3.5 stars


Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc!

A cute and cozy second chance romance! I loved the academic and fall vibes. Duel timelines were nice and I was all for the perfect nostalgic drops during her teenage/college years. I am not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope and the way it was handled by Clara with Teddy. I loved their friends to lovers and really wish we saw more of that when there were in college. Also would have loved more tension and relationship between the two of them after they meet back up and are coworkers. I just felt like for the first half of the book we did not see much of that. Maybe even a few chapters with Teddy's POV. I feel like it would have been an easy 4 star read for me if more of that was in the story. Overall I enjoyed it and it was the perfect vibes for my current mood.

YESSSSSS

Delicious east coast fall vibes, the sweetest second chance romance, and a stunning cover! I absolutely loved this, and devoured it in two sittings.

GIVEN OUR HISTORY is a dual-timeline story of history academics Clara Fernsby and Theodore (Teddy) Harrison, who met at homeschool summer camp years ago and after a painful falling out are now forced to share an office when Teddy is a visiting professor at the university Clara teaches at.

Clara has always stuck to her goals, even when it cost her the love of her life. Now up for tenure, Clara must face the blast from her past that is quiet, curly-haired Teddy Harrison, who she hasn't spoken to in a decade. Now that they're sharing space, Clara's reminded of their shared history at every autumns spent at a sleepaway camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she traded battered books and burned CDs with a quiet, dark-haired boy—and fell in love with him.

Soon they're working together on an upcoming gala to raise scholarship funds and spending time re-learning what brought them together in the first place. Over drinks and trivia nights at a local bar, they realize that given their history, reimagining their futures -- together -- might be the biggest and best goal of all.

This book is so incredibly tender and will both hurt and heal you in the best ways. I loooooove a parallel timeline within a second chance romance and I was so invested in Clara and Teddy's romance. Plus, this book has such a cozy setting that you won't want to leave. This book will make you FEEL things -- it's just a gorgeous reading experience.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the e-ARC (and St. Martin's for the physical ARC) in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. GIVEN OUR HISTORY is out 8/27.

This book was such a cozy slow burn. It is set at the beginning of fall semester and gave me all the college vibes. Clara and Teddy used to be best friends but now hardly know each other. They met as teenagers at a sleep-away camp for homeschooled kids and clicked immediately as friends, and later thought they could be more to each other but just couldn’t make it work. Now, they are now history professors at the same college and the forced proximity makes them confront everything that happened in the past.

I thought this book was a very realistic second chance romance. Both characters take it slowww with each other. Neither wants to jeopardize the fragile friendship they are re-forming, and they each still have scars from how it ended the first time. It is told in single POV but dual timelines, so the reader learns about the past while watching the present story play out. I really connected to Clara and thought both characters were well developed. This is a beautifully written romance that I highly recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Kristyn J. Miller, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First of all thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

GIven Our History is a sweet romance about Clara and Teddy, two homeschooled friends that meet at summer camp and grow up together. I'm a sucker for friends to lovers and this was story was so easy to fall into. I loved the dual timeline and getting to know both Clara and Teddy as awkward pre-teens and seeing their friendship grow slowly over the years into more. The author did an amazing job of capturing the nostalgia of their teen years too! (There was nothing more exciting than getting a burned CD from your crush) There was even a little spice, done well, and I was surprised that Miller kept it so realistic. Teddy and Clara are both good characters with depth but the story still stayed light hearted. And there was no third act break up!! Always a plus for me.

Dual time line
Friends to lovers
Second chance romance
Academic setting
Fall vibes

4.25/5 stars for me! It you loved Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren then you'll really enjoy this one.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author for the ability to read an ARC of this fun academic based novel!

I adored the fall academia settling of this novel and was instantly pulled into the story as I really felt a connection with Clara! I loved that she knew she wanted to teach and was a person who didn’t let anyone stand in her way even someone she held close to her.

I loved Theodore as well and I felt that it was so fun that he came to teach at the school where Clara was despite their past. I really loved the second chance trope that was utilized in this novel.

Kristyn has me in my emotions and cheering these two main characters on! I loved this book and definitely will reread it after its release this fall!

There’s so much to love about this book: the dual timeline, academia setting, playful banter, childhood best friends, a mysterious falling out, spice… I had a feeling I was going to love this book and I am so glad I was right. The author’s writing style flowed so naturally, and I loved the way the dialogue felt realistic and enjoyable. There was so much emotion, from frustration and sympathy to passion and thoughtfulness. I loved that we followed Clara’s ideas of herself evolving as someone who doesn’t have to be defined by her career and take care of everyone else. I adored her and Teddy’s childhood memories from summer camp and talking over the phone while being homeschooled. Overall, this really blew me away and was a great read that I’d recommend to anyone!

