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Ancient History Between Us
Three years since they last saw each other. Two months to untangle their complicated past. One unforgettable Italian summer.
As kids, Cammie Lovett and West Jacobs ran wild on dig sites around the world with their respective archeologist parents. But they haven’t spoken since three summers ago, when their first kiss was swiftly followed by a heartbreaking goodbye . . . This summer, though, an anniversary celebration of their parents’ most famous discovery will bring them back together under the same Italian villa’s roof.
Secretly, Cammie plans to make some discoveries of her own. She has her mom’s journal from the year she was born, and she’s determined to use it to find the father she’s never met. Though West doesn’t know where he stands with Cammie, he insists on joining the search. He’s never been able to let her take on a risky scheme alone, especially not one that takes them across the southern Italian coast—from the stunning cliffs of Capri to a Naples pizza kitchen, even to the ruins of Pompeii.
As the pair digs deeper into Cammie’s mom’s past, their own can’t help but resurface. Feelings are rekindled, truths are unearthed, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll discover that their own history isn’t as ancient as it seems.
As kids, Cammie Lovett and West Jacobs ran wild on dig sites around the world with their respective archeologist parents. But they haven’t spoken since three summers ago, when their first kiss was swiftly followed by a heartbreaking goodbye . . . This summer, though, an anniversary celebration of their parents’ most famous discovery will bring them back together under the same Italian villa’s roof.
Secretly, Cammie plans to make some discoveries of her own. She has her mom’s journal from the year she was born, and she’s determined to use it to find the father she’s never met. Though West doesn’t know where he stands with Cammie, he insists on joining the search. He’s never been able to let her take on a risky scheme alone, especially not one that takes them across the southern Italian coast—from the stunning cliffs of Capri to a Naples pizza kitchen, even to the ruins of Pompeii.
As the pair digs deeper into Cammie’s mom’s past, their own can’t help but resurface. Feelings are rekindled, truths are unearthed, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll discover that their own history isn’t as ancient as it seems.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2026
About the author
Kaitlyn Hill
4 books474 followersKaitlyn Hill is a writer who lives to tell love stories and make people laugh. While books make up most of her personality, Kaitlyn also enjoys messy reality TV, has never met a tea she didn't like, and thrives on overly ambitious home improvement projects. She resides in Kentucky with her real life romance hero. Find her on Instagram and TikTok @thekaitlynhill and at thekaitlynhill.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 4, 2026
childhood friends to enemies to lovers is fully my brand, so i was very much on board going into this book!
cammie and west grew up together, traveling to dig sites with their families, slowly developing feelings that ended abruptly after one bittersweet kiss and a very messy goodbye. three years later, cammie heads to italy with her mom for the summer, determined to track down her unknown father, only to immediately run into west, who begrudgingly joins her on the search.
i didn’t expect the main mystery to focus so heavily on cammie’s paternal search, but that storyline ended up driving most of the plot. following her mother’s journal across italy as cammie checks off potential fathers made the book so much fun to read. some of it is a little far-fetched, but the payoff was surprising and really wholesome.
cammie is closed off at first, and the miscommunication… oof, but once they actually start talking, west and cammie are irresistibly sweet together. he’s patient and endlessly supportive, and i really loved the way his struggles with anxiety were discussed and woven into his relationship with cammie! i saw that third-act break-up coming from a mile away, but it was handled so tenderly, i kind of even enjoyed it haha.
coastal towns, ruins, gelato stops, and little adventures between cities truly bring this story to life. it is the perfect beach read, and i am left craving summer more than ever!! a special thank you to random house children's books and delacorte romance for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
cammie and west grew up together, traveling to dig sites with their families, slowly developing feelings that ended abruptly after one bittersweet kiss and a very messy goodbye. three years later, cammie heads to italy with her mom for the summer, determined to track down her unknown father, only to immediately run into west, who begrudgingly joins her on the search.
i didn’t expect the main mystery to focus so heavily on cammie’s paternal search, but that storyline ended up driving most of the plot. following her mother’s journal across italy as cammie checks off potential fathers made the book so much fun to read. some of it is a little far-fetched, but the payoff was surprising and really wholesome.
cammie is closed off at first, and the miscommunication… oof, but once they actually start talking, west and cammie are irresistibly sweet together. he’s patient and endlessly supportive, and i really loved the way his struggles with anxiety were discussed and woven into his relationship with cammie! i saw that third-act break-up coming from a mile away, but it was handled so tenderly, i kind of even enjoyed it haha.
coastal towns, ruins, gelato stops, and little adventures between cities truly bring this story to life. it is the perfect beach read, and i am left craving summer more than ever!! a special thank you to random house children's books and delacorte romance for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2026
⋆.˚✮ 4 stars ✮˚.⋆
⤿ Thank you to Get Underlined and Delacorte Press for the finished copy in exchange for an honest review!
what a cute summery read! while i don't think this book does anything revolutionary for the romance genre, what i needed while reading was what i got. a cute, lighthearted and italian-filled summer romance with characters who were fun to follow. it's been three years since childhood best friends Cammie and West have seen each other, but they're forced together again when their parents return to their famous archeological discovery in Italy for a 20th anniversary celebration. the last time they saw each other, their first kiss was a disaster. now Cammie was just rejected from her dream field school, and West is struggling to determine where he goes next. as she believes now is the perfect time to find the father, she's never met, but her mother loved while she was here 20 years ago, Cammie is determined to explore and dig into details as much as possible. West still isn't able to stay away from her, and they set out on this second-chance adventure together.
i'm not a reader who usually enjoys second-chance romance, i usually feel that if people broke up the first time, there's usually a reason they should not get back together. but in this case...Cammie and West never actually dated, they had feelings for each other most of their childhood, but when they had their first kiss they were both still teenagers trying to figure themselves out. obviously, it didn't go well, and while i felt the "falling out" was a little dramatic when explained, i also get where they were both coming from. i appreciated even when they were both a little dramatic, especially Cammie, they were still able to work through the misunderstanding they had and get back together. it's very obvious over the course of the story they cared so much about each other, and their banter was positively perfect.
the summer vibes in italy were perfect for this book too! i actually adore archeology and so being able to see bits and pieces of that, while also seeing the two travel across italy was such the perfect vibe for summer. i felt like i was living vicariously through them because it is my dream to go to italy one day. the descriptions in this book were so perfect- i was simply just obsessed.
while i was obsessed with the setting and loved the characters, i think the plot slipped a little too easily between slow and fast moving. this wasn't really an issue because i still ended up really enjoying the story, just wish the plot of Cammie finding her dad had been more consistent across the whole novel. the ending though was so funny- it felt like a family drama, but it did make me laugh and honestly that's all that i hoped for!!
