In this cute second-chance romance, Miller treats us to a dual timeline where the past mirrors the present. I enjoyed the academic setting and how these characters embraced their nerdy history-loving sides. This sentimental book was the perfect lighthearted fall read.

Sometimes I wish I could review books as soon as I finish, but 9 times out of 10, life has other plans. Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller is one I just wrapped up, and let me tell you—it’s perfect for cozying up with during these chilly December days. When I said I wanted a heartfelt, second-chance romance that warms you up, this was exactly what I meant.

Now, I’ll admit, second-chance romances aren’t usually my favorite. Maybe I just hadn’t found one that did it right—until now. From the start, Clara and Teddy’s story had me hooked. Seventeen years of history as childhood best friends gave their relationship a weight and tenderness that’s hard to put into words. You could feel the love and memories in every page, and the alternating past-and-present POVs brought so much depth to their journey. It was like piecing together a beautiful puzzle, seeing where it all began and how it shaped who they are now.

Clara was an absolute standout for me. She’s so relatable, and I couldn’t help but see pieces of myself in her. That connection made me root for her even more as she navigated the messy, bittersweet terrain of love, grief, and rediscovery. Teddy, too, felt genuine and layered, and their chemistry was undeniable—it’s one of those stories that pulls at your heartstrings in the best way.

The autumnal setting, with its cozy and nostalgic vibes, made it even better—even if I was reading it in December. Honestly, the warmth of this book is perfect for any time of year. My only slight critique is that the pacing wasn’t always consistent; some parts felt rushed, while others lingered a bit too long. Still, that didn’t take away from the joy of watching these two find their way back to each other.

If you’re looking for an emotional, heartfelt romance that’s as tender as it is nostalgic, Given Our History is worth picking up. It might just convert even the most skeptical second-chance romance readers—myself included.

I was pleasantly surprised by Miller's book Given Our History. Romances aren't my typical genre, but thanks to books like this I'm quite enjoying myself. The plot felt more original than most. Perfect for fans of Hallmark movies and seasonal reads.

I am absolutely a sucker for a dual timeline romance book, they’re some of my favorite stories! I also enjoyed the academia element of this story too, it really transports you to those nostalgic back to school days. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

As a history major I loved this. It was a very cute romance and I really enjoyed the fall vibes it gave off.

Given Our History was a fun second chance romance. I liked the dual timelines so we got the back story on what happened between Clara and Teddy in the past. I love books set in academia so that was also super fun, along with their shared office *FORCED PROXIMITY!!!*

I wasn't a fan of the fact that their break up was due to a miscommunication - drives me nuts! I also thought that after all their history (haha) they kind of reconnected and picked back up a bit quickly. But then again, it's a book...so....probably my issue.

Overall an enjoyable read and I will read more from this author!

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book was such a cozy fall second chance romance book. This book is about Clara who is an assistant professor, and her life isn’t where she thought it would be and when she is trying to make sure that she gets her tenure, along comes her ex best friend/might have been more, Theo. They haven’t spoken in years and now all the feelings that she thought she got over are coming back and she doesn’t know what to do with them. When she finds out that he will be working at her school too, and that they will be sharing an office, she doesn’t know what will happen. Will all the feelings that she thought went away come back or will the past come back to remind her why it isn’t a good idea?

I loved this book so much; it was like a blast from the past. With all the nostalgic vibes, the Walkman, listening to burned CDs, downloading songs from certain sites, call waiting, cordless phones, and so much more. I loved that this book helped me walk down memory lane again and really reminded me of everything that I loved. I love that in this book you will get a glimpse of their past, and then go back to the present time. I wasn’t confused or lost when the book switched around at all, for me it really helped me to understand why they got to the place that they did and to see what they had individually overcame and how they helped each other overcome situations when they were younger. I found that the plot was developed well, and I was a mid-paced book (meaning slow in parts and fast in other parts). I liked the characters, and I thought they did well with their development throughout the book.

I found the characters to be fun and interesting. I was able to relate to the characters with wanting not to give up their own lives to follow their loved ones but at the same time I was like “Just talk about it and don’t shut down”, but I can understand the nerves and the fear of losing someone. I did find a few things that I was like “wait, what?”, it was about a part after a fight and what someone brought with them… Just read the book because other than that part I loved the book so much. I found the character easy to relate with and to connect with as well.

This is a book you will want to read if you like: light cozy fall read, second chances, academia setting, childhood friends to lovers and flashbacks.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

I have such complicated feelings about this book. Like the main character, I am a tenure track assistant professor. I found some of the depictions of academia cringe because of how real they were and some cringe just because they were cringe. I also was driven crazy by her love interest - he seems to completely lack any awareness or care for how he’s damaging her career and reputation? Ugh.

This was the absolute cutest! I like books that give jumps in time, and flashbacks, so that was a definite plus for me. I also love witty banter, and at times I was laughing out loud. I was so rooting for Teddy, and love nothing more than a self assured, strong main female lead- and we get that with Clara. This was a super cozy fall read!

I loved this book more than I originally thought I would. It is so well written and i love all the storylines and relationships going on with everyone. I love how we get the backstory of Teddy and Clara’s relationship. Perfection.

The PERFECT fall romance!! I really enjoyed this novel and will definitely recommend to others! It was a beautifully written tender romance that will have you swooning

I'll be honest --- I did almost DNF this one but I am glad I persevered. I enjoyed the dual timeline and the friends to lovers aspects. I would have really liked to get Teddy's POV.
This book is good for readers who enjoy:
- Slow Burn
- Longing/tension/pining
- Dual timeline
- friends to lovers (with a long history)
- Academic setting

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this review copy.

