The Year We Fell Apart

by Emily Martin

Few things come as naturally to Harper as epic mistakes. In the past year she was kicked off the swim team, earned a reputation as Carson High’s easiest hook-up, and officially became the black sheep of her family. But her worst mistake was destroying her relationship with her best friend, Declan.

Now, after two semesters of silence, Declan is home from boarding school for the summer. Everything about him is different—he’s taller, stronger…more handsome. Harper has changed, too, especially in the wake of her mom’s cancer diagnosis.

While Declan wants nothing to do with Harper, he’s still Declan, her Declan, and the only person she wants to talk to about what’s really going on. But he’s also the one person she’s lost the right to seek comfort from.

As their mutual friends and shared histories draw them together again, Harper and Declan must decide which parts of their past are still salvageable, and which parts they’ll have to let go of once and for all.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Contemporary, Ebooks

316 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2016

Reviews

[s · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very frustrating and got me super annoyed. The main character and love interest, Declan can burn in the pits of Tartarus because they are absolute shit characters and I don't think I've ever been so annoyed and hated someone as much as these two fucks.

Spoilers, spoilers everywhere.

This book is about something that happened last year which caused Declan and the MC (uh it's been a day and I already forgot her name lmao yikes) to drift apart and creat a rift in their friendship/relationship because they were MORE THAN FRIENDS?? Then Declan comes back for the summer and the mc must face her past and reveal the truth as to what happened and why she shut him out.

This actually sounded very interesting to me and I was hoping for an amazing read, but y'all holy shit, I got the most weak, pathetic, pitiful piece of shit for an MC and a verbally abusive/asshole fucker for a love interest.

The MC has a reputation for hooking up and having sex (which she admits to) and she is literally so badly slut shamed for it, it's actually disgusting. She's seen as disgusting and not worthy of ANY LOVE BY ANYONE BECAUSE SHE JUST HAD SEX??? The way Declan + everyone else treats as if she has the plague was honestly so gross and amde me so fucking angry.

#S P E A K U P F O R Y O U R S E L F
SHE LET's EVERYONE TREAT HER LIKE GARBAGE AND SHE DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DEFEND HERSELF AND IT'S FRUSTRATING AF. GIRL KICK SOME ASS AND TELL PEOPLE TO STFU. I'M SO FUCKING MAD LIKE, BITCH TF YOU DOIN WHAT THE HELL, STOP LETTING PEOPLE TREAT YOU LIKE WJKJDSKJKSDNKFEDFNKSFJKFSKJ I FUCKING HATE HER WEAK ASS.

Declan. *inhales* I swear to god, everytime he popped up in the book I had to wash out my eyes with bleach, fearing they'd get contaminated by this filthy little fuck because oh my god, this guy is a disgusting example for male teens. Let's get some things straight Mr. Asshole, I don't care this girl was your girlfriend, you do NOT call her a slut and shit talk?? + verbally harm her with your disgusting words WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THE HAPPENED. He hurt her with his disgusting words many time throughout the book and she CRIED over what he said.

BUT SHE STILL LOVES THIS ASSHOLE. Their relationship is unhealthy as fuck imo and I just.....god someone throw Declan in the ocean and record him getting eaten by sharks. I'd pay you some good $$$$, deadass.

If any guy I liked treated me like, boy say goodbye to your fucking life, worthless garbage like you don't deserve to exist.

I feel like alcohol addiction isn't very handled well in this book either. Mc depends on alcohol and gets frequently drunk at parties and it's seen as an outlet for her (which is relatable for many people) but like, she almost got raped while she was drunk and admits to blacking out and not knowing what happens with her at all while drunk. That's hella dangerous and I would have liked to learn more about the mc's relationship with alcohol and at least getting help for it.

THE B I G R E V E A L
ahahahahaha
I actually laughed because it was that disappointing and stupid. This book is actually pathetic.

And there are many things in the book that left so many answers for me. Things didn't even make sense AND I NEED ANSWERS.

[Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

After years of reading, I finally realized why over the top angst didn't always cause the same kind of reaction in me. The fact is, although angsty driven plots can captivate me, my frustration will know no bounds when,

a) The plot is focused on the romance and the outcome is one of will they/will they not kind of drama (and overshadows everything else, even when other important issues are simultaneously (trying to be) tackle(d) ;

b) The MC rambles about that submentioned romance without never letting me one second to fucking BREATHE and think about something else ;

c) On top of that, miscommunications have the remarkable ability to drive me NUTS. As for conversations that end by, "just forget it", they simply make me want to strangle the characters. Oops.

Unfortunately The Year We Fell Apart is a strong winner in every one of these categories, and it's a shame really, because it tried to do something that I really appreciate, that is to say, to attack double standards in teenagers sexuality. Yet I feel like that this purpose is drowned under the layers of obsessing about Declan (The Guy Who Gives Meaningful Stares - I'm sorry, I have no patience for this, and it's on me, I know, but goddammit, use your mouth already). Not to mention that the way Sadie (her best-friend who likes to flirt) is portrayed made me somewhat uncomfortable and in my opinion it weakened the aforementioned goal.

Really, though? I think that my over-growing frustration is annihilating any pretense of developing a fair opinion about this book, so you may want to check other reviews because it could be a case of 'it's not you but me' (and my lack of patience for OTT drama). To be honest, I'm sure that many readers will like it and I can see why : the writing is decent, the situations sound realistic.

This being said, I don't see Harper growing : I'm all for flawed characters, but she hardly makes sense to me, and I don't understand her justifications at all. I'm not one to not acknolewdge my mistakes, though, so please tell me if I'm wrong if you finished the book.

Are the issues dealt with or are we only offered a *beautiful* wrapped-up HEA in form of Declan's lips? Does her mother's illness developed into something else that a NA-feeling useless subplot? I have a bad feeling, but hey, I'm not clairvoyant.

As much as I'd want to know, I can't handle more of this. You're giving me a headache, book. DNF 48%.

Ps. Once again I'm an awful buddy-reader. I think I'm doomed. Or something. (If I believed in fate that is, which I don't). Sorry Light Pup! ♥


For more of my reviews, please visit:

[aimee (aimeecanread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY TEARS. MY EMOTIONS. SOMEONE HOLD ME.

On a more serious note, I think this is a book not everyone will enjoy--it's got lots of drama, angst, and mistakes that are repeated over and over again. But it's also heartfelt, emotional and honest. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written romance!

Full review soon.

[Chelsea ✨Arielle’s Nebular Ally and Team Acrux✨]

*No rating*

"I know what you’re probably thinking after tonight. But it’s not…I mean, people say things that aren’t…”
The rest dissolves on my tongue. Declan’s fingers graze my collarbone and grasp the chain of my necklace. He pulls it out from underneath my shirt and slides it down to the infinity pendant at the bottom before letting it go.
“I know who you are.”

Yeah yeah I know……I read this book a week or more ago. Well, I just now feel like reviewing it and I don’t feel like skipping it because I have some truly amazing gifs that fit this book and review perfectly. I don’t plan on saying much and I don’t want to ramble on; However, I have to say something….otherwise I would feel rather incomplete. And I HATE feeling incomplete. I’ve had to pass up way too many reviews due to time restraints and overlaps when reading too many books…and I don’t plan on continuing that trend more than I have to.

I drive home in silence. When I turn onto my street, I pull over and crank the radio up loud. I reach for the spare towel I keep in the backseat, roll it into a ball, and cover my mouth.
Scream until my voice goes hoarse.

This book. Hm. Well, I did really enjoy it-Honestly. But there was just so much that could have been done and handled differently that would have made this a definite five star-EASILY. As it was, too much grated and got under my skin for it to be more positive than negative. But then you flip the coin, and there was just so much good that had my heart soaring, my feels going haywire, and my smile exploding. And that is exactly why I’m not rating this book-Good or bad.

First ten years of friendship. The kind of friendship that means knowing everything there is to know about each other. Where every one of our scars is, and how we got them. The pitch of his laugh when he’s had a lot of sugar, or exactly what kind of coffee I need after a bad day. Friends who could spend twelve straight hours doing absolutely nothing and still want it to last twelve more. Who listen, even when the other is wrong; even when they’re not making sense. Friends who could be mad at the whole universe, but never got angry with each other for long. Who love each other unconditionally.

Even now, after having a week to think about what suits this book rating wise, I still can’t pin point my exact thoughts down to a rating and find any inflection one way or another. I guess that just goes to prove my point: I can reach into the recesses of my mind all I want, but it’s an equal amount of both positive and unhappy thoughts that resurface. And when I begin to rate it a 5, a 4, a 3, a 3.5, literally nothing feels right.

Then, six months of everything. A spring of skipped heartbeats every time he called me his girlfriend, then a summer of learning what being part of someone really meant. Six months of discovering the sound his heart makes with my head against his chest, and the taste of his tongue after he eats something salty. Or how his breath catches when I kiss his throat, and the way it tickles when he traces my collarbone. Two seasons of feeling more connected to a person than I ever thought possible.

And, in a weird way, that makes me extremely sad. I picked up this book and expected something spectacular. I wanted extreme gushing and unforgettable moments. I longed for passionate moments and flares of extreme emotion-either in hate or love, it didn’t matter. But what I got was a constant string of ups that were quickly followed by downs (mostly by our main character who had issues understanding the consequences of her actions).

Two polls pull me in opposite directions. There’s this girl I’ve been lately, the things I’ve done. And there’s the person I want to be. The girl Declan used to love. And right now I’m neither. I’m stuck, floating between the broken ends.

Harper was….a realistic girl. I’ll say that there were many, many moments where I could agree that I totally understood where she was coming from and might have even mimicked these actions at one point in my life (not the stupid make outs with a loser-REPEATEDLY-or the need to drink to drown my emotions). I, too, had-and still have-bouts where miscommunication was the only form of communication. It reeked havoc on my relationship with my parents and even with my now husband. So many simple little words, sentences, and even texts could have saved me a lot of heartache and prevented a lot of fights. Hey, I’m still trying to get the hang of it, honestly. But the absolute disregard for the obvious and the easy was just too much for me after a certain point (on Harper’s part)-and that point was about 50%.

"I know enough.” He wipes his hand across his mouth. “So what, you’re going to drive him home and then….”
I don’t know what he wants to hear, or whether I’m actually supposed to fill in the blank. I’m not even sure what he’s mad about anymore. But before I can get an answer out, Declan scowls again.
“Whatever. Do what you want. I just don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“Oh, okay, and how’s that?”
His eyes sink down to my necklace and he steps off the sidewalk. “Like you’re replaceable.”

And then Declan. Ah God, he wasn’t without his flaws, that’s for sure. He, too, had moments where the cluelessness could have been taken down a notch. Though..his was purposeful and with reason…So does that make it right or better? A little, if I’m being honest. For one, he didn’t do the whole running off to another girl shit. He loved Harper, it was clear, and never swayed from that. Even when he first got back, you could tell that he had never lost any love or feelings for her, despite whatever had went down. For two, he tried, repeatedly, to make things right. For three…who gives a fuck?? He was clearly more mature, clear-headed, and sure of what he wanted and chose to take higher roads, even after she INCESSANTLY added DANGEROUS speed bumps. Like, fuck sakes, MUST you run off to your asshole friend and smoke and drink every little time something goes wrong? He’s WATCHING OUT FOR YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR HEALTH, YOU LITTLE TWATWAFFLE! Oh yeah, and he’ll love you FOREVER. GAHD!

I nodded, but didn’t say anything until he gently tucked a curl behind my ear. “What am I to you?”
He recoiled from my question. “What are you? Harper, you’re everything.”

So..clearly the anger is still there. And clearly, even as I often sympathized with Harper, she also grated on my every nerve at a certain point. Neither were perfect, but I think it’s more than obvious Declan is the reason this book is so difficult to rate. His loyalty, his friendship, his kindness. Not to mention their mutual friends, both old and new, who were always there for them. Cory (O), Gwen (N), Mackenzie (N).

Declan takes a long breath, avoiding eye contact with me until he pulls himself together. We’re still sprawled out on the ground, and he props himself up on one elbow. He gestures to me.
“That’s the smile.”
I start giggling again. “What?”
His expression softens. He scratches above his eyebrow and shakes his head, suddenly looking almost bashful. “I’ve been waiting all summer to see that smile.”

A story of love lost and found again, given a second chance through mutual forgiveness, mistakes, hopes, and unrelenting belief in the love that was shared and of what could be. More than once I couldn’t breathe and had uncontrollable giggles that couldn’t be stifled. The butterflies from old flash backs, crushed feelings Declan’s face revealed, and new moments filled with curiosity and fumbling emotions that cease to let old feelings die weren’t in short supply. I can’t say I will rec this to anyone, nor can I put my Chelsea stamp of approval-Not enough impressed me to ask friends to give it a try. However, neither will I dismiss it and forget all about it-There was too much that I liked and multiple quotes I’ll never forget. I’m sorry to say that, even though I wrote a review, I am no help-Everyone is on their own. Sorry.

We can’t go back. The only way to change our past is by adding to it.

Final thoughts I forgot to put in (but still want to mention) but am too lazy to go add in somewhere:

-The problem that caused it all wasn’t what I wanted or expected it to be. It wasn’t bad…it was just kind of anti-climactic.
-The loose ends-there were quite a few… but isn’t that like life??
-The way some things were addressed but then never touched again
-Writing was AMAZING



For more of my reviews, please visit:









********

I have too many mixed emotions and a convoluted mess of thoughts. Extreme feels, lots of heartache. Review MAYBE Monday . Hopefully I'll be able to decipher my emotions by then. ♥

Declan-5 stars
Harper-3 stars
Supporting friends and cast-5 stars
Her loser friends/Sadie-2 stars
Harper's decision making skills-1 star

See?? No fucking clue...because...Declan. SO many passionate scenes with him and his deep-rooted love that are hard to forget that make my heart and mind do crazy things. Yikes. In troublleeeee.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I love realistic fiction and love flawed characters, but had mixed feelings about this book. It was a second-chance-at-love story, a redeem-the-misunderstood-girl story, and a illness story all in one. For me, that was too much.

