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The Reason for Me

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Holt She likes it quick and dirty. I like orders and rules. She hates small talk. I hate to share. She’s an open book. I’m a closed dresser drawer. She rides a Harley. And that drives me f’ing nuts. Annalyse and I have both lived in our own personal hells for half a decade. She’s learned to love the warmth, and I’m still consumed. But my new neighbor is stoking more than my libido these days. We agreed on only pleasure. But she changed the rules. And now I’m not even sure what they are. Maybe there’s a reason she found me that night, maybe there’s a reason I can’t stop thinking about her, maybe there’s a reason for the pain. Maybe not. We all look for reasons in life. Reasons for death, love, pain. Why one thing happens and not another? It’s human nature. We’ve been looking for the meaning of life since the beginning of time. But maybe the reason for all of it — life, love, loss, heartache — is the curvy brunette living next door.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2016

66 people are currently reading
651 people want to read

About the author

Prescott Lane

18 books1,549 followers
Prescott Lane is the USA TODAY bestselling author of ALL MY LIFE.. She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Centenary College with a degree in sociology. She went on to receive her MSW from Tulane University, after which she worked with developmentally delayed and disabled children. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren't enough happily ever afters in real life. Connect with Prescott Lane on facebook.com/PrescottLane1 and www.twitter.com/prescottlane1.

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5 stars
305 (46%)
4 stars
232 (35%)
3 stars
88 (13%)
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21 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
Profile Image for SueBee★bring me an alpha!★.
2,417 reviews15.4k followers
Want to read
November 7, 2016


Stocked up on tissue and looking forward to this one!

Stand-alone
Purchase: | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Holt
She likes it quick and dirty.
I like orders and rules.
She hates small talk.
I hate to share.
She’s an open book.
I’m a closed dresser drawer.
She rides a Harley.
And that drives me f’ing nuts.
Annalyse and I have both lived in our own personal hells for half a decade. She’s learned to love the warmth, and I’m still consumed. But my new neighbor is stoking more than my libido these days. We agreed on only pleasure. But she changed the rules.
And now I’m not even sure what they are.
Maybe there’s a reason she found me that night, maybe there’s a reason I can’t stop thinking about her, maybe there’s a reason for the pain. Maybe not.
We all look for reasons in life. Reasons for death, love, pain. Why one thing happens and not another? It’s human nature. We’ve been looking for the meaning of life since the beginning of time. But maybe the reason for all of it — life, love, loss, heartache — is the curvy brunette living next door.
Profile Image for Olga therebelreader.
894 reviews767 followers
October 11, 2016
5 Stars is not enough for this book! You will need a box of tissues while you read this incredible story about Holt and Annalyse. This is a book that everyone needs to read, and then read it again.

The author tells about two broken people, a man and a woman who live in emotional pain, who are hesitant, skittish and nervous, but that doesn’t mean they deserve any less love just because they’re afraid of being burned again. All they can do is love each other, and be there the one for the other. If there’s anything that love stories teach us, it’s that you can heal. You can grow. You can try again.

Holt is simply breathing life into what’s left. He helps Annalyse forget the pain that has held her hostage for so long; something she thought was impossible before he walked into her life. And she has found hope. In the darkness, they meld into something beautiful that shines like the sun.

“We’ve both faced death. Now we have to choose life.”

I loved how the characters evolved, especially Holt. How he turned out into someone worthy and Annalyse who didn't give up despite of the shitty hand she was dealt with.

This book has feels in it. It was heartbreaking and hopeful…It was achingly beautiful as it was ultimately satisfying.

Loved this book. Do yourself a favor and get it. You won't regret it.


Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 5/5 | Darkness 4/5 | Humor 3/5 | Secondary Characters 5/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 5/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 4/5


ARC kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

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Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,594 reviews1,326 followers
October 21, 2016
It's Halloween and this day is a challenge for both Annalyse Reynolds and Holt Miller but for different reasons. She's emerging from a 5-year hibernation following a personal tragedy and he's still a bit stuck following his. Their chance encounter has seismic results.

I won't tell you any of the details of this story because the journey and discoveries are frankly delicious. This isn't a predictable story by any measure and that kept me eagerly turning the pages. I loved their relationship, which begins tentatively and cautiously for very good reasons. Annalyse's blog posts are deftly interspersed throughout, creating a perfect emotional pitch and communication crutch that made the story even more interesting. Holt's gradual growth was realistic and authentic.

There are strong themes and messages that resonated both in my head and heart. The story is thoughtful and sincere in its honesty. I loved both Annalyse and Holt, even when they behaved poorly. The secondary characters were well developed and supportive without being overwhelming. I was really sorry when I reached the end as I enjoyed everything about the book. 4.5 stars

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Profile Image for Hanne.
661 reviews72 followers
November 22, 2017
I loved The Reason for Me! It’s fantastic! It’s only my second book by the author, but it makes me wish I had the time and the opportunity to read all her other books. The writing is superb. This book is emotional, beautiful, hot and poignant. I absolutely adored the epilogue.

Annalyse lost her husband a while back and she needs to be away from everything for a while. She goes to live in her sister’s house while she’s away on holiday. One night, Annalyse meets her neighbor, Holt. He’s drunk and Annalyse takes care of him. Holt and Annalyse runs into each other again and sparks fly. But Holt doesn’t do relationships, so they decide to become ‘friends’ with benefits who don’t ask too many questions.

