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Hemsworth Brothers #1
The Slam
An athlete. An Aspie. A love story.
I didn't want her here.
I didn't want to be entrusted with her care.
You see, she has Asperger's and she struggles with social cues.
Somehow, she's convinced me to be her social coach.
Somehow, the lines have blurred . . .
Note: THE SLAM is a deliciously sexy, full-length novel that's packed with heat, heart, and humor.
I didn't want her here.
I didn't want to be entrusted with her care.
You see, she has Asperger's and she struggles with social cues.
Somehow, she's convinced me to be her social coach.
Somehow, the lines have blurred . . .
Note: THE SLAM is a deliciously sexy, full-length novel that's packed with heat, heart, and humor.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2018
507 people are currently reading
1243 people want to read
About the author
Haleigh Lovell
6 books365 followersFollow Haleigh on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/halei...
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Haleigh Lovell is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of THE LIST series. Haleigh doesn't always do cardio, but when she does, she calls it writing. #beastmode
Follow Haleigh on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Haleigh-Lovell...
Haleigh Lovell is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of THE LIST series. Haleigh doesn't always do cardio, but when she does, she calls it writing. #beastmode
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
September 19, 2016
There were things I loved about this story and things I hated. I settled for the neutral rating as a resolution to my internal conflict. What I loved: Adelaide. She has Aspergers and the portrayal of her condition was absolutely and impressively on point. The intellect, inability to understand most sarcasm, mimicking behaviors, fluctuation of emotion, etc.. everything was done extremely well. She has this way about her that just sucks you in. Ender understood Adelaide in ways nobody else did. Even if he realistically got frustrated at times, he was honest, helped, and treated her with respect. Together, they have something sweet and sexy. What I hated: After they are physically together, Ender continues to sleep with another woman. At least once, he and the other woman are intimate in front of Adelaide. Granted, he is not dishonest about it, but it didn't sit well at all with me. Adelaide goes out with and sleeps with another man. From how it is written, it doesn't sound like the latter was consensual (she fell asleep) and that was a big deal to me. However, the characters seem to brush it off... this was the biggest hurdle to move past for me. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this. The characters were very likeable and the plot good. Without the things I hated, it would have easily been a 5. Safety: Yes to OW/OM. Yes to rape imo. No abuse.
April 15, 2016
4 adorkable stars
Adalaide and Ender are bosom buddies, ever since she was little she was welcomed as one of the boys. Ender and his twin brother are tasked to play host to Adalaide and show her the ropes. Not only is she new to the school, she's new to the US, and with her Asperger’s syndrome, she's never really fit in anywhere. She hopes that this time she can start with a blank slate and not be the odd girl out.
Adalaide has come up with a perfect solution for them, Ender becomes her social learning coach and she uses her skills to help him get even better in his Tennis game. Of course the solution comes with benefits, after all Adalaide has no prior experience and she can't think of anyone better to help her learn just what boys like...even if he acts like a total sour puss.
The Slam, is totally adorkable. There really is no other way to describe Adalaide and Ender's story, it was cute, witty and fun and easy to read. If you can get passed they way Adalaide speaks then you are in for a treat. Understand there is a reason why Adalaide who is eighteen speaks like she is eighty. She is brilliantly smart, kind hearted and totally loveable. Ender didn't know what hit him, poor guy, hes always had a soft spot for her and now shes way under his skin. I really enjoyed this sexy sweet stand alone read and hope you do as well.
ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.
“Is this our Titanic moment?”
Adalaide and Ender are bosom buddies, ever since she was little she was welcomed as one of the boys. Ender and his twin brother are tasked to play host to Adalaide and show her the ropes. Not only is she new to the school, she's new to the US, and with her Asperger’s syndrome, she's never really fit in anywhere. She hopes that this time she can start with a blank slate and not be the odd girl out.
Adalaide has come up with a perfect solution for them, Ender becomes her social learning coach and she uses her skills to help him get even better in his Tennis game. Of course the solution comes with benefits, after all Adalaide has no prior experience and she can't think of anyone better to help her learn just what boys like...even if he acts like a total sour puss.
“Ender is just my side bitch,” she slurred, sifting her fingers through my hair like I was her plaything. “I’ve been so horny lately and Ender’s been satisfying me with his big dick.”
The Slam, is totally adorkable. There really is no other way to describe Adalaide and Ender's story, it was cute, witty and fun and easy to read. If you can get passed they way Adalaide speaks then you are in for a treat. Understand there is a reason why Adalaide who is eighteen speaks like she is eighty. She is brilliantly smart, kind hearted and totally loveable. Ender didn't know what hit him, poor guy, hes always had a soft spot for her and now shes way under his skin. I really enjoyed this sexy sweet stand alone read and hope you do as well.
ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.
March 18, 2016
4.25 A Slam from the Bush Stars!
ARC generously provided in exchange for honest review
I will start by saying that this book was so interesting. Haleigh Lovell took a chance and went outside the NA box and delivered a story that was hard to read at times but impossible to put down!
I went into The Slam prepared for the typical sports themed romance. Ender and Endric Hemsworth are tennis Gods living rich, famous, and sexy. "Choosing" college over a pro career they reign supreme on campus. They live a good life with their pick of panties any day of the week. When their childhood gal-pal from down under lands in their life, they have to step up and take care of her. As Endric is currently attached, Ender must step in to assist his old "bosom buddy." This one time childhood nuisance arrives all grown up...naturally beautiful...athletically built...totally endearing. Here we go with the bad boy and good girl mix...NOPE! Adelaide is about to change lives with her unique ways. Adelaide has Asperger's and she is FABULOUS!
In this Dual POV tale, Adelaide comes to America for the college experience. She is taken under Ender's wing for all things social! While we know the mind is a complex thing, the inner workings of Miss Adelaide are fascinating and quite exhausting at times! With pure intelligence and constant concrete reasoning, she maneuvers thru college making friends, braving social settings, and experiencing emotions like never before. With pure humor and steamy passion, Adelaide finds support along with pleasure from her constant support, Ender. It does not take long for the lines to blur...but with the complexity of Adelaide, the story is quite tedious. This read was genius and difficult at times as the author kept the dynamics shrouded in the flat, complex thinking of her female.
I found this read to be quite awesome! As Adelaide discovers her constant support, warmth, and pleasure from Ender it is filled with moments of LOL humor. There is passion and scorching heat along this self journey of amazement. I loved that there were no clear cut declarations of love. This tale held the promise of more, set in the foundation of friendship. The Slam was finding a normal in an already beautiful life, albeit different...but still amazing!
ARC generously provided in exchange for honest review
I will start by saying that this book was so interesting. Haleigh Lovell took a chance and went outside the NA box and delivered a story that was hard to read at times but impossible to put down!
I went into The Slam prepared for the typical sports themed romance. Ender and Endric Hemsworth are tennis Gods living rich, famous, and sexy. "Choosing" college over a pro career they reign supreme on campus. They live a good life with their pick of panties any day of the week. When their childhood gal-pal from down under lands in their life, they have to step up and take care of her. As Endric is currently attached, Ender must step in to assist his old "bosom buddy." This one time childhood nuisance arrives all grown up...naturally beautiful...athletically built...totally endearing. Here we go with the bad boy and good girl mix...NOPE! Adelaide is about to change lives with her unique ways. Adelaide has Asperger's and she is FABULOUS!
In this Dual POV tale, Adelaide comes to America for the college experience. She is taken under Ender's wing for all things social! While we know the mind is a complex thing, the inner workings of Miss Adelaide are fascinating and quite exhausting at times! With pure intelligence and constant concrete reasoning, she maneuvers thru college making friends, braving social settings, and experiencing emotions like never before. With pure humor and steamy passion, Adelaide finds support along with pleasure from her constant support, Ender. It does not take long for the lines to blur...but with the complexity of Adelaide, the story is quite tedious. This read was genius and difficult at times as the author kept the dynamics shrouded in the flat, complex thinking of her female.
I found this read to be quite awesome! As Adelaide discovers her constant support, warmth, and pleasure from Ender it is filled with moments of LOL humor. There is passion and scorching heat along this self journey of amazement. I loved that there were no clear cut declarations of love. This tale held the promise of more, set in the foundation of friendship. The Slam was finding a normal in an already beautiful life, albeit different...but still amazing!
Want to read
March 26, 2016
LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!
Stand-alone
Release: April 1, 2016.
Blurb:
His best strokes can be found off the court.
Ender Hemsworth has been called many things:
A Cock on Legs.
Captain of Sigma Chi.
Big man on campus.
Star athlete at UC Berkeley.
And he's always scowling like someone just took a piss in his Cheerios.
Adelaide Vikander has been called one thing:
Twenty Types of Trouble.
And she likes to take the proverbial ‘piss’ in Ender’s Cheerios.
When they’re forced to live together off campus, sparks fly and panties drop.
Will Ender, the cold and unfeeling ‘Cock on Legs’ grow a torso, a head, and a warm, beating heart?
ARC provided to me by author Haleigh Lovell in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2016
My absolute favorite romance novels are New Adult Sport’s Romance. So when I was offered an ARC for The Slam I was all the fuck over it. Good things happen in these kinds of books. But very few of these books have surprised me as much as this one did.
What an exceptional, totally refreshing angle on an already saturated genre. I FUCKING LOVED IT!!
Adelaide has Asperger’s Syndrome and instead of it being used as a ploy to tug out all the sad feels, this book showed it in a completely positive (and often hilarious) light. I loved the honest and touching moments the author was able to create from this. I absolutely adored the chapters told from her POV and getting a look inside her unique thought process and odd way of looking at things but what I loved most was her total acceptance of herself and the utter confidence and zest for life in all things she set out to do.
Ender was a wonderful character too. Although he is the quintessential player-slash-bad-boy and was unwilling to let this strange girl from his past back into his life, the lack of judgment towards her quirks, the support he gave her and the protectiveness he felt for her was impossibly endearing.
This romance couldn’t possibly have followed a traditional route but what it resulted in was a delicious slow burn which was low on angst but high on entertainment. The sexual tension was off the chain and Ender’s confusion and Adelaide’s innocent curiosity just took everything to next level awesome!!
The Slam is without a doubt one of my favorite reads of 2016!!
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
What an exceptional, totally refreshing angle on an already saturated genre. I FUCKING LOVED IT!!
Adelaide has Asperger’s Syndrome and instead of it being used as a ploy to tug out all the sad feels, this book showed it in a completely positive (and often hilarious) light. I loved the honest and touching moments the author was able to create from this. I absolutely adored the chapters told from her POV and getting a look inside her unique thought process and odd way of looking at things but what I loved most was her total acceptance of herself and the utter confidence and zest for life in all things she set out to do.
Ender was a wonderful character too. Although he is the quintessential player-slash-bad-boy and was unwilling to let this strange girl from his past back into his life, the lack of judgment towards her quirks, the support he gave her and the protectiveness he felt for her was impossibly endearing.
This romance couldn’t possibly have followed a traditional route but what it resulted in was a delicious slow burn which was low on angst but high on entertainment. The sexual tension was off the chain and Ender’s confusion and Adelaide’s innocent curiosity just took everything to next level awesome!!
The Slam is without a doubt one of my favorite reads of 2016!!
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
June 1, 2016
The Slam by Haleigh Lovell is a smart, sexy, grounded friends to lovers romance with a twist. Ender Hemsworth, tennis star of UC Berkeley, lives with his brother while going to school. When the brothers receive a letter informing them Adelaide Vikander is to be picked up from the airport and will be taking their spare-bedroom while going to Berkeley as a first year, past memories are brought up of summers spent in the outback in Australia. Adelaide was diagnosed with Asperger's as a young teen and had a hard time socially with people growing up but can't wait for a fresh start with people who don't know her. Both Ender and Adelaide find ways to coach one another but in doing so sometimes, in the name of science, lines are crossed.
It's hard to put this book into words how original it is. Adelaide's Asperger's causes her to bluntly ramble on facts and take things very literately, which makes for some fantastically interesting facts. It's not often, while reading a romance, I learn interesting odd facts. I devoured this book in less than 12 hrs and it only took that long because I had to sleep! The dialogue is some of the wittiest I've read in ages. Both of these characters are so relatable you can help but fall in love with them. This book will have you on the edge at one moment, laughing the next and heart melting soon after. Oh and chemistry between our leads is white hot and pantie melting to say the least! The only part I didn't enjoy was coming to the end of the book. I truly hope we will see these characters again - pretty please!
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
It's hard to put this book into words how original it is. Adelaide's Asperger's causes her to bluntly ramble on facts and take things very literately, which makes for some fantastically interesting facts. It's not often, while reading a romance, I learn interesting odd facts. I devoured this book in less than 12 hrs and it only took that long because I had to sleep! The dialogue is some of the wittiest I've read in ages. Both of these characters are so relatable you can help but fall in love with them. This book will have you on the edge at one moment, laughing the next and heart melting soon after. Oh and chemistry between our leads is white hot and pantie melting to say the least! The only part I didn't enjoy was coming to the end of the book. I truly hope we will see these characters again - pretty please!
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
July 20, 2018
Ender has just found out that he was going to be responsible for a long lost friend but little did he realize that Adelaide was no longer the young quirky girl he remembered. Adelaide was not your typical girl but the more I read the more I realized that she was a typical young adult that had her quirks as we all do and those quirks had me smiling, cringing and laughing. Oh and Ender it took him some time to warm up to Adelaide but in due time Adelaide's charm worked and Ender knew that she was 1 in a million.
When I started reading I realized that I had not read anything like this. The characters were so real and unique like the rest of us. Now let me say that the more Ender helped Adelaide find herself and adapt to her new surroundings he saw her in a new light and the sparks turned into fireworks. Kara~4.5 Stars
When I started reading I realized that I had not read anything like this. The characters were so real and unique like the rest of us. Now let me say that the more Ender helped Adelaide find herself and adapt to her new surroundings he saw her in a new light and the sparks turned into fireworks. Kara~4.5 Stars
Want to read
July 9, 201809.07.2018: The ebook is currently free on Amazon!
June 13, 2016
Genre: New Adult
Sensuality: X
Manslut-Big-Man-On-Campus has childhood friend with Aspergers come to live with him.
Weird read. Very weird.
As a romance, it didnt build. Maybe it was just meant to be about a high functioning Aspie, I dunno. It had its funny moments; the author might do better to just do rom-coms.
Actually . . . the more I think about it, the more it sucked? The h goes on her first date ever, with a d-bag. They go back to her room and she falls asleep while he is putting on the condom. Later, he complains that fucking her "felt like freakin’ necrophilia" and noone thought this was . . . . weird?
And the ending was a WTF. I was told that it was NOT a cliffy and just very abrupt but I felt lied to. This wasnt just abrupt. This was the author just stopped writing at whatever random point and publishing it. And then announcing there will be a Book 2 after all. Jeez.
Sensuality: X
Manslut-Big-Man-On-Campus has childhood friend with Aspergers come to live with him.
Weird read. Very weird.
As a romance, it didnt build. Maybe it was just meant to be about a high functioning Aspie, I dunno. It had its funny moments; the author might do better to just do rom-coms.
Actually . . . the more I think about it, the more it sucked? The h goes on her first date ever, with a d-bag. They go back to her room and she falls asleep while he is putting on the condom. Later, he complains that fucking her "felt like freakin’ necrophilia" and noone thought this was . . . . weird?
And the ending was a WTF. I was told that it was NOT a cliffy and just very abrupt but I felt lied to. This wasnt just abrupt. This was the author just stopped writing at whatever random point and publishing it. And then announcing there will be a Book 2 after all. Jeez.
June 2, 2018
4 stars!
A smart, funny, sweet and sexy story with a unique twist to your usual college sports romance as the cocky campus playboy meets his match with a quirky, intelligent heroine with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Ender Hemsworth is the guy on campus that everybody wants. President of his fraternity, tennis superstar, wealthy, good looking and a magnet to the ladies, he appears to be living the dream. And then he receives a letter from his grandmother informing him that Adelaide, one of his childhood friends, is coming to live with him and his brother.
Ender and Adelaide met as children when Ender and his brother travelled to Australia for a summer holiday and the three of them spent every moment of their time together and became close. Though when she arrives, the gorgeous woman who beams up at him is far from the gawky girl that Ender remembers.
Adelaide is smart, sweet and kind, and she is very aware of the differences between herself and others, but she is embracing her new experience with everything she has. She’s had enough of being singled out and judged for who she is, and she’s looking forward to her fresh start in a whole new country. She has wonderful memories of the time she spent with Ender, and even with all of their years apart she still considers him her best friend, and as he helps her settle in, they come to an arrangement where he will be her ‘social coach’, helping her out with social cues, and such.
But as Ender introduces Adelaide to the wonders and freeness of college life, of course their relationship begins to shift. Adelaide is curious about sex, and who better to help her out than her best friend and social coach? And so sex enters the equation, string-free and purely platonic, but changing things between them in ways that are all kinds of hot.
Adelaide is an absolute delight. Strong, smart and brave, I so admired the way she set about creating a new life for herself. She’s very accepting of her limitations, and her mannerisms and thought processes are written in a way that make her utterly endearing, and I just loved her.
And oh, I loved Ender. He’s such a good guy and I love how he cared for Adelaide. He’s no-nonsense and he respects and appreciates her just as she is, and though he has his own issues that he’s struggling with, he doesn’t hold anything back from Adelaide, which I really liked.
Don’t go into this book thinking it’s a straightforward romance. It’s not. Ender and Adelaide truly are friends with benefits, and it takes a while for real feelings to develop so – full disclosure – they are both with other people in different ways during the book. But it’s only while they’re still friends. Once feelings begin to develop, they are faithful to each other.
The book ends in a good place, though there is still a lot of story to be told, and I’m looking forward to reading more about their relationship progressing in the next book of the series – The Foreplay.
This was a great read. Fun, sweet and very entertaining.
4 stars.
A smart, funny, sweet and sexy story with a unique twist to your usual college sports romance as the cocky campus playboy meets his match with a quirky, intelligent heroine with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Ender Hemsworth is the guy on campus that everybody wants. President of his fraternity, tennis superstar, wealthy, good looking and a magnet to the ladies, he appears to be living the dream. And then he receives a letter from his grandmother informing him that Adelaide, one of his childhood friends, is coming to live with him and his brother.
Ender and Adelaide met as children when Ender and his brother travelled to Australia for a summer holiday and the three of them spent every moment of their time together and became close. Though when she arrives, the gorgeous woman who beams up at him is far from the gawky girl that Ender remembers.
Adelaide is smart, sweet and kind, and she is very aware of the differences between herself and others, but she is embracing her new experience with everything she has. She’s had enough of being singled out and judged for who she is, and she’s looking forward to her fresh start in a whole new country. She has wonderful memories of the time she spent with Ender, and even with all of their years apart she still considers him her best friend, and as he helps her settle in, they come to an arrangement where he will be her ‘social coach’, helping her out with social cues, and such.
“I can be your safe person.”
Straightening herself, she blinked at me. “Safe person.” That sounds a lot like a ‘safe word’, which brings to mind stuff like bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism.”
“BDSM”? I coughed loudly. “No, nothing like that.” … “What I mean is, if you’re ever unsure about any social cues, you can always check with me.”
“So you’re going to be my coach?” Her eyes grew wide, though a smile played behind them. “My social coach?”
… “I guess you can call it that.”
But as Ender introduces Adelaide to the wonders and freeness of college life, of course their relationship begins to shift. Adelaide is curious about sex, and who better to help her out than her best friend and social coach? And so sex enters the equation, string-free and purely platonic, but changing things between them in ways that are all kinds of hot.
“There’s not much to tell.” I gave her a modest shrug of the shoulders. “We’re just best friends with benefits.”
… “And you’re okay with that?” Danni looked incredulous. “Like /totally okay with being friends with benefits?”
“Correct.” I dabbed my mouth with a napkin. “Why wouldn’t I be? He’s my best friend and he keeps me sexually satisfied. We make passionate, delectable sex.”
Adelaide is an absolute delight. Strong, smart and brave, I so admired the way she set about creating a new life for herself. She’s very accepting of her limitations, and her mannerisms and thought processes are written in a way that make her utterly endearing, and I just loved her.
“But why is a thigh gap even a desirable quality? If I had a thigh gap, my phone could literally slip through the space between my thighs and splash into the toilet if I dropped it.” I frowned. “And I like being on my phone when I’m sitting on the toilet.”
And oh, I loved Ender. He’s such a good guy and I love how he cared for Adelaide. He’s no-nonsense and he respects and appreciates her just as she is, and though he has his own issues that he’s struggling with, he doesn’t hold anything back from Adelaide, which I really liked.
“We need … people who can see things from a different perspective. People who have a gift for finding and analysing information with their obsessive acquisition of hard facts, their insistence on logic, their ability to see things the way most of us aren’t able to.”
Don’t go into this book thinking it’s a straightforward romance. It’s not. Ender and Adelaide truly are friends with benefits, and it takes a while for real feelings to develop so – full disclosure – they are both with other people in different ways during the book. But it’s only while they’re still friends. Once feelings begin to develop, they are faithful to each other.
The book ends in a good place, though there is still a lot of story to be told, and I’m looking forward to reading more about their relationship progressing in the next book of the series – The Foreplay.
This was a great read. Fun, sweet and very entertaining.
4 stars.
June 22, 2016
My heart. My poor broken crying heart...
Breath of fresh air in a world filled with predictable romances.
I think as hard as it might be for some to admit their favorite book, it was so easy to say THE SLAM has been one of my favorite "different" books to read this year. I've read about 3 or 4 books this year so far that have made it into my ongoing top 10 list of books I would recommend in a heartbeat. This was one of those books..
A book I'd say without a doubt, it should be on your TBR list. A book that has such strong potential to make you connect with the characters so fast, you will be sheding tears when you realize the end of Ender and Adelaide is near.. I did. I shed not one but too many tears throughout a fictional world with characters that were made up with mere words.
I'm not trying to sugarcoat this review, and I'll try to stay clear of cliches, but just know before you even continue with this story, be ready. Be ready to delve into an addictive world that will made you doubt what you might have been reading up until this point..
Being a blogger, it's no surprise that new ARCs hit my kindle every single day. And it's hard to write reviews on books that I didn't particularly like. But what's not hard? With no expectations, finding a book that touched you heart, mind and soul. I did mention I'll not to get cliche but honestly, THE SLAM, for what it's worth, has officially earned a place on my "to be buried with shelf of books"..
Ender and Adelaide have a relationship unlike one I've read or heard of so far.
Yes it's a of a love story between a boy and a girl who fell for one another. Who were friends since they were little. A popular rich guy that has a mind, heart and soul nobody truly knows about except when she comes into the picture.. And a typical College girl that is not typical in any sense of the word..
I think, to be honest, I connected with Adelaide almost instantly. She had that perfect element of "different" that to my utter surprise I haven't found in any previous characters. I love weird. I love all things different. And if you ask any of my handful of very close friends, you know that normal isn't in the cards for me - no matter what or who the reason. So to meet Adelaide - a girl with a condition that makes you look at the world on a whole new level and perspective - made my heart swell. Even as I'm writing this review, my eyes are tearing up and my face is plastered with a smile. Yes I look like an idiot but an idiot that found a new appreciation for a character I did not expect to love so much!!
Adelaide is different in my forms. What makes her so lovable as a character and a narrative point of view? She speaks the truth 100%. No matter what she will tell you how it is. Honestly is what you'll always have as a bare minimum from this girl.
But. BUT. A huge but here.
Adelaide may be always telling it how it is which might make you think "black and white". Yes or no. Love or hate.
Nope.
Wrong.
Adelaide has every shade between black and white..
Without spoiling anything I'll let you figure that on your own and trust me, it will make you glad you found a book like this one!!
Then we have Ender. Oh Lord. That boy was almost the death of me.. I didn't connect with him that fast, or as fast as I did with Adelaide, I might have even thought of him as a little bit of a normal, typical character. Que in Chapter 1. Holy hell.
Thinking Adelaide condition would be the only perfect twist to this story, in walks Ender. The guy with a constantly scowling face, a heart of gold and a soul to put a group of the most precious of humans, to shame. I hope that last sentence made sense, but if not, just imagine Ender's soul even bigger than Gandy's. Yes I did just say that. And how ever you decide to interpret that, know that if or rather WHEN you get your hands on THE SLAM, keep in mind that your heart wont be whole again after meeting this boy.. This man that is both sexy and sweet, dorky and drool worthy, made my soul swell as well as melt my panties.. I think perfection, a rare word I use, comes to mind..
Well, along all of the above comes a story and a world that is simple yet so complex with what the characters have to bring.
It was as addictive as, for me personality, finding the next best tattooed book boyfriend. Or maybe for mere humans to understand, as addictive as a good cup of coffee joined by a good book in that cute little corner cafe..
I don't think I could recommend this book even if I went into CAPITAL LETTER CITY!!! lol I'm random I know but just trust this little weirdo and do yourself a favor. READ THE SLAM!!!
A full review with some favorite quotes will be up on my blog soon - Heartbeats Between Words - so watch out for that if you'd like.
THANK YOU, a thousand times thank you Haliegh Lovell for introducing me to Ender and Adelaide. Actually I don't know if I should be thankful or sending you Ender induced scowls for having to go through the heartache of missing my favorite pair of souls!! I need more of their cute and sexy moments..
Okay. I'll leave it to that :) Hope you found this review helpful!
<3
Breath of fresh air in a world filled with predictable romances.
I think as hard as it might be for some to admit their favorite book, it was so easy to say THE SLAM has been one of my favorite "different" books to read this year. I've read about 3 or 4 books this year so far that have made it into my ongoing top 10 list of books I would recommend in a heartbeat. This was one of those books..
A book I'd say without a doubt, it should be on your TBR list. A book that has such strong potential to make you connect with the characters so fast, you will be sheding tears when you realize the end of Ender and Adelaide is near.. I did. I shed not one but too many tears throughout a fictional world with characters that were made up with mere words.
I'm not trying to sugarcoat this review, and I'll try to stay clear of cliches, but just know before you even continue with this story, be ready. Be ready to delve into an addictive world that will made you doubt what you might have been reading up until this point..
Being a blogger, it's no surprise that new ARCs hit my kindle every single day. And it's hard to write reviews on books that I didn't particularly like. But what's not hard? With no expectations, finding a book that touched you heart, mind and soul. I did mention I'll not to get cliche but honestly, THE SLAM, for what it's worth, has officially earned a place on my "to be buried with shelf of books"..
Ender and Adelaide have a relationship unlike one I've read or heard of so far.
Yes it's a of a love story between a boy and a girl who fell for one another. Who were friends since they were little. A popular rich guy that has a mind, heart and soul nobody truly knows about except when she comes into the picture.. And a typical College girl that is not typical in any sense of the word..
I think, to be honest, I connected with Adelaide almost instantly. She had that perfect element of "different" that to my utter surprise I haven't found in any previous characters. I love weird. I love all things different. And if you ask any of my handful of very close friends, you know that normal isn't in the cards for me - no matter what or who the reason. So to meet Adelaide - a girl with a condition that makes you look at the world on a whole new level and perspective - made my heart swell. Even as I'm writing this review, my eyes are tearing up and my face is plastered with a smile. Yes I look like an idiot but an idiot that found a new appreciation for a character I did not expect to love so much!!
Adelaide is different in my forms. What makes her so lovable as a character and a narrative point of view? She speaks the truth 100%. No matter what she will tell you how it is. Honestly is what you'll always have as a bare minimum from this girl.
But. BUT. A huge but here.
Adelaide may be always telling it how it is which might make you think "black and white". Yes or no. Love or hate.
Nope.
Wrong.
Adelaide has every shade between black and white..
Without spoiling anything I'll let you figure that on your own and trust me, it will make you glad you found a book like this one!!
Then we have Ender. Oh Lord. That boy was almost the death of me.. I didn't connect with him that fast, or as fast as I did with Adelaide, I might have even thought of him as a little bit of a normal, typical character. Que in Chapter 1. Holy hell.
Thinking Adelaide condition would be the only perfect twist to this story, in walks Ender. The guy with a constantly scowling face, a heart of gold and a soul to put a group of the most precious of humans, to shame. I hope that last sentence made sense, but if not, just imagine Ender's soul even bigger than Gandy's. Yes I did just say that. And how ever you decide to interpret that, know that if or rather WHEN you get your hands on THE SLAM, keep in mind that your heart wont be whole again after meeting this boy.. This man that is both sexy and sweet, dorky and drool worthy, made my soul swell as well as melt my panties.. I think perfection, a rare word I use, comes to mind..
Well, along all of the above comes a story and a world that is simple yet so complex with what the characters have to bring.
It was as addictive as, for me personality, finding the next best tattooed book boyfriend. Or maybe for mere humans to understand, as addictive as a good cup of coffee joined by a good book in that cute little corner cafe..
I don't think I could recommend this book even if I went into CAPITAL LETTER CITY!!! lol I'm random I know but just trust this little weirdo and do yourself a favor. READ THE SLAM!!!
A full review with some favorite quotes will be up on my blog soon - Heartbeats Between Words - so watch out for that if you'd like.
THANK YOU, a thousand times thank you Haliegh Lovell for introducing me to Ender and Adelaide. Actually I don't know if I should be thankful or sending you Ender induced scowls for having to go through the heartache of missing my favorite pair of souls!! I need more of their cute and sexy moments..
Okay. I'll leave it to that :) Hope you found this review helpful!
<3
May 6, 2016
You will love this one! One of my favorites of the year! Both main characters were fabulous! And, their close relationship was just perfect! Hope to see more of this pair in the future! There were a few things that I just felt were left unanswered for me. So, I hope the author visits with them once again. That’s why I rated this 4.5 stars. I thought the book ended a little too abruptly, and I was left scratching my head.That’s it? That’s how it ended??
But anyway, the writing was just brilliant. Ms. Lovell portrayed an individual on the autism spectrum with Asperger’s Syndrome spot-on. The character of Adelaide Vikander was quirky and funny while she took everything so literal. She just spoke her mind trying to fit in. That was her biggest fear. She didn’t want to be the strange one. The different one. And, when she comes to the U.S. from Australia to attend college and live with two old friends from the past, she’s introduced to the college life.
Ender Hemsworth is the big man on campus. Frat house president, tennis genius, and all the chicks flock to him. When Adelaide comes to live with him, she weaves herself into his life with her ability to speak honestly and openly. He’s amazed by her and how she handles being different. Her innocence makes her special, and Ender sees this. Adelaide is a natural athlete, and when she offers to train him on the weekends, Ender is impressed with her ability to strive for excellence. These two are just so cute and charming together. Ender becomes very protective of Adelaide, and when she decides she wants to date, Ender is not the happiest about it. This is where I think their relationship starts to change. Ender just doesn’t see her as the family friend anymore. There is definitely a different type of feeling there.
This was abolutely one of those stories that is uplifting in a unique sort of a way. It gives hope to the “different” that some way they can fit in as they struggle to find needed confidence and loyalty. It was truly a comical, sexy, and most entertaining story. And, oh, I love pizza too!!
“What is it like? To be you.” ~ Ender
“Gosh, it’s not easy to put into words. It’s almost like trying to explain red to a blind person.” ~ Adelaide
“Try me.” ~ Ender
“Do you mind if I use an analogy?” ~ Adelaide
“Use whatever you want.” ~ Ender
“Thank you. When you look at a painting, you probably see the whole picture. You see the finished product. When I look at a painting, I see the stages from start to finish. And I see every detail...the lines and forms, the lights and shadows, the tiny brush strokes, the different layers. I see the contrast of colors, the saturation, and I see the work invested in it and I want to know more. I want to ask the artist how she got the concept for the painting. I want to know more about the artist herself so I can understand what she’s trying to convey with each brush stroke. I want to know the mindset she was in when she was working on her art piece. Above all, I want to know the story behind the painting.” ~ Adelaide (Conversation comes from Chap. 17)
But anyway, the writing was just brilliant. Ms. Lovell portrayed an individual on the autism spectrum with Asperger’s Syndrome spot-on. The character of Adelaide Vikander was quirky and funny while she took everything so literal. She just spoke her mind trying to fit in. That was her biggest fear. She didn’t want to be the strange one. The different one. And, when she comes to the U.S. from Australia to attend college and live with two old friends from the past, she’s introduced to the college life.
Ender Hemsworth is the big man on campus. Frat house president, tennis genius, and all the chicks flock to him. When Adelaide comes to live with him, she weaves herself into his life with her ability to speak honestly and openly. He’s amazed by her and how she handles being different. Her innocence makes her special, and Ender sees this. Adelaide is a natural athlete, and when she offers to train him on the weekends, Ender is impressed with her ability to strive for excellence. These two are just so cute and charming together. Ender becomes very protective of Adelaide, and when she decides she wants to date, Ender is not the happiest about it. This is where I think their relationship starts to change. Ender just doesn’t see her as the family friend anymore. There is definitely a different type of feeling there.
This was abolutely one of those stories that is uplifting in a unique sort of a way. It gives hope to the “different” that some way they can fit in as they struggle to find needed confidence and loyalty. It was truly a comical, sexy, and most entertaining story. And, oh, I love pizza too!!
“What is it like? To be you.” ~ Ender
“Gosh, it’s not easy to put into words. It’s almost like trying to explain red to a blind person.” ~ Adelaide
“Try me.” ~ Ender
“Do you mind if I use an analogy?” ~ Adelaide
“Use whatever you want.” ~ Ender
“Thank you. When you look at a painting, you probably see the whole picture. You see the finished product. When I look at a painting, I see the stages from start to finish. And I see every detail...the lines and forms, the lights and shadows, the tiny brush strokes, the different layers. I see the contrast of colors, the saturation, and I see the work invested in it and I want to know more. I want to ask the artist how she got the concept for the painting. I want to know more about the artist herself so I can understand what she’s trying to convey with each brush stroke. I want to know the mindset she was in when she was working on her art piece. Above all, I want to know the story behind the painting.” ~ Adelaide (Conversation comes from Chap. 17)
April 1, 2016
Please prepare yourself for some tomfoolery and debauchery. There were so many good quotes I have highlighted that I'll be sharing and I promise that some are NSFW or any social gathering. That's what makes them fun. Make sure you check over your shoulder and old aunt Betty isn't reading this too. You've been warned, now let the games begin!
I can't remember a time when I've ever laughed or smiled so much while reading a book. The Slam is absolutely hilarious in an IDGAF type of way. It's not zany or over the top, but completely refreshing. We experience the joys of pizza, going commando, navigating Tinder and a band of misfit friends trying to get Adelaide though the social scenes of college. I guarantee at least one of these conversations either has, or will take place in your life at one time or another. I've already counted a few that I've lived through, and seeing Adelaide experience them for the first time was absolutely top notch. Horror movies for instance, are the perfect example.
Or what about experiencing your first college party? Ah now there's an experience that's a good time all around.
In all of about five seconds, Adelaide perfectly explained college and joining a fraternity/sorority. I think this sounds about right!
Adelaide... Oh Adelaide. I think I've found my new best friend. First of all, her pep talk to the drunk guy was inspiring and cute. Adelaide has Aspergers and is on the high end of the autism spectrum. I didn't know much about Aspergers before I started reading, so researched a bit and then let the book fill in the rest. Basically, she just sees and processes information differently than the rest of us. She's extremely literal in both her information storage and delivery, and this is part of what made the book so much fun to read! She's deadly honest and upfront, doesn't quite understand sarcasm just wants to be herself without judgement. Think Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, but not conceited and about 100x more awesome. That's how cool Adelaide is.
Ender is moody. He's moody and passionate, loving and protective, loyal and compassionate. All throughout, Ender is a classic case of 'actions speak louder than words'. He's a major support system for our heroine - he doesn't get in her way but helps to boost her up and work towards her goals. All around he's a good guy, even if he is a little moody. I loved the chapters we got in his POV; it's enjoyable seeing what's happening in the hero's head at different times. The lengths he went through to make Adelaide comfortable still make me smile. Oh and in the bedroom? He's kind of dirty and I kind of love it.
Okay, in all honesty, that made me laugh WAY more than it should have but I just couldn't stop. I'm still laughing. Back to outside the bedroom, he was a pretty sweet and caring guy.
From what I could tell, the Aspergers was portrayed quite well. I understand that every case is different so there's no certain way to know for sure, but to me it felt spot on. Adelaide stayed true to herself the entire length of the novel and I never noticed any lapses of character. I applaud this immensely because it couldn't have been easy to try and keep up this style. It's not what we're normally use to but it was done really well. Haleigh also gave us an inside look at Adelaide's brain; her fall backs and strengths, how she perceives herself in relation to others. I think this was quite eye opening.
Don't get me wrong, this book had a lot of light and humorous moments, but it also did have some heavier ones, more thought provoking. It makes you think of how you perceive and treat others. On the outside, Adelaide looks completely normal. When in conversation, she may lack some social skills but unless anyone told you, you might think she was just awkward. Everyone in this world is fighting a battle; it is not up to others to judge, especially what they can't see. There was one point that my heart absolutely broke for this poor girl. All she's ever done is make the most of her life and view things positively. She's caring and ambitious but sometimes people only notice what they want to.
The Slam doesn't read as being super romancey. It's more so rekindled friends helping each other out (in more ways than one, catch my drift? ;) ). We watch as the friendship and attraction grow between Adelaide and Ender, until they realize they actually want more from each other. It's slower and sizzling but worth it for their relationship together. You don't get big cheesy displays of affection, or long soliloquies of their undying love and devotion. Just like everything else in the story, the reader sits back and watches as Adelaide moves at her own pace and figures it all out.
It's also not super aggressive on the sports theme either. Yes the hero is a tennis player and the heroine had played in the past. Yes there are a few training sessions or conversations about the topic, but that's about where it ends. This story is more to show the connection and development of the characters than to focus on the specific sport. Tennis is merely a way to help them connect once again.
This is the type of book that you read for pure entertainment and just because you love reading. It's like the feeling you get when you kick your shoes off after a long day and grab a warm blanket - comforting and relaxing. While there were some openings for major drama, there wasn't any. No huge misunderstandings, no blood shed during cat fights, it was all rather civil which I could appreciate in its context. The Slam makes you forget about your own life and experiences someone else's for a few hours. It's for when you don't want to weigh yourself down with other people's problems and just want to smile. To get those warm fuzzies and feel goods. Some of the scenes were a little unrealistic but I don't even care. They were too well done and I was laughing too hard for me to be able to criticize it.
There were a few times where I found the transitions between scenes to be a little choppy. I'm not sure if a little more lead in could've helped, but I did find an area or two where they jumped from one spot to another. Each scene was fantastic, I just think they could've been smoothed out a little more.
The Slam reads quite quickly and I can guarantee you won't want to put it down. The only reason it took me a few days to get through this is because life got in the way of my reading time... Stupid adulting. I could've easily done it all in one sitting.
There's a few scenes that I can still days later recall perfectly and I'd be hard pressed to ever try and pick a favourite. All I can say it that you have to experience is for yourself. Laugh. Enjoy. Never take what you have for granted.
Can you tell that I liked this book? I have to rate this as 5 stars, I can't see another way of doing it. Even with the small grievances that I had, Haleigh still managed to pull me back - I loved this way too much to give it any less than 5. The characters are magnetic, the writing is dynamic. This is not your average New Adult story, it's better! Haleigh did an outstanding job of portraying a concept that's rarely spoken about and makes it believable. Kudos to her, and I apologize in advance (not really) when I'm going to be demanding (nicely?) for more Adelaide and Ender. Cause you jump, I jump, right?
*An ARC was received from the author and Enticing Journey Promotions for an honest review.
"If you ever disrespect her again, I will shove two hundred thermometer sticks up your ass and no amount of coconut oil will get ’em out. You hear me?”
I can't remember a time when I've ever laughed or smiled so much while reading a book. The Slam is absolutely hilarious in an IDGAF type of way. It's not zany or over the top, but completely refreshing. We experience the joys of pizza, going commando, navigating Tinder and a band of misfit friends trying to get Adelaide though the social scenes of college. I guarantee at least one of these conversations either has, or will take place in your life at one time or another. I've already counted a few that I've lived through, and seeing Adelaide experience them for the first time was absolutely top notch. Horror movies for instance, are the perfect example.
Midway through the movie, it was Adelaide—not me—who was increasingly annoyed.
“I don’t understand!” she hissed. “If they’re so spooked, why don’t they just leave the house and stay at a damn hotel?”
As the movie progressed, she got even more upset.
“NOOOOOoooooo!” she screamed. “Don’t run through that door!” Barely two seconds later, she was slapping her forehead. “That bitch did not just run through that door!”
Two minutes later…
“AW HELLLL NAW! DON’T GO BACK UPSTAIRS! RUN AWAY! RUN THE FUCK AWAY!”
Or what about experiencing your first college party? Ah now there's an experience that's a good time all around.
All of a sudden, a guy popped out of the bushes, wrapped only in an orange sheet.
“My metamorphosis is complete!” he yelled to no one in particular. “I am a beautiful butterfly!” Then he tossed the sheet to the ground, revealing the fact that he was completely naked underneath and ran off into the pink sunset.
As we picked our way through the throngs of people, we passed by two guys who were having a minor tussle over a giant burrito.
In all of about five seconds, Adelaide perfectly explained college and joining a fraternity/sorority. I think this sounds about right!
"I wanted to know what this Greek tradition was all about. And now I get it!” I said luminously. “It’s all a cover for getting wasted and laid with the help of a bunch of elite friends who you’ll contact years later for jobs and legal advice.”
Adelaide... Oh Adelaide. I think I've found my new best friend. First of all, her pep talk to the drunk guy was inspiring and cute. Adelaide has Aspergers and is on the high end of the autism spectrum. I didn't know much about Aspergers before I started reading, so researched a bit and then let the book fill in the rest. Basically, she just sees and processes information differently than the rest of us. She's extremely literal in both her information storage and delivery, and this is part of what made the book so much fun to read! She's deadly honest and upfront, doesn't quite understand sarcasm just wants to be herself without judgement. Think Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, but not conceited and about 100x more awesome. That's how cool Adelaide is.
"Pizza… you are the only love triangle I ever want.”
Ender is moody. He's moody and passionate, loving and protective, loyal and compassionate. All throughout, Ender is a classic case of 'actions speak louder than words'. He's a major support system for our heroine - he doesn't get in her way but helps to boost her up and work towards her goals. All around he's a good guy, even if he is a little moody. I loved the chapters we got in his POV; it's enjoyable seeing what's happening in the hero's head at different times. The lengths he went through to make Adelaide comfortable still make me smile. Oh and in the bedroom? He's kind of dirty and I kind of love it.
“Ender…”
“I’m gonna eat the fuck out of your pussy,” he whispered hoarsely.
God. That sounds terribly frightful.
Okay, in all honesty, that made me laugh WAY more than it should have but I just couldn't stop. I'm still laughing. Back to outside the bedroom, he was a pretty sweet and caring guy.
"Adelaide.” I framed her face in my hands and kissed the frown on her lips. “I want to take you out on more dates.”
“You do?”
“I do.” I kissed her again. She tasted of seawater and adventure.
“How many?”
“Many, many, many more.” I held her gaze steadily. “I will never want to stop dating you.”
From what I could tell, the Aspergers was portrayed quite well. I understand that every case is different so there's no certain way to know for sure, but to me it felt spot on. Adelaide stayed true to herself the entire length of the novel and I never noticed any lapses of character. I applaud this immensely because it couldn't have been easy to try and keep up this style. It's not what we're normally use to but it was done really well. Haleigh also gave us an inside look at Adelaide's brain; her fall backs and strengths, how she perceives herself in relation to others. I think this was quite eye opening.
"And sometimes the world can be an amazing place when you’re slightly strange.”
"She had eyes that saw the best in others and a heart that forgave the worst."
Don't get me wrong, this book had a lot of light and humorous moments, but it also did have some heavier ones, more thought provoking. It makes you think of how you perceive and treat others. On the outside, Adelaide looks completely normal. When in conversation, she may lack some social skills but unless anyone told you, you might think she was just awkward. Everyone in this world is fighting a battle; it is not up to others to judge, especially what they can't see. There was one point that my heart absolutely broke for this poor girl. All she's ever done is make the most of her life and view things positively. She's caring and ambitious but sometimes people only notice what they want to.
But those words kept replaying in my mind: What the hell is wrong with you? “I don’t know,” I said in a pathetically weak voice. “A lot of things.”
The Slam doesn't read as being super romancey. It's more so rekindled friends helping each other out (in more ways than one, catch my drift? ;) ). We watch as the friendship and attraction grow between Adelaide and Ender, until they realize they actually want more from each other. It's slower and sizzling but worth it for their relationship together. You don't get big cheesy displays of affection, or long soliloquies of their undying love and devotion. Just like everything else in the story, the reader sits back and watches as Adelaide moves at her own pace and figures it all out.
It's also not super aggressive on the sports theme either. Yes the hero is a tennis player and the heroine had played in the past. Yes there are a few training sessions or conversations about the topic, but that's about where it ends. This story is more to show the connection and development of the characters than to focus on the specific sport. Tennis is merely a way to help them connect once again.
This is the type of book that you read for pure entertainment and just because you love reading. It's like the feeling you get when you kick your shoes off after a long day and grab a warm blanket - comforting and relaxing. While there were some openings for major drama, there wasn't any. No huge misunderstandings, no blood shed during cat fights, it was all rather civil which I could appreciate in its context. The Slam makes you forget about your own life and experiences someone else's for a few hours. It's for when you don't want to weigh yourself down with other people's problems and just want to smile. To get those warm fuzzies and feel goods. Some of the scenes were a little unrealistic but I don't even care. They were too well done and I was laughing too hard for me to be able to criticize it.
“Ender,” I said in a teasing voice. “Is this why you’re always such a boiled cabbage? Because you have daddy issues?” A bubble of laughter escaped me. “I’m sorry,” I said contritely. “It’s just that all along I’d assumed you were grumpy because you had Crohn’s disease or some sort of gastroenterological disorder.”
He frowned. “Why the fuck would you think I had a gastro disorder?”
“I just thought you were suffering from something that kept you constipated at all times… you know, because you had that perma-scowl on your face.” I smiled. “Like you do now.”
There were a few times where I found the transitions between scenes to be a little choppy. I'm not sure if a little more lead in could've helped, but I did find an area or two where they jumped from one spot to another. Each scene was fantastic, I just think they could've been smoothed out a little more.
The Slam reads quite quickly and I can guarantee you won't want to put it down. The only reason it took me a few days to get through this is because life got in the way of my reading time... Stupid adulting. I could've easily done it all in one sitting.
There's a few scenes that I can still days later recall perfectly and I'd be hard pressed to ever try and pick a favourite. All I can say it that you have to experience is for yourself. Laugh. Enjoy. Never take what you have for granted.
Can you tell that I liked this book? I have to rate this as 5 stars, I can't see another way of doing it. Even with the small grievances that I had, Haleigh still managed to pull me back - I loved this way too much to give it any less than 5. The characters are magnetic, the writing is dynamic. This is not your average New Adult story, it's better! Haleigh did an outstanding job of portraying a concept that's rarely spoken about and makes it believable. Kudos to her, and I apologize in advance (not really) when I'm going to be demanding (nicely?) for more Adelaide and Ender. Cause you jump, I jump, right?
*An ARC was received from the author and Enticing Journey Promotions for an honest review.
July 7, 2018
4 BOSOM BUDDIES STARS!!
I love friends-to-lovers novels and this one was absolutely adorable!
Adelaide is such a fascinating and refreshing character: she's smart and funny in her own unique way. Her view of the world and the way she interacts with others is unfiltered and so honest. I think the author did a great job portraying an Aspie, because she expressed the complexity, the beauty and the struggle of people affected with this condition in a very realistic and sensitive way.
Ender at first seems the stereotypical college douchebag but, as the story progresses, he shows his real colors and you cannot avoid falling for him as well. He's very protective of Adelaide and he never makes her feel like there's something wrong with her.
I love the way their relationship slowly progresses and how Ender goes from annoyed to intrigued to finally smitten by Adelaide.
I've already purchased The Foreplay, which is the sequel of Adelaide and Ender's story and I cannot wait to start reading it!
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review
I love friends-to-lovers novels and this one was absolutely adorable!
Adelaide is such a fascinating and refreshing character: she's smart and funny in her own unique way. Her view of the world and the way she interacts with others is unfiltered and so honest. I think the author did a great job portraying an Aspie, because she expressed the complexity, the beauty and the struggle of people affected with this condition in a very realistic and sensitive way.
"When you look at a painting, you probably see the whole picture. You see the finished product. When I look at a painting, I see the stages from start to finish. And I see every detail... the lines and forms, the lights and shadows, the tiny brush strokes, the different layers. I see the contrast of colors, the saturation, and I see the work invested in it and I want to know more. I want to ask the artist how she got the concept for the painting. I want to know more about the artist herself so I can understand what she's trying to convey with each brush stroke. I want to know the mindset she was in when she was working on her art piece. Above all, I want to know the story behind the painting."
Ender at first seems the stereotypical college douchebag but, as the story progresses, he shows his real colors and you cannot avoid falling for him as well. He's very protective of Adelaide and he never makes her feel like there's something wrong with her.
"Do you know that you've never asked me what was wrong with me? Never. Not when we were kids. Not now. Not ever. Whenever something was bothering me, you always said, 'What's going on with you?'"
I love the way their relationship slowly progresses and how Ender goes from annoyed to intrigued to finally smitten by Adelaide.
I've already purchased The Foreplay, which is the sequel of Adelaide and Ender's story and I cannot wait to start reading it!
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review
May 13, 2016
The integration of Asperger’s Syndrome into this storyline fueled it with such meaningful depth that you won’t find in most other sports-related romances that I've found. I loved the uniqueness and unfiltered qualities in our heroine. She put the extraordinary into this story. And the friendship to love relationship between Adelaide and Ender, the foul-mouthed Sigma Chi president and college tennis super star, was richly textured with a variety of emotions. The feelings were all there to explore. And let us not forget the off-the-chart chemistry and sex between these two. Whew!
However, a major disappointment for this reader came with a less than expected ending to this story. After such a captivating and enthralling story, to end it on less than an exuberant high and in turn, to give it just a plain bland happy-for-now seems such a shame. A few too many unresolved issues remained for me to go quietly into another book without a bit of ranting.
However, a major disappointment for this reader came with a less than expected ending to this story. After such a captivating and enthralling story, to end it on less than an exuberant high and in turn, to give it just a plain bland happy-for-now seems such a shame. A few too many unresolved issues remained for me to go quietly into another book without a bit of ranting.
May 5, 2016
This was extremely cute. I love it when the hero and heroines aren't the norm. Great Read!
March 29, 2016
4.0 "bosom buddies" STARS!!!
“Adelaide,” I’d said through gritted teeth. “I can already tell you’re twenty types of trouble.”
“Ender,” she’d replied sweetly. “I can already tell we’re gonna be bosom buddies.”
“Erhmahgerd!” THIS BOOK INDEED MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD, MADE MY KNICKERS SO DAMN WET, AND DEFINITELY WARMED MY HEART!!!
Hunter is my first Haleigh Lovell book and to be real honest I enjoyed reading this.The blurb was what caught me first and as I started reading it, I was screwed! I cannot put it down!!I was pulled to an entertaining story that made me eager to know what will happen next but at the same time not wanting it to end.
The flow of the story was pretty much summed up in the blurb but it was more than that which you need to experience. Personally, I was entertained with the story of Adelaide Vikander a “Tomboy with buckteeth and acne… teeth so crooked they looked like they were throwin’ up gang signs and the famous Ender Hemsworth...cock on legs..president of Sigma Chi but... a dick who avoids affection like it’s the plague—or worse, a computer virus.
But, how would you react, if the tomboy you once knew with a buckteeth and a haircut like a mushroom cloud is now a babe... yeah ADELAIDE IS NOW A BABE..but A STRANGE BABE...
“Since you don’t wear panties, yeah… I saw everything. And to be honest, I fully expected a full bush, not a bald eagle.”
“Quit acting like you’ve never seen a dick before.”“I haven’t,”she said, biting her lips. “Your penis…”Wonder filled her voice. “It’s such a perfect little arrangement of atoms.”
This book is really damn funny, I was in awe of the author's imagination because she just made her characters adorable to a point where you wanted to just simply lock them up for personal selfish reasons. ;)
Ender...*sigh...he's a hottie and their banters and witty conversations were just hilarious you will definitely laugh out loud. Adelaide's personality here was what really made me love more with this book. She's a strong heroine...witty...athletic!Man..she's just effing brilliant I want to hug her so damn tight. And the hot scenes???effing smoking...sizzling hot...*fanning...
And When you get to read their story?Wow!!You'll be invested because more than the loling moments you'll definitely learn a lot from this book. This is not just simply a lighthearted loling story but more of an eye opener to everyone. Really the author did well! It really is heart warming I think I fall in love with both the leads. Their friendship to lovers journey is just amazing.
Kudos to you Haleigh Lovell!!! It's a SLAM
April 24, 2016
I enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would. I was a bit worried about the tennis theme (since I know shit about tennis), but my worries were all for nothing. Sure there is some tennis in this book, but most of the storyline revolves around Adelaide and Ender.
When they were young they were bosom buddies. But Ender and his brother Endric moved with their family to the US, leaving Adelaide behind in Australia.
Now the two tennisplaying brothers are big boys, living it up in college. They live together in a big house, which is owned by their grandmother, who still lives in Australia. Their grandmother is about to ask them for a huge favor....
Seems like Adelaide is moving to the States to attend the same college as the brothers and she will be moving into their guestroom. Since Adelaide has Aspergers, their grandmother asks them to watch out for her, be her friend and show her a good time...since Ender is the oldest, she specifically asks him to keep an watchfull eye on her.
What they don't know is that she is about to change their lives.
Ender and Adelaide make a deal. She helps him become a better athlete....he helps her by being her social coach ...which includes a whole lot more than just being social ;)
I really liked being inside Adelaide's head. The ways she takes everything literally and sees everything in a black and white kinda way, was very interesting. I thought she was an awesome heroine and she made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion !!
I had a lot of fun reading this one....4 stars from me !!
March 11, 2016
I was given this ARC for an exchange for an honest review. All I can say is wow!. I started reading this book and i just couldn't put it down. This book was filled with laughter, steamy scenes and loving yourself as who you are.
I loved reading about how Adelaide overcame the obstacles thrown her way with Asperger's. I loved her black and white view of things and how literal she took things. The facts and explanations that came out of her mouth were just hilarious especially when she had her conversations with Ender. Loved this book and cant wait to read more of Haleigh's books. A must read
I loved reading about how Adelaide overcame the obstacles thrown her way with Asperger's. I loved her black and white view of things and how literal she took things. The facts and explanations that came out of her mouth were just hilarious especially when she had her conversations with Ender. Loved this book and cant wait to read more of Haleigh's books. A must read
May 2, 2016
Great & Quick read!
It was very funny. The funny parts were actually quite natural too, they came off effortless. I liked how the relationship between the two main characters isn't insta-love. I like insta-love sometimes, but it was refreshing reading a story where the couple had moments where they fell.
Hoping for even more to this story and maybe even a story for some of the side characters? Who knows I'd read them.
It was very funny. The funny parts were actually quite natural too, they came off effortless. I liked how the relationship between the two main characters isn't insta-love. I like insta-love sometimes, but it was refreshing reading a story where the couple had moments where they fell.
Hoping for even more to this story and maybe even a story for some of the side characters? Who knows I'd read them.
March 19, 2016
4.5 stars Received this ARC for an honest review . This book is filled with humor and interesting facts you would have never known about! The author must have done a lot of research. I enjoyed Adelaide's on going explanations and how we learned about Aspergers. Her differences and intelligence made her unique. I did feel the ending was a little rushed, but besides that, it's a great read.
June 11, 2018
Adelaide was my jam; a heroine after my own heart. My sweet Adelaide has Asperger's (and aspie characters might be my kryptonite?) and sometimes doesn't know when to stop talking. The dialogue in The Slam was outstanding, and I really thought the author did a great job at conveying Adelaide's feelings and actions as someone with Asperger's.
Ender was the manwhore I love. The one who falls in love and slowly changes his ways, and watching him realize what was happening was so fun. It's kind of like Adelaide snuck up on him.
My only criticism would be the ending, I suppose. Ender and Adelaide went from childhood friends -> sexy friends -> the end (on their ONE AND ONLY DATE!). Regardless, the abruptness of the ending was not enough to detract from my love of the story and the characters. Luckily for me (and you!) book two has recently released and I'm hoping that gives us a conclusion of sorts.
Also now I kind of want to start watching tennis?
Ender was the manwhore I love. The one who falls in love and slowly changes his ways, and watching him realize what was happening was so fun. It's kind of like Adelaide snuck up on him.
My only criticism would be the ending, I suppose. Ender and Adelaide went from childhood friends -> sexy friends -> the end (on their ONE AND ONLY DATE!). Regardless, the abruptness of the ending was not enough to detract from my love of the story and the characters. Luckily for me (and you!) book two has recently released and I'm hoping that gives us a conclusion of sorts.
Also now I kind of want to start watching tennis?
Want to read
June 7, 2018💝FREE on iBooks today (6/7/2018)!💝
Blurb:
An athlete. An Aspie. A love story.
I didn't want her here.
I didn't want to be entrusted with her care.
You see, she has Asperger's and she struggles with social cues.
Somehow, she's convinced me to be her social coach.
Somehow, the lines have blurred . . .
Note: THE SLAM is a deliciously sexy, full-length novel that's packed with heat, heart, and humor.
Blurb:
An athlete. An Aspie. A love story.
I didn't want her here.
I didn't want to be entrusted with her care.
You see, she has Asperger's and she struggles with social cues.
Somehow, she's convinced me to be her social coach.
Somehow, the lines have blurred . . .
Note: THE SLAM is a deliciously sexy, full-length novel that's packed with heat, heart, and humor.
July 10, 2018
Besides the diverse Asperger's rep, this book was nothing special. Fluffy, gooey, junkfood romance. *light-hearted shrug*
March 17, 2016
ARC provided for an honest review.
Another Book Rambling brought to you by April of
Read & Share Book Reviews.
5 Emoji hallelujah hands
I love this book!
I love this book!
OMG! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
A top favourite read of 2016, holla!
The Slam owns my heart and is the very definition of why I love diving into a book blind. There's always so much more than meets the eye with Lovell's works of prose, always a greater meaning hidden within. To execute a story line of this calibre takes true talent and well...balls. *wink*
"Adelaide has excellent ball-handling skills and she doesn't mind being on her knees. She owns a pair of knee pads and she loves to get sweaty, ..."
With every "flip of the page" I became more absorbed in the story, completely devouring it in one sitting. This one isn't your typical alpha male NA sports romance. God knows we all love the alpha male and our book boyfriends aaaaaaaaaand Ender is total BBF material BUT Adelaide's character totally owns this story! I rarely fall for the heroine, but Adelaide is truly special and I absolutely adore her. She's by far the best heroine I've come across. I think I have a crush!
'She glowed with a rare kind of beauty. A natural beauty.' She's sweet, sexy and innocent, hard-wired differently from the rest. She pushes herself a lot. With her, it's all or nothing.
Adelaide Vikander isn't letting Asperger's slow her stride. Sure her world is black & white, she interprets everything quite literally BUT this is what makes the story!!!! Her reasoning, explanations and innocence are nothing short of hilarious! Who knew a sports romance could be a laugh out loud romantic comedy?! Totally blown away!
"I'm always looking for balls that are the least fluffed up. But you're smart, Ender! You just carry them in your pocket to keep the fuzz matted down."She beamed. "It's such a good habit!"
Ender is the brooding, popular athlete on campus. When worlds collide, its a childhood bosom buddies to lovers tale of heartwarming, panty melting perfection. *siiiiiiigh*
A perfect mix of sexy, sweet, serious and funny. The Slam is sure to be a hit!
Another Book Rambling brought to you by April of
Read & Share Book Reviews.
5 Emoji hallelujah hands
I love this book!
I love this book!
OMG! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!
A top favourite read of 2016, holla!
The Slam owns my heart and is the very definition of why I love diving into a book blind. There's always so much more than meets the eye with Lovell's works of prose, always a greater meaning hidden within. To execute a story line of this calibre takes true talent and well...balls. *wink*
"Adelaide has excellent ball-handling skills and she doesn't mind being on her knees. She owns a pair of knee pads and she loves to get sweaty, ..."
With every "flip of the page" I became more absorbed in the story, completely devouring it in one sitting. This one isn't your typical alpha male NA sports romance. God knows we all love the alpha male and our book boyfriends aaaaaaaaaand Ender is total BBF material BUT Adelaide's character totally owns this story! I rarely fall for the heroine, but Adelaide is truly special and I absolutely adore her. She's by far the best heroine I've come across. I think I have a crush!
'She glowed with a rare kind of beauty. A natural beauty.' She's sweet, sexy and innocent, hard-wired differently from the rest. She pushes herself a lot. With her, it's all or nothing.
Adelaide Vikander isn't letting Asperger's slow her stride. Sure her world is black & white, she interprets everything quite literally BUT this is what makes the story!!!! Her reasoning, explanations and innocence are nothing short of hilarious! Who knew a sports romance could be a laugh out loud romantic comedy?! Totally blown away!
"I'm always looking for balls that are the least fluffed up. But you're smart, Ender! You just carry them in your pocket to keep the fuzz matted down."She beamed. "It's such a good habit!"
Ender is the brooding, popular athlete on campus. When worlds collide, its a childhood bosom buddies to lovers tale of heartwarming, panty melting perfection. *siiiiiiigh*
A perfect mix of sexy, sweet, serious and funny. The Slam is sure to be a hit!
April 3, 2016
★★★★4-SLAMMED stars ★★★★
copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
THE SLAM to be honest, it was a slow start for me, but as you get into the first few chapters it started to pick up. Falling in love with your childhood friend is something I love reading, and as you get to know the hero and the heroine, you'll love both Adelaide and Ender. With Adelaide's condition, I struggled a little to connect with her. She's a very detailed girl that there are times when she just talks like she came out of an encyclopedia. She's a very smart girl and an adrenaline junky. As for Ender, he sleeps with anyone who has two legs and they all know nothing will come after sex...it's just sex with no strings attached. He's a tennis player who wants to go pro but with his dad hounding him and his brother, Edric, to go to college and to follow their the father's footsteps. Adelaide, Edric, and Ender all used to play together during their younger years but lost contact as they got to college until Adelaide lost her grandfather and was forced to move to the United States to come stay with her grandfather's grandma's grandchildren, the two known hotties in the campus. All three of them now have to live under the same roof. And one thing will lead to another, and Adelaide and Edric's friendship will be tested. Once they cross the line, will they ever be able to go back to how the things were before getting involve intimately? Only one way to find out. Go grab this book!
Thank you for giving me the chance to read The Slam, Haleigh. <3
REVIEW IS ALSO ON FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...
March 20, 2016
ARC generously provided in exchange for honest review...
The Slam is the 3rd Haleigh Lovell book that I have had the honor of reading. Let me just tell you she does NOT disappoint.
Adelaide was everything! She is on the autism spectrum, but she's relateable. She is a quirky, intelligent and free-spirited person. She had me laughing and smiling non stop.
Ender is our hero in this book. He is swoon worthy, charming and broody. He has a constant permascowl on his face, and it kinda made me love him even more.
These two take you on a roller coaster of laughter and banter you don't want to miss. I cant tell you how many times I had to wipe away the tears from laughing so hard.
Their love story is so unique. The sex is smoldering HOT. I adored them together, whether it was as "bosom buddies" or well ya know other buddies ;) but them as a couple I enjoyed the most.
I was a little sad about the end after all the craziness I was hoping for a look into the future that is Ender and Adelaide. But with that said I hope for the sake of readers (me especially) everywhere we run into them again maybe while we are getting to know Edric better :)
Read this book. I promise you wont be disappointed!
The Slam is the 3rd Haleigh Lovell book that I have had the honor of reading. Let me just tell you she does NOT disappoint.
Adelaide was everything! She is on the autism spectrum, but she's relateable. She is a quirky, intelligent and free-spirited person. She had me laughing and smiling non stop.
Ender is our hero in this book. He is swoon worthy, charming and broody. He has a constant permascowl on his face, and it kinda made me love him even more.
These two take you on a roller coaster of laughter and banter you don't want to miss. I cant tell you how many times I had to wipe away the tears from laughing so hard.
Their love story is so unique. The sex is smoldering HOT. I adored them together, whether it was as "bosom buddies" or well ya know other buddies ;) but them as a couple I enjoyed the most.
I was a little sad about the end after all the craziness I was hoping for a look into the future that is Ender and Adelaide. But with that said I hope for the sake of readers (me especially) everywhere we run into them again maybe while we are getting to know Edric better :)
Read this book. I promise you wont be disappointed!
December 1, 2018
This was a fantastic read - my first from this author. The characters are fresh and the dialogue is witty and I have to say I loved that the heroine wasn't your typical sweet college virgin. Adelaide has Aspergers and has travelled to the US from Australia to live with her childhood best friends Ender and Endric. She wants to have a NORMAL college experience. They are the BIG MEN on campus and are not sure how to handle Adelaide and all her honesty/quirks to begin with but a promise to their grandma and their childhood history make them take her in. She is smart, kind and seriously funny and I ADORED her. I loved the dual POV where we got to see how her brain processed situations and Ender's feelings (which he tries to keep hidden for a lot of the book).
Add in some hilarious supporting characters and the promise of great stories from this group of friends and I know I will definitely be checking out more of her books. Highly recommend if you're looking for something a little different - smart, funny with just the right dash of heat.
I received a free copy of this book for review.
Add in some hilarious supporting characters and the promise of great stories from this group of friends and I know I will definitely be checking out more of her books. Highly recommend if you're looking for something a little different - smart, funny with just the right dash of heat.
I received a free copy of this book for review.
March 21, 2016
ARC generously gifted for an honest review.
Once I started I couldn't put it down. I most definitely enjoyed it. Fast read, fun and unique characters and cute sexy moments. I really liked Ender!
Adelaide was blunt and honest but not rude, she was expressive and talked a lot but not annoying, she was nice and hopeful even with mean people around. There's much to say about her way of seeing the world and I really like her for that.
The funny moments in this is something I would dye to watch on the big screen.
I'm a fan! Great story by the author the one thing I can say I could've done without is some long facts, but it didn't stop my reading. :-)
Once I started I couldn't put it down. I most definitely enjoyed it. Fast read, fun and unique characters and cute sexy moments. I really liked Ender!
Adelaide was blunt and honest but not rude, she was expressive and talked a lot but not annoying, she was nice and hopeful even with mean people around. There's much to say about her way of seeing the world and I really like her for that.
The funny moments in this is something I would dye to watch on the big screen.
I'm a fan! Great story by the author the one thing I can say I could've done without is some long facts, but it didn't stop my reading. :-)
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