Have you ever read a book that you struggled with because you had too much in common with the main character? For me, that was this book. Like Clara, I am in my late twenties and have recently finished a Ph.D. Many of the things she realizes about academia are things I struggle with in my daily life. Does that mean it's an accurate portrayal of academia? Yes. Does it also mean I am not a completely objective reviewer in this case? Also yes.

I did enjoy seeing Clara and Teddy's relationship in the past. I liked seeing their connection grow and as we are similar in age in was fun to see her experience with technology I grew up with. It was well-written and compelling. However, I got frustrated with how indecisive Clara seemed to be about having a romantic relationship. It felt believable to me when she was 18 but by 30 I found it a bit frustrating.

I recommend this book if you like second chance, particularly dual timeline, and if you like reading books in an academic setting. If tenure applications give you anxiety go ahead and skip this one.

best friends clara and teddy find themselves coworkers years after their falling out. being thrown back into each others lives, they’re given the opportunity to explore what could have been. while i live a second chance romance, it took a little too long to get the full backstory. would love to find out what’s next for clara and teddy. thank you st. martin’s press for this arc.

When we meet Clara Fernsby, her life is going exactly as she had hoped it would. She has wanted to be a history professor for as long as she can remember and has landed a tenure track position at a prestigious university. Her life is turned upside down, however, when Theodore Harrison joins the faculty as a visiting professor. Theodore (Teddy) is Clara’s ex best friend and the first boy she ever loved. They haven’t spoken since a falling out 10 years ago, and his presence now is an unwelcome one. Things go from bad to worse when Clara is asked to share an office with Teddy, but Clara feels like she has to play nice, especially since she’s up for tenure.

I love a good second chance romance, especially when it’s combined with the childhood best friends to lovers trope. It was so great to watch Clara and Teddy get reacquainted and realize that all of the old feelings were still there, and I was particularly interested in the author’s use of flashbacks to show how Clara and Teddy first met at a camp for homeschooled kids and how their relationship evolved, and of course what ultimately drove them to break up. I thought it was so sweet that Clara was actually the one who inspired Teddy’s interest in history and I equally loved how steadfast Teddy was when it came to his feelings about Clara. Some of Clara’s choices, both past and present, frustrated me at times, but I was still rooting for her to come to her senses and realize what a great team she and Teddy made.

If you’re in the mood for a wonderful second chance romance story with all of the fall and academia vibes, you won’t want to miss Given Our History!

I love a good academic romance.

Clara Fernsby is an assistant professor who is finally up for tenure. Theodore Harrison is brought on as a visiting scholar. Surprise - these two have history. Clara is not thrilled to see Teddy, his arrival brings up major issues in the past. Ten years ago their friendship ended due to a falling out. While Clara would rather avoid Teddy, they have to work on a project together that brings them both back to their feelings that they left in the past.

Told through a dual timeline, you learn about who they were in the past and who they are today.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5⭐️ - This sets out to be a cute fall second-chance romance between two former best friends who had a major falling out. It kind of gave People We Meet on Vacation vibes because of the split timeline, and going back and forth following their adventures as kids and the present timeline.

I enjoyed the first half, but unfortunately it went downhill from there for me. The main character felt really flat and boring to me, though I did like her relationship with her sister. It felt like nothing really happened in the second half, and we were just dragging on. It also seemed like the timelines were mismatched at times, which took me out of the story. There were also a handful of scenes where I really hated the choices the author made - like the post gala scene and the home-for-thanksgiving scene. Just please no?

I really did enjoy the author’s first book so will probably give them another chance. But this one really fell flat for me.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This is a homeschool love story that will make you fall in love with the world of academia, sleepaway camp, and appreciate the early 2000s. I seriously never read a story that the two main characters are homeschoolers who fall in love, because IRL I married a homeschooler and so many of Clara and Teddy’s homeschool adventures reflected that of my spouses. He too had a hard time with colleges accepting his grades due to the fact that he was homeschooled his entire adolescent life.
That aside, I really did enjoy the story. Clara and Teddy were the best of friends until they drifted apart, but can time truly separate these two? Clara is such a headstrong, smart, witty, and talented character that I was rooting for her no matter what happened in the story or what risks she decides to take for academic career and her lovelife. Kristyn Miller does a fantastic job painting Clara’s character arc and personal growth throughout the pages of this story.

Overall, Given Our History was a delightful read that captures the heart of friendship, the risk of taking second chances, and the importance of opening your heart regardless of what history has taught you. I can’t wait to read more books from Kristyn J. Miller ❤️📚

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC

Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller was, frankly, a great romance to pick up near the beginning of fall. The story is a second-chance romance between two academics—childhood friends who grew up, fell in love, then had a falling out. Clara and Teddy know each other better than they know probably anyone else, but the timing has never been quite right, and fears over not repeating their parents’ mistakes have held them back. I loved the dual time line quality of the story, getting glimpses of their past and well as getting to know them in the present as their adult selves. Having many close friends and family members in academia, I loved that element of the story, and I felt like Miller captured the collegiate atmosphere wonderfully. It was also nice and spicy—eventually. It was a slow burn, but well worth it in the end.

Thank you to SMP Griffin for my advance review copy.

The cover of this screams FALL and it did not disappoint. This was such an easy and lovable read that I finished majority of it in one sitting. The multiple timelines between past and present not only gave so much backstory to the characters, it helped me understanding their relationship in real time. This book is marketed as a second chance romance and ugh, it does that SO very well. It’s this beautiful representation of who is meant to be in your life will be.

This was the perfect read to get me in the mood for fall. As someone who wants to be a professor, I loved the academic setting and the characters. I also really enjoyed the dual timeline.

ARC Review
DNF, but I don't like rating books I don't finish, so it gets a 2 here and I won't rate on Goodreads.
I had HIGHHH hopes for this one. But at 38% in, nearly chapter 12, I just couldn't do it anymore. I was so bored. Super disappointed that this book wasn't for me

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was drawn to this book at first based off the cover! I it is such a cute cover with such fall vibes that I absolutely knew I wanted to read this book and I am so glad that I did! This was such a cute second chance romance and I loved getting to know more about the characters. The banter between the old friends was so good and it was such a heartfelt story with so much chemistry between the two. I do struggle with the miscommunication trope at times because I am typically screaming in my head “just express your feelings!” But I still enjoyed the story despite that! Overall, this is one that I would definitely recommend!!

This book was so cute!!! I loved the flashbacks to the past to see the beginning of the character's friendship and then back to the present to see where they're at now. I loved both of the main characters and them slowly finding their way back to each other. The romance was so believeable and I was rooting for them the whole time. I wish I could have more of their story, I want to see what they're up to!

Would definitely recommend this book to a friend!

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ½✨⭐️
GIVEN OUR HISTORY
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: contemporary romance
📖 320 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🍁🏫☕️📚💿📧⛺️💜🔥👨🏻‍🏫

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ dual timeline
◽️ second chance romance
◽️ friends to lovers/ first love
◽️ LOVE & OTHER WORDS
◽️ forced proximity
◽️ wrong time, right boy

🧡𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲🧡

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress for the #gifted copy!

GIVEN OUR HISTORY was an absolute delight! I was completely drawn in by the heartfelt story, & the alternating chapters between past & present added so much. The way the plot slowly builds up made it impossible to put down, & it truly gave me all the feels.

Clara & Teddy's chemistry is undeniable—they're such a charming pair. Their relationship is tender yet exciting, & I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. The supporting characters, especially the bond between Clara & Reagan, brought warmth & humor to the story, making it feel like a celebration of both love, friendship, & sisterhood. The nods to early 2000s nostalgia, like burning CDs & TWILIGHT, added an extra layer of fun.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, especially for the cozy fall season, as the setting perfectly captures that autumnal warmth 🤗 . Every moment was a joy, & I loved every second of it!

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Clara Fernsby, an ambitious assistant professor, has always prioritized her career over everything, even love. She’s now up for tenure at a private college, but her focus is shaken when Theodore Harrison, her old flame, arrives as a visiting scholar. Clara hasn’t spoken to him in 10 years since she rejected him, but their past keeps resurfacing as they work together. As they reconnect, she starts to feel drawn to him again, unsure if the feelings are mutual. Determined not to repeat history, Clara contemplates taking a chance on love.

I liked a lot of things about this book. I love a dual timeline though I wish this one were also dual POV. This has a great setting in academia and highlights some of the difficulties of being a woman in an academic setting and navigating a world rife with double standards.

This is a second chance romance that starts when the main characters go to summer camp together as teenagers. It’s sort of a right person, wrong time storyline with a pretty heavy dose of miscommunication. I found that the “past” timeline didn’t engage me nearly as well as the “present”. And this was a rare instance where I found the supporting characters to be very lackluster. I actually thought all the friends and coworkers detracted from the plot.

Overall, this was worth the read. Readers who love a second chance romance with quirky, nerdy characters set in an academic setting will eat this up. There are some wonderful quotes in it and I found myself appreciating turns of phrase that the author wrote.