I adored Holt and Annalyse. Annalyse is caring, patient, genuine, friendly and a little lost. Holt is protective, caring, smart, closed off and a little damaged. Annalyse feels that something has happened to Holt, and while she’s curious about what has happened, she never pushes him to open up. She lets him know that she’s there for him. I never ever guessed Holt’s past and I couldn’t believe what had happened. I felt for him afterwards and it really affects his life. I’m so glad that he will get an HEA with Annalyse, because she helps him and he will move on. They can both finally move on. The author never rushed anything between Annalyse and Holt. They are perfect for each other and I loved reading how they fell in love.
Profile Image for Desi.
2,667 reviews86 followers
July 7, 2017
Le pongo *3 estrellitas*

ARGUMENTO:

Holt

A ella le gusta rápido y sucio.
A mí me gustan el orden y las reglas.
Ella odia las conversaciones.
Yo odio compartir.
Ella es un libro abierto.
Yo soy un baúl cerrado.
Ella monta una Harley.
Y eso me vuelve jodidamente loco.

Annalyse y yo hemos vivido en nuestros infiernos personales por media década. Ella ha aprendido a amar el calor, y yo todavía soy consumido. Pero mi nueva vecina está avivando más que mi libido por estos días. Hicimos un acuerdo de solo placer. Pero ella cambió las reglas.
Y ahora ni siquiera estoy seguro de cuáles son.

Tal vez hay una razón para que me encontrara esa noche, tal vez hay una razón para que no pueda dejar de pensar en ella, tal vez hay una razón para el dolor. Tal vez no.

Todos buscamos por razones en la vida. Razones para la muerte, el amor, el dolor. ¿Por qué una cosa sucede y no otra? Es la naturaleza humana. Hemos estado buscando el significado de la vida desde el principio de los tiempos. Pero tal vez la razón para todo esto; la vida, el amor, la perdida, el dolor; es la morena curvilínea viviendo en la casa de al lado.


Me pareció un libro entretenido, sin más....
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¿Por qué? porque hubo ciertos detallitos que no me terminaron de cuadrar y el final fue muy meeeh!!

Entre las cosas que me gustaron están:
* las entradas del Blog de Annalyse.
* Que Annalyse hiciera mención al 5to libro de la saga de Harry Potter... porque me encantó ese libro.

"Solo alguien que ha sufrido puede reconocer la oscuridad en el alma de otra persona. La única manera que puedo explicar es como en la película de Harry Potter. No recuerdo cuál creo que La Orden del Fénix. Luna y Harry son los únicos que pueden ver el Thestral porque son los únicos que han visto la muerte. Es así. Su alma está sintiendo la oscuridad en mí, causando escalofríos que cubren mi piel pálida."


*El trauma que llevaban los dos protas me pareció creíble... (Aunque por un momento pensé que lo de Holt iba a ser una cagada xD... pero al final me impactó) Pobres los dos!!


Ahora... lo que no me gustó:
*Me pareció muy instalove.... ya en el cap 6 ella está enamorada de él o ya se siente enamorada o whatever... y creo que fue muuuy pronto, teniendo en cuenta que me hizo sentir, en los siguientes capis, que no había superado lo de Logan... entonces no fue muy creíble que digamos que ya estuviera enamorándose de Holt... tal vez más adelante pero no acabando de conocerse y en la primera vez que furruqueaban...
*El amor entre ellos no me pareció muy conmovedor... no sé como que faltó algo
*Holt me pareció controlador y muy sobreprotector... diria que mucho con demasiado
*Y vuelvo con Holt jajajaja me parecio muy WTF cuando ella estaba enferma y con una fiebre muy alta y la embojota en mantas, que ella misma dice que parece un burrito, cuando él siendo DOCTOR debería saber que con fiebres tan altas no debes cubrirte sino más bien usar ropa ligera y mantenerte fresca.

description
OOOSEEAA... No sé como es doctor, de verdad!!

*Fue algo desesperante el hacernos esperar hasta casi el final para saber la verdad de Holt...porque desde el primer momento quería saber que había en la malaya gaveta... que había pasado en su vida para estar así... y nada que lo sacaban ¬¬
*Y por último, el final , me pareció muy apresurado y simplón (en mi opinión)... fue como aquí te muestro mi gaveeeeta, eso quiere decir que te aaaamo y YA... seamos felices!! (de un capítulo a otro luego de andar casi todo el santo libro con su terquedad de que no y no y no le iba a mostrar a Anna la cuestión)

* Aaahh y lo de la hermana hablando con ella por tlf y furruqueando con su novio... POR FAVAAAR que haya sido una broma!!

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Un fragmento del libro que debo destacar (porque lo que dice es tan cierto y me gustó) fue esta:

"No es fácil elegir la felicidad, pero no es más que una opción. Al final del día, no importa qué esté sucediendo en tu vida. Hay personas ricas verdaderamente miserables. Hay algunas personas pobres verdaderamente felices. Hay personas enfermas que sonríen todo el día y hay personas que tienen cada razón para sonreír que ni siquiera lo hacen. La única diferencia entre esas personas es una elección que cada uno de ellos hizo. Una elección entre concentrarse en el estrés, la negatividad, los monstruos en su cabeza. Si quieres ser feliz, debes elegirlo, pelear por eso."


Y ya, esto es todo amigos... jajajaja

description
Profile Image for Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite.
1,252 reviews317 followers
October 24, 2016
IT'S LIVE http://amzn.to/2eezEaC

4 “CHOOSE HAPPY” stars.

"We've both faced death. Now we have to choose life."

Death, a 5 letters word that for some people could mean freedom but that for others it has the power to rip their world to shreds. Holt & Annalyse belong to the latter, their worlds were destroyed by death, leaving them to face a daily battle against the flames of their own personal hell.

Five years have passed for both of them, five years filled with pain and darkness. Until now.

