Below is the complete list of Colleen Hoover’s Slammed books in publication order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Slammed Books in Publication Order
- Slammed (2012)
Slammed was published in 2012 and is listed as book #1 in the Slammed series. - Point of Retreat (2012)
Published in 2012, Point of Retreat is listed as book #2 in the Slammed series. - This Girl (2013)
This Girl is a 2013 release and appears as book #3 in the Slammed series.
About Slammed
Colleen Hoover’s Slammed series introduced many readers to her emotionally driven style of storytelling and helped launch her career as one of the most popular contemporary romance authors of the 2010s. Blending romance, family drama, and the expressive art form of slam poetry, the series follows Layken “Lake” Cohen as she navigates young adulthood, unexpected responsibility, and a relationship complicated by life’s circumstances.
The story begins with Slammed (2012). After the sudden death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken moves with her mother and younger brother from Texas to Michigan in search of a fresh start. The transition is difficult, but things begin to look brighter when she meets their neighbor, Will Cooper. The two quickly form a connection that feels natural and hopeful during a difficult time in Lake’s life.
Their bond deepens when Will introduces Lake to slam poetry, a spoken-word art form that becomes a powerful emotional outlet throughout the series. The poetry scenes serve as more than just a backdrop; they provide a way for the characters to express feelings that are otherwise difficult to articulate. Hoover weaves poetry into the narrative to reveal internal struggles, grief, love, and resilience.
However, the relationship between Lake and Will becomes complicated when Lake discovers that Will is actually her new high school teacher. The revelation forces both of them to confront difficult boundaries and the potential consequences of their feelings. Hoover explores themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and emotional maturity as the characters struggle to balance their connection with the realities of their circumstances.
The second novel, Point of Retreat (2012), continues the story and shifts part of the perspective to Will’s point of view. This installment expands on the emotional groundwork laid in the first book, giving readers deeper insight into Will’s thoughts and the sacrifices he has made in his own life. Both Lake and Will carry heavy responsibilities at a young age—particularly when it comes to caring for their younger brothers—and those responsibilities continue to shape their decisions.
The story in Point of Retreat introduces new challenges for the couple as they try to build a stable future together. Old memories, unexpected revelations, and emotional conflicts test the strength of their relationship. Hoover continues to use slam poetry as a storytelling device, allowing characters to confront painful truths and hidden feelings through powerful spoken-word performances.
The third book, This Girl (2013), revisits many of the events from the first novel but retells them primarily from Will’s perspective. Rather than simply repeating earlier scenes, Hoover adds additional context and deeper emotional layers to moments that originally unfolded through Lake’s eyes. Readers gain a clearer understanding of Will’s motivations, fears, and the internal struggles he faced while navigating the difficult choices that defined the beginning of their relationship.
Throughout the Slammed series, Hoover focuses heavily on themes of love, loss, family bonds, and emotional healing. The characters are often forced to grow up quickly due to circumstances beyond their control, creating a narrative that balances romance with realistic portrayals of responsibility and grief.
Slam poetry remains one of the defining elements of the series. The performances featured throughout the novels are inspired by the work of real-life spoken-word poet The Avett Brothers’ lyrics and other poetic influences that Hoover incorporates to heighten emotional moments. These poetic interludes help shape the tone of the story and give the characters a meaningful way to process their experiences.
Read in publication order, the three books follow the natural progression of Lake and Will’s relationship while gradually expanding the emotional depth of their story. What begins as a chance meeting between neighbors evolves into a journey defined by resilience, personal growth, and the power of words to express the feelings that shape their lives.