Slammed

Not for me. Too much teen angst.

Too much sadness and grief.

This is first person present which is my least favorite. I have given 5 stars to a first person book, but I’d prefer to never read another one.

18-year-old Layken and 21-year-old Will have one date, fall in love, and then find out they cannot be together for a period of time. They must stay away from each other. But that is hard to do because they see each other almost every day. There is a lot of frustration and angst. I was disappointed that there wasn’t enough relationship development either during the book or at the end. I wanted to see some being-in-love-together time, and I wanted to know about Layken’s plans. But the ending cut that off.

The setting and subject matter were depressing. Teens have lost their parents for different reasons, including accidents and illness. They suffer but are able to survive in good ways. This might fit the mood for some readers, but for me it was a downer. I feel like the author used that for depth, rather than relationship development or other events.

I did not enjoy the following.

1. Layken is angry or angsty and does stupid or insensitive things.

2. Layken assumes something bad about someone and gets angry, slamming doors, leaving, not letting that person explain. But later she learns the truth and it wasn’t what she thought.

3. Layken is mad at someone. They are calling her. She won’t answer her phone because she doesn’t want to hear them apologize. But, they were calling about an emergency that needed her attention. So we have more angst because she didn’t answer the phone. I don’t mind if she doesn’t have her phone or it’s not charged, but to purposely not answer it for that reason? No. It felt contrived to provide some angst “I’m not going to answer.”

The idea of slamming, performing poetry at a night club was interesting. And several characters read poems that way.

The author needs a grammar editor. She frequently used I vs me incorrectly.

The narrator Heidi Baker was ok, but I was not pleased. She has a teen-speak-accent that I couldn’t place (emphasizing ending syllables). I’m sorry, I’m spoiled. I prefer the generic American accent.

Genre: young adult contemporary romance

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

This was my first Colleen Hoover book from back in 2012 but this is the first time I've listened to the audiobook. Layken & Will had me from chapter 1! I loved their story and the way they both were able to lean on each other when everything fell apart...they were meant for each other!! I loved how mature these characters were at such a young age and even more I loved how quirky they both were. They just got each other. I really liked the Avett Brother song connections too!

The narration was ok, she fit the age of the characters and did a good job with the humor and the sadness of this book too.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Love story that will tug at your heart.

Loved how one of my favorite books has been brought to life. The narrator speaks and makes the characters seem real.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Awful Narration

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story was good enough. Unfortunately, the narration (and the quality of the recording) was horrible.

What didn’t you like about Heidi Baker’s performance?

Layken and her family were from Texas. There was no attempt at an accent so when a character said "y'all" (which was quite often) it sounded totally ridiculous.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe. It read like a lifetime movie.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

You must have to be a teenager to like this book

What disappointed you about Slammed?

I'm shocked by how many people liked this book! It was so whinny. I really think you need to be a teenager to like it. I wanted to stop listening so many times because the main character was acting so immature. The only reason I have it 2 stars instead of one, was because it did make me cry.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Opportunity Lost to Fully Capture Slam Poetry

Slammed is a first novel for an author with little to no previous writing experience that was written initially only for family and friends and then was self-published on Amazon to (a surprisingly) great reception. After finishing this short book, I just don't agree with the majority of readers that this was a great YA romance. I think I was especially let down by the central slam poetry theme which fell pretty flat in terms of the poetry itself and the development of the slam poetry culture. When I think of slam poetry, I generally imagine great emotion and raw truth and sticky subjects. None of this was captured in Ms. Hoover's novel. Some young people in my life recently told me that the slam poetry movement is now full of "posers" with no real message to share and no real passion for the art. This book felt full of "posers." Even though their life experiences could have been the source of good poetry, those opportunities were squandered away by the characters in this book. Elsewhere on the web, Ms. Hoover has expressed her concern that there were not more novels with slam poetry as a central theme. I'm afraid we are still waiting.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

In my opinion, only for teenagers

Would you try another book from Colleen Hoover and/or Heidi Baker?

I have read very good things about Colleen Hoover, but this book was, unfortunately, not even close to what I was expecting. In my late twenties, I still enjoy YA books. Very often characters are strong, charismatic teenagers that behave like young adults. This is the story of a teenager that behaves like a teenager. In other words, I don't know if it was the way the main character was written or the way the narrator read her, but I just wanted to slap the girl!

Would you ever listen to anything by Colleen Hoover again?

I have my doubts I'll ever read her again, I would have to be convinced that it is not yet another YA book for 14 year olds...

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Overall I did not like the performance. The main character's voice was of a young whiny teenager and the few witty sarcastic phrases she had were deprived of any coolness. To make matters worse the narrator had the bad habit of pausing after a dialogue phrase before the "s/he said" breaking completely the rhythm of the dialogue!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Slammed?

Is it truly necessary to describe every little thing she decides to re-arrange in her nervous breakdown?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Never wanted it to end!

The ultimate feel-good book! "Slammed" is like the first bite of a hot fudge sundae. If you are reading this, and you haven't yet heard "Slammed"I must say I envy you the experience. Boy girl story with lots of unexpected twists and turns, tears, and laughter. At times I felt myself in envying Lake, but mostly I just admired her. I fell in love with Will at first listen.

Highly highly recommended!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Point is Poetry.

Wow. I cried twice TWICE!

This book is the perfect blend of simple plot and beautiful poetry. The writing for the most part is YA simple. There is not a lot of romance more sexual tension then anything.

Overall, I liked this book a lot and found myself disappointed it was over.

I am interested to see what book two will hold.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Loved the poems!

What made the experience of listening to Slammed the most enjoyable?

Narrator did a fantastic job reading the poetry. It brought me right to the Club and could visualize those performing their poems.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Slammed?

Eddie was my favorite character. Loved her appreciation for life and her nonjudgemental and upbeat attitude. She would be a true friend for life. I'll think of her when I see a pink balloon.

What does Heidi Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The reciting/performing of the poems was excellent. Brought so much emotions to the poems that I wouldn't have been able to feel by just reading the book. I would rewind and listen to the poems several times.

Any additional comments?

The poetry brought more interest to the book. It made a typical romance book so much more.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful