A sweet East coast romance that will give you all the fall vibes. This is a super impressive debut looking forward to seeing what else the author writes in the future

If asked what “tropes” I like in a romance, I might draw a blank. But the more I read, the more I see that friends-to-lovers almost always hits for me, especially when the friends go back to childhood or teen years.

Given Our History is a beautiful story of second chances, the tug-of-war between career, family, and love, and the recognition that sometimes timing is everything. Clara and Theodore (Teddy) have been best friends since they were 14, well, minus the 9 years they spent not speaking. Now in their early 30s their worlds collide as Teddy arrives as a visiting professor at the university in the history department where Clara is also an assistant professor.

I loved the banter and friendship in this one. The characters clearly had a deep love for one another even as they denied being “in love.” The heartbreak of wanting more but choosing to prioritize education and careers was palpable.

Ordinarily a dual timeline with a mysterious reason for why two characters are no longer on good terms irks me, but this one worked. Why? There were enough clues and the past timeline was so rich that I wasn’t constantly wishing I could “get back to the real story.” The chapters from the past immersed me into summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains, mailing mix CDs across state lines, nosy parents listening in on phone calls, and MySpace private messages. The emo bands, the dial-up internet, the homeschooling (of which I was not, but I had close friends who were), all brought me into Teddy and Clara’s past. The miscommunication trope is also one we all seem to love to hate, but because Clara was self-aware about it and because most of it occurred during those formative ages of 14-21, it didn’t frustrate me the way it might have otherwise. My enjoyment came down slightly because of these issues (so maybe this is properly 4.75 stars), but overall I think these parts of the plot were well-done.

I appreciated the side characters in Clara’s sister, co-workers, and other family members. There was just enough from each of them that our main characters’ lives were fleshed out. The friendship between Clara and Teddy was believable, as was its demise, and I was invested in their relationship. I was so invested that I didn’t want the book to end and paused at 90% so I could come back and savor it with my full attention.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for access to this arc but I no longer want to work with this publisher.

MY HEART IS YOURS!!!

Can we talk about this gorgeous cover first???
It quite literally stopped me in my tracks. But… wanna know what’s even better than a pretty cover? When the story is just as good as the cover.

This is my first book by Kristyn, but it won’t be my last! I absolutely loved Theo and Clara so much!! Seeing their relationship develop and blossom was everything I never knew I needed.

This is an academic second chance romance with two strong, level headed, nerdy, and introverted characters. It’s truly my perfect book!
Their chemistry had me kicking my feet. I’ve never been so giddy about two characters find each other again and falling for one another!! SOULMATES!! They are soulmates and I’ll stand by that statement.

“I’ve missed this”
“I’ve missed you”
^ I miss them already

Overall this is such a fun and cutesy read! The banter and wit was perfection. And as someone who hates the miscommunication trope, just know they’re my exception!!
I highly recommend this book it’s quite literally the perfect fall read!!!

*quickly stops reading to google when The Black Parade came out* Oh, I'm THAT old. I feel you, Clara.

I was SO EXCITED to get chosen to ARC read this after hearing about it. There just isn't enough romance with early 30s MCs so I devour them!

I love the 2000s references in this book, especially all the music throwbacks. Such a fun, nostalgic aspect to a story. The dual timeline isn't my favorite, but at the same time it's a cool way to learn their whole story, and it worked well in this book.

I really liked both MCs. They immediately clicked, got along so well, and really understood each other. The past timeline was heartbreaking at times, just wishing they spoke their true feelings and committed, but like Clara realizes at the end, things could have turned out differently if they had.

I enjoyed the side characters, but they were lacking a bit. Clara's friendship with Izzy didn't make a lot of sense, I wish there was more of it on page, as well as more info/explanation about Mindy (even though I hated when she popped up in the story).

Overall though it was a good romance that had me in my feelings, it had some spice, and it had a HEA. A perfect cozy Fall romance.

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

Assistant professor Clara Fernsby lets nothing stand in her way of her goal and is now up for tenure at a private liberal arts college fresh out of grad school. When Theodore Harrison is brought on for the fall semester as a visiting scholar, it’s an unwelcome blast from the past. She is reminded of their shared history and past love, but ten years have changed him. Working together means she might fall in love again, but like last time might not be interested. She has no intention of repeating their history.

Clara is on a tenure track and hoping to boost her profile by applying for the position in three years of teaching instead of seven. Teddy had once been her best friend and crush, and life circumstances prevented them from being together past a few dates and kisses. We see the dual timelines in this novel, of their past selves as well as the present; Clara's so busy doing what she thinks is the best choice for everyone else, it doesn't occur to her that there's no time for fun, relationships or any downtime at all. Teddy's presence unsettled her and brought up past memories, and feelings that she didn't quite bury. This is an enjoyable second chance romance in academia, and Clara finally chooses what's best for her, and not just on paper. I really liked that about the ending.

A sure way to get my attention me is to mention "second-chance romance". That being my favorite trope, I expect angst and yearning and longing, which this book did not deliver on (at least the parts that I read).
I was vibing with the writing, and expected the plot to follow. Unfortunately it was pretty bland. Nothing was going on?? We get so many unnecessary details and info dump that do nothing to move the plot.
I find myself not interested to know what happen to them, or why they did not work in the first place, or how they will make things work again, so I am dnf'ing.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was okay. Just okay. While I was so excited to read a book about historians falling in love, I was left disappointed by how immature the characters were and how the pacing issues made the story move along so slowly. I felt like the flashbacks could have been fewer to get to know the characters more in the present, and I did not appreciate how lusty the relationship between the two MCs felt, especially with this being a dual timeline, second chance, enemies to lovers plot. I enjoyed some parts but I was also just frustrated.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

This is one of those ultra rare instances where I enjoyed a second chance romance and I'm glad I read the book.

