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Dad Camp
A heartwarming novel about a loving dad who drags his eleven-year-old daughter to “father-daughter week” at a remote summer camp—their last chance to bond before he loses her to teenage girlhood entirely.
After his daughter, Avery, was born, John gave it all up—hobbies, friends, a dream job—to be something a super dad. Since then, he’s spent nearly every waking second with Avery, who’s his absolute best bud. Or, at least, she was.
When now eleven-year-old Avery begins transforming into an eye-rolling zombie of a preteen who dreads spending time with him, a desperate John whisks her away for a weeklong father-daughter retreat to get their relationship back on track before she starts middle school.
But John’s attempts to bond only seem to drive his daughter further away, and his instincts tell him Avery’s hiding something more than just preteen angst. Even worse, the camp is far from the idyllic getaway he had in mind. John finds himself navigating a group of toxic dads that can’t seem to get along, cringe-worthy forced bonding activities, and a camp director that has it out for him. With camp and summer break slipping away fast, John’s determined to conquer it all for a chance to become Avery’s hero again.
This brilliant and deeply funny father-daughter story is perfect for fans of poignant and hilarious books like The Guncle by Steven Rowley, Steve Martin’s family classic Cheaper by the Dozen, and Judd Apatow’s bighearted comedies.
After his daughter, Avery, was born, John gave it all up—hobbies, friends, a dream job—to be something a super dad. Since then, he’s spent nearly every waking second with Avery, who’s his absolute best bud. Or, at least, she was.
When now eleven-year-old Avery begins transforming into an eye-rolling zombie of a preteen who dreads spending time with him, a desperate John whisks her away for a weeklong father-daughter retreat to get their relationship back on track before she starts middle school.
But John’s attempts to bond only seem to drive his daughter further away, and his instincts tell him Avery’s hiding something more than just preteen angst. Even worse, the camp is far from the idyllic getaway he had in mind. John finds himself navigating a group of toxic dads that can’t seem to get along, cringe-worthy forced bonding activities, and a camp director that has it out for him. With camp and summer break slipping away fast, John’s determined to conquer it all for a chance to become Avery’s hero again.
This brilliant and deeply funny father-daughter story is perfect for fans of poignant and hilarious books like The Guncle by Steven Rowley, Steve Martin’s family classic Cheaper by the Dozen, and Judd Apatow’s bighearted comedies.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2024
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May 4, 2024
I’m beginning to feel a little like Goldilocks. I’ve just read/listened to two books that were so sad and depressing I struggled to finish them. So, I wanted something light. But that didn’t mean silly. Dad Camp looked like it might fit the bill. And it did, but with reservations.
Avery, 11, is entering that age when she no longer thinks of her father as her hero or her best friend. What’s the current ad that talks about the side hug? Yea, she’s at that stage although even a side hug might be too much. So, her dad, John, signs them up for a week-long father-daughter camp experience. It’s not giving anything away to say nothing goes according to John’s plans. The place looks nothing like the pictures, the food is horrible and the camp director seems to have it out for John. And everything John tries to regain the closeness with Avery backfires.
John and Avery both felt real, although at times Avery came across as a little older than 11. Or maybe 11 year olds are older with this generation. John, like all parents, has heard the stories about pre-teens, but thinks it’ll never apply to his relationships with Avery. He also has quite the ego when it comes to how he thinks of himself as a dad, so he’s really caught off guard. And he’s created a bad situation by making a very selfish decision concerning Avery.
This actually wasn’t as funny as I expected. It tried to go more for the emotional buttons - the feeling of time passing too quickly, decisions regretted and hurt feelings. We hear from each of the fathers in the form of letters they write. The other fathers tended towards cliches - the macho man, the workaholic, the stay at home dad. The storyline occasionally veered too far into sugary sweetness. I was hoping for something with a little more punch.
My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy of this book.
Avery, 11, is entering that age when she no longer thinks of her father as her hero or her best friend. What’s the current ad that talks about the side hug? Yea, she’s at that stage although even a side hug might be too much. So, her dad, John, signs them up for a week-long father-daughter camp experience. It’s not giving anything away to say nothing goes according to John’s plans. The place looks nothing like the pictures, the food is horrible and the camp director seems to have it out for John. And everything John tries to regain the closeness with Avery backfires.
John and Avery both felt real, although at times Avery came across as a little older than 11. Or maybe 11 year olds are older with this generation. John, like all parents, has heard the stories about pre-teens, but thinks it’ll never apply to his relationships with Avery. He also has quite the ego when it comes to how he thinks of himself as a dad, so he’s really caught off guard. And he’s created a bad situation by making a very selfish decision concerning Avery.
This actually wasn’t as funny as I expected. It tried to go more for the emotional buttons - the feeling of time passing too quickly, decisions regretted and hurt feelings. We hear from each of the fathers in the form of letters they write. The other fathers tended towards cliches - the macho man, the workaholic, the stay at home dad. The storyline occasionally veered too far into sugary sweetness. I was hoping for something with a little more punch.
My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for an advance copy of this book.
November 27, 2023
Hey! Author here. I recently wrote a letter to send out with the book when it goes to booksellers and librarians, it has a bit of the backstory behind the novel and some of the inspiration that went into it. If it's OK with you, I'd like to share a bit of it here! Thank you for reading.
...
The story behind DAD CAMP starts with me being sandwiched in bed between my girls on a rainy afternoon in late 2020. Yeah, THAT 2020.
Even snuggled up between my two favorite people, I was feeling like a shell of myself.
For months I had done little other than prepare snacks, clean up the resulting crumbs, change diapers, and try to be a teacher/friend/parent/entertainer all at once, 16+ hours per day. I rarely showered. Stealing a 10-minute workout in the garage was a major victory. I worked with a near constant soundtrack of Cocomelon.
I was miserable. All I wanted in that moment was for everyone to leave me alone. A little peace and quiet. To be able to take even a few minutes for myself. On either side of me was a girl I loved to pieces, but I was struggling to enjoy any of our time together and drowning in the guilt of it all.
