I thought this was a really fun story about a father, John, who in an effort to reconnect with his daughter, Avery, signs them up for a father-daughter summer camp.
I personally didn’t find John’s character very likable, but he did redeem himself somewhat towards the end.
Overall, I thought this was a heartwarming story, with a simple plot that was well written.

I love a book set at a camp, and this was an interesting twist on the typical camp set-up. It took a while for the main character to grow on me, but I did end up liking him. The dad-daughter relationships were interesting, but I feel like more could’ve been done with it.

This was such a great summer read full of heart. This was a great change of pace from summer thrillers and had great characters.

While I'm sure this book resonates for adult men who have never been to therapy, anyone who has ever been therapy adjacent or has met an eleven year old girl before is going to cringe so hard that it is physically painful. I didn't find this heartwarming, I found it frustrating.

Both the daughters and the dads were one-dimensional. The supporting cast of children did not feel like kids, they felt like the stereotypes of kids that adults make. Avery was written way too old for her age - while I know she was supposed to be overly mature, it was way too much. Opportunities the author could have taken to flesh out the supporting cast, including taking an intersectional look at parenting, were missed in favor of another description about how terrible everything was. The brightest spot for me were the letters home, as those were particularly poignant. Otherwise I felt like this book was very flat.

It seems I'm in the minority here, but I would be remiss if I did not give my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC, sorry that this one didn't really work out for me.

Dad Camp is a sweet preteen, father-daughter story. For those who with kids, who are just starting to dive into the early stages of puberty this book will resonate with you. This story is nostalgic and tender. That has heavy themes in fitting in, workaholic syndrome, and family relations. It's a sweet read for the summer.

I saw this title while pregnant with my beautiful daughter who is now 4 months old. I thought the plot sounded cute, and I wanted to get a glimpse at what my husband’s relationship with our baby might look like one day.

Perhaps I went in too hopeful?

This book was… just okay. I did not feel attached to the characters, and really did not like our main dad, John. We really did not see much of the campers’ day to day, which was weird? Maybe it wasn’t, but I expected more CAMPISH CONTENT? To be fair…. So did our cast. This poor place really needed a makeover. Which reminds me of the end of the book when the dads all band together to save the dilapidated cabins. In a single afternoon? Not a chance. I don’t know. I think this book could be someone’s cup of tea for sure, but it wasn’t mine.

That’s all my two remaining brain cells can conjure up to say, folks. As stated above, I have a four month old baby.

Dad camp is a book about John who is a Stay-at-home dad to his daughter Avery who is 11 years old and athletic. John is clearly out of touch with his daughter and his wife. He is overly obsessed with his daughter. As he feels there is a gap growing between him- he signs the two of them up to Dad camp and surprises his daughter with the trip.
At camp he meets other dads also struggling with relationships with their daughters and it tells of their struggles. To be honest – I almost liked the other dad’s as characters more than John. I did like that John finally realized what he needed to do to repair relationship with his wife and daughter. Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance reader copy.

I am kindly giving this 3 stars, rounded up from 2.5. I did not like it. I considered DNF'ing at 25% but continued on. I did finish it, but feel more annoyed than relieved.
<i>Dad Camp</i> started off with the impression of a man continuing his own generational trauma. It was dripping with the desperation of a dad who feels like he is losing touch with his 11 year old daughter and wanting nothing more than to rekindle their relationship. Not just desperation, it read like cringey, pathetic desperation.
My hope with continuing to finish this book was that the dad would redeem himself from selfishly making decisions on his daughter's behalf for his own benefit. Kids are smart. They pick up on the shifts that parents put on. I'm glad Avery, his daughter, was intelligent and not afraid to finally speak her truths.

I ended up not finishing this book unfortunately. I couldn't get into the story and the characters didn't grab my attention.

I read Dad Camp by Evan S. Porter, and I had a great time with it. The book follows a dad and his daughter who spent the week before school at a summer camp.

I first heard about this book several months ago when Matthew Norman, an author whose books that I love (Charm City Rocks, Last Couple Standing, and We’re All Damaged to name a few.) promoted it on… His Twitter, I think. (Note: I will never call it X.) I thought that the book sounded up my alley and wanted to give it a chance.

I was rewarded with a funny and charming book that brought me to tears on one occasion.

Dad Camp is basically exactly what you’re envisioning. John feels his always-tight relationship with his daughter Avery slipping as she’s gearing up to enter middle school. So what does he do? He does an incredibly risky thing and signs the two of them up for a father-daughter camp which is obviously exactly what a preteen wants to do with their dad for an entire week in the summer.

Porter does a great job of giving the book heart and the characters truly feel alive. All of the main quartet of dads in this book feel like people I’ve met. And, in the midst of this book about father-daughter bonding, a terrific lesson in masculinity is presented by our Quad Dads when they think they are drunk. It’s a hilarious and heartfelt scene.

