Such a sweet romance! I really enjoyed Clara and Teddy's story and that angst! Shows that sometimes things that are meant to be have a funny way of coming back. I thought the pace of the book was perfect and I really enjoyed reading it!

If you’re looking for a second chance romance with academia vibes that feels like a warm hug… THIS IS IT!! Super cute story that you will not be able to put down. I was super intrigued to learn all about the character and their stories. I don’t always love book where the reader jumps between timelines unless is done well. Kristyn did an amazing job and I never felt lost! Really really enjoyed my time reading this book.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the eARC

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Okay, so I’m usually not a fan of second chance romance. It’s just not my things and a trope I usually don’t enjoy. But childhood friends to lovers? Love that trope so this evened things out a little:

I enjoyed the premise of this. Meeting as children, drifting apart, meeting again as adults. There are some of my childhood friends I still think about in my adult life and wonder about reconnecting so this was relatable in that way.

Loved the aspect of a woman dreaming of a life of academia and teaching history as it’s not something you see often.

Found the story a little slow in that not a ton happened during parts of it and I was distracted by that. Also, the bringing a vibrator to a party? Just not something someone does. Gave me the ick.

In any case, this was cute!

Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller releases Tuesday, Aug 27.

Infinite thanks to netgalley and st Martin’s for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so cozy to me. It was nostalgic with all the refrences to my childhood…msn, summer camp, the snail mail days. And as someone has embarked on the homeschool journey with her kiddos I loved getting to read about it from the other side. Teddy and Clara were inevitable. And I absolutely loved their second chance romance even tho it took them a bit to get there.

Read if you like
Summer camp
Dual timeline
Second chance romance
Camp vibes

Clara and Teddy (Theo) meet as teens at sleep-away camp. They form a friendship that becomes very important in both their lives even though they only saw each other each year at camp initially. Clara is working at a college and is hoping to get a full-time position, possibly even tenure. Theo comes to the college as a visiting professor. He's going to be sharing Clara's office which is awkward because the once best friends haven't spoken in years. This was very enjoyable read!

I liked this one in the end - but it was a harder one for me to get into. I’m definitely not a fan of any book told in flashbacks… especially entire chapters of past and present, and the whole storyline done that way. Tell the background, move to the present and perhaps give one quick flashback for whatever the reveal is that split up the couple back then.

In the end, I enjoyed this sweet home schooled couple, Clara and Teddy, and their past tale of meeting annually at summer camp for home schooled kids, their awkward socializations and teens years, and moving into a relationship to discover this together, then having their falling out … just to meet up again years later as adults in their professional lives.

It is a sweet story and certainly worth a read! A solid 4-star right here.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), and this is my honest feedback.

This had such lovely, transportive writing! After finishing, I was honestly surprised to recall that it was still summer outside my window, rather than the closing scene's snowy, December evening.

Usually, I'm not a big fan of dual timelines, but it worked well here. There were even some points where I enjoyed the flashbacks a bit more than the present storyline.

BUT, I have a gripe. Second chance romances are ripe with opportunity to capitalize on the angst and hurt of the couple's shared history, but I never really felt all of it like I wanted to. They only had like two conversations about their past, and they were super short and never really addressed anything?? Like just TALK, I NEED ALL THE FEELS. So, I'm kind of frustrated that it took so long to reveal why they had their falling out, because holding out on it kind of killed the tension and angst. AND it didn't enable them to have a good talk about their past at a point in the story where it would have had a ton of emotional impact.

That gripe aside, the cozy, academic, fall/winter vibes were top-notch with this one, so this gets 4 stars instead 3. Also, autumn needs to get here ASAP.

omg this was such a sweet book! loved the cozy autumn vibes and light academia setting! 🍂☁️🧸

i also loooveee a second chance romance, so i really enjoyed the past & present timelines and don’t even get me started on the nostalgia trip!! i think this would be a great book if you’re in your mid/late 20s to mid 30s. Anyone can enjoy this, but if you were like right in that age range, you’re really really gonna love this even more!

teddy and clara were too cute together, i almost with is was longer and more in depth, but i still loved the story and the side characters too! it was nice to have some diversity!

thank you netgalley and st. martin’s griffin for this arc! 🩵🩵🩵

“𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚: 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.”

people always say that kids that are homeschooled never receive enough socialization with kids their own age. clara’s parents solution to that was sending her to a summer camp with other homeschooled kids. during a rainy day at camp clara meets teddy and unbeknownst to her, her life is forever changed when clara declares that she wants to be his friend. years pass, their friendship and connection continues to grow. as they navigate their teenage years they find that they both have feelings that go beyond being just friends. attempting to navigate the waters of a romantic relationship leads to the downfall of their friendship. 10 years pass without speaking to one another, clara has followed her dreams and became a history professor. clara finds out there is going to be a visiting history professor for the upcoming semester and will be forced to face all of her unresolved problems because that visiting professor? it’s teddy and she agreed to share an office with him.

