2 min read

4 STARS

I went into this book completely blind. I didn’t even read the blurb. Someone on Facebook stated this novel was on sale for $1.99 so I brought it. Nothing more, nothing less.

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan had been sitting on my kindle for about 8 months or so before opened it up. I wish I would have read it sooner.

I’m going to keep this one pretty, pretty.

First, let’s hear from the author. . .

Synopsis

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.

When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret.

Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.

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How sensitive are you?

Do you cry easily?

You really need to ask yourself those questions before you sit down with My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan. If your answer is yes and yes, you may want to have your tissue box ready. She hit it out of the park with her debut novel about Ella, a 24 year old American student who travels abroad to study at Oxford University after receiving a Rhodes Scholarship.

Let me tell you, English literature never looked so good to me as it did reading this novel.

Jamie is Ella’s sexy as sin English Lit instructor who knows how to string the most beautiful words together that will have you questioning why no one says things like that to you. I was really questioning my husbands lack of sweet words compared to Jamie’s – he hates it when I ask him to treat me like my book boyfriends. Did I mention that Jamie Davenport is my new book boyfriend?!

“Reading poetry is a conversation of feeling between two people. It shouldn’t answer anything, it should only create more questions like any good conversation.” – Jamie

Ella is a smart and capable young woman who is driven to succeed at the expense of experiencing life. She has no true desire to create deep connections with anyone. While Jamie desires to feel as many things as he can but only on his terms. Their life paths couldn’t be more different. On paper, they were a train wreck which makes for a great novel.

What happens when things start getting real? What happens when a curveball is thrown into your carefully laid plans? You have to figure out what you want your future to look like. Jamie and Ella have to make choices that will change their lives forever. For someone as structured and goal oriented as Ella those are questions she may not be ready to answer. Yet, Ella has to choose her own path, whatever that may be.

Told from Ella’s POV, we follow along an emotional rollercoaster that proves loving someone may or may not be a good thing.

“You’re going to have to leave me first. Choose to stay with me, and I’ll choose to say with you.”- Ella

This book is a great example of learning to let yourself be okay with whatever choice you make and going for what you want. It teaches us to give ourselves permission to live the way we want. Whether it’s with or without boundaries.

Being called upon to do something because you’re good at it is not the same thing as having a calling. – Ella

Let’s get to the two most important questions. . .

Do I recommend this book? Yes! Read it! If you don’t like it you can blame me. 

Will I read another book by this author? I will. As this was her debut novel, I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.

I told you I wasn’t going to get messy.

Oh, I almost forgot – My Oxford Year is going to be a MOVIE! I’ll be honest and tell you that have no plans on running to the theater to see it though. It’s more of a Netflix and chill kind of movie to me. My all time favorite  book boyfriend, Jamie Fraser, is supposed to play Jamie Davenport. Yes, I know his real name is Sam Heughan but to me he’ll always be James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser.

TTYL lovers!

Remember to follow all things messy. . .

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