While cuddling under cozy blankets and ignoring the grey skies we’ve had lately, I was transported to a fun and colourful world via Melody Carlson’s sweet romance, The Happy Camper.

The novel centers on Dillon Michaels, a young workaholic attempting to find her feet again after significant changes in her employment and relationship status. While finding solace at her recently widowed grandfather’s farm, Dillon struggles to amend her relationship with her flaky, but well-meaning mother, and tries to avoid the persistant, unwanted wooing of a past suitor, all while falling in love with a local man whose heart has a history of it’s own that has left some scars.


The quaint small town setting, gentle romance, and healing and growth experienced through an unexpected vintage camper restoration creates a wonderfully charming reader experience. For this reader, it only strengthened my desire to fix up a trailer of my own and create new beginnings in a humble escape much like the star of this story. Sweet and clean, The Happy Camper is a feel-good easy-to-read piece of fiction that will leave you craving summer days!

My thanks to Revell for the complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

First of all I think this has got to be one of the most cheerful, fun covers that I have ever seen. I was delighted to get my hands on this book and had such a wonderful couple of days reading it.
Melody Carlson writes books that make me smile and occasionally make me laugh out loud .
The Happy Camper is one of those books. Dillon, her mother and grandfather are terrific characters and made me want to get to know them.

With everything going on in the world today this was a perfect escape. making me actually wanting to go outside, see different places and meet warm, funny sweet characters like Jordan Atwood, Dillon's grandfather and see vintage campers that are lovingly restored by the owners who love them so much.
I'm not an outdoors kind of person and I have never gone camping but Ms. Carlson's writing made it seem like a whole lot of fun.

I don't blame Dillon for taking off for her grandfathers farm, her boyfriend was a piece of work and the job situation isn't so good either, so off she went to reconnect with her family. Between her mother planting lavender and not doing much else, everything falls on Dillon to take care of around the house. I was just as happy as she was when she was given camper and I could easily imagine her excitement as she went to work making it into the home she wanted and needed.
This is such a charming storyline that I was sorry to see it end but I know that the next book Ms. Carlson releases will be just as charming and sweet as this one.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a wonderful feel good romance. This made me laugh and cry but mostly I laughed. It was fun to read how an old trailer can be renovated. This book also shows that you can go home sometimes and make it. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Melody Carlson's books give me that feel good vibe. I found myself smiling and chuckling as I read The Happy Camper, a delightful story featuring Dillon, a hardworking young woman. She's left behind her corporate job and her boyfriend when she flees Colorado for her grandpa's farm in Oregon. I love all the quirky characters, from her mom to the woman who runs the Silver Slipper. If you've ever heard of glamping, you'll enjoy every minute of Dillan's adventure in camping. Of course there is the handsome bachelor, Jordan. He's likable and smart. If you need a relaxing, fun read pick up The Happy Camper. Guaranteed to add some joy to your day. P.S. I love the cover! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love to camp so how could I not read this. A Cute romantic story that involves vintage campers.

An easy read about Dillon on her road to discovery. What did she want in life? She was tired of not being appreciated. It was time for a change.

There was a lot of assumptions between Dillon and the hardware store owner. Dillon assumed she knew her mother but she had a lot to learn about her and herself.

I enjoyed this book. It is scary making a change. Dillon made a huge change but in the end it was so worth it!!

I am ready to find a vintage camper. I know that I would love to join their camper club!!!

I received this free from Revell to review.

This was a new author for me and I enjoyed this story. It was heartwarming and lighthearted. Jordan and Dillon both renovated campers and bonded in the process. As the new girl in town, although she summers here with her grandparents, growing up. Jordan also returned home after years away to run the hardware store after his dad died.

Dillon came home after her life imploded. She broke up with her boyfriend and lost her job, only to find her mother living in her old bedroom. She ends up renovating an old camper, to provide her with a home and in the process a new love. I recommend this book for a fun and uplifting read!

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

My rating 2.5 stars

Like others have said Carlson's books seem to be hit or miss for me, and this one was a big mix of the two.
Dillion makes a quick decision one day after being left to wait at a restaurant by her longtime boyfriend to break up with him, and quit her job and move home.
Once at home though things don't exactly go as she was hoping they would. Her mom is now also living her grandpa again meaning that Dillion doesn't currently have a room and has to sleep on the couch.
Which brings us to the trailer that her grandpa remembers he has, and while it does need to be fixed up, he knows Dillion can do it.
So that's exactly what Dillion does and along the way, she meets several people in town and reconnects with old friends.

Overall I liked parts of this book. Dillion's grandpa was so nice, as well as her childhood friend. I loved the two girls that she helped teach how to swim and their uncle. Reading about how Dillion took the initiative and fixed up the trailer mostly on her own was interesting. It did surprise/annoy me that she didn't think about making sure the trailer itself was safe and just immediately started caring about the interior only. Caring about the structure itself seemed a little bit more important to me than interior designing but that's just me. Dillion herself though and her mom got on my nerves. They both acted like only there way was the right way and that got old.

Having said all that the vast majority of this book was sweet and I know a lot of people will enjoy it this one just wasn't for me.

Dillon Michaels has fond memories of a stable home with her grandparents, after a rough upbringing with her single mother. She is burned out juggling her finances, job, and non-committal boyfriend. After her grandmother's death she decides to go stay with her grandfather, only to find that her mother has beat her there.



Blessings come in surprising packages with the gift of a vintage trailer that Dillon can make her own. She sets to work restoring the camper, with the help of the local hardware store owner, while supporting her grandfather while navigating her tricky relationship with her mother.



A heartwarming read about family, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I loved the welcoming small town setting, with great characters. I loved the surprises and twists along the way, as Dillon struggles to find stability, hope, and forgiveness. I loved her relationship with her grandparents and how they gave her roots and wings, as well as how she was challenged by her mother to grow, and give grace.



Jordan is a kind community member, fun-uncle, and overall a somewhat baffling man. He is genuine, and well-loved in the community. I liked how he offers to help Dillon, and how he takes the time to be present in the life of his family.



Overall, a heartwarming, enjoyable, small town read, filled with family, love, humor, and forgiveness. A great feel-good read, with a great premise, and steady pacing. Highly enjoyable.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When Dillon break up with her boyfriend the guy she dream to marry and lose her job she moved to her grandfather farm who wasn’t doing well since his wife’s death.
There she met her Mother Margot who has broke up with her boyfriend because he propose to her and she is opposed to marriage contrary to Dillon.

Dillon grandfather give her a camp trailer and she is going to renovate it.
She met Jordan Atwood at the hardware store and she is immediately attracted by him and the renovation of her camp trailer is a good excuse to spent time at the store. Jordan is not indiferent at Dillon and is willing to help her and learn to know her more but Dillon’s ex-boyfriend Brandon decide to reappear in her life in order to have a second chance.

Dillon’s break up and her layoff brought her back to her roots and she was able to take time to do something she like and figure out what she wanted and with whom she would like to spent the rest of her life. It was also an opportunity to get closer to her mother and express her faith in God and encourage her to come back with her partner and to leave the fear of commitment behind her.

It’s a funny and interesting story, even though Dillon’s ex was very persistant she tried to deal with him with wisdom because she has decided to turn the page.
She is a woman looking for a deep relationship…

I received a copy of this book and this is an honest review.

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson is an entertaining story. Dillon Michaels dumps her commitment phobic boyfriend and then loses her job within twenty-four hours. She has been unhappy with her life for a while and decides it is time to make a change. Dillon packs all her belonging into her car and heads for her grandfather’s farm in Silverdale, Oregon. She arrives to find her mother ensconced in her bedroom and finds her grandfather depressed (understandably) as well as lonely after the loss of his wife. Dillon cleans the house and then begins working on her grandmother’s garden. Sleeping on the couch, though, is taking a toll on her back. Her grandfather then gifts her a 1964 Aloha Oasis which Dillon is excited to fix up. She gets assistance from hardware store owner, Jordan. Their friendship has the potential to blossom into a romantic relationship until her ex-boyfriend, Brandon arrives in town intent on wooing her back. The Happy Camper is a fun story with some aggravating moments. Melody Carlson has an engaging writing style that draws the reader right into the story. Dillon Michaels is a likeable and realistic character. Alex, the grandfather, was a sweet man. He was kind and generous. Dillon and Jordan have a bumpy journey, but that is normal. All relationships have issues mostly from miscommunication and wrong perceptions. My favorite part of The Happy Camper is Dillon restoring the vintage trailer. It makes me want to go out and get one. I like how this tale shows realistic situations. Our journey in life can change at any moment as we see in The Happy Camper. As we grow older, we develop and grow as individuals. The Happy Camper is a feel-good Christian story with humor, family drama, and romance.

The Happy Camper~so entertaining and fun readers will want a vintage camper of their own!

I was drawn to The Happy Camper by the adorable cover and knew it would be a fun read. Melody Carlson has written a lighthearted tale so full of charm and whimsy readers will be smiling most of the way through it.

I really enjoyed the character of Dillon and how her vintage camper makeover was a metaphor for making over her life. Jordan added just the right amount of attraction and Grandpa the wisdom to be found with age and experience.

I was thoroughly entertained by The Happy Camper and Dillion's Desert Rose makeover. The perfect book to welcome Spring. I would love to read a sequel with an update on Dillion, Jordan and all the Silverdale residents. I appreciate Revell Publishing for making a review copy available through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson is a bit angst-y in spite of the cheery title.

Dillon Michaels has had a run-in with her boyfriend AND her boss. The upshot is she lost her job and broke up with her boyfriend.

She packs her things, loads her car, and drives from Colorado Springs, to her grandfather's home in Silverdale, Oregon. She finds that her mother has taken up residence in what was her bedroom during Dillon's growing up years, so Dillon found herself relegated to a dilapidated sofa, until her grandfather gifted her with a tiny trailer that she could restore.

