Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Reviewed by Lucy
YA novel 16+

If you haven't read this book yet, you are completely missing out on an experience. Colleen Hoover crafts a story that makes you feel and think as you take this journey with her characters, and in this book, you will take a journey. This debut novel, completely took me by surprise. This novel is about about unfairness, loss, grief, sorrow, love, acceptance, understanding, all of the things that make life harsh and beautiful. (This is the first in a series of three.)

The book opens with 18 year old Layken, who along with her young brother Kel and mother Julia are literally parking the moving truck, having sold their old house in Texas moving north to Michigan. This is after the unexpected sudden death of her father, a sorrowful circumstance that left the family with few financial choices leading to the move. Angry about being uprooted, she is getting ready to start her senior year away from everyone and everything she has known. Underneath the cloud of grief, Layken is struggling to find her way in this new family situation with the void left by her father's demise.

While waiting for her mother to situate things with the land lord, Layken meets her new neighbor Will and his younger brother who happens to be Kel's age. They all seem to hit it off, the brothers as well as Layken and Will. Will offers to help Layken find the grocery store, taking the long way around to spend time with her. Later the two go out on a date, Will taking Layken to a favorite place of his, where poets read their orginal works. A bond forms quickly as their relationship takes root, the silver lining in all that has occurred for Layken...Will. Unfortunately, as Layken has learned, life isn't always fair, and as quickly as the two came together, they are torn apart.

I will say no more for fear of giving too much away. This a beautiful story that makes you feel everything the characters do as it unfolds. It's tragic and beautiful, will take you from highs to lows and everything in between. Not only did I love the main characters Will and Layken, the brothers Kel and Caulder where fantastically written as well. This book is a bit more than most I tend to read, but was absolutely worth the price tag of $7.99 for ebook or about $14.00 for paperback. Slammed is a home run, a book I have read more than once, a 5 star read!

http://www.amazon.com/Slammed-A-Novel-Colleen-Hoover/dp/1476715904

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/slammed-colleen-hoover/1108162651?ean=9781476715902