Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult Mondays

Posted 3 September, 2012 by Danny in Blog, Danny, Danny's Book Review / 42 Comments

With my recent love for the New Adult Genre, I am excited to tell you that we will have a new Feature here at the Bookworms.

New Adult Mondays

.. a bi-weekly Feature where we will review and talk about New Adult books! If you are not familiar with this term, you can read my New Adult Discussion post!

Today I have 2 books for you which need to be read back-to-back!

Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Slammed – Book 1

by Colleen Hoover
Published August 10th 2012 by Atria Books
Copy received from publisher
get your own: amazon | BookDepository
goodreads
Rating:

Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she’s losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

After reading Beautiful Disatser and Easy this was one my first New Adult books that completely drew me into their world. This 2 – book story was incredible and emotionally so challenging it left me sobbing after I was done… I am going to review both books as they are directly tied to each other and need to be read back to back! I try to avoid any spoilers!

 

Have you ever lost? Will and Laykin experiences lost on a whole new level

Although, I keep repeating myself but this is why I crave the New Adult genre so much. Everything is just more intense, more passionate and just more. In Slammed we encounter loss so tragic that it leaves you speechless with emotion. Laykin hast just lost her father when she moved with her mother and brother into a new town.  There she meets Will, the neighbor’s boy who has a kid brother the same age. Will, just lost both his parents a year ago and is left to take care of his brother although he’s just 20… Hearing already this story makes me tear up again, and aching for those two damaged and lost kids! And.. if you think it can’t get any worse, then you are wrong…

 

Will and Laykin so good for each other, yet so wrong

When they discover that Will is her teacher, as he’s trying to get all the credits for college so that he can take care of this brother, they are heartbroken. There is just something between them none of them can deny and it’s hard to walk back from this…  It was awful to see they want nothing more than to comfort each other and love each other, yet it’s wrong and they just –can’t!

 

The Beauty and Passion of Words…

… and I mean this in every sense! If you do not know what “Slammed” is or means, than you are not alone.. It’s a way to perform poetry on stage and this is where Will takes Laykin for the first time. This also becomes their way of talking to each other when no other words can be said, when emotions can’t be expressed and I was in awe at the power and beauty and rawness of these words! Even more, Colleen Hoover has a way with words to describe this beautiful story that was incredible emotional!

 

Point of Retreat – Book 2

by Colleen Hoover
Published August 10th 2012 by Atria Books
Copy received from publisher
get your own: amazon | BookDepository
goodreads
Rating:

Hardships and heartache brought them together…now it will tear them apart.

Layken and Will have proved their love can get them through anything; until someone from Will’s past re-emerges, leaving Layken questioning the very foundation on which their relationship was built. Will is forced to face the ultimate challenge…how to prove his love for a girl who refuses to stop ‘carving pumpkins.

Starting a few month after the horrific happenings in Slammed, PoR follows Will and Laykin on their struggle to be an adult, brother, sister,  parent and lovers. Now, they have to see if they are really meant to be and if they truly love each other… Sadly, I cannot comment on what happened in Slammed that was so horrible but it shocked me to the core so I needed to know how Laykin and Will would deal with it!

 Why to we love?

One main concern was how the ended up together and Laykin is not sure why Will is with her. Is it the pain they share or is it true love? They are so passionate with each other and when they fight –  they fight hard! I loved PoR even more, as it was emotionally even more challenging and I cried and was actually sobbing while seeing those two fall apart!

 

Family and Friendship

In both book, family and friendship plays an important role and I loved the way Coleen Hoover described these bonds! I was in awe! When Laykins and Will brother meet, they instantly become best friends and seeing those two boys together was amazingly raw and touching! I loved those boys insanely! Even more, Laykin is making friends along the way that feel like family as tight and close they become. Sometimes, friends can become as close you and important to you was family and it was beautiful how Colleen described it! Even more, the way Will went above and beyond to raise his brother was in awe inspiring…

 

The Wonderment in the Dark

The most touching element in PoR is something I cannot tell you! But, it has something to do with stars, and a vase and a mother that is just beyond incredible. I am having tears in my eyes remembering this! If you read the book, you know what I mean, if you haven’t – I promise you, that you will remember my words and tear up…

 

Bewitched Rating for both books

 

Bottom Line

Slammed and Point of Retreat are emotionally challenging books that we leave you raw. Sizzling with emotion, tension, passion this story is will make you heart swell and ache.  A must read for readers who want their hearts to break and put back together… again, and again and again!

New Adult  

 

Additional Notes

Coleen Hoover is another bright example of the new movement of New Adult writers. And, her books have been just picked up by Simon & Schuster imprint Atria to republish their books, just following Jamie McGuire and Beautiful Disaster! congratulations!

