History of Us

Friendships and Festivals #2

by Stacey Agdern

Do they have a future together, or is their relationship ancient history?

Anna Cohen, perpetual assistant at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History, lands a golden chance to curate her own exhibit when her boss sends her to Rockliffe Manor, New York. She’s to assist an influential Jewish family as they organize an exhibit of their own in time for the town’s Summer Days Festival. While she’s there, Anna just needs to convince them to part with some of their archival history for an upcoming exhibition—something they’ve always refused—and not get involved with her ex, the family’s heir. Again.

Jacob Horowitz-Margareten wants to help save the world. Despite having no time to spend organizing his family’s archives, he’s always had a soft spot for Anna. The chance to spend more time with her intrigues him, but he doesn’t trust her boss or the museum she works for with the tangible bits of his family’s rich history.

As they work together, Anna and Jacob need to decide what’s more important: their history or the story their hearts are telling them.

Genres: Jewish, Romance, Summer Reads, Christmas, Small Town Romance, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary Romance

Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2021

Reviews

[Felicia Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so full disclosure, I am friends with the author and have read every single draft of this book and love, love, love, love the way it developed and turned out. It's a really interesting and lovely make it Jewish twist on the Hallmark trope of women-with-career-goals-does-project-for-hot-rich-guy. In this case, Anna's museum curating career hinges on working with Jacob's family archives (he comes from a family that has always been involved in the American Jewish community and thus connected to its history). However, Jacob has concerns due to the fact that Anna's evil boss has a reputation in the museum world and his family is very private. Nevertheless, she is totally his one-who-got-away (did I mention it's also second chance?) and he spends a lot of the the book doing some very ardent courting. It's lovely and sweet and the world (both the interweaving of Jewish and family history as well as the fully built community of side characters) is excellent. Anna comes into her own very well, Jacob learns when to push and went to sit back, and they have just a beautiful soft, forgiving romance. It's a really fabulous summer read.

[b.andherbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A wonderful exploration of family, history, and preserving identity while also moving forward to the future, I appreciate the thoughtfulness the author put into the world she built, but the romance just wasn't there for me. For a second chance, I needed more time with the love interests on page together, more of a glimpse into their personal history, more of a reason why I should be invested in their HEA.

Thank you to LJ and the publisher for the ARC. Professional review to come in Library Journal

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

History of Us is an enjoyable second chance romance with two protagonists who are clearly made for each other but who have to find a way to make their lives work together. Anna and Jacob have been on-again/off-again for years; loving each other has never been their problem. But sometimes love isn’t enough, especially when one of them never stops moving. Jacob has a soul-deep need to do everything he can to try and make the world a better place. It’s an admirable goal and his heart is definitely in the right place but he feels like he has to be perfect and he’s stretching himself so thin you can see he’s in danger of tearing himself apart. Anna is an assistant curator with a passion for Jewish history and great ideas for blending history and modern political ideas.

The Jewish representation in History of Us is where the book shines brightest. Stacey Agdern weaves into the story the obstacles many Jews face today, the veiled antisemitism that is often faced. With Jacob’s work and Anna’s exhibit she also delves into how many Jews have and do take part in social justice movements. There’s also discussion of Gilded Age Jews, exploring personal history, and more. It’s all fascinating and Agdern does it extremely well, grounding the book in reality.

The romance is where I struggled with the story a bit. It’s not bad – not by a long shot – but the passion and energy that is found in the real world issues seems to be understated in the romantic fantasy element. I wanted the romance to grab me more, to care about Jacob and Anna as a couple as much as I did about their work and their passion for community. I liked them, make no mistake, and I wanted them to get together because the history they had came through. But overall I was left wanting a bit of excitement and feeling from the romance. I needed more show less tell. Even with this issue, the community Adgern builds in her books and the religious and cultural elements of History of Us are so rare to find in romance novels that I will definitely be back for more Friendships and Festivals stories.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I’m not a fan of second chance romances, but this one felt real and powerful. I loved the historical aspects of it, as well as the social justice work. I liked Anna, and how she knew herself and what she needed, and how open she was to something more in every aspect of her life. Jacob was lovely, although he believes he has to be perfect, and be everything to everyone (at least in his business dealings). Overall this was excellent!

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A second chance romance of Anna and Jacob, they have been friends since their early years. They both come from a Jewish background. Anna is an assistant at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History, when asked to to organize an exhibit for Summer Days Festival, the family with all of the information just happens to be her ex boyfriend's family. Jacob wants to save the world and really has no time to help with the family archives, but spending time with Anna once again pulls at his heart.