Holt has closed the door to any kind of relationship, the guilt consuming any chance or hope to love again. His work and his twin brothers are the only things making him go on with his life. But one night, he caught himself dreaming or that’s what he though she was, a dream. Little did he know she was real and that she will be living next door for the following months.

I adored Holt. It doesn't matter that his hot and cold behavior gave me a case of whiplash. I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with him. His protectiveness has me melting into a puddle of goo but of course he wasn’t perfect, there were some moments when I wanted to crush his hand with the dresser drawer to stop him of being an asshole. Funny that the same dresser drawer would later be my undoing.

“Five years of fasting, denying, starving goes out the window with one little taste of her. All the control I thought I had goes up in smoke with one swipe of her tongue.”

As Holt, Annalyse has shut love out from her life. The bustle of travel and taking as many jobs as she could to keep her busy had been the best coping mechanism she could find for ignoring the heart-wrenching feelings she gets every time she dares to think of her past.

Annalyse, Annalyse, Annalyse. I loved this girl hard!! I wanted her to be my best friend. I wanted her blog to be real, every one of her posts had me feeling, from a smile on my face to tears. A girl who has walked through the fire and worked so hard to get herself back together. A small talk hating curvy girl who is brave enough to fight not only against her flames but Holt’s, the man who has given her hope in the darkness.

Will Annalyse's happiness be enough to pull Holt from his darkness, or will he suck her back into it?

Going a bit deeper than the blurb hints at, The Reason For Me is a swexy aching tale of love, loss and forgiveness. It's about second chances and learning how to build love. Ms. Lane’s writing kept me glued to my kindle the entire time. I laughed, I cheered, I cried, and oh did I fall in love with Holt & Annalyse and this exquisite lovely story.

"Love is hard. It hurts. But love is also the ultimate healer, too."

Profile Image for Donna ~ The Romance Cover.
2,907 reviews323 followers
October 24, 2016
The Reason for Me by Prescott Lane
4 stars!!!

“It’s the scars you can’t see that are the hardest to heal.”


The Reason for Me is a story about second chances whereby two people completely broken, cried off from love in all forms, meet and maybe find what neither one was looking for…each other. Both Holt and Annalyse were wary, hesitant and reticent when it came to members of the opposite sex, both burned in completely different ways, yet the damage was done. The same night, five years ago, destroyed both of them. Two completely separate instances, two completely different places, two completely different people, yet the damage was the same.

“…I have learned to love the fire, to crave the burn, to become the Phoenix instead of an arsonist who wants to burn the whole motherfucker down.”


Holt is a man, but he is a shell, an empty vessel. He goes from A to B but doesn’t take in his surroundings, he knows the routes and the routines, but that is all they are. His heart beats, but as a means to exist, the rhythm, the love…died and it is beyond resurrection. Holt is an OBGYN, he throws himself into work, works all the hour’s god sends and is always on call, he never takes a break, but work is his way of forgetting the past, relinquishing his thoughts, his grief and guilt, even if for a few hours and even if said guilt is totally misguided. This is a man that has been closed off for five years, a man that hasn’t even looked the other way at a woman, a man that has self-imposed loneliness and emptiness on himself, a man with no plans for a life outside of his work and his twin brothers. The sad thing…Holt had a lot to give.

“I’ve lost a lot of people close to me. I couldn’t survive losing someone else.”


Annalyse has spent the past five years running, running from her past, her memories, her life. Having been in the darkest, deepest depths of hell she is finally going to be in the same place for more than a month. Maybe it was time to stop running? Annalyse was a journalist/writer/blogger and her blog entries at times were hilarious as well as thought provoking and insightful. Now house sitting for her sister, she finds herself thrust into a community where everyone knows everyone and her solitude as she knew it was gone. Finally, it was time to regroup, to live, to be happy…maybe it was time to let go…

“Something beautiful coming out of something charred and black…”


One Ambien, one episode of sleepwalking and one dream or was it…has Holt feeling something for the first time, something not dark but hopeful. He dismisses it as a hallucination until the object of his dreams is actually his new next door neighbour. Will these two be each other’s band aids? Will their similar pasts push these two together or pull them apart? Love is powerful, love is painful, love has the power to heal and to destroy. Is love what these two need or is it doomed to failure from the beginning?

“…it’s not just getting love that heals us. It’s when we give love that we are healed the most.”


This was a soul searching read and one that I couldn’t put down. Holt was hard to read in the beginning but you knew that whatever he was hiding had to be big. Here was a strong, intelligent man that was emotionally spent, whoever had done a number on him had done it good and the damage may just be irreparable. Annalyse was an open book and her true thoughts and feelings always came through her blog pages which were often the light to the heavy of this book. The blog post became a highlight for me as each and every important milestone in her breakthrough of Holt became dissected.

“The pleasure wasn’t worth the pain.”


This is an emotional book, someone else’s pain is always a trigger for me and normally the waterworks are plentiful. I didn’t cry reading this one, yet I felt like I should have. For me the character connection was missing a little. As individuals I got them, as a couple I didn’t “feel” it. Maybe it was just me and the head space I was in when reading but for such an intense read I was looking forward to those cathartic tears, but they never came. In summary though this was a fantastic read, one that really tugs at those emotions and heartstrings. I loved it.

www.theromancecover.com
Profile Image for Linha.
195 reviews60 followers
November 14, 2016
3 1/2 Stars!

Wow! I know this sounds weird, but I think I fell in love with the h's dead husband Logan. The few pages she talks about him, he is someone I want an H to be. When I read the part where he died, I don't think I've read something that hit me so profoundly where I cried. Just picturing the scene, I had to put the book down and get away for a while.



