Synopsis:~
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.
Full of quirky characters, family drama, and sweet romance, The Happy Camper will have you scouring Craigslist for your own diamond-in-the-rough camper to restore and haunting your local hardware store for a handy guy to help your dreams come true.
Necees’ take:~
“Trust the Lord with your whole heart, don’t depend on your own knowledge and experience, include God in all you do, and He will direct you through life.”
Have you ever prayed for God to give you direction? What if that direction came in the form of losing your job and two year relationship in the span of 24 hours? That’s just what happened to Dillon Michaels. She decides to pack up and move back home with her grandpa, whom she really has been missing since her grandma died. This is a beautiful story of love lost and new beginnings. I loved how Dillon listens to God’s direction for her and starts over, not looking back at her job, relationships or past, and I appreciated that this is a story where her life didn’t go as planned and she chooses to start fresh.
Dillon is ready to let go and let God do a fresh work in her after realizing how much she has put God to the side. Of course, moving back home, also comes with its own issues and she soon finds herself wanting space from her mom. When her grandpa gives her his vintage camper, she gains a new passion for life in renovating it. As she gets to know the hardware store owner, Jordan Atwood, another curve is thrown at her. Though the ex-boyfriend showing up added a nice twist to the story, I did find him to be annoying. Of course, I guess that’s why he is her ex. I found the camper renovations so fun and engaging, it made me want my own. The love story was sweet, the family dynamics realistic, and I valued how she dealt with the religious issues that aren’t always easy in families. I loved the wit and banter between the characters, and Dillon’s grandpa truly made the story shine. If you enjoy a warm, witty and engaging storyline with faith and family, you’ll adore The Happy Camper.
I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my honest opinion.
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than seven million. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Carlson @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Melody’s website
Buy at Amazon: The Happy Camper or Koorong
March 13, 2020 at 5:35 pm
No I never have. This sounds like a good book.
March 13, 2020 at 8:01 pm
I grew up living in mobile homes until i was 11. We had a pop-up camper that my husband and i used to travel all over Colorado and up to South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. Better than sleeping in a tent any day!
March 14, 2020 at 12:43 am
I’ve never lived in nor camped in a camper in my life. I’m more of a full king-size bed, large bathroom, maid service kinda gal ;-). But the cover of this book is so adorable it makes me want to pop inside.
March 14, 2020 at 2:12 am
I have spent a long weekend in a small motorhome with 5 family members. The scariest part was driving up the mountain to get to our camping spot. It was at a beautiful green plush forest and we had a great time. The sleeping area was cramped though. I wouldn’t want to spend too many nights like that.
March 14, 2020 at 4:37 am
We spent two summers in a camper in Alaska.
March 14, 2020 at 7:22 am
I’ve never traveled in a camper or lived in one, but it sounds fun.
March 14, 2020 at 11:05 am
We took a week’s vacation in a camper. That was long enough. I wouldn’t want to have to live in one. The book sounds fun to read though.
March 14, 2020 at 1:14 pm
My hubby and I lived in an old camper that looked almost just like this one on the cover when we were first together. Our first home. Haha! Now we have another vintage camper we go camping in. (I call it the Dreamsicle because of the colors). It’s also my she-shed/writing haven.
March 15, 2020 at 2:12 am
I have never holidayed or lived in a camper. Two of my cousins both have campers and enjoy them.
March 15, 2020 at 5:58 am
I have stayed in a camper on vacation a couple of years ago. It was a really good time. Book looks like a fun read.
March 18, 2020 at 6:22 am
We camped a good bit when I was a kid, but never for any entended period of time.
March 18, 2020 at 2:46 pm
We we used to have a camper and did a lot of camping in it. We miss it a lot and are thinking of getting another. It’sa great way to see the country and have family vacations.