Given Our History is told in dual timelines which adds to the tension of the story. We experience Clara & Teddy's relationship as it evolves from strangers to childhood best friends to former friends to reluctant allies to lovers. Sounds like a lot right? Trust me, it works!

Clara & Teddy are your classic right person, wrong time love story. They're so clearly perfect for each other but childhood goals, miscommunication, and some serious stubbornness from Clara get in the way. They have a falling out 9 years prior that leave them not speaking and hurt by one another. There's a little blip along the way where they see each other that only adds to the angst but, again, her stubbornness gets in the way of any healthy communication.

At it's heart this is a light academia love story with two introverted lovers of history who were too proud to admit their feelings for one another and let their careers take center stage instead of their secret love. It's heartwarming and pure and angsty and I was rooting for these two to get over their poor communication and just speak to each other. Once they started communicating it was perfect.

It did take a bit for me to like Teddy because for the first half of the book we didn't get to know him too well. This book could've benefited from Teddy having his own POV. We got to know him in the childhood timeline but adult timeline was a mystery and Teddy is a character who guards his heart and his emotions to a fault. Once he started opening up and communicating his needs he was amazing. Clara was at times a bit frustrating because of her stubbornness but I tempered it with her being a young introvert and I was sympathetic to her and her fears.

Overall I do recommend this and will most likely read it again because I did really like these two as a couple.

Thanks to SMP, SMP Romance, and NetGalley for the arc.

DNF at 65%. I wanted to love this one, but the miscommunication in it really took away from the story for me. It's a trope I try to avoid, but I understand that sometimes it's necessary. But, it felt as though the miscommunication/reason for their original break up was very minor. I did love the academic setting, and initially the story sucked me in. It did make me eager for fall.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristyn J. Miller, and St. Martin’s Griffin for an ARC of Given Our History! All opinions are my own.

This book appealed to me on so many levels - history nerd, academia, second chance, friends to lovers - and it was a slam dunk success, imo. I loved the dual timeline showing Teddy and Clara’s relationship over fourteen years, and the combined romance and career worrying subplots. A hot history nerd who has been quietly loving from afar for years? Count me in for that!

POV: single first person

You can expect: history professors, academia, flashbacks, childhood friends to lovers, coworkers to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, “I have a vibrator in my purse just in case”

Rep: queer side character, Greek American MMC

Spice: 2/5

CW: parental injury and stroke (off page, not described in detail)

I thoroughly enjoyed the fall/small college town setting and the alternating past/present timelines depicting a lifelong friendship and a second chance romance. The writing is good, the plot and MCs are well developed and the tension and banter are great.
While there are communication issues between the two MCs, and those can sometimes be frustrating to read, they felt realistic and were handled in a mature manner.
I definitely recommend picking up 'Given Our History' when it releases at the end of this month!

In many ways, Given Our History is exactly the kind of book I like. A smart FMC, and long, slow-burn, second-chance romance, an academic setting. I did really enjoy the book, though I felt like there were a few gaps in the story that I kept waiting to get filled in. Regardless, I’d definitely recommend!

Given Our History was an entertaining book. It took me a little bit to understand how the story was being told (flashbacks of different time periods), and for a while, I was worried I had missed some part of the story. However, all I needed was a little more patience as my question was answered in the next chapter! I thought this method of storytelling worked well in this book, and I thought it was well done. I enjoy this author, and I'm looking forward to her work!

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Few books are more securely in my wheelhouse than this. This academic, second chance love story was a delights! I loved the dual timeline, the slow burn, and the East coast fall feel.

Given Our History is the first book I have read written by Kristyn J. Miller. An academic romance between assistant professor Clara Fernsby and semester visiting professor Theodore Harrison. However this is not there first meeting. They have a full past from ten years ago when they could have been called best friends. This is a case of adults meeting up with teenage feelings.

This story is warm, funny and well-written that has all the feels. It also has two likable characters who are adult now so they are ready for those feelings of the past if only brave enough to face them. A wonderful read, especially as it is school time again.

Dual timeline second chance contemporary male female romance. Fun well written book. I enjoyed both leads and their relationship.

• assistant prof clara, trying to make tenure, agrees to share her office with a visiting prof... who turns out to be her childhood best friend & ex-boyfriend teddy
• really loved the northeastern academic setting. it gave yale in the fall vibes, and i was so here for it
• the past timeline, while important to character motivations, made the story drag, and feel too long

I adored this one! Clara was such a compelling and affecting character! She was trying so hard to find her place in the world and figure out who she wanted to be. It was so easy to relate to her! Teddy was quiet and unassuming. I liked the way he supported Clara. This was dual timeline, and I enjoyed watching their story unfold in the past and the present. The way Clara and Teddy’s relationship evolved over the years was sweet but also heartbreaking. All the history between them lead to a delicious amount of tension. Their banter was perfectly timed. The slow burn aspect was well written and was resolved satisfyingly. I also loved the way Clara and Teddy discussed history and how it bound them together even when they weren’t together. At times the plot felt a little slower than necessary but it held my interest and kept me turning pages. The ending was so sweet and fitting, but it also left me wanting a few more pages to see how things worked out for Clara after the climax.

My millennial emo loving heart loved this book. Given Our History follows Clara and Teddy who meet as teenagers at a summer camp for homeschooled kids. As their friendship grows, they learn that sometimes you meet the right person at the wrong time. I loved the dual timelines, although at times the past felt a bit rushed.

I’ll be recommending this book to everyone I know! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.