I really like this book and think you should give it a read.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgalley and Penguin Group - Dutton for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC.

What a sweet story about the relationship of fathers and daughters. Definitely made me miss mine.

The relationships among the different dads and daughters were perfect. The way they were able to work through their problems and build stronger bonds was inspiring. Playful and witty banter made it even more enjoyable. Definitely a quick, sweet read.

While "Camp Dad" wasn't my typical read, I'm glad I persevered. Initially, I expected a lighthearted story about a father and pre-teen, perhaps with some laugh-out-loud moments. Instead, I discovered a thoughtful coming-of-age narrative that explores the challenges of modern fatherhood.

The book delves into how dads navigate parenting while confronting societal expectations of masculinity, including pressures about career choices and behavior. As someone without children, I found it eye-opening, offering a new perspective on my own parents' experiences.

Porter's writing tackles important themes with sensitivity, making "Camp Dad" a rewarding read that goes beyond simple entertainment. It provides insight into the complexities of parenthood and the evolving role of fathers in today's society.

Despite a slow start, the book's depth and authenticity won me over. "Camp Dad" is a valuable addition to the conversation about modern parenting and masculinity, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it by the end.

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. 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.

This is a fun little summery read about being a dad (and parenting in general) and how hard it is. It’s about a dad and his daughter that are drifting apart as she approaches her teens. They go to a father/daughter camp in the middle of nowhere and slowly begin the process of realizing that their relationship will grow and change as she gets older, but they will always love each other. It’s kinda emotional, kinda funny, and it definitely made me appreciate my dad 🥹

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read before pub day! ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. DAD CAMP is out now!

I enjoyed Dad Camp by Evan S. Porter for its heartfelt and humorous take on the father-daughter relationship. John, who has dedicated his life to being a super dad, faces the all-too-relatable struggle of reconnecting with his preteen daughter, Avery. The father-daughter retreat he hopes will mend their bond is depicted with a blend of genuine emotion and comedic misadventures.

The novel's strength lies in its portrayal of John's earnest efforts and the comedic chaos of the camp experience. The interactions between John and the other dads, along with the awkward bonding activities, add a layer of humor that keeps the story engaging. While John’s attempts to bridge the growing gap with Avery often fall flat, they underscore the complexity of their evolving relationship.

Overall, Dad Camp delivers both laughs and poignant moments, offering a light-hearted yet insightful look into the challenges of parenting. It’s a great pick if you appreciate a mix of humor and heart in stories about family dynamics.

I appreciated the opportunity to read this book. An interesting tale of the relationship between father and daughter. As someone who was raised by their father I resonated a bit with this book and it was interesting to take a peak in the mind of a dad. While it wasn't what I was expecting, it was gripping to read the father daughter dynamic and watch as the two navigate the world and their relationship.

This was such a fun and heartwarming story! The narrator is John, a dad who has dedicated every single moment of his life since his daughter was born to being a *dad*. He can’t figure out why his daughter is distancing herself from him, and he is not coping with it well. He signs them up for a summer camp specifically designed to bring dads and daughters together. These two, alongside many other father/daughter duos, confront their feelings and learn so much within their relationships. This was written so well, and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a good book!

Thank you netgalley for the ARC of Dad Camp. This book is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of fatherhood, told through the lens of a dad. Porter’s narrative is refreshingly candid and infused with genuine emotion, capturing the anxieties, doubts, and joys that accompany the journey of fatherhood. I thought it was unique to have a book written from the perspective of the father and enjoyed that lens as a young parent myself. What sets "Dad Camp" apart is Porter’s ability to blend humor with poignant moments of self-discovery and growth. The interactions between Tim and his fellow "campers" are both hilarious and touching, offering a realistic portrayal of the camaraderie that can develop among men facing similar life-changing experiences. My only critique of the novel is often it read like a YA novel which felt strange since it was from the perspective of the father.

However, "Dad Camp" is a delightful and thought-provoking debut novel that resonates long after the final page. Porter’s engaging writing style, combined with his keen understanding of the emotional landscape of fatherhood, makes this book a standout in contemporary fiction. Whether you’re a parent, soon-to-be parent, or simply a reader in search of a heartfelt and humorous story, "Dad Camp" offers a memorable literary experience that is both entertaining and deeply meaningful.

It was a good book, not that compelling but as a mom it was interesting to read about a dad's perspective. And there were some universal truths

What a fun read!!! It is so nice to read a story from a "Dad" point of view as we most often read stories sharing a "mom's" feelings and struggles as kids grow up. This was unique and refreshing. Recommended read for everyone's To Be Read pile - unless you already read it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.