⤿ Thank you to Get Underlined and Delacorte Press for the finished copy in exchange for an honest review!
what a cute summery read! while i don't think this book does anything revolutionary for the romance genre, what i needed while reading was what i got. a cute, lighthearted and italian-filled summer romance with characters who were fun to follow. it's been three years since childhood best friends Cammie and West have seen each other, but they're forced together again when their parents return to their famous archeological discovery in Italy for a 20th anniversary celebration. the last time they saw each other, their first kiss was a disaster. now Cammie was just rejected from her dream field school, and West is struggling to determine where he goes next. as she believes now is the perfect time to find the father, she's never met, but her mother loved while she was here 20 years ago, Cammie is determined to explore and dig into details as much as possible. West still isn't able to stay away from her, and they set out on this second-chance adventure together.
i'm not a reader who usually enjoys second-chance romance, i usually feel that if people broke up the first time, there's usually a reason they should not get back together. but in this case...Cammie and West never actually dated, they had feelings for each other most of their childhood, but when they had their first kiss they were both still teenagers trying to figure themselves out. obviously, it didn't go well, and while i felt the "falling out" was a little dramatic when explained, i also get where they were both coming from. i appreciated even when they were both a little dramatic, especially Cammie, they were still able to work through the misunderstanding they had and get back together. it's very obvious over the course of the story they cared so much about each other, and their banter was positively perfect.
the summer vibes in italy were perfect for this book too! i actually adore archeology and so being able to see bits and pieces of that, while also seeing the two travel across italy was such the perfect vibe for summer. i felt like i was living vicariously through them because it is my dream to go to italy one day. the descriptions in this book were so perfect- i was simply just obsessed.
while i was obsessed with the setting and loved the characters, i think the plot slipped a little too easily between slow and fast moving. this wasn't really an issue because i still ended up really enjoying the story, just wish the plot of Cammie finding her dad had been more consistent across the whole novel. the ending though was so funny- it felt like a family drama, but it did make me laugh and honestly that's all that i hoped for!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts are my own.
🔹🇮🇹🍊
if a hot italian man could run me over in his vespa really quickly i would so appreciate that. that's not at all directly related to the book itself but it directly translates to how i felt about said book. in other words, i genuinely would love to put a lot of ancient history between me and this work of fiction. how about that.
cami
oh gosh she was insufferable. and i don't mean because she had the vague outline of a personality, no just her internal dialogue was genuinely horrendous. because honestly her personal issues of "let's find my dad" to "oh no wes is looking at me i "hate" him" back to "i NEED to find my dad" and everything revolving around her was genuinely awful.
wes
selfish anxiety king. as a girlie with anxiety let me just be the first person that him ABANONDING CAMI in a brand new city when he was just giving her a lecture on being safe and that's the whole reason he was there in the first place was the most immature thing he could have ever done. he had no personality aside from having abs and wearing glasses. can we get men who have a personality, abs, and glasses? he gave the insufferably of those guys who posts cringe pov's because they look hot but they have no substantial value. just an instant "block"
romance
i don't understand how these two characters were my age. i texted a friend that watching their relationship was like watching two toddlers fight for playground territory with one hand in a bag of cheerios and the other who knows where. they had the emotional maturity of a squirrel on drugs. there was no value to their releationship.
and just when i would have a "hah! that was kinda...good" moment, it'd be ruined with a line like this it all started in AD 79, my Italiana alter ego continues yeah no just kill me now. because that would follow into the most cringeworthy moment or scene. at this point cami and west have a kink for traumatizing embarrassing moments.
like the fact that they had a deep talk while both showering in the communal showers. (not as bad as it sounds but imagine trying to wash your hair and jeremy five doors down is like "hey...so about our childhood....") so like no now is not the time.
plot-ish
not to mention that the whole book and the entire plot and side characters were genuinely horrendous and held no value. esp with her dad being a certain character plot. i wanted to pitch myself off a fricking cliff having to read that scene. it was so bad a wattpad story about a girl being sold to one direction is probably better.
not to mention the whole reason for cami and west "argueing" was the most stupid thing i've ever seen. grow a back. grow a spine. grow some vocal chords and grow the f up. you guys are 19/20. you need to learn real life skills and communicate.
the writing itself wasn't horrible but it also wasn't good enough to warrent this any higher than the rating i gave it. i wish it was.
🍊
shoutout to the italian taxi driver (who is in the beginning chapter and then ending chapter) being the most likeable character. you truly made it worth it (not). please marry me.
🔹🇮🇹🍊
if a hot italian man could run me over in his vespa really quickly i would so appreciate that. that's not at all directly related to the book itself but it directly translates to how i felt about said book. in other words, i genuinely would love to put a lot of ancient history between me and this work of fiction. how about that.
cami
oh gosh she was insufferable. and i don't mean because she had the vague outline of a personality, no just her internal dialogue was genuinely horrendous. because honestly her personal issues of "let's find my dad" to "oh no wes is looking at me i "hate" him" back to "i NEED to find my dad" and everything revolving around her was genuinely awful.
wes
selfish anxiety king. as a girlie with anxiety let me just be the first person that him ABANONDING CAMI in a brand new city when he was just giving her a lecture on being safe and that's the whole reason he was there in the first place was the most immature thing he could have ever done. he had no personality aside from having abs and wearing glasses. can we get men who have a personality, abs, and glasses? he gave the insufferably of those guys who posts cringe pov's because they look hot but they have no substantial value. just an instant "block"
romance
i don't understand how these two characters were my age. i texted a friend that watching their relationship was like watching two toddlers fight for playground territory with one hand in a bag of cheerios and the other who knows where. they had the emotional maturity of a squirrel on drugs. there was no value to their releationship.
and just when i would have a "hah! that was kinda...good" moment, it'd be ruined with a line like this it all started in AD 79, my Italiana alter ego continues yeah no just kill me now. because that would follow into the most cringeworthy moment or scene. at this point cami and west have a kink for traumatizing embarrassing moments.
like the fact that they had a deep talk while both showering in the communal showers. (not as bad as it sounds but imagine trying to wash your hair and jeremy five doors down is like "hey...so about our childhood....") so like no now is not the time.
plot-ish
not to mention that the whole book and the entire plot and side characters were genuinely horrendous and held no value. esp with her dad being a certain character plot. i wanted to pitch myself off a fricking cliff having to read that scene. it was so bad a wattpad story about a girl being sold to one direction is probably better.
not to mention the whole reason for cami and west "argueing" was the most stupid thing i've ever seen. grow a back. grow a spine. grow some vocal chords and grow the f up. you guys are 19/20. you need to learn real life skills and communicate.
the writing itself wasn't horrible but it also wasn't good enough to warrent this any higher than the rating i gave it. i wish it was.
🍊
shoutout to the italian taxi driver (who is in the beginning chapter and then ending chapter) being the most likeable character. you truly made it worth it (not). please marry me.
July 2, 2026
Such a great summer secound chance romance read. Cammie and West were just too adorable togther and I found myself rooting for them right from the start. Cammie is headstrong , fiery and fun … I can totally see her losing her mind at her first rejection from West and sooo glad that she found her way to asking for round two of their friendship. West is so very real with his anxiety and how hard it is to feel wanted and not feel like your emotions are a burden to others. It was so heartwarming seeing the two fall back into friendship and then more as they searched for Cammie’s father. That ending had me laughing out loud and absolutely loved the read !!
This book has:
Summer vacation vibes
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
Hunt for birth father
Long buried secrets
Friends to enemies to friends to lovers.
This book has:
Summer vacation vibes
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
Hunt for birth father
Long buried secrets
Friends to enemies to friends to lovers.