The way the story was told -- at least for the first half of the book -- was confusing and a little alienating. There are a bunch of characters, all of whom refer to some drama that happened in the past. For the first half of the book, I felt a little like the person at a party where everyone already knows one another and talks in shorthand.

When I finally understood what happened ... I didn't. Note: what's hidden is NOT spoiler-y; all of it is revealed either in the blurb or pretty early on, but just in case, I'll hide it: Declan suffers a terrible loss. Declan and Harper fall in love. Harper starts acting out. Harper pushes Declan away. Declan goes to boarding school. Harper acts out more, getting caught in a situation that makes her the target of gossip. Harper's mom gets sick. Declan comes back. Harper keeps acting out. The whole sequence of events didn't seem to flow logically. The main thing I never understood was what made Harper push Declan away, and when she finally explained, it made no sense at all. Because Declan's mom dies, Harper is afraid of "losing people" so she pushes him away? What? I was hoping the situation with Harper's mom would make Harper realize how totally and completely she'd failed him as a friend and girlfriend, but she didn't seem to make the connection.

While I did empathize with Harper, I also found her hard to understand and relate to. Because we're all flawed, I find it immensely satisfying to watch a character face up to that. But Harper made the same mistakes over and over and then complained about being judged and misunderstood. It also seemed to me that she had an obvious drinking problem -- every time she drank, she made choices that she later regretted.

Because having to face her mother's illness didn't really seem to change Harper, just offer more opportunities for angst, I think this book would have worked better without that subplot. Then the story could have focused more on what the book seemed to want to be about: a girl trying to come to terms with mistakes she's made and redefine herself as a person. That was the story I would have liked to read, but I don't really feel like that Harper got there in the end. As much as I want characters in books to get a happy ending, I couldn't help feeling that the book copped out on making Harper do the work that she needed to get one. And I thought Declan deserved someone a little more considerate and self-aware.

One final thing I'll add: the sweet, whimsical cover is lovely, but to me it conveys a completely different feeling than the angsty story I got.

Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin

Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an advanced copy from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. All quotes taken from a pre-published copy may be altered or omitted from the final version. *

** 5+ STARS!!**

Opening Lines

"Sometimes I think the white oak tree was listening that night last August. That it knows about the promise we made to each other up in our treehouse. That it knows I kept only half of mine."

I first came across The Year We Fell Apart on Goodreads back in November 2014 and instantly added it to my TBR on Goodreads. Yep, that's how excited I was to get my hands on this book. While I was so excited for this to be released there was something in the synopsis that bothered me. I was not happy with the pitched of it being a Sarah Dessen type read. Why you may ask?
1) Sarah Dessen is one of my favourite authors <3
2) That puts so much pressure on The Year We Fell Apart & Emily Martin
3) My expectations we're set VERY high!
4) I feel like it deters from the book & author of being able to come into their own without being compared to someone else who's been published longer.

That being said, words could not even explain how excited and giddy I was when I received my beautiful ARC in the mail! I did not read it right away as I knew that this book would make it onto my favourite reads list so I held out and saved it to start in 2016. I already know I'm going to struggle putting all my feelings into this review, there are not enough words to describe how wonderful this book was and how much I absolutely loved it!

The Good


Emily Martin, what have you done to me? The Year We Fell Apart managed to rip my heart into a million pieces and by the end of it I was left slowly putting it back together. I read this in two sittings and actually ended staying up until 3:00AM in the morning to finish it. It was THAT good that I just could not put it down. Some may go into this thinking it's mainly a contemporary romance, but it's so much more! The synopsis does not do this justice of how Emily Martin created a masterpiece of showing the struggles and character growth with young adults.

Harper keeps making mistakes after epic mistakes, and the only way she can learn from them is to actually face them head on. What I loved the most about Harper's character was the fact that she was far from perfect. Instead of dealing with the issues in her life she chose to be numb and run from her problems instead of facing them head on. How many of us have probably done that? Almost everyone! Her inability to deal with mistakes made her realistic and relatable. As much as she wishes, she can't change the past. She can only start to make smart choices and change her future. However, it's something easier said than done and Harper has to learn the hard way that sometimes more mistakes are needed to finally come out on top on the other end. I know some people will read this and find her character annoying with all her faults and the continuous mistakes but I felt that that's what made Harper the perfect realistic character. Don't get me wrong, there were so many moments that I just wanted to shake some sense into her and  scream for her to just communicate, but it was all worth it.

I loved how family and friendship we're showcased, there was an equal balance of showing readers how important it is to have friends but also remember at the end of the day you always have family. Harper, Declan, and Cory we're childhood best friends and what I loved the most was that Emily Martin didn't create a love triangle. While Harper and Declan are no longer together and their friendship is hanging by a thread Cory is still supportive of each of them. That's true friendship! I was rooting for Declan + Harper the whole time! He's so mature and strong, he tried to be the bigger person and while it was clear he's not over what happened between them he was still there for her. The build up of their past and present kept me at the edge of my seat! We get their past in flashbacks throughout certain scenes and it helps you understand their backstory.

Now while I loved the characters, the concept of friendship, self discovery, and character development, I have to say I was extremely in love with the writing style and outline of the story the most. From the minute you start reading The Year We Fell Apart you're hooked, as time passes and each chapter starts and comes to an end you can't wait to see what's going to happen next, when will things start to finally work out for Harper + Declan. Then comes the last five or so chapters and then BAM! right in the feels! Everything comes out and emotions are running high!

The Bad / The In-Between
- Nothing, zilch, zip, nada!!

Lastin Impression
Overall, Emily Martin created a beautiful realistic read that many young adults and even adults will be able to connect with. The Year We Fell Apart had well developed character growth, discovery, and life lessons that everyone could learn from. The storyline was wonderfully constructed with everything had a time and place. I'm not sure what else I can say to show you guys how much I loved this book and all the different emotions I felt. I hope I've managed to gush about this book enough for you guys to add it to your TBRs!

Until next time bibliophiles,
Patty♕

**Review can also be found on Bookish Wanderlove**

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever felt, while reading a book, that you were just "too old for this shit"? My first experience with that moment was with Emily Martin's The Year We Fell Apart. In retrospect, this book had everything that I ask for in a YA contemporary romance - a second- chance attempt at love with a dash of angst to make my chest ache - but this time around, that combination didn't work very well for me.

