The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen

Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC

Publication Date: March 20, 2014

Pages: 274

Genre: New Adult Romance (Sport, Friend to Lover)

Rating: 4/5

The Year We Fell Down is about Corey Callahan who recently had a hockey accident that has left her with no feelings in her legs. So when she starts college she is put into an extra big dorm room which is across from another handicapped room which is where she meets Adam Hartley. Hartley is also a hockey player although he is only temporarily not playing because of a broken leg. Corey and Hartley strike up a friendship that starts to turn into more. The only problem is that Hartley has a girlfriend and Corey is also dealing with learning how to be confident in this new version of herself.

This book has the distinction of being my first hockey romance. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far in my life without reading one but I really enjoyed it. The Year We Fell Down really shines when it comes to the romance and the hockey. I love that Hartley and Corey connected over their love of hockey and how much they connected over the things that had in common. I also really appreciated that Hartley always saw Corey as a strong woman who was capable of doing things. My other favorite aspect of this book was all the side characters. I’m excited that this is the first in a series of companion novels because I can’t wait to learn more about some of the other characters.

One thing I didn’t like in this book was the Hartley’s girlfriend is portrayed. I understand she is the mean girl but it seems like more time was spent on how she is rich, beautiful and into her looks than on people bringing up that she didn’t treat people the right way. Also, she might not have been perfect but she definitely deserved to be treated better by her boyfriend. I actually liked Hartley a whole lot more the second half of the book than I did the first half. It wasn’t until then that he seemed like a real fleshed out character.

Since I liked this book so much I have been actively looking for more sport romances to try. I have already added a bunch to my TBR but if there are any that you really enjoy please let me know!

~Cassie