Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Year We Fell Down summary
Brief summary
The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen is a heartwarming romance novel that follows the story of Corey Callahan and Adam Hartley as they navigate life and love from their wheelchairs. It's a tale of strength, resilience, and finding unexpected connections.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Year We Fell Down
Summary of key ideas
Dealing with Unexpected Change
In The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen, we meet Corey Callahan, a freshman at Harkness College who is excited to start her college life as a member of the women's hockey team. However, her plans are shattered when she suffers a serious injury during a game, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Corey is forced to adjust to a new reality, one that includes a wheelchair and a dorm room specifically designed for people with disabilities.
Struggling to come to terms with her new life, Corey finds solace in her friendship with her neighbor, Adam Hartley, a talented hockey player who is also dealing with a life-altering injury. Despite their different personalities, Corey and Hartley form a deep connection, bonding over their shared experiences and the challenges they face. As they navigate their way through their new lives, they discover that they are not as alone as they thought.
Overcoming Struggles and Forming Bonds
As the story progresses, Corey and Hartley support each other through their respective recoveries. Corey learns to navigate the world in a wheelchair and manages to maintain her independence. She also discovers a new passion in photography, using it as a means to express herself and see the world in a different light. Hartley, on the other hand, grapples with the loss of his hockey career and the fear of never being able to play again.
Despite their struggles, Corey and Hartley form a strong bond, and their friendship gradually develops into something deeper. They both find comfort in each other's company and share moments of joy and laughter, proving that unexpected circumstances can lead to unexpected friendships.
Exploring New Beginnings
As Corey and Hartley begin to accept their new realities, they also start to explore new beginnings. Corey takes a leap of faith and decides to move out of the accessible dorms, despite the challenges it presents, to experience a more typical college life. Hartley, too, begins to open up about his fears and insecurities, allowing himself to hope for a future beyond his injury.
However, their journey towards recovery is not without its setbacks. Corey faces prejudice and insensitivity from her peers, while Hartley struggles with the idea of being defined by his injury. Despite these challenges, they continue to support each other, demonstrating the strength and resilience that comes from their friendship.
A Heartfelt Journey of Love and Acceptance
As their final year at Harkness College approaches, Corey and Hartley find themselves falling in love. Their relationship deepens as they share their fears, hopes, and dreams with each other. They learn to accept themselves and each other, not despite their injuries, but because of them.
In The Year We Fell Down, Sarina Bowe beautifully illustrates the journey of two individuals overcoming adversity and finding love in unexpected places. Corey and Hartley's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of acceptance. Their journey is not just about recovering from physical injuries but about learning to embrace life in all its forms, no matter the obstacles.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Year We Fell Down about?
The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen is a heartwarming and inspiring novel that delves into the lives of two college students who find themselves facing unexpected challenges. Told from the perspective of the protagonist, it explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the power of overcoming obstacles. This beautifully written book will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling uplifted.
The Year We Fell Down Review
The Year We Fell Down (2014) explores the intertwined lives of two college students navigating life-altering injuries. Here are three reasons why this book stands out:
- Through authentic character development and emotional depth, it immerses readers in a poignant journey of resilience and self-discovery.
- Addressing themes of friendship, love, and overcoming adversity, the story resonates with authenticity and relatability.
- With its compelling narrative twists and unexpected turns, the book transcends clichés, ensuring a captivating and unpredictable read.
Who should read The Year We Fell Down?
Readers who enjoy contemporary romance novels
Young adults navigating life-changing events and finding love
Fans of sports-themed fiction, particularly hockey
Categories with The Year We Fell Down
Book summaries like The Year We Fell Down
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Year We Fell Down FAQs
What is the main message of The Year We Fell Down?
The main message of The Year We Fell Down revolves around resilience, friendship, and personal growth.
How long does it take to read The Year We Fell Down?
Reading The Year We Fell Down takes a few hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.
Is The Year We Fell Down a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Year We Fell Down is a captivating read that delves into overcoming challenges and the beauty of unexpected connections.
Who is the author of The Year We Fell Down?
The author of The Year We Fell Down is Sarina Bowen.
What to read after The Year We Fell Down?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Year We Fell Down, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher