Scan barcode
aschmitttyy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I enjoy Julia Whelan as a narrator and I was hoping to love her as an author, but this book wasn't it for me. It felt like it romanticized the cancer plot line, and there wasn't much to the story outside of the romance. Another ambitious woman who falls for/gives up her dreams for a man.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Vomit
gwenswoons's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s beautiful — the writing and characters are lovely, and the English academic setting is vivid painted and lovingly rendered. It is definitely not my favorite type of romance novel: so unbelievably dark with the terminal diagnosis thread running throughout, HEA notwithstanding; so I am definitely NOT likely to try the comps of Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks that the blurb mentions. But if a more heart-wrenchy romance is for you it’s a good one! For me when I read romance I just truly want something that feels more constant in the hopefulness and okayness (even though I love contemporary romance that has complicated MCs, realistic backstories, et al!). Definitely glad I read this and will read other Julia Whelan — Thanks For Listening was one of my faves when I first was getting into the genre so I will totally look forward to her lighter stuff (and like, that one even has some major trauma in the female MC’s backstory, but it wasn’t so deep in the weeds depressing for as big a chunk as this one). Obviously the audio narration for both novels (by Whelan) is totally gorgeous and perfect!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kimveach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators, and I also like her writing. The beginning of the book seemed like a typical romance, but it had so much more than that. It was a delightful "listen."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying and Car accident
mikori's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Vomit
katharina90's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
A romance more along the lines of "Me Before You" than the lighthearted rom-com I expected.
It was entertaining and at different times funny, sad and reflective but I felt it lacked a bit of depth overall and the ending didn't satisfy.
It was entertaining and at different times funny, sad and reflective but I felt it lacked a bit of depth overall and the ending didn't satisfy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
edhyndman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Sexual content
amiefw's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, and Grief
theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’m so, so sad to say that this book bummed me out!
After reading (and adoring) Thank You for Listening, I picked this up with excitement, wanting to delve into the author's work even more. However, where TYFL brought immense amounts of joy and hope, My Oxford Year was really quite sad and frustrating.
The beginning was really enjoyable! I loved Ella's somewhat chaotic introduction to Oxford and the lifestyle there. Her rag-tag group of friends was fantastic and even the start of her "relationship" with Jamie was filled with humor, awkward moments, and sweetness. Around the halfway point, however, everything took a depressing nosedive.
Jamie’s illness was so miserable, but also felt forced, uncomfortable, and handled somewhat terribly. While I would've anticipated for Ella to be angry about him not telling her sooner, the initial reaction was awful and from there on out, I felt a heaviness to the entire story. There were all of the issues with his father, the really icky feeling of never knowing if he would live or not, and then finally, a very open ending. I’m sure this was meant to provide hope for the reader so they can make the assumption that there was a HEA, but I would’ve just preferred an on-paper HEA rather than one I had to make up for myself.
It all left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. What could have been a really creative and cute romcom turned into something melancholy and heavy. I walked away from it feeling drained rather than refreshed, which is not what I prefer after reading this kind of book. Definitely not my ideal style, unfortunately.
After reading (and adoring) Thank You for Listening, I picked this up with excitement, wanting to delve into the author's work even more. However, where TYFL brought immense amounts of joy and hope, My Oxford Year was really quite sad and frustrating.
The beginning was really enjoyable! I loved Ella's somewhat chaotic introduction to Oxford and the lifestyle there. Her rag-tag group of friends was fantastic and even the start of her "relationship" with Jamie was filled with humor, awkward moments, and sweetness. Around the halfway point, however, everything took a depressing nosedive.
It all left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. What could have been a really creative and cute romcom turned into something melancholy and heavy. I walked away from it feeling drained rather than refreshed, which is not what I prefer after reading this kind of book. Definitely not my ideal style, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Classism
Minor: Sexual content and Car accident
spicycheesecake's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
good shit, GOOD SHIT
This was one of the main books I wanted to read for my romance novel arc, I'm really glad I was able to make time for it
A little disclaimer though:
I think one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book a lot more than the average StoryGraph user is because I hold some of the themes & settings to a personal level. I'm literally in love with a man who graduated from Oxford, and uses all the cute British lingo like "cheers" (god, I love that). Academia is a huge part of my life, and is a big reason as to why I liked this book (same goes for The Love Hypothesis -- would totally recommend that book too).
Ella and Jamie are absolutely great characters. I loved their dynamic, they had an adorable relationship. However, midway through the book, I did find that their feelings were hard to understand. It seemed to me that Ella claimed to feel one way, but then she acted and talked like she felt the opposite way. I don't know if it's because the writing was hard to keep up with, or if I just didn't fully understand Ella's character. I'm just going to assume the latter.
Confusion aside, the rest of this book was glorious. Can I also say, hello? Oxford? Perfect setting for studious people. I absolutely LOVED hearing about Ella's experiences at Oxford and her time in the UK. I'm jealous.
The ending surprised me.
With all the buildup, I kind of expected that Jamie would die in the hospital, after getting pneumonia. I was completely wrong. I was in a big crying mood while I read this book, so as sick and twisted as this sounds, I was a little disappointed that Jamie didn't die. Though part of me is super relieved that Ella and JD are living out their perfect little lives. God, I love them.
This was one of the main books I wanted to read for my romance novel arc, I'm really glad I was able to make time for it
A little disclaimer though:
I think one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book a lot more than the average StoryGraph user is because I hold some of the themes & settings to a personal level. I'm literally in love with a man who graduated from Oxford, and uses all the cute British lingo like "cheers" (god, I love that). Academia is a huge part of my life, and is a big reason as to why I liked this book (same goes for The Love Hypothesis -- would totally recommend that book too).
Ella and Jamie are absolutely great characters. I loved their dynamic, they had an adorable relationship. However, midway through the book, I did find that their feelings were hard to understand. It seemed to me that Ella claimed to feel one way, but then she acted and talked like she felt the opposite way. I don't know if it's because the writing was hard to keep up with, or if I just didn't fully understand Ella's character. I'm just going to assume the latter.
Confusion aside, the rest of this book was glorious. Can I also say, hello? Oxford? Perfect setting for studious people. I absolutely LOVED hearing about Ella's experiences at Oxford and her time in the UK. I'm jealous.
The ending surprised me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent