Saturday, April 5, 2014

Review: Camp Boyfriend by J.K. Rock

Title: Camp Boyfriend
Author: J.K. Rock
Series: Book One in the camp Boyfriend Series
Published By: Spencer Hill (July 2, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
The summer of her dreams is about to get a reality check.

They said it couldn't be done, but geeky sophomore Lauren Carlson transformed herself into a popular girl after moving to a new school halfway across the country. Amazing what losing her braces and going out for cheerleading will do. Only trouble is, the popular crowd is wearing on Lauren's nerves and she can't wait to return to summer camp where she's valued for her brain instead of her handsprings. She misses her old friends and most of all, her long time camp-only boyfriend, Seth. This year she intends to upgrade their relationship to year-round status once she's broken up with her new, jock boyfriend, Matt. He doesn't even begin to know the real her, a girl fascinated by the night sky who dreams of discovering new planets and galaxies.

But Matt isn't giving her up without a fight. As he makes his case to stay together, Lauren begins to realize his feelings run deeper than she ever would have guessed. What if the guy she thought she was meant to be with forever isn't really The One? Returning to Camp Juniper Point was supposed to ground her uprooted life, but she's more adrift than ever. Everything feels different and soon Lauren's friends are turning on her and both guys question what she really wants. As summer tensions escalate, Lauren wonders if she's changed more than she thought. Will her first big discovery be herself?






I have wanted to start this book ever since I read the prequel last year and fell in love with Lauren and Seth, two endearing self proclaimed nerds that meet at camp and have a little romance? What's not to love? Unfortunately with a busy review schedule I just wasn't able to squeeze this one in when I had originally planned and then even more sadly, it was forgotten about. Which sounds horrible I know but when you have a TBR pile that is literally in the hundreds, it happens more often than naught.

I was all prepared to fight for Seth, to love Seth. I was not expecting..Matt. Oh my heck. Two hotties, both with issues and both vying for Lauren. Actually, the love triangle isn't as bad as it sounds because really, this may be about that, but it isn't what it is all about. 

This is definitely more a coming of age story. A story about a girl trying to find where she fits in, with the cheerleaders or with the nerds. The girls she once was with the girl she has become. 

I really loved this, I love Camp Juniper Point, the friendship, the fun, the romances on the side..the whole experience I never had having never attended camp. 

There were some surprises along the way for Lauren and as she struggled with who she wanted to be, not who she wanted to be with, I really liked how much her character grew. How much she changed and didn't change to fit those around her. How she became her own person which really ended up being who she always was, just slightly different and better.

This is such a fun series, I am looking forward to reading the next installment and promise to make more of an effort to do so.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by an outside source. I was not compensated for this review.*

20 comments:

  1. That's great you really liked this one. I hadn't heard of the series until yesterday actually...

    I've never been to camp either, so reading about it is interesting!

    -Lauren

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    1. If you decide to try it, I hope you enjoy it. :)

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  2. Great review. I've been wanting to read this one forever to. Hopefully, I wll find time to start it soon. It sounds like such a fun series.

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  3. This sounds like such a sweet coming of age story and the characters piqued my interest. Great review Ali

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  4. This sounds like a wonderful summery book. I always went back and forth with 'who' I was. Not really, I mean, I had friends in all the different groups, but I guess that was because I'm an eclectic kind of girl. Definitely interested in this one!

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  5. I'm finishing this book and I'm really liking it :) as you said is a great book and Lauren is growing so much
    Great review

    Ruty@Reading...Dreaming

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  6. Ah, camp boyfriends-wow does that bring back some memories, lol. Adding this to my tbr list-great review :)

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  7. I saw this on NG and almost got it. I really don't mind love-triangles, especially in a book like this that is more coming of age. I mean, people are figuring themselves out and finding what they want out of a relationship. So it's easy and realistic to be conflicted. I like these stories where you see growth in the character.

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    1. I agree, especially when the character is growing from it.

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  8. I've had my eye on this one for awhile b/c it looks great, and you just pushed me to the actually getting point. I love adorkable, coming-of-age stories! Wonderful review ;)

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  9. aww it does sound like a very cute story, glad to hear the triangle wasn't as bad.

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  10. I remember when everyone was reading the prequel last year. I am glad the first book was solid and fun. It sounds perfect for summer!

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    1. It really is a great spring/summer time read Heidi. :)

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  11. I'll be reading this one and the next soon and am looking forward to it!!! Great review! :)

    Tressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings

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