I love that there are new adult books that exist where slam poetry is a pivot point around which the book kind of turns. Or at least, where poetry plays a role. Slammed is the first of Colleen Hoover’s series that integrates slam poetry. The sequel, Point Of Retreat, also uses some slam poetry, however, it is told from the point of view of Will instead of Layken and takes place a couple of months after the events of Slammed. Overall, while I enjoyed Point Of Retreat it just didn’t quite have the spark that Slammed did for me. I guess something just felt a bit off in my reading of this book.
So, Will and Lake are still living next door to each other. At this point, Lake’s mom is dead and she’s made peace with it. The two are raising their brothers – Caulder and Kel as well as going to college. Will is in Master’s Levels classes and Lake is working on her bachelor’s. Caulder and Kel are the best of friends. A new girl – Kiersten is added to the mix. She’s moved to the street and is a very precocious child. Beyond this, Will and Lake still have not done it yet and so that’s sort of what drives this book — is their point of retreat – which is when they start to hook up and then call a retreat before it goes too far. In fact, they almost get there but then Will’s ex, Vaughn happens to be in one of his classes and sort of drives a wedge. There’s also another huge turning point and I was like WHAT EVEN IS THAT when it happened. That’s all I am saying.
As Point Of Retreat‘s main character, I thought Will was interesting. He’s compelling. His chapters begin with what seems like a diary entry. I liked that he’s not perfect and that he makes mistakes. I think that a lot of the time authors can really make their male leads seem way too flawless to the point where I am like yeah that guy is boring. SNOOZE. Hoover, however, makes Will vulnerable and sort of interesting – especially with the poetry angle which FYI plays a role again in this book. Something that I totally enjoyed as well. I should admit, I kind of missed Lake’s voice even though I liked Will. I just think she’s easier to relate to.
So, the thing about Colleen Hoover’s Point Of Retreat is that the perfectly resolved issues and romance from Slammed is tested. I liked that while Lake and Will have a happy ending, or rather had a happy ending that there’s still tests that they have to face. I think that while relationships are great they are not always perfect and so things are going to happen from time to time that are issues. Lake and Will are young so they have to work through boundaries and trust. Further, they haven’t been intimate or anything yet so that adds a whole other layer to this story. I will say that there were points that felt far fetched and had me jolted out of the story — as far as the romance and what happens to the characters goes. Otherwise, I really ripped through Point Of Retreat. These aren’t bad points of entries for someone curious about the New Adult genre. On the whole, I’d recommend but this particular book isn’t my absolute favorite in the genre.
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I thought the turning point you mentioned was over the top with drama but overall I enjoyed this book. Great review!
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I have mixed feelings about Slam poetry. First, poetry is not my area of expertise or enjoyment. Second, slam poetry is performative and the very idea terrifies me. Even reading about it is sort of nerve-inducing. 🙂
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