The h Annylyse was a wiseass and I loved it. She had her demons she had to overcome, but she opened up and was able to overcome them quickly after meeting the H. She hasn't had sex in 5 years and has only been with two men in her life, her dead husband and the H.

The H Holt was alright. I think he's the reason I didn't give 4 stars. He also had his own demons (which after reading his story is totally understandable), but I didn't like how he would push the h to open up and tell her story, yet he kept his secrets. It wasn't until the end of the book where he finally told his story. It just bothered me that he wanted the h to get over her past, yet he wasn't willing to share his. The H hasn't had sex for the last 5 years, it is kinda indicated that he was sort of a manwhore, but not the quantity like his friends. Oh btw, he is a OBGYN, that might bother some people.



As for safety, it is safe after H and h meet no OW, a OM tries, but backs off right away. The h and her dead husband and the H and his past (he lost someone/people he loved) could be a trigger for some. I know I loved reading about h's dead husband, but not the H's dead "lover". There is a part that there is violence (dark part of the book), but the story explains it well.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Laura Lee.
957 reviews174 followers
October 17, 2016
What an emotional roller-coaster ride this book takes you on!! Laughing, crying, hoping turning the pages to get the full story told. I sat down and didn't stop till I was finished with this book. Couldn't stop till I had the whole thing done. This is a true sign to me that the book is just that good!!!

Annalyse and Holt are very alike in a way....yet very different.

This story tells of how one just needs to learn to accept the things in life we can not change.

The Heart is Flexible.
It has Memory.
It is a cruel liar.
Most Importantly, it has needs....
Profile Image for Elizabeth (Liz).
682 reviews409 followers
October 27, 2016
Perfect!

Prescott Lane may have been a new-to-me author, but given how much I LOVE THIS BOOK, I guarantee I'll be snatching up all her others ASAP!!! The writing style, the characters, the depth, wisdom and emotion within, all while maintaining the pitch-perfect level of humor and lightheartedness ... THAT is TALENT!! Highly recommended for lovers of character-driven Contemporary Romance with substance, presented with a perfect dose of levity!
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
October 25, 2016
Kitty's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

The blurb to Reason For Me truly intrigued me. As I started reading this book, I became more intrigued … to the point where I couldn’t put it down. I had to find out what was eating at Holt and I had to know if Annalyse would or could fix him.

I can’t believe how deep both Holt and Anna were. They each had their own demons to slay. One jumped into the fire and let it heal. The other was being consumed by it. Together they found a way to make it through and accept their pasts to look forward to their futures.

Annalyse was one strong woman and she found a way to cope. Her blog posts were so insightful and meaningful. She actually had me looking at my life and questioning decisions that I made. She was smart, beautiful and caring. She loved Holt, owned it, but knew that he was the only one that could make things work for them. His decisions would either make or break them.

Holt lived through just as much tragedy as Anna did. The difference was how he handled it. He refused to believe he could ever love again and there was no way he would bear his soul the way she did. He couldn’t understand the need to protect her. He couldn’t understand the need to have her in his life. He couldn’t open up to her or give her what she deserved but, he had to find a way.

I was totally blown away with both of their stories and how much Holt truly listened to what Anna had to say. He came through in the end and lived up to everything that I thought he would be. Anna gave and gave and gave and was finally rewarded with what she hoped for when Holt “walked” into her life. Concessions on both sides gave them the happiness they both deserved.

I loved the flow of this story, the way it was written. Prescott Lane honestly has a wonderful way of putting pen to paper and bringing a story to life. I laughed and cried. I enjoyed the supporting characters. I adored both Holt and Annalyse and couldn’t believe that these two lost souls wouldn’t find a way to be together. And, I chose happy.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cyndi Becker.
1,385 reviews13 followers
October 24, 2016
Prescott Lane is one of those authors where I don't need to know a thing about the book before I start reading it. She has managed to surprise me with every story and I just know I'm going to love it. With The Reason For Me, she gives us two complex characters stuck in various states of grief. Annalyse and Holt are brought together by circumstance and drawn closer to each other by desire and unknowingly their secrets.

One of the main things I love about this story is how it's delivered to us. Annalyses' backstory is shared through her blog postings and she directs Holt to certain days, giving him clues as to the state of her heart and mind. We also get both of their perspectives which builds on the mystery of why they are in these sad states of limbo.

Annalyse won my sympathy from the very beginning and although we don't know exactly what happened to her on Halloween 5 years earlier, we know she is lonely and tortured. Holt is a bigger mystery. I really didn't care much for him at first. He's bossy and while that can be pretty hot, it's simply too early into their relationship. But I love a hero that is redeemed and the more we got to know about Holt, the more I liked him. They do have great chemistry and Prescott Lane is a master at creating this atmosphere on the page. He proves himself to be worthy, but his secret might just ruin any chance they might. His backstory is tragic but Holt is almost too slow to trust her.

The entire situation is wrought with peril. The back and forth of what they are to each other, the slow sharing of their pasts and the recognition that this is truly the first time either of them might have a chance to heal. The Reason For Me is an intense and emotional read with the perfect balance of romance and heartache and is another 5 star read from Prescott Lane!
Profile Image for Michelle Rodriguez.
907 reviews27 followers
October 27, 2016
The Reason For Me by Prescott Lane


Review 4.5 Stars


Halloween is one of those holidays when you can dress up as someone else and go trick or treating or even to a Halloween Party, but for Annalyse and Holt, they would rather just crawl into bed and forget this damn holiday would go away.


