Review: I Love You S'mores

 

Ivy's happy to head back to the camp she attended as a child. Right now, her personal life went up in flames. Her girlfriend of four years broke up with her. Ally's now a fan favorite on a TV show. The break-up hit the news, and Ivy just wants to forget everything. 

When she returns to camp, she's stunned to see her ex-best friend. Rynn is also a counselor who also wants the theater directing job. Now they're stuck co-directing. Ivy's bunk is having some friendship drama, and she feels inadequate. She's trying but feels like she's failing on every level. Could Rynn have some advice for her?

My Thoughts: This was a fantastic summer read - perfect for those who are nostalgic for camp. I felt terrible for Ivy for all the drama: the bad break-up, the cheating girlfriend, and the bunk drama. I wanted to give her hug. She's having a rough summer. I loved that she reconnected with Rynn - even though there are hurt feelings on both sides. I really enjoyed this summer reading. I love reading books about camp. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fantastic summer romance for your public library.

Book List: Camps

While my library isn't doing the summer reading program theme of camp, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some camp books.

Pictured:

Camp by Kayla Miller (Not my favorite in the series)

LumberJanes series by Noelle Stevenson

Chiggers by Hope Larson

Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe by Sarah Mlynowski (Reviewed for SLJ)

Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash

Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

Five Summers by Una LaMarche 

Not Pictured:

Camp by L.C. Rosen

No Place Like Here by Christina June

Nothing Happened by Molly Horton Booth

Hope and Other Punch Lines by Julie Buxbaum

Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Fredrick

Season of You and Me by Robin Constantine 

Being Sloan Jacob by Lauren Morrill

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick

Secrets of Camp Whatever by Chris Grine

Children's Books

Secret Cookie Club by Martha Freeman

Picture Books

And my childhood favorite:

Review: Mother Daughter Book Camp

* Book 7 in the Mother Daughter Book Club Series *

The summer before college Emma, Jess, Megan, Becca, and Cassidy become counselors at Camp Lovejoy in the wilds of New Hampshire. Besides looking after their darlings, they each have an activity to teach.

To combat the homesickness of the younger girls, the five friends decide to hold a book club at camp - reading Understood Betsy. Of course camp wouldn't be the same without hijinks and a little mayhem. 

My Thoughts: I'm glad this series came back for one more final book because I adore these characters (dare I hope for a spin-off series next?).  I loved learning more about the five friends' plans for the future. I liked the younger girls adjusting to camp. I love how the five adjusted along with the younger girls as it was their first time too. I really loved this series and the ending was fantastic.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have for libraries with the rest of the series

Review: Five Summers

Four girls attend camp - they find themselves in the same cabin their first year. They become best friends and spend the next five years living for the summers. Since camp ended, life took over and their friendships have fallen by the wayside. However, they have one more chance to come together: camp reunion.

All four of them will be there this year - for the first time in three years, they will all be together. Secrets will be shared, drama will ensue, romance might begin or end. Through it all, they always believed they would have each other. Can they find a way to come back together or will this weekend destroy them?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the multiple perspectives and how the plot moved through time from their first summer to the present day. Although, there was plenty of relationship drama, I really liked how the focus was on the four girls. I loved how different the four girls were and yet how they were so close. I felt bad for Jo, who seemed on the outside a lot of the time. I felt sorry for Maddie who hide a huge secret. I felt betrayed by Skylar on Emma's behalf. A great book on friendship and what it means. 

Cover Thoughts: Fabulous!
Source: My Library
Similar Read: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Review: Sleepaway Girls

Sam and her BFF do everything together, but when her best friend finds herself a boyfriend, it becomes too much. Sam can't bear the though of being a threesome all summer, so she finds a job as a CIT (counselor in training) at a camp. She's never been to camp before so when she arrives, she's in culture shock. She's the only new girl there and she makes quite an entrance. Sam had no idea people look forward to camp all year long nor does she know what a Color War means. Before long, she's making friends with the CITs in her bunk until they find out her secret. She's the girl from the Dial and Dash commercial and someone takes great offense to her success. Ashley doesn't take competition well and makes sure Sam knows her displeasure. Sam's too busy making new friends and checking out one very cute counselor to let it get her down.

Sleepaway Girls is the perfect summer reading complete with boys, friends, mean girls, and revenge plans. It makes me actually want to go to camp for a summer. Plus the covers's super cute.