Review: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan (audio)

Title: My Oxford Year

Author: Julia Whelan

Narrator: Julia Whelan

Published: April 2018, HarperAudio

Length: 9 hours 58 minutes

Source: Library

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 are 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 thoughts: I am a big fan of Julia Whelan as a narrator so when I heard she was writing a book I knew I had to hear her narrate it – how could I not? And it was just as I hoped it would be – amazing! The writing is fabulous and to hear Julia Whelan narrate her own words was an absolute treat.

This story was so much more than I thought it would be. At it’s core, it’s about living life to it’s fullest, embracing all that you are given and cherishing life. But it takes you on quite an emotional journey to make these points. This book has all the feels…it will have you laughing one moment and then crying the next. Yes…it is not the light and easy-breezy chick flick type of read you might think it is…this is a much deeper read and for that, I am grateful. This is the type of book that stays with you long after you have finished reading or listening to it. 

I loved Ella…and I loved her relationship with Jamie. It was a perfectly imperfect relationship and that made it all the relatable. You can’t help but fall in love with them as you watch their relationship develop. It’s not an easy romance for sure, and there are some major bumps along the way, but this relationship is one that you definitely won’t be forgetting anytime soon…I can almost guarantee it.

This story pulled me in from the start and never really let up. I was totally invested in what was going on and I loved not only the journey we took with Ella, but where the story ends up. It’s one of the books that I definitely plan to revisit in the future as it has so much to digest that I want to think about it for now and then come back to it again. Do you ever do that?

Audio thoughts: Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators so I was ecstatic to see that not only had she written a book, but that she was narrating it herself. She really proves that she is capable of just about anything! She really made this book come alive and I will say not every author is capable of narrating their own book, but being a talented narrator, this was probably a piece of cake for Ms. Whelan. She gave each character their own unique voice, accents and all, and her tone and pacing were spot on. I loved listening to this book!