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:
this book was SUCH a cute, fluffy fall romance. the setting, the overall aesthetic of the story was just *chefs kiss* 🤌🏻. the author nailed it. it wasn’t necessarily a “women in STEM” romance, it was interesting to get more of an in depth look into the world of higher academia.

i usually don’t read a lot of second chance romance, but this book had me questioning why I don’t read more books with this trope. the second chance romance was incredibly unique. it was refreshing for there not to be a cataclysmic problem that lead to them not working out, but simply individual aspirations and life just getting in the way. i appreciated the commentary of following your own dreams and aspirations, and not allowing what you want to fall to the wayside because of your love for another person.

there were only really two things i didn’t necessarily like about this book, and it did knock down my rating by a star. the spice was great but one of the situations was entirely unrealistic. i mean really, who brings their vibrator with them to a party? especially with the reason being “I thought something might happen” after they had a fight? like WHAT? it just took me out of the story when that happened. the other thing i struggled with was the lack of depth when it comes to the side characters. some of them seemed to serve no purpose to the overall story, and felt like they could have been removed all together.

overall it was a fun, light read that’s great as a pallet cleanser and i would definitely be interesting in reading some of her future books.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the author Kristyn Miller and the publisher St. Martins Griffin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🫶🏻

This was such a perfect romance full of amazing banter (it was FUNNY!), the perfect setting (hi, academia, always please), dual timeline (with all the nostalgia vibes for the early 2000s), and the best friends to lovers second chance. I loved Kristen’s first book and really really enjoyed this one, too. I can’t wait to read more.

First, let’s take a moment to appreciate this cover because she is GORGEOUS.

Okay, second chance romance is definitely becoming a favorite romance trope and Given Our History does it SO WELL. I loved the dual timelines of how Teddy and Clara became friends to more as teenagers against the present timeline of two professors who end up working together after not seeing each other or speaking for nine years. A lot of times in a book like this, the reason for the rift seems unnecessary or something really ridiculous, but I felt like this book handled the conflict perfectly. It made sense for it to cause no contact for a few years and it also fit with the vibes of the characters. Also, THE CHEMISTRY. I loved the friendship chemistry they had as kids and seeing it grow into something more, especially as adults was fantastic. I really enjoyed this one and I’m so happy I read it.
CW: death of a parent

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This was such an enjoyable, cozy, academic romance! Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes because I’m a sap and am a firm believer of fate and finding your way back to someone. Clara and Teddy’s story is told through alternating past and present timelines. I loved traveling back in time to get glimpses of their past, journey of their friendship and determining when everything took a turn. There was a lot of miscommunication throughout the years that led them to drift apart, but their connection and love for one another was clear. The college campus setting with scenes in quaint coffee shops and cozy bars, gave the perfect fall vibes.

Kristyn J. Miller's Given Our History is a compelling exploration of love, ambition, and the weight of the past. The protagonist, Clara Fernsby, is a driven assistant professor whose dedication to her career has led her to a pivotal moment: tenure consideration. Miller brilliantly captures the tension between Clara’s professional aspirations and her unresolved emotions when Theodore Harrison, a figure from her past, reenters her life as a visiting scholar. The interplay of their shared history, set against the backdrop of academia, creates a richly layered narrative that keeps the reader engaged.

What sets this novel apart is Miller’s skillful development of Clara and Teddy’s relationship. The flashbacks to their youth are beautifully intertwined with their present-day interactions, showing how much they’ve changed—and how much they’ve stayed the same. Clara’s internal conflict, as she grapples with the risk of rekindling a relationship that once burned her, is both relatable and deeply moving. While some plot points may feel predictable, the emotional depth and the authentic portrayal of the complexities of love and ambition make Given Our History a satisfying read.

A dual timeline romance set in the world of academia. Clara Fernsby teaches history at a small private liberal arts college. She is up for tenure a little earlier than expected because of a few people retiring. She is asked if you minds sharing her office with a visiting scholar and of course she agrees. It turns out to be Theodore Harrison. They were both introverted (me more than her) and got to know each other at summer camps. Her passion for history is what caused him to pursue it as a career. They became more during college but life sends them in different directions. There is no big break up or cheating, although her roommate was annoying.