 

Much Love,
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42 Responses to “Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult Mondays”

  1. Excellent way to start off the week Danny! I’m so very excited you’re doing this 😀 Thanks so much for expanding the genre by reaching people in this way. I’m going to add your blog as a resource to the NA Alley blog right away! Great books to feature as well. I thoroughly enjoyed these reads 🙂

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    Isn’t this the perfect way to start a week :)) Glad you think so too and thank you so much for adding the Bookworms to the NA Alley!! I just thought that my love for this genre needed to be expressed with a constant feature here on the Blog and I am happy people seem to like it!!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  2. I am SO EXCITED about these New Adult Mondays! This is the best idea EVER! Also I’m glad you read and loved Slammed. I recently got it and I can’t wait to read it, now knowing that it has Danny approval!
    Ashley recently posted..August 2012 Wrap-UpMy Profile

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    Danny 9/3/2012

    Oh Ashley! I know you will love it!!! Wanna bet with me? :-))
    We can bet for a new Book – New Adult genre of course!!!

    Glad you like my new Feature – I just needed something to further express my deep love for these books!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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    Ashley 9/3/2012

    Haha! Is it wise to bet against you when you’ll most likely win?? 😀
    Ashley recently posted..Review & Giveaway: Stormdancer by Jay KristoffMy Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/4/2012

    Hehe!!!! I just thought I could get a free book out of you :-)))
    Danny recently posted..Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda JonesMy Profile

  3. Beautiful reviews! I’ve heard such great things about both books and, even though this isn’t my genre, I hope I can read them soon. I love the idea of a poetry slam. 🙂
    Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Review: Ultraviolet by R.J. AndersonMy Profile

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    Danny 9/3/2012

    Thank you so much Sam!!! Those books are so beautiful I hope you give them a try even though it’s not your favorite genre!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  4. I loved Slammed. I cried, cried, and cried some more. But it was a beautifully written book. I have not read the 2nd one yet.

    I love this NA genre! Great reviews.
    Lori L. Clark recently posted..Monthly Recap: August 2012My Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    Gosh you have no idea how much I cried.. and Lori I think it was you who told me about it??? I think I remember we talked about this ??

    So.. this is all your fault 🙂 THANKS!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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    Lori L. Clark 9/3/2012

    Yes! I remember that. 🙂 I’m so glad you decided to read it. 🙂
    Lori L. Clark recently posted..Monthly Recap: August 2012My Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    I think a week after you told me it went up on NetGalley and then I remembered you and immediately got it 🙂
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

  5. Great reviews. I have seen these around, but haven’t got a chance to pick them up. They sounds awesome. I will see if I can find them. Thank you for sharing them.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    The eBooks are available on all big outlets and the paperback comes out September 10th. This all changed slightly after S&S took over these books, but I am sure you’ll get them 🙂
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  6. franchie15

    Wow. What a great way to start our Monday! This is one of the loveliest features I’ve yet to encounter. I love Slammed and Point of Retreat too! I’m so glad you featured them here. Hopefully many will read it and appreciate its beauty!

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    Oh Franchie! Thank you so much, it makes me happy to see that people seem to like this new Feature!!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  7. Eeeep! I love this new feature, GREAT idea! Do you mind if I borrow it? I love the New Adult genre and I want to spread the love about it! *bats eyelashes*

    And OMG this series! *hyperventilates* The story really struck a nerve with me – it was something I could relate to in my real life as well and it was such a powerful, emotional read for me! These are my favorite NA books (along Flat-Out Love and Easy, of course). Wasn’t the vase with stars something incredible beautiful, sweet and heartbreaking all at same time? And OMG the poems!!! The ‘I LOVE YOU’s! The family connections! The strength of these characters and their love! Argh, there are so many amazing things about these books, I can’t even… *sigh* Awesome reviews!
    Deea recently posted..Vote for the best #SweetHope Cover Design at Bewtitched Bookworms!My Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    No of course!!!!! Do you want me to send you the Button I made? I’d be happy to share it with you!!

    The Vase simply blew me away and made me tear up so much!!!! This was the most touching thing ever! How could she do this – gosh that was brilliant and I loved her just so much more in that minute!
    And those quotes were amazing!!

    I think I loved everything about this book! Powerful is the perfect way to describe it! My heart aches right now when I hear that you can relate – but those books are just even more emotional right? I also experiences loss so yes. I can relate too!
    *hugs* *double hugs*
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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    Deea 9/4/2012

    Thank you! *hugs back* I’m OK now; nothing happened to me personally, but to someone really, really close to me, so I was just as affected. And I could understand everything Lake went through, so yeah, a very emotional read.

    I was too busy at work yesterday to post the NA feature, but I’d love to prepare something for next week. It would be great if you could send me the button you made, it’s SO PRETTY! I’ll give you credit, of course. I love all your designs here on the blog!:D

    Reply »

    Danny 9/4/2012

    I’m happy to send you the Button over!!! I will post this Feature every 2nd week here, but feel free to do it whenever it first you!

    Glad you like the Button – I’m a tiny bit proud of it:)
    *hugs*
    Danny recently posted..Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda JonesMy Profile

  8. First of all, let me just tell you how excited I am about this new feature! You’ve got me completely hooked on this genre after reading Easy (Lucas!!!!!) and I can’t wait to pick up some of your other recommendations:) This series sounds super emotionally intense, and you know how much I love books like that! And books that have a beautiful (and sometimes painful) romance. Definitely adding these to the list my friend!