Annalyse has come back to her hometown, after being away for five years traveling and writing about her travels and after losing the love her life. She agreed to house sit for her sister. After Annalyse attend a Halloween party that she did not want to go to, she runs into her sister’s neighbor, Holt, sleepwalking. Holt hates Halloween as much as Annalyse does. He thinks he’s dreaming of kissing the sexy brunette, but right before he says “I can’t love you,” After an awkward encounter the next day, both Holt and Annalyse decide a “pleasure only” relationship. Holt likes small talk, Annalyse likes it quick and dirty. Holt loves to be a bit demanding, Annalyse loves pushing Holt’s buttons. Can I tell you how much I loved that Annalyse drove a Harley Davidson, Holt not so much.


These two have so many scars, some visible some not so much. “It’s the scars you can’t see that are the hardest to heal.” As Annalyse opens up to Holt about her past, he is very reserved with his. Their chemistry was so hot, Ms. Lane really went hard and dirty with the sexy times and I loved it! Annalyse wanted to make Holt understand, she is not there to fix him, he needs to fix himself, especially with whatever he was hiding in his dresser drawer. As much as Holt wanted just a physical relationship, he can’t help himself in protecting Annalyse. “She makes me not want to be alone anymore.”


Lots of feels and we don’t get to the root of Holt’s secrets for a while, but when you get to that point, I suggest you have tissues ready because I wasn’t ready for crying game I had going on. You will fall in love with Annalyse and her quick humor. Prescott has a way of writing leading ladies that you root for, and she’s no exception. Prescott Lane keeps giving me more things to look forward to when reading her books and I will continue recommending her books.


*An ARC was provided for an honest review.


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Profile Image for Diane (Books and Tequila Blog).
1,518 reviews72 followers
October 12, 2018
5 Stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ But I'd give The Reason For Me six stars if I could! It is a beautiful deeply emotional story that really made me feel all of the pain, loss, and heartbreak. But also it is a beautifully romantic story and I felt myself falling in love with these two flawed and scarred characters.

"But I’ve learned the heart is flexible. It breaks, it bends, it skips beats, and thunders in your chest, but it goes on —waiting and hoping and fighting.
So for everyone whose heart is hurting… Remember, the heart is flexible. When you think, I could never survive that, love that person, or forgive, that’s when your heart bends and stretches. It might be dangerous, but who doesn’t need a little danger every now and again?"

Annalyse has been traveling the world trying to outrun the pain of her past, her loss. She decides to stop running and get on with living, but she is still hesitant to jump right in. She meets the handsome neighbor, Holt while house-sitting for her sister. They both are dealing with painful pasts and are not ready for any kind of relationship.

"Every time Holt kisses me, it’s like he’s kissing me for the last time. It’s incredibly sexy and scary at the same time. It’s like he’s planning for us to end, or perhaps just doesn’t have any faith in things lasting. I know the feeling. And I know the feeling of holding on to the last time you kissed someone. He pulls back, looking into my eyes. “What the hell are you doing to me?” he whispers.
“I’m just kissing you,” I say.
“No, you’re bringing me back to life.”

This story kept me enthralled and invested, so much so that at one pivotal moment I needed friends to hold my hand to get through the pages as parts of the past were unraveled. Prescott Lane has become a one-click, must read, favorite author for me!!!


"That kiss.
The kind of kiss that starts on the lips and ends up on her neck while she moans, her body limp in your hands. The kind of kiss that lets you know what’s happening is serious in the best kind of way. The kind of kiss that makes your heart beat wildly, your mind go blank, and your d*ck throb all at the same time. The kind of kiss that makes you never want to kiss another woman again. That kiss. The kiss that starts it all."
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews447 followers
October 16, 2016
This is one of the most emotional, intense, deeply deep books I have read of late. I felt the heroine’s pain and heartbreak. I could FEEL her pain and I hurt for her and I rooted for her . As I read this book, I wanted Annalyse to come out of the pain she has been in and to get her happiness that she really deserved! Annalyse has traveled the world for years, and after a horrible loss has decided to come home to her sister. She hasn’t gotten over that loss in any way nor has she forgotten .It is there with her 24/7. She ends up housesitting for her sister and her man while they are out of town and before the sister left, she gets taken to this neighborhood Halloween party. Its there she meets this handsome and sexy man. Their memorable meeting is one that captured my interest and this man definitely captured Annalyse’s.
Holt is a man living in pain. He hides it but underneath is a man who has been wronged in the most worst way. And came out of the nightmare of his past changed and marked. He lives in pain and yet, tries to do the best he can to beat down the pain in his own way. With Annalyse, he shows her how to overcome her pain and in doing so, started them on the path to romance and some sort of relationship. Its two broken people, spending time together and out of that, well…Annalyse wasn’t looking for nor wanting a relationship nor was Holt but what came out of their meets and time spent was this relationship…that’s the rub. Can Annalyse and Holt take the chance and seize upon happiness or will Holt let Annalyse go? OMG, their passion and intense chemistry is insanely good. I loved their POVs that was shown. I cant believe how the story flowed, how good the author got the chemistry between the MC. I totally hated when the book ended. This is one of the best books of 2016 and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good , satisfying complex read.

My rating: 4.8 stars ****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Profile Image for Dai.
672 reviews41 followers
February 7, 2017
Lo amé completamente, de principio a fin. Personajes, situaciones, carajo es que incluso amé todo el drama.

Annalyse me encantó. Amé su filosofía de vida, me gustaría decir que soy así de optimista y la aplico pero en realidad soy más del estilo de Holt. y Holt... ay, ese hombre me encanta. Amé que fuera sobreprotector con ella, dulce y a la vez mandón. Su historia con Celeste me llenó de tristeza en especial por la forma en la que terminó...

