Simple snippet to implement read more functionality.

readmore.js

function shorten(options) {
  var item = $(options.selector);
  var sourceText = $(item).text().trim();
  var firstSection = sourceText.substring(0, options.textLength);
  var lastSection = sourceText.substring(options.textLength, sourceText.length);
  
  var firstItem = $('<span>');
  firstItem.text(firstSection);
  
  var readMoreItem = $('<a>');
  readMoreItem.attr('href', '#read-more');
  readMoreItem.addClass('readMore');
  readMoreItem.text(options.readMoreText);
  
  $(firstItem).append(readMoreItem);
  $(item).html(firstItem);
  
  $(readMoreItem).off('click');
  $(readMoreItem).on('click', function () {
    $(item).text(sourceText);
  });
  
}

// Invoke it
shorten({
  selector: '.shortenPlease',
  textLength: 40,
  readMoreText:' ...read more'
});