Yes, writing this book was a way to keep my brain from turning into oatmeal, but it was also an outlet. A way to capture even just a slice of those confusing, contrasting emotions that make up parenting’s many small moments.
Like the exhaustion I feel when I need to check on my oldest daughter for the dozenth time before she’ll go to bed and I’m beyond ready to lay down in my own, but how when I peek into her room and see that she’s finally asleep I suddenly hope she never stops needing me to tuck her in.
Or when our little one has to stay home sick and I begrudgingly cancel all plans and productivity, but it all weirdly seems worth it when she’s got her little fever-ridden body wrapped around me for comfort.
How I want to be needed less, but I’m terrified of them growing up. How I love that I’m a dad before I’m anything else, but I miss pieces of who I was before. None of it makes any sense! But that’s parenting.
DAD CAMP’s pages contain all of my love for my daughters, my admiration for my wife, and every fear and insecurity I’ve ever had about being a father. Ultimately, I think it’s about losing, and rediscovering, your sense of identity as a parent. Writing this book has been a part of that rediscovery for me.
Thank you so much for reading. This novel is a celebration of the amazing bond between dads and their kids. If you know a good dad (or even one who’s just trying his best), tell him it reminded you of him. He’ll never admit it, but it’d mean the world to him.
...
The story behind DAD CAMP starts with me being sandwiched in bed between my girls on a rainy afternoon in late 2020. Yeah, THAT 2020.
Even snuggled up between my two favorite people, I was feeling like a shell of myself.
For months I had done little other than prepare snacks, clean up the resulting crumbs, change diapers, and try to be a teacher/friend/parent/entertainer all at once, 16+ hours per day. I rarely showered. Stealing a 10-minute workout in the garage was a major victory. I worked with a near constant soundtrack of Cocomelon.
I was miserable. All I wanted in that moment was for everyone to leave me alone. A little peace and quiet. To be able to take even a few minutes for myself. On either side of me was a girl I loved to pieces, but I was struggling to enjoy any of our time together and drowning in the guilt of it all.
Yes, writing this book was a way to keep my brain from turning into oatmeal, but it was also an outlet. A way to capture even just a slice of those confusing, contrasting emotions that make up parenting’s many small moments.
Like the exhaustion I feel when I need to check on my oldest daughter for the dozenth time before she’ll go to bed and I’m beyond ready to lay down in my own, but how when I peek into her room and see that she’s finally asleep I suddenly hope she never stops needing me to tuck her in.
Or when our little one has to stay home sick and I begrudgingly cancel all plans and productivity, but it all weirdly seems worth it when she’s got her little fever-ridden body wrapped around me for comfort.
How I want to be needed less, but I’m terrified of them growing up. How I love that I’m a dad before I’m anything else, but I miss pieces of who I was before. None of it makes any sense! But that’s parenting.
DAD CAMP’s pages contain all of my love for my daughters, my admiration for my wife, and every fear and insecurity I’ve ever had about being a father. Ultimately, I think it’s about losing, and rediscovering, your sense of identity as a parent. Writing this book has been a part of that rediscovery for me.
Thank you so much for reading. This novel is a celebration of the amazing bond between dads and their kids. If you know a good dad (or even one who’s just trying his best), tell him it reminded you of him. He’ll never admit it, but it’d mean the world to him.
November 19, 2023
Dad Camp is a heart-warming novel about father-daughter relationships that will make you feel all the feels. My son just turned eleven two days ago and so there are certainly parts of this book that I can relate to. He's a pretty agreeable kid and for the most part still seems to like us, but I'm definitely starting to catch glimpses of the teenage years ahead. For one, he doesn't find me as hilarious as he used to, which is slightly traumatic for me since I am the queen of “dad” jokes. I imagine in another year or two he'll be mortified to be seen in public with me, which, okay, fair enough – I've reached the point in life where I am perfectly happy to wear pajama pants in places that pajama pants don't normally venture. But, still, even though I'm happy to see him growing up and becoming more independent and developing his own interests, it's kind of bittersweet. And, in a nutshell, that's basically what this story is about.
I'm not gonna lie, this book was a little too saccharine for me at times. I'm not much into sappy, sentimental novels, so there were points in the narrative where I just wanted to roll my eyes. John is really obsessed with his daughter and being a dad, and while that's sweet and all, there is a lot of waxing poetic about it. At the same time, though, there's also enough humor to mostly counterbalance the sap, so I really didn't mind it as much as I might have otherwise.
And this book is definitely funny. John is a witty narrator, and some of the scenes involving the four dads “bonding” are delightful. I especially loved the group session involving Man Cards (“discussion topics for enlightened masculinity”) and the ensuing awkwardness.
The relationship between John and Avery is really quite endearing, too. Despite his flaws, John is obviously a good father and wants to do right by his daughter, and it's really sweet. Lou, too, is an awesome dad. The other two fathers could use a bit more work in the parenting department, and their redemptions are a big part of the storyline.
I can see this book appealing tremendously to the parents of preteen children, or anyone at any stage of parenting, really. It reminds me of the saying that “The days are long but the years are short,” because that's certainly true when it comes to watching your kids grow up.
Overall rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up. Dad Camp is a heart-warming (but somewhat sappy) foray into the world of parenting that will likely resonate with anyone who has a moody preteen of their own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
I'm not gonna lie, this book was a little too saccharine for me at times. I'm not much into sappy, sentimental novels, so there were points in the narrative where I just wanted to roll my eyes. John is really obsessed with his daughter and being a dad, and while that's sweet and all, there is a lot of waxing poetic about it. At the same time, though, there's also enough humor to mostly counterbalance the sap, so I really didn't mind it as much as I might have otherwise.
And this book is definitely funny. John is a witty narrator, and some of the scenes involving the four dads “bonding” are delightful. I especially loved the group session involving Man Cards (“discussion topics for enlightened masculinity”) and the ensuing awkwardness.
The relationship between John and Avery is really quite endearing, too. Despite his flaws, John is obviously a good father and wants to do right by his daughter, and it's really sweet. Lou, too, is an awesome dad. The other two fathers could use a bit more work in the parenting department, and their redemptions are a big part of the storyline.
I can see this book appealing tremendously to the parents of preteen children, or anyone at any stage of parenting, really. It reminds me of the saying that “The days are long but the years are short,” because that's certainly true when it comes to watching your kids grow up.
Overall rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up. Dad Camp is a heart-warming (but somewhat sappy) foray into the world of parenting that will likely resonate with anyone who has a moody preteen of their own.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
December 13, 2023
✰ 3 stars ✰
“It's a wonder anyone has kids at all,” I laugh sadly. “It sure fucking hurts sometimes.”
“You can love and hate something at the same time,” Ryan says. “And yes, I said hate. It can be the hardest and most unforgiving thing a person ever does, and it can and will take everything from you. Everything.”
“But it’s impossible to even measure what it gives back,” I finish for him.
He nods, like I read his mind.
“I’d start it all over again in an instant,” he adds. “You?”
“Of course,” Booker says.
A “Definitely” from Lou.
“In a heartbeat,” I say without even a thought.”
If you're ever in need of the equivalent of what a Dad-com would be like, then Dad Camp would be the perfect example. I admit I really am not the target audience, that this story is highlighting the treasured and beautiful bond between fathers and their daughters - so this story in fact being something more fathers would relate to, I still think I would have enjoyed it a bit more, if the plot wasn't so very generic and predictable.🙎🏻♀️
“And I’m cherishing it, of course, now that it’s too late. These seasons are finite, and once they’re gone—they’re gone.”
From the set-up, to the stereotypical characters, to the eventual climax and falling out - I was not entertained by the execution. I admit that John was a witty and funny guy; he really worked hard to appeal to his daughter, Avery's good side, and there were definitely moments that made me cringe and feel sorry for him and whatever predicament he found himself in. But, the story quickly became very much more a therapeutic reckoning for all participating fathers - about learning to make changes to themselves and their outlook in life and serving as a guideline for them that there is no right or wrong way to be a father - you just do the best you can. ❤️🩹 'Being a parent is hard. And not just because you’re tired and you have to change diapers all the time. But because there’s no handbook that tells you what to do.' It's very much the heart-warming life lessons where not everything magically gets solved, but the characters learn to change from their camp experience.
I also started to get annoyed about the sweet predictability of each scene - I could tell how each next act would work out - from the embarrassing to the heart-warming, to the challenging and to the endearing. There was an underlying sweetness to the whole plot that made it slightly unrealistic to me, and gave me the impression that the plot was following a very basic script - and that irritated me, rather than impress me. 😩 But, I still do feel that fathers will really embrace this and relate to it with their own experiences. 'I want to squeeze her and tell her how much I love her and miss her, maybe wrap her up tight enough to completely absorb her so she can never get away.' 🥺 For as much as they want to be their child's best friend and be privy to all their inner secrets - they still have to give them the space to breathe and be themselves.
“You were right, though. There is a lot more to life than only being a parent. And what I finally understand is that, weirdly, realizing that makes you an even better parent.”
John was a very devoted and loving father; it's very apparent in the little glimpses we get into his past and all the little intimate moments of how much he sacrificed of himself, simply so he could give his daughter the perfect upbringing, his utmost attention - giving up so much of his own personal time and space so that she would never feel alone. 🫂 His affection and love for his daughter was tantamount and it was his camp experience that really opened his eyes to how he could still be a good father, while still giving time to himself, as well. 'You can fill your life with other things that make you happy. Hobbies. Friends. And you just make sure she knows you’re there whenever she needs you.' 👍🏻👍🏻 I think that's definitely the key message of the story that will resonate with fathers - that while it won't be an immediate process, it still gives you the courage and strength to find a balance for your life on a personal level. 💟
Suffice to say, I admit, my issues with this novel are purely personal ones. The writing style wasn't bad, at all, and the pacing, albeit a typical one, still kept me going till the end, despite how much I was peeved by certain actions. 🙍🏻♀️ I do hope that fathers of preteens who read this will certainly find a little bit of themselves in the fathers depicted and how it's never quite the right way to be a parent - just one that loves their child with all their heart. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
*Thank you Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange of an honest review.
“It's a wonder anyone has kids at all,” I laugh sadly. “It sure fucking hurts sometimes.”
“You can love and hate something at the same time,” Ryan says. “And yes, I said hate. It can be the hardest and most unforgiving thing a person ever does, and it can and will take everything from you. Everything.”
“But it’s impossible to even measure what it gives back,” I finish for him.
He nods, like I read his mind.
“I’d start it all over again in an instant,” he adds. “You?”
“Of course,” Booker says.
A “Definitely” from Lou.
“In a heartbeat,” I say without even a thought.”
If you're ever in need of the equivalent of what a Dad-com would be like, then Dad Camp would be the perfect example. I admit I really am not the target audience, that this story is highlighting the treasured and beautiful bond between fathers and their daughters - so this story in fact being something more fathers would relate to, I still think I would have enjoyed it a bit more, if the plot wasn't so very generic and predictable.🙎🏻♀️
“And I’m cherishing it, of course, now that it’s too late. These seasons are finite, and once they’re gone—they’re gone.”
From the set-up, to the stereotypical characters, to the eventual climax and falling out - I was not entertained by the execution. I admit that John was a witty and funny guy; he really worked hard to appeal to his daughter, Avery's good side, and there were definitely moments that made me cringe and feel sorry for him and whatever predicament he found himself in. But, the story quickly became very much more a therapeutic reckoning for all participating fathers - about learning to make changes to themselves and their outlook in life and serving as a guideline for them that there is no right or wrong way to be a father - you just do the best you can. ❤️🩹 'Being a parent is hard. And not just because you’re tired and you have to change diapers all the time. But because there’s no handbook that tells you what to do.' It's very much the heart-warming life lessons where not everything magically gets solved, but the characters learn to change from their camp experience.