4! Given Our History was an absolute delight from start to finish! Clara and Teddy's story is captivating, with their genuine love and heartfelt dynamic drawing me in from the very beginning. Both characters are incredibly well-developed and relatable, making their journey from childhood friends to potential lovers feel authentic and meaningful. The story follows their initial bond, formed at an annual camp, and the challenges they face as life pulls them in different directions. Despite their deep connection, the pressures of distance and Clara’s academic ambitions lead them to drift apart.

Years later, fate brings them back together as history professors at the same college. As they navigate their shared past and unresolved feelings, they must decide whether their history will keep them apart or bring them closer than ever. Clara's fear of Teddy resenting her if he sacrifices his career for her adds a layer of complexity to their relationship. This beautifully written friends-to-lovers story is both poignant and compelling, and I found myself relating to Clara in many ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC!

This was a sweet second chance romance. Loved the academic setting. I am not usually a fan of dual timeline books but this one kept my attention in both time lines

"I am not in love with a man I haven't spoken to in over a decade. I hardly know him. But I did love him once, in my own way. And maybe that doesn't ever go away completely."

If you're looking for a second-chance romance that doesn't make you want to throw the book across the room, this one might interest you!

There was, of course, the miscommunication that made the two main characters part ways, but I genuinely think they both needed time to live life and grow up before they came back to one another. The ultimate "right person, wrong time" story.

I loved the alternating timeline, which gave insight on the beginning of their friendship (at summer camp!), how it all fell apart, and their slow rekindling – and determination to not let history repeat itself.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, give it a try!
- second chance
- childhood friends to lovers
- academic
- early 2000s nostalgia
- alternating timeline

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the e-arc!

The highest praise I can give a book is rereading it. And I already know I am going to reread Given Our History over and over and over again. It had all of my favorite things. The best friends trope is one of my favorites, and pairing it with second chances was just perfection. I also really enjoyed the dual timeline part of the story. It was almost like we got the best of both YA and adult romance worlds, and it made me want to continue reading to find out what happened next in each timeline—which also meant staying up way past my normal bedtime because I just couldn't put it down!

Sometimes will-they-won't-they storylines can result from the fact that one or both of the main characters are not communicating or being irrational, but that wasn't really the case here. There were perfectly rational circumstances keeping them apart or making them feel like they should be apart; the whole relationship as a whole felt even more believable.

This book was just perfection. I'll read anything Kristyn J. Miller writes.

This was a sweet contemporary romance set in an academic setting. The story was told from one POV with 2 timelines provided. The first timeline is present day with the second starting with our MCs first met at a sleep away camp around age 16 years old (I didn’t think to note their exact age). The flashback timeline progresses with the present to show the history behind the present day emotions. I found this to be really enjoyable. I liked being able to think more deeply about the ‘why’ of their actions throughout the story. The romance in this story was nice. There was tension and some banter. I enjoyed it.


Thank you to NetGalley, Kristyn J. Miller and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC.

I enjoyed this second chance romance book. Clara and Teddy were endearing characters, and since I have a daughter in academia I could relate to a lot of what she was going through. It was enjoyable to read their story in flashbacks and present day, from friends to lovers to not talking to each other for years. After a while, though, it got a bit tedious hearing much of the same with each encounter. I was frustrated by the fact that they were both so wishy-washy about everything from their relationship to their jobs to their families to their education to where they wanted to live. It should have felt complicated, but I really just wanted them to make a decision! Overall I enjoyed the book, I think I needed deeper connections and not the constant back and forth.

4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️

Read As An Arc

🍂 College
🍂 Academic Romance
🍂 Stem
🍂 Dual Timeline
🍂 Second Chance
🍂 Right Person, Wrong Time
🍂 Past x Present
🍂 Childhood Friends
🍂 Friends to Lovers
🍂 Stubbornness
🍂Miscommunication


Okay, but this cover?! It’s giving me all the vibes!! It is so pretty, I want to just eat it up, the whole book before I even began! This cover literally excited me and made me so happy with the fall season, and Clara and Teddy being so cute! Ahhhh! <3

There is a dual timeline… not really one of my faves but my lord this timeline being in the past… BROUGHT ME BACK! It literally took me back to my childhood era, and I am so happy that this timeline did this! I loved having that connection to the past, it brings that sense for nostalgia, and perhaps maybe even for you! This honestly makes it off to a great start in my books.

Clara and Teddy are soulmates; I swear, if these two didn’t end up together, I don’t know what I would’ve done. They are cute right from the start, their childhood, straight to their relationship. Also Teddy being supportive of Clara’s goals and dreams?! Going wherever she is just to be with her? And the way he genuinely loves her? I can’t, absolutely in love! He is the new book boyfriend babes!

So why does this book only have 4⭐️ you may ask? I feel like I know what may be missing — a dual pov — so I can get into Teddy’s head! I need his perspective! His pov would give a lot more insight and depth to their relationship and how he feels, rather than it just being a one-sided story narration. His pov would quickly bring this to a 4.75. The other .25 is from the weird things that just happen. Things that I find would not even happen in real life, or for someone to even think to do? But you do you girl, to each their own!

