Slammed: A Novel

"That's unreal." "Yeah, it is. But it's my real." Slammed is one of the BEST books I've ever read. So far, it's the best book I've read in 2012, and I seriously doubt that it will be knocked out of the top spot anytime soon. I started Slammed last night right before my bedtime, and I ended up staying awake until two o'clock in the morning to finish it. You couldn't pry this book from my fingers. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I seriously considered re-reading this novel immediately after I finished, and if it weren't for the sequel, Point of Retreat, then I probably would have. It's that good! I'm not going to write a summary for this book or tell you what it's about because it's definitely a book that you have to read and discover for yourself, but I will tell you that Slammed is the perfect example of PERFECTION. Slammed is an all-consuming, emotional story that will take over your life. It's a realistic coming-of-age story about death, life, and love. This story is an emotional rollercoaster: it's heartbreaking, hilarious, sweet, scary, lovely, depressing, and hopeful. It's everything you'd ever hope for in a story. It's the type of book that will have you balling your eyes out, smiling like a Cheshire cat, and laughing like a hyena- all at the same. It's the kind of story that touches your heart and leaves you breathless. I will tell you that I was a little apprehensive about the whole slam poetry thing. I had no clue what slam poetry was, and I expected it to either be weird, boring, or pretty cool. It was none of those things. It was one of the most bad a$$ things that I've ever read. We learned a lot about the characters through their slams, and every poem either moved me to tears or cracked me up. The characters in Slammed are unique, thoughtfully created, and beautifully written. They are three-dimensional characters who are entertaining and full of life. They are easy to love ;), and they make a lasting impression. Readers will fall in love with Will because of his passion for poetry, his love for his younger brother, and his need to do the right, responsible thing. Readers will fall in love with Lake for her strength, her setbacks, her humor, her maturity, and her honesty. Readers will fall in love with Lake's younger brother Kel for his innocence, his inappropriate questions, and his backwards days. Readers will fall in love with Lake's best friend Eddie because she's an in-your-face, optimistic person who doesn't close off her heart even though she's been hurt numerous times. Readers will fall in love with Lake's mom for her amazing advice and her unconditional love. And, readers will fall in love with Lake's father for the man he was and his ability to take away Lake's worries with a magic clip. Honestly, I don't really understand the advantages and disadvantages of being a self-published v. published author; I just know that the majority of my recent favorite novels are by self-published authors. I love discovering Indie authors. I really wish that I had the funds, credentials, and the notoriety to get my favorite authors published, but unfortunately, I don't. However, hypothetically speaking, if I could choose one book to back from 2012, it'd be this one. I know it's not my book, but I fiercely believe in this book. If you're familiar with my reviews then you know that I don't hand out 5 STAR ratings often. I only give 5 STAR ratings to the best of the best. Slammed by Colleen Hoover is the best of the best, and it definitely deserves a 5 STAR rating. I never questioned, not even for a second, whether or not this novel was worthy of 5 STARS. This novel was FLAWLESS from beginning to end. I wouldn't change a single thing about it. In my opinion, Slammed is perfect for EVERYONE. I honestly can't fathom anyone not loving this story. I really encourage everyone to follow my 5 STAR advice: BUY THIS NOVEL NOW! -XOXO READING, EATING & DREAMING FOR MORE REVIEWS CHECK OUT MY BLOG ON BLOGSPOT: READING, EATING & DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF.

I really enjoyed reading this book; Colleen Hoover is now in my favorite author's bag! Slammed is an easy read with a beautiful story about great love and great loss. I got so emotionally involved with these characters and their journey that I laughed and cried with them, this book really touched my heart. What made this book stand out for me was the way Colleen Hoover introduced the slam poetry into the story. The use of the poetry to portray the characters emotional turmoil or self-discoveries was so unique and compelling that I can now say I am a huge fan of slam poetry! Slammed is a story about a girl named Layken, who moves from Texas, with her mum and younger brother Kel, to Michigan after her father passes away. The first people she meets are her new neighbors Will and his younger brother Caulder. Layken and Will have such an instant connection they decide to go on a date. Will introduces her to slam poetry performances where Layken discovers Will's past and instantly falls in love with him. When an unchangeable situation presents itself, they discover they cannot be together and just when Layken thinks her life couldn't get much worse another bomb explodes and she is forced to face yet another great hardship and decision that will change her life forever. This is a book about all the different types of love in its truest forms. It is about true love but also about the love between a mother and a daughter that is unbreakable. It is about the love a mother has for her children and her instinct to protect them always, and about the love between siblings that ensures they stand by each other, together as a family. My favorite part of this book was when Layken performed her poem "Mean". It had me laughing so hard I was in tears, I can think of a few people in my past I could have written a similar poem about. I also loved the way Layken and Will performed such passionate and raw poems to each other, leaving themselves so open and vulnerable was a perfect ending to this book. So if you're looking for an easy read full of heart and soul - this book is for you!

