Author: Julia Whelan
Format: ARC
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publish Date: April 24, 2018
Source: TLC Book Tours and HarperCollins
What's the Story?:
From Goodreads.com: "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."
My Two Cents:
"My Oxford Year" is a great story about ambition and romance. Ella has always been ambitious and she has dreamt of becoming a Rhodes scholar and going to the storied Oxford University for years and years. Now she finally finds herself there only to have another opportunity at home that could set her on a fast track to become one of the top picks to run political campaigns. Ella wants it all and she thinks she can handle it. Can she chase both dreams and a romance on top of it all?
I was drawn to this book because I love books about strong characters, especially strong female characters. Ella definitely fits into this category. Whip smart, she is super sure of herself and is never afraid to take the biggest leaps in life. I really liked seeing how she handles both a great program at Oxford and a political campaign. It's not always pretty but she works so hard! She would be annoying if she weren't so darn likeable. I was rooting for her throughout the book!
Oh, and I have to mention the romance. Ella bumps into Jamie and has an utterly embarrassing first encounter where they both seem to dislike each other but it is just well-disguised chemistry. It's not the most original story line ever but the author does a great job of making it fresh and giving the reader butterflies! I know I had them throughout the book.
I really enjoyed this one! It was a fun read!
Butterflies are definitely fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour!