Lake Cohen never expected to be starting senior in a new state. But she never expected her father to suddenly die from a heart attack. And she certainly never expected to fall for the boy next door after just three days. But from the first moment she met Will, there was chemistry. That is until she finds out that the boy that made moving from Texas to Michigan bearable is actually her new poetry teacher. 
 I didn't know what to expect form Slammed and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the characters and the plot. Lake is eighteen but she acts with the maturity of someone much older. She's responsible and caring and best of all - she realises that romance isn't the most important thing in life. Her relationship with Will is beautiful to watch as it develops and stumbles though the obstacles life provides. 
 The supporting characters in this book are amazing to read too. There are 9 year olds who actually act their age, teens who are not single-minded obsessed with romance and parents who make mistakes but are willing to admit their flaws. I think one of the strengths in this book is the way both Will and Lake are rounded. There is so much more to both of them than just their relationship with each other. The bond they each have with their little brothers is fantastic. 
 Each chapter is prefaced with some lyrics by the Avett Brothers - a band I'd not heard previously but has since bought two of their albums from iTunes. The way Hoover integrated the music and lyrics into the story was brilliant. They bring the poetry aspect into the novel perfectly. 
 This book was one of the best that I've read this year. It was beautiful and heartbreaking with characters that I cared about - I wanted to know what was going to happen next and how it would affect these people that I grew more and more attached to as the story went on. I can absolutely recommend it for anyone who loves emotional but realistic love stories where the romance is strong but not the entire story.