Camp Boyfriend (Camp Boyfriend #1) by J.K. Rock

Author: J.K. Rock
Publication: July 2, 2013
By: Spencer Hill Contemporary
4 Stars!


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?

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My Thoughts

This was such a fun book to read! It made me laugh, it made me cry and it made wish I wasn't too old (and married) to go to summer camp!  

Lauren is a fantastic female character who, despite struggling with choices about friends, family and boys, still has a good head on her shoulders which comes in handy when her heart gets caught between two equally swoontastic boys, Seth and Matt. It's obvious both boys care about her and both are definitely worthy of a FKoC (First Kiss of Camp) but only one will earn Lauren's heart. (And rightfully so for...ALL THE SWOONY REASONS!) 

Lauren expected Camp Juniper Point to be it's usual summer full of fun but it's turning out to be a summer full of suck.  Her family's issues have followed her to camp, her friends are being major drama llamas and the boys aren't making it easy for her either, what with Seth reminding her of all the summers they've spent together and Matt constantly taking his shirt off or you know, displaying his mad rain dance skills. (Baseball anyone? O.O) 
 

Camp isn't a total loss though, because it's during this time that Lauren finally discovers who she is which is something no boy can give you, regardless of how smart he is or how great he looks without a shirt on. Lauren also learns that people have a way of surprising you and while life is full of tough and unpleasant things, how a person handles those situations is a sign of their true character.  

This really is a great read and I loved the characters, the witty writing and how J.K. Rock made Lauren the true hero of this story. They also made me cry (in a good way) because I came into CAMP BOYFRIEND rooting for one boy, fell in love with the other one and ending up waving my giant foam finger for Lauren!  Read it!

Review also posted at YABC.

Get the prequel, CAMP KISS novella HERE.

Be sure to check out the CAMP BOYFRIEND Pinterest page!

Come back on Wednesday, July 10th and check out my interview with Matt and Seth as part of the CAMP BOYFRIEND Blog Tour!