~ Book Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover ~

Author: Colleen Hoover        

Publisher: Atria Books

Release Date: September 18th 2012

Pages: 317

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought it

Genre: Contempory Romance
Reading Level: YA

AMAZON / B&N

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

When one of my girlfriends recommended this book to me I was a little hesitant about it because I had just finished reading Hopeless by the same author and I did not want to read another heart-wrenching story. As I started reading, I immediately fell in love with the story and the characters.  It was so captivating that I was having a hard time putting it down to go do the regular life stuff (I know. Boo). When you look at the cover you can't really tell what's going to happen. I like that it is simple and the reader gets to know what the cover stands for once you get into the story. I love the way that Colleen Hoover writes.  I love how she is able to communicate the characters' feeling and makes you go through every emotion with them. I am letting you know in advance you have to get 3 boxes of Kleenex ready, because this story is going to bring tears to your eyes.

When tragedy strikes her family, eighteen years-old Layken, also known as Lake, moves from Texas to Michigan. Her family has a financial necessity and the only way that they can stay afloat is by moving to Michigan where her mother got a job offer. After the sudden death of her father, Lake, her mother and her little brother are going to a hard time dealing with the loss of one person they love most. Lake feels hopeless, helpless and angry and now she has to go through the pain of starting a new life in a city where she does not know anyone. As soon as she pulls on in the parking lot of her new house, she meets Will Cooper - the guy in every girls' dreams. Since the moment they met, Lake and Will share this strong connection, but life is not easy and Lake is about to find out that life only gets harder and that very difficult times await for her in the near future.

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love the heroine of this book, Lake.  She is smart, strong, realistic, impulsive, but not stupid. I adore and respect her because it takes a lot of strength to go through what she was going through and be able to stay somewhat calm. Will, Lake’s neighbor is a really cute guy that I was swooning for during the whole book. The connection that this two share since the beginning of them meeting seems so realistic and refreshing. Will asks Lake out on a date and takes her to Slam poetry, which before reading this book, I had absolutely no idea about. To make this review short and not bore you with the whole story, they fall in love but, BUT (there is always a but) soon they discover that their love is forbidden. In order for them to be  together they have to make really hard decisions: Life or Love.

The secondary characters on this book were amazing, starting with Eddie, which is Lake’s friend, she is full of life and energy, and helps Lake a lot. The brothers, Kel and Caudel, absolutely adore them. Julia, Lake’s mom, she is a strong woman and has this unconditional love for her children.

This book brought me to tears a few times. It taught me about life, death, grief, undying love and friendship. This was such a heartwarming story that it will make you see and appreciate life a lot more. It was romantic, emotional and it will melt your heart. I will recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait to read the sequels and see what the world holds for Layken and Will.

Favorite Quote:

“I love you, Lake," he smiles as he presses his forehead against mine. "You deserve to come first.”

― Slammed , Pg. 312