Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

(Slammed series, book 2)
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.’

“It’s the clear headedness behind her voice and the calm, reasonable expression in her eyes that rips the heart right out of my chest. She turns to leave, and all I can do is let her go. I just let her go.” - Will

I have such a bittersweet feeling with the end of this two-book series. I’m sad that the story of Layken and Will is over, but I honestly don’t think my emotions could handle another book! This is absolutely one of my favorite series that I’ve read, and I can sum up how I feel about it in three words: “IT’S BUTTERFLYING PERFECT!” (You’ll get it if you read the book.) I wrote a review about the first book of the series, Slammed, and I’m sorry if this one sounds repetitive, but the way I felt about Slammed is very similar to how I feel about Point of Retreat.

Unlike the first book which is written from Lake’s perspective, Will is the narrator in this book. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first, but it didn’t take me long to love it just as much as I did Lake’s narration. I didn’t think it was possible to love Will any more than I did after finishing Slammed; I was wrong. His love not only for Lake, but for Caulder and Kel is so admirable. The responsibilities he handles on a daily basis made me forget that he’s only twenty one. AND…OH. MY. GOODNESS! What he does for Lake as a final attempt to show her how much he loves everything about her was so freaking perfect! I would melt like a stick of butter on a hot day if a guy did that for me!

My favorite characters from Slammed were back; Lake, Will, Eddie, Gavin, Kel, and Caulder are all just as fantastically written in this sequel. Kel and Caulder are still best friends, and have gotten even funnier than they were in Slammed. My favorite new character we are introduced to is Kiersten – an odd, outspoken, hilarious, lovable, too-mature-for-her-age eleven-year-old who lives on their street and is in Kel and Caulder’s class at school. It seriously broke my heart when she was talking to Will about how being bullied didn’t even bother her anymore because she’s used to it. I cried. Yep, that’s right. I broke down and cried in this book AND the first one! I just absolutely adored Kiersten so much, and to think of her being bullied made my heart hurt.

The issues that arise in Will and Lake’s relationship really test their relationship, physically and emotionally. I love these two characters so much, and I remember saying out loud “Please, please, pleeeeease let them work things out!!” I feel like I’m in their relationship with them! That’s how freaking invested I am! I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t go into any details, but much like Slammed, my emotions were playing tug-of-war with each other. I felt for both of them and I found it impossible to take sides! Their love for each other is just incredible, and it put a pit in my stomach when I thought that it was possible they might not end up together.

Here are just a couple other reasons why this book is worthy of 5 stars:

- Suck and Sweet. This is so awesome, and I can't wait until I have kids so I can do this with them.

- Kiersten's slam (GET SOME, GIRL!)

- Caulder's slam

- Will's slam for Lake (I know I already talked about it, but it deserves another mention)

- Kiersten's mom, Sherry

- The vase full of stars

- Will and Lake's incredibly adorable and powerful love for each other
- The "one more time" after Will says I love you to Lake (so freaking adorable)

Colleen Hoover just wrote two books that are now some of my favorites that I’ve ever read. I was so emotionally invested in these characters that it was almost scary. I honestly can’t think of one negative thing to say. This book was just as beautifully written as Slammed, and I was completely mesmerized by every single story line. Colleen Hoover, thank you so much for this incredible two-book series. I will forever recommend it and if I ever find myself ‘carving pumpkins’, I’ll remember these books and force myself to stop. 

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Slammed by Colleen Hoover

(Slammed series, book 1)
After the unexpected death of her father forces eighteen-year-old Layken and her family to move across the country, away from everyone and everything she knows, her outlook on life is anything but hopeful.

Enter Will Cooper: the attractive twenty-one year old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry. After a night tonight that turns out to be everything but expected, both Layken and Will are left with feelings they never knew they could have. Unfortunately in Layken’s life, things are never what they seem. Just as quickly as it develops, their relationship is derailed by a shocking revelation, sparking a tumultuous battle between their hearts and their ethics.

As if the dramatic turn of events in her life isn’t enough, Layken is slammed again when her mother reveals a secret of her own. A secret so intense, all of Layken’s current problems pale in comparison to her seemingly insurmountable future. Unable to confront the changes that lie ahead of her, Layken ignores her conscience as she turns to Will for solace. Struggles ensue as both Layken and Will search for a balance between that which keeps them apart and feelings that pull them together.

“I wish I could freeze this moment. I wish we could just carve pumpkins forever…” – Layken

WOW! This is one of the best books I have ever read and it is definitely one that I will read again in the future. I finished this book in one day because I was obsessed…just plain obsessed. I couldn’t put my Nook down and when I finished it, I had tears in my eyes. Okay, fine! I’ll be honest! I had tears streaming down my face. (Hey…I’m emotional!) Actually, I’m not even blaming the fact that I’m emotional for crying multiple times reading this book; it’s the writing. It is just brilliant. The storylines all flow together so well, and I absolutely fell in love with these characters.

First of all, Lake (yes, I’m on a nickname basis with her) is such a strong character. Oh, and how great is her name?! Layken. I LOVE IT! She has been dealt a hand that would cause most people to crumble, but with the exception of a couple bad days, she handles it all with maturity. The nurturing she provides to her younger brother Kel when her mother is busy working the night shift and sleeping during the day makes you forget that she’s only eighteen-years-old. I just adored her so much, and my heart ached for her throughout the book.

Ahhh, Will. I fell in love with him when he pulled out two grilled cheese sandwiches and sodas from a bag…in his car…for his and Lake’s first date. I don’t know why, but I just found that so freaking cute. What can I say? I’m a romantic ;) My emotions got toyed with reading this book more than they ever have in any of my relationships (I think that’s a good thing?) and it seemed like every time they would just maybe be working things out, I got slapped in the face with a big “AH HA, FOOLED YOU!” Colleen Hoover, you are a sneaky little trick…and I love you for it!

The last character I really loved was Lake’s best friend, Eddie. First of all, Eddie is a girl and you learn later on the actually meaning of her name. Without giving away too much, she has been bounced around foster homes because her mother was a crackhead who didn’t have time for her. Despite her upbringing, Eddie shines such a positive light on this book as a whole. She was the one picking up Lake when she needed it, she pushed her in the right direction; she was essentially her guiding light. The scene on Eddie’s birthday; I absolutely lost it. I was full on crying at my desk at work while I read that part. I just loved her character so much and to see her boyfriend do that for her was just too much for my emotions to handle!

I don’t want to say anything more, because I don’t want to give away any of the spoilers for this book. I feel like it would ruin the emotional ride if you had any hints as to what issues arise in Layken and Will’s relationship, as well as her mother’s secret. This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite books, and I can’t wait to start reading the sequel. The writing is brilliant, the characters are phenomenal, the relationships will give you hope, break your heart, make you smile, and make you cry. Slammed is just perfection. Absolute perfection.

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