June 24, 2026
4.25 stars rounded down
This was sooo cute!!! All the Mamma Mia vibes with her trying to find her dad through her mom’s journal entries, but her childhood best friend/second chance romance was with her on the expedition to find him. It was adorable. I loved that I could have theories. The romance was cute af, and they didn’t make me wait forever for it. The banter and HUMOR were SO SO GOOD. I thought they were genuinely funny. But I also felt so much for these BBs. West’s anxiety was so relatable, and I love him and Cammie so much. <3
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was sooo cute!!! All the Mamma Mia vibes with her trying to find her dad through her mom’s journal entries, but her childhood best friend/second chance romance was with her on the expedition to find him. It was adorable. I loved that I could have theories. The romance was cute af, and they didn’t make me wait forever for it. The banter and HUMOR were SO SO GOOD. I thought they were genuinely funny. But I also felt so much for these BBs. West’s anxiety was so relatable, and I love him and Cammie so much. <3
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2026
ahh idk who my dad is
ahhh i have anxiety
ahhh we have unresolved issues that we’re about to do a take 2 on because third act conflicts need to be annoying instead of interesting ahhhhh
i will admit there were some funny and enjoyable moments but they don’t come close to making this book something to look forward to
i felt like these characters read the webmd article on how to deal with emotions bc everything they said was so stilted and straight out of a textbook
i couldn’t care less about these characters issues and the constant back and forth between west and camila was genuinely insufferable.
and like i get the anxiety west, but you can be anxious and still have a strong personality. so what if he has glasses and a six pack ? this dude literally RAN away from his issues, aka leaving camilla in the middle of a foreign city alone bc he couldn’t handle an argument.
ig camilla is into that but i am not ty and goodnight
*thank you to netgalley for the arc, all opinions are my own*
ahhh i have anxiety
ahhh we have unresolved issues that we’re about to do a take 2 on because third act conflicts need to be annoying instead of interesting ahhhhh
i will admit there were some funny and enjoyable moments but they don’t come close to making this book something to look forward to
i felt like these characters read the webmd article on how to deal with emotions bc everything they said was so stilted and straight out of a textbook
i couldn’t care less about these characters issues and the constant back and forth between west and camila was genuinely insufferable.
and like i get the anxiety west, but you can be anxious and still have a strong personality. so what if he has glasses and a six pack ? this dude literally RAN away from his issues, aka leaving camilla in the middle of a foreign city alone bc he couldn’t handle an argument.
ig camilla is into that but i am not ty and goodnight
*thank you to netgalley for the arc, all opinions are my own*
July 5, 2026
hm. rtc.
did someone say 2026 most anticipated?
I WILL READ ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING KAITLYN HILL WRITES MARK MY WORDS THIS WILL BE AMAZING
did someone say 2026 most anticipated?
I WILL READ ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING KAITLYN HILL WRITES MARK MY WORDS THIS WILL BE AMAZING
June 29, 2026
this book gave the strongest mamma mia vibes and it was sooo much drama that i hated and loved at the same time. there was a bit more language than her other books but i was bearable. my one thing is that there was only one semi kiss scene and it was boring and non descriptive and also the miscommunication was horrible. like the book should’ve been titled “MISCOMMUNICATION! MAMMA MIA!!”
April 3, 2026
The gorgeous Italian setting provided the perfect backdrop to this summery contemporary!
I’ve read quite a few books set in Italy recently and this was another fun one, full of breathtaking views, delicious gelato, and plenty of ancient ruins. It also had vibes of Mamma Mia, with the main character searching for the father she never knew.
This is Upper YA (the main character has completed her first year of college) but it was pretty clean and the romance was very sweet. It’s second chance, friends to more, and I liked seeing Cammie and West figure out where they went wrong 3 years prior.
There’s a lot of the miscommunication trope with both Cammie and her mother and Cammie and West, but I still liked the story overall. The setting was a win for me, and overall this was an enjoyable, breezy contemporary.
I’ve read quite a few books set in Italy recently and this was another fun one, full of breathtaking views, delicious gelato, and plenty of ancient ruins. It also had vibes of Mamma Mia, with the main character searching for the father she never knew.
This is Upper YA (the main character has completed her first year of college) but it was pretty clean and the romance was very sweet. It’s second chance, friends to more, and I liked seeing Cammie and West figure out where they went wrong 3 years prior.
There’s a lot of the miscommunication trope with both Cammie and her mother and Cammie and West, but I still liked the story overall. The setting was a win for me, and overall this was an enjoyable, breezy contemporary.
July 5, 2026
Mamma Mia hive rise, this was just sooooo freaking cute! audiobook was excellent and the MCs chemistry was so good. absolutely loved seeing anxiety from the guy’s POV! 💓 another KH banger
May 3, 2026
I enjoyed Kaitlyn Hill's YA romcom Not Here to Stay Friends, so her upcoming title set in Italy immediately grabbed my attention. The gorgeous cover and Mamma Mia-inspired plot made this a must read!
Cammie Lovett and West Jacobs grew up together on archaeological dig sites across the world. However, they haven't spoken since a misunderstanding blew up their friendship three years ago. Now, Cammie is fresh off her first year of college and heads to her mother's current dig in Naples, the location where Cammie was famously born 20 years ago. Even though they can't stand each other, West gets roped into Cammie's latest scheme: discovering the identity of her unknown father, Mamma Mia-style.
I studied abroad in Italy, so it was a treat to return to Naples, Sorrento, and Pompeii and relive my college dreams. The settings and culture felt well-researched. I enjoyed the historical and cultural tidbits woven in to the narrative (the underground caves in Naples! gelaterias!) It made me want to book a flight to Naples.
West and Cammie made an interesting pair. Cammie is an ambitious go-getter with a bold personality, and West is a quiet tech wizard. I appreciated the thoughtful depiction of West's anxiety; male mental health is so rarely addressed. Their romance is closed door/kisses only. I loved their side quests to find Cammie's dad. Once I started to put the pieces together, I couldn't put the book down! I wonder if the adult characters could have had a book of their own because I was so invested.
I ultimately had two issues that keep this at 3.5 stars rather than 4 stars. First, the pacing in the middle felt off. The beginning and end moved quickly, but the middle dragged and it made me not want to pick it up. Second, I feel like some of the side characters could have been fleshed out more.
Something else to note: the author has presented this book as New Adult/Young Adult on her page, but the publisher seems to be marketing it exclusively as Young Adult. I'm still a little confused on where this book falls, but I'm glad that the New Adult category is growing.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Cammie Lovett and West Jacobs grew up together on archaeological dig sites across the world. However, they haven't spoken since a misunderstanding blew up their friendship three years ago. Now, Cammie is fresh off her first year of college and heads to her mother's current dig in Naples, the location where Cammie was famously born 20 years ago. Even though they can't stand each other, West gets roped into Cammie's latest scheme: discovering the identity of her unknown father, Mamma Mia-style.
I studied abroad in Italy, so it was a treat to return to Naples, Sorrento, and Pompeii and relive my college dreams. The settings and culture felt well-researched. I enjoyed the historical and cultural tidbits woven in to the narrative (the underground caves in Naples! gelaterias!) It made me want to book a flight to Naples.
West and Cammie made an interesting pair. Cammie is an ambitious go-getter with a bold personality, and West is a quiet tech wizard. I appreciated the thoughtful depiction of West's anxiety; male mental health is so rarely addressed. Their romance is closed door/kisses only. I loved their side quests to find Cammie's dad. Once I started to put the pieces together, I couldn't put the book down! I wonder if the adult characters could have had a book of their own because I was so invested.
I ultimately had two issues that keep this at 3.5 stars rather than 4 stars. First, the pacing in the middle felt off. The beginning and end moved quickly, but the middle dragged and it made me not want to pick it up. Second, I feel like some of the side characters could have been fleshed out more.