Meet Harper, the self-absorbed, selfish and pretty terrible heroine of The Year We Fell Apart. I'm all up for flawed girls because I acknowledge that in real life most girls are that way - I AM that way. Heck, one of my favorite books of all time, Emery Lord's Open Road Summer has a heroine who is HARD to root for! The difference though is that Emery Lord's heroine grows throughout the book and you start to sympathize with her and understand all her flaws. With Harper, I never felt like she understood that what she was doing was a mistake and nor did she try to make amends for the repeated mistakes that she made. In a nutshell, she was hard to swallow as a character and to be honest, I just never got a feel for why she was the way she was. In the end, I got real tired of her woe-is-me attitude.

The biggest issue that I had with The Year We Fell Apart though besides not relating to the characters is my lack of grasp of why Declan and Harper broke up in the first place. Harper's reasoning for alienating herself from him was baffling and just further proved just how self-absorbed and selfish Harper was. It felt like the angst was forced. Even then, I hoped that the two of them would start to communicate more and express their feelings more the second time around, but that never came. They just avoided discussing anything like the plague and it was frustrating for the reader. While they certainly had some (read VERY FEW) sweet moments between them, they were overshadowed by the not-so-great moments for me. I just needed them to talk to each other and kept waiting for the swoony moments to come ... They never did.

The secondary story line of Harper's mother's cancer was also very flimsy. It wasn't explored with enough depth in my opinion. If it had been, the book would have a much stronger emotional impact on me than it did. The family relationships needed to be explored with a bit more complexity than they were and I feel like if the author had given those and the friendships in the book more attention and development, The Year We Fell Apart could have been a brilliant book.

Like I said before, this is definitely a "it's-not-you-it's-me" kind of scenario with The Year We Fell Apart. As as an adult reader, the angst and the drama felt trite but perhaps this would appeal more to younger readers or if you're someone who enjoys them in your books.

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

There have been quite a few young adult books lately that focus on cancer or some sort of life altering disease. The Year We Fell Apart is a uniquely different book that contains a character who has cancer, yet doesn’t evolve around this theme. This novel is very realistic and relatable with a main character who is definitely not perfect. Also, the theme of friendship is explored beautifully by Martin in this debut novel.

One of the greatest features about The Year We Fell Apart is the realistic portrayal of the characters and the main character’s mother’s cancer. For instance, the details surrounding the diagnosis of the cancer and the ongoing treatment that Harper’s mother endures are very believable. Even the depictions of the side-effects she experiences are portrayed accurately. However, cancer is not the main idea of the story, which makes it compelling because we are seeing the story unfold through the eyes of Harper.

Harper is a perfect main character in The Year We Fell Apart because she is both relatable and extremely flawed. She makes so many poor choices and big mistakes that are honestly very cringe-worthy. Also, Harper destroys so many of her relationships throughout the novel that she becomes a dislikable character. As the book progresses, however, Harper makes many realizations and her actions become quite admirable.

Another enjoyable aspect of The Year We Fell Apart is the theme of friendship that is presented by Martin. As Harper grows and becomes self-aware, the friends that she needs and searches for become the focus of the story as opposed to a romantic relationship. I appreciated this so much as I was reading because the importance of friends is a message that is often brushed to the side so that the character can focus on a love interest in some young adult novels. This was so refreshing!

The Year We Fell Apart is a very realistic book with a flawed main character who slowly learns how to change her ways. This book is all about friendship, which will inspire and enlighten many readers. Fans of Jenny Han will definitely enjoy The Year We Fell Apart.

[Brittany Cavallaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing, a sweet, believably twisty romance, a terrific portrayal of illness and an example of another way to tell that kind of story than what we're used to -- and my new YA crush, Declan. OMG:










I can't wait until you guys can get your hands on this book!

[Obsidian · Rating 2 out of 5]

UGHHHHHHHHH.

Okay that's out of my system.

I just don't have a lot of patience for novels like this. I am all for flawed main characters, but the main protagonist Harper is not just flawed. She's aggravating, selfish, lies, is self absorbed and also solely fixated on the character of Declan. I just kept hoping for something, anything to redeem this character in my eyes and nope, she just kept on sucking til the end. I will add that sometimes having a flawed main character can still make a great book. Unfortunately that didn't happen here at all.

The Year We Fell Apart is told in the first person by Harper Sloan. The summer before Harper is about to start her senior year in high school and readers are alerted to something happening a couple of months ago that has left Harper in trouble with her parents and her kicked off the swim team.

Harper is still broken hearted after the end of her friendship with one of her best friend's Declan a few months earlier. It is slowly revealed though that Harper and Declan were not just best friends's they eventually became more and then Harper ended things.

We find out pretty quickly that Harper is in essence a drama queen.



Harper is exhausting. When you find out why her relationship with Declan ended you will roll your eyes. Everything with her is magnified by 100. And happy days, everything is about her.

We get a reveal about a person's death close to Declan, and nope Harper still talks about how this person dying affected her and caused her to get obsessed about people pulling away and leaving her.

She reminds me of a friend that I know that always has to re-up someone's story when talking. If you tell her that you were late because you got a flat tire, she is the type of person that will tell you that she was late one time for three hours because ninjas came out of nowhere and started a fight in downtown Washington, D.C.

The other characters in this book are paper thin. I think that Martin wanted to showcase some things here, but nothing worked at all. Harper's other best friends Sadie and Cory are given very little to do besides enable and or disapprove of her behavior.

The character of Declan was just a mess. I liked him though because at least he told Harper about herself once that had me cheering. I think the main issue with him is that because this story was told in the first person we don't get any insight into Declan that is not foisted upon us by Harper. And Harper we already know is flawed which makes me think her perfect recollections of how great Declan are, are not true either.

I wish that we had gotten more interactions between Harper and her family. Her family is going through a major upheaval in the book and it's barely given any thought here and there except when to move the plot along.

The writing was painful. I am usually always a fan of first person narratives in stories like this because it makes it more intimate for me as a reader. I like third person when we have more characters involved in a story so that way you don't feel like you are jumping in and out of everyone's heads. However, this time I would have preferred third person narration. We could have included other characters in this story like Declan or even Cory so we weren't so immersed in Harper's brain the whole time. There is only so much inner-angst that I can stand in this book and at about the halfway mark I was over it.

Further, things are slowly revealed at such a glacial place that the flow of the book is wrecked at about the halfway point. We also get an 11th hour reveal about things towards the last 5 percent of the book that actually made me laugh. Frankly I was disappointed with the author's decision to throw that little wrinkle in there. I really didn't get what Harper was so angsty about then with her whole don't tell Declan or he will hate me forever nonsense.

The ending left things on a totally off note. I think I was supposed to think deep thoughts but instead I was just thinking that Harper needs to think about getting a therapist.

[Paula M · Rating 2 out of 5]

The disappointment makes me cry.

