Review: Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Summary:

In the second book in the Slammed series by New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, Layken and Will's relationship has endured through hardships, heartache, and a cruel twist of fate, further solidifying the fact that they belong together. But the two lovers could not have expected that the things that brought them together may ultimately be the things that tear them apart. Their connection is on the brink of being destroyed forever and it will take an extraordinary amount of willpower to keep their love afloat.

Layken is left questioning the very foundation on which her relationship with Will was built. Will is left questioning how he can prove his love for a girl who can't seem to stop "carving pumpkins." Upon finding the answers that may bring peace back into their relationship, the couple comes across an even greater challenge—one that could change not only their lives but the lives of everyone who depend on them.

My thoughts...

 “Sometimes two people have to fall apart, to realize how much they need to fall back together.”-Julia

 

If you have not read Slammed, please leave my blog and close your computers then go to the bookstore. You are not allowed to eat or drink until you have finished. 

So this will be my second review for this week for Colleen Hoover so now I'm calling this week Colleen Hoover Blog love Week! Lame...don't judge me. Again, Colleen Hoover has affected me emotionally unlike any normal author. She is not the definition of normal. That can explain how she could make her readers cry actual rain. Seriously! *Wipes mascara* That is not cool! Gosh! Colleen, you are amazing! 

I have no idea how she does it. In the sequel of the Slammed Series, trust is put to the test. (Oh and just to tell you now there will be no swearing in this review cause it was just butterflying awesome! If you know what I mean, but if you don't then you better get your butterfly of that chair and read the butterflying book!) *Cough* Although Slammed ended with a happily ever after, the cruel and twisted fates kept them repeating the same unanswered questions "Do you love me? Am I worth loving you? What if you hadn't met me? What if this didn't happen? Can I still trust you?" The perfect and solid relationship of Will and Lake's was more fragile than they thought. One small mistake took a big effect on their relationship. That effect might leave a permanent scar. Lake can't seem to stop carving pumpkins and Will has to find a way to prove his love for the only woman that's worth fighting for, that's worth every single penny, that has ever moved him so much, that's worth the pain and risk, that's worth it to be the first. Without Julia's loving advices can both lovers survive this cruel fate? Words can't do anything now...it's time for action. Before it's too late.

If you're asking "What made Chyna cry so much?" (I do not butterflying cry...I just get teary. Hmph) This is going to be a hard review since I almost expressed everything in my Hopeless Review. But sad to say I loved Hopeless more than Point of Retreat. Why? I wouldn't mind if Colleen had stopped with Slammed since basically Point of Retreat just put Trust to the test. I have no idea how she fit all that in a 200 paged book. I was already satisfied with how Slammed ended so I was elated to find out that there will be a sequel which is Point of Retreat. I was simply euphoric, but the success of this book somehow brought me to the thought of it being providential. Not that it's a bad thought. I was only expecting more from Colleen since her books never let me down. I still butterflying love the book, but it's not her best. 

What I loved about the book was how Colleen emphasized Julia in the story. She stood out the most for me among all the characters. Without her I don't think I would have cried actual rain. (Fine I cried. A lot.) No mother like Julia cares so much for her daughter and might be in-law even after death. Layken is absolutely blessed to have a mother like Julia. During her death I think I was in mourn...my real mother thought I was erratic. If only my mother was a reader she would know more about Julia and learn to be more like her someday so that I can have my own Will Cooper. 

About Layken, she seemed to be the most irritating character here. She kept kvetching about trust, but I can really see how broken she was in the story. Pain is nothing, but depression is just infinite torture.  No exact words could describe the emotions that Layken felt. Betrayal and sadness doesn't begin to sum up the equation. But Will plays a big part of this problem. Point of Retreat was narrated in a guy's POV, I've always wanted to get into Will's head and get to know him more. Entering his mind made me love and hate him more. Doesn't make sense, right? I admire his devotion for Lake. He was difficult to understand because he wasn't thinking straight. But his character didn't end with a rancor. What I hated about him was how he thought more for himself than for Lake, maybe he didn't think his actions through, but hurting her once is enough, but being the cause for her depression. He just crossed the line.

This sequel isn't perfect, but it deserves a high mark. So a solid 4.5 for Point of Retreat. I'm so sorry that this review is quite short. :(

Dear Will,

I will never retreat if it's you. Just saying. So if Layken decides that she's not for you I'm right her waiting for you. Always. Please love me O_O!

Love always,

xoxo Chyna