Mi parte favorita fueron las entradas del blog de ella, en especial la entrada del epílogo. Primera vez que leo algo de esta autora y ya quedé enamora, me gustó la forma en la que la historia esta narrada, y definitivamente amé estar en la cabeza de Holt. Siempre he preferido los libros donde el hombre narra.
Profile Image for Nance.
1,602 reviews115 followers
November 3, 2016
What an amazing book! Prescott Lane definitely knows the meaning of romance and drama! I couldn't stop reading this love story. It's about learning how to take chances and trusting someone even though you've been hurt in the past. I laughed and I cried with this one. Lately I've been having a hard time writing reviews. I feel like I keep saying the same things over and over. Discussing the blurb when it's right in front of the reader. Every word written is magical. You'll love the storyline, the characters and the romance. So, with this book I'm just going to say "READ IT"! It's heartwarming and breathtaking. It just made me more in tune as to why it is that I read romance...beautiful!!!
Profile Image for Zairobe25.
843 reviews
February 15, 2017
3, 5 ★Los primeros capítulos del libro me encantaron y pensé qie sería un libro de 5 estrellas, pero después decayó un poquito, se volvió un poco lento. Annalyse al principio me fascino decía todo lo correcto, la sentí muy coherente y real, después se puso un poco cursi; y Holt estuvo bien sin mas, y a pesar de que lo que le pasó en el pasado es muy fuerte y entiendo su comportamiento, lo que no entiendo es el secretismo, y que además no te cuentan todo hasta casi el final del libro.
Profile Image for Lone Palm.
215 reviews5 followers
December 11, 2016
4.5 Standing In The Flames Stars

I absolutely adored this book and Holt is definitely a top shelf book boyfriend! This is the first book I've read by Pescott Lane but it certainly will not be the last.
Profile Image for Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews.
2,374 reviews179 followers
November 14, 2016

4 . 5 Tragically beautiful, honest, raw and poignant stars!



Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Author and Ardent PR
Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Standalone




My The Reason for Me Review . . .



By far, this is Prescott Lane's best work to date. The Reason for Me was tragically beautiful, honest, raw and poignant.  I loved it! 


"Promises made in tears are the strongest,"



This book was about two people who've been through hell but get a second chance of happiness and love.

The book starts with Annalyse, where we start to to see her beauty through her brokenness.  We get bits and pieces of her past, which we know the full history is going to be so much more then we are first given.  And what a past it was.  So tragic and sad.


"It's the scars you can't see that are the hardest to heal."



Annalyse is instantly drawn to her new neighbor, Holt.  I think its a bit like liking like for these two  Where they see the brokenness within each other.   Because of what Annalyse has gone through she refuses to fake life or waste time.  Instead she's a straight talker and big on being present.  At first Holt and Annalyse realize they need each other but what will it cost them if they let each other in emotionally?


"Rachel saw you leaving my house this morning.  You made a big deal in front of Doug yesterday.  Everyone already knows.  So don't be a fucking jerk."

"For such a bookworm, you sure do curse a lot."



Holt is so conflicted but something about Annalyse makes him want to live instead of exist.   However, his guilt is a powerful anchor and it causes him to be a bit of an ass time to time.


"You think you can just be all brooding and sexy, and I'm just going to forget what an asshole you were?"



The further we get into the story the more we learn what happened with Annalyse and see the beauty and strength that evolved from her past.


"You're a very strong woman, Annalyse.  Your scars are just a sign of that."



Annalyse faces death in the face and tries to make the best of everything that is now, but to do this she has to be real and doesn't have time for bullshitShe's also a girl who calls things as she sees it, which is such a refreshing change for a heroine to a story.


"Annalyse, will you stop busting my balls long enough to take a nap.  I said I'm sorry," 

"I want to kiss you so bad right now."
"Not as bad as I want to pee."


"Holt! I'm giving my fellatio confession here."



The more Annalyse's beauty shines, the more I got hooked waiting for Holt's demons to surface or for his past to come forth.   However, the more the book kept going the more I got anxious with what could be holding him back.  Sometimes in books the longer a secret get dragged out the more expectations are made for the secret and then huge disappointment when
the expectations aren't made.   This was so NOT the case in this book.  I was so shocked to find out what Holt had to go through and for what it takes him to pull from that past and guilt.


I know she's got her own demons.  But she somehow makes broken look beautiful.



It's not easy to share your past and let people in.  It's a complete act of trust and complete vulnerability.  Once the trust is give, one can either help or destroy with their reactions.  Will it be support and reciprocation, or will they close up and run to protect themselves?


"Right, but I shared my pain with you.  And the moment I let you see that, trusted you with that, I fell in love with you."



Gah! I loved these two together.  I loved the realness of the story.  I loved the journey they had to go through in order for them to have any ounce of happiness.  Their banter was amazing.  The story was beautiful.  Tragic but beautiful.


Just once could she bullshit me?  Throw me a little small talk?  No! Everything with this woman is no bullshit.

"I'm not going to give up,"  I call out.  "I won't give up."
"Then you better learn to open up because I deserve better than this shit,"

This booked hooked me in from the first minute and kept me emotionally reeling for days after.  Loved it!










Profile Image for Luz Al Saud.
1,129 reviews18 followers
March 3, 2017
es una historia sobre las segundas oportunidades por la que dos personas completamente rotas, se encuentran y tal vez encontrar lo que ni uno estaba buscando. Tanto Holt como Annalyse eran cautelosos, vacilantes y reticentes cuando se trataba de miembros del sexo opuesto, ambos quemados de maneras completamente diferentes, pero el daño estaba hecho.
En un momento me estaba cabreando con Holt porque no dejaba entrar a annalyse si ella le brindo parte de su ser ya casi al final que descubrimos que paso realmente y la bendita gaveta conmocionante pero llegue hasta esperar otra cosa. la verdad llegue a odiar a celeste una patada en el hígado.

