3.5 rounded down.

For some reason, I found the beginning to be very slow. Slow to the point where I had to set it aside for a while before binging the rest in one night. Second-chance romances are sort of touch-and-go sometimes, but I thought this one was well-written. I liked how we had flashes of how they first met and continued to grow up with their friendship tied in through the present.

The problem I had was with Teddy. I think I would have liked more of a declaration from him that he was here for her and that she was his priority, etc. I'm not sure why, but it felt like she was going through everything and dredging up memories herself and he was just there. It wasn't until the last quarter or so that he seemed to be pursuing her; otherwise, he was just a character she happened to have a history with.

thank you Netgalley for the free arc

I was given a digital copy of this book as a bookseller in exchange for an honest review.

Given Our History was such a cute, lighthearted read. It follows Professor Clara Fernsby while she navigates getting tenure in spite of an estranged best friend-turned-colleague, Teddy Harrison. I thought their dynamic was cute, specifically seeing the gradation of their relationship from when they were at camp as young kids to work friends. I had trouble connecting with the main characters at times, specifically Clara. Raegan, her sister, also seemed like a somewhat lacking character and I wish there was even more to her other than “younger sister who makes comments about older sister’s relationships”. I loved Teddy and Clara’s friendship most of all, specifically when they begin sending mail to each other (the mixed CDs!!!) and felt most attached to the story then. The time jumps were perfectly executed, and it gave me a very Emily Henry-esque vibe! Clara’s relationship to her parents felt like such a heavy part of her trauma, especially regarding the ending, yet I felt like I was missing pieces surrounding her and her parents The end felt a smidge rushed, but I could see how it worked plotwise with Clara’s struggling feelings; I just wished that readers gained more insight to those thoughts earlier on. Otherwise, I thought this was a quick and enjoyable romcom that was a fabulous friends to lovers story!

Clara and Teddy are two gifted, home-schooled children who meet at camp. Their best friend connection grows as they attend each year until Teddy opts for early admission to college.

This is a good second chance, dual timeline, childhood friends-to-lovers story. It grabbed me from the beginning. I believed the homeschooling added interest and really enhanced their friendship. The chemistry between the two adults after not speaking for 9 years was tangible. 4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin's Griffin for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was very fascinated by the details on home schooling provided in this book. Both MCs were homeschooled fr their reasons, and they met at a camp many homeschooled children attended. I've never questioned exactly how the homeschooling system works or how the upbringing of these students is different from the rest of us. I absolutely loved the insights it gave me in that perspective, showing the ups and downs Clara had to go through.

Not a fan of how the second half of the story progressed and I was kinda detached from the characters.

In support of the SMP boycott, I will be withholding my review of this title until SMP speaks out. If the boycott is resolved, I will update with a full review.

4.5 stars rounded down. This worked so well for me. It has two tropes I absolutely love! A dual timeline second chance romance and an academia setting.

I’ve read many of the dual timeline childhood friends to lovers. So many are summer romances and while I love those, I really enjoyed the different circumstances of this long distance friendship. Their progression and fallout felt really organic, as did their reunion.

I also enjoyed Clara’s relationship with her younger sister. A large age gap in siblings always fascinates me and I like that this book spends time on this relationship as well as the romance. I look forward to reading more of Kristyn’s work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this book was very well done with a focus on the relationships we build throughout life. A very genuine romantic relationship is being built as the main plot. In addition to this romantic relationship, we get to see insight into how familial and platonic relationships evolve as we do. Honestly, that is what’s sold me to this book as a 5-star book.

Kristyn J. Miller could have told this story as just a romance and had extraneous characters to add some flair, but instead every character that has impact on Clara is given a depth that makes them feel more real to us. We see Clara build some relationships, and learn how much effort it can take to build and maintain this relationships. These are components that, I think, build a better story overall.

Fave quote:
“Falling in love was like falling asleep on a long drive: you let yourself get comfortable and then suddenly you wake up and you're already there. Falling out of love, in contrast, was like a car crash: you slam on the brakes, but you don't just stop, because the momentum is still there.”

Tropes:
Friends to lovers, second chance romance, first love

Definitely worth a read if you enjoy non-linear story plot, focus on relationships, seeing young love play out with adults.

I will go ahead and round up to four stars on this book. It was a cute read. It was a fast read. Most notably this was a very predictable story. It checked all the boxes of making a good romantic comedy, including interesting, engaging characters. If you wanted to cozy up under a blanket with a feel good story this might be the book for you
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review

I could not put this book down. I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance. This on delivered. I love the dual timelines. The only thing that kept me from giving this 5 starts was that I found Clara to be her own worst enemy and I wanted her just just tell Teddy how she felt and the reason that she didn’t was annoying to me. Overall I loved this!

Given Our History was such a cozy read and I really enjoyed it. Second chance romances are my go to and this book hit all the right spots. I also loved how nostalgic it made me feel. I do wish it were angstier.

This is definitely a slow burn friends to lovers romance. I think for the most part it was pretty obvious how it would end, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy the journey. This is the perfect millennial cozy read.

I really liked that the book skipped around to different time periods so that we could really get to know the characters and why it took so long for them to finally get together. And any book that references to MySpace, My Chemical Romance and Sylvia Plath is right up my alley!

