This book was okay for me. I thought that the plotline of both of our MC's meeting because they were homeschooled and went to a homeschool camp for the month of September was really adorable. I liked that there was both past and present timelines that we got to be a part of Clara and Teddy's growing friendship as well as their interactions as adults. I thought that they honestly were just better as friends, and that a lot of the conflict they dealt with in their "relationship" when they were younger could have been avoided through just having genuine conversations with one another where they honestly laid it all out instead of panicking about the potential outcomes. However, I can acknowledge that this is a book of fiction so it still works! If you're looking for a book about two history nerds who fall in love, this is the book for you.

Closed Door Modifications: Chapters 19, 21 & 25

My Thoghts
Dedicated and driven History Professor Clara Fernsby is a character who has worked tirelessly to reach her life goals.

Professor Theodore/Teddy Harrison has done the same.

For two people who are so passionate about learning they have not yet managed the most important lesson, until now 19 years after meeting at summer camp.

Both of these characters are trying their best to not repeat what they perceive to be errors in judgement on their respective parents’ part.

Errors that caused both families to struggle and caused Clara and Teddy personal stress at a young age while forming their desire to not make the same mistakes in their own lives.

After years of pushing and pulling, do they or don’t they, will they or won’t they a mutual decision about their future as friends is once again strained at its seams.

More importantly any future at all for the pair in a more meaningful capacity is at stake as well.

Friendships, relationships issues and career obligations all are a part of this story.

How each is handled by the two main characters takes place during alternating timelines, past to present, that explain a lot of their backstory that dictates what they finally decide is best for them as a couple.
[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

“Given Our History” by Kristyn J. Miller
A Long Journey
I had a bit of trouble adjusting to the format of jumping between the present and yesteryear; although it really did enhance the understanding of the present (and accentuate the tendency of history to repeat itself?). I enjoyed reading this story. But I never did get emotionally attached to the characters; maybe I am just a bit too tired and need a rest. This is a worthy read. Happy Reading ! !

This was such a cute, cozy read!

I love how we went from the past to the present day. The author did a great job with the pacing, making us feel truly connected to Teddy and Clara by the end. I was rooting for them from the beginning!

Throughout this story, you alternate between their history at summer camp and their current lives, where they haven’t spoken in years.

This book had a lot of miscommunication, which kept me sucked in, whereas sometimes that can be a big turnoff.

Overall, it was an easy, palate-cleansing read that I would recommend to others!

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

-Childhood friends to lovers
-Second chance
-Summer Camp

There were so many things in Given Our History that resonated with me, it was just a perfect fit book. I loved the homeschooling, college professors, history lovers, summer camp, and childhood best friends who grew apart aspects of this book. I enjoyed the dual timelines, and waiting to reveal what had driven the characters apart when they were younger kept a bit of suspense and kept me reading. I was definitely invested in Teddy and Clara's love story and was rooting for them in both timelines. I also appreciated that there was no miscommunication trope.

I enjoyed both of the characters, even though at times Clara's stubbornness drove me a little crazy. Teddy was so sweet and I just ate up his undying love for Clara. The side characters were entertaining as well.

Given Our History is a sweet, quick read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys second chance romance and childhood best friend tropes, as well as books involving academia, characters who were homeschooled, and summer camp.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A quick and cozy read. Honestly requested this book, because I loved the names Teddy and Clara. Friends to lovers trope and second chance romance/friendship tropes. It had dual timeline going on through the book which I’m honestly not always a fan of, I get annoyed waiting to find what happened between the characters but I think Kristyn Miller did a good job with this style. The book could be slow at times and there is a lot of miscommunication coming from Clara which made me what to slap her at times. Overall I enjoyed this book and I’m giving it 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins press for this ARC!

Romance, college campuses, and so much more. This book definitely delivered and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this one early! Recommending it :)

Given Our History gives multiple dimensions to history: the subject in school, the past experiences you have with a person, and generational history you may or may not try to repeat. It's a romance story of two history professors who used to be friends, but fell apart. And retells their history as they decide if they want a future.

As a historian, I wanted a lot more historical depth. But it is a romance after all, so I didn't begrudge it too much. I did find the rest of the book a little underwhelming, despite how much I wanted to love it for the subject. It went very slow, the tension was very tame, and the final thing that made them grow apart was very anticlimactic. Maybe a bit realistic, but not exciting to read about. I did finish it in the end, but just barely.

I did like the characters, especially the little sister. And the jumps from camp and homeschooling life back to present did a good job sharing their back story a little at a time to keep progressing. And it had the perfect amount of spice in my opinion.

Overall, I'd give it 3/5 stars.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital advanced reader copy.