This story is rich in telling Jewish history, which I really enjoyed but was lacking in romance between Anna and Jacob. I wish there more in the development of their current relationship, ok, I did love the epilogue.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of History of Us by Stacey Agdern from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I had read the first book in the Friendship and Festivals series and enjoyed it very much. I reread parts of book one to re-familiarize myself with the characters and the story. I really enjoyed reading Anna’s story. She is the assistant curator for the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History and loves her work. Her boss unfortunately is not the best. Anna wants to one day design her own exhibit. She finally gets the nerve to mention her idea to her boss and she puts conditions on it happening. Anna is from Hollowville but now lives in Manhattan. We learn that in the past she spent her summers with her grandparents in the exclusive town of Rockliffe Manor. Her ex, Jacob, is from a very wealthy family in Rockliffe Manor. He works to help others through several different businesses he owns or works with. Jacob and Anna met when they were children and spent summers together in Rockliffe Manor. They were together on and off through college and after. They had always pledged to acknowledge the other and recently Jacob ignored her, thus devastating her. He wants to explain to her but hasn’t.

As the book opens, Anna’s boss assigns her to contact Jacob’s mother Rose to get some information from their family archives. In the past no one has been able to get into the family’s historical documents and her boss hopes she’ll use her connections. Anna manages to get permission to work in the family’s wing for the artifacts. She relocates to Rockliffe Manor and stays with her grandmother. She also contacts her former boss who trained her and got her interested in her curation work. She works works very diligently on her assignment to help with the town’s festival as well as her boss’s exhibit. She is also in constant contact with her friends in Hollowville.

Jacob moves between his company’s philanthropic work in Texas, Rockliffe Manor and Manhattan. Jacob and Anna initially have awkward meetings. His mother makes him be the contact while Anna is working with their items and he’s in town. They spend time talking and both have fond memories of the other. Both reflect on the past and what they want for the future, both professionally and personally. I was cheering for them as a couple as well as their own goals. There is a great amount of angst that makes the story very exciting.

I love a second chance romance and this was a really good one. Anna and Jacob’s story was fun to read and watching the love they had for each other was wonderful. I like historical places and old homes and I found these parts of the story fascinating. I highly recommend this book.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the blurb on this book does a good job of explaining exactly what story the author is trying to tell in this book. It's not often that I say a book needed to be longer, but this one needed more, more of everything.

First, this is excellent Jewish representation. Family, community, and history take center stage in this second chance romance. We have the history between Anna and Jacob. There is Jacob's family history. Anna's family history is also present, but not explored much (probably the only place I didn't feel the need for more). There is the history both main characters have in their town. We have friends and family who round out these histories and make the current community come alive. But I needed more. I needed to know some specifics about Anna and Jacob's history and why they couldn't make it work. I needed to know about Jacob's family history, more than that they helped establish the town - why the letters from his father, is he a billionaire or not. There appeared to be a lot there but not a lot explored.

And as far as the current romance, I needed them together a lot more, growing together a lot more. There were great glimpses back, like when they went for a drive. A very evocative section, exploring their memories and creating a really good sense of place. But too often there were scenes of potential conflict, and then the chapter would end on some kind of hopeful sentence that was just discordant for me. Anna and Jacob are falling back in love over the course of the book, and I needed to see more of that, a lot more.

Agdern is also addressing issues of representation, of exploring personal and Jewish history, of being seen. This to me was the heart of the book. Jewish history is not just the Holocaust. I for one would love to see something like the social justice exhibit that Anna was working toward, as well as complete family histories. When these exhibits exist, they need the kind of spotlight put on other historical exhibits. The discussion that the Gilded Age is only discussed with the Astors and Vanderbilts, leaving out so much additional history including prominent Jewish families among others - Yes to all this!

Overall, I think the discussion of representation and history was the most successful part of the book. The background for the characters and the current day romance needed to be expanded on.

I read an e-ARC provided by the author and publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

History of Us by Stacey Agdern
Do they have a future together, or is their relationship ancient history?
Anna Cohen, perpetual assistant at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History, lands a golden chance to curate her own exhibit when her boss sends her to Rockliffe Manor, New York. She’s to assist an influential Jewish family as they organize an exhibit of their own in time for the town’s Summer Days Festival. While she’s there, Anna just needs to convince them to part with some of their archival history for an upcoming exhibition—something they’ve always refused—and not get involved with her ex, the family’s heir. Again.
Jacob Horowitz-Margareten wants to help save the world. Despite having no time to spend organizing his family’s archives, he’s always had a soft spot for Anna. The chance to spend more time with her intrigues him, but he doesn’t trust her boss or the museum she works for with the tangible bits of his family’s rich history.
As they work together, Anna and Jacob need to decide what’s more important: their history or the story their hearts are telling them.
This is Anna Cohen and Jacob Horowitz-Margareten's story.
Anna Cohen finished writing the reference on the index card, put her pen down and took a deep breath. She’d been working late into the night, and had finally finished the first part of the exhibition.
It was such a relief. She stretched behind her desk, put her annoyingly straight brown hair into a bun, and sat back. The pressure was off, at least for now. Working on one of Jemima Kellerman’s exhibits at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History was a great boost for her career for sure.
As she was about to check her email, she heard a knock on the door of her tiny office. “Come in,” she said.
Manhattan had a different rhythm from Rockliffe Manor, especially in early December. Faster, probably because it ran at its own pace as opposed to figuring out how to handle everybody else’s.
At least that was how Jacob Horowitz-Margareten saw it.
Early December was even more difficult. Triple-breasted suits and heavy coats reminded him of photos his ancestors had taken. The weight of that legacy always lay heavily on his shoulders, but this felt worse.
History of Us by Stacey Agdern is a 4 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a first time reader of this series and this author. I am also Jewish so a book about a jewish couple centered on Jewish history sounded really cool.

This is a second chance at romance. Jacob and Anna are pretty much very business like. He is running around town taking care of business, at the call of his mother who runs the historical society and who brought Anna to town to help with an exhibit for a festival.

There is a lot of information tossed at me and truly its all new so it was a bit much and took over the book many, many, many times. I liked Anna alot. I loved seeing her current friends and making new relationships in the town she grew up in. But her and Jacob had such a complicated relationship and while when they saw each other it was weird and uncomfortable, I never felt the attraction or the love, not even a little.

The ending was nice but I really felt that Jacob was a very cold and calculating man. I really didn't feel love from either Anna and Jacob even when they said the words. It was a well written story and I liked Anna and her friends a lot. I liked Jacob's friends too and even his family but I really never liked Jacob. He was very cold and stilted.

It was a very original and different kind of book, I enjoyed the history and felt it was well written but I did not feel the romance or end up liking Jacob.

I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jo Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of Us is the second in Stacey Agdern's "friendship and festivals" series.

Ostensibly each book has two main characters who meet in New York and the small towns surrounding the city, finding, after ups and downs, their happy ever after.
But really the meat, the important meat of each book is about so much more than that. They are an illustration and education through a romantic lens, about what it means to be young and Jewish in America in the 21st Century. The books look at the meaning of Jewish community, tradition, history, identity faith and food... and the effort required to keep all these things alive and flourishing.

Jacob and Anna play the leading roles in "History of Us". Anna a museum curator is asked to plan an exhibit involving Jacob's family's archive. Having helped with something very similar at Clevedon Pier, Anna's experiences really resonated with me even though hers were through a Jewish lens. For me, the main layered themes of this book were sanctuary, the preserving of memory and the Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, the latter introduced by Jacob's character.

I only discovered my Jewish heritage in my 50's, and am still peddling madly to catch up with a culture/faith/people that - apart from the Holocaust- l knew nothing about, these books are gold dust in a way that dry history books aren't.
I can't wait to re read them. I'm sure, second time around l'll absorb even more meaning.

[Alyson (alysonbookishthoughts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book that featured a second chance romance and was filled with Jewish representation! Having read Miracles and Menorahs last year, I was eager to get Anna's story after being introduced to her and this is my favorite book in the series so far.

The second chance trope is one of my favorites and I was definitely invested in if Anna and Jacob would give things another go. They both had valid reasons why they wanted to be together but also had reasons for why things might not work in their favor and I love the way Stacey wrote about it and explored all sides. One of my favorite things in this book like in the first book was the friendships. I loved the way all of Anna's friends (and family) rallied around her to help her out throughout the book and I loved Batya as the voice of reason when it came to Anna and Jacob's relationship. As a Long Islander, I loved all of the references sprinkled throughout and they were spot on that I could picture the places exactly.

Thank you so much to Stacey Agdern for sending me an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend picking this book up when it comes out on June 24!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna and Jacob’s story in The History of Us by Stacey Agdern, book two in her Friendships and Festivals series, is a second chance story. Anna Cohen, an assistant curator at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History lands the perfect job; organizing an exhibit for an influential Jewish family in Rockliffe Manor, New York. Anna spent her childhood summers there while visiting her grandmother, playing with the family’s son, Jacob. Jacob Horowitz-Margareten is determined to help save the world, leaving him with little time for himself. When he learns that Anna is going to be the one to organize an exhibit from his family’s archives for Summer Days, he is hopeful to spend time with her, possibly fix their broken relationship. As Anna and Jacob navigate the path toward rekindling their relationship they have a few obstacles to get around first; an unethical boss and demands on Jacob’s time. It’s going to take the support of family and friends before Jacob and Anna can re-build their relationship from a shared history. The magnetism, attraction, and chemistry between them are still there; all they need to do is listen to their hearts.

