Clara is an assistant history professor and finally up for tenure. Theodore is back in her college as a visiting scholar bringing back their ugly history. Now she's falling back in love with him all over again...

Love the characters. They are terrific. I like the academia plot. It's a sweet story. The side characters are terrific too.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

"Given Our History" by Kristyn J Miller is a captivating and heartfelt romance that explores the complexities of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Clara Fernsby's journey as an assistant professor navigating the reappearance of her past love, Theodore Harrison, is both relatable and compelling.

Miller's writing is engaging, drawing readers into Clara's world as she grapples with the unexpected resurgence of feelings for Teddy. The exploration of their shared history, from their time at a sleepaway camp to their present-day interactions, adds depth to the story and highlights the intricacies of their relationship.

What sets "Given Our History" apart is its exploration of the power of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. As Clara and Teddy reconnect and confront the mistakes of their past, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Overall, "Given Our History" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will leave readers rooting for Clara and Teddy's love story. Miller's portrayal of their relationship is both tender and authentic, making this a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

Was happily surprised with this book. Lately (more because of me) I can’t find a book that can hold my attention, but this one I finished in a few days

Tropes
Best Friends to Strangers
Second Chance
Forced Proximity
Academia
Slow Burn
Dual Timelines

Exploring the complexity of (introvert) friendships over the course of 17 years between Clara and Teddy. Told from Clara’s POV only, we get taken back and forth through a now and then of their adolescence and its influence on their adulthood. Clara’s love of history as a teen sets them both on a pathway to academia as professors of history. (As a history major, loved this).

This was a bit of right person, wrong time - but with Clara constantly unable to commit to Teddy. I felt the logic wasn’t really there to back her decisions. Especially after she knows what it’s like to live without him, and was considering losing him again. I felt frustrated with Clara and that she didn’t deserve Teddy since she couldn’t be honest with him over and over again. However, the Tudor coin got me and Clara’s realization “But there was no falling, this time around—there was only remembering how to love him, a sort of muscle memory.”

Random thought:
Really putting a divide between Pepsi and Coke (IYKYK). But now I understand. Nostalgia and memories will do that.

Overall, 3.5 star read, rounding up.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love books based on these imperfect, on and off relationships, spanning years, phases of life, etc. They are messy, they can be exhausting but they are beautiful stories worthy of being told. I felt each heart tug, each long distance yearning, each inability to communicate out of fear as if I were there.

The story brought in meaningful secondary characters, told stories not just of romantic love but familial and friendly love. It introduced us to unique friendships and family dynamics and explored a unique take on a second chance romance, one where the first chance never really took.

Clara and Teddy are wonderful characters that it was fun getting to know. I wish so badly we could have spent time in Teddy’s head, but that’s just how the dice roll in a single POV.

This was really cute! I like the premise but I think I wish we would have gotten more of Teddy and Clara actually being together after they worked things out. It was a lot of back and forth, breaking up, conflicts and miscommunications, compared to the happy ending. I didn’t dislike it by any means and will recommend, but it left me wanting as a reader, since the two weren’t together for what felt like 90% the book. Super cute, and I’m glad they worked things out!

Rating: 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4
Spice Rating: 3/5 Open door, explicit scenes
Format: E-ARC

*Thank you to NetGalley for an E-ARC in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.*

I gobbled up this friends-to-lovers/second chance romance! Told through alternating timelines starting when the MCs, Clara & Teddy, are teens who meet at a camp for homeschooled kids to present day where they're both History Professors. I loved reading how the friendship and love blossomed. I appreciated the elder emo/millennial references, and it made me warm up to read that much faster.

With fall academia vibes, this novel is for those who want a slow burn, cozy read.

I have two main criticisms. One, since it's mostly from Clara's POV, I didn't feel the chemistry and longing from Teddy. It felt too one-sided, but the characters were likeable enough. Two, this is definitely a slow burn where it took so long to get to the conflict that it felt so anticlimactic... I wanted more of that conflict and the aftermath

I love a campus romance book and as someone with a history degree, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of Given Our History. I also adore a friends to lovers journey and a bit of second chance romance, so trope wise, this had my name all over it. Miller’s writing is easy to sink into and I enjoyed Clara as a character, especially her relationship with her younger sister. She is a tenure-track academic who finds herself unexpectedly sharing an office with a visiting academic - a former best friend, almost-boyfriend called Teddy, who she hasn’t seen in six years. The story is told in alternating present and past, where we get to see how Clara and Teddy found each other and what happened to break them up.

While I enjoyed the setting and there was nothing really that brought the story down, there wasn’t much that stood out, either. Teddy and Clara didn’t have many interactions until they were suddenly declaring their love, and what encounters they did have they never really talked about anything. Conversely, there were long sections about Clara’s day to day life that didn’t really fuel the narrative. I finished with no real connection to the characters, or idea about how their relationship was going to look if Clara moved to Edinburgh. There was a real potential for some top tier yearning with the forced proximity and childhood history to contend with, but sadly it didn’t quite do it for me!

