Review: I was amazed by her writing abilities
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 9, 2014
The Year We Hid Away is a 6 STAR book....Sarina Bowen wrote a powerful story!Wow!  Sarina Bowen blew me away with her first book in The Ivy Years Series, The Year We Fell Down.  I was amazed by her writing abilities.  Her voice was fresh, entertaining, and held me captivated to the very last word.  I gave that book a 6 Star Rating and added it to my 2014 Favorites List. The characters that were introduced in the book became members of my beloved book family. I wanted to know all of their stories.  I was biting at the bits for the next book in the series, The Year We Hid Away.The day The Year We Hid Away released I quickly one clicked this book and devoured it.  Unfortunately due to my busy schedule I was unable to write my review until now.  This book never left my mind and I thought about the characters and their story.  I wanted this review to do justice for this amazing book.  Again Sarina Bowen has amazed me with her gifted writing.  Her characters, their lives, and their stories are fresh, unique, heartwarming, and so much more than your run of the mill new adult romance.The Year We Hid Away is another 6 Star book!The Year We Hid Away is Bridger McCaulley’s story.  Let me tell you ladies, this man is going to steal your heart.  He is one the most fascinating characters I have read.Bridger McCaulley is a gifted hockey player, a brilliant student, a well rounded person, and quite the ladies man.  On the surface it seems he has life by the horns.  As we all know, appearances can be quite deceiving.  Bridger’s personal life is a mess.  His family life is in shambles.  He is fighting to hold onto his academic career and keep his family together.  His younger sister needs his protection.  He will do anything to give her what she needs.  Some things will have to go.  His social life, his place on the hockey team, and his friends will have to be put on the back burner. No sacrifice is too small or too large.  That is okay until he meets Scarlet Crowley.Scarlet Crowley is no stranger to family problems.  She is hiding from her own family after her father was arrested for unspeakable crimes.  She just wants to attend college and start a new life without her past haunting every move she makes.  When she meets Bridger McCaulley she finds a kindred soul.  A person that she can call a friend.As their relationship develops into more than just friends their pasts, their family issues, and their lives will hang a dark cloud over them.  They will have to join together to hang onto the very things that are good in their lives.  Hopefully it will be enough.  Hopefully they can hang onto one another.The Year We Hid Away is a highly emotional book.  One minute you will be laughing and the next you will be fretting.  These two young people have so much on their plate.  It amazes me how strong they are.Sarina Bowen wrote an amazing story.  She tackled some very heavy issues.  She had the guts to write about something that most people can’t deal with.  She showed how these things affect all the people they touch.  She did not sugar coat anything and found very realistic resolutions for all involved. Add a beautiful romance, great friends, and an adorable little girl and you have the perfect book.  The Year We Hid Away is that book!