Very much enjoyed this heartwarming story of John and Avery. Avery is John's 11 year old daughter who is his whole world but she's getting to that age where she doesn't always want to be seen by her parents. John made the decision to sign them up for a camp getaway to Camp Triumph for fathers and daughters to help them bond again. You get the bad, the good and the ugly that comes with parenting.

While I do not have any kids and do not plan on it, I remember the days of not wanting to be seen or hugged by my parents when friends were around. Now that I have friends and family that have kids, I make sure to give my parents all the annoying hugs and phone calls I can because I can see how much love and joy having kids bring to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Jarvis and Evan S Porter for the the eARC

I was really intrigued by this premise. As a woman who is very close to her father, I recognize it hasn't always been this way. And I was really excited about exploring relationships between fathers and daughters in this way.

While it had some tender moments, it ultimately fell a bit flat for me. I feel like we never got a good enough explanation for some of the main conflicts, and there wasn't enough character development to make the ending feel earned.

Dad Camp by Evan S. Porter is very different than the books I usually read, I usually tend to read either thrillers or fantasy. However, I did find myself throughly enjoying this book.

Dad camp was a heart warming novel, that tells the story of a dad (John) that "drags" his daughter (Avery) to a week long summer camp, so they can strengthen their bond as father and daughter. At first John does not think his relationship with Avery need any fixing, all he wanted was to be closer to his daughter, as they once were and wanted new memories together, but then he realises that the relationship is not as solid as John thought.

John talks about his journey as a father, through flashbacks, giving more of an in depth perception to the reader of his relationship with Avery and coming to terms of his own flaws. This book had me laughing and also there were some parts I was getting emotional to the point of shedding a tear. Overall, I enjoyed this book and it did make me think as a child we could do better appreciating all the sacrifices our parents have done for us and most times all they want is for us to show the love back to them.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC, the above review are my own thoughts.

Despite the slow start to this novel, the story really took off, and it was more about the relationship between a father and daughter during those tougher tween years, but at the same time, growth for the father in that relationship.

John has a wonderful bond with his daughter, Avery. That is until recently. This isn't too unusual since Avery is hitting those tween years when most children start to figure out who they are without their parents. Well, John's brilliant idea to take her to a daddy/daughter camp will either resolve issues or create more. This camp is quite interesting from the owner to the other guests. The owner is a bit quirky, and while it seems like he is overstepping in some areas, he really does put out some nuggets of wisdom for the dads. Then there are the other dads. They come with attitudes, secrets, and denial about their life choices. While the camp is meant to strengthen the bonds between father and daughter, it forges a friendship between the dads because maybe they are more alike than they think. 

The story did feel rather depressing in the beginning. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish the book. However, once the pair arrive at camp, the story takes on a new angle. There are many funny moments and some poignant ones, too. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters. They really stepped up and helped each other realize some truths. 

While I feel the book focuses a lot on the fathers, there are moments for the daughters to realize who they are, what kind of relationship they want with their dad, and that maybe they can do more than they ever thought. Avery has to learn a lot to tone down her competitive nature. I wonder if that has anything to do with being an only child.

I did like how the story would jump back in time and give us more backstory on John and Avery. This helps us understand who they are today and what might have gotten them there.

While the week may not have been what anyone wanted or had planned on, it resulted in some bonding moments for all those involved and perhaps a new insight into the father or daughter.

If you can get past the slower start, I think you will enjoy this debut novel. We give it 4 paws up.

I loved this book. I think it is a beautiful message about the different chapters in our lives, especially those that occur when you become a parent. Your life can become so focused on what your kid needs and being the center of their world that letting go and moving on to the next chapter can be difficult. One of the people who I follow inspires women to get their pink back after having kids. Sometimes we forget that getting that pink back doesn’t only apply to women but men as well. I hope this book inspires readers to remember that for every season of your life there will be changes, and sometimes they will be harder than others but they are just as important as the last season. Embrace them and remember that your needs are important too. You will always be needed it just might look different depending on where you are in your life.
Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and Netgalley for allowing me to read this stunning book.

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.

Overall Rating: 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Dad Camp follows John as he struggles with his relationship with Avery, his eleven year old daughter. They go to a father-daughter summer camp to try to repair their relationship. Although I am not a parent, I did enjoy the story. It had its funny moments, but there were also some heavier times as well. It really put into perspective what my own parents went through with me.

John's world revolves around his only child, Avery. The center of Avery's world used to be her dad, but as she enters her teen years, she starts pulling away much to John's chagrin. When he finds an advertisement for Dad Camp - a remote retreat dedicated to reuniting and re-bonding fathers and daughters, John immediately signs them up even though Avery is furious about having her last week of summer stolen. Once at camp John desperately tries to win his daughter back, but through his interactions with other dads and the camp director he realizes time marches on and relationships change.

Great story about dads and daughters and about dealing with children as they age and become more independent. As a parent of adult children, I had a lot of empathy for John and the other dads and appreciated the underlying messages about the expectations we accidentally put onto our children.

This a heart warming story of a father who is trying to maintain his relationship with his daughter as she is approaching middle school.
John decides to take his almost 12 year old daughter Avery to a father daughter camp the last week of summer. He does this without telling her. He’s trying to maintain a bond that is slipping away as she approaches her teenage years.
This was a sweet and a little bit of a sad story. John just wants things to stay the same as Avery gets older but Avery’s not on the same page. It was fun to read about a group of dads wanting to stay or trying to be closer to their daughters. I really enjoyed this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a honest opinion. 4⭐️

This story was not quite what I expected. I thought it would be funnier. That being said, I think the pre-teen daughter Avery is spot on. I taught middle school for twenty five years and her wanting to grow up but not, and her parents confusion on how to handle this is something I witnessed first hand. The camp scenario was a good idea but I felt that some of the dads were portrayed stereotypically and not particularly likeable.
It could have been better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dad Camp is a heartwarming and emotionally tolling story about a father who attempts at reconnecting with his daughter as she starts getting into her teen years. Even though I loved the story of their development and reconnection, I loved the stories of the other dads at the camp too. Regardless of where you are in life or what career path you take, parents will constantly question their decisions and if they are making the right ones for their family. I knew I was going to be crying throughout this book, but it’s a nice change of pace.
I recommend this book even for those without kids to get a glimpse into the realities of parenting a growing teen.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

John takes his daughter Avery on a 5-day summer camp retreat for father/ daughter bonding time. John is feeling like he's losing his friendship with his 11 yr old and Avery is trying to find herself and be more independent.

It's a story about personal growth and reflecting on what is really important in life, not letting the important moments pass you by, and not sweating the small stuff. Where one chapter in life is coming to an end, another one is just beginning.

I loved this story! It was touching and funny. One moment, I'm laughing, and the next, I'm getting choked up, trying not to shed a tear. The characters were very well written, and each had their own personalities. I really liked how even though they each came from different worlds, they found a way to come together in times of need. This was a favorite read for me this year!

Dad Camp is a heart warming story about a group of dads that go to overnight camp with their daughters hoping to leave with a better relationship. The story focuses on John and Avery and their relationship but while at camp all the dads, daughters and families play a role. Funny adventures take place, friendships and bonds are made and then it’s time to go back to the real world.
I really enjoyed this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Dad Camp" by Evan S. Porter is a heartfelt and often humorous novel about the struggles and joys of fatherhood. John, the devoted dad, takes his eleven-year-old daughter, Avery, to a remote summer camp for a week of bonding before she fully embraces her preteen years and drifts away from him. The story captures the bittersweet moments of parenting and the desperate attempts to hold onto the precious father-daughter relationship.

John, who has sacrificed a lot for his daughter, is confronted with the harsh reality that Avery is growing up and becoming more independent. Determined to reconnect, he takes her to a father-daughter retreat, hoping to rekindle their bond. However, things don't go as planned. The camp is less idyllic and more chaotic, filled with other dads who have their own issues and a camp director who seems to have it out for John.

While the novel has its humorous moments, it also dives deep into the emotional aspects of parenting. John is a relatable character, capturing the anxieties and joys of raising a child. However, his obsessive need to be the perfect dad and his struggle to let Avery grow can be a bit overbearing at times.

The book's strength lies in its realistic portrayal of fatherhood and the honest depiction of a dad trying to navigate the changing dynamics with his growing daughter. The secondary characters, though somewhat clichéd, add depth to the story, highlighting different aspects of fatherhood.

However, the plot can feel predictable, and some scenes are overly sentimental, making the narrative occasionally feel saccharine. Despite this, the humor and the relatable struggles of parenting keep the story engaging.

"Dad Camp" is a touching read that will resonate with parents, especially fathers. It's a story about love, letting go, and the bittersweet journey of watching your children grow up. While it may not have the punch some might expect, it’s a warm and endearing tale that captures the essence of parenthood.

Thank you so much to netgalley and