"The Happy Camper" by Melody Carlson

About this book:

  “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.”


Series: As of now, no.


Spiritual Content- A couple Scriptures are quoted & remembered; Prayers; Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, blessings over food, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, & pastors; A mention of Heaven; A mention of a godsend;

             *Note: Dillon’s mom says she doesn’t believe in God & that weak people need to rely on religion (Dillon talks with her about how that’s not true); A mention of someone idea not being a spiritual calling; A mention of speaking of the devil.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘rats’, and four forms of ‘stupid’s; Eye rolling & Sarcasm; Mentions of divorces; Mentions of a child saying they hate their swim teacher (Dillon); Mentions of hunting; A few mentions of a husband leaving his family; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of gossip & rumors; A couple mentions of hatred; A mention of cocaine; A mention of a coyote getting a cat (assumed, no details);

             *Note: Dillon & her mother do not have the most loving/traditional relationship; A few mentions of car brands; A few mentions of fictional characters; A couple mentions of celebrities/actresses; A couple mentions of Boy Scouts; A couple mentions of zombies; A mention of GQ magazine.

Sexual Content- a barely-above-not-detailed kiss and two (one is unwanted) semi-detailed kisses; Hand Holding; Noticing; A couple guys remove their shirts & Dillon tries not to stare; Dillon does not know her biological father; Dillon’s mother has lived with her boyfriend for a while (she’s not interested in marriage); Many, many mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends, girlfriends, feelings, breakups, & exes; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of wondering about a kiss/kissing; A mention of human trafficking; A mention of a birthday kiss; A mention of a fling; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;

             *Note: Dillon mentions that her biological clock is ticking; Brandon swipes paint at Dillon’s bustline and her bottom when painting; Mentions of swimsuits; A couple mentions of a swimsuit diet; A mention of a short dress being called bachelor bait.

-Dillon Michaels
                                P.O.V. of Dillon
                                                        333 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

While Dillon wasn’t my favorite character many times during this story, I did like that it was overall very clean and had a fun DIY theme to the plot. Dillon was a little too interested in Jordan right off the bat and a bit obsessed with him. I was a little disappointed that a possible friend to Dillon turned catty when she realized Dillon liked Jordan as well. It was an easy read that I think campers would enjoy. I’m not the biggest fan of camping, but I did enjoy different aspects of this book.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.