[Kim at Divergent Gryffindor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

When I first read the synopsis of The Year We Fell Apart, I immediately felt that I would click with this book, and click I did. I feel so emotionally invested and connected with this book that I still feel the feelings that I felt when I read this book whenever I remember it. One of the most emotional books that I've ever read, The Year We Fell Apart definitely tore my heart into a million pieces.

Gosh, I can't believe this book has 320 pages because I flew through it! That hasn't happened to me in quite a long time now, and I'm so glad that this book made me realize that I can still fly through books. While some people might think that this book is overly dramatic or even annoying, I vote on the contrary. Yes, I know that this book would not be for some people, but I always love an amazing contemporary romance novel, and I definitely got it with this book.

One of my favorite things about this book is how Cory never crushed on Harper, like what happens in most stories. Okay, some back story here; Harper, Cory and Declan are childhood best friends, and Harper and Declan ended up together but broke up because Declan moved away for school. The story of Declan and Harper is told in flashbacks, and that's how I came to really appreciate the character of Cory. Cory never liked Harper, and even if Declan and Harper hung out on their own, he never got jealous or annoying about it. After Declan left, he was still supportive and always looked out for Harper. Cory truly is the bestest best friend anyone could ever ask for, and he is one of my favorite characters of all time.

My gosh, the things that this book made me feel! I really felt connected to all the characters, and I really saw myself in the main character's shoes. I felt every emotion she felt, and my heart bled alongside hers. This book kind of reminds me of Lauren Gibaldi's The Night We Said Yes, only this one is much more emotional. It's so hard for me to put things into words because they're all in the heart, which is why it's been so hard for me to write this review.

I can't say more, but trust me when I say that I really loved this book and I feel really connected to it. I hope you guys would give this book a chance, and I hope that you enjoy it as much, or even more, than I did. Happy reading!

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just start this review by saying that I have been dying to get my hands on it since I read the summary… I just knew that this was my kind of book. Once I started it, I didn’t put it down until I finished.

The Year We Fell Apart is a book about a lot of different things, but most of all, I think it’s about friendship and forgiveness. I say that because Harper, our main character, has made a ton of bad mistakes over the last year. The one she regrets most… pulling away from her best friend and boyfriend Declan.

For what seems like ever, it’s always been her, Cory & Declan. They were each other’s best friends and extended family and eventually Harper and Declan became so much more to each other. They shared so many highs and lows over the years. The loss of Declan’s mom the ultimate low… not only because she was suddenly gone, but because it changed things in so many ways for them going forward.

Harper is horribly flawed, if you’re like me, you’ll turn page after page with your brain screaming “UGH why are you doing that Harper!” She makes horrible choices, she makes mistakes, but she’s relatable. I also think that her actions fit who she is perfectly. She carries around a lot of guilt and sadness and having to watch her first, attempt to bury it in things she knows she shouldn’t, then, try to dig her way out of it was done really, really well.

When Declan returns for the summer, Harper is reminded of the reasons she pushed him away and she also has to face the fact that he just may have moved on even if she can’t seem to. That said, the exploration of their relationship, the rebuilding of trust and friendship and ultimately the determination to commit to something more was lovely to read. Though it was frustrating at times, because you don’t really, truly know the full story of what happened right away to cause Harper to give up, you’re given bits and pieces as the story unfolds ultimately and it makes her actions, the thing you know that happened, make more sense.

This story isn’t just about a romantic relationship though. The story puts a big focus on friendships, both the good and the bad. I know it’s hard for you to see it here, but Harper truly is a good friend. Even when she knows she should probably give up on a friend because they’re toxic to her, she struggles to do so. I’m just going to say it… I really struggled to like Sadie, and I feel like you probably will too. I’m not saying she’s all bad, because she truly wasn’t, but I could absolutely see the differences between unhealthy and healthy friendships here, especially when we meet Gwen and McKenzie and then compare her to Harper’s other best friend Cory.

I also really loved the relationship portrayed here between Harper and her parents. It was once again refreshing to see responsible parents… parents who weren’t just off in the periphery and not paying attention, especially because there definitely could have been a lot of that here with Harper’s mom’s medical issues.

Martin has created a story that really shows how hard it can be being a teen… specifically a teen girl growing up today. She hits on topics of love, loss, friendship, forgiveness, romance, family and consequence and she does it all with a story that will break your heart and then slowly mend it back together. I can definitely see fans of Sarah Dessen really enjoying this story and Martin’s writing style. I definitely did and for sure can’t wait to see what she has coming next!

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Abby Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, THIS BOOK! The wonderful writing completely pulled me in and didn't let go until the end. I know it's a little cliche to be all, "I laughed, I cried!" but there really is no better way to describe what I did for all 320 pages.

Harper is a character who makes a lot of mistakes, but you feel for her, because she acknowledges that she knows what she's about to do probably isn't a good idea (but then goes and does it anyway.) If you're human, you've probably been in a similar situation/mindset more times than you'd like to admit, but you also probably know how good it feels when you finally realize that you CAN stop making different versions of the same mistake. And throughout the entire book, I was rooting for Harper to feel that way, too.

This book isn't just for teenagers. It's for anyone who's ever made a snap judgment, a quick decision, or a seemingly-irreversible, heart-breaking mistake, or all of the above. Harper's various obstacles will remind readers what's really important, and how you never stop fighting for the relationships that matter, even if people (including yourself) are intent on standing in your way.

[Angie Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to SIMON PULSE and Edelweiss for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Phew. What a ride! So, this was one of those books where I look around questioning if I just read the same thing everyone else did. And I wonder if part of this was my expectations going in. I’ve just started reading (and loving!) Sarah Dessen, and since this book was touted as being ‘In the tradition of Sarah Dessen,’ I was excited to give it a go. Now let me just say, I have only three SD books under my belt, but this is only similar to her style in the very bare bones of the plot. Yes, there is always a boy involved, but the girl’s entire life does not revolve around said boy. In fact, she has several other things that her life revolves round. I didn’t find that to be the case with The Year We Fell Apart. I found this book to be very clinical – a simple recounting of events as opposed to an experience, and it was mostly about a lukewarm relationship with a boy. So, it’s safe to say this review may be slightly rant-y.

The blurb led me to believe that Harper’s mother’s cancer is a prominent part of the story, but it’s barely mentioned until a catalyst is needed to bring Harper and Declan together. If the cancer portion of the story had been removed, it wouldn’t have changed much. And Harper and Declan – it’s hard to even put into my words how I feel about their…relationship? Both of them bring new meaning to hot and cold. I don’t know what they see in each other, as they seem to bring out the worst sides of each other.