Me gustarón las vecinas lesbianas, los hermano de holt y sólo imaginarme esas casas cerca del lago dan ganas de vivir allí .

las ultimas palabras de Analyse en su blog son tan verdaderas que llegan :)
Profile Image for Jenny.
1,039 reviews136 followers
January 12, 2017
Hero(s) rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars


This is just such an exceptionally, beautifully crafted story of two broken people hoping...praying..needing...wanting each other to heal. A journey to happiness of sorts.

Cannot even put into words how much I loved this story.

Annalyse hates Halloween. Once upon a time, it was both her beginning and end of happiness.
Holt hates Halloween. Five years ago, it was the date of his plunge into darkness. He hasn't bother to face it, hoping that Ambien would be the answer to his prayers to forget that fretful, tragic day.

What happens when to strangers meet and discover that they were placed into each other's lives to save one another?

"What the hell are you doing to me?" he whispers.
"I'm just kissing you," I say.
"No, you're bringing me back to life."


You get this amazingly breathtaking story of finding that someone who helps you move on, makes you look forward to tomorrow, makes it okay to leave the darkness where it belongs - in the past.

Although their tragic stories are slightly different - both Lyse and Holt's journey to happiness was so emotionally raw that I honest to god felt every thought and feeling they were experiencing while reading this gem.

Profile Image for Jo Conway.
101 reviews7 followers
October 17, 2016
Did you ever read a book that not only draws you into its pages but actually awakens you emotionally.
That's what The Reason For Me was like for me.

The Reason For Me is a very emotionally charged read, I felt all of the heartache the characters share within the pages.
The Reason For Me isn't just all heartache though, the characters are witty & lovable which certainly makes it easier to connect with them.
I really liked both Annalyse & Holt from the off-although I did shout at them both quite a bit.
Prescott Lane is just brilliant at making her characters come to life.

The Reason For Me had me picking up my kindle at every opportunity as I was just desperate to see how the story played out, what Holts secret was & how their relationship ended.

A massive well done to Prescott Lane.
Annalyse & Holt have claimed a little piece of my heart.
Thank you for sharing them with us.
Profile Image for Fizza.
Author 38 books40 followers
October 19, 2016
I loved this book. It is an interesting and very emotional contemporary romance. I liked the characters and story as well. For me it was a kind of book which you just devour. It kept me captivated and intrigued until the very end. It is a story about two people who have experienced tragedy too early in life and it has changed them forever. Both are too broken to think about relationships or happily-ever-afters. Although they cannot deny their mutual attraction. So a no-strings-attached kind of relationship seemed only fitting. Little did they know once they started spending time together it will be almost impossible not to fall in love.
171 reviews29 followers
Read
December 6, 2016
I just cannot finish this book right now, and every time I see it on my GR page I feel guilty. Possibly I'll return to it when I don't feel so uninspired. DNF
Profile Image for Hazel *Craves the Angst Reviews*.
770 reviews286 followers
October 23, 2016
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.

The Reason For Me is an Adult, Romance written by Prescott Lane. I was gifted a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review through Ardent Prose .

5 #ChooseHappy Stars!
Achingly beautiful, with a delectable hero and a refreshing heroine. And one I just couldn’t put down!

The Review:
Ever read a book that just changes the game for all other books? A book so profound, you know it will stay with you for a long time to come? Yeah, this is that kind of book. The Reason For Me was extraordinary in every way imaginable. With smart, witty writing, characters you instantly fall in love with, sparkling dialogue and an emotionally gripping story, this book was absolutely breathtaking! It was enlightening, elegant, full of hard facts and deliciously sexy. And definitely a must read!

“... and I’ve decided happiness is a choice.
Choose happy.
Choose life!”


Story/Characters...
Annalyse Reynolds has every reason to run, to hide from the pain of her past, but after five long years of doing just that, she’s decided to choose “happy”. It wasn’t an overnight decision. It was one she worked hard on after living inside the numbness and darkness for so long. Deciding to put aside her wanderlust, she moves into her sister's house for a few months to house-sit while her sister and her boyfriend are away on business.

On the night before Annalyse’s sister is set to leave, Meg talks Annalyse into going to a neighborhood Halloween party where she’s hoping to introduce Annalyse to life and people again. However, Halloween holds both happy and horrific memories for Annalyse, so she’s anything but excited.

And she never expected a one-night kiss to turn into something more.

Holt Miller is drowning in his own kind of horror, pain and fear. Tragedy has stalked his past and he decided five years ago it was better to keep everyone at an emotional distance. Halloween holds a special kind of torture for him and deciding to numb the pain for a night, he pharmaceutically checks out on the night he hates the most.

Thinking his sweet kiss from the night before was nothing more than a dream, he certainly didn’t expect his dream to be a living, breathing beauty sitting wide eyed on his exam table the next day!

I LOVED the mains meet-greet! It was both emotional and funny and all kinds of yummy! These two... wow. There aren’t words to describe how much I enjoyed them.

I adored Annalyse and her vivacity. She was determined to remain in the light after being steeped in darkness for so long. Her pain was heartfelt and real but there was so much hope inside her. She wanted to move forward and she wanted to “live”.

I completely swooned over Holt. He was brooding and intense and a bit neurotic but he was also caring, passionate, protective and absolutely alpha! He had some pretty dark things in his past and he wasn’t at the stage of moving forward Annalyse was in. But his darkness was no match for her dynamism and though she knew he needed to help himself, she was also willing to lend her strength, walk through the fire with him and lead him into the light.