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    I know these books would hooked you just like me! You are the same emotional reader as I am and we love the same boys and stories! Hon, you will LOVE this book! It is so incredible emotional and raw and amazing! I can’t wait you to read more of those books because I sooo need to talk to you about them!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  9. Both of these sound incredible! I’ve been looking to add some more New Adult novels to my TBR list, and these are definitely going on it 🙂

    Fabulous post!
    YA Book Queen recently posted..Mini Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie PerkinsMy Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    Slammed and PoR are perfect examples for this “new” Genre of awesome! I cannot stress enough how much I loved them!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  10. Cool new feature! I’m really loving the new adult trend and have been trying to read books that fit into the genre. Ten Girls to Watch is the next one up on my list. I’ll have to add these two to it.
    Liviania recently posted..Movie Monday: The CampaignMy Profile

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    Danny 9/3/2012

    I am hunting down these books like crazy and I’m excited some other books I have read within the next few weeks! There are some true diamonds among them!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  11. Slammed has been on my wishlist. I am so glad to hear you loved it and that book two Point of Retreat is just as good.. Now I have to read them! I love New Adult Mondays!
    kimbacaffeinate recently posted..Isolation by Dan WellsMy Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/3/2012

    Yeah for New Adult Monday’s!!!! I’m so excited to see people are liking this and I cannot wait to share all those awesome books I have read with all you guys!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  12. I love the idea of New Adult Monday’s! I have heard Slammed is absolutely amazing and a huge congrats goes to Colleen Hoover for her mass success! I will definitely be read these books in the future once I finally get more caught up. Thanks for the fab review!
    Candace recently posted..Review: Carnival of Souls by Melissa MarrMy Profile

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    Danny 9/3/2012

    Yeah !!! Thanks Candace, this idea just came to me yesterday when I finished yet another awesome NA book I desperately wanted to share with you guys!

    I am so happy for all these amazing authors that they get this awesome deals with S&S. Cannot wait to hear what you think about them!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  13. Well I can’t say that I am jumping up and down at the thought of having my heart shattered a mended a few times while reading these. However, I have read some stunning reviews on this series and I already purchased Slammed!
    Heidi recently posted..Carnival of Souls by Melissa MarrMy Profile

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    Danny 9/3/2012

    LOL Heidi actually when it comes to a book, I want my heart smashed and put back together. Having such strong emotions is what I love most about reading! I can’t wait you to read Slammed!
    Danny recently posted..Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – New Adult MondaysMy Profile

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  14. This is so not fair. I already have a huge TBR list for YA and now I’m going to have to start one for NA which feels like New Age so I’m going to have to write it out New Adult. I will never catch up. But hey, you can never have too many books. The romance in this one must have been great to have you in tears and so ecstatic about them. On the NEW list they go. Haven’t had a chance to read Easy yet.

    Heather
    Oh and I do like this feature a lot!
    hrose2931 recently posted..Back to the Books Blog Hop Giveaway Sept 1-7thMy Profile

    Reply »

    Danny 9/4/2012

    I am so sorry hon, only… I am not! you must read these books… yes I used the word “must” And… you haven’t read “easy” seriously hon, out some YA books aside and get to read these books, you’ll thank me later! 🙂
    Danny recently posted..Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda JonesMy Profile

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    hrose2931 9/4/2012

    When I first read, “I am so sorry hon” I got worried, but then I read the rest of the comment. I really like this new category. I think it’s time for it, not that I’ll ever stop reading YA, but the college and up crowd do want something a little more edgy and there is nothing that bridges that gap. Well, there is now. I’ll get to reading Easy right away! Yes ma’am!

    Heather
    hrose2931 recently posted..Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama ReviewMy Profile

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    Danny 9/4/2012

    Oh no, I didn’t want to scare you 🙂 and yes I think right now is the time for it!
    and YEAH for EASY , you’ll loooove it!
    Danny recently posted..Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda JonesMy Profile

  15. I am so happy you chose these to review for your feature! Slammed and Point of Retreat may forever hold my top spot (together, because I always relate them as so) and you did an excellent job on the reviews!

    New Adult is a favorite of mine, for the same reason you mentioned, everything is MORE, more powerful, more emotional, more developed. Thank you for helping to spread the word further about New Adult as a genre. I hope to see it mainstream soon!

    Last, I love Colleen (and if she is lurking here, sorry my crazy love for you is undeniable and you have been an amazing inspiration to me!). Her writing is spectacular and I’m happy to see you loved her too!
    Kimberly recently posted..Required Reading: 9/2/2012My Profile

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    Danny 9/4/2012

    I perfectly agree, it seems like in New Adult books authors can just let go and do whatever they feel like doing. More intense and more drama! They are not restrained and I love this! Like here, with so much death, but still the darker the plot, the deeper the loss the better the love can shine!
    Danny recently posted..Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda JonesMy Profile

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