Through her plans, Dillon meets Jordan Atwood, and feels a bit of attraction. She sees him again when she started teaching swimming lessons and he's there to pick up two little girls who were fighting tooth and nail not to get in the water. Dillon writes him off as married, with children and goes about her days restoring her camp trailer and teaching swimming lessons.

Throughout the whole book, Brandon, the ex-boyfriend keeps showing up to try and win Dillon back. Dillon explicitly explains to him that there is no hope for any kind of relationship beyond friendship, and even that is on shaky ground. He refuses to take her answer as final and even shows up at the camp out the camping trailer club has every year. He has roses and a ring, and even before Dillon even sees the ring, she reads him the riot act. He has to learn to accept NO as a completely final answer.

Jordan runs hot and cold throughout the book and is protecting his heart from another heart-break that he had years earlier. His temper gets the best of him and he can't settle his mind and his heart for what they are truly trying to tell him.

This is a four star book, not quite up to the quality that Melody writes.

Revell Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the galley I read for this review. The opinions stated here are my own.

If you're looking for a cute, what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of read, this is it! I adored Dillon's journey into becoming a camper. I could almost feel her excitement as she discovered a love for her new little home, and it made me want to find a cute camper trailer of my own. I loved the lessons that she learned throughout the novel. I especially appreciated the way Carlson approached the inspirational aspect of this book. It wasn't preachy by any means, but it was very straight forward and honest.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

This was a refreshing, sweet romance novel! Reminded me of a Hallmark movie!
Dillion comes home to Oregon and her grandfather after breaking up with her boyfriend and getting fired from her too demanding job! What a relief she felt!
And the vintage trailer she was given by her grandfather and fixing up makes me want one so bad!!
Grab this novel and enjoy!

Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC

A sweet romance. The vintage camper added a lot to the story and I can see this being a new trend. Quirky characters and a breezy read.

This was a really fun story. I loved the fixing up the trailer aspect and I enjoyed watching Dillion find herself throughout the book. Overall it was a light fun read that was a nice refresher between heavier books. The writing was good and the story like was fun, if a bit predictable.

I loved this very enjoyable read by Melody Carlson! It was a refreshing story about returning home again and how situations can change our perspectives. This story also had characters who examined their relationships and made adjustments (and amends). The story focuses on Dillon who just honestly misses home especially after some stressful situations in her life. As she travels, she stays in a camper and upon returning she learns more about owning a camper. With her eye for design, she finds ways to occupy her time restoring the camper she receives from her grandfather. While she is working on this transformation, she gets to know Jordan the hardware store owner. Readers will have to read this romantic story to see if things work out between the two of them. If you are looking for an enriching story that inspires you to be more positive, you will enjoy this book! I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

The Happy Camper is a book of finding happiness perhaps in a place you would have never thought at first to look. Usually I associate the name Melody Carlson with Christmas stories. However, she has written a mighty fine story that takes place in the summer. Loss, recovery, and finding new love are all part of Dillon Michaels’ and her family’s story.

Coming back to her grandfather’s home is one full of eccentric and lovable characters as well as a place for Dillion to reassess her life. It is time for change with some restoration in order. A fun read that has some serious moments as Dillion finds what it is that she truly wants and needs. It is a pleasing story which ends exactly as it should.

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

Dillon's breakup with her commitment-phobic and perpetually late boyfriend was not premeditated, but it felt a relief to finally acknowledge that things weren't working. But everything seems against her when she loses her job the next day. The sudden decision to go back to stay with her grandfather for a while to help him feels right, but on arrival she finds that her unreliable, unpredictable mother has moved back in and taken her bedroom - leaving Dillon only an uncomfortable sofa. Things start to turn around again when her grandfather offers her an old camper-trailer to do up, and the opportunities that gives her to get to know Jordan, the owner of the local hardware store, are a definite bonus. But in the midst of her renovation, Brandon, her ex-boyfriend, reappears complete with what she'd long been wanting from him - a ring! Will his unexpected reappearance wreck whatever is happening between Dillon and Jordan? Or will Dillon realise that Brandon was all she ever wanted anyway?

Truth to tell, I'm more the utilitarian type, so the idea of doing up a trailer with all the coordinating fripperies doesn't really appeal - but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. This is a fun light read that was good for a bit of an escape but not what I'd want to read all the time. A couple of negatives: Dillon's relationship with her mum and attitude toward her bothered me a bit - possibly excusable, but I didn't really like it. Also, the specifically 'Christian' content interspersed throughout felt rather tacked on at the end, as if a generic 'sweet romance' had been written and then occasional mentions of God added to make it 'Christian'. I enjoy reading both, but if something is marketed as Christian I'd rather have it feeling a bit more heartfelt than this came across to me as. That being said, there was nothing wrong with it as such, I just found it a little disappointing.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

This was a rather disappointing read. The drama between Dillon and her ex-boyfriend went on far too long, there was a little bit too much miscommunication between Dillon and Jordan, and I found Dillon's mother to be a rather annoying character.. The retro camper aspect of the story saves this book from being a total loss.