Overall, this read was great! I loved it! I can’t wait to get that physical copy in my hands and just read it in the fall, even though there is nothing really fall about this book, but who cares!





* Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

**Will be posted on Goodreads Aug 22 @ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/170879374-bee?shelf=read

This second-chance romance has two college professors re-connecting more than a decade after their almost-relationship ended.

Clara has been offered the opportunity to apply for tenure. It's what she wants -- or what she thinks she wants. But there's a distraction headed her way: Theodore "Teddy" Harrison is coming to her college as a visiting history professor. She used to love him, but the timing just wasn't right. Now that they're back in each other's orbits, and working on a project together, sparks are flying again. But can they overcome the same problems they had before to move forward?

This is a sweet book and I love the academic setting. Clara and Teddy are both a little nerdy, which I kind of love.

I think there were a few too many flashbacks -- I prefer minimal flashbacks to keep the story moving forward. But other than that, it was delightful.

4.5 ⭐️

Given Our History has to be the romance of the fall!! I fell in love with this story and these characters. It is an academic, childhood friends / second chance slowwww burn romance and it is so good.

I love a classic mystery storyline and past and present point of view is my absolute favorite in romance. I feel like it adds a lot of depth in second chance and Miller did a great job at flushing out these characters and their story. Theo is soooo dreamy (we love an educated man) and Clara is so real & relatable. There was a lot of emotion in this but I did feel like I was missing something (nonetheless, still devoured it). Also — the autumn vibes are immaculate!!! The writing in this is truly wonderful!! I wish I could share all of my annotations.

Definitely recommend this one! Thank you St. Martin’s Griffjn for the advanced copy. Given our History releases Aug 27!

2.25 stars. I didn’t really believe the connection between Teddy and Clara, and I didn’t feel like there was enough growth for their relationship to be healthy and last in the long term. There was also a narrative inconsistency (about vibrators lol) that really bothered me. Overall, this book is fine, but it just wasn’t for me.

This will make a good choice for fall romance reads. Told in alternating timelines we followed the romance of Clara and Theo through the past and present. Second chance is a favorite trip of mine but theirs was only okay. These two had great chemistry but the miscommunication was just too much for me.

What an absolutely perfect romcom just in time for fall. I love an academia setting and a camp setting, so between present day and the flashbacks, this book had my heart immediately. Watching Teddy & Clara’s friendship develop from childhood was so sweet and their homeschool background was unique. I also felt like their conflicts throughout the book were realistic and understandable. There’s so spice but not like blushing, uncomfortable amounts, which made for great balance between the intellectual dialogue and witty banter. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to everyone come fall. Kind of a When Harry Met Sally but in Baltimore with professors vibe. So sweet and a must-read for romcom fans.

4.50 stars
-
TW: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of a parent
-
I'm a sucker for an academic romance. Assistant Professor Clara is driven in life and has always felt the need to prove herself. All that drive has paid off over the years, she has her dream job teaching at a liberal arts college and is up for tenure this year. When Clara is asked to share her office with a visiting professor during the fall semester, she has no problem helping out - that is until she realizes that her officemate is also the man she hasn't spoken with since a fallout 10 years ago.

I loved Teddy and Clara - these two introverts (with Clara being a tad more extroverted) have the perfect relationship. We learn the two of them meet at an autumn camp and from there the friendship blooms. From weekly phone calls, a long-distance history book club, and burnt CD's these two form a close bond. I loved watching them fall in love with each other without even realizing it. There are also a lot fo nostalgic vibes that I couldn't help but love in this book! It brought me back to the 00s.

If anything, I disliked how stubborn the two of them were - their fallout was due to a miscommunication which could have been easily avoided if they had both talked out their feelings. When the two of them reconnect years later, they immediately fall back into a friendship when Teddy agrees to help throw a gala that year in the fall. For characters that are supposed to be sharing an office - Teddy is never around, I think I would have liked to see them share the office a bit more and perhaps add a steamy scene or two!
-
I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and Kristyn J. Miller for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinons are my own. Given Our History will publish on August 27th, 2024. Pre-order your copy today!

3.5 stars. It was cute, it was sweet, it was a little too long.

This follows two estranged former friends over the course of their lives, from childhood to early adulthood. In the present day, they’re history professors tasked with sharing an office, in the past we see when they met at camp and how their lives progressed.

It’s second chance, first person, single POV, with then/now timelines.

This feels like if you mixed “When Harry Met Sally” with “People We Meet On Vacation” but set it in a workplace. The first 60ish% was great, then I started to lose interest. The way Clara reacted to seeing Teddy at the beginning of the book had me thinking he did something terrible. Once I got into the "why" chapters of the past I was somewhat underwhelmed.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!