Something else to note: the author has presented this book as New Adult/Young Adult on her page, but the publisher seems to be marketing it exclusively as Young Adult. I'm still a little confused on where this book falls, but I'm glad that the New Adult category is growing.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 29, 2026
Cammie is seeking answers to her past in “Ancient History Between Us” and adventures and unexpected romance unfold along the way. This sweet story is for fans of “Love & Gelato” and “Mama Mia!” I love a story with an immersive setting, a mystery from the past, charming characters, and a friends-to-lovers romance. Kaitlyn Hill’s humorous and engaging writing pulled me into this story from the beginning. The characters felt real and the development was told well through a dual perspective narrative. I enjoyed being transported to Italy and I definitely want to read more stories like this one.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
April 20, 2026
This was cute and did make me laugh a few times. I’m glad that they didn’t have too much miscommunication and that it wasn’t a stupid issue. But I also just…didn’t care? About the plot? Which seems ridiculous but like…you obviously knew it wasn’t the first two men she met so I didn’t care about the interactions and I DEFINITELY didn’t care about her architecture ramblings.
I appreciate people wanting to give more than a fun summer romance but the history and descriptions of buildings is not my idea of a good read.
I appreciate people wanting to give more than a fun summer romance but the history and descriptions of buildings is not my idea of a good read.
July 8, 2026
(2.5) I got recommended this book for a summer read and childhood friends to enemies to lovers is definitely something I enjoy in a book but this plot was soooo boring. There wasn’t a lot happening because Cammie and West just being cringy and childish about their relationship. Why did Cammie freak out every time West hit a button on a computer? Like girl knowing how to search up someone on LinkedIn doesn’t make him a computer genius 😭😭 I am actually surprised I was able to finish it.
June 27, 2026
“This girl will not ruin pizza for me.”
Loved getting to finish this before Goodreads even has the cover art uploaded. I enjoyed getting to attend the author event for this book in honor of my college friend KHill. This book is a delightful YA story set in Naples, with humor and depth throughout 🍕🍋
Loved getting to finish this before Goodreads even has the cover art uploaded. I enjoyed getting to attend the author event for this book in honor of my college friend KHill. This book is a delightful YA story set in Naples, with humor and depth throughout 🍕🍋
June 23, 2026
Cammie and West grew up together climbing over the ancient ruins being excavated by their parents. While they started to explore something more, circumstances pulled them apart. But a chance to spend the summer together in the shadow of Pompeii combined with unfinished business- discovering the identity of Cammie's dad- thrusts them back together. And those sparks? Oh yeah, those are still there.
This story is a quick and enjoyable read, with some seriously laugh-out-loud antics and questions about how we get in our own way. I had so many moments where the writing was such a joy and appreciated the balance of serious and silly.
My major complaint here is how quickly Cammie and West reconciled. I wanted more *angst.* But when they came back together, I definitely wasn't complaining.
Overall, I'd recommend for a summer read, maybe for a late teen audience. I'll be recommending to my friends who like YA and a laugh while reading. I know I do!
This story is a quick and enjoyable read, with some seriously laugh-out-loud antics and questions about how we get in our own way. I had so many moments where the writing was such a joy and appreciated the balance of serious and silly.
My major complaint here is how quickly Cammie and West reconciled. I wanted more *angst.* But when they came back together, I definitely wasn't complaining.
Overall, I'd recommend for a summer read, maybe for a late teen audience. I'll be recommending to my friends who like YA and a laugh while reading. I know I do!
July 7, 2026
4.5 stars - laugh out loud funny, loved the history woven throughout, desperate to go back to Italy, and overall enjoyable cast
Cammie and West return to their childhood summer backyard filled with all things Italian three years after their friendship blew up. Cammie needs to stay to find her mysterious father or she'd have fled immediately.
I'm just an absolute sucker for history and travel and second chances. The three combined plus a heavy dose of laugh out loud humor made this the perfect antidote to any summery blues. I was thoroughly charmed by it all from the setting to cast of characters to sweet angsty romance between two people trying to figure out next steps and everything in between.
Thank you GetUnderlined for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Cammie and West return to their childhood summer backyard filled with all things Italian three years after their friendship blew up. Cammie needs to stay to find her mysterious father or she'd have fled immediately.
I'm just an absolute sucker for history and travel and second chances. The three combined plus a heavy dose of laugh out loud humor made this the perfect antidote to any summery blues. I was thoroughly charmed by it all from the setting to cast of characters to sweet angsty romance between two people trying to figure out next steps and everything in between.
Thank you GetUnderlined for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
June 23, 2026
HAPPY PUB DAY AHBU!!! 🩵💛🧡🩷
3.5! Wild about You by KHill was one of my top books of 2024 so I was not-so-patiently waiting for her next book! Baby’s first NetGalley ARC - thank you Delacorte Romance and RHCB!
All the Mamma Mia vibes, but set in Italy *crowd oooooohs*, as our girl Cammie returns to her birthplace which just so happens to be a famous archeological site discovered by her mom. She’s never known who her father was, but accompanied by her mom’s cryptic old journal, she’s determined to make the most of this summer as the site’s discovery 20th anniversary kicks off. Also, her childhood bestie turned crush turned nemesis, West, is along for the adventure too. What could go wrong?
I enjoyed the KHill signature humor/quirky quips I’ve come to love from her other books, and the setting was great! I am owed some gelato immediately!!! The miscommunication trope and pacing of this were not my favorite, though. It got a little slow there in the middle for me. The ending was fun and made me feel warm and fuzzy! 🪩🕺🏼🎂
3.5! Wild about You by KHill was one of my top books of 2024 so I was not-so-patiently waiting for her next book! Baby’s first NetGalley ARC - thank you Delacorte Romance and RHCB!
All the Mamma Mia vibes, but set in Italy *crowd oooooohs*, as our girl Cammie returns to her birthplace which just so happens to be a famous archeological site discovered by her mom. She’s never known who her father was, but accompanied by her mom’s cryptic old journal, she’s determined to make the most of this summer as the site’s discovery 20th anniversary kicks off. Also, her childhood bestie turned crush turned nemesis, West, is along for the adventure too. What could go wrong?
I enjoyed the KHill signature humor/quirky quips I’ve come to love from her other books, and the setting was great! I am owed some gelato immediately!!! The miscommunication trope and pacing of this were not my favorite, though. It got a little slow there in the middle for me. The ending was fun and made me feel warm and fuzzy! 🪩🕺🏼🎂
February 26, 2026
This was like a combination of Mamma Mia (the epilogue solidified this for me) and a more fun version of Love & Gelato. 4/5 stars. Technically, it's a 9/10 stars, but unfortunately, neither Goodreads nor NetGalley are out of 10 yet.
Firstly, and most importantly, I would like to make a complaint directly to Kaitlyn Hill: You owe me a trip to Italy and a pizza-making class😭😭😭 Do you understand how hungry I was reading that part?
Like I said above, this was the standard "looking for unknown parent" book, a la Mamma Mia and L&G. Low-angst, fun, humorous, trecking around Italy. Writing was good too.
I overall really enjoyed this book. I think the archaeology aspect was cool (though I wish we could've seen more of it) and it was fun watching West and Cammie skirt around Italy doing touristy things (TM). It lowkey made me mad I wasn't in Italy at the moment though lol.
West!!!!!!! I love you West. Maybe it's the whole math and anxiety thing, but I feel like I really connected with him. I hope I find someone exactly like him in the future. I love his math/comp sci project, and I was so happy with his decision at the end. And I know, I know, what he did 3 years ago was pretty bad, but come on! He was SIXTEEN!!! Who wasn't a total butthead at 16? Frankly, if you told me you were a great person at 16, I'd assume you were a. lying or b. didn't have much self-awareness. And with all the other factors going on in his life...
Also really enjoyed the mom, West's dad, pizza-making dude, and the PhD instructor. Not much to say about them, but considering I've read so many books that were ruined by the side characters, I was grateful for them.
Normally, I’m not a huge book playlist type of person, but I’d loooooove a playlist for this book! Give into the Mamma Mia vibes.
Now for the complaints. Cammie. My gooooooooooood. I couldn't stand Cammie. She spent like, 75% of this book grating my nerves. I can't say I hated her, but I didn't particularly like her at all. She just. She blew up at EVERYTHING. Especially at the end??? I wanted to slap her so bad... I honestly don't see what West saw in her at all. It was sweet when he told her about his anxiety and she was really supportive though.
My other thing was. I feel like the answer to the dad mystery was so obvious... and she just completely ignored it??? It was literally STARING YOU IN THE FACE. But then again, if she'd done the logical thing and reached out to him first. there'd be no book I guess... But it really bothered me. And yes, I know, her excuse. But it was a. an awful excuse and b. why wouldn't you look into it anyways? This could've been a novella lol.
Anyways. I will be off to plan my Italian vacation now.
Thank you to RHCB and NetGalley for the ARC!
Firstly, and most importantly, I would like to make a complaint directly to Kaitlyn Hill: You owe me a trip to Italy and a pizza-making class😭😭😭 Do you understand how hungry I was reading that part?
Like I said above, this was the standard "looking for unknown parent" book, a la Mamma Mia and L&G. Low-angst, fun, humorous, trecking around Italy. Writing was good too.
I overall really enjoyed this book. I think the archaeology aspect was cool (though I wish we could've seen more of it) and it was fun watching West and Cammie skirt around Italy doing touristy things (TM). It lowkey made me mad I wasn't in Italy at the moment though lol.
West!!!!!!! I love you West. Maybe it's the whole math and anxiety thing, but I feel like I really connected with him. I hope I find someone exactly like him in the future. I love his math/comp sci project, and I was so happy with his decision at the end. And I know, I know, what he did 3 years ago was pretty bad, but come on! He was SIXTEEN!!! Who wasn't a total butthead at 16? Frankly, if you told me you were a great person at 16, I'd assume you were a. lying or b. didn't have much self-awareness. And with all the other factors going on in his life...
Also really enjoyed the mom, West's dad, pizza-making dude, and the PhD instructor. Not much to say about them, but considering I've read so many books that were ruined by the side characters, I was grateful for them.
Normally, I’m not a huge book playlist type of person, but I’d loooooove a playlist for this book! Give into the Mamma Mia vibes.
Now for the complaints. Cammie. My gooooooooooood. I couldn't stand Cammie. She spent like, 75% of this book grating my nerves. I can't say I hated her, but I didn't particularly like her at all. She just. She blew up at EVERYTHING. Especially at the end??? I wanted to slap her so bad... I honestly don't see what West saw in her at all. It was sweet when he told her about his anxiety and she was really supportive though.
My other thing was. I feel like the answer to the dad mystery was so obvious... and she just completely ignored it??? It was literally STARING YOU IN THE FACE. But then again, if she'd done the logical thing and reached out to him first. there'd be no book I guess... But it really bothered me. And yes, I know, her excuse. But it was a. an awful excuse and b. why wouldn't you look into it anyways? This could've been a novella lol.
Anyways. I will be off to plan my Italian vacation now.
Thank you to RHCB and NetGalley for the ARC!
February 9, 2026
This is a single, dual POV second chance, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story set against an Italian backdrop. It's YA, but both mains have completed freshman year of college.
If you're not a fan of miscommunication in second chances, you should skip this one. Because if one of them had just set their ego aside and talked to the other for five seconds, this whole book would've been very different. Instead, Cammie comes across as too self-centered and West comes across as too meek to do anything to explain the situation to each other.
I'm bought in to "we were friends who kissed and messed up our friendship" in YA, but it still felt too drawn out and immature to the point of me not being fully bought into them as a couple moving forward.
Kaitlyn Hill has a talent for writing unlikable and prickly FMCs, and Cammie is no exception. I think, though, the dual POV damped the effect of this because West was not unlikeable nor prickly and, in fact, had some anxiety issues that the reader is let in on pretty immediately. So, personally, right off the bat, I was sympathizing with West and uncertain why Cammie was coming across so ice cold and rude, even though it firmly made sense in her character arc. It just made it harder to read her. Even 20% in, she wasn't really winning me over. And given the two other Kaitlyn Hill novels I've read, I wasn't holding out hope. (I love an unlikable FMC, and that alone is never a deal breaker for me as a reader.) I honestly keep trying Ms. Hill in hopes that the unlikable FMC will someday be more justified and I'll end the book thinking "yeah BUT omg I love her so much!"
The writing and story are solidly Contemporary, meaning that if you're not a fan of Cammie and aren't bought into West, it's going to be a bit of a boring, slow go ride because there's a lot of emphasis on developing the plot forward (Cammie trying to find her dad) rather than immediately setting out to fix anything for the second chance plot. Cammie has no interest in reconciling. And West seems to be just coming out of survival mode and is ultra respectful to Cammie's desires.
The quest for Cammie's dad was a really interesting plot to have in YA. It was fun to go along that journey. Even though, again, she could've just asked her mom to start with.
I loved the setting of an archeology dig in Italy even though I know nothing about either of those things. I love reading books about topics I don't know, and admittedly, I always assume the author has done their research fully. I wish there had been more history/archeology in the story.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me, and I am forever bummed by that.
If you're not a fan of miscommunication in second chances, you should skip this one. Because if one of them had just set their ego aside and talked to the other for five seconds, this whole book would've been very different. Instead, Cammie comes across as too self-centered and West comes across as too meek to do anything to explain the situation to each other.
I'm bought in to "we were friends who kissed and messed up our friendship" in YA, but it still felt too drawn out and immature to the point of me not being fully bought into them as a couple moving forward.
Kaitlyn Hill has a talent for writing unlikable and prickly FMCs, and Cammie is no exception. I think, though, the dual POV damped the effect of this because West was not unlikeable nor prickly and, in fact, had some anxiety issues that the reader is let in on pretty immediately. So, personally, right off the bat, I was sympathizing with West and uncertain why Cammie was coming across so ice cold and rude, even though it firmly made sense in her character arc. It just made it harder to read her. Even 20% in, she wasn't really winning me over. And given the two other Kaitlyn Hill novels I've read, I wasn't holding out hope. (I love an unlikable FMC, and that alone is never a deal breaker for me as a reader.) I honestly keep trying Ms. Hill in hopes that the unlikable FMC will someday be more justified and I'll end the book thinking "yeah BUT omg I love her so much!"
The writing and story are solidly Contemporary, meaning that if you're not a fan of Cammie and aren't bought into West, it's going to be a bit of a boring, slow go ride because there's a lot of emphasis on developing the plot forward (Cammie trying to find her dad) rather than immediately setting out to fix anything for the second chance plot. Cammie has no interest in reconciling. And West seems to be just coming out of survival mode and is ultra respectful to Cammie's desires.
The quest for Cammie's dad was a really interesting plot to have in YA. It was fun to go along that journey. Even though, again, she could've just asked her mom to start with.
I loved the setting of an archeology dig in Italy even though I know nothing about either of those things. I love reading books about topics I don't know, and admittedly, I always assume the author has done their research fully. I wish there had been more history/archeology in the story.
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me, and I am forever bummed by that.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was obsessed with this author’s YA romance Wild About You. My review for that book is one of my favorites I’ve ever written!