I also started to get annoyed about the sweet predictability of each scene - I could tell how each next act would work out - from the embarrassing to the heart-warming, to the challenging and to the endearing. There was an underlying sweetness to the whole plot that made it slightly unrealistic to me, and gave me the impression that the plot was following a very basic script - and that irritated me, rather than impress me. 😩 But, I still do feel that fathers will really embrace this and relate to it with their own experiences. 'I want to squeeze her and tell her how much I love her and miss her, maybe wrap her up tight enough to completely absorb her so she can never get away.' 🥺 For as much as they want to be their child's best friend and be privy to all their inner secrets - they still have to give them the space to breathe and be themselves.
“You were right, though. There is a lot more to life than only being a parent. And what I finally understand is that, weirdly, realizing that makes you an even better parent.”
John was a very devoted and loving father; it's very apparent in the little glimpses we get into his past and all the little intimate moments of how much he sacrificed of himself, simply so he could give his daughter the perfect upbringing, his utmost attention - giving up so much of his own personal time and space so that she would never feel alone. 🫂 His affection and love for his daughter was tantamount and it was his camp experience that really opened his eyes to how he could still be a good father, while still giving time to himself, as well. 'You can fill your life with other things that make you happy. Hobbies. Friends. And you just make sure she knows you’re there whenever she needs you.' 👍🏻👍🏻 I think that's definitely the key message of the story that will resonate with fathers - that while it won't be an immediate process, it still gives you the courage and strength to find a balance for your life on a personal level. 💟
Suffice to say, I admit, my issues with this novel are purely personal ones. The writing style wasn't bad, at all, and the pacing, albeit a typical one, still kept me going till the end, despite how much I was peeved by certain actions. 🙍🏻♀️ I do hope that fathers of preteens who read this will certainly find a little bit of themselves in the fathers depicted and how it's never quite the right way to be a parent - just one that loves their child with all their heart. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
*Thank you Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange of an honest review.
April 5, 2024
This heartwarming book beautifully captures the challenges and emotions of parenting. It reminds us of the bittersweet journey of watching our children grow up while wanting to keep them close. It also touches on breaking generational cycles.
Dad Camp is written from the perspective of John who is the main character/dad. It reads as if you’re having a long friendly conversation with him with bits of flashbacks. The side characters felt very real and relatable.
Overall, it's a quick and touching read for any parent out there! Thank you Nicole Jarvis at Tiny Reparation Books and NetGalley for my copy. I really loved it.
Dad Camp is written from the perspective of John who is the main character/dad. It reads as if you’re having a long friendly conversation with him with bits of flashbacks. The side characters felt very real and relatable.
Overall, it's a quick and touching read for any parent out there! Thank you Nicole Jarvis at Tiny Reparation Books and NetGalley for my copy. I really loved it.
March 6, 2024
This book was so much fun! There were some laugh-out-loud moments, but also plenty of deep insights couched in a light, easy-to-digest framework. And even though it was light, the characters were still nuanced, making it readable and realistic, even if the characters weren't all likable.
A lot of the plot is predictable, but in the best way. It's a feel-good story that plays out with a satisfying ending. And there are some surprises baked in, too.
I did think John had a pretty unhealthy attachment (obsession?) with his daughter. Does that even happen in real life? And she seemed especially mature for age 11. Do most 11-year-olds have smartphones? Am I totally out of it?
Don't expect a philosophical treatise or action-packed drama, but if you're looking for a rollicking good time, this is a must read..
A lot of the plot is predictable, but in the best way. It's a feel-good story that plays out with a satisfying ending. And there are some surprises baked in, too.
I did think John had a pretty unhealthy attachment (obsession?) with his daughter. Does that even happen in real life? And she seemed especially mature for age 11. Do most 11-year-olds have smartphones? Am I totally out of it?
Don't expect a philosophical treatise or action-packed drama, but if you're looking for a rollicking good time, this is a must read..
April 15, 2024
I FREAKING love my dad, okay?!!!
When Penguin Dutton reached out offering me an ARC through NetGalley, I didn't look beyond the cover before saying yes. The marketing team couldn't have known that when I was a child, all the dads on my street took all the kids away for a weekend every year so the moms could have time off and we could bond with our dads. This book felt like a love letter to the memory of "dads and kids camping", and I'm so happy I got to read it.
The author writes a fantastic debut novel about worrying about your kids growing up too fast, and kids wanting the space to do exactly that.
This comes out the week before fathers day; buy it for your dad :)
When Penguin Dutton reached out offering me an ARC through NetGalley, I didn't look beyond the cover before saying yes. The marketing team couldn't have known that when I was a child, all the dads on my street took all the kids away for a weekend every year so the moms could have time off and we could bond with our dads. This book felt like a love letter to the memory of "dads and kids camping", and I'm so happy I got to read it.
The author writes a fantastic debut novel about worrying about your kids growing up too fast, and kids wanting the space to do exactly that.
This comes out the week before fathers day; buy it for your dad :)
July 29, 2024
This book was so sweet. I loved it. Dads are awesome and I will always admire the ones who are putting in a real effort with their children. I have a few dads in my life that are so so special and this reminded me that there are so many variables and things they have to think through to love and care for me well (even when I’m at my worst 🥲🩷) and I am so underserving but so wildly grateful for it.
Anyways. Enough of that here’s a lil blurb:
John is Avery’s dad. Avery is an 11-year-old girl. John signs himself and Avery up for a week at Camp Triumph to try to strengthen their relationship before she enters fully into her teen years and their relationship inevitably changes. The camp initially turns out to be nothing like he hoped it would be, but better than he could have imagined in the end. This is the story of a dad and his young daughter working on being just that. They have some relational turmoil (who didn't?!) but a lot of love and affection. This is a story introducing a daughter growing up and a dad learning how to grow with her.
Doesn’t everyone love a feel-good happy ending for a fun summer read?? That’s what you’ll get with this one. I loved it—I think anyone who gives it a shot will love it, too.
Anyways. Enough of that here’s a lil blurb:
John is Avery’s dad. Avery is an 11-year-old girl. John signs himself and Avery up for a week at Camp Triumph to try to strengthen their relationship before she enters fully into her teen years and their relationship inevitably changes. The camp initially turns out to be nothing like he hoped it would be, but better than he could have imagined in the end. This is the story of a dad and his young daughter working on being just that. They have some relational turmoil (who didn't?!) but a lot of love and affection. This is a story introducing a daughter growing up and a dad learning how to grow with her.
