this book was fine. It wasn’t memorable. It had its cute moments but nothing over the top that I’ll remember forever. I was first drawn to the story because of the cover because it’s just so cute but the story felt lacking…a little boring, a bit slow for my liking. I didn’t overly love the MCs because they just seemed low key if that makes sense. Anyway, that’s it. 😅

OMG this is soo cute. I read this in less than 24 hours because I just fell in love with Clara and Teddy. Clara is a professor at a university and Teddy was her best friend from camp when she was homeschooled. She’s surprised to learn that he was joining her at the school as a visiting professor because they hadn’t talked in ten years. Their thoughts always went back to each other, but the last time she saw him, he was dating her roommate from freshman year of college. She’s been told to apply for tenure, but she needs to bring in more money for the school. He helps her out, and as they work to put on this event, they share memories from the past.

I’m such a sucker for a second chance romance, and this one was amazing. The past and present chapters were perfect in this book. We get to see young Clara and Teddy meet, become friends, and secretly fall for each other. Then we get to see them as adults trying to navigate their history together and potentially their future together. The whole book just made me smile, and this was a HEA for which I was excited.

While everything is written from Clara’s point of view, Teddy is a little more vocal about his feelings so we get to see how he’s feeling that way instead of having chapters from his perspective. I really enjoyed the way that was handled.

The writing is light, and easy to read. There is not one unnecessary word in this book (unlike a LOT of other books that I’ve read). It jumps right in to set up the novel, and it just continues.

I’m excited for you all to read this book!

Childhood friends turned sexy PhD historians are reunited after a decade-old argument on a university campus in this charming forced proximity, second chance romance with all the coziest fall vibes. I couldn't help but warm to the mutual pining of 31-year old Clara Fernsby and 33-year old Teddy Harrison who slowly progress from star-crossed lovers to the fated mates they've always been meant to be over the course of the book.

The absolutely delightful tall, dark, and handsome Teddy endeared himself to me immediately as a socially awkward young teenager who meets Clare at a sleepaway camp for homeschoolers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The narrative is split between present day and flashbacks that tell the story of how Teddy and Clara first fell in love largely long distance through their shared passion for learning, trivia, playlists burned onto CDs, and a deepening physical attraction that neither had the opportunity to act upon before their academic careers took off in completely opposite directions.

Clara is lovably neurotic, a perfectionist who can't stand the idea of falling short of anyone's expectations, especially her own. She is loyal to a fault, and doesn't realize until it's almost too late that she has never gotten over Teddy, and made sacrifices that never needed to be made to achieve happiness in her life. I did come away from the book thinking that Clara is a bit too immature than Teddy, but I was so happy for Teddy that they were able to work things out it didn't matter.

This is only the author's second novel, and there some execution issues. The primary problem for me was the pacing, as the book falters and felt like it slowed almost to a standstill in the second act. The straightforward, single-layer plot doesn't help. The author's real talent here lies in her characterizations, setting, and atmosphere. While there isn't anything mind-blowing about this book, it is a solid 3.5-4 contemporary romance that is perfect for a relaxing fall read.

Overall, I enjoyed this one very much, and I will definitely be picking up this author's next book.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Such a cute read! I was rooting for Teddy and Clara the entire time. This was the perfect book for starting off the fall season with such a comfy and cozy vibe. Absolutely loved it!

I enjoyed reading Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

A sweet and cozy friend to lovers book filled with lots of history. Told in two time periods, this was a lovely read about how people can find their way back to those they love with a little work. Tha k you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion

Thank you to St Martins & NetGalley for this eArc!

I usually quite enjoy romances set in Academia, but this just isn’t grabbing my attention at all. The way the plot is being tackled, and how it’s interacting with academia, is feeling a bit dry. And the flashbacks I’m sounded like a great idea in theory, bur are also leaving me a bit bored. I’m sure some others will enjoy this, but it’s not for me!

I've read this TWICE since I got the e-galley, and I don't regret one minute of either of those reads. Given Our History is a heartachingly beautiful love story in a gorgeous and atmospheric fall campus setting. I loved that instead of the typical campus novel following students, that it followed two professors. I will read Kristyn J. Miller's grocery lists.

We’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet but this read got us feeling the fall vibes!

Clara and Teddy have a lot in common, they were both home schooled, went to the same camp, share a love of trivia & history and they used to be best friends. After an almost relationship and a falling out, they have found themselves teaching at the same university ten years later while carrying some unrequited feelings…or so they think!

Given Our History is second chance romance and right person, wrong time done right. The dual timelines gave background into their long ago friendship and set up the angst for the present state of their relationship. The way their friendship and almost relationship fell apart was realistic and had us longing for their reunion.

