Point of Retreat: A Novel (Slammed)

Here's the thing with series books that have a romantic element involved: I usually love them. Okay, I usually LOVE them. I eat them up like candy. Yum! But I know, without a doubt, that something has to happen to pull the couple apart at some point in the story. If it is a standalone romance it doesn't have to happen because the entire story can be the development of the relationship. But in a series what happens to drive the plot after the relationship becomes a done deal? Usually there is some sort of issue that comes between the two people, tempers flare, feelings are hurt, someone gives someone else the silent treatment, desperation ensues. It happens. I expect it, but that doesn't mean that I LIKE it. In fact, I absolutely cannot stand it in relationship books when communication breaks down due to some misunderstanding, pulling a couple I love so much apart for a good portion of the book. So with that in mind, let me offer my two cents about Point of Retreat, the second book in the Slammed series. I absolutely adored Slammed, the first book in this series. I loved Will and Lake and their relationship. I loved everything about it. I thought that Slammed ended almost perfectly. No. I thought that it ended perfectly. But I wanted more anyway, so I was eager to begin this book right away. I knew after reading the blurb for this book that there was going to be some sort of misunderstanding involving someone from Will's past, and I knew that it was going to be the long lost ex-girlfriend. I knew that Lake was going to have issues with this and spend a good deal of time "carving pumpkins" (check out book one to see what this means). So all of those elements of a book two romance that I so dislike seemed to be coming my way. I was nervous. I didn't want to see my happy couple facing this sort of obstacle. But I read on. As soon as Will decided that it would be best to not let Lake know that Vaughn was taking one of his college classes with him I knew there was going to be trouble in Will's immediate future. Oh how I wished that Will had some sort of soundboard of a friend to share his decision with so that that friend could knock him upside the head and tell him he was being an idiot. By not telling her about the situation he was going to make the situation seem much more important than it really was. I know that he was annoyed by Vaughn and wanted nothing to do with her. But Lake didn't have the advantage of seeing inside Will's head like I did. Trouble is coming his way. I have to say that I am so glad that this story is told through Will's point of view. I think I would have been terribly irritated with Lake as she pushes him away again and again, despite all of his efforts to make this situation correct. I am no big fan of the silent treatment as a tool in conflict resolution, so her tactics weren't making me happy at all. Even when they did choose to bring things out in the open I thought that she was too quick to cut him off and throw away all of the good experiences they had shared together. I think that hearing the story through Will's point of view helped to maintain the love connection that exists between these two. Although Lake never loses it, she does spend a good deal of time angry. I preferred to hear Will's desperation to the anger. Changing to Will's point of view in this book accomplished two things for me. First of all it made a difficult situation that normally irritates me into a better one. It isn't that the situation improved simply by having Will tell the story. No. It was still bad. But his refusal to let this relationship die and his determination to do whatever it takes to bring Lake back to him made this a story of strength rather than simply a story of a relationship funk. I appreciated that. The second benefit to Will as a narrator was that I was able to relive some of my favorite scenes of the first book through his memories. I LOVED that. Seeing those amazing scenes in his eyes added another amazing dimension to scenes that I already adored. So this was a book that potentially could have ruined all of the good feelings I was feeling at the end of Slammed, but instead it was another wonderful addition to the story. I am totally going to have to follow Lake's mother's lead and make a vase full of origami stars containing words of advise for my children to pull out on days when things get difficult, whether I am dying of cancer or not. That was brilliant! I loved all of her advise, but I especially loved these words: "Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together." I absolutely loved this, and that sums up the theme of this book perfectly. I knew that Will and Lake had a great relationship at the end of Slammed, but at the end of this book I knew that they had an endurable and everlasting relationship. The struggles of this book when added to the things that they have lived through in their past combine to show the beauty of this love story. And Will. Ahhhhhhhh Will! I absolutely love this character! I think he might be giving Dimitri Belikov (Vampire Academy) a run for the title of my favorite book male lead. I loved his actions at the end of the book so much, but as in Slammed, it was his poetry that pulled me into swoon-a-thon territory. The poetry doesn't take as much of a role in this book as in the first book, but it is there, and it is an essential part of the resolution of the issues in this book. There were some excellent poems written by the younger generation at the end that were wonderful. But Will's poem performance with props got me giddy. So amazing! I felt as if I got to relive the highlights of their relationship right along with them. Beautiful! I can't give this moment the right amount of justice in a review. You just have to read the story yourself. So if you are someone like me who shies away from the stories in series where a relationship faces a major trial that could break it ... do not fear. Colleen Hoover does a great job of relating this story in such a way that I never felt annoyed. Instead I just felt this overwhelming need to continue to read. I needed for things to be made right for these two characters who I loved so much. I couldn't stop reading until I was content. And am I content? Oh yes. Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Hurray for a beautiful end to a beautiful story. I think I heard a rumor that there might be another addition to this story spotlighting a secondary character. I hope that that is true because I love these two stories so much, and I think that there is more to explore in the lives of some of the other characters introduced through this story. I hope the rumor is true. I know I have found a new favorite author to add to my list!

