5 Star Review: THE YEAR WE FELL DOWN by Sarina Bowen

Title: THE YEAR WE FELL DOWN

Author: Sarina Bowen

Source: ebook from author for review

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goodreads...

The sport she loves is out of reach. The boy she loves has someone else.

What now?

She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.

Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He’s way out of Corey’s league.

Also, he’s taken.

Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the “gimp ghetto” of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.

They’re just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she’s falling. Hard.

But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won’t, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness — one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who’s afraid to love her back. 

My take...

Some people say that after a life-threatening event, they learn to enjoy life more. That they stop taking everything for granted.

Sometimes I felt like punching those people.

***

I am sitting here thinking back on all the books I've read, trying to remember if I ever read one that had the MC in a wheelchair. And nothing comes to mind. But I gotta say that Bowen has blown me away with this one and her amazing cast of characters and equally amazing storyline. Blown. Away. Gone. It is definitely one I will remember for a long time.

***

"I just wish I could give you the original me. Not the broken one."

***

Corey's character was such a refreshing one. And not just because she was in a wheel chair wither. Oh no. This chick can hold her own and still have a moment to have a mini pity party. And that is what makes her so great. She isn't one thing or the other. She isn't a super beotch, cursing the world for losing her ability to walk again, and she isn't catatonic depressed for the same reason either. She goes on with the crap she was dealt with and makes the most of it. And to me that was what made this story believable.

Then there was Hartley. That boy was adorable and way too charming for his own good. I loved him when he was with Corey and was fuming at the author for giving him a hateful, high maintenance girlfriend that wasn't worth his time. But honestly, where would the story be without a little competition, right? It made things interesting and in the end things come together. And understanding dawns on the reader and you're like 'oh yeah, I see why now.'

And my absolute favorite part of the story is the blooming relationship between Corey and Hartley. It is probably one of the best relationships I have read in quite some time. It grew and it blossomed and it thrived. It wasn't instantaneous (though those are fine too, at times). But it was something in the making. And I give mad props to Bowen for doing a superb job at writing it.

This book was a delight to read, had me snorting with laughter, and even tearing up towards the end. I am most definitely looking forward to the next book, THE YEAR WE HID AWAY, and anything else this author produces. There is something about her writing that pulls you and has you wanting to stick around, not wanting the book to end. So with that...5 Amazing Stars!