Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend 0.5) by J.K. Rock

Author: J.K. Rock
Publication: March 26, 2013
By: Spencer Hill Contemporary 
3.5 Stars!

The Camp Kiss That Started It All…

Lauren Carlson, a fourteen-year-old expert on the cosmos, superheroes, and science fiction trivia has a crush on her longtime camp friend, Seth. Last summer she’d dreamed about upgrading their relationship to BF/GF status and this year she has a plan… if only her well-meaning cabin mates wouldn’t interfere before she’s ready. She hasn’t even adjusted to her new braces yet, let alone imagined kissing Seth with them. When a dare pushes her out of her comfort zone, will she and Seth rocket out of the friendzone at last? There’s only one way to find out…

What I loved: This was adorable and took me right back to my summer camp* years! The story is cute yet realistic with characters who act their age (neither too young nor too old) which was refreshing. I LOVED that Lauren wears glasses and has braces (Been there. Done that.) because it shows that girls in that stage of life are just as pretty as the ones who look like they stepped out of a Barbie Dreamhouse. Seth is completely swoonworthy and makes the perfect camp boyfriend!

What left me wanting: I wasn't ready for camp to be over, and by "camp", I really mean Seth. *smooshes him*

Final verdict: Great start to the Camp Boyfriend series which debuts July 2, 2013.
 
Personal note: I spent many a summer at Safety Patrol camp which was run by my Dad's division of the P.G. County Police Department. If you aren't familiar with Safety Patrol Officers, they're the kids who rock the yellow or orange nylon belts while telling you when it's safe to cross the street or use their mad ninja skills to kick out the side windows when the school bus is on fire. 

In fact, the Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves bus movie, "Speed" was inspired by Safety Patrols - how to takeover an out of control bus was the first thing we learned and I'm totally kidding...about the movie, not the ability to takeover a bus in an emergency situation because I could so do that.

Anyway, I had my first kiss at Safety Patrol camp on a Thursday night after the weekly dance. Yes, it was perfect and no, we were not wearing matching orange belts. ;)