This book was a really good. Towards the beginning I didn’t know if I was gonna like it as much because I’m not a fan of the misunderstanding trope. But it was really sweet to see how they worked it out and I’m not gonna spoil if they did or not, but it made for a good story. I found myself binge reading it to figure out if they were gonna be together again or not. I really love the new character and how she feels like she’s always been a part of the story even though she just was introduced in this book I’m pretty sure I said it in my last review but I love Will’s character. I love his dedication and loyalty and how he will do anything for the people he loves. I especially love towards the end when he was talking to Mark. I have to say I was not expecting the climax of this book to be what it was. It had me so anxious for answers. I felt like I was there with them. And the ending of this book was so perfect. I’m looking forward to read me the finale of the series.

Point of Retreat, the follow-up novel to Colleen Hoover's debut novel Slammed, was so butterflying awesome! (Read the novel. You'll get it.) Told from Will's perspective, Layken and Will's journey continues as they fight to overcome obstacles and heartache. I used a few snippets of my review for Slammed in my review for Point of Retreat. I didn't want my review for Point of Retreat to be identical to my review for Slammed, but they're very similar because I felt the exact same way about Point of Retreat as I did about Slammed. This is why I think Point of Retreat is so amazing: -Phenomenal follow-up novel.More often than not, follow-up novels fall short of my expectations. However, Point of Retreat was just as good as the first novel in the series, and if you've read my review for Slammed, the first novel in the series, then you already know that I consider it the best book of 2012. I gave Slammed a 5 STAR rating, and I think it's nothing short of perfection. -Best. Characters. Ever. Will, Layken, Eddie, Gavin, Kel, and Caulder are back and just as precious and hilarious as before! There were also a few new supporting characters introduced in this novel, my favorite being Kiersten- the cutest, strangest, most hilarious little girl ever! The characters in Point of Retreat 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. -Emotional rollercoaster. This novel is heartbreaking, hilarious, sweet, scary, lovely, depressing, and hopeful. It's everything you'd ever hope for in a story. -Emotionally invested. I really connected with the characters in this series. I experienced the character's emotions right along with them. I cried when they cried. I smiled when they smiled. And, I laughed my butt off at almost everything they said and did. In my opinion, one of the main things that make a book an AMAZING book is when an author can get readers emotionally invested in their characters and their story. Bravo, Ms. Hoover! -Suck and Sweet. I am so going to use this when I have kids. I think this is the most precious thing ever. :) -Ms. Hoover is so freaking talented. -It's one of the sweetest love stories ever! -This novel is told from Will's perspective. -Will slams again in this novel. -Will is yummy! I gave Point of Retreat (Slammed #2) by Colleen Hoover 5 STARS. Point of Retreat is one of the sweetest, most romantic, most precious novels that I've ever read. I STRONGLY encourage every to purchase Slammed and Point of Retreat RIGHT THIS SECOND! -XOXO READING, EATING AND DREAMING FOR MORE REVIEWS CHECK OUT MY BLOG ON BLOGSPOT: READING, EATING & DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF.

