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.

John thinks he's a superdad because he has dedicated his life to his daughter - he has put aside his career, friends and pretty much everything to make sure his daughter Avery is his top priority.  But now that she is going into middle school, she is starting to pull away (as they tend to do) and so he signs her up for a week of "dad camp" which he thinks is going to be a week of fun dad/daughter time.  But when they arrive he realizes it's not what he signed up for - it's a weeklong therapy session for toxic dads who can't get along with their daughters.  But instead of leaving they stay and during the week John realizes that his smothering way of parenting has its own level of toxicity and he needed the therapy as much as the other dads.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this one because the dad seemed really annoying at the beginning of the novel and I couldn't tell which way this was going to go, but it turned into a really cute story about learning that kids need independance to thrive (and parents need it as well).  The story had a bunch of different types of toxic dads and their backstory as to why they ended up that way and how they all come together in the end - it was just a sweet cute story that I could totally see as a Disney movie.  If you're in the mood for a carmel popcorn read - then this is it - or wait and see if they make it into a kids movie version and watch it with your tween.  

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC to review

3.75 stars

This was an easy, fun read. I really enjoyed the idea of a dad wanting to gain a better relationship with his daughter. The father attempts to improve this relationship by signing up the two of them in a father-daughter summer camp. It was very enlightening to see some of the different parenting styles between the different fathers at the camp.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Penquin Group Dutton for this advanced ARC.

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.

This was the cutest story of a journey of not only the main character and his daughter towards a stronger bond, but also of a group of dads and their daughters and the main character and his wife. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their struggles and adventures. A perfect summer book.

this was a cute and lighthearted book. The dad could be a little obnoxious at times but honestly all dads are like that. I think it was a little too long though.