This was a sweet and heartwarming story! I was immediately hooked and invested in Clara and Teddy's story. First and foremost, I think what I loved the most about this story was Clara and Teddy's genuine love for each other. Kristyn did an incredible job of depicting these characters in a beautiful way.

This book is about falling in love, growing apart, and finding their way back to one another. This book went back and forth between the past & present, which I always love (and eat up) because it gives us a chance to understand their history. Clara and Teddy start out as forced friends because they were both home-schooled and met each other at a yearly camp. Even though their friendship was forced at first, they grew to become really close. As time goes on, feelings are involved, but they don't want to their friendship to be ruined. Because of life and choices they make, they start to drift apart until they're no longer apart of each other lives.

Fast forward nine years later: Clara and Teddy are at the same college. This is where they question, "Will history repeat itself?"

Overall, this was a great story! I loved Clara and Teddy both so dearly. They were both faced with their own obstacles, but I love that they thought of themselves and were considerate of one another as well.

Thank you to Kristyn J. Miller & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a heartfelt and emotional romance that delves into love, loss, and second chances. With rich character development and a poignant exploration of personal growth, the story resonates deeply with readers who enjoy slow-burn romances and complex, real-life struggles. A touching and memorable read.

I'll read a second chance romance ANY day of the week and Clara and Teddy's was superb from page one. Wow, did I ever want to hug Clara. She grew up sheltered like me and put a bunch of things aside to chase her dream. She made so much sense to me as a character, especially because the book goes back and forth to show us the perfectly nerdy beginnings to Clara's friendship with Teddy. I was a socially awkward kid and became a fairly socially awkward adult so hello, yes, been there. I never got to go to summer camp as a kid so getting to see glimpses of the past and the summer camp where Clara became friends with Teddy, then started on the path to more, was great.

GIVEN OUR HISTORY was so refreshing and enjoyable. I loved the nods to the past just as much as I loved watching Clara and Teddy gravitate back together in the present. The way this book tugged at my heart was so real! I loved Clara as an adult a little more than teen Clara, especially as the story unfolded and we watched her give up her chance at love with Teddy, who was just the perfect cinnamon roll love interest. Then in the present, wondering if she would be brave enough this time to take a chance on love was torture, especially because it was so clear that they were still great together and made total sense.

All-around a compelling read and a great second chance love story.

Two history professors have a “history” and are reunited after 17 years. They were originally homeschooled and met at a summer camp. It did give an interesting perspective on homeschooling experiences. I enjoyed the premise and the protagonist is likable. I think Teddy’s character could have been developed more. I feel like their conflicts could be easily solved. I enjoyed the little amount of spice. I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I would have liked, but enjoyed the story overall. I would definitely read other books from this author.

For some reason, I wasn't looking forward to this as much as I should've been. Maybe it's the fact that it's about college history-a class I failed not once, not twice, but three times. Fortunately, my apprehension was misplaced. This was so sweet and angsty. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!!

The cover on this one is enthralling! Unfortunately, the book is...not so much. I stopped reading around 2/3 into the book. I just didn't care. Neither the FMC or the MMC were willing to actually communicate. The fundraiser thing just didn't work. There was little chemistry between the FMC and the MMC, and the FMC sounded like a teenager even in the parts of the book where she is supposed to be in her early 30s, despite calling herself old every few pages. I also don't love when a book goes back and forth between timelines. All that to say, this one was not for me. That does not mean it won't be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

This was very sweet and wholesome! I’ve never read anything from this author before, but I’ll be picking up more of her books! also, the cover is just so stunning and I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but you should on this one bc it’s so cute!

I loved this book!! Such a cute Fall romance! I really enjoyed the flashback chapters and the slow reveal of what happened between Clara and Teddy. I also really liked the academic setting.

What an entertaining second chance romance featuring two history professors…a story of right person-wrong time. I really enjoyed how the author told Clara and Teddy’s reconnection via the present and past dual timeline. Their struggles were relatable, their emotions were relatable, their actions and dialogue-all relatable! Thank you to SMP for an electronic copy to read and give my honest thoughts.

While I really tried, I just didn’t find myself engaged in this story. I think it just wasn’t for me, but I think many will enjoy.

The cover? S T U N N I N G (in a good way). The immaturity and complete inability to communicate that Clara (especially) and Teddy (somewhat) displayed? Also stunning (but definitely not in a good way). I'd buy this book so I could stare at the cover forever, but I'd never read it again.

I requested this one off of the pretty cover! I was happy to find that it was well-written and emotional with realistic, loveable characters. I love a book like this and cannot wait to read more from this author! Thanks for the digital copy!

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This was a good little read for fall - there’s something about a story surrounding a teacher seems fitting for the season.

I liked the tropes surrounding the romance of this one - partly coming-of-age, part first-love, the-one-that-got-away, right-person-wrong-time, and the soul-mate concept. That “fate” kind of love, the inherent knowing of another person, right to their core, really appeals to me as a reader. I liked the story more than I was particularly drawn to the characters themselves, but the characters were generally likeable, even though I wasn’t particularly attached to them.

I did find there to be too many pop culture references - I think it was supposed to appeal to the audience as an age-connection, but after the first couple, I felt like the point was made.

Ultimately, I would pick something up by this author again, and if you want a quick and cute read, this would do the trick.

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I'm always DOWN for childhood friends to lovers and second chance romance. Those are two of my ultimate fave tropes, so whenever I see a romance that has those, I'm drawn to it like a moth to a flame. And this one did not disappoint. It took me a while to read this but it was worth it. Loved both leads (I mean, Teddy?!?! I've loved MMC named Teddy ever since Little Women!). The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the miscommunication (which admittedly drove me crazy) but the HEA made up for it. Just a warm, lovely romance. <3

This book combined everything I love. Second chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, nerds in love, HISTORY?!? Be still my beating heart.

The characters were well-developed and so was the overall plot. Both characters grew a lot as individuals, which readers can see during the flashbacks to their years as friends before their eventual rift.

This was tender, and at times achingly emotional. It was everything I love in a romance, and I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner!

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this! So cute second chance romance between two awkward homeschooled kids who get another chance as adults to be friends and more when Teddy comes to Clara’s school as a visiting professor

Second-chance romance is my favorite, and “Given Our History” by Kristyn J. Miller totally delivered! This book had it all—tension, pining, regret, and a big helping of hope.

Clara, a university professor, is floored when she finds out her long-lost camp bestie, Teddy, is joining the school as a visiting professor. They haven’t spoken in ten years, so awkward doesn’t even begin to cover it. The story flips between past and present, giving you all the juicy details about their history and how it shaped them.

Watching Clara and Teddy reconnect and realize their old feelings never went away? Pure magic. Their journey back to each other was sweet, satisfying, and full of those "aww" moments. Sometimes, life takes people apart, but if they’re meant to be, they find their way back.

“Given Our History” is the ultimate cozy read with all the feels. It’s heartwarming, charming, and perfect for anyone who loves a good reunion story. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the gifted ebook arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a cute romance! I loved the back and forth between timelines seeing how the character’s relationship evolved over time! I did struggle a bit with the pacing it felt a lot slower than I wanted it to be and the characters had a lot of back and forth miscommunication throughout the book which at time got on my nerves. Overall a great romance read! Definitely recommend giving this one a read!

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Oh I absolutely loved this book!🥰

Such a sweet second chance, friends to lovers story. I love any story taking place in the world of academia so this was exactly up my alley!

Teddy and Clara meet in their youth and through a dual timeline we see them reconnecting again as adults. I loved the depth that this format gave to the story.

This was such a beautiful, heartfelt read!

Given Our History is an interesting second chance romance. Clara and Teddy are home-schooled and meet at a camp for home-schooled kids as teens. When Clara is afraid to get more involved with Teddy, their friendship and overall relationship ends up paying the price. After 17 years of knowing each other, Teddy ends up as a visiting professor at the college where Clara is an adjunct, and they try to work through their past issues since they have been in love with each other for years. It's an entertaining romance told through flashbacks interspersed in the present-day telling.