Sadly have torn pages

‘Sometimes two people have to fall apart to realize how much they need to fall back together.’ This was another wonderfully written, heartfelt and deep story written by Colleen Hoover. I thought this was a great follow up to Slammed and I loved all of it. We pick up not long after the epilogue in Slammed and see Will and Lake happily together raising Kel and Caulder and settling into a pattern in their new lives, I love that we get Will’s POV to take us through this leg of their journey. Given the events that happen I think it makes perfect sense to only see things from his perspective. Unfortunately the enormity of their situation sort of catches up to them and you are reminded that they really are just teenagers/young adults who were forced to grow up way too fast, so it’s understandable when Lake begins to question the very nature of their relationship. I love how certain Will is and seeing his love for her through his eyes and his determination to do whatever it takes to get her to see that was great. Sure he makes some mistakes along the way, he is human after all (despite how perfect he seems!), but he knows they belong together and he just has to get Lake to stop ‘carving pumpkins’ long enough to see it too. I love the various advice he gets along the way, some from very unlikely sources, but it just serves to weave this wonderful story together even more. Just when you think things are turning around, BAM, something else happens that throws everything into question again. It’s these unexpected twists that I just love in a book. One of my favorite things about this book was the unconventional family that this group becomes, it’s more than just Will, Lake, Kel and Caulder. Eddie and Gavin are part of it now and perhaps the best edition to this group, Kiersten and her mom Sherry. They were so delightfully quirky and they fit so perfectly into this group, right from the start. I just love the easiness they all have together (and how no one knocks on Will’s door) and how tight knit and protective they all are of each other, even when things aren’t quite going right in their world, they still have each other’s backs. And I just have to say that ‘suck and sweet’ was the coolest dinnertime ritual ever! And Julia, even though she is no longer with us, her presence is so strongly felt throughout this entire book. It’s almost as if she is truly still there with them, watching over them and guiding them. We all knew the connection Lake and her mom had but I loved seeing how much Julia meant to Will as well. Just like in Slammed, I fell in love with the poetry. Again they captivated me and added such richness to the story. ‘Because of You’ was quite possibly the best slam ever, it was so perfect (even though Will broke the rules and used props!). To me, this book was ‘butterflying’ perfect and I am so happy to see that I get to spend a little more time with Will and Lake in ‘This Girl’! ‘It’s worth all the aches, All the tears, the mistakes… The heart of a man and a woman in love? It’s worth all the pain in the world.’

This is the second novel in the Slammed series. I have to be honest and say, I preferred hearing the story from Will's point of view rather than Lake's (she was the point of view in the first book). Be warned: Will's "voice" is the "voice" of a typical guy in a YA novel: He thinks a lot like a girl in many ways because he's a fictional character in a YA novel... he's that perfect hero that doesn't exist as often as we'd like in real life. With that said, let's get on with the review! The characters in this one are just as real as believable as they were in the first book. I also liked the introduction of the new neighbors Sherry & Keirsten, as well as the notes that Julia left behind in her vase of stars. I smiled every time Will or Lake read one of those stars. Vaughn didn't have a prolonged appearance in the book, but when she WAS part of the story, I wanted to punch her in the face! Her character is so real - that girl who pretends everything she does is innocent and she's not trying to cause trouble - I'm sure everyone has had an encounter with a girl like this. I would say that the first half of the book was fairly predictable: A misunderstanding causes Lake to get mad at Will, and he tries to win her back. "Slamming" didn't play as big a role in this book, but that was OK. About 2/3 of the way in, an unexpected event happens that completely changes everything. I like that this book also dealt with real-life situations that don't often get brought to light in fictional reading. Overall a great read. There were some major formatting issues in the Kindle edition that were highly annoying, and the journal entries at the beginnings of the chapters were completely unnecessary. They didn't add anything to the story.