Doesn’t everyone love a feel-good happy ending for a fun summer read?? That’s what you’ll get with this one. I loved it—I think anyone who gives it a shot will love it, too.
August 4, 2024
I rarely have the chance to read about fathers and daughters and how their relationships can develop. I loved Porter's perspective in Dad Camp. He's a superb storyteller and my heart broke as I recalled how I was growing up with my father. Well done and a beautiful book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.
July 14, 2024
This book is so beautiful. It’s the first book I read from Evan and it broke me along the way. I liked how there was some humour and some sad moments. Reading this made me think about my dad a lot.
May 7, 2024
Full disclosure: I was pre-approved this e-galley through Penguin Random House and Netgalley on February 27, 2024. I was so excited to read it… and then I didn’t read it when I finished that one book… and then I didn’t read it when I finished that other book… and then a month had passed.... and then two. I just had a feeling that it would hit me right in the feels, and I knew I needed to read at moment that felt like the right time.
I was right.
At 3% in, my first note was “already tearing up.” I then revisited those tears at 5% in. They laid dormant until 95% when “tearing up” became “I’m not crying, you’re crying.”
I finished reading Dad Camp the day after my dad turned 70. He and I do not really communicate a lot. I called him. I told him about this book, and I told him that I wished we talked more. He told me that he knows that I am busy with my life and my full-time job and my two babies. He is busy too with his retired life… but he wanted me to know that he is proud of me. And just like in the novel, at 3% into that conversation I was tearing up and then at 95% I was tearing up in a big way. Fast-forward to the following morning, I am listening to “At All Costs” from Wish taking moments to glance back at my kids in the rearview mirror full out crying as I drove them to school (Yes, I know that song is about wishes, but it can absolutely be about a parent’s love for a child). My book hangover manifested in motherly misted eyes for 24 hours.
Dad Camp was not a difficult read, but I feel like Mr. Porter Mr. Miyagi’d me. I am not a father, but I saw myself as a mother in several of the dads and saw myself as a daughter in several of the moments. Regardless of what people may believe constitutes capital L Literature versus lowercase l literature, the main goal of all Literature is to connect us with humanity and what it means to be human. In that way, this novel was nothing short of successful – at least for me.
I took away a star because there were certain parts that felt a little underdeveloped, but overall, I would absolutely recommend this novel. Mr. Porter’s writing is cheeky and I love the tenderness and humor delivered in his narrative.
As the great Celine Dion once said, this book is for “all of the children and all of the parents of the world.”
I was right.
At 3% in, my first note was “already tearing up.” I then revisited those tears at 5% in. They laid dormant until 95% when “tearing up” became “I’m not crying, you’re crying.”
I finished reading Dad Camp the day after my dad turned 70. He and I do not really communicate a lot. I called him. I told him about this book, and I told him that I wished we talked more. He told me that he knows that I am busy with my life and my full-time job and my two babies. He is busy too with his retired life… but he wanted me to know that he is proud of me. And just like in the novel, at 3% into that conversation I was tearing up and then at 95% I was tearing up in a big way. Fast-forward to the following morning, I am listening to “At All Costs” from Wish taking moments to glance back at my kids in the rearview mirror full out crying as I drove them to school (Yes, I know that song is about wishes, but it can absolutely be about a parent’s love for a child). My book hangover manifested in motherly misted eyes for 24 hours.
Dad Camp was not a difficult read, but I feel like Mr. Porter Mr. Miyagi’d me. I am not a father, but I saw myself as a mother in several of the dads and saw myself as a daughter in several of the moments. Regardless of what people may believe constitutes capital L Literature versus lowercase l literature, the main goal of all Literature is to connect us with humanity and what it means to be human. In that way, this novel was nothing short of successful – at least for me.
I took away a star because there were certain parts that felt a little underdeveloped, but overall, I would absolutely recommend this novel. Mr. Porter’s writing is cheeky and I love the tenderness and humor delivered in his narrative.
As the great Celine Dion once said, this book is for “all of the children and all of the parents of the world.”
February 28, 2024
This is a really sweet novel about a father-daughter week at Camp Triumph. Avery is 11 and dad, John has always been her "hero" She'll be in middle school in the fall and this is his last chance to bond with her beyond the sports they enjoy as she's an awesome athlete. But the camp is not what they expected as they must "share their feelings" more often than John expected and he becomes jealous when Avery spends more time with her new camp friends than with him. As he attempts to "bond" with the other dads (as they've had to lock up phones and all technology) he begins to realize his father-daughter relationship is more special than he knew and appreciates her trying to fit in with the girls. This is one of those tear-jerkers that will make you appreciate your kids even as they grow "away" from you!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 26, 2024
Dad Camp was a well written, fun read. This Dad appreciated it!
June 11, 2024
3.5 - At first I wasn't sure if I would even want to read this book. It's not my go-to pick, a book about a dad and his daughter, navigating the pre-teen years seemed like something I wouldn't be able to relate to. But I'm really glad I ended up reading this sweet story about a dad's love for his children and the different struggles dads go through.
This book is about John, a dad who is struggling to connect with his daughter Avery, who he is had the closest bond with and made his entire world since she was born. John once spent all of his time focused on spending time with Avery and doing everything to make her happy, and suddenly, as she is entering middle school, she is shutting him out. John signs them up for a father-daughter summer camp to try and spend bonding time together and spends a week trying to decipher his daughter, but instead discovered a lot of things about himself.
This book explored the bond between father's and their children, but it mainly focused on the different struggles that dads go through as they navigate masculine stereotypes and the different roles a dad must play in society and in a family. I think my favorite part was seeing how different the 4 dads who become friends throughout this book were, each portraying a different type of a dad, and how unique and wonderful each of them were. This story was heartwarming, funny, and really made me reflect on what it could be like to be a parent. It was a great debut literary fiction!
