🏕️ "The Happy Camper" 🏕️ (2020) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Revell (March 3, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800737237

ISBN-13: 978-0800737238

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“Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.

But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses … and a ring …”

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell, for providing a complimentary review copy through the Revell Reviewers program. A positive review was not required. All words are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author despite the many books she has on the market.

What strikes me right off is the vintage camper/trailer on the cover and the cute, whimsy of it all. It’s got a sunny, happy, bright kind of vibe that draws you right to it.

So, I was wondering what the trailer had to do with a romance story? And, as it turns out – it has something to do with it, and nothing to do with it.

Dillon Michaels, after losing her job and non-committal boyfriend, decides to pack up and head to Oregon to stay with her grandfather. Of course, when she gets there – her wayward mother is there, in Dillon’s room.

And, as the blurb goes – after (more than) a few nights, Dillon gets a surprise gift from her grandfather. He gives her a vintage Aloha Oasis trailer that needs some TLC. But, it gives Dillon her own space.

Honestly, I didn’t know what to think of this book. I didn’t know when/where the romance was coming, or where it was going.

I loved Dillon and her grandfather. I felt they were the two best and realistic characters in the book. I absolutely detested her mother. This woman lacked any maternal instinct at all, and there was never a clear reason for it – depression, anxiety. She seemed at times annoyed with her daughter, competitive with her, as well as disrespecting her.

One spoiler! Dillon only comes into the main house to shower (weekends as she can shower daily after the swimming lessons at work), wash clothes, and eat dinner – and always cleans up – her mother Margot expects Dillon to do the housework! I am not kidding. She even mentions that Dillon is neglecting it. And, despite being proud that her daughter has her own place, she mocks it. One quote: “Isn’t it great to have your own little hideaway?” This is done with a scowl no less. Margot resents the idea she should be in charge of the housework.

In addition, there was never a mention of what happened to Dillon’s father. While the couple may have been non-married, divorced, or Margot being a widow – there is no mention of Dillon’s father. Dillon was mostly raised by her grandparents. I felt there could’ve been more history given with this particular plot.

Most of the storyline centered on the restoration of the trailer, Dillon’s interaction with her mother, and the swimming classes Dillon was teaching. Along the way the romance with Jordan is more of a “will they, won’t they” type of deal rather than actual dating and making plans.

When Dillon’s ex-boyfriend showed up the first time, I was trying to figure out the “WHY” part. Why was he back and what was his ultimate goal? The issue with the ring didn’t come until the LAST CHAPTER and he came back a second time.

What bothered me was the constant push of getting Dillon and Brandon back together from Margot, Janelle, and others in the story. I was wondering why Dillon’s mother even thought of inviting Brandon.

By chapter 20, I was beginning to doubt everyone except Dillon and her grandfather. As of chapter 25, I really despised Vivian and at times Janelle (Jordan’s sister). In the beginning, Vivian was real helpful to Dillon with the trailer restoration, but as the book went on – Vivian’s attitude went from nasty to awful! Her attitude towards Dillon was not explained at any time, and even by the end it wasn’t revealed.

This was a charming, and hard-to-put down read. I loved the small-town charm and the Hallmark movie feel of it. I do feel the end was too short, especially with the last chapter proposal by Brandon. The romance with Dillon and Jordan needed a few more pages at the very least. Like another reviewer, I felt like their story ended before it really got going. So, I was slightly disappointed at the ending. To me, it felt like it was lacking.

Although this book is distributed by Revell, a Christian publisher, this had VERY few references to God in it. There were no bible references, and only occasional references to God in it. It is a clean read with no sex scenes and no foul language.

On the rating scale this is a LOWER 4 star rating. It’s over 3, but not near a 5.

RATING:

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

MELODY CARSON is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than seven million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

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