My Oxford Year: A Novel

The further I got into this book the more I loved it. It had more depth than the title or beginning Les me to believe.
It’s beautifully written and well narrated, and it kept me engaged as it deepened. Well done, Julia.
PS I think it deserves a better title that reflects more of its depth

The name of the author/narrator caught my attention as someone I was familiar with from another narration. The early scenes of the story caught my interest for the character descriptions and attitudes. Definitely a page turner for me. Well done!

This felt like two different books at the same time, but I loved both of those books and raced to the end… Even though I didn’t want it to be over with.

I loved the first half of this book. Great storyline. Lovable characters. Well written, and well narrated. The plot twist in the middle of the book triggered me and so unfortunately I dnf.

Enjoyable and a great storyline. It was a sweet read but took me a while to finish.

Julia Whelan's performance is as multihued as this beautiful romance. Carried me with it easily and delighted me. What a talent.

I really wanted you like this book, the narrator is one of my favorites, I literally crave her voice reading stories. This book is on par with a Netflix movie that isn't terrible, but that you would skip if you could go back in time and would recommend not reading, if anyone asked. It is strictly a romance, there is no thriller aspect, I got fooled by the description of a secret revealed. It's not thought-provoking or engaging. It's not terrible is the best recommendation I can give it.

Entertaining, realistic and touching … a good and enjoyable read.

Great.. good romance to entrega in, light reading! Highly recommended

That was a ride. Enjoyed it from start to finish!

A perfect love story. The story and presentation is very smooth and also looks very realistic without depending of fantasy.

Ella was quite frustrating in her lack of self awareness and the pacing of the romance and relationship felt off.. not sure when the love happened and the transitions were jarring. I loved Julia Whelan's narration as always and that helped me get through the book.

It was an amazing book! Really made me put things in perspective.

I don’t know what I expected when I agreed to read this book but I can tell you I got something I didn’t expect. I thought I’d be reading more of a coming of age tale but at least in my opinion what I read was a romance.Ella is a young woman who has had her life planned since she was 13 – she would work hard, get good grades and get a Rhodes Scholarship. Why? An article she read at that impressionable age gave her a glimpse of Oxford and she never forgot it.Ella is a young woman of high intelligence and is very driven in her chosen field of education policy. As she is entering England for her year abroad she receives a call that can change her career path; to work on the campaign for a woman running for President. She does not want to give up her Rhodes so they work a way for her to consult remotely with a commitment for her to fully join the team at the end of her term.As she explores her new living situation and meets friends Ella also engages with a professor. Their initial meeting is very antagonistic but sparks fly and soon they dating without strings. But then something happens to change the course of both of their lives.I’m not going to spoil plot points – you know that by now. I will note that I enjoyed reading My Oxford Year. I will also note that it was not a really deep read. I actually read it waiting for a flight and then on the flight from Kansas City to Salt Lake. It didn’t take long; it read very quickly. It made for a great airport/plane book, if truth be told. That being written it just didn’t leave me with any lasting impact. I read it, I enjoyed it and I promptly forgot about it as I turned to my next book.The characters are likable, the plot has a couple of twists but nothing earth shattering. It was just a good, quick, easy read.

This was such a delightful audiobook! Julia wrote and narrated this and it was magical. Just sheer bliss from start to finish.

I loved it! It was emotional but I finished it within a day

touching, remarkable writing and audio. i didn't imagine intellect this sexy.

Best story I’ve read in years reminds me so much of the movie love story so appropriate for the time was just great

This book was everything. The characters felt like real people that I knew and appreciated. I listened to the whole book in two days and then immediately listened to it again the following day. It was just as amazing the second time around.

It’s a book that makes you think about life while giving you laughs and tears along the way. It’s the best book I’ve read (or listened to!) in years. Highly, highly recommend!!

I listened to this book and the narration is SO GOOD! Indeed, it is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes’ ME BEFORE YOU, even though it’s a slightly different plot. I absolutely loved Jamie and really, all the characters in the book are lovable.

The references to literature were probably my favorite thing about this book — now I’m so intrigued to read books like MIDDLEMARCH. ALSO, the language in the dialogue, especially when Jamie speaks is just such beautiful usage of the English language. I couldn’t stop listening to this.

The only thing I wish is that Ella’s mother’s character was a bit more nuanced. Otherwise, a sweet, lighthearted and compulsively readable novel!

Beautiful story. Well written - loved everything about it. Perfect.

I spent the first half of this book thinking that I was DEFINITELY going to give this book one of my rare five stars....and then the last half kicked in. :(

Even though there was a happy ending, I'm still left feeling very heavy and depressed. Definite trigger warning for anyone who's had to watch a loved one struggle with a terminal illness. Several aspects just hit way too close to home, for me.

Otherwise, I want Julia Whelan to just continue to write and narrate ALLLLLL the books.

Julia Whelan did a beautiful job narrating this book. The literary references and quotes were fitting and fun. The writing was wonderful however, you must know that this isn't a fun romance. I wish they had mentioned in the description that one of the main characters gets cancer and 1/2 of the book is written like a fun sexually tense build-up to a relationship and then the second 1/2 is a plunge into the heart wrenching, depressing reality of possibly losing someone you love, cancer treatment, and how it emotionally guts everyone close to the person who has it as they struggle to fight for their life. I was disappointed that this was "one of those books" with no hint or warning that it was about a cancer experience and ride so I'm putting it out there for the next reader. It wraps up without knowing whether the person overcame cancer either so that was another disappointment. I personally wish this book was written without throwing in cancer at all. If it stayed with the tone and theme of the first 1/2 I would have bought this book for my permanent library.

This is a 10 Star audiobook! Engaging characters with intelligent and witty dialogue. Every word is meaningful to progressing the story. I laughed out loud, I cried hysterically. It’s a rare find- this amazing story so phenomenally performed. Listen now, and thank me later!

Loved it! What a stellar first novel. The cream of the ‘chick lit’ crop. It never once lost my attention with details or pointless bunny trails to just add time.
And this is certainly a book I would come back to at some point!

Julia Whelan is a great audiobook narrator. I've listened to several books she's narrated, and I always enjoy them. Her debut novel is immensely compelling and heartwarming. I definitely felt like I was transported to Oxford. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

There were several good points that had me thinking. Like the debate of Why, as well as being good at something doesn't make it your passion. The love /relationship was pretty standard, but the subtle messages were thought provoking.

Best book I ever listened to! Highly recommended! Read it.

Loved this book! Julia Whelan is amazing author and narrator.

Whelan reads like a pro narrator, not just the author.