Liked everything bout this novel & can’t wait to read 2 & 3! Size of book & line spacing is perfect not like the mass produced books! If you like Colleen Hoover, who is absolutely fantastic, you can’t go wrong!

I love the author, good book

Excellent book! Loved the chemistry between Will and Lake. Loved Eddie the friend. Loved the mom and the kids. So well written. Such a well told story with heart. Brava

Das Buch wirkt vielleicht auf den ersten Blick wie eine schöne Romanze zweier ganz junger Menschen, doch je mehr man liest, desto mehr wird man in den Sog gezogen, sich immer tiefer und tiefer selber in all den Geschehnissen zu verrennen. Die Geschichte ist so leicht wie die Liebe, aber auch genauso wiegt sie tonnenschwer auf dem Herzen. Es geht um Freundschaft, um Verzicht, um Wut, um Enttäuschung, um Angst, um Sorge, um Verantwortung. Um so viele Dinge im Leben, die man erst dann wirklich spürt, wenn man sie selber erlebt hat. Oder wenn man in der Lage ist, sich in ein Buch hinein zu fühlen. Die Charaktere sind einfach genial! Laykens Blick auf die Welt, sarkastisch aber manchmal auch leicht melancholisch und doch mit viel Witz erscheint sehr echt und authentisch. Auch Will ist einfach super sympathisch. Laykens Mutter Julia, ihre Freundin Eddie, ihr Bruder Kel, die Nebenfiguren sind auch wunderschön ausgestaltete und etwas ganz besonderes! Was vor allem schön ist und das Buch für mich sehr besonders macht, sind die wunderschönen Poetry-Slam-Texte darin die mich auch dazu gebracht haben anzufangen selber welche zu verfassen. Die Texte waren wirklich sehr originell und haben dem Buch noch das gewisse Etwas verliehen, auch wenn ich mich ab da immer sehr geärgert habe, dass ich das Buch in der Übersetzung und nicht im Original gelesen habe aber das kann ja noch nachgeholt werden! Emotional betrachtet ist dieser Roman wie eine rasante Achterbahnfahrt. Auf der einen Seite bringt die Situationskomik, zu der auch einige flache Chuck Norris Witze gehören, die Leser zum Schmunzeln, die zärtliche und aufrichtige Liebe zwischen den Hauptcharakteren erweicht das Herz, und auf der anderen Seite stimmt eine fatale Wendung unfassbar traurig. Besonders diese traurigen Szenen wirken einige Zeit nach und regen zum Nachdenken an. Zum Nachdenken über die Prioritäten im eigenen Leben und sie zeigen uns, was wirklich zählt. Worauf es eigentlich ankommt. Ich will gar nicht bestreiten, dass ich mehrmals Tränen in den Augen hatte, denn manche Szenen am Ende waren wirklich wunderschön und extrem traurig. Colleen Hover ist gelungen, schmerzhafte Themen wie Verlust und Trauer mit sehr viel Fingerspitzengefühl anzugehen. Was ich an diesem Buch auch geliebt habe sind die liebenswürdige Kleinigkeiten die sich immer wieder wiederholen und wie kleine Insiderwitze den Leser erfreuen, wer das Buch gelesen hat, weiß was ich meine. Layken stolpert immer über den selben Gartenzwerg, trägt Darth Wader Plüschschuhe und redet als Metapher für das Verdrängen von schlimmen Wahrheiten von "Kürbisse schnitzen". Die Avett Brothers, aus dessen Liedern Zitate die einzelnen Kapitel total passend einleiten, gibt es wirklich - habe sie gegoogelt-, aber leider ist deren Musik nicht so mein Fall, daß ich da von einer echten Entdeckung sprechen könnte. Fazit: Ein Strudel aus Schicksalsschlägen, reißender Liebe und der Ungerechtigkeit, die das Leben manchmal mit sich bringt – großes emotionales Kino!

Excellent book