I think this is the perfect book to grab on a rainy day, grab a blanket and coffee and finish in one setting.

This was sweet! I liked the characters, I enjoyed the academia setting, and it was a solid story. It was a really easy read and I liked the way the book was structured - the alternating between past and present moved the story along well and gave a great insight into how everything tied together. I definitely want to read more from this author. Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC!

"...love is the hard road. The person you're meant to be with is whoever you choose to be with. And you'll have to fight for it and make sacrifices for it every step of the way. You just have to choose someone who's worth all that trouble, and then you'll have to keep on choosing them, every day."

This book felt like a hug.

I had been thinking just a few weeks ago that to be such a popular trope, best friends to lovers isn't often well-executed. Maybe I've simply selected the wrong ones, but generally they feel forced. They often involve so much angst that I'm transported back to mid-2000s MySpace, or one (or more) of the characters suddenly acting wildly different than they have the rest of the novel.

But Teddy and Clara's characters were consistent throughout the narrative. Yes, they matured and their priorities shifted, but their core personalities remained. Both were lovely, well-developed characters—they felt like real people, and that's not a compliment I throw out lightly or often.

Miller sprinkles incredible details throughout, building rich scenes that never feel forced or veer too far into purple prose. I'm surprised that this is the first I'm hearing of her. I plan on reading her other novel, Seven Rules for Breaking Hearts, immediately!

I really enjoyed this book! It is the slowest of slow-burns, but it was so sweet that it worked in its favor. The characters are all so likable, especially Teddy, and I’m a sucker for a well-done academic setting. Overall, I would definitely recommend it!

The only two things I wasn’t fond of: I found it completely unrealistic that a 31 year-old with a bubbly personality has almost 0 friends or acquaintances throughout their life because they are too focused on school and work. The other thing is just personal preference in that I am never a big fan of when chapters jump between different times in the character’s life/timelines.

Overall, definitely read it! Some good spice, too! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all the cover is beautiful! I loved this book so much! The romance was so sweet and I could not put this book down!

This was a very quick and easy read for me which is always nice. I love when books have both present and past chapters so yay. But I do wish there was more tension throughout the book, as I love tension in the books I read.

Given Our History was a fun and cute book. Teddy and Clara are such a believable couple and I enjoyed how the book was woven between present day and the past. The flashbacks were also so fun with references to the technology and pop culture of the late 2000’s. Friends to lovers has always been a favorite of mine, and this one was done really well. You could feel the angst in their relationship while rooting for them to get together. This RomCom would be perfect in the fall! Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this one!

Maybe I'm just a sucker for books and professors and friends-to-lovers, but I absolutely loved this book. Clara and Teddy are both book-ish adolescents who meet at summer camp. This story is their coming of age, the brokenness of their rift, and it raises the question of whether there is a happily ever after for them. It is also a strong story about Clara and her ability to grow through struggle and release the past. This one tugged at my heartstrings in the best of ways!

i loved this book! it was the perfect friends to lovers, second chance romance, with dual timelines. clara was such a relatable character and i loved getting to witness her falling in love with teddy.

thank you to st. martin's press and netgalley for the arc!

"Given Our History" by Kristyn J. Miller captivates with a tale that delves deep into the heart of second chances, threading through the complexities of a past love rekindled amidst the intellectual pursuit of academia. My journey through its pages was one marked by a blend of emotions, as Miller skillfully navigates the intertwined lives of Clara Fernsby and Theodore Harrison, whose paths cross once more in the least expected of settings—a college campus where history is not just taught but lived.

The novel's dual timeline narrative is a bold storytelling choice, offering a window into Clara and Teddy's shared past at a summer camp and their present-day encounters as academics. This structure, while ambitious, serves as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it enriches the narrative, providing a layered exploration of the characters' development and the depth of their connection. On the other, it occasionally disrupts the pacing, leaving me longing for a smoother transition between the past and present.

What truly sets "Given Our History" apart is its academic backdrop, which resonates deeply with me. Miller's portrayal of the passionate pursuit of tenure and the collaborative essence of academic projects offers a refreshing and intellectually stimulating setting for a romance. The theme of history—both personal and scholarly—plays a pivotal role, reminding us that our pasts shape our presents in indelible ways.

However, the chemistry between Clara and Teddy, while evident, sometimes felt overshadowed by the weight of their history. I found myself craving more moments that showcased the spark of their reconnection, seeking that palpable tension and emotional intimacy that typically anchors a romance.

Despite these critiques, "Given Our History" is a heartfelt ode to the complexities of rekindling a love that was never truly lost. Miller's exploration of friendship, love, and the choices that define us speaks volumes, offering a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. The novel might not have fully satisfied my craving for a more dynamic romantic chemistry, but it succeeded in weaving a tale that is both intelligent and emotionally resonant.

In the end, "Given Our History" earns a solid four stars from me. It's a story that combines the richness of academic life with the intricacies of human relationships, wrapped in the nostalgia of past loves and the hope of second chances. A recommended read for those who appreciate romance that not only tugs at the heartstrings but also provokes thought and reflection.