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book is about John, a dad who is struggling to connect with his daughter Avery, who he is had the closest bond with and made his entire world since she was born. John once spent all of his time focused on spending time with Avery and doing everything to make her happy, and suddenly, as she is entering middle school, she is shutting him out. John signs them up for a father-daughter summer camp to try and spend bonding time together and spends a week trying to decipher his daughter, but instead discovered a lot of things about himself.
This book explored the bond between father's and their children, but it mainly focused on the different struggles that dads go through as they navigate masculine stereotypes and the different roles a dad must play in society and in a family. I think my favorite part was seeing how different the 4 dads who become friends throughout this book were, each portraying a different type of a dad, and how unique and wonderful each of them were. This story was heartwarming, funny, and really made me reflect on what it could be like to be a parent. It was a great debut literary fiction!
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 14, 2024
This is a heartwarming novel that explores the complexities of father-daughter relationships. The characters feel real, and the story captures the challenges of parenting a moody preteen. A well-written debut that delves into family dynamics and gives you the feeling of a big tight hug!
Thank you NetGalley!
Thank you NetGalley!
Shelved as 'kindle-tbr'
October 25, 2023i feel this may heal my daddy issues
Want to read
March 10, 2024i know this book will make me weep,,,,, daddy issues gaaaaaang
July 9, 2024
A week-long summer camp for dads to connect with their tween (or younger) daughters. There's even some group therapy (mostly on the dads).
This was so sweet and corny and dysfunctional I couldn't put it down. The only thing keeping me from 5 stars is the occasional d(b)ad language. Intelligent men, educated men, real men don't need to swear, (especially the F word).
I know this is a pet peeve of mine.
Despite that, I think this was well-written and worth a reader's time. 🤗
This was so sweet and corny and dysfunctional I couldn't put it down. The only thing keeping me from 5 stars is the occasional d(b)ad language. Intelligent men, educated men, real men don't need to swear, (especially the F word).
I know this is a pet peeve of mine.
Despite that, I think this was well-written and worth a reader's time. 🤗
August 4, 2024
A bit out of my zone. I typically ready darker stories with extremely high stakes. This was a nice beak from that. Really enjoyed it. I’m a father of a 9 year old girl, and that’s why I was intrigued to pick it up. I think all Girl Dads could benefit from it.
It seemed like a bit of a therapeutic exercise for Porter, but that’s cool. And that’s probably why it’s so well-liked.
It seemed like a bit of a therapeutic exercise for Porter, but that’s cool. And that’s probably why it’s so well-liked.
June 28, 2024
A dad wants to reconnect with his 11 year old daughter, so he books them for a father-daughter summer camp. What he thinks will be a fun adventure turns into a week of self-reflecting and growth.
Dad Camp is a light family drama. I do enjoy a story about dads trying to connect with their kids and be better parents. I was hoping for more humor, and it got a little too sappy for me.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dad Camp is a light family drama. I do enjoy a story about dads trying to connect with their kids and be better parents. I was hoping for more humor, and it got a little too sappy for me.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2024
Thank you so much to Dutton Books for the ARC and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook!
WOW- this was just the right book for me at just the right time! A sweet and tender yet actually hilarious book about a group of dads who take their young daughters to a week of summer camp to to have some one-on-one time and form a deeper bond.
Of course, hilarity ensued right off the bat as the daughters and the dads were forced to become "friends" and bond. I literally laughed out loud so many times not even at the "jokes" per se but just at the constant sarcasm of the main character's inner thoughts. Evan Porter is legitimately funny and got me several times with that rare "spit the water out of your mouth" unexpected laugh.
While light and funny, there were a few deeper heartfelt moments that really resonated with me personally. One thing I loved as an asthma mom was the positive asthma representation in one of the camp kids! I feel like every time an inhaler is mentioned in a book I have to prepare myself for some extremely traumatizing and negative situation and this seemed like a breath of fresh air (pun intended) and I shed a tear during some of the asthma talk.
It's really hard for me to compare this to anything since it felt so fresh and original so I guess that in and of itself is a huge compliment to the book!
The audiobook performance was done by Sean Patrick Hopkins and he was absolutely perfect for the roll. He nailed all of the sarcasm in his voice inflections and really helped bring the story to life for me. I highly highly recommend the audio version to enhance the experience!
I'm so excited for this debut to hit the shelves on June 11th and for everyone to fall in love with this charming story!
WOW- this was just the right book for me at just the right time! A sweet and tender yet actually hilarious book about a group of dads who take their young daughters to a week of summer camp to to have some one-on-one time and form a deeper bond.
Of course, hilarity ensued right off the bat as the daughters and the dads were forced to become "friends" and bond. I literally laughed out loud so many times not even at the "jokes" per se but just at the constant sarcasm of the main character's inner thoughts. Evan Porter is legitimately funny and got me several times with that rare "spit the water out of your mouth" unexpected laugh.
While light and funny, there were a few deeper heartfelt moments that really resonated with me personally. One thing I loved as an asthma mom was the positive asthma representation in one of the camp kids! I feel like every time an inhaler is mentioned in a book I have to prepare myself for some extremely traumatizing and negative situation and this seemed like a breath of fresh air (pun intended) and I shed a tear during some of the asthma talk.
It's really hard for me to compare this to anything since it felt so fresh and original so I guess that in and of itself is a huge compliment to the book!
The audiobook performance was done by Sean Patrick Hopkins and he was absolutely perfect for the roll. He nailed all of the sarcasm in his voice inflections and really helped bring the story to life for me. I highly highly recommend the audio version to enhance the experience!
I'm so excited for this debut to hit the shelves on June 11th and for everyone to fall in love with this charming story!
March 11, 2024
Dad Camp was a lot of fun to read. It’s a sweet novel about father-daughter relationships and how they change as girls get older. John decides that he and his daughter Avery are going to spend the last week of summer at a camp together specifically for fathers & daughters. He springs this on her, ignoring that she’s been asked to try out for a travel soccer team, and Avery is uninterested, as most ten-ish girls would be.
John hopes to share a cabin with Avery where they will talk late into the night and get close again, but instead the dads and kids stay separately and he finds himself bunking with other dads, whom he believes he has nothing in common with. John is a VERY hands-on Dad, it’s sweet but almost over the top in some areas. The story is saved from being too saccharine by the humor, and there was lots of it.
