Kristin, a member of the library's Relief team, recently enjoyed My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan, which she describes as "a sweet debut novel of self-discovery and first love."

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan is a sweet debut novel of self-discovery and first love, set within the breathtaking beauty of Oxford! In this story, we meet Ella Duran who is a busy, determined young woman. After dreaming of studying at Oxford since she was a little girl, she is finally accepted after being awarded the prestigious Rhodes scholarship. In addition to her challenging academic endeavor, she also has a career back in America. This means she will be working remotely and flying back to D.C. the second her year in Oxford ends. Ella is a woman on a mission and is perfectly organized until she meets Jamie Davenport who just so happens to be her charismatic professor!  Within no time at all her friendship with him turns into something much more, as she finds herself falling directly into a totally unexpected whirlwind relationship with a man she just met. Surprisingly, this captivating literature professor is keeping a secret from her which will soon turn her whole world upside down and could change all the plans she had laid out for the future. The writing skills of this new author has given us a magnificent story that describes historic Oxford, in rich imagery. The highly descriptive sensory details within these pages give readers the chance to basically smell the air and see the architecture for themselves through words! In addition, she has also crafted a heartbreaking and life-affirming tribute to the adoration we show for others, and the choices we face in life. We all have the right to choose our own love and to have an open-hearted approach to living in this world. The important messages that the author weaves into the story will linger with you long after the last page is turned, which may remind some readers of Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. In the end, this is a debut novel that will most definitely be well received, as it brings a classic setting vividly to life while introducing us to a young woman trying to achieve greatness in her professional life while trying to figure out what true love means in this modern era.

To reserve this title, contact your library branch or place a hold online here