Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I rarely write reviews, since I'm often lazy and bail out on them. But I really loved this book, so I thought I'd write a short little something. Before this book was published, I had it in my Wattpad "library" for the longest time and didn't get a chance to read it before it was published. I definitely regret that, because once I did read it (the published version) it was amazing. "Boot Camp" is such an amazing book about love, friendship, family, and growing up. I loved the characters, the plot, the writing, and just everything about this book.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is a bit confusing as the premise seems it would make more sense as a Middle Grade novel. It was hard to believe that the character Whitney would actually go to a fitness camp if she hated excercise as much as she said she does given that she's now a legal adult.
Some of the lines were a bit eyeroll inducing and out of touch:
"...my arms and abdomen vibrating like my phone would be if I were popular"
and at the suggestion of working out in mud a character says "We're not boys" which seems a bit out of touch in the modern YA landscape that is very open to non-binary, non-gendered language.
That being said, the story was light enough to read all the way through and I could see it doing well as a kind of Heavyweights meets Cadet Kelly.
Even 3 stars.
Some of the lines were a bit eyeroll inducing and out of touch:
"...my arms and abdomen vibrating like my phone would be if I were popular"
and at the suggestion of working out in mud a character says "We're not boys" which seems a bit out of touch in the modern YA landscape that is very open to non-binary, non-gendered language.
That being said, the story was light enough to read all the way through and I could see it doing well as a kind of Heavyweights meets Cadet Kelly.
Even 3 stars.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Wattpad Books.
Whitney Carmichael has always been the odd one out in her family of athletes. And when her best friend bops her with a tennis ball, it is the last straw. She is going to tackle her fears about working out–and she does it by attending a five-week summer boot camp. From the first mile-long run to the dreaded rope hang, Whitney was not sure she will survive. And toss in the fact that Willow, someone who made her life miserable on an almost daily basis while they were at school, shows up–Whitney is not sure how she will succeed.
But any journey worth taking starts with a single step. Soon, Whitney’s feeling more confident, winning some competitions, and learning more about herself with the help of her sweet, sympathetic, and more than a little hot trainer, Axel. Her feelings soon dip into something deeper, but campers can not date their trainers, and her struggles with Willow continue, which leaves Whitney wondering if she just should not quit while she is ahead. Giving up is not in her DNA, and the lessons she learns, about herself, about love, about friendship, change the course of her life forever.
Boot Camp is about finding your strength in the most unlikely of places. This was a sweet story about body positivity and accepting yourself. I really enjoyed the camp environment, which I have rarely seen in books. Whitney was such a breath of fresh air. She was just relatable, funny, and real. I loved seeing her personal growth, and the way she learned to enjoy fitness for herself, not only did she become physically stronger, but mentally stronger too. However, the romance was just okay. I liked how Whitney could just be herself around Axel. The overall message of needing to take measures to improve yourself should ultimately be done for your own self and not because of anyone else, is such an important message. Definitely everyone should learn from that. Although, it was nothing really special, of a book, it was still really cute and enjoyable.
Whitney Carmichael has always been the odd one out in her family of athletes. And when her best friend bops her with a tennis ball, it is the last straw. She is going to tackle her fears about working out–and she does it by attending a five-week summer boot camp. From the first mile-long run to the dreaded rope hang, Whitney was not sure she will survive. And toss in the fact that Willow, someone who made her life miserable on an almost daily basis while they were at school, shows up–Whitney is not sure how she will succeed.
But any journey worth taking starts with a single step. Soon, Whitney’s feeling more confident, winning some competitions, and learning more about herself with the help of her sweet, sympathetic, and more than a little hot trainer, Axel. Her feelings soon dip into something deeper, but campers can not date their trainers, and her struggles with Willow continue, which leaves Whitney wondering if she just should not quit while she is ahead. Giving up is not in her DNA, and the lessons she learns, about herself, about love, about friendship, change the course of her life forever.
Boot Camp is about finding your strength in the most unlikely of places. This was a sweet story about body positivity and accepting yourself. I really enjoyed the camp environment, which I have rarely seen in books. Whitney was such a breath of fresh air. She was just relatable, funny, and real. I loved seeing her personal growth, and the way she learned to enjoy fitness for herself, not only did she become physically stronger, but mentally stronger too. However, the romance was just okay. I liked how Whitney could just be herself around Axel. The overall message of needing to take measures to improve yourself should ultimately be done for your own self and not because of anyone else, is such an important message. Definitely everyone should learn from that. Although, it was nothing really special, of a book, it was still really cute and enjoyable.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was okay, I guess. I think it should have been dual pov because something was definitely missing from the book. Whitney was a good character but I just wanted more.
I received an arc through netgalley.
I received an arc through netgalley.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No