I really enjoyed this! While I won’t be posting a review due to the active boycott, I was a big fan of this book and hope to share it soon. The tropes were some of my favorites

I really enjoyed the dual timeline part of this one, but the miscommunication trope ruined it for me. Overall this was a great fall read, and the friends to lovers trope was done well!

Given Our History by Kristyn Miller is a beautifully crafted romance that explores the complexities of love, ambition, and the ties that bind us to our past. This heartfelt story follows Clara Fernsby, a determined assistant professor on the cusp of achieving her dreams, who finds her life turned upside down when Theodore Harrison—a figure from her past—returns as a visiting scholar.

From the very beginning, Clara’s passion for history is palpable, and Miller does a fantastic job of weaving in themes of ambition and personal growth. As Clara navigates the challenges of academia and the pressure of tenure, her unexpected reunion with Teddy—her childhood best friend and first love—forces her to confront unresolved feelings and memories from their shared history at summer camp.

The dynamic between Clara and Teddy is electric and layered. Their initial tension gives way to warmth and nostalgia as they reconnect over shared projects and late-night brainstorming sessions. I loved how Miller captured the intricacies of their relationship, highlighting both the joy of rekindling a connection and the fear of past mistakes repeating themselves.

The writing is engaging and evocative, making Clara's internal struggle relatable and compelling. As she grapples with her feelings for Teddy, I found myself rooting for her to take risks both in her personal life and her career. The exploration of “history” as both a subject and a metaphor for their relationship adds a rich depth to the narrative.

Overall, Given Our History is a delightful read that balances sweet romance with themes of growth and self-discovery. If you enjoy stories that delve into the complexities of love and the importance of facing your past, this book is a must-read. Kristyn Miller has a way of capturing the heart and soul of her characters that will linger with you long after the last page. Highly recommended! ❤️📚

It’s back-to-school season, fall is almost here, and that makes it the perfect time to read Kristyn J. Miller‘s new novel, Given Our History. This dual-timeline, second chance romance is about two history professors (and former best friends) who haven’t spoken in several years but are now back in each other’s orbit. Clara and Teddy met at a summer camp for homeschooled kids, bonding over a shared love of trivia, learning, and music. But something happened along the way, ruining their friendship. Now, with Clara applying for tenure at the college where she teaches history, Teddy is a visiting professor and sharing her office space. Can the two reclaim their friendship and finally get a chance at the romance that was brewing between them?

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
- Second chance romance
- Friends to lovers
- Slow burn
- Dual timeline
- First-person POV (from Clara only)

What I Liked:
- School setting and autumn vibes. Back to school and the beginning of fall… this is my favorite time of year, and these themes are what first drew me to Given Our History. As a proud nerd myself, I love books with an academic setting and characters falling in love to the backdrop of textbooks and writing essays. Here, however, Clara and Teddy are actually college professors, not students. And when they were younger, they never attended a school together; they were both homeschooled and met at a yearly camp. I love how they bonded over trivia and history and both went on to teach history. Cute and smart!
- 2000s punk/emo music! Look, my favorite music is and will always be the alternative and rock that came out of the 2000s. Teddy is a fan of My Chemical Romance as a teen, and soon enough, Clara loves their music, too. I enjoyed seeing these two teens bond over a shared love of emo music and continue loving this band nearly 20 years later. They’re my kind of people!
- Friendships and family relationships. This is a romance, first and foremost, but I love the way it builds up various kinds of relationships. Clara and Teddy start off as friends, sharing their loves for history and My Chemical Romance with each other. It gradually blooms into something closer to romantic love for them. This book also explores Clara’s friendships both as a teen and now as a college professor, her relationship with her much younger sister Reagan, and both Clara and Teddy’s relationships with their respective parents. The world in Given Our History feels full and realistic, with the ebbs and flows of real life.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- It’s a bit too gradual and gentle. On the one hand, I think the pacing here works really well and helps the whole world feel that much more believable. However, it doesn’t go for a big climax. I think something a bit more eventful near the end would have added to the impact of this novel.

Final Thoughts
Given Our History is a lovely novel about friends, second chances, and finding romance amidst history books and pop punk music. I related to these characters in many ways and enjoyed getting to know them, both as teens in the 2000s and as thirty-something adults today. This is a wonderful read, especially as autumn begins. I’ll be looking out for more books from Kristyn J. Miller!

Love the dual timeline, academic romance that was FUNNY! This book feels like a cozy autumn day with friends <3