Review: The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin

The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: January, 26th, 2016
Pages: 316
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 2/5
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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.


This book just made me angry. Harper is a very frustrating character. She takes selfish and idiotic to a whole other level. Based on her peers(her parents and her friends) there's no explanation for her continued stupid behaviour and actions. Harper's friendship with Sadie is very problematic and I'm scratching my head over the fact that it took her three years to figure that out. It took me forever to warm up to Harper. And as soon as I was starting to she'd ruin any nice feelings I was having for her. She takes advantage of her friends; Cory most specifically. Harper needs to figure out her priorities. And stop saying sorry, which is not an automatic forgiveness. Although it seemed to be far too many times...

Harper's friends, the supporting cast are really the only saving grace for this book. Well, and the writing was well done. Cory and Declan are her best friends from early childhood. But feelings for Declan sprouted. They got together, angst and Harper broke them apart. So here's Harper trying to get back her friendship with Declan. Except you know just thinking how much you miss and love him ain't going to bring him back when your actions and words are saying otherwise. Cory is there for Harper at every turn and seriously, he's an amazing friend. Mack and Gwen are two great girls that for some reason decide they want to be friends with Harper. She needs good girlfriends like them. But of course, she's stand offish and generally her stupid self. But for some reason, these girls are just not willing to give up on her. Which means Harper is just lucky to have all these people in her corner when she doesn't always deserve it.

I don't have much to say about the romance because I thoroughly liked Declan, obviously do not care for Harper. So I obviously can't get behind Declan forgiving her. Honestly, she doesn't deserve him at this point in her life. She took advantage of him like she's good at.

Was seeing major red when Harper was almost raped. I mean, that whole chapter is the fucking problem with they way too many people see drinking and partying. Harper is saying no, then she's not sure what is happening, says no again, and again till Kyle finally backs off. Then Harper is just ashamed of herself for letting herself get drunk, takes some of the blame for being the person she hates; again. And it's generally passed over by her and her friends. Grrrr....Red, red everywhere.

And as per is to be expected with so many contemporaries, the ending is rushed and half-assed. There is so much up in the air for Harper. With so many people. Of course, the biggest issues are with Declan. The end was very unsatisfying. They barely clear the air; barely touch on anything that's still standing between them, but they've got forever to figure it out so The End. Nope. That type of ending is not okay. It's bloody annoying. There was a point when I was thinking of DNF'ing. And I guarantee if I'd knew that was the shit that was coming my way, I would have. What a fucking waste.

I can't help thinking that I probably would have enjoyed this book more if it was from before Harper lost herself. If the story was about her and Declan taking their friendship to more. I liked the Harper we got in the past. But unfortunately, that wasn't this story. So The Year We Fell Apart we just ain't going to be seeing each other again.

Happy reading!

Brittany