This is a great fall read! It’s perfect if you love friends to lovers/second chance romance.
Teddy is a really fun read- he’s so personable and kind. Clara is also great, but she’s a bit more stubborn. She falls into the miscommunication trope a lot. However, if you’re looking for a sweet quick romance read, this is the one!

I loved this cozy second chance romance!!

It is the perfect example of 'right person, wrong time'.' Seeing how Teddy and Clara first met and how that friendship turned into so much more. The way that they both said no to relationships because they wanted to focus on their careers but then both of them realizing they wanted more. It was a good use of the miscommunication trope, which I don't normally love. But this was the perfect use of it because it was something that was real and very big in both their lives. The love that they had for education and history was like a third party in their story.

Teddy: He was a great MMC!! The grief that he went through after losing his dad and Clara pretty much at the same time I think really built him as a character. And how much he loved Clara and didn't want to waste any more time apart from her.

Clara: I love a complex FMC. Who struggles with wanting to choose between love or a career then realizing you can have both. I think she was very well written by being a woman in a very male dominated field. She never perceived herself as weak or unworthy outwardly.

The side characters were a great addition! They didn't add any extra drama or unneeded side plot.

I would have loved an epilogue with it being a few years in the future! Just to see how their relationship worked out and how to manage to still teach or research, while being in a relationship. Just to show how you can have both.

Best friends as kids then start falling for each other but it's not the right time. Friendship falls apart and they don't speak for years until they both end up working with each other. Is it finally the right time?

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
An easy read about two professors who met in their teens and lost touch over the years but reconnect while teaching history.
I liked the dual timeline of the story and delving into both Teddy and Clara being homeschooled.
If you like second chance romance
If you like it’s always been you
If you like academia settings
This book is for you
It reminded me of Love and other words without the trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Clara is a professor on the tenure track at her college, trying to push herself the last couple steps over the line to get tenure. But then she has to share her office with a visiting professor... her former best friend who she hasn't spoken to in years. Old hurts heal slowly as a friend to lovers plot ensues.

This is sweet. It gives off a lot of fall vibes in the setting and "start of school" stuff. Definitely a good back to school, light-hearted romance.

Teddy is totally the hunky kid from camp you always wanted to hook up with, and he grows up to be the hot professor, and added bonus is that he is the perfect book boyfriend that listens, that remembers things from a decade ago that you barely remember. He reminds me a lot of the personality that my husband has, the one who treats you like the sun rises and sets by you alone.

Clara is frustratingly stubborn, and pushed Teddy away too many times. That drove me nuts by the end of it, and I almost wanted to shout at her to get her head out of her butt and make the right move already... or at least stop fighting the right thing.

The flashbacks flesh out the love story nicely. The writing is really nice, and there's a few fun metaphors thrown in that I found particularly descriptive. I like her writing. I'm definitely coming back for more.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

This was a feel good read and super relatable for me as a history professor. Miller is a great storyteller and makes this second chance romance perfect.

4.5 ⭐️ The perfect cozy read for this fall! Get your preorders in!

Friends to lovers & Second Chance Romance!

I loved Teddy and Clara! I’m a sucker for duel timeline and having a bit of the history of the characters revealed at a time so you can understand their history!

I was a BIG fan of the academic setting!

I was proud of the growth for our FMC. 👏

Be on the lookout for Given our History in August!

Very cute! I do wish there was more tension between the main couple outside of the fallout they had when they were younger, but for what it was it was an enjoyable, quick read.

Given Our History is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
Assistant professor Clara Fernsby is dedicated to her career and has worked tirelessly to achieve her goals. However, when Theodore Harrison, a visiting scholar and Clara's former best friend, reenters her life after a decade-long estrangement, she finds herself confronting unresolved feelings from their shared past.
The author deftly navigates the intricacies of Clara and Teddy's relationship, seamlessly weaving between past and present to unravel the layers of their history. As Clara grapples with her conflicting emotions and the possibility of rekindling their connection, readers are drawn into a tender and heartfelt exploration of forgiveness and redemption.
The novel's exploration of love and friendship is both nuanced and authentic, delving into themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of second chances. The author's prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the emotional depth of her characters and the complexities of their relationships.
Given Our History is a compelling and emotionally resonant romantic read that will captivate readers from beginning to end. With its richly drawn characters and heartfelt narrative, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression. The author has crafted a moving and memorable story that reminds us of the transformative power of forgiveness and the enduring strength of the human heart.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a decent book! I definitely enjoyed it, and didn't mind the jumps back and forth between the past and the present. I think my only issue was with the misunderstanding that happened, and how it pushed them apart for such a long time.

Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for access to this E-ARC! This was really cute! Loved the characters & the romance. Definitely will read more from the author.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If I am anything it is a sucker for second chance romances! I loved reading about Clara and Teddy in both the past and the present. They had a beautiful friendship in the past and it was devastating reading them fall apart - though I knew they'd find each other again.

This book had great cozy vibes and if you enjoy second chance books, I'd definitely give this one a try!