Kristyn crafted an engaging story that had us hooked from the beginning and rooting for these two nerdy introverts. It’s a beautiful slow burn romance that we recommend to anyone looking for a cozy second chance read. 💕

Read if you like:
▪️Second chance romance
▪️Best friends to lovers
▪️Academic setting
▪️Dual timeline
▪️Right person, wrong time

Friends, that find new beginnings after knowing each other for so long! They are both History lovers who teach, but given the job and location, they lose touch. But when finding themselves again and again it's like they weren't even separated. It was a cute story, but would have loved more loving on their part especially when finding each other again. But still loved it.

If you are a looking for a second chance romance in an academia setting then this one is for you. Clara and Teddy met at camp as teenagers and grew to have feelings for each other but something happened and it ended. 10 years later they are reconnected as Teddy is a visiting professor at where Clara teaches.

The story is told in past and present timeline. I really enjoyed the past timelines and all the way they communicated and it felt real that life gets busy you lose touch.

The story kept me curious what led to the end of their friendship and was disappointed it was a miscommunication.

The present time, I felt that Teddy fell too fast and there wasn't much reconnecting for me to buy it. I did enjoy the addition of Clara's sister to add some sass to the story.

Thank you @smpromance for a copy of the book.

I really like second chance romances and loved the setting of this at a small liberal arts college. That being said, I struggled staying engaged with this book. I found that I just wasn't invested in the characters and did not really care about their romance. I felt like by the end I knew Clara, but didn't really have a connection to Teddy. On top of that, literally nothing happened. I should have flown through this book, but could barley get myself to read more than a couple chapters at a time.

Ok look at this cover. It has everything we love. The leaves are falling. It’s sweater weather. Autumnal colors. Cozy academia. Perfect fall romcom- right?! *le sigh* If only the story lived up to the cover. And yeah, I’m being a tad dramatic, but it’s such a damn good cover. It deserves epic. Alas, it gets *pretty good*. Will you remember it? Maybe? Probably not?

We follow Clara and Teddy, who have a history. A boring one. They went to summer camp together as kids and I guess crushed on each other. Sooooo this translates to almost dating tension later in life?! Cut to later in adulthood (prologue) and Teddy is dating Clara’s former college roommate. Flash forward again where the two find themselves both professors sharing an office at the same college.

What was the conflict here? Like, ever? Why couldn’t they just be together? Seriously- did I miss something? I went back and couldn’t find anything. They just didn’t communicate and tell each other they wanted to date?!
This is my main complaint of the entire book. Although it’s dual timeline, I didn’t feel the earlier timeline built groundwork for a relationship or connection of any kind. Other than a youthful crush based on liking the same *awesome* music. And the modern timeline is only in the POV of Clara, who mildly annoyed me at times. Teddy was quite the cinnamon roll, but the lack of communication- can we all agree to please just stop using that as a trope now?! Overall the book is just fine. 2.5 ⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC, in exchange for my unbiased review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5)

Assistant professor Clara Fernsby’s career is on track, but when Theodore Harrison returns as a visiting scholar, her past resurfaces. Once childhood friends and more, Clara and Teddy’s relationship fractured a decade ago. Now, collaborating on a project, Clara grapples with old feelings and a chance to rewrite their history—if she dares.

“Everything about him is always so nostalgic and sticky-sweet.”

The story is sweet and the romance tender, but it’s the overall nostalgic feeling that truly makes this book special. The dueling timelines of the autumn homeschool camp they met at and their rekindling on an east cast college campus echos the sentiment of the personal history they hold. Friends to lovers is always delicately endearing, but their kindred love of learning and wanting their romantic relationships to hold greater substance than their parents’ creates a unique emotional stuffiness. It’s like a prolonged strained lump in the throat before a cathartic cry- the very best kind of deep-feeling love.

The nostalgia also has a unique ‘realness’ to it. While the emo music references and MySpace messages developed the early timeline’s authenticity, it also deepens the characters but contrasting their nerdy, homeschool stereotypes. As Clara laid awake at night reminiscing on every award social interaction, I couldn’t help but resonate with her sentiments.

I also just randomly loved the detail of her mom’s Bath & Body Works uniform—the black or white t-shirt with blue jeans—as I reminisced on my time working there through high school and college. xD

Thank you @smpromance @netgalley for the eARC I loved the feel and warmth of this tender couple.

Perfect for you if you like:
Dual timeline nostalgia
Academic, nerdy characters
Romanticized hesitant angst

Similar to:
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce
The Make-Up Test by Jenny L. Howe
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

⛔️chapters 21 & 25 contain explicit romance scenes (open-door, low explicit), chapter 19 contains brief paragraph
⚠️explicit language (infrequent, primary usage references coming of age), previous death of parent

Happy Pub Day to Given Our History!

Clara met Teddy over seventeen years ago at camp. They became best friends and knew everything about each other. She has always been in love with him, but nothing more could ever happen between them due to timing and distance always getting in the way.
And after a falling out almost a decade ago, they haven’t spoken to each other since.
Clara is now a college history professor. She has just been informed that there will be a visiting professor for the semester and she must share her office space with him. Can you guess who it might be?!
None other than Theodore Harrison himself! Or better known as ‘Professor Hottison’ according to his students 😏

I looove second chance romances and a friends to lovers trope 🥹
This is the perfect early fall romance book!
Written in Clara’s POV, but includes flashbacks from the last seventeen years. You are guaranteed to fall in love with Clara and Teddy!

Thanks you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this early release!

🍂 right person, wrong time
💜 history professors / University setting
🍂 dual timeline
💜 open door scenes

This second chance romance is available today! While it didn't end up being as cute as its cover, I liked it enough to finish even though the middle really dragged on. With the dual timeline, it felt like a Love and Other Words / Every Summer After but the main characters in this one didn't feel as developed. There was also a particular scene that made me uncomfortable as not only were they in a very public place, but FMC Clara pulls something out of her purse that I personally would never carry around 🫣 Call me old-fashioned but I think there's some things that shouldn't leave the bedroom... or at least your house 😂 Anyway, I think I would have liked it more if I had felt more chemistry between the two main characters.

All that to say, I am pretty picky about romances so I do think many will enjoy this one more than I did. Overall it was cute so I still recommend if you're looking for a love story with Fall and academia vibes.

Thanks to SMP for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Close proximity
- Second chance romance
- Dual timeline
- Right person, wrong time.

Recap:
Given our History is a second chance romance between two childhood best friends that exemplify the saying "right person, wrong time." It takes you on a journey between past and present, where you can see what went wrong between them, and how they could potentially do better this time around.

Review:

I find the book to be so cute and very well written (although at times, in my opinion a little bit too "telling instead of showing.), with characters that felt raw and authentic. Both Clara and Teddy were flawed, protagonists that needed to grow up in and become their own persons individually to actually learn how to be in a relationship with each other. No doubt they were soulmates and each others "love of their lives", but they needed to work a lot of things through to get to the point were they could both live their love in a healthy matter.

The reason I give this book 3.5 stars, is because I would've love to have Teddy's POV. He had a lot of things going on and I would've love to fully understand his decisions and the way he was dealing with his growing love for Clara and his fear of failure. I also think the romance was not that well developed, while I understand they always had feelings for each other, they have spent so much time apart that I wish I could've seen more of they relationship and getting to know each other all over again. Now that I think about it, Teddy's POV was very needed.

Other than that I am glad I picked this up, and will be looking forward to more of this author's work in the future.

This one was a cute second chance/ friends-to-lovers romance and a case of right person/wrong time for Clara and Teddy.

What I liked:
- I liked that book spans decades and we get past and present chapters to see how their relationship developed.
-I liked the academic setting.
-I liked Clara’s sister and the levity she brought to many scenes.
-I liked how much chemistry our MCs had when they finally figured it out!

What I didn’t like:
-I didn’t LOVE either MC. There wasn’t anything wrong with them, I just didn’t feel super connected as they both seemed a bit boring?
-I thought the reason they stopped being friends seemed so small for how long they had been each others lives
-Overall the pace is cozy but a little bit slow.

I’m going to chalk my feelings on this one to Like but not Love. It was sweet and cute but not one that I’ll keep thinking about long now that I’m finished!

Given Our History is out today! Thank you @stmartinspress for my advanced copy!

I really enjoyed this dual timeline second chance friends to lovers romance between two History professors. Told through flashbacks we get to see how Teddy and Clara first met as two homeschool kids at a summer camp, how they grew close and eventually how their relationship broke down.

In the present they are reunited when Teddy takes a visiting scholar position at the college where Clara works and where she's up for tenure. This was full of emotional depth and great on audio narrated by Erin Bennett. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was a frustrating novel about a couple who meet as kids in camp and are obviously meant for each other but don't get together until years later for stupid reasons. Although at first when they were young it made sense that Clara would be reluctant to start a deeper relationship with Theodore, even though she clearly always loved him, because she didn't want to change anything. He was her best friend and she feared losing him if things didn't work out. However, as they got older, her reasons for pushing him away were just pigheaded and stubborn. It made her a kind of annoying character even though the pair made a cute couple, and he was a great guy. It was evident that he always cared for her even though she kept pushing him away. If you love a book with a big payoff in the end and don't care what it takes to get there, you may enjoy this book. However, if you are interested in unique stories with original conflicts that don't seem artificial or overused, maybe not so much.