Good, slow read. This is one of those storylines that jumps timelines, not a favorite of mine. Teddy and Clara, are slow and steady,but have their moments. A good beach read.

I have beef with this cover - why is his head turned like that? Anyways, a sweet romcom with second chance which is one of my favorite tropes! I wasn’t blown away by it and it didn’t seem like anything deep but it was entertaining enough!

Parts of this book made me giggle from the nostalgia of growing up during the same era as the characters.

Being in education, social studies (history) education, the same as the main characters, really helped me to connect with them as well. I understood the love of historical places, the reading of books that others might find boring, and the unending amount of research that goes into it on the academic side.

I’m not normally a fan of second chance romances or friends to lovers. However, I found myself wanting to know why they fell out and if it was fixable since they seem to be perfect for each other.

* Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Adore second chance romance tales, like this one, with relatable MCs whose slow burn makes me swoon! Such fun!

Review to come.

Love the cover✔️
Interesting description ✔️
New Author to me ✔️

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC ❤️

*3.5 stars rounded up* Thank you NetGalley and Kristyn J. Miller for a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Given Our History is your pretty standard cozy second chance romance/friends to lovers story. Every other chapter (mostly) was flashbacks throughout the couple's history as best friends to a short FWB stint, to falling out and ultimately reuniting as college professors at the same school. I enjoyed learning about their story and thought that was done very well. The MMC was sweet. The FMC was pretty hard to like, so her sister Reagan was a breath of fresh air. I didn't feel particularly connected to the characters and thought the story could have used a bit more drama. That being said, I did appreciate that the author did not use a miscommunication trope after the couple reunites - that is the WORST part of reading some second chance romances. I was glad to see that their characters developed enough to know better than to not properly communicate as adults. Some of the career subplot of the FMC's story was a little too drawn out and repetitive. Romantically, it was a cute story and some really great romantic writing within the MMC's dialogue. If you like a sweet second chance romance, I'd recommend this.

Clara and Teddy, two homeschooling prodigies, form a deep bond at camp which evolves into a childhood friendship. However, their connection is tested when Teddy pursues early college admission.

This engaging dual timeline story of childhood friends reclaiming lost time captivated me from the start. The homeschooling aspect added depth to their relationship, and the rekindling of their chemistry after nine years apart felt palpable. A solid 4-star read!

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC. My review reflects my honest opinions.

Clara is a driven lady who wants to share her passion for History with those around her. She has been so focused on her passions and work that she hasn't dedicated anytime her love life.

This second chance romance is a perfect fall read with its setting in academia and seasonal imagery. Reading this book is like being wrapped in a soft blanket on a cool autumn day – warm and cozy, and feeling perfectly content to stay right there enjoying the story. It is well-written, with genuinely likeable characters and a believable plot.

The novel is a conventional telling of the “right person, wrong timing” of Clara and Teddy, who become friends as awkward teenagers, and have the ups and downs of their relationship rolled out through flashback chapters skillfully mixed with present day narrative. This is a story that savors the journey as much as the destination and each step of their relationship feels real. And I loved Clara and Teddy, individually and as a couple. [I wish this story had been a dual POV because Teddy is so quiet and thoughtful that I would have loved to have more of a peek inside his head].

I really enjoyed reading this feel-good romance and I thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Kristyn J. Miller for the advanced copy of this book.

The fall setting in this book is PERFECT. I really enjoyed Clara and Teddy's story as this is my first book form Kristyn. I would definitely pick up another title by her.

Not my typical read... but it was an ARC that sounded like I'd like it. This story had SO much potential, but my goodness it was bogged down with too much wordiness. If there was a way to streamline the story a bit, it would at least 4 stars. The author wrote a wonderful story, it just spent too much time in the details that didn't add to the story.

It's the classic tale of right person, wrong timing.

Clara and Teddy are childhood friends. Theirs was a friendship that kept teetering on going beyond friends BUT the timing was never right. They were always physically worlds apart and bogged down with so many responsibilities that they couldn't be together. Their friendship eventually goes its separate ways with words left unsaid... UNTIL they are both working at the same university and sharing the same office and they FINALLY have to hash out those feelings once more. But what happens when Teddy's temporary status is up, and if Clara get tenure?! It seems timing is always against them...

***disclaimer this is an open door romance but its not the central point of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley for approving this early read of this book, the opinions are my own.

This book is written very well! I marveled at the descriptions and admired the way they're put together. That said, the romance didn't quite ignite for me. I felt like the two leads lacked chemistry or maybe I just didn't connect to either one. The whole thing felt a little bland. My rating is 3.5, but I rounded up because, again, I found the writing strong, which is what kept me turning the pages. If this wasn't alerted for me via a Net Galley email, I probably wouldn't have read it.