A review by chuskeyreads
Camp by L.C. Rosen

2.0

Randy has had a crush on Hudson Lim for the past few years, but Hudson doesn't know he exists. This year, Randy has a plan to make Hudson fall for him. He cuts his hair, joins sports, and even gives up musical theatre.

When I read the synopsis, I thought this would be a hilarious campy story about the dangers of trying to change who you are to win the affections of a crush. The classic rom-com trope: The plan works for a while. Then, everything falls apart when the love interest finds out the truth. I'm up for a cute boy/boy rom-com at a summer camp for LGBTQ+. I mean, who doesn't love a good rom-com?

Utter anticipointment.

Spoiler

Randy/Del was a selfish jerk who ignores his friends and lies to Hudson throughout the book. Even though his friends are mad at him several times, they just magically get over it, and keep coming back for more. That's not realistic at all. I mean, Randy/Del should have at least lost his friends due to his general crappiness towards them, until the end when the lies unravel, and he's all alone.

But, no. Randy/Del continues to be a selfish ass, and his friends are right there.

Maybe I just didn't connect with the MC. There's nothing to like about him. George and Hudson are the only characters that I liked. George for his flamboyant I-don't-care-what-you-think attitude, and the fact that he is genuine (although, I could have done without the description and constant references to the copious amounts of hair on George's backside), and Hudson for his realistic struggle with who he is and the person his parents want him to be.

Yes, it's important for all readers to read books with characters like them dealing with issues they are struggling with. I get the point of accept others for who they are, but not while gay characters were bashing other gay characters for acting "masc" and "butch." Seems a little heavy-handed.



Not to be a prude, but the sexual talk in this book was a little over-the-top. It seemed as if the relay races, the musical performances, and other camp activities were secondary to a camp of LGBTQ+ teens having sex. I've read adult books that didn't have such explicit sex scenes. I had to remind myself I was reading a YA novel not erotica. I don't have an issue with Del & Hudson having sex, but I draw the line at reading the graphic details for almost an entire chapter.

Probably the most unrealistic part of the book is when Randy asks Mark if he can come back to theater, and he gets a starring role. Just. Like. That. He's spent nearly the entire summer with the sports camp running relays, and suddenly he's got this huge part despite the fact that all the theater kids have spent the past several weeks in rehearsal.

Seriously?!



I don't care who you are, theater kids would NOT just let someone who ditched them all summer just walk in the last week and secure a big role. What was the whole drama about earlier in the book when George didn't get the part he tried out for? It just doesn't gel.