My Oxford Year

Immerse yourself in the enchanting cobblestone streets and storied spires of Oxford with Ella Durran, a fiercely ambitious American Rhodes Scholar who’s dreamed of this moment since she was thirteen. Fresh off the plane and juggling a once-in-a-lifetime political opportunity back in Washington, D.C., Ella’s meticulously planned Oxford year takes an unexpected turn when a sharp-tongued local named Jamie Davenport crashes into her life—quite literally—ruining her shirt and her first-day composure. What begins as a clash of wills soon spirals into a connection neither anticipated, set against a backdrop of late-night pub talks, poetry-filled lectures, and the intoxicating magic of a city steeped in history.

As Ella navigates the whirlwind of her new reality, she discovers Jamie is far more than the charming professor teaching her English literature class. Their bond deepens with every shared laugh and stolen moment, weaving a romance that feels both inevitable and fragile. But when a life-altering secret surfaces, Ella’s carefully mapped future fractures, forcing her to confront a choice that pits her lifelong political aspirations against a love that defies logic and time. The novel masterfully captures the ache of impossible decisions—the kind that linger in your chest long after the last page.

Julia Whelan paints Oxford not just as a setting but as a living, breathing character: the musty bookshops, the clatter of cutlery in cozy pubs, the weight of centuries-old traditions. Through Ella’s eyes, you’ll feel the crisp English air, taste the bittersweetness of fish and chips, and lose yourself in the quiet intensity of a place where every corner whispers stories. Whelan’s own Oxford experience infuses the narrative with authenticity, making the city’s beauty and contradictions palpable without a single cliché.

This isn’t just a love story—it’s a meditation on what truly matters when life veers off course. Ella’s journey grapples with ambition, sacrifice, and the quiet courage it takes to rewrite your dreams. Whelan balances heart-wrenching vulnerability with razor-sharp wit, crafting characters so real you’ll miss them like old friends. The prose sings with emotional honesty, exploring how love demands we embrace uncertainty while holding tight to what gives us meaning.

Perfect for readers who crave depth alongside romance, My Oxford Year lingers in the space between joy and sorrow, reminding us that the most transformative adventures often begin when plans fall apart. It’s a tribute to the messy, glorious act of choosing yourself—and someone else—when the world gives you no easy answers.