A review by samanthasreadinglist
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“I came to Oxford for a once-in-a-lifetime experience; instead, I’m experiencing a lifetime.”

This book was very well done. At points, I had to stop reading because I was too distraught to continue, and what a joy it is to feel that way, all from words on a page. This book made me laugh, sad, happy, and reflect—I loved it. 

I enjoyed Jamie and Ella and their adventures together. I loved Jamie as a character and thought he perfectly captured the British man's arrogance you can’t help but love. Ella was so complicated, and the cards she was dealt weren’t always the best, but she always persisted. The two of them together were dynamic: everything. 

I loved the cast of characters and the good times they all experienced. This book was real and raw, depicting life: sad bits and all.

Julia Whelan, as usual, has perfectly executed the narration, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

I’m just going to scream about their first kiss being off-page and then waking up the next morning to tell us about it—WE WERE ROBBED!