I finally got around to reading “Slammed” by Colleen Hoover.
From what I understand, this was her breakout book – the one that helped her reach critical acclaim – and I can see why.
In traditional Colleen Hoover style, this book had the heart-wrenching overlays of forbidden love.
Layken and her family moved from Texas to Michigan after her father’s death. While she wasn’t a huge fan of the move, she understood the reason for it — or so she thought.
The only good news was running into her neighbor, Will, and his younger brother on the first day. As it turns out, Will was only a couple of years older and her brother and Will’s became fast friends.
Will and Layken hit things off almost immediately and they go on a date to a poetry slam in Detroit. Not only is Layken hooked, but she finds Will a deep, sensitive, and enthralling human. She also learns that he’s the sole guardian of his younger brother after his parents perished in a car accident.
Unfortunately, for the two of them, their whirlwind romance comes to a screeching halt when they realize that Will is Layken’s poetry teacher for her senior year in high school.
Despite their chemistry, they have to out things on hold and refuse to allow in the feelings that they developed before they realized this snafu.
As the story goes on, we witness the push and pull of ALL the emotions as Will tries to deny his feelings and Layken tries to get over Will.
In the end, of course, happiness prevails, but it takes an awful lot to get there.
If you haven’t yet read the “Slammed” series, I highly recommend it. While this book is written from the perspective of Layken, the next two are written from Will’s perspective.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll question why they can’t just make it work out, dammit! Enjoy!