Ms. Agdern wrote a wonderfully sweet, heartwarming, and moving story that is not to be missed. This story contains perfect chemistry, romantic dates, fun banter, the magic of love, and charming characters giving Anna and Jacob a chance a chance at a future together; creating their own history. I highly recommend History of Us to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

History of Us the second book in the Friendships and Festivals Series by Stacey Agdern is another enjoyable contemporary romance. Anna Cohen and Jacob Horowitz-Margareten have a history that is more than the archival history that she works with or that his family owns. However, Jewish history is part of this story because of her career and his family. I found that part to be just as interesting as the romance. Museums and festivals highlighting Jewish history all rolled into one story with romance too. I am not Jewish but find the culture, background and history of these characters to be enriching.

Second chance romances are one of my favorite tropes. This one is excellent. Anna and Jacob have reasons to part but also reasons to invest in a true relationship. Theirs is a sweet romance with head and heart involved by the conclusion.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story in the Friendships and Festivals series. Anna Cohen is an assistant curator at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish History in New York City. And, somewhat stereotypically, she's the one that does tons of work with no credit, by the head curator. But Anna's asked to help out at Rockville Manor's Summer Days Festival, through its Historical Society, and the archives of one of the founding families of Rockville Manor, the Horowitz-Margareten Family. The snag? Anna and Jacob Horowitz-Margareten have an on again, off again relationship. But while Anna's working in the family archives, carefully following conseravator procedures, Jacob, and Anna's boss, Jemima each have their own agendas, with Anna caught in the middle.

Another great story in the series, but it didn't seem to gell together as well as the other two.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super cute, quick read. I am a sucker for both Jewish romance and second-chance romance, so this was up my ally.

I loved the occasional Yiddish throughout the book and the talk about antisemitism and Jewish history. I flew through this story and was rooting for Anna and Jacob the whole time.

I do however wish there was a little more story to their romance. While I felt a lot of the pull of nostalgia from the second-chance romance, I could've used more background on their relationship from "before." There weren't a lot of details on Anna and Jacob's past, which made it feel like a very accelerated relationship when it wasn't exactly.

If you want a quick Jewish romance, I'd recommend this.

[Jadesola James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The History of Us is my favorite Stacey Agdern title for a multitude of reasons-- the history, the care with which she uses to create the world we're in for the duration of the book, and a tender, poignant second chance romance (and a great title for both.) New York and Long Island feature heavily in the book, and it feels so familiar (Long Island gal here!) The weaving in of Jewish and family history is beautifully done as well. Highly recommended!

[Riv Begun · Rating 5 out of 5]

it brings me so much joy to read such a Jewish story and with such a different take on Jewish history and background than I usually find in literature. I loved the love interest (love those book crushes) and felt like all of the characters seemed very real. A wonderful summer book. It gave me so much pleasure. Highly recommend.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always love a book where the heroine loves history and a strong dedication to her heritage.

Anna Cohen is an assistant curator at the Manhattan Museum of Jewish Heritage (MMJH) and her boss has approved her to work on an assignment in Long Island in hopes that Anna can convince the Horowitz-Margareten to loan items to MMJH for an exhibit. Anna is on board, except for her history with a particular part of the Horowitz-Margareten family.

Jacob is in love with Anna Cohen and perpetually over-committed. They've dated on and off since they were kids and they were convinced they were going to make it work, but they never did. Now Anna is back in town and Jacob's mother had asked him to look after her. Could he get another chance to make it right this time?

Anna and Jacob are an endearing and adorable pair that come off the page and have some cute times together. They bond over shared sandwiches and times with friends. Of you love food, second chance romance, and history, you'll love this book.

[Paula Pugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of second chances between a Jewish history curator and her first love, her true friend. If her boss does not mess it all up, a mistake by him may just do it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance. I found the book to be a sweet, fun and romantic read. I loved all the characters and I thought the story line was well written. I look forward to discovering more books by this author. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun romantic read from a Jewish perspective. A little too much business talk for my taste but still enjoyed it

[Louise Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent second chance love with history lessons along the way.

[Debra M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb really caught my attention and this book cover.I'm looking forward to the 3rd book in this series. Loved Anna and Jacob's storyline.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Andrea Mass · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, but the writing was way too stilted....I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters.

[♡ Maya K. M. ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️