t sure where the story was going! All I’m saying is there’s nothing like some siblings that see you I can’t wait to read The reason!

[Emily Casilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like her descriptive writing style. The premise of the plot with Dex being in a relationship, but obsessing about another woman was not my taste. The romance scene were very well written, but I didn’t enjoy Dex being with the first woman and not really showing any care? And for the girl he is obsessed with it, comes off as more attraction than love?

That being said, that is the story and I know there will be people that can relate to this and enjoy it.