The Year We Fell Apart

The Year We Fell Apart is by debut author 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-p, and officially became the blacksheep 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 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's have to let go of once and for all.

The Breakdown:
1. Martin story telling style is very reminiscent of Sarah Dessen and Huntley Fitzpatrick.  Her story is real and heavy with emotions at times.  The characters really drew me in because they are beautifully flawed.

2. Harper is far from the perfect heroine, but she is one that I could feel a connection with.  She is a girl who has made mistakes, but really starts to try to put her life back together.  More than once, she allows her friend Sadie to get her into troubling situations, and who did not have that friend in high school.  I like that in the end while she has regrets, she does not let them define her anymore.

3.  I love the relationships in this story.  Some are strong, some new, and some a little broken, but they all serve a purpose in helping Harper find herself again.  I think of my favorites besides Declan and Harper, is the new friendship building between Harper, Mackenzie and Gwen.  Harper needs better girlfriends to support her, because Sadie gets her into more trouble than is supportive.

4.  This is really a great coming of age story about loves, friendships, and even loss.  I really enjoy Harper's character growth, and the slow repair of her and Declan's relationship.

To Read or Not to Read:
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