Reviews

The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen

maryjayka's review against another edition

4.0

This is a challenge to review...

There are a lot of things I like. I think Corey's struggle with adapting to her spinal cord injury (SCI) is well-written. There is a lot of anger, frustration, ambivalence, pain, loss that is very appropriate for the first year after an injury. She was an athlete and now has frustrating limitations and the struggle she is experiencing in revising her self-image is often present in ableist language (e.g. gimp). Her parents were overprotective and that likely slowed or impeded some of her coping, including how she was adjusting her life and expectations. That emotional process was well-conceived and well-executed.

I thought the scenes around consent were well-done and the discussion they had about sexuality after SCI was sensitive.

Spoiler

What I really struggle with is how Adam was dating someone else and being physically affectionate (passionate kisses) and verbally affectionate in front of Corey both before and after Stacia went to Europe. Before he got to know Corey that was understandable. But after? That's such a jerk move. Spending time with Corey while they were separated might have been understandable given that hehad agreed to an open relationship while Stacia was in Europe. However, his "experiment" crossed a line that should have made him think twice at that point and break up with Stacia when whe returned. The fact that he went back to having a physical relationship with Stacie IN FRONT OF COREY WITHIN HOURS is just a dick move. The fact that we had to read some of their physical interactions, while others were implied - yuck! No! I understand he had his own issues, but duuude! I really liked Alex in so many ways, but that kid needed someone to kick his butt a little harder than his mom was trying to do. And I get that he was 21, so maybe just a dumb kid. But then the turnaround from Stacia to Corey was equally fast! Maybe at least go get an STI test first and mention it because we know she was sleeping with other guys in Europe!! Sigh

The other characters, the people that Corey gets to know through water polo, the hockey guys, her family - lots of interesting characters that set the scene for a promising series.

There was a lot to like in this book but the above-described issues with Alex were frustrating! I wish that was written differently. In the end, I only deducted one star for all that, because there was a lot that was good with this book.

kaisii's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It had a slice-of-life, cozy, realistic vibe. There wasn't any crazy drama. It was a nice read 

brokenrecord's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars.

readingwitherin's review against another edition

3.0

“There’s no more perfect, Callahan. Now there’s only really damned good.”


We all know I struggle to like new adult books, and were probably getting to the point now where you're all wondering why I keep trying them? That would be because I'm extremely stubborn and I am determined to find a good new adult. This one is getting there everyone.


The Year We Fell Down follows two different characters Corey Callahan and Adam Hartley we get to see things from both of there perspectives throughout the year. Corey has recently become paralyzed due to an accident that happened 6 months before college started. Because of this accident, she is now in a wheelchair and is learning to navigate life in a wheelchair and the struggles that come with that physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Adam is injured currently and because of that is using crutches and massively struggling with getting around.



Overall I did find myself enjoying this book. I know let's all take a minute because who knows when I'll be able to say that about a new adult book again. Okay now, why did I enjoy this book? I'm a person who uses a wheelchair and always has, and seeing someone in a wheelchair in books isn't that common especially in romance type of books.

I loved how hardheaded and determined Corey was to find things that would work and modify things to still be able to have a college experience that was similar to her peers. I liked how supportive the people she was meeting with and dealing with on a regular basis. Yes everyone had that moment of hesitation but that's real life for those of us in wheelchairs because no one really knows how to act or say at first. I also liked how it was shown Corey always having to think ahead about every little thing and how exhausting it truly was, and yes people offered to help, but that's not something you can always rely on especially when partying is involved.



“Everybody has their shit to shovel, Callahan. Everybody.” He gave my hand a squeeze, and then took his back. “Now, yours is right up front where everybody can see it. I don’t envy you that. But everybody has some, whether you can see it or not.”



Hartley was a character that I did like for the most part as well. He was always there for Corey which was nice in a way especially as he healed up and was able to be mobile again on his own without any assistance. I really appreciated the little things he did for Corey and how he didn't treat her any differently than his other friends when it came to certain things.



Now those were the things I liked about this book. I did have a few issues with this book though as well. I didn't like how pushy Adam was about certain things when it came to sex and Corey becoming comfortable with her sexuality. He was pushy about it and instead of just letting Corey figure certain things out on her he almost in a way pushed for things to happen that night. I also didn't like how he was cheating with Corey on his girlfriend (yes it was a terrible relationship but that's not an excuse for cheating).



While I'm not sure if I'll continue on with this series or not as it doesn't follow Corey and Hartley I did really enjoy it.





"Suddenly, living my new life seemed more important than mourning my old one."



If you have any other recommendations for books that have a protagonist in a wheelchair or with a disability of any kind please let me know about them.

fritz42's review against another edition

5.0

I did this series backwards, reading "The Understatement of the Year" and "The Shameless Hour" first. Hartley was always a great character in those as was Corey, but in this one I really got to see how great they truly are.

Corey is still struggling with the aftermath of the accident she was in, but her determination and grit made her a character that I really enjoyed. The fact that she wasn't a "girly girl" was a big bonus, too.

And Hartley. I loved how he saw the person and not the disability with Corey. He's a god person with a kind soul.

As with all the books I've read in this series, the secondary characters shine as well.

Now I'm off to read the 2nd book, book 2.5, and the 5th book. And I just might re-read Numbers 3 and 4.

nicklein's review against another edition

3.0

I didn't like this as much as I want to. I'm not really sure why. I guess I just expected this to be more hockey-related love story or something? Don't get me wrong, this was an amazing read. The plot was very unique. I cringed a bit everytime they mention Corey's situation. That it is a permanent condition. I just hate that fact. I love love love Hartley but he can be a bit dense. Eugh. Overall, this was a nice, quick read.

jpbooklife's review against another edition

5.0

I loved the friendship that formed between Hartley and Corey. You could see the affection they had for each other from the very beginning. And watching it grow as they overcame hurdles and learned to accept the hardship's life had given them was heart warming. The narration was excellent in this book. A truly beautiful book.

reareadsalot's review against another edition

4.0

I don't know why or how I waited so long to read this one! I'm kicking myself now, because I loved every tension filled second!

Hartley and Corey are an amazing sports romance couple right up there with the best of them! This book will tear at your heartstrings and let you know relive the first stirrings of young love...and maybe even a bit of feeling an unrequited love.

I even had an actual tear from this one and that's super hard to come by these days! It was such a real and sweet moment. I loved their friendship first and then their love for each other.

elena_ww's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

xandrarama's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A thoughtful and (for me) eye-opening exploration of navigating the first year of university while learning to live with the disabling effects of a spinal cord injury. Unlike any other college sports romance I’ve read.