When I saw Kaitlyn Hill was writing a new book with a second-chance romance, archaeology site, and an Italian setting, I think I screamed. When a finished copy from the publisher arrived at my house a month before the release date, I know I did. This book was one of my most anticipated summer releases, but unfortunately, I didn’t love as much as I’d hoped.
This story follows Cammie and West, former childhood friends who grew up following their parents to different archaeology sites. They were inseparable (and heading towards something more) until the incident happened that ruined everything. Now, three years later, Cammie and West are together again at one final dig site. Will one summer in Italy be enough to change their minds?
One of my favorite things about this book is its witty banter. Some of Cammie and West’s lines had me laughing out loud! Unfortunately, I didn’t care for anything else about the characters. This book leans heavily on the miscommunication trope, and I feel like so many of Cammie and West’s problems could have been resolved with a 5-minute conversation.
I also didn’t like how self-centered Cammie was. I think confidence can be a good quality in a character, but Cammie’s inability to plan ahead or consider how her actions might affect others was difficult to read. I struggled to connect with her, and by the end of the story, I didn’t care how her story arc got resolved.
Moving back to what I liked, I thought Italy was a nice setting for this book. I loved reading about Cammie and West’s adventures, whether it was taking a scenic boat tour, making Italian pizza, or searching for the best gelato in the city. I also like how this book’s cover captures the story. With a cute cover and a fun hook, I can see this being a popular YA romance this summer!
Overall, I’m rating this book 2.75 stars. I enjoyed it, but a few things kept it from being a 3-star read.
I received a copy of Ancient History Between Us as a #GetUnderlinedPartner from Penguin Random House. All opinions are my own.
When I saw Kaitlyn Hill was writing a new book with a second-chance romance, archaeology site, and an Italian setting, I think I screamed. When a finished copy from the publisher arrived at my house a month before the release date, I know I did. This book was one of my most anticipated summer releases, but unfortunately, I didn’t love as much as I’d hoped.
This story follows Cammie and West, former childhood friends who grew up following their parents to different archaeology sites. They were inseparable (and heading towards something more) until the incident happened that ruined everything. Now, three years later, Cammie and West are together again at one final dig site. Will one summer in Italy be enough to change their minds?
One of my favorite things about this book is its witty banter. Some of Cammie and West’s lines had me laughing out loud! Unfortunately, I didn’t care for anything else about the characters. This book leans heavily on the miscommunication trope, and I feel like so many of Cammie and West’s problems could have been resolved with a 5-minute conversation.
I also didn’t like how self-centered Cammie was. I think confidence can be a good quality in a character, but Cammie’s inability to plan ahead or consider how her actions might affect others was difficult to read. I struggled to connect with her, and by the end of the story, I didn’t care how her story arc got resolved.
Moving back to what I liked, I thought Italy was a nice setting for this book. I loved reading about Cammie and West’s adventures, whether it was taking a scenic boat tour, making Italian pizza, or searching for the best gelato in the city. I also like how this book’s cover captures the story. With a cute cover and a fun hook, I can see this being a popular YA romance this summer!
Overall, I’m rating this book 2.75 stars. I enjoyed it, but a few things kept it from being a 3-star read.
I received a copy of Ancient History Between Us as a #GetUnderlinedPartner from Penguin Random House. All opinions are my own.
December 14, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A sun-soaked, second-chance romance wrapped in secrets, history, and first love 🇮🇹✨
Ancient History Between Us is a tender, nostalgic, and emotionally rich romance that blends first love, buried secrets, and the magic of an unforgettable Italian summer. Kaitlyn Hill crafts a story that feels warm and wistful, filled with quiet yearning, unresolved heartbreak, and the ache of everything left unsaid. 🌞💔
Cammie and West’s history is the heartbeat of this book. Once inseparable childhood companions on dig sites around the world 🏺, their bond fractures after a first kiss and a sudden, painful goodbye 💋➡️💔. Three years later, being thrown back together under the same Italian villa roof 🇮🇹🏡 forces them to confront everything they never got closure on. Their connection is soft, slow-burning, and heavy with the kind of tension that only comes from loving someone you never truly moved on from. 💞
Cammie’s search for her unknown father adds depth and emotional weight to the story. Following her late mother’s journal across the breathtaking Italian coast—from Capri’s cliffs 🌊 to the streets of Naples 🍕 to the haunting ruins of Pompeii 🏛️—makes the novel feel cinematic and deeply personal. West joining her on this journey, despite his own uncertainty and hurt, shows just how deeply rooted his loyalty and love for Cammie still are. 💕
What makes this story so moving is how gently it explores grief, identity, unfinished love, and the courage it takes to face the past. As old feelings resurface and long-buried truths are uncovered 🔍, the emotional stakes rise in quiet but powerful ways. The romance never feels rushed—it unfolds with patience, vulnerability, and meaning. ✨
A heartfelt, beautifully atmospheric second-chance romance full of history, hidden truths, and love that refuses to fade 🌅📖. Ancient History Between Us is perfect for readers who crave emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and stories where the past and present collide in the most romantic way 💕.
Ancient History Between Us is a tender, nostalgic, and emotionally rich romance that blends first love, buried secrets, and the magic of an unforgettable Italian summer. Kaitlyn Hill crafts a story that feels warm and wistful, filled with quiet yearning, unresolved heartbreak, and the ache of everything left unsaid. 🌞💔
Cammie and West’s history is the heartbeat of this book. Once inseparable childhood companions on dig sites around the world 🏺, their bond fractures after a first kiss and a sudden, painful goodbye 💋➡️💔. Three years later, being thrown back together under the same Italian villa roof 🇮🇹🏡 forces them to confront everything they never got closure on. Their connection is soft, slow-burning, and heavy with the kind of tension that only comes from loving someone you never truly moved on from. 💞
Cammie’s search for her unknown father adds depth and emotional weight to the story. Following her late mother’s journal across the breathtaking Italian coast—from Capri’s cliffs 🌊 to the streets of Naples 🍕 to the haunting ruins of Pompeii 🏛️—makes the novel feel cinematic and deeply personal. West joining her on this journey, despite his own uncertainty and hurt, shows just how deeply rooted his loyalty and love for Cammie still are. 💕
What makes this story so moving is how gently it explores grief, identity, unfinished love, and the courage it takes to face the past. As old feelings resurface and long-buried truths are uncovered 🔍, the emotional stakes rise in quiet but powerful ways. The romance never feels rushed—it unfolds with patience, vulnerability, and meaning. ✨
A heartfelt, beautifully atmospheric second-chance romance full of history, hidden truths, and love that refuses to fade 🌅📖. Ancient History Between Us is perfect for readers who crave emotional depth, slow-burn tension, and stories where the past and present collide in the most romantic way 💕.
June 19, 2026
“How does one say ‘por que no los dos’ in Italian?”
I frequently use “por que no los dos” in my everyday vernacular. So of course I squealed when I saw this!
Ancient History Between Us is a sweet rom-com that’s basically an Italian version of Mamma Mia (including a Dancing Queen cameo). Cammie, or Camilla, is joining her mom on a summer in Italy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her mom making a major archaeological discovery. Cammie’s mission while she’s there is to find her father she never met.
What she wasn’t expecting was her ex best friend and first kiss, West, to also be there with his dad. Chaos ensues. As it normally does 😂
I loved Cammie and Alex’s close mother-daughter relationship. It never seemed like an angsty teen girl trying to go behind her mom’s back to discover who her dad was. It was genuine. There was never any real conflict between them - I appreciate that!
West’s struggle with anxiety is so real. It wasn’t all panic attacks, but little things like constantly scanning surroundings. Definitely a breath of fresh air from how anxiety is normally portrayed in media. And Cammie was so great with handling West’s anxiety!