There’s no other word for it. These two were magical. It’s that simple. The author writes them with an intense realism. I felt their pain, their sorrow, their angsts and their hope for happiness. And HOT! These two were smokin’ hot together. Their chemistry was off the charts and I got all those wonderfully delicious butterflies I crave so much.

And it must be said... the side characters were just as enchanting.

The Wrap Up:
Emotionally heartbreaking, hopeful, mesmerizing, profound - are all just words and aren’t nearly powerful enough to describe the “feels” this book evokes. I loved every moment on every page. I’ve watched this author grow leaps and bounds since her first book, which by the way was a wonderful read. But I think this is her masterpiece. Everything about this book was perfect. From the stunning prose, to the unique way the mains meet, to the amazing way the story itself was told, to the laugh out loud blog posts, to the strength and zest for life the heroine displayed, to the deeply emotional pain and fear the hero was shrouded in, to the journey and message of healing and letting go, this book was simply ... perfect. And a MUST read. Did I mention that already?
Profile Image for Dayreader Reviews.
791 reviews63 followers
October 18, 2016
I find when a book makes me cry I have really felt the book deep in my soul. The last couple of Prescott Lane books I have read have left me in tears and I LOVE that about this author. You feel exactly what she wants you to feel and you grow with these characters. Every chance I get I will grab a Prescott Lane book because I know she will deliver EPIC books! Her latest The Reason For Me is greater than her last EPIC book and I LOVED Annalyse so much!!

Annalyse is a young writer who is house sitting for her sister because she recently sold her place she had with her husband and her sister is going traveling. The way Ms. Lane shows Annalyse's growth, strength, courage, and choice to be happy was my all time favorite thing about this book! Annalyse's life has had some tragic things happen but she is overcoming them in her own way. She meets Holt is a crazy way and you can tell the level of friendship that could happen would be awesome. But, Holt is closed off and he has his own tragic past he is dealing with in that way all men do, they don't.

My mind was BLOWN when I read many parts of this book that I was not expecting Ms. Lane to take this book that way. I applaud they way you made me feel every emotion they were feeling, when they were happy, aroused, closed off and I was even taken to the dark places when I knew they closed themselves off. I would absolutely love to see this turned into a movie but the level of epic this book emanates I would hate for a director to cut any part of this book out! Thank you for another EPIC book Ms. Lane!
Profile Image for Ana Breen.
617 reviews40 followers
June 20, 2020
“El dolor hace una de dos: o bien te rompe en pedazos o te hace dar cuenta de lo malditamente fuerte que eres”.

Este libro fue hermoso, me encantó la relación que formaron Holt y Annalyse, ambos tienen pasados trágicos y llenos de dolor pero al encontrarse descubren que sus corazones siguen vivos y lo que empieza como una relación sin compromisos se convierte en algo muy fuerte y bonito 😍. Me gustó mucho la evolución de los personajes, sus personalidad y la manera que tenían de demostrarse sus sentimientos ❤️. Súper recomendado 💜.
Profile Image for Three Chicks.
2,631 reviews419 followers
October 27, 2016
4.5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes

I absolutely loved this book. I am always a sucker when it comes to a broken hero or heroine. But when you have two broken souls come together and heal, it gets me every time. The Reason for Me is a heart breaking yet beautiful story about love, loss, guilt, friendship and hope. This book will bring out your emotions and make you feel with the characters.

Annalyse lost the love of her life about 5 years ago. Since then she has been traveling around the world, writing down her experiences, her emotions and her thoughts in the form of a blog. She could not stay in the town that she spent with the love of her life. The memories, while good were just too painful for her. But now she has decided it is time to come back and try to move on with her life. It is time to settle down in one place and get her life back. She is living in her sister’s home for a few months while her sister is away. She may have decided to settle back in one place but that does not mean she is healed. She is still so broken and in so much pain but she is going to try to move on. Then she meets her sister’s neighbor and he brings something out in her that no one has been able to do in the past five years. But Holt is just as broken as she it, if not more.

Holt has his own past and his own story to tell. He has been living through his own pain and guilt. But when he meets Annalyse he cannot stop thinking about her. He wants her in ways that maybe he shouldn’t, because he knows that he has nothing to offer her. He cannot give her what she needs, wants and deserves. But he still cannot stay away. He can offer one thing and one thing only and that is pleasure. But what happens when he realizes that she wants more? If he doesn’t open up to her he may lose her. Will he finally realize that he is worthy of someone else’s love, and will he finally open up his heart and soul to this woman?

I loved this book for so many reasons. One of them being Annlyse. I loved how the author gave us her background story in the form of blog posts. But it was also a way of her opening up to Holt and explaining her emotions to him at certain moments in her life, including the present. We learned of her past, what happened on that horrific night that left her so broken. She was a strong woman and even in the present with Holt. She knew what she wanted and eventually what she deserved and didn’t back down.

Holt was a hard nut to crack at first. He was a little controlling in the beginning, and I had to wonder why. There were moments where I questioned his motives for wanting to control certain situations. Was it a result of his past? And that led to the biggest question of them all: what happened to him that has caused him to be so broken and closed off? He is a broken man who is carrying so much guilt on his shoulders. When you finally found out what happened my heart broke for this man. What he went through and to see his reasons for feeling guilty, I could completely understand why this man was so lost and so broken. I can see why he closed himself off to people. And while I wasn’t sure how I felt about him in the beginning I ended up loving this broken man. He was sexy, and sweet and despite what he thought the man had a heart, he just needed to let someone in. I loved watching him grow and become the man that Annalyse needed and deserved. I love watching the two of them open up their hearts to love, watching them heal and be able to move on. It was such a beautiful story that will break your heart at times but in the end will leave you smiling. Another amazing job by Ms. Lane
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