Year We Fell Down (Ivy Years, #1)

by Sarina Bowen

[nitzan_schwarz]

April 2018 re-read - I really enjoyed this one the second time around too!! I've got, like, 4 more books by Bowen so I've decided I wanna read them all and before that, I needed to refresh my memory on this one.

A few things - first, I remember a TON of what happened. Which is a great thing because it means it was a memorable book. I read it two years ago and yet I kept going "oh, yeah, and next x y z is going to happen" and looking forward to parts that haven't happened yet.

I still love this couple both as a couple and individuals. They're real and complicated and strong. And I ADORE the fact Corey is in a wheelchair. I know that's a weird thing to say, but reading romanctinc books with disable characters is SO rare. Especially ones they don't heal from.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND THIS REVIEW AND MORE ON MY BLOG

To be completely honest, I didn't really expect much of this novel. I had actually gotten it as a freebie some time back, but I didn't really know much about it and for some reason the cover screamed "typical romance story", and though I love those, I simply have too much of them on my kindle for this one to stand out to me.

Then, by some weird twist of fate, I reached a blog post by the author and found out the main character was in a wheelchair. This changed the whole picture for me, because I had been looking for some different romance to read, and a heroine struggling with disability was just what the doctor ordered.

This book took me by complete surprise.

First of all, the writing is great. Yes, this should be a given, but I've been burned by so many freebies that at this point I'm kind of cynical and disillusioned about the whole thing. So I was keeping my expectations low, and it far surpassed them. There was this easy, flowing quality to the story and dialogues that made it feel very effortless. I almost forgot that I was reading.

Then there was the story itself. I kind of expected an avalanche of drama like a lot of those college romances throw at you. FYI - I hate over the top drama in novels. It makes me roll my eyes and feel exasperated.

But once again, this novel surprised me. Instead of drama, we got real, believable conflicts that didn't relay on some miscommunication between two people. Conflicts that were resolved naturally, even if it took time. What could have been a tedious and aggravating journey for our mains to finally end together was handled with such care and maturity that it was simply delightful to read.

These people, Corey and Hartley, felt like real people, their romance flawed and yet wonderful and the progression and build of it natural and captivating (btw, slow burn!). You will 100% root for these two to get together. You will want them to get their happily ever after because they just fit so perfectly with their banter and humor.

I never expected to like this so much, and yet I am so thrilled I did.

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Original Thoughts
Wow. I never thought I'd love this so much. To be honest, this book has been on my kindle for over a year, but it never really caught my attention because the cover makes me thinks "typical romance story". I'm not against those at all but I have so many of them on my kindle that it just didn't stand out.
Then, I accidentally saw a post by the author and found out the main character was on a wheelchair. This made this story very, very interesting to me. I don't think I ever read a romance with a disabled heroine to this level. So I picked it up, and was pleasantly surprised by the level of writing and plot. The writing is smooth and flowing, and the plot didn't go to the over-the-top drama I know and hate, it was well paced and felt like it dealt with real people. I loved that!!!
Truly a very beautiful yet fun story and I recommend it!