Oh, I'm so in love with Will Cooper!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!! Point of Retreat is the phenomenal followup to the outstanding book Slammed, and it was everything I hoped for and more!! This has got to be one of the most romantic YA series I've come across, and if there's ever been a couple destined to be together it is Will and Layken!! These two went through so much in this series; they face death, heartbreak, ever-growing responsibilities, more death, and then having to raise a family when they are practically kids themselves. In Point of Retreat, things seem settled in and everyone is moving in the right direction. That is, until a life-changing event and the return of some unwelcome friends from the past leave Will, Lake, and their friends all struggling to find their way back to each other. Layken faces a broken heart once again, and Will realizes once and for all how much he needs her. If only he can convince her... Will's heart breaks as he keeps making one bonehead decision after another (men, will they EVER learn??!!), pushing Lake farther and farther away (and I SO very much wanted to strangle Vaughn and Reece!!) But in the end, it's his huge heart, absolute devotion to the woman he loves, and oh-so-tender way of just being the amazing guy that he is that allow him to prove to Lake how entirely he loves her. He is just a beautiful man inside and out and I love, love, love him!!! =) I loved that we got to see it all from WIll's POV. I did miss getting to hear Lake's thoughts throughout their ordeal, but at the same time it was so refreshingly different to get so much of the guy's perspective. All of the great characters from Slammed are back, of course, along with some great new add-ons, and Hoover's once again added the goofy moments with Kel and Caulder that we all love. I love Hoover's supporting characters, they are so entertaining and had me laughing and smiling at every turn. This family that they've built together is simply amazing, and they are wholeheartedly dedicated to their loved ones. They prove that without a doubt in POR, especially when a gut-wrenching event leaves them all needing each other more than ever. THe last chapters have you on the edge of your seat, biting your fingernails, impatiently waiting to see that everything is going to be okay!! I loved it, loved the way everything wrapped up, and LOVED that the 'point of retreat' moment was finally retired!!!! ;-) Congratulations on this unforgettable story, Colleen!!!

Nachdem ich den ersten Band der Trilogie „Weil ich Layken liebe“ (englisch: „Slammed“) ganze zweimal hintereinander gelesen hatte, konnte ich die Fortsetzung, die erst in ganzen 6 Monaten zu erwarten war, einfach nicht abwarten. Und so beschloss ich kurzerhand die englische Ausgabe „Point of Retreat“ (deutsch: „Weil ich Will liebe“) zu lesen. Und was soll ich sagen – es war das Beste, dass ich tun konnte. Ein Jahr nach dem Tod von Laykens Mutter sind Will und Layken genauso glücklich wie zu Beginn. Mehr noch haben sie eine gute Balance zwischen ihrer Beziehung und der Erziehung ihrer Brüder gefunden, und einen Partner, mit dem sie die Schwierigkeiten dieser Verantwortung teilen können. Als Wills Exfreundin Vaughn erneut in sein Leben tritt und ihn um eine zweite Chance bittet, weiß er nicht recht, wie er das Layken beibringen soll, denn für ihn ist ohnehin klar: nur Layken gehört sein Herz. Doch sie missversteht die Situation und beginnt an seiner Liebe zu ihr zu zweifeln. Kann er sie jemals zurückgewinnen? Dieses Buch lässt sich eigentlich kaum mit den richtigen Worten umschreiben. Es ist wirklich erstaunlich, wie nah einem die Figuren kommen, welches Gefühlschaos man geradezu mit ihnen erlebt, wie man mitfühlt, und sich so hilflos fühlt. Diese Geschichte ist aus Wills Perspektive geschrieben, was die Autorin nicht besser hätte machen können. Denn so lernt man nicht nur Will sehr nah kennen, man fühlt seine Frustration, Angst und Ohnmacht geradezu mit. Colleen Hoover hat wirklich ein außerordentliches Talent, ihre Leser an den mitreisenden Gefühlen ihrer Charaktere teilhaben zu lassen, und so eine ganz dichte, gefangennehmende Atmosphäre zu schaffen. Ich liebte den Humor, die Nachdenklichkeit, das Glück – einfach alles. Einen großen Anteil dieser Geschichte hat der „Point of Retreat“ – der „Zeitpunkt des Anhaltens“, der Will und Lake immer wieder an ein vor einem Jahr gegebenes Versprechen an Laykens Mutter erinnert – nämlich, dass sie mindestens ein Jahr bis zum ersten Sex warten. In diesen Situationen waren die beiden manchmal wirklich süß, und ich staune darüber, dass ich diese Stellen keineswegs kitschig fand. Es passte perfekt zum Ganzen und ließ mich schon mal schmunzeln, teilweise auch herzhaft lachen. Und doch wünschte ich mir während des Lesen, die Autorin hätte ihren Figuren nicht ganz so viel aufgebürdet. Denn als es schien, alles würde gut, passierte etwas noch viel schlimmeres. Trotz vieler aufwühlender Geschehnisse strotzt dieses Buch vor Freundschaft, Liebe, großen Gefühlen und der richtigen Portion Witz. Hier stimmte, wie schon beim ersten Band, einfach alles. Fazit: Auch der zweite Band der „Slammend“-Reihe kommt mit so viel Gefühl und so viel atmosphärischer Dichtheit daher, dass ich geradezu mit den Figuren mitfühlte. Ich war glücklich, traurig, verzweifelt, dem Ende nahe – und das alles wild durcheinander. Colleen Hoover schafft es auch in dieser Geschichte, dass man alle Figuren richtiggehend lieb gewinnt, und keine Sekunde ohne sie auszuhalten weiß. Hätte ich nicht schon den Klapptext zu Band drei gelesen, hätte diese Geschichte mich wohl eine ganze schlaflose Nacht gekostet ;-) . Für mich sind Band eins („Slammed“) und zwei („Point of Retreat“) ganz klar meine Lesehighlights 2013. Ich liebe es!

