Slammed by Colleen Hoover: OH.MY.WOW!!!! SLAMMED!!

Falling in love can feel like poetry. Or it can feel like a slam to the heart.

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she's losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings 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 forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

Never ever have I fallen in love with a series as fast I did!

This book totally took me by surprise! It wasn't what I was expecting at all, but then again not sure what I was expecting..You wouldn't believe the smile that came across my face when I realized what "slam" was!! I have quite a bit of poetry I wrote in my younger years, and couldtotally see myself sitting with Will, Lake, Eddie & Gavin, listening or participating in slam!

This book is heartwarming, touching, funny & full of life lessons we all sometimes need to be reminded of!! Colleen Hoover created an excellent debut novel!! The story line was full of twists & turns that kept me up late at night, wanting for more of Will & Lake! I absolutely was smitten with Will's character! He was fun & charming, then responsible and sacrificial when he needed to be!Layken appeared much older than 18 at times, but I guess that was due to dealing with the death of her father.What more can I say without giving too much away!!It was an awesome read that I will probably re-read very soon! I totally connected with the characters and miss being a part of their adventures!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh: I want to go to Sweethaven!!!

A faded scrapbook reveals secrets that reconnect old friends in a place called Sweethaven.  Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother's history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter sent letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne's three friends -- Lila, Jane, and Meghan -- haven't spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne's letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets from the past, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored -- just as Suzanne intended.

Absolutely LOVED this book!! The setting, the plot, the character development..everything!!! I actually cried about 3 different times and felt that for her first novel, Courtney Walsh was SPOT-ON!!! I felt like I was the fifth girlfriend watching all unfold from the sidelines! Also loved the touch of scrapbooking in the story line! Being a scrapbooker myself made the story more believable, real to me..thus the tears! I especially loved the character of Luke!! He was kind, considerate, apparently handsome but most of all sensitive to Campbell; without having to push himself out there.. I totally fell in love with him (I'm a hopeless romantic at heart). An awesome story of forgiveness & friendships!!....so why are you still reading my review!! Go and read this book already!! --and recommend it to all your friends.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars