My Oxford Year
by Julia Whelan
Summary
Set amidst the breathtaking beauty of Oxford, this sparkling debut novel tells the unforgettable story about a determined young woman eager to make her mark in the world and the handsome man who introduces her to an incredible love that will irrevocably alter her future—perfect for fans of JoJo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks.
American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.
When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding, and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret.
Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither is truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.
My Review
I love Julia Whelan! I’ve been a huge fan of her as an audiobook narrator for years. In fact, she was the very first narrator I ever listened to, and she completely changed how I experienced books. Her voice pulled me in, and I instantly fell in love with audiobooks as a format. For that, she will always hold a special place in my bookish heart. She is incredibly talented, so when I found out she also wrote books, I knew I had to check them out. I decided to start with My Oxford Year because I was also excited to see how the movie adaptation would compare.
Naturally, I chose to listen to the audiobook version, narrated by Julia herself. Unsurprisingly, she was excellent. Her delivery, accents, and character voices were all spot-on, and her performance added a lot of depth to the story. The writing itself was lovely, with vivid and detailed descriptions that helped me picture every scene. I especially appreciated the British slang and humor throughout the book, which gave it a lot of charm. And I always love a clean, closed-door romance, so the minimal language and lack of explicit spicy scenes were a plus for me.
What I loved most was the setting. Being transported to Oxford felt like taking a little getaway across the pond. The way Julia wrote about the city made it feel real and tangible, and you can tell she’s spent time there. Her knowledge of the geography and culture came through in the details. This would be such a cozy book to read during the fall, especially for back-to-school season.
That said, the story itself did not quite meet my expectations. While it had a promising start, it quickly turned into a pretty standard romance. I was hoping for more focus on Emma’s academic experience and her personal journey abroad, but that took a backseat. Most of the plot felt predictable and a little bland. I kept waiting for more sparks between the characters, more memorable moments, more excitement. The pacing only picked up for me around the 60% mark, and while the final third of the book was stronger, it still did not leave a lasting impression.
It’s also important to note that this is not a romantic comedy, even if it’s sometimes marketed that way. It leans more into romantic drama, with a pretty emotional twist halfway through the book that changes the tone. Themes of grief, loss, and death take center stage in the second half, and while they were handled thoughtfully, I was not prepared for that shift.
Now onto the movie adaptation. Unfortunately, it was even more disappointing than the book. If I had to give it a rating, it would be a 2 out of 5. So many things were changed, and not in ways that improved the story. The main character’s name was changed from Emma to Anna, and instead of being from Ohio, she’s now from New York. Yet all the other characters kept their names, which made the changes feel random and unnecessary. The film also tried to modernize or diversify certain aspects in ways that felt more like a checklist than organic storytelling.
The biggest problem was the complete lack of chemistry between the leads. There was no spark, no emotional connection, and very little depth in their performances. I never felt invested in their relationship, and the characters felt flat. I actually caught myself checking the time multiple times throughout the movie, which is never a good sign. It became background noise while I started thinking about my to-do list.
That said, the one thing I did enjoy was the setting. The Oxford scenery and English countryside were beautifully filmed. The locations had a romantic, timeless quality that I wish the story had matched. I would have loved to see more of the academic life at Oxford portrayed on screen.
All in all, My Oxford Year is not the worst love story I’ve come across, but it definitely did not live up to my expectations. I wanted more from the characters, more emotion, and a stronger story overall. Still, I would recommend the audiobook over the movie without hesitation. Julia’s narration is always a highlight, and I will continue to listen to and recommend her audiobooks. I’m hopeful that the next book I pick up by her will resonate a bit more.
**This book is part of a real-time reaction episode, which you can listen to here.