And this book is definitely funny. John is a witty narrator, and the scenes involving the four dads “bonding” are especially well done. The relationship between John and Avery is great. John wants to be a
good father and he just keeps going too far in his efforts to keep them close.
I enjoyed this, and gave it 4 stars, many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
John hopes to share a cabin with Avery where they will talk late into the night and get close again, but instead the dads and kids stay separately and he finds himself bunking with other dads, whom he believes he has nothing in common with. John is a VERY hands-on Dad, it’s sweet but almost over the top in some areas. The story is saved from being too saccharine by the humor, and there was lots of it.
And this book is definitely funny. John is a witty narrator, and the scenes involving the four dads “bonding” are especially well done. The relationship between John and Avery is great. John wants to be a
good father and he just keeps going too far in his efforts to keep them close.
I enjoyed this, and gave it 4 stars, many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
April 30, 2024
4 stars
As an adult who has been extremely intentional about never having children, I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about a book that clearly celebrates and explores various stages of parenting, so I'll speak first to those reluctant readers like me; this book is still for you. I'm glad it came into my orbit.
While most of the narrative is told through John's perspective, it's his daughter, Avery, who feels like the star of this show, but that's also indicative of a central theme: that this man's daughter is his (nearly whole) world. Avery is at that charming age when parents are uncool creeps, and John is feeling that pain. In an attempt to reconnect with her, John takes Avery to the titular location, and a combination of hijinks and heartwarming moments ensue. John's relationship with the other dads really became my favorite part of the read, but his memories of Avery growing up and his sometimes-desperate attempts to reconnect with her in the present moment also appealed to me much more than I expected.
I really enjoyed the way these characters are portrayed and the ways in which their relationships and personal growth unfold. Great dads are not ubiquitous, and it is refreshing to read about those who are trying.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and especially Nicole Jarvis for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
As an adult who has been extremely intentional about never having children, I wasn't quite sure how I'd feel about a book that clearly celebrates and explores various stages of parenting, so I'll speak first to those reluctant readers like me; this book is still for you. I'm glad it came into my orbit.
While most of the narrative is told through John's perspective, it's his daughter, Avery, who feels like the star of this show, but that's also indicative of a central theme: that this man's daughter is his (nearly whole) world. Avery is at that charming age when parents are uncool creeps, and John is feeling that pain. In an attempt to reconnect with her, John takes Avery to the titular location, and a combination of hijinks and heartwarming moments ensue. John's relationship with the other dads really became my favorite part of the read, but his memories of Avery growing up and his sometimes-desperate attempts to reconnect with her in the present moment also appealed to me much more than I expected.
I really enjoyed the way these characters are portrayed and the ways in which their relationships and personal growth unfold. Great dads are not ubiquitous, and it is refreshing to read about those who are trying.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and especially Nicole Jarvis for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
June 8, 2024
Dad Camp is all about reconnecting and trying to both do and be better. John recognizes that he’s losing the close relationship he’s always had with daughter, Avery, so in an attempt to reconnect, he signs them up for a father/daughter camp. Unfortunately, John is too sure of himself and doesn’t think he needs the work the other dads do. He’s bunked with walking clichés - the alpha male, the stay at home dad, and the dad who misses everything because he’s always working. The nice thing about this story is that we’re able to peel back the layers to understand those dads and the choices they’ve made. They’re not the straightforward cliché he judges them to be. That’s also one of my large frustrations with this book. I struggled to connect or empathize with John because he was so judgmental while also refusing to put in the work himself to truly understand his daughter. Overall, he was a relatively unlikeable character, and it took way too long into the story for the redemption arc to start to kick in. I actually found myself enjoying the other dad’s storylines more and wish the story would’ve been equally focused on all four of them rather than John/Avery. I think it would’ve been more impactful and less predictable. The found family that developed between the dad group and daughter group was an element I really enjoyed. There was a nice parallel about how difficult it can be to fit in and make friends both as adults and kids. I also really appreciated the insight into the dad struggles and the parenting elements they struggle with. Overall, it’s a decent story — it’s well written, just predictable and a bit over the top at times.
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eARC courtesy of Dutton and Netgalley
Overall Rating: 3.5⭐️
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eARC courtesy of Dutton and Netgalley
Overall Rating: 3.5⭐️
June 16, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Dad Camp is a standalone family dynamics novel by Evan S. Porter. Released 11th June 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Dutton imprint, it's 368 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
This is a fun and worthwhile story. It's warmly written with well rendered main characters and an engaging story. Some of the secondary characters are a bit two dimensional and pasted in, but overall the story and dialogue flow well, and there are numerous moments of gentle unforced humor.
Definitely a book for any parent who has ever looked at their kid, a human they almost certainly love beyond all reason, and wonder where the sulky eye-rolling gremlin standing before them suddenly came from. Nearly all the preteen family dynamics books lately have been from the mom's point of view, and it's refreshing and nice to see dads getting some bandwidth.
Four stars. This would make an excellent buddy read or book club selection, as well as a good choice for public library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Dad Camp is a standalone family dynamics novel by Evan S. Porter. Released 11th June 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Dutton imprint, it's 368 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
This is a fun and worthwhile story. It's warmly written with well rendered main characters and an engaging story. Some of the secondary characters are a bit two dimensional and pasted in, but overall the story and dialogue flow well, and there are numerous moments of gentle unforced humor.
Definitely a book for any parent who has ever looked at their kid, a human they almost certainly love beyond all reason, and wonder where the sulky eye-rolling gremlin standing before them suddenly came from. Nearly all the preteen family dynamics books lately have been from the mom's point of view, and it's refreshing and nice to see dads getting some bandwidth.
Four stars. This would make an excellent buddy read or book club selection, as well as a good choice for public library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 16, 2024
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review//thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of Dad Camp!!
Dad Camp is a sweet heartfelt story of a dad navigating the preteen years with his daughter. In a moment of desperation, our main character books a week at a camp dedicated to dads and daughters. Dad Camp talks about what it means to be a man, a husband, and ultimately a good father.