Really enjoyed this one! Friends to lovers done very well. Clara and Teddy encapsulate what it feels like to find your person in friendship and realize that they’re your person in every way. The tension in finding them so young and with all the baggage of family and the life you see for yourself ahead of you was done beautifully.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc and the opportunity to find new authors to enjoy!

“This is far from the beginning of our story. But it’s also far from the end.”

Told in alternating timelines, then and now, we learn Teddy and Clara’s story.

It all started at homeschool summer camp, and now they’re working at the same university.

Will they be able to work through what happened in their past, to get a shot at happiness in the future?

This book took a bit to hook me, but once it did, I didn’t want to stop reading!

I nearly put this one down, because I found what seemed like two beginnings confusing: we first meet Clara bumping into her ex, Teddy, while she’s meeting a former professor to ask for a letter of recommendation. Fast forward six years to the present, where her boss Julien is encouraging her to apply for tenure at said job, despite her age, and then dropping a bombshell that a visiting professor is arriving and Clara will need to share her tiny office with him; of course, it’s Teddy. Then, we go back in time seventeen years to where she and Teddy first met, at a camp for homeschoolers bonded over a love of history at a young age and started a correspondence, with him sending her mix CDs, and her sending him popular history books

The novel, which moves back and forth in time (out of order) sets up their friendship, their common interests, family similarities, and meant-to-be-ness… and how Clara keeps getting in her own way. To each, they are the ones that got away, but Clara is determined to put work first and not set them up for a situation where either resents the other for their career choices. Subplots include trying to reconnect with another homeschool camp friend, Izzy; Clara’s mothering of her younger sister, Reagan; a fundraiser the history department is putting on (Teddy joins the subcommittee to force Clara to spend some time with him), and the preparation for the tenure application.

I found the writing solid, with some really great lines: the ongoing habit of quoting then misattributing was fun and clever but the characters were a little flat, so I didn’t feel invested. Once I got to the halfway point, I really wanted to know what their major falling out was, but it took a long time to get there. Love scenes felt more logistical than passionate, but that might be appropriate for two very sweet and nerdy academic types. Pair with The Do-Over by Suzanne Parker for another look at collegiate relationships, or The Make-up Test by Jenny L. Howe for a competitive tale about Ph. D. candidates.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #GivenOurHistory via #NetGalley courtesy of #StMartins.

DNF at 35%. I’ve tried this one a couple times and I think the story just feels unoriginal for me. Nothing is standing out to make it memorable or engaging.

Kristyn J. Miller is the queen of second-chance slow burns!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC of this one. These are my honest thoughts!

Clara and Teddy were wrong time/right people from the moment they met when they were teenagers, yet life kept getting in the way. Clara and Teddy as adults are strangers, but they're both working at the same college and sharing an office. All of this time together forces some of their previously buried ghosts to the surface, where they have to face their past in order to have a future.

This is a dual-timeline story about best friends to lovers, but big family stuff happens that keeps them apart. Neither can commit fully to a relationship for various reasons, until one day, they look up and realize they aren't even friends anymore.

Although we never get Teddy's POV, I just *felt everything* from him... he wanted everything with Clara, but that wasn't an option.

Read if you love:
- Books set in academia
- History
- Little sisters who cause trouble
- Dual timeline
- Heartbreak a little bit at a time
- Slow burn
- Tension/pining/longing

This was cute in theory, but the chemistry wasn’t well established and the fights felt superficial and protracted. There wasn’t any tension. It was just a bit bland, unfortunately.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc!

I really struggle with this one because I felt it dragged. The 'past' chapters of Clara and Teddy felt weird and long and pulled me out of the story. I normally love second chance romances but I wasn't; feeling this one.

Clara and Teddy met while attending a camp for homeschooled kids. Both were somewhat introverted, but Teddy was awkward and kept to himself. After watching him a bit, Clara decided they needed to be friends. Clara, a history nerd, shared her interest with Teddy, loaning him some of her treasured books. Between their times at camp, they stayed in touch, sharing interesting bits of trivia and their thoughts on the latest books they were reading. Over time they became best friends. And as they grew, their feelings did as well until it was more than simple friendship. But Clara had her sites set on being a history professor. Not even her feelings for Teddy were going to stand in her way.

Now, ten years after they last saw each other, Clara is an associate professor working toward tenure. She's a bit thrown when she discovers the new visiting professor is none other than Teddy.

I loved so much about this book. The dual time let us watch their original relationship is what seemed like real time. Iconic pop culture references from the time helped bring back memories of high school times, falling back into teen age angst and unfamiliar feelings. Watching the development of their younger relationship, I couldn't help but wonder if they just might fall back into old habits and pick up where they left off. As Clara and Teddy work together on a school project old feelings are resurrected. Shades of the old relationship pop up. Their history means they can just be themselves with each other.

I liked the character development. Though, it was Teddy who seemed to have grown into himself more than Clara. He gained confidence, was more sure of himself. Clara was the one lacking self confidence this time. She clings to her dreams as if they were her security blanket. And even though I knew there was an HEA waiting, I couldn't help but wonder if she was going to run again.

Speaking as someone who loves to learn, I love a story in an academic setting. I found the dual time lines unusual and enjoyed watching the relationships - the younger one and the grown up one - develop side by side. The writing was witty and with the right mix of humor and sensitivity. This is the kind of book I'll keep on the shelf so I can go revisit my favorite parts when I need a feel good pick me up.