Harper’s bad girl image was very hard for me to swallow. The reasons she acted the way she did ‘back in October’ didn’t ring true to me, so I couldn’t help but doubt everything after that. We’re given a few different reasons why she does the things she does throughout the book (one that was actually quite major, but was glossed over and never revisited again,) and her friends rarely call her on it and ask her what’s going on. Except occasionally Dec, but since he’s hot one minute and cold the next, how is he supposed to get anywhere with that? At the end of the book, Harper’s relationship with Dec felt like it wasn’t resolved at all, and I wish it had just been ixnayed from the story. There was bullying and slut shaming going on in this book, and while it wasn’t glossed over, it was never fully explored. Why not throw some cyber and text bullying in there? Why not bring Harper through a really tough time, and show girls and boys that what others think of you doesn’t define who you are? And the mistakes we make, while haunting, are learning opportunities no matter our age? Amp up the plot and give us something to focus on besides Declan and his moods.

I did enjoy Harper’s best friend, Cory, and the friends she made in her photography class. They were a breath of fresh air in an otherwise angst-ridden story, and they really gave me hope that they could help Harper turn her life around. But alas, Harper’s ‘bad influence’ friend Sadie reigned, popping up in spurts long enough to let us know that maybe if Harper wasn’t friends with her, she’d be making better choices. Sadie led Harper to those parties where she made bad decisions, and if it weren’t for her…you get the gist.

I almost abandoned this story at 23%, and I wish I’d have done that. In the end nothing was resolved, and I feel like this book was trying too hard to be something it wasn’t. It just didn’t work for me.

This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.

[Laurie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I have known Emily since Pitch Wars in early 2014, when we were both on the same team. (Go Team Evelyn!) Emily and I became CPs through the contest and I read an early draft of the book that would turn into THE YEAR WE FELL APART. And now, after reading the finished version, my heart feels both wrecked and put back together at the same time. That’s the power of this book, folks.

As a main character, Harper is flawed. She makes mistakes, both big and small, and carries around guilt and regret. Her biggest mistake was destroying her relationship with her best friend and first love, Declan. When Declan comes home for the summer, Harper wants to make things right and win back his friendship—and possibly his love. But she’s not sure how.

Harper feels so relatable to me. She’s exactly the kind of protagonist I want to spend a whole book with. She’s not perfect—not even close. But she’s so real that she ceases to feel like a character and instead is a person. At times, things she was feeling were things I have felt in the past and the experience was very visceral. I wish I would have been able to read this book as a teenager.

This book is about a lot of things. It’s about mistakes, rumors, first love, friendship, family, and the nature of forgiveness. I love that nothing falls easily into place, because that’s real life. The past can be seriously hard to overcome, and Emily writes beautifully about this. The relationship between Harper and Declan is complicated: it’s intense and passionate and also broken, but there’s hope, and both Harper and Declan cling to it in different ways. The hurt and tension and longing is palpable on the pages.

I also loved Harper’s other relationships. Her relationship with her mom, who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her relationship with her friend Cory, and her new friendships with Gwen and Mackenzie, who she meets at a summer photography class she’s corralled into taking. Her friendship with Sadie, which especially struck a chord with me because I’ve had friends like that too—friends who may not have your best interests in mind.

Reality is messy. Being a teenage girl is the messiest of all. THE YEAR WE FELL APART took me back to that time of life, to all of the emotions that come with it. There’s no sugarcoating or finessing or dodging around difficult topics. And for that reason, THE YEAR WE FELL APART is one of the best contemporary YA books I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

[Giselle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't take long for me to finish this, it's a pretty short book. I have mixed feelings.

Straight from the beginning, I knew Harper needed to go through a huge character arc. I was waiting for her to get her act together and realize how self-destructive and bratty she was. But I felt so frustrated by her because she kept flopping back and forth. Because she would say she learned and then do it all over again. I guess that's realistic to a tee..Kicking a habit is harder.

The big thing that happened was the biggest anti-climax of them all. I didn't get it. The whole reason she was pushing him away didn't make any sense to me. I wished that was embellished more. Also the self-destructive phase of these teens are a little frightening and scary considering they're smart enough in the first place to not drink when they fully know what could happen. But yes okay, teens need to learn their lesson and both Harper and Declan find out what happens when alcohol gets thrown in the mix. I thought their relationship was one of the most on-and-off relationships I have read lately. I also felt her insights to the past were disorganized and chaotic, but guess that was made to be that way since Harper is extreme with her emotions. Both of them needed to talk to a good psychiatrist. Declan was nice and supportive at times but he also showed his flaws. Good God I wanted to cut his hair though. I hate long hair on guys... The side characters were just great though.. Love Cory, Mackenzie and Gwen. Not so much Kyle or Sadie.

This is that book where you think if they only communicated better things wouldn't have escalated.. Get the characters to talk sensibly and just get on with their lives. There were cute parts like swimming at the quarry and painting the house, but other than that I didn't feel their connection had any chemistry. I also wanted more of a focus on friendships that Harper broke but it was shoved in and came out of nowhere. Liked the talks with the mom though. She was one fighter!

Also that cover does not depict the story at all. It needs to go a bit darker because the main character parties a lot with teenagers drinking, and smoking pot. The cover right now is too fluffy and definitely needs a change to convey the story more.

[S. M. Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this contemporary YA! The story is all about the very fantastically awesome Harper, who is trying to find her way back to her old self and the book-boyfriend-worthy Declan. I loved each of them as they lived on the page and I was cheering for them to find common ground, middle ground. Martin is a gifted writer whose beautiful prose stopped me in my tracks over and over again (so awesome). The book takes a close look at mistakes. Redemption. Trust. Love. Friendship. And all of it is real and layered and perfect. This book has left me with a huge satisfied sigh and a warm heart. I’m officially an Emily Martin fan.

[starryeyedjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

If nothing else, this book really reminded me of 99 Days , which I read earlier this year and kind of adored. But I know that a lot of people couldn't connect to the very flawed, very hurtful main character in that novel, which is why I'm putting this out there: Harper is the same type of character and she will make you want to smack some sense into her.

I love reading about imperfect characters. It's so much more fun to get inside their heads, even if you don't always like what you find. Something happened prior to the events of this story that sent the main character into a tailspin, and only her best friend can set things right again. Trouble is, she can't tell him what happened because the fallout would be devastating. Much like in 99 Days, the story rewinds now and again to show snippets of Harper's life before now and what led up to her partying ways, and it isn't always pretty.

I really could have done without all of the miscommunication and misunderstandings. It was almost enough to make me want to quit reading at times, just so I wouldn't have to see the aftermath. And I know that if Harper had just owned up to what happened, the story wouldn't have been what it was, but it also didn't have to be so drawn out, especially when the actual incident was relatively minor. In my opinion, anyway. Though, if we're being honest, there was more than one incident she needed forgiveness for.

Maybe the reason I relate to these types of characters so much is because I was like them in high school. I had none of my shit figured out and I was making mistakes left and right, and so when one big thing didn't go right for me, I went off the rails. It basically took from 17 to 21 before I turned my life around, and even then I wasn't perfect. So, I don't expect a neat and tidy ending to a book like this. That said, I would have appreciated a bit more insight into how things worked out when all was said and done...just as proof that Harper didn't chicken out and resort to her old ways.

