From Goodreads: 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.
My Rating: 1.5 hearts
Thoughts on the Novel: Emily Martin’s The Year We Fell Apart was a
book I picked up without looking at its rating on Goodreads. Big mistake! Had I
done so, I would have realized that this book and I wouldn’t get along.
First of all, I found the main character, Harper, extremely annoying. She made the same mistakes over and over again – getting drunk, hooking up,
regretting what happened – and justified her bad decisions to herself so that she wouldn’t have to
own up to her choices. The issue of Harper using alcohol as a coping mechanism didn't seem to get resolved, and she experienced very little growth over the course of the novel.
I didn’t really like the plot either. Although I love stories revolving
around a second chance, I felt too old while reading The Year We Fell Apart because it was
just so filled with juvenile drama. To me, the aspect of Harper’s mom getting
cancer wasn’t explored enough, and the whole Declan situation was just lame.
Declan and Harper don’t talk about their issues so it’s not a surprise then
that Declan is angry – rightfully so, I might add – when he finds out the
reason why he and Harper actually broke up.
The Year We Fell Apart was released in January 2016 by Simon
Pulse.
Comments
About the Cover: The cover doesn’t match the angsty tone of the novel.
Oy. I probably would've felt the same way as you did with Harper. I don't have the patience for characters who keep shooting themselves in the foot.
ReplyDeleteHm. I don't think this one is for me either Z~! I struggle with characters like Harper, especially if they don't show any growth or progress over the course of the book. I can deal with the drinking and hooking up for a little while, but only if she actually starts learning from her mistakes instead of justifying them and continuing on. Sorry this was a disappointment for you!
ReplyDeleteOh boy, I am really glad I didn't buy this one- I was thiiiiis close. I feel like Harper would have got on my nerves! Sigh- and I really don't like excess drinking, unnecessary drama.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
Oh bummer! Sorry this one didn't work for you. Harper definitely sounds like someone who would drive me nuts. Teenagers in books sometimes, I swear!
ReplyDeleteI would be able to tolerate a character like Harper if there is some self discovery and growth to her character, which unfortunately this one doesn't seem to have at all.
ReplyDelete