De las primeras novelas de Colleen que leí, me gusto un montón y me encanta que ahora junto las portadas y se ven lindas

After I'd finished reading Slammed, I hurried off to grab the next two books in the series because I knew I had to read them straight away. I'd been warned to grab some tissues before going into this one - so I did - and I definitely needed them because this one was just as emotional - maybe slightly more - than the first one. And it was also just as amazing. The one main thing that I think made this book better was that it was told from Will's POV. I absolutely adore Will and I'd been dying to get inside his head during Slammed so I kind of started jumping around when I realise Point of Retreat was told from his POV. So after everything that happened in Slammed, Lake and Will are finally together (*cheers*). But what the two of them don't realise is that their relationship is about to be put to the test again. As much as a love Lake, there were times in this book when I just wanted to shake some sense into her. I get why she stormed off and was upset with Will, but did she really need to ignore him for that long? No, Lake. You didn't! But I do really love her character. Lake is getting used to her new role after the events at the end of Slammed and she seems to be coping well with everything. Lake is a tough character and she's got a lot of inner strength, but she's insecure about herself and her relationship with Will which causes quite a few problems in this book. Oh, Will. I didn't think I could love you anymore than I already do, but this book proved me wrong. Getting to hear from Will actually helped me understand his character a lot more, and also allowed me to fall completely head over heels for his character. Will is just one of the sweetest guys ever and it broke my heart seeing him basically tearing his hair out to prove himself to Lake when she was acting like a 5 year old. It's so obvious to everyone but Lake that he cares about her deeply, and I just wanted to see them together again. Will has always got everyone else's best interests before his and he's so sweet that he just wants to help everyone. So in Point of Retreat, Will heads back to college and it turns out his ex - who dumped him days after his parents died and completely broke his heart - was in his class. And obviously she's a complete bitch who tries everything she possibly can to win Will back and break up his relationship with Lake. She's constantly flirting with him and I really wanted to punch her. Eddie and Gavin had their own problems going on which were inter-twined with the bigger storyline because Eddie and Gavin are a massive part of Will and Lake's lives. The addition of Kiersten and Sherry to this book added a hell of a lot. Kiersten was like a mini Eddie and I loved her so much! She was so hilarious and was always coming out with something that made her seem older than she actually was. Sherry was... strange, but she was a fantastic character. She was there for Will and Lake when they really needed her, and she was amazing. Colleen Hoover sure knows how to write soul-destroying twists. At about 60% there was a heart-wrenching twist that left me unsure of what was going to happen to a few of the characters. Honestly, I was preparing for the worst and I just didn't stop crying. And then the ending also had me in tears because I was freaking happy. I love Will and Lake and that ending was just perfect for them. And also, Gavin and Eddie are adorable <3 Overall, Point of Retreat was a fantastic follow up to Slammed. It was so much more emotional, soul-destroying and beautiful than the first one and I adore Colleen Hoover's writing now. I'll definitely be buying ever single book she writes now.

J'ai beaucoup aimé ce roman qui est la suite de Slammed. Il reste fidèle au premier et m'a émue par moment. Colleen est sans doute mon auteure de romance préférée.

I finished this in just a few hours because I can’t put this down. This series is my favourite second series this year. Highly highly recommend and you can’t retreat this boooook 😊