Book Review: Slammed

Title  - Slammed

Author - Colleen Hoover

Series - Slammed #1

Genre - New Adult, Contemporary

Published - January 5th 2012

Format - Kindle Copy

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

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.

Cover thoughts

The above cover is the original the one below is a newer cover edition. I like the simple classic elegance of the original cover. However the newer edition isn't bad just not my favorite. 

Opening Teaser 

Kel and I load the last two boxes into the U-Haul. I slide the door down and pull the latch shut, locking up eighteen years of memories, all of which include my dad.

Review

Things for Layken haven’t been easy her dad suddenly passed away and her mother had forced them leave the home she knows moving to Michigan. Arriving at the new house she instantly catches the eye of the neighbor who even stays just a little longer on his way just to meet her. Her little brother instantly finds a best friend in the neighbor guys younger brother while Layken ends up with plans for a date. On her date with Will he takes her to a poetry slam where people preform on a stage and they instantly connect.

It’s Layken’s first day of school and she instantly is befriended by Eddie they even share a few classes but it’s her elective that everything goes wrong. On her way to class she encounters her teacher in the hallway and she’s in for a shock that it’s Will her date. It’s clear that nothing can happen between them but they each struggled to fight the attraction attempting to stay apart. However everything is about to be turned upside down in Layken’s life once again as she learns the truth about the secret her mom is hiding at least she has Eddie to support her.

I loved Layken right from the start we both lost a parent suddenly at the same age so we are kindred spirits. While her life hasn’t been easy Layken has made the best she can with it, working her way thought the stages of grief. I really liked Will right from the start he just a nice guy with a good heart and perfect for Layken even if they don’t see it. I think Eddie was a perfect addition to the story she’s exactly what Layken has been missing and needed in her time of need.

I’ve been debating for a long time if I should read Slammed. I tend to avoid books that will make me cry and I had a feeling like this would be one of those books. I decided to give it a shot because I keep hearing how amazing the book is and within just a few chapters I was hooked. I just loved Layken she’s a great character that I was able to connect with right away she had stolen my heart. The characters felt real they aren’t perfect but flawed  and continued to grow as the book progressed getting better with each new chapter.  The whole story is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish I had tears of sadness and tears of joy. This is my first book by the author but I know for a fact that I plan to read the rest of her books. The story is beautifully written from start to finish the way that she intertwines the poetry is magical. While the novel is a contemporary romance it’s filled with twists and turns a truly captivating book. I spent the last 30% on the sofa crying my hubby might think I’m insane to love a book so much that made me cry. Slammed is defiantly one of my new favorites and I look forward to checking out more books by the author. A must read for any New Adult fans.