Okay, fellow book lovers, let’s dive into one of the most emotional roller-coaster I’ve encountered: Colleen Hoover’s Slammed Series. This trilogy follows the intense love story of Layken and Will, and trust me, it’s not for the faint of heart. So grab your tissues and buckle up because we’re about to explore Slammed, Point of Retreat, and that book we don’t really talk about, This Girl.
Trigger Warnings:
Terminal illness
Death
Pregnancy
“Regret is counterproductive. It's looking back on a past that you can't change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future.”
Slammed
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
“Death. The only thing inevitable in life.”
Wow! If I could give Slammed six stars, I absolutely would! This breathtaking novel by Colleen Hoover is nothing short of a masterpiece and deserves a spot on everyone's reading list.
The story kicks off with eighteen-year-old Layken, who faces an unimaginable loss when her father passes away, forcing her to relocate across the country. Suddenly, she finds herself uprooted from everything familiar, and her outlook on life is undeniably bleak. Just when you think things couldn’t get any more challenging, enter Will Cooper: the captivating twenty-one-year-old neighbor with a passion for slam poetry. Their initial encounter is anything but ordinary, igniting feelings within Layken that she never knew she could experience.
But as is often the case in Layken’s life, just when things start to look up, an unexpected revelation throws their budding romance into disarray. Sparks fly as Layken and Will find themselves caught in a whirlwind of emotions, grappling with a dilemma that puts their hearts at odds with their moral compasses. And just when you think the drama is about to settle down, Layken’s mother drops a bombshell that completely shifts the dynamics of her world. The intensity of her revelations makes her previous struggles seem almost trivial in comparison.
What I loved most about this book is that both Layken and Will are refreshingly real and relatable characters. They are not the typical frustrating hero and heroine often found in romance novels; they think before they act and make decisions that reflect their maturity. Hoover’s writing style is deceptively simple yet profoundly impactful—it draws you right into the emotional core of the story and makes you feel every moment with the characters.
One of the most delightful surprises for me was how much I connected with the slam poetry woven throughout the narrative. I had never been able to relate to poetry before, but here, it serves as a powerful vehicle for the characters to express their innermost thoughts and emotions. Each slam performance is like a glimpse into their hearts, resonating on a level I didn’t expect. I found myself completely captivated by the emotional weight of the poetry, further enhancing my love for this book.
The chemistry between Layken and Will is electric. Just thinking about their moments together gives me butterflies! Their love story is a rollercoaster of feelings, and I couldn’t put the book down. In fact, I was so engrossed that I found myself reading late into the night, battling tears as the emotional depth of this story took its toll on me. The last ten percent of the book had me in a constant state of tearfulness—not to mention those heart-wrenching moments that will linger in my mind long after finishing.
Slammed is a powerful exploration of love, loss, life, and death (rest assured, not in the way you might expect). By the end, I was left with a sense of hope intermingled with my tears—an affirmation that even in the face of adversity, love will find a way.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a book that will touch your heart, make you feel deeply, and keep you turning the pages, look no further than Slammed. Colleen Hoover has crafted a story that is not only engaging but also profoundly moving. Trust me, this is one book you do not want to miss!
"Love is the most beautiful thing in the world. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the hardest things in the world to hold on to, and one of the easiest things to throw away."
Fair warning though—prepare yourself for some serious heartache. The emotional intensity will have you feeling a mix of hope and despair!
POINT OF RETREAT
Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize just how much they belong together.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
After I finished Slammed, I felt a strong need to jump right into Point of Retreat. Colleen Hoover skillfully continues Lake and Will's journey, taking us through a year filled with personal growth and tough challenges.
The story opens with a heavy sense of loss. Lake’s mother, Julia, has died from cancer, a reality that hits hard, even though we expected it from the last book. Julia was such a lively character in Slammed, and her absence creates a deep void throughout the story. The emotional impact of her loss is beautifully portrayed, making Lake’s memories of her mother especially moving. I found myself tearing up with every mention of Julia, particularly those sweet reminders of her love, like the famous purple hair clip. Julia’s influence on Lake’s life—through heartfelt notes with advice—adds a touching element to the story.
Lake and Will remain just as lovable as before, but they have both grown a lot over the year. Their relationship flourishes as they tackle university life together, showing a bond that has deepened even more. Lake is now caring for her younger brother with Will’s strong support, highlighting their commitment to each other and their family. I truly enjoyed seeing how their characters evolved; they are not just getting by—they are thriving, even with new challenges ahead.
One of the enjoyable parts of Point of Retreat is the ongoing friendship between Will and Gavin, who is now dating Eddie. The interactions among the characters enhance the story and provide those sweet moments of friendship that I really love. It’s heartwarming to see best friends supporting each other while dealing with the ups and downs of love and friendship.
This book definitely has its intense moments. There are two key events that really took me by surprise. I won’t give away any details, but I found myself eagerly flipping through the pages, my nails nearly bitten down to nothing! I was in a rush to see what would happen next. These unexpected twists add the drama and tension that are signature elements of Hoover’s writing.
In summary, Point of Retreat is an engaging and emotional story that will draw you back into Will and Lake’s journey. The memories of Julia beautifully reflect love that has been lost, while also emphasizing the value of family and friendship. If you enjoyed Slammed, you’ll likely find that Point of Retreat has the same charm, filled with just the right mix of heartache and hope. I finished it quickly.
“If I were a carpenter, I would build you a window to my soul. But I would leave that window shut and locked, so that every time you tried to look through it all you would see is your own reflection. You would see that my soul is a reflection of you.”
This Girl
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
And then we have This Girl. To be honest, think of this one as a retelling of Slammed from Will’s point of view. While it’s insightful to delve into his psyche, it doesn’t necessarily push the story forward. Instead, it revisits past events with some added context, which can be nice but feels a bit redundant if you’ve just read Slammed.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Slammed Series takes you on a beautifully tragic journey that’s filled with love, loss, and personal growth. Each book builds on the last, showcasing the characters' complexities and the raw emotion connected to their experiences.
Just a heads up: these books come loaded with some heavy topics, so make sure you’re in the right headspace before diving in. I’m officially giving this entire series a 4.5-star rating—it's that powerful!
Colleen Hoover has truly left a mark on the literary world with this trilogy, and as Layken and Will's journey concludes, you might, like me, feel the urge to retreat back to the comforting world of Hogwarts to recover. Happy reading!