I liked the academic setting and really liked Clara. I appreciated her love for her sister Reagan who is a student at her college. I didn’t feel I got to know Theo as well but he is a good friend and a match for Clara. If you like second chance romances or friends to more (over 17 year timespan) this is a nice read. (3.5 Stars)

I was drawn into Given Our History by the cute cover and intriguing title. Clara is an assistant professor who is not exactly working her dream job, but is content that it will eventually help her achieve her goals. When tenure becomes a possibility, she starts to feel the pressure. To her horror, the new visiting professor is her former best friend (who she no longer talks to). Will they be able to work together or will the awkwardness be too much?

Given Our History is a lighthearted second-chance romance. Clara and Teddy first meet as homeschoolers. There is a dual timeline approach with alternating scenes from the present to past. While I enjoyed the additional backstory, I wish there had been a little more focus on the present and them falling in love again. The tenure and portrayal of academia was interesting and I felt satisfied with the choice Clara made in the end.

Readers who enjoy dual timelines and second-chance romance will appreciate Give Our History.

Thank you to Kristyn J. Miller, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Thank you, St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of Given Our History.

This was such a cute novel. Told in dual timelines, we see a peak into what makes Clara tick regarding her relationships. We get to see Clara and Theo grow up from their homeschool days to college days and their lives as professors trying to find their path in the academic world. Clara was such a great FMC, and Teddy is such a cinnamon roll! This is a great and cozy read for the Fall!

Clara Fernsby is a self-proclaimed nerd. When she meets Teddy at a camp for the homeschooled during a trivia challenge, they become fast friends. Fast forward to the present day where Clara is now an assistant professor at a college in Maryland, she gets the unwelcome shock of having to share an office with Teddy who she hasn't spoken to in almost a decade. As she tries to navigate her life by getting tenure at her school and keeping peace with Teddy, we see what brought them together and eventually tore them apart. Will they be able to find their way back together or will they end up going their separate ways again?

This was a delightful second and third and maybe fourth chance romance. My heart fell in love with them and was up and down with their relationship. It shows how life can get in your way if you let it. Such a good romance with great chemistry and plot. If you love true love and a well. Holy relationship this is for you.

Given Our History was a low-stakes, second chance romance.

Clara and Teddy were childhood friends who broke each other's hearts ten years ago and are unexpectedly reunited while working at the same university.

There are a lot of unresolved feelings and we get to watch Clara and Teddy try to mend their relationship in the present while getting flashbacks showcasing how their friendship began and ended.

Overall, a sweet love story whose main characters never truly convinced me that their love story was worthy of a second chance.

🍂 Book Review 🍂

Review: Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
I was excited to dive into Given Our History, especially with its second-chance romance and "the one who got away" trope. The premise, set against an academic backdrop, had so much potential, and the beautiful cover evoked nostalgic feelings of 90s romance movies.
While the story started strong with intriguing characters and flashbacks that revealed Clara and Teddy’s shared history, it ultimately fell a bit flat for me. There wasn't much drama or excitement—just a lot of miscommunication and life unfolding without any major surprises. The writing is solid, and it has the cozy, easygoing vibe that some readers will appreciate for a light fall read. However, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. If you’re looking for a comfortable, low-stakes romance, this could be a good pick, but it wasn’t as memorable as I’d hoped.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

Clara and Teddy meet at a sleep away camp for kids that are homeschooled. Clara loves history but Teddy is undecided about what his interests are. They become best friends even though it is long distance and they are, I think, 13 or so. Fast forward to the present and Clara is a history professor at a college in Maryland and she is asked to share her office with a visiting professor. Surprise, it's Teddy. This is a second chance romance so there were dual timelines with the past and the present. At times I found it confusing. Clara was very driven in her career and even though Teddy had also chosen history we don't know a lot about Teddy other than he is a great guy. None of the other characters are really fleshed out. Her best friend is Izzy who lives overseas but they mostly play phone tag. She seems so willing to give up everything putting her career first and I didn't know what exactly she wanted from Teddy, love or friendship. There was so much back and forth between them and at one point they didn't speak for almost a decade. I just wanted her to get to the point and quit with the "word vomit." So it's a romance and we know there is a HEA but the fun is always how they get to that point but this ending was just meh. It was easy to read but I just never really felt a lot of emotion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.