Blurb from Goodreads: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?
The Cover Contessa's Review:
From the moment I saw this book's blurb, I knew I would have to read it! After all, I was a camper myself and really wanted to see it portrayed in a book. And I was not disappointed at all!
I love the concept of this book. Why, you ask? Because I lived it, albeit at a younger age. Yes, I went to sleep away camp. Yes there were cabin rivalries. And, yes, there were crushes and boyfriends at camp. So to relive this awesome time in my life was something I really wanted to see come alive.
When we meet Lauren, she has transformed from what used to be a geek to a popular cheerleader who now runs with the in crowd. She's still got her geekiness about her (after all she has a dream of going to aeronautics camp) but she is different and she's not sure she likes it. She dreams of her camp boyfriend and the fun they will have, but doesn't expect the complication of another guy to even come into play. During the book we watch her grown and learn so much about herself. It's nice to see her come into her own. She battles in her brain, and also with her friends, to grasp a hold of who she has become. She's changed and her friends don't like it. This book follows her on her journey of change and acceptance, of learning who she is and who she is not. It's certainly a summer of discovery and coming to understand that your needs and wants have to come before anyone else's.
It's hard to choose between Seth and Matt. I wanted to pick a team, but to be honest I just could not. Both guys were definitely into Lauren, although for totally different reasons. There is one scene that is quite steamy and that right there had me wanting her to end up with that guy But, in the end I knew I'd be ok with her choice, because she would be the one making it. It felt right and true to me.
J.K. Rock have truly captured in their words what it is like to be away at camp. They show you the freedom that exists, but also the constraints. I loved how the characters interacted withe one another. Each one had their own development and their own true personality which made it so easy to tell them apart from each other. They all have their reasons for having become friends with one another and you can see that they truly care about what happens to one another. There are no rocky bumps during this story, it flows smoothly through Lauren's weeks of summer and you feel the climax of something coming as they near the end of camp.
This story brought me right back to how I felt during summer camp. It hit the nail on the head with their field trips, their dances, cleaning the dining halls, right down to the showers. I truly felt like I was experiencing this time along with Lauren and her friends. And I am sure that is just what J.K. Rock wanted! So well done ladies! I am truly in love with these characters. And what I love best, that there will be THREE books in this series. I cannot wait to see what J.K. Rock come up with to keep me interested. I know it will be spectacular!
I love the concept of this book. Why, you ask? Because I lived it, albeit at a younger age. Yes, I went to sleep away camp. Yes there were cabin rivalries. And, yes, there were crushes and boyfriends at camp. So to relive this awesome time in my life was something I really wanted to see come alive.
When we meet Lauren, she has transformed from what used to be a geek to a popular cheerleader who now runs with the in crowd. She's still got her geekiness about her (after all she has a dream of going to aeronautics camp) but she is different and she's not sure she likes it. She dreams of her camp boyfriend and the fun they will have, but doesn't expect the complication of another guy to even come into play. During the book we watch her grown and learn so much about herself. It's nice to see her come into her own. She battles in her brain, and also with her friends, to grasp a hold of who she has become. She's changed and her friends don't like it. This book follows her on her journey of change and acceptance, of learning who she is and who she is not. It's certainly a summer of discovery and coming to understand that your needs and wants have to come before anyone else's.
It's hard to choose between Seth and Matt. I wanted to pick a team, but to be honest I just could not. Both guys were definitely into Lauren, although for totally different reasons. There is one scene that is quite steamy and that right there had me wanting her to end up with that guy But, in the end I knew I'd be ok with her choice, because she would be the one making it. It felt right and true to me.
J.K. Rock have truly captured in their words what it is like to be away at camp. They show you the freedom that exists, but also the constraints. I loved how the characters interacted withe one another. Each one had their own development and their own true personality which made it so easy to tell them apart from each other. They all have their reasons for having become friends with one another and you can see that they truly care about what happens to one another. There are no rocky bumps during this story, it flows smoothly through Lauren's weeks of summer and you feel the climax of something coming as they near the end of camp.
This story brought me right back to how I felt during summer camp. It hit the nail on the head with their field trips, their dances, cleaning the dining halls, right down to the showers. I truly felt like I was experiencing this time along with Lauren and her friends. And I am sure that is just what J.K. Rock wanted! So well done ladies! I am truly in love with these characters. And what I love best, that there will be THREE books in this series. I cannot wait to see what J.K. Rock come up with to keep me interested. I know it will be spectacular!
J. K. Rock is the pseudonym for YA writing partners - and sisters-in-law - Joanne & Karen Rock. After years of comparing notes on their favorites books and films, often dreaming up new endings to suit them, they decided to write their own stories. On their own, they’ve each sold solo projects outside the JK Rock name. Joanne Rock is an award winning Harlequin author with over sixty titles to her credit. Karen Rock debuts her first Harlequin Heartwarming release in September 2013 when WISH ME TOMORROW is released. Together, they look forward to their first Young Adult book in Summer 2013 when CAMP BOYFRIEND arrives in stores, the first in a three-book series. CAMP PAYBACK will be a Spring 2014 release, and CAMP FORGET-ME-NOT arrives in Summer 2014.Website/Goodreads/Facebook
Your review makes me want to read this book, NOW! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was so much fun to "relive" camp!
DeleteCan't wait to dig into my copy!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGO GO GO Kimmy! It's just sitting there calling your name and you know it!
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