I also enjoyed West and Cammie’s adventures to various places in Italy. I’ve never been before, but it really makes me want to go!
The only reason I knocked down a star was because the beginning of Cammie and West’s story was difficult for me to get through. I’m super picky with enemies to lovers tropes, and this one wasn’t one that I enjoyed at first. But I did end up loving their relationship by the end (it ALWAYS is communication issues, isn’t it?).
Overall if you love:
• enemies to lovers (or childhood friends to more)
• a summer getaway book
• Mamma Mia
You should pick up this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are truthful and my own.
I frequently use “por que no los dos” in my everyday vernacular. So of course I squealed when I saw this!
Ancient History Between Us is a sweet rom-com that’s basically an Italian version of Mamma Mia (including a Dancing Queen cameo). Cammie, or Camilla, is joining her mom on a summer in Italy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her mom making a major archaeological discovery. Cammie’s mission while she’s there is to find her father she never met.
What she wasn’t expecting was her ex best friend and first kiss, West, to also be there with his dad. Chaos ensues. As it normally does 😂
I loved Cammie and Alex’s close mother-daughter relationship. It never seemed like an angsty teen girl trying to go behind her mom’s back to discover who her dad was. It was genuine. There was never any real conflict between them - I appreciate that!
West’s struggle with anxiety is so real. It wasn’t all panic attacks, but little things like constantly scanning surroundings. Definitely a breath of fresh air from how anxiety is normally portrayed in media. And Cammie was so great with handling West’s anxiety!
I also enjoyed West and Cammie’s adventures to various places in Italy. I’ve never been before, but it really makes me want to go!
The only reason I knocked down a star was because the beginning of Cammie and West’s story was difficult for me to get through. I’m super picky with enemies to lovers tropes, and this one wasn’t one that I enjoyed at first. But I did end up loving their relationship by the end (it ALWAYS is communication issues, isn’t it?).
Overall if you love:
• enemies to lovers (or childhood friends to more)
• a summer getaway book
• Mamma Mia
You should pick up this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are truthful and my own.
June 21, 2026
I just adore Kaitlyn’s books. You can always expect some sort of enemies/friends to lovers trope, excellent locale, and superb banter. This one is set around Naples, Italy and follows Cammie & West, two children of renowned archaeologists, who are back in the area for the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the Villa de Bronzi archaeological site. After a failed first chance at romance 3 years ago, the two college students bond as they navigate their hurtful past, West’s anxiety and indecision over whether or not to choose a college study abroad program in Germy next year, and Cammie searching for her Dad by reading her mom’s diaries and seeking out the suspects.
This Mamma Mia inspired story is both hilarious & charming, set against the idealistic Campania backdrop with boat rides, pizza making, and even the mentions of the phallic art that ancient Romans were so fond of (if you’ve ever had to accompany teens and 20 somethings to the special phallic room at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and had to give the “we must be respectful” speech, then you’ll be giggling and kicking your legs at the phallic fresco mentioned in the Villa!). It’s the perfect enemies to lovers, slow burn, second chance summer romance that I crave this time of year with a little mystery to keep the pages turning. The plot twist at the end was served well—the circumstances surrounding Cammie’s father reveal were not what I was expecting, and I love being surprised!
Kudos to Kaitlyn Hill for another adorable romp that made me crave one of my favorite areas in the world!
I already ordered 3 copies for my high school library, and can’t wait to champion this one into the hands of my romance readers when we return to school this fall!
Thank you to Delacorte/Random House for the e-ARC. This one is out this Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026!
This Mamma Mia inspired story is both hilarious & charming, set against the idealistic Campania backdrop with boat rides, pizza making, and even the mentions of the phallic art that ancient Romans were so fond of (if you’ve ever had to accompany teens and 20 somethings to the special phallic room at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and had to give the “we must be respectful” speech, then you’ll be giggling and kicking your legs at the phallic fresco mentioned in the Villa!). It’s the perfect enemies to lovers, slow burn, second chance summer romance that I crave this time of year with a little mystery to keep the pages turning. The plot twist at the end was served well—the circumstances surrounding Cammie’s father reveal were not what I was expecting, and I love being surprised!
Kudos to Kaitlyn Hill for another adorable romp that made me crave one of my favorite areas in the world!
I already ordered 3 copies for my high school library, and can’t wait to champion this one into the hands of my romance readers when we return to school this fall!
Thank you to Delacorte/Random House for the e-ARC. This one is out this Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026!
June 14, 2026
Think childhood-friends-to-maybe-something-more-turned-estranged-and-surprise-summer-reunion-to-love with a Mamma Mia “who’s my dad?” mystery (without the musical) set on an Italian archaeological dig site — the title Ancient *History* Between Us is SO good and works in so many ways for this story.
I love Kaitlyn Hill, her humor, and the authentic humanness of her characters in all their complicated glory. That was all found in abundance in this book.
Cammie was a young woman who thought she had her life plan figured out but, like most 19/20 year olds, life decidedly did not go to plan and had her asking a lot of questions about her future. Returning to the site she was born to spend time with her mom for the 20-year anniversary of the historic discovery gave her the opportunity to attempt to answer at least one of those question — who provided the other half of her DNA. Too bad that also means she ended up face to face with her former childhood best friend she hadn’t seen or spoken to in three years…a separation that happened after one kiss.
Cammie and West had to overcome teenage growing pains, misunderstandings and miscommunication, and quiet resentment to find their footing again, first and friends and then as more. West had his own family drama and personal battle with anxiety to work through, but once the two of them were able to really talk with and understand each other, the strength of their bond was evident.
Sometimes when reading YA, I very much have to remind myself of the characters’ ages with the choices they make and actions they take. Even though they’re not kid-kids, they are still Kids who are just beginning to really have to face the real world and they’re not always going to make the most sense. My elder “wisdom” wants to shake them and I have to shake myself out of it.
Overall, another enjoyable read from Kaitlyn Hill to add to the collection. Thank you to Delacorte Romance for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love Kaitlyn Hill, her humor, and the authentic humanness of her characters in all their complicated glory. That was all found in abundance in this book.
Cammie was a young woman who thought she had her life plan figured out but, like most 19/20 year olds, life decidedly did not go to plan and had her asking a lot of questions about her future. Returning to the site she was born to spend time with her mom for the 20-year anniversary of the historic discovery gave her the opportunity to attempt to answer at least one of those question — who provided the other half of her DNA. Too bad that also means she ended up face to face with her former childhood best friend she hadn’t seen or spoken to in three years…a separation that happened after one kiss.
Cammie and West had to overcome teenage growing pains, misunderstandings and miscommunication, and quiet resentment to find their footing again, first and friends and then as more. West had his own family drama and personal battle with anxiety to work through, but once the two of them were able to really talk with and understand each other, the strength of their bond was evident.
Sometimes when reading YA, I very much have to remind myself of the characters’ ages with the choices they make and actions they take. Even though they’re not kid-kids, they are still Kids who are just beginning to really have to face the real world and they’re not always going to make the most sense. My elder “wisdom” wants to shake them and I have to shake myself out of it.
Overall, another enjoyable read from Kaitlyn Hill to add to the collection. Thank you to Delacorte Romance for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Camilla Lovett and Weston Jacobs grew up together running around dig sites with their archaeologist parents. Three years ago, their friendship was on the brink of turning into something more when a kiss led to disaster, miscommunication, and three years of silence.
Cammie, now 19, is returning to Italy for the summer to celebrate the anniversary of her mom’s greatest discovery. She is unpleasantly surprised to see West, now 20, is also in Italy with his father.
They may be older, but Cammie and West still have a lot of hurt feelings and unspoken words between them. However, Cammie cannot allow West to become a distraction when she’s on a mission (unbeknownst to her mother) to find the father she’s never met.
When West insists on helping Cammie on her search, they come to a reluctant truce that leads to an actual conversation and restarts their friendship. As they make their way across Naples and its surrounding areas on their quest, West and Cammie’s feelings for one another begin to resurface. However, they still face a lot of the same challenges that lead to their separation three years ago and that threaten to derail their relationship before it even begins.
Ancient History Between Us was a surprisingly emotional young adult romance that dealt with some pretty serious topics like anxiety and self-doubt but also featured a sweet journey of self-discovery and love.
Cammie, now 19, is returning to Italy for the summer to celebrate the anniversary of her mom’s greatest discovery. She is unpleasantly surprised to see West, now 20, is also in Italy with his father.
They may be older, but Cammie and West still have a lot of hurt feelings and unspoken words between them. However, Cammie cannot allow West to become a distraction when she’s on a mission (unbeknownst to her mother) to find the father she’s never met.
When West insists on helping Cammie on her search, they come to a reluctant truce that leads to an actual conversation and restarts their friendship. As they make their way across Naples and its surrounding areas on their quest, West and Cammie’s feelings for one another begin to resurface. However, they still face a lot of the same challenges that lead to their separation three years ago and that threaten to derail their relationship before it even begins.
Ancient History Between Us was a surprisingly emotional young adult romance that dealt with some pretty serious topics like anxiety and self-doubt but also featured a sweet journey of self-discovery and love.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘜𝘴 is a sweet, multi-dimensional second-chance romance set on the stunning Italian coastline.
Cammie and West were once childhood friends, exploring global archaeological dig sites and slowly developing feelings. But it all fell apart three years ago with an abrupt goodbye. Now, Cammie plans to spend the summer in Italy alongside her mother while she secretly digs up her own past searching for her unknown father, and the last thing she expects is to find West upon her arrival, forcing her to confront unresolved feelings.
Hill pens a story rich with wanderlust, exploring breathtaking Italian scenery and dig sites full of undiscovered secrets. It packs an emotional punch, providing immense character development. Fans of Mamma Mia will adore Cammie's paternal investigation!
The romance plotline adds a heartfelt touch, developing naturally and providing readers another reason to root for Cammie. While her treatment of West is harsh in the beginning, she's clearly protecting herself and her own heart, and it allows her to grow throughout the story.
I adored this adventure, experiencing swims in Italian waters, cups of fresh gelato, and mouthwatering bites of pizza with Cammie and West. What a fun, quick read!
Thank you to Delacorte and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!
Cammie and West were once childhood friends, exploring global archaeological dig sites and slowly developing feelings. But it all fell apart three years ago with an abrupt goodbye. Now, Cammie plans to spend the summer in Italy alongside her mother while she secretly digs up her own past searching for her unknown father, and the last thing she expects is to find West upon her arrival, forcing her to confront unresolved feelings.
Hill pens a story rich with wanderlust, exploring breathtaking Italian scenery and dig sites full of undiscovered secrets. It packs an emotional punch, providing immense character development. Fans of Mamma Mia will adore Cammie's paternal investigation!
The romance plotline adds a heartfelt touch, developing naturally and providing readers another reason to root for Cammie. While her treatment of West is harsh in the beginning, she's clearly protecting herself and her own heart, and it allows her to grow throughout the story.
I adored this adventure, experiencing swims in Italian waters, cups of fresh gelato, and mouthwatering bites of pizza with Cammie and West. What a fun, quick read!
Thank you to Delacorte and NetGalley for the advance reading copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - June 22, 2026
Publication Date - Tomorrow!
*I received a physical ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @penguinteenca! [AD/PR]
Looking for your next Summer read? Look no further! Ancient History Between Us is a young adult romance that takes place in Italy... do I need to say more? The writing is descriptive and easy to visualize, which made it feel like I was there, exploring and learning how to make (and burn) pizza! I was hooked from the first chapter and loved the combination of angsty attitude and awkward face-palm moments throughout the book. If you like Mamma Mia, you might enjoy this story too! There’s so much drama and miscommunication but it makes for a great distraction from your own life. I also appreciate the mental health representation in this book, specifically anxiety. If you like young adult romance, friends to lovers and second chance tropes, you should try Ancient History Between Us!
Get excited to read Ancient History Between Us, available tomorrow! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
Date Read - June 22, 2026
Publication Date - Tomorrow!
*I received a physical ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @penguinteenca! [AD/PR]
Looking for your next Summer read? Look no further! Ancient History Between Us is a young adult romance that takes place in Italy... do I need to say more? The writing is descriptive and easy to visualize, which made it feel like I was there, exploring and learning how to make (and burn) pizza! I was hooked from the first chapter and loved the combination of angsty attitude and awkward face-palm moments throughout the book. If you like Mamma Mia, you might enjoy this story too! There’s so much drama and miscommunication but it makes for a great distraction from your own life. I also appreciate the mental health representation in this book, specifically anxiety. If you like young adult romance, friends to lovers and second chance tropes, you should try Ancient History Between Us!
Get excited to read Ancient History Between Us, available tomorrow! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
January 31, 2026
If you like a romance that follows friends to lovers and comedic moments that will make you laugh, this book is for you!
This book follows Cammie and West, children of archeologists who were childhood friends. After not speaking for 3 years, they reunite in Italy at an archeological site their parents are at for the summer. By the, West is a math nerd who wears glasses when he remembers to put them on.
Cammie's goal while in Italy is to find her biological father. She finds her mom's journal from around the time she was born and creates a list of "potential father candidates", in true Mamma Mia fashion. West ends up joining her on this journey. I lived Wild about You by this author, so I knew I had to read this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
This book follows Cammie and West, children of archeologists who were childhood friends. After not speaking for 3 years, they reunite in Italy at an archeological site their parents are at for the summer. By the, West is a math nerd who wears glasses when he remembers to put them on.
Cammie's goal while in Italy is to find her biological father. She finds her mom's journal from around the time she was born and creates a list of "potential father candidates", in true Mamma Mia fashion. West ends up joining her on this journey. I lived Wild about You by this author, so I knew I had to read this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
June 16, 2026
I just didn’t like this, I had to dnf at 60%.
50 percent in and there is nothing happening, all we know is that Cammi is searching for her dad and that West Jacobs used to be her best friend. There is so much information and absolutely none at the same time.
The way that Cammi talks to West I don’t know how they were ever friends in the first place, neither one knows how to communicate about anything but her hatred for him. I’m supposed to believe that they get together at the end when she’s not even starting to change her mind about how she sees him unless his shirt is off.
This has put me in one of the worst slumps I have been in since I started reading again 4 years ago.
Thank you Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for letting me read a free copy of this book in exchange for a review
50 percent in and there is nothing happening, all we know is that Cammi is searching for her dad and that West Jacobs used to be her best friend. There is so much information and absolutely none at the same time.
The way that Cammi talks to West I don’t know how they were ever friends in the first place, neither one knows how to communicate about anything but her hatred for him. I’m supposed to believe that they get together at the end when she’s not even starting to change her mind about how she sees him unless his shirt is off.
This has put me in one of the worst slumps I have been in since I started reading again 4 years ago.
Thank you Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for letting me read a free copy of this book in exchange for a review
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