Major Motion Picture Already in Development with Temple Hill Entertainment
One of the Best Books of April for Brit + Co and Liz and Lisa!
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.
Author Info
Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and creative writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. While she was in England, her flirtation with tea blossomed into a full-blown love affair, culminating in her eventual certification as a tea master.
Reviews
“With My Oxford Year, Julia Whelan has crafted a breathtakingly perfect picture of Oxford…a read bursting with warmth, mirth, and heart. A powerfully heartbreaking and life-affirming tribute to love and to choice – to choosing love and an open-hearted approach to the world.” — Entertainment Weekly, “A” review
“My Oxford Year is a pure delight with unpredictable depths. Julia Whelan has crafted a story that is as fun and charming as it is powerful and wise. Ella Durran is a breath of fresh air and her story will stay with you long after you’re done.” — Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
“...Julia Whelan’s My Oxford Year, which unfolds in charming Oxfordshire and reads even better when read through a pair of thick-rimmed glasses.” — Vogue.com
“Full of humor and romance, My Oxford Year has it all—I loved it!” — Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
“I laughed, I definitely cried, and I learned about literature and poetry in a way that made me feel a bit smarter today.” — Heather Cocks, author of The Royal We
“My Oxford Year is a funny, tender, heart-breaking coming-of-age adventure.”
— Allison Winn Scotch, New York Times bestselling author
“Whelan has created a beautiful, romantic story that focuses on big ideas—love, death, poetry, and what really matters in the end.” — Kirkus Reviews
“[An] enjoyable debut…fans of One Day and Me Before You will be charmed by this warm story and Ella and Jamie’s romance.” — Publishers Weekly
“My Oxford Year is an achingly beautiful debut.” — Robinne Lee, author of The Idea of You
“Vivid, smart, and utterly charming, My Oxford Year is a heartfelt journey.” — Allie Larkin, author of Why Can’t I Be You
“Whelan’s vivid and detailed writing about Oxford will appeal to any Anglophile longing for quaint landscapes and clotted cream with their scones. And the love story will appeal to anyone who’s had to make difficult decisions.” — Refinery 29
“This debut novel has a preponderance of heart while offering respite from heady emotions with light wit. Whelan draws from her own Oxford experience, creating a richly rendered setting of not just the university’s spires but of the surrounding chip shops and grubby pubs that are just as vital.” — Booklist
“This pull-at-the-heartstrings yet sexy debut novel by Whelan, an award-winning audiobook narrator, is all about the choices we make for ourselves and others. It will delight Anglophiles as well as Jojo Moyes fans.” — Library Journal
“Whelan combined the most heart-wrenching and romantic moments of every Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks novel and added in her own touches of humanity and lovableness...Bring your tissues.” — Travel + Leisure
“The premise and setting lends itself to rich descriptions and plenty of fun literature references for us book nerds, showcasing Whelan’s deep knowledge of both the subject and the area.” — Audible
“You’ll swoon over the sweet love story between Ella and Jamie, a young woman abroad and her professor...Heart eyes for days.” — HelloGiggles.com
“If you love books by Nicholas Sparks and JoJo Moyes, you’re going to swoon for Julia Whelan’s newest novel..” — Brit + Co.com