Still, it verged on unputdownable, with me trying to sneak in reading at work - even with all of the cringeworthy moments - so that's saying something. =) I really enjoyed this novel about forgiveness and second chances, and I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this debut author.

GIF it to me straight:

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a pretty jaded person. I've had a lot of bad shit happen to me and it has given me a cynical outlook on life, especially about giving people second chances because they usually just fuck you over again. Sorry, that's life. But. And this is a huge but. THE YEAR WE FELL APART might have changed my mind. It handles the second chances, especially the ones we give ourselves, so wonderfully and perfectly, that I almost want to give second chances a second chance.

I loved Harper. I loved how selfish she was and that she was doing anything she could to escape. I liked that she acknowledged that she was even imperfect and selfish because that made me like her even more. I think we have too high of standards for female protagonists but Harper screws up multiple times in this book and it just made her feel all the more real. And I loved her for it. I loved that she struggled to be the person she was Before Declan Left and After Declan Left and had to settle for somewhere in between. Because a lot of us are the in between people -- not quite the person we were Before and not quite the person we were immediately After. I also really liked that she didn't try to stop the rumours or try to really set them straight except to the people who mattered. I liked that she kind of wore them as badges of "oh man I effed up and continued to eff up" because that's the only way we learn. And ugh, I just really liked that she was willing to give herself a second chance, because we don't do that in real life too often.

I liked Declan because he wasn't perfect either. He made mistakes and had a bit of a hard time owning up to them but I just really enjoyed him and everything about him. I liked that he tried to give Harper the second chance he thought she deserved and that he was willing to (almost) look past the things she had done. It made me really like them as a couple.

I would have liked just a tad bit more about her mother and the illness but I think because Harper avoids it so much that it made it okay to sort of skim it in the book. I think the brief glimpses we get in the book were enough to have the reader realize that it is tough to live with someone who has this sort of problem. Because it's excruciating for them, but it is difficult for those on the outside too. Harper couldn't handle it and escaped the only way she knew how.

I highly recommend this one. If it melted my cold, cold heart, I would imagine it will do the same to those of you that have a real live beating one there too.

Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'

[Dana Elmendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that moment when you finish a book and you lay your hand on top of the book and hold it there a moment to absorb every ounce of emotion you’re feeling. That’s what I did with The Year We Fell Apart.

Martin gently weaves this story of a hollow girl and her broken tale with a boy. Each word pushed the emotion inside me until I was filled up with her pain and fear and regret. It was simply beautiful. All the characters were so well-written I feel like they exist somewhere beyond the pages. This book is really going to resinate with so many young girls. Teens do stupid stuff for stupid reasons and the road of regret can be a long one. Living in that constant anxiety of facing and taking ownership of what you did is not easy. I think this story will help girls see there’s a way out and the only way is through.

Really beautiful story. It’s going to stick with me a few days, thats for sure.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I didn't know I needed until now. Wow, I really truly loved this one. I was so hoked onto every word and every page and I just couldn't stop reading it. There were so many different themes and situations going on in this story (dealing with grief, relationships, friendships, cheating, moving, illnesses, forgiveness & more) and everything was just so perfectly woven together. I felt for the characters and I wanted everyone to have their own perfect and happy endings. The writing style was very nice, enjoyable, and easy to read. I was so hooked to the book that I just sat outside and read and read and read until I had closed the book, my heart full of glee. Martin did an amazing job with this story and I can't wait to read more from her. Incredible book with an amazing set of characters who were all so different and a plot that never seemed to slow down. I truly loved this book. Definitely one of my new favorite contemporaries. I would HIGHLY recommend!

[Michelle Andreani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stole my heart while making it ache with every page. (Seriously, I had heart pangs!) Super lovely writing and a strong, smart, flawed female character whose journey was a delight to read. (All the hugs for Harper!) Mark down January 26th, because you're going to want this book immediately!

[Jenn Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of teens will recognize aspects of themselves in Harper Sloan. The soon-to-be high school senior is coming off a rough year, in which her best friend-turned-boyfriend Declan was sent away to boarding school, and Harper coped the only way she (and her new best friend Sadie) knew how to, which led to one mistake after another . . . and ultimately losing Declan. But now it's summer, and Declan is back from boarding school, and all Harper wants to do is right the wrongs.

But Harper's life has only gotten more complex. She's living with the consequences of her actions from last year -- the way the girls on her old swim team treat her now, and the looks she gets from the boys in her town who know her new reputation -- and on top of that, her mom is beginning chemotherapy for a cancer diagnosis. All she wants is for things to go back to the way they were with Declan, but is that even possible?

Debut author Emily Martin just "gets" it. This YA novel rings true on so many levels, from the minute details of the teens' home lives to the complex relationships between Harper and her friends and family. More than anything, this book is about the battles we fight within ourselves, knowing our own weaknesses and strengths and how we stumble trying to compensate. At many points, it's heartbreaking to see Harper falter as she battles her own insecurities. Knowing what she wants and being able to name it does not necessarily provide easy answers or a simple road to getting it, as we all know from our own life experiences.

A fantastic realistic romance for fans of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson. I can't wait to read Emily Martin's next book!

[Gaby (lookingatbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!

It's nearing 4:30 am right now as I write this and I'm running on no sleep, but I don't care! This book is fricken-fabulous! It's a true masterpiece! Contemporaries don't usually hook you, often because they're slow and the characters have charity case stories. But that was not the plot line here, I have never been so hooked to a contemporary novel as I was this. The story was fast paced, created an elaborate picture in my head, and had an interesting plot with a set of characters all over the place. This was definitely my type of book.
First off, I've been eyeing this for months. So naturally I requested it on Edelweiss. And of all the books I requested that day, this was the one I wanted the most. So when I was gifted the arc, I screeched like the teenage girl I am.

The characters were perfectly depicted. From their moods to their daily lives. Everything was explained in the right amount of detail but also leaving the reader to want more. And that was what hooked me, that feelings of wanting to know Harper's past and why Declan left for boarding school. Everything was a mystery and over time Emily Martin explained in a way that only experienced authors can, which is why it surprised me to find that this was her first novel. This story is explained as a "Sarah Dessen novel", but in my opinion, I've read Dessen's work and Emily Martin does it better.

So it starts off with Harper struggling to understand her mom's health problem, she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. Add in the mix that Harper's old beau Declan has come home from boarding school for the summer, and Harper starts to struggle. Things between Declan and her did not end well, leaving them stuck in the past. So Harper parties, a thing now common to her post-Declan. Because she's changed. Sneaking into a pool with another girl's boyfriend, getting drunk, making out with whatever guy is near her-changed. But now she's stuck between the girl she was and is, as she makes new friends and starts realizing what's right. But Harper and Declan have a long history and talking about it might prove to be too much.

