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ashction's review against another edition
5.0
ABC TBR Challenge: 3/26
This was a really refreshing, unapologetically queer read! I've been meaning to get to this for ages so I'm glad I had the excuse of this challenge to finally convince myself to pick it up.
Camp follows Randy, a.k.a. Del, on a summer quest familiar to anyone in love - or to anyone who's seen the end of Grease. After several summers of crushing hard on Hudson-Aaron Lim, Randy is determined to go home and become exactly the kind of guy he likes and become more than a summer fling. But in order to do that, he has to ditch everything about himself to fit into Hudson's ideal type: masculine guys. Randy is far from that. He loves theater and makeup and painted nails and amazing outfits. But for one summer, he's willing to change his body type, get fit and more "masculine" by Hudson - and society's - standards, all in the name of true love.
The plan works. Hudson crushes hard on Randy, now going by Del, on day one. But his plan spirals into a camp-wide lie that he's brand new and determined not to be just another conquest, even if it means sacrificing who he really is. Along the way, Randy learns a lot about himself and grows, but he's also lying. One thing's for sure: it's a summer to remember.
This book dives into SO much. Even though it's a contemporary coming-of-age romance, I would offer this book to any young queer teen looking for a crash course in toxic masculinity, discovering who you are, being yourself, and navigating different queer spaces and intersectionality. There's a diverse cast of characters here that are fully-formed and just as interesting as Randy, and together the conversations they all have really offer readers a compelling and thoughtful story amidst the Grease-esque love plot. And even though I didn't see how this book could end well for any of them. Rosen does a fantastic job of still rewarding readers with a good ending despite the complicated issues that complicate the romance. I also like that Rosen, though a white author himself, does his best to allow his white, cis male protagonist listen to the diverse characters perspectives on the different issues that come up in his journey. It really added to the entire experience to read multiple perspectives and several different queer voices, and the camp setting really benefits that choice by providing readers the perfect place to meet so many amazing queer people in one space.
We get a lot of thorough exploration from a cast of queer teens and adults on how hard it is to grow up in the world and though being queer in the world has come a long way, some things regretfully still remain a battle. I appreciated the balance of reality mixed in with the queer camp fun. I definitely didn't expect that and I liked that the story was honest and fun without sacrificing either.
I also want to note this book is very sex-positive, which we definitely love. I read a lot of queer YA and though sex positivity in general is very touch and go in YA (but getting better!), this is the first queer one I can remember reading in some time.
All in all, despite the hard-hitting topics and important conversations, this book surprised me by still managing to be fun and free. It was never quite what I expected, which I truly loved! Would definitely reading something else by Rosen in the future.
This was a really refreshing, unapologetically queer read! I've been meaning to get to this for ages so I'm glad I had the excuse of this challenge to finally convince myself to pick it up.
Camp follows Randy, a.k.a. Del, on a summer quest familiar to anyone in love - or to anyone who's seen the end of Grease. After several summers of crushing hard on Hudson-Aaron Lim, Randy is determined to go home and become exactly the kind of guy he likes and become more than a summer fling. But in order to do that, he has to ditch everything about himself to fit into Hudson's ideal type: masculine guys. Randy is far from that. He loves theater and makeup and painted nails and amazing outfits. But for one summer, he's willing to change his body type, get fit and more "masculine" by Hudson - and society's - standards, all in the name of true love.
The plan works. Hudson crushes hard on Randy, now going by Del, on day one. But his plan spirals into a camp-wide lie that he's brand new and determined not to be just another conquest, even if it means sacrificing who he really is. Along the way, Randy learns a lot about himself and grows, but he's also lying. One thing's for sure: it's a summer to remember.
This book dives into SO much. Even though it's a contemporary coming-of-age romance, I would offer this book to any young queer teen looking for a crash course in toxic masculinity, discovering who you are, being yourself, and navigating different queer spaces and intersectionality. There's a diverse cast of characters here that are fully-formed and just as interesting as Randy, and together the conversations they all have really offer readers a compelling and thoughtful story amidst the Grease-esque love plot. And even though I didn't see how this book could end well for any of them. Rosen does a fantastic job of still rewarding readers with a good ending despite the complicated issues that complicate the romance. I also like that Rosen, though a white author himself, does his best to allow his white, cis male protagonist listen to the diverse characters perspectives on the different issues that come up in his journey. It really added to the entire experience to read multiple perspectives and several different queer voices, and the camp setting really benefits that choice by providing readers the perfect place to meet so many amazing queer people in one space.
We get a lot of thorough exploration from a cast of queer teens and adults on how hard it is to grow up in the world and though being queer in the world has come a long way, some things regretfully still remain a battle. I appreciated the balance of reality mixed in with the queer camp fun. I definitely didn't expect that and I liked that the story was honest and fun without sacrificing either.
I also want to note this book is very sex-positive, which we definitely love. I read a lot of queer YA and though sex positivity in general is very touch and go in YA (but getting better!), this is the first queer one I can remember reading in some time.
All in all, despite the hard-hitting topics and important conversations, this book surprised me by still managing to be fun and free. It was never quite what I expected, which I truly loved! Would definitely reading something else by Rosen in the future.
kyrasws11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
butterfly_bombshell's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay. I was execpting more from it. It was a little boring, it didn't get interesting till the end.
skellophant's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
marrajade's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shaina_hughes's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
merlesstorys's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Pride month came early. And it was good.
The beginning was a tad too cringy for me bc I‘m not a teen anymore, but the plan was really cute. And Randy and Hudson were really cute.
The outburst of Hudson (and his parents) were quite a lot for me though. I think it fits to this book, with all its messy, funny, emotional facets, but at the same time I just didn’t want to experience it.
Also the concept of the summer camp, with everyone being so supportive of everyone and stuff like that, just loved and I still appreciated that very much. Plus there was a demisexual character, finally some rep for me.
I listened partly to the German audiobook and it was good! There was no text shortened as far as I‘ve noticed, and the narrator really fit the teenager boy.
The beginning was a tad too cringy for me bc I‘m not a teen anymore, but the plan was really cute. And Randy and Hudson were really cute.
The outburst of Hudson (and his parents) were quite a lot for me though. I think it fits to this book, with all its messy, funny, emotional facets, but at the same time I just didn’t want to experience it.
Also the concept of the summer camp, with everyone being so supportive of everyone and stuff like that, just loved and I still appreciated that very much. Plus there was a demisexual character, finally some rep for me.
I listened partly to the German audiobook and it was good! There was no text shortened as far as I‘ve noticed, and the narrator really fit the teenager boy.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A cute, swoony read about an LGBT camp and all the fun that happens there.
A boy goes to an LGBT camp and has changed himself so the guy he likes will like him. This sounds a bit eh, but I kind of fell in love with the idea. Plus, hello LGBT camp? That sounds AMAZING!
It had many sweet moments, a couple of frustrations for instance I just wished he was honest sooner because he kept delaying it, even when the guy told our MC his secret.
There was tons and tons and tons and tons of pride and camp activities that I just adored to bits. I loved seeing the various people at camp and what they liked, loved, and seeing so many LGBT identities together. Mingling and mixing and having the best of time. It sounds so amazing.
I loved the romance, and not just between our MC and his lover, but also others. Like his best friend who finds a girl to love/like, and his other best friend who start flirting and having a wonderful glittery romance with another boy he never thought he would go with. I loved it.
Of course the biggest romance is between Randy and Hudson and OMG those two were just the cutest, sweetest, and I was squeeing and hoping for them to get together. I loved seeing the two of them open up more and find out things about each other, about their families, about how they came out. We know that Randy is out and fabulous, but we do find out some things about Hudson that had me just wanting to hug him and talk to him.
I also loved the counsellors and how awesome they were.
I loved the ending, I loved the glitter, I loved seeing all those kids having a ball and feeling happy. I would love to see another book or even a novella with them making it through the year between the camps.
Big plus points to the fun cover that matches the book perfectly.
BUT as with this author’s other book, and with another book, stop bashing straight people. Not all of them are bad or evil. I see it happen more often in LGBT books, and while I understand that there are straight people who are bitches and harm you, there are ENOUGH people who are sweet, understanding, and caring. Or don’t bother you at all. Please. Respect everyone.
Also I wasn’t happy with how they treated that lifeguard woman when they heard she kissed a girl and liked it. HO boy. Let people explore and experiment. She isn’t harming anyone and NOT EVERYONE KNOWS FROM THE START WHAT THEIR PREFERENCES ARE. Congrats if you know from young age that you are gay or lesbian or trans or otherwise, but there are enough people who don’t. Who figure it out through experimenting, or other means. It took me until I was an adult before I figured out that I was bi (or maybe even pan, see even now I am finding myself).
All in all, despite that last part, I would highly recommend this book to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
A boy goes to an LGBT camp and has changed himself so the guy he likes will like him. This sounds a bit eh, but I kind of fell in love with the idea. Plus, hello LGBT camp? That sounds AMAZING!
It had many sweet moments, a couple of frustrations for instance I just wished he was honest sooner because he kept delaying it, even when the guy told our MC his secret.
There was tons and tons and tons and tons of pride and camp activities that I just adored to bits. I loved seeing the various people at camp and what they liked, loved, and seeing so many LGBT identities together. Mingling and mixing and having the best of time. It sounds so amazing.
I loved the romance, and not just between our MC and his lover, but also others. Like his best friend who finds a girl to love/like, and his other best friend who start flirting and having a wonderful glittery romance with another boy he never thought he would go with. I loved it.
Of course the biggest romance is between Randy and Hudson and OMG those two were just the cutest, sweetest, and I was squeeing and hoping for them to get together. I loved seeing the two of them open up more and find out things about each other, about their families, about how they came out. We know that Randy is out and fabulous, but we do find out some things about Hudson that had me just wanting to hug him and talk to him.
I also loved the counsellors and how awesome they were.
I loved the ending, I loved the glitter, I loved seeing all those kids having a ball and feeling happy. I would love to see another book or even a novella with them making it through the year between the camps.
Big plus points to the fun cover that matches the book perfectly.
BUT as with this author’s other book, and with another book, stop bashing straight people. Not all of them are bad or evil. I see it happen more often in LGBT books, and while I understand that there are straight people who are bitches and harm you, there are ENOUGH people who are sweet, understanding, and caring. Or don’t bother you at all. Please. Respect everyone.
Also I wasn’t happy with how they treated that lifeguard woman when they heard she kissed a girl and liked it. HO boy. Let people explore and experiment. She isn’t harming anyone and NOT EVERYONE KNOWS FROM THE START WHAT THEIR PREFERENCES ARE. Congrats if you know from young age that you are gay or lesbian or trans or otherwise, but there are enough people who don’t. Who figure it out through experimenting, or other means. It took me until I was an adult before I figured out that I was bi (or maybe even pan, see even now I am finding myself).
All in all, despite that last part, I would highly recommend this book to all.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/