Slammed by Colleen Hoover

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🎤 Slammed by Colleen Hoover — A Sweet, Poetic Debut with Heartfelt Moments

Author: Colleen Hoover
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)

Five-Word Review: Smooth writing, familiar emotional beats

⚠️ Spoiler alert! If you haven’t read Slammed yet and want to experience the story fresh, you might want to skip the plot section below.

💭 Why I Picked Up Slammed

After loving Colleen Hoover’s Maybe series, I was excited to try her very first book, Slammed. While her smooth and accessible writing style shines through, this debut feels a bit less polished and leans on some familiar emotional themes — think terminal illness, forbidden love, and artistic expression as a way to connect (here it’s poetry, in Maybe it was lyrics).

If you’re a Hoover fan or new to her, Slammed is an emotional, easy read with plenty of heart.

📖 The Plot: Love, Loss, and Slam Poetry

Meet Layken "Lake" Cohen, an 18-year-old whose life turns upside down when her dad suddenly dies from a heart attack. Lake’s mom, Julia, moves the family to Michigan to manage finances and Julia’s cancer treatments.

Lake quickly befriends her new neighbor Will Cooper, a 21-year-old college student who lost his parents in a car accident. Will is now the guardian of his younger brother, Caulder. Lake also has a younger brother named Kel, and the two younger boys become best friends — a connection that keeps Lake and Will frequently crossing paths.

Summer Sparks and School Surprises

During the summer, Lake and Will bond over a shared love of poetry and fall in love, often visiting the Detroit slam poetry venue Club N9NE. But when school starts, Lake is shocked to find Will as her new poetry teacher — he assumed she was already in college.

Will insists they can’t date anymore, but their close family ties (thanks to Kel and Caulder) make their relationship complicated.

Mixed Signals and Personal Struggles

Will sends confusing signals, which frustrate Lake, especially as she learns her mom’s cancer is worsening. At a poetry slam, Will finally expresses his love through a powerful poem. Later, a jealous classmate, Javi, kisses Lake forcibly, leading to a fight between Javi and Will.

Teacher Drama and Resignation

After the incident, Will resigns from his teaching position to protect himself and Lake but plans to finish his internship. The two families grow closer, supporting each other as Julia’s health declines.

The Big Confession

At Club N9NE, Lake confesses her love on stage. Just as she’s about to give up hope, Will, serving as a judge, shares a poem confessing his love for her. They finally kiss — officially starting their relationship.

Bittersweet Ending

The story closes with the families celebrating their second Christmas together after Julia’s passing in September. Will honors Julia’s memory by giving Lake and Kel letters encouraging them to live life without regrets — a touching end to their emotional journey.

🤔 Final Thoughts: A Promising Debut with Heart

  • Colleen Hoover’s writing style is smooth and engaging, making Slammed an easy and quick read

  • The plot is predictable if you’re familiar with Hoover’s later books or typical romance tropes — but that’s part of the comfort for many readers

  • The poetry angle adds a unique, heartfelt flavor to the love story

  • The family dynamics — especially the close bond between Kel and Caulder — add emotional depth beyond the romance

  • Some themes feel a little recycled, but the story still delivers genuine emotional moments

📚 If You Enjoyed Slammed, Check Out…

  • Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover — a more polished romance with music as a connecting thread

  • The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay — a poignant story about healing and connection

  • It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover — a powerful, mature romance tackling heavy topics

  • The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo — a bittersweet exploration of love and loss

Slammed earns a 3.5 out of 5 stars from me — a heartfelt debut with familiar beats and a poetic soul. If you love emotional romance with a strong family element, it’s worth the read.

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