In a way you want to hate Harper. She's a selfish girl who keeps making mistakes knowingly. Like hanging out with the wrong guys and surrounding herself with Sadie, her best friend who's a bad influence. But then you understand as Declan joins the mix and slowly you learn the past. Because Harper was on the end of the giving stick and it just seems Declan kept taking. Metaphorically of course.
Declan lost his mother at 15, leaving his father a single parent with no idea how to handle Declan. So he ships him off to a boarding school, which leaves Declan bitter and holding so much hate for his dad. Harper was his peace until she ruined what they had, but now that he's back he wants Harper as a friend but it proves harder than it looks. I loved Declan, for the most part he had a level head and always looked out for Harper in most instances. Declan was moody and mean sometimes and yet you still adore him, because he's a sweet guy. He was definitely a swoon worthy character.

I'm very grateful to have been given the arc for this. It's a wonderful book with great characters and a fantastic story line. I hope anyone reading this review goes and preorders this on Amazon, because it is definitely a must read!

5 stars

I was gifted this arc in exchange for an honest review by the publisher

[Rhea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here’s the thing with this book: it was too angsty. If that’s a thing. It was also too dramatic. Again, if that’s a thing. I went into The Year We Fell Apart with huge expectations because honestly. Have you looked at the book? The cover? The frigging synopsis that promises much romance and drama and friendship???? But what do I get? A main character I couldn’t tolerate because of her melodramatic inclinations and a piece of cardboard that everyone else in the book was cut out of.

In all honesty, the story of this book didn’t bother me at all. I’m all for making mistakes and learning from them, making mistakes again and learning something new, and second chances, and the best friend-to-lover trope. Go, book! But what was possibly the only reason that this book didn’t work out for me—at all—was each and every character in this book. The drama that each of these people put up? Pathetic. Too many facts and back stories and diseases and misunderstandings were cramped in the book, and by 40% or so, I just wanted to be DONE with it.  

Our MC Harper was basically a pain in my ass. She was selfish and honest to God, she was so fucking stupid. She made some decisions that I just couldn’t understand, no matter how hard I tried. She was stuck in the whole drinking-to-drown-my-guilt phase and after a while, it got old. She knew just how miserable she felt when the high died down, and yet she got drunk every other day, and did the stupidest things while she was at it. And what’s worse is that her “friendship” with the other people in the book seemed to just magically disappear every time she had alcohol in her body. It would all just be Harper this and Harper that, and she wouldn’t even allow people to help her, the harder headed fool that she was. Also, the book does nothing to address the fact that Harper genuinely had a drinking problem—by the end of the book, obviously, the reader is supposed to assume that all her problems (including her addiction) is left behind in the wake of her HEA.

Our male lead Declan, in true YA Contemporary fashion, is supposed to be an enigma. He’ll give Harper these longing looks from across a camp fire, and then he’ll cozy up to this other random girl who isn’t all that bad at all, resulting in adding more fuel to Harper’s self-hating fire. All of his character is explained in Katy Perry’s Hot N Cold, so there’s that. Believe me, that’s all there is to him. Declan makes the entire book read like it’s straight out of your worst confused-love-interest nightmare, and there wasn’t one moment where I felt like the romance was making me swoon. All the swooning I felt was thanks to the super huge headache that these two gave me together. PASS.

The cover and synopsis for this book are misleading, you guys, don’t you forget that. The book promises to be “in the tradition of Sarah Dessen” and I haven’t read any of her works, but judging by a few reviews on GR, this book doesn’t really keep up with that expectation. I’m hoping to see so much more from Emily Martin than just this book. Final verdict? A big, bright, well-fed NOPE.


I was provided a free earc of this book by Simon Pulse through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.

[Jen]

I was really looking forward to this one--second-chance at love is my favorite trope--but I prefer my angst to be balanced out with feel-good moments, and this fell short for me.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read an addicting contemporary in so long. The Year We Fell Apart reminded me of why contemporary books are my choice of addiction. I could not put the book down and ended up reading it in one sitting. This is coming from my current state of reading maybe one or two books a month lately. I wanted more more more from this book and when it ended I couldn't stop thinking about it.

The plot line is on I highly enjoy. Our main protagonist, Harper has a childhood best friend, Declan. However the book starts almost a year later after they have become estranged.. but we don't know what happened. Declan has come back for the summer vacation and Harper's emotions become all over the place. Not only that, but Harper is currently trying to deal with the news of her mother's cancer. I found that so heart wrenching. She really didn't know how to deal with it and wanted to talk about it to Declan since he lost his mother years ago.. but she couldn't because of this huge elephant in the room that the readers don't know about. The book kept on alluding to Harper making some decisions she regrets and that hints to the reason why her and Declan are no longer friends (or something more?). I loved how the author kept us in the dark. It really upped the tension factor as well as the need to continue reading to find out what really happened.

I think Emily painted a very realistic story. Harper and Declan end up having to hang out due to their mutual childhood friend (no love triangle though!) as well as new friends come in, slight misunderstands happen (though funny and never really lasting for long). I enjoyed the summer, leisure feel, along with the mix of anguish and emotional turmoil Harper is going through. The secondary characters were all fantastic too. I love that just as much as the romance, Emily focused on the old and new found friendships and what you really lose once you step out of the friendship zone to the relationship zone.

The build up to the last couple of scenes in the book were done so well that my heart was literally beating fast reading those last several pages. I couldn't read fast enough but at the same time I had to backtrack and reread because my emotions were everywhere. I literally would read two pages, then go back and reread those two pages because I was in a state of total "mind blown". Martin seriously knows how to hook you in and not let you go until the book ends (and not even then apparently). I can't wait to see more of Emily Martin's contemporaries. She's honestly on my to watch list from now on. If her sophomore contemporary is close to how good The Year We Fell Apart was.. then she's going to graduate to favourite contemporary authors and the auto-buy and read list. The Year We Fell Apart has become the first (and so far only) book on my "2016 favourites list".

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

People change. And sometimes that means drifting apart. But other times it just means working harder to find some common ground.

I love contemporary YA - I really do - but this just wasn't my cup of tea. There is simply too much teenage angst and not enough plotwork to keep my attention.

Harper has made a lot of mistakes, but her biggest mistake was severing her friendship with Declan. Now, after two semesters away at boarding school, he's finally back home. Harper wants to rebuild their friendship, but to do so she'll have to own up to everything she's done wrong.

Harper was my main problem with the story. She cheats, she's selfish, and she's mean. All she cares about is Declan, and getting back together with him. She continues to make the same mistakes over and over again, even when she knows her actions hurt her and those around her.

My problem with the romance is that it takes complete priority over the plot (one of my pet peeves). Everything that happens in the story revolves around the romance, not an actual conflict, which makes the story feel a bit slow-paced and pointless at times.

In the end, though, I was just hoping for more depth to the story and less teenage angst. If you don't mind a book with a lot of angst, definitely still give this a try. If you're like me and that's not your cup of tea, try Emmy and Oliver instead.