Dad Camp was a sweet story of a dad who wanted to connect with his daughter. I also enjoyed the side story of the other dads at the camp and understanding why they were there. I found this book to be enjoyable, but there were some things that I found a little annoying.
Our main character just didn’t seem to understand what he was doing wrong and assumed he was doing everything right. I also felt bad for his wife because it seemed like he put being a parent first over being a husband. His whole identity is being a dad. I did appreciate the character development towards the end as he realized he was holding his daughter back, but it felt like it took awhile to get there.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you’re wanting a sweet, summer camp read but don’t go in with super high expectations.
Dad Camp is a sweet heartfelt story of a dad navigating the preteen years with his daughter. In a moment of desperation, our main character books a week at a camp dedicated to dads and daughters. Dad Camp talks about what it means to be a man, a husband, and ultimately a good father.
Dad Camp was a sweet story of a dad who wanted to connect with his daughter. I also enjoyed the side story of the other dads at the camp and understanding why they were there. I found this book to be enjoyable, but there were some things that I found a little annoying.
Our main character just didn’t seem to understand what he was doing wrong and assumed he was doing everything right. I also felt bad for his wife because it seemed like he put being a parent first over being a husband. His whole identity is being a dad. I did appreciate the character development towards the end as he realized he was holding his daughter back, but it felt like it took awhile to get there.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you’re wanting a sweet, summer camp read but don’t go in with super high expectations.
July 7, 2024
Dad Camp is the perfect read for any parent. As parents we all strive to be the best for our children but unfortunately sometimes life doesn’t always allow us to. As Avery is approaching middle school she definitely has developed the preteen attitude which her father just can’t figure out. With only a week left of summer John is trying all he can to hold onto his time with his daughter. As a last ditch effort to get Avery to spend a little more time with him he signs them up for a father/daughter camp. Camp isn’t quite what either had imagined. The girls seem okay but the other dads are real characters as they all learn to navigate how to raise girls. This is a story of finding balance as parents, learning about yourself and letting go. It’s a great light hearted read that’ll have you reflect upon your childhood and how you raise your own children. When is it time to hold on tight and when is it time to let go? I loved reading this and reflecting back to my child with my father and all the adventures we had together. Thank you NetGalley and Evan S. Potter for allowing me this read in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2024
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC!
John enrolls his only child, Avery, into a father-daughter camp for the week as a way to spend more time for her as she is starting to hit the middle school pull-away phase of her life much to her chagrin He has been holding on tight to her and their relationship uneager for her to grow up. John finds a group of Dad's that are all trying to improve their relationships too but they all seem to be failing in different ways and isn't sure the camp is for them. When you think of parent guilt your normally think of Mom's who never think they are good enough or do enough for their kids but this heartwarming story shows you the Dad's side of parent guilt and the pressures involved with raising kids and all the lessons they learned that week at camp about themselves, each other and their peers. Very unique perspective and plot and makes me feel like there should be lots of Dad camps in our communities!
John enrolls his only child, Avery, into a father-daughter camp for the week as a way to spend more time for her as she is starting to hit the middle school pull-away phase of her life much to her chagrin He has been holding on tight to her and their relationship uneager for her to grow up. John finds a group of Dad's that are all trying to improve their relationships too but they all seem to be failing in different ways and isn't sure the camp is for them. When you think of parent guilt your normally think of Mom's who never think they are good enough or do enough for their kids but this heartwarming story shows you the Dad's side of parent guilt and the pressures involved with raising kids and all the lessons they learned that week at camp about themselves, each other and their peers. Very unique perspective and plot and makes me feel like there should be lots of Dad camps in our communities!
June 2, 2024
Thanks to Dutton for an early copy for review!
When John feels his pre-teen daughter Avery starting to pull away from him the summer before starting middle school, he makes a last-ditch effort to get their relationship back to what it once was. The solution? A week at Dad Camp.
DAD CAMP by Evan S. Porter was a cute summer read that explores various father/daughter relationships all in the setting of an overpriced, slightly rundown summer camp.
While I liked the idea behind this book and some of the elements within it, I found the dad stereotypes to be overwhelming and, our main ("not like the other dads here") dad John was so much of a helicopter parent that I found myself cringing quite a bit around his scenes.
An overall fun, heartwarming read, but missing a little something when it came to the characters!
Publication Date: June 11
When John feels his pre-teen daughter Avery starting to pull away from him the summer before starting middle school, he makes a last-ditch effort to get their relationship back to what it once was. The solution? A week at Dad Camp.
DAD CAMP by Evan S. Porter was a cute summer read that explores various father/daughter relationships all in the setting of an overpriced, slightly rundown summer camp.
While I liked the idea behind this book and some of the elements within it, I found the dad stereotypes to be overwhelming and, our main ("not like the other dads here") dad John was so much of a helicopter parent that I found myself cringing quite a bit around his scenes.
An overall fun, heartwarming read, but missing a little something when it came to the characters!
Publication Date: June 11
June 21, 2024
This book made me want to call my dad & talk about things. Not sure that a week at a summer camp can fix allllll of that but damned if this book didn’t give it a try.
I enjoyed John’s process during his week at Dad Camp, especially when he realizes that his “problem” with his daughter wasn’t that they don’t spend enough time together - it was that he wasn’t giving her space to grow into her own person without him. My dad had his faults, but he always made a point to emphasize that we are individuals in addition to being a daughter, a sister, a partner, etc.
Overall this was a heartwarming story and I enjoyed my time at Dad Camp.
Thank you to NetGalley, Evan S Porter, and Dutton for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed John’s process during his week at Dad Camp, especially when he realizes that his “problem” with his daughter wasn’t that they don’t spend enough time together - it was that he wasn’t giving her space to grow into her own person without him. My dad had his faults, but he always made a point to emphasize that we are individuals in addition to being a daughter, a sister, a partner, etc.
Overall this was a heartwarming story and I enjoyed my time at Dad Camp.
Thank you to NetGalley, Evan S Porter, and Dutton for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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