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A review by spicycheesecake
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
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