Review: Camp Boyfriend (Camp Boyfriend #1) by J.K. Rock
7:00:00 AM
Author: J.K. Rock
Format acquired: Paperback
Source: Received from the author for
review (thank you, Joanne & Karen!)
Publication date: July 2, 2013
Summary:
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?
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?
Review:
This review was long overdue. And I deeply apologize to Joanne and Karen for that. Life kept on messing with me. But it's better late than never, right? Haha. :)
Camp
Boyfriend is not as perfect as it is but simplicity is its beauty. It’s not
only focused on love triangle-story but it also captures the theme about
family, friendship, dreams and unraveling one’s true identity. It will make the
reader realize that your choice might destroy you and other people, or make you
into something new--- perhaps change you positively or negatively. The love
triangle of Seth, Lauren and Matt is diverting. It is quite unpredictable since
I really thought that Seth will be the chosen one (for some of cliché story
gyrates on first love never dies). Sure it didn’t die in the story but what
truly prevails at the end is who truly stayed and never left you even if you
became the stupidest, dumbest and selfish person on earth. And also, time is
one solution to one’s problem. Time gives you an opportunity to think, ponder
and reflect; time gives you chance to breathe; time gives you an opening to
know who you really are inside; and time gives you answer to your questions. Don’t
get me wrong, this book is a light read—if you’re looking for those kind of
book then this is the right one for you—but despite not touching a heavy topic
in this book, it still can make you ponder about life. I can’t really elaborate
it ‘cause I don’t know how to put it into words but this book can make you do
that which is amazing really.
The
book isn’t ambitious enough to be oh-so-great nor isn’t bizarre enough to be oh-so-bad.
The story is just pleasant. After reading this book, you would internally
squeal and smile over the cuteness of the story. I can’t wait to read the
second book! >.<
4 comments
I think we all need these books sometimes--the ones that keep us entertaied and are simple yet enjoyable. I hate that there's a triangle though :/ Me no likey those. I hope you enjoy the second book even more, Alyssa :)
ReplyDeleteI have this one on my kindle from when they did a free promotion but never got around to reading it hmmm. The love triangle would put me off, especially if who I guessed would be wrong :P Sounds like an average read, I'll have to remember this one if I'm ever wanting for a book like this. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really intriguing! I'm not sure how I'd feel about the love triangle, but everything else sounds wonderful. I love the sound of how it focuses so much on family, friendship and following your dreams; as these are all such important topics that could definitely be used more in YA. Thanks for sharing and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3
ReplyDelete~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
Glad to hear you liked it! Camp Boyfriend has been in my TBR pile for so long. I saw some low ratings for this book but I'd like to see for myself. It sounds to me like a nice read. And I'm looking forward to the love triangle ;)) I hope it isn't the annoying kind. Great review!
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