Eighteen-year-old Layken Cohen, known to her family and close friends as Lake, is about to enter her senior year when Slammed begins. Lake and her family are still reeling from the loss of Lake’s father, who died of a heart attack six months ago. Lake’s life is further complicated when her mother, Julia, moves Lake and her nine-year-old brother, Kel, from their ranch in Texas to a small rental home in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Julia claims this move is necessary because she can’t afford the mortgage repayments on their Texas home but later reveals that she is dying of cancer and needed to be closer to childhood friends and a treatment center. Lake falls in love with Will Cooper, the handsome 21-year-old poetry lover who lives across the road from their new home; however, their romance becomes illicit when they discover Will is Lake’s poetry teacher.

Lake is a dynamic character who must adapt and cope with trials and tribulations throughout the novel. She is originally furious with her mother for hiding her diagnosis and Will for being inconsistent in his affection, but she comes to a place of acceptance. Her maturity is clear in her decision to prepare for the future with her mother and accept Will’s need to prioritize his career over her.