Happy Monday Friends :)
I pray that wherever you're reading from today that you're staying safe and healthy.
My hubby is still working right now, but other than that we are completely staying at home, unless we absolutely need necessities.
I've been taking advantage of being at home so much to try out some new recipes, and to get ahead on the pile of review books that are releasing in the next few weeks.
How are you coping with everything going on with the covid-19 situations? Are you at home, or are you still in the workforce? What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained while at home?
Today, I'm excited to share a new book review with you all. I really think it's important to do everything we can as book bloggers right now to get the word out about new books. With the library closures and independent book store closures because of the virus, it's a little harder for books to succeed right now, and I want to try and do my part to help each book I love have a successful launch.
I've read quite a few of Melody Carlson's books in the past, and I was very much looking forward to diving into her newest release.
The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson:
Source: Publisher as Part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: March 3rd, 2020
Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
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.
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
Melody Carlson has truly hit it out of the ballpark with The Happy Camper. This lighthearted, beautiful story is the perfect story to pick up and get your mind off of everything going on in the world today. I've read quite a few of Melody's books over the years, and I can happily say that this is near the top of the list of my favorites by her.
I really liked our protagonist Dillon right from the start. She's worked hard her entire life to become successful, and yet all it's gotten her is a job she hates where she's treated like a slave, and a boyfriend with a fear of commitment. When she loses both the job and the boyfriend in the span of 24 hours, she decides that maybe it's time to go back home to regroup. Home, however, isn't quite what she was expecting. Her mother has also decided to head back home, and her and Dillon have never seen eye to eye. Being back on the farm with her grandpa reminds Dillon of all the reasons she loved growing up in a small town to begin with, and she soon finds herself falling head over heels for Oregon. Things get even better when her grandfather gifts her with a vintage camper trailer and truck to pull it with, and Dillon seems to find her calling in restoring them. When you throw in the cute hardware store owner, and his adorable twin nieces who Dillon somehow ends up teaching in swimming lessons, life seems to be turning in a much different direction than she ever could have expected. However, life can also throw us curve balls, and Dillon is going to need a lot of faith to discover the path she's truly meant to be on.
While many things stood out to me about this adorable story, my favorite had to be Dillon's beautiful relationship with her grandfather. I loved how he emphasized the importance of hard work and a kind spirit over money and success, and the way they go to great lengths to be there for each other. Their relationship was truly a big reason why I enjoyed the story so much, and I'm sure other readers will end up feeling the same. While Dillon and her mother have never had a great relationship, I loved how this is also explored within the story. I enjoyed the conversations that seemed to spark healing between the two, and the realization that there's always two sides to every story.
The Happy Camper is probably one of the best examples of faith based fiction I've read in awhile. I loved how refreshing Dillon's faith was, and the way she's able to ardently explain the relationship she has with God, without coming across as judgmental or preachy to her struggling mother. Her emphasis on it being a relationship and not a religion was beautiful, and perfectly summed up the true meaning of Christianity.
The only negative I can say about this one is that I wanted a bit more out of the romantic relationship. I really loved them together, but I didn't think the reader got to witness enough interactions between them for the romance to be completely believable. I still really enjoyed it, I just wanted more of it.
Definitely pick this one up if you're a fan of Christian contemporary reads, and if you've loved other books by Melody Carlson in the past.
I expected to really enjoy this one, but I wasn't prepared for just how much I was going to end up loving it.
Final Rating: 4/5
Thanks so much to Revell for providing me with a complimentary copy of this to read and review.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I pray that wherever you're reading from today that you're staying safe and healthy.
My hubby is still working right now, but other than that we are completely staying at home, unless we absolutely need necessities.
I've been taking advantage of being at home so much to try out some new recipes, and to get ahead on the pile of review books that are releasing in the next few weeks.
How are you coping with everything going on with the covid-19 situations? Are you at home, or are you still in the workforce? What have you been doing to keep yourself entertained while at home?
Today, I'm excited to share a new book review with you all. I really think it's important to do everything we can as book bloggers right now to get the word out about new books. With the library closures and independent book store closures because of the virus, it's a little harder for books to succeed right now, and I want to try and do my part to help each book I love have a successful launch.
I've read quite a few of Melody Carlson's books in the past, and I was very much looking forward to diving into her newest release.
The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson:
Source: Publisher as Part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: March 3rd, 2020
Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
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.
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
Melody Carlson has truly hit it out of the ballpark with The Happy Camper. This lighthearted, beautiful story is the perfect story to pick up and get your mind off of everything going on in the world today. I've read quite a few of Melody's books over the years, and I can happily say that this is near the top of the list of my favorites by her.
I really liked our protagonist Dillon right from the start. She's worked hard her entire life to become successful, and yet all it's gotten her is a job she hates where she's treated like a slave, and a boyfriend with a fear of commitment. When she loses both the job and the boyfriend in the span of 24 hours, she decides that maybe it's time to go back home to regroup. Home, however, isn't quite what she was expecting. Her mother has also decided to head back home, and her and Dillon have never seen eye to eye. Being back on the farm with her grandpa reminds Dillon of all the reasons she loved growing up in a small town to begin with, and she soon finds herself falling head over heels for Oregon. Things get even better when her grandfather gifts her with a vintage camper trailer and truck to pull it with, and Dillon seems to find her calling in restoring them. When you throw in the cute hardware store owner, and his adorable twin nieces who Dillon somehow ends up teaching in swimming lessons, life seems to be turning in a much different direction than she ever could have expected. However, life can also throw us curve balls, and Dillon is going to need a lot of faith to discover the path she's truly meant to be on.
While many things stood out to me about this adorable story, my favorite had to be Dillon's beautiful relationship with her grandfather. I loved how he emphasized the importance of hard work and a kind spirit over money and success, and the way they go to great lengths to be there for each other. Their relationship was truly a big reason why I enjoyed the story so much, and I'm sure other readers will end up feeling the same. While Dillon and her mother have never had a great relationship, I loved how this is also explored within the story. I enjoyed the conversations that seemed to spark healing between the two, and the realization that there's always two sides to every story.
The Happy Camper is probably one of the best examples of faith based fiction I've read in awhile. I loved how refreshing Dillon's faith was, and the way she's able to ardently explain the relationship she has with God, without coming across as judgmental or preachy to her struggling mother. Her emphasis on it being a relationship and not a religion was beautiful, and perfectly summed up the true meaning of Christianity.
The only negative I can say about this one is that I wanted a bit more out of the romantic relationship. I really loved them together, but I didn't think the reader got to witness enough interactions between them for the romance to be completely believable. I still really enjoyed it, I just wanted more of it.
Definitely pick this one up if you're a fan of Christian contemporary reads, and if you've loved other books by Melody Carlson in the past.
I expected to really enjoy this one, but I wasn't prepared for just how much I was going to end up loving it.
Final Rating: 4/5
Thanks so much to Revell for providing me with a complimentary copy of this to read and review.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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