BLURB:

Assistant professor Clara Fernsby is nothing if not driven. She’s wanted to teach history since she was fourteen, and she hasn’t let anything stand in her way—not even the love of her life. And it all paid off in the end, because she landed a well-paid position at a private liberal arts college fresh out of grad school, and this year, she’s finally up for tenure.

When Theodore Harrison is brought on for the fall semester as a visiting scholar, it’s an unwelcome blast from Clara’s past. She hasn’t spoken to Teddy since a falling out ten years ago. Now that he’s here, she’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.

That boy might’ve been her best friend, but the man teaching HIST-322 is a total stranger. But as they spend evenings working on a shared project and brainstorming over drinks at a college bar, Clara realizes she’s at risk of falling all over again. Given their history, she knows there’s every chance he’s not interested. But history’s all down to interpretation, and this time around, she’s got no intentions of repeating it.

MY THOUGHTS:

I recently received an ARC of Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I couldn’t be happier about it! I have to admit, there was a moment when I nearly stopped reading it. While the Prologue captivated me, the beginning was a bit slow. It’s a slow burn book that only really heats up towards the end. However, it was at that point that I realized I was glad I stuck with it. If I hadn’t, I probably would have given up on the book altogether. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity!

I absolutely adored the cover of the book, from the couple wearing cozy scarfs, to the fall foliage and the university perched in the background. It is charming! I loved the flashbacks in time, from present and past. I thought, how fitting, two history professors, revealing their history to us. It definitely flowed beautifully, and though it was a bit slow for me, it allowed me to savor every detail. I also felt that there was a strong emotional connection between the characters, and it would have been delightful to see more of their evolving relationship. Perhaps by exploring both Teddy and Clara’s perspectives, the story could have offered an even deeper and more engaging experience.

If you’re in the mood for a snugly book that’s all about second chances in love, this one’s got you covered! Just a heads-up though, the beginning is slower than a snail on a coffee break. I’d throw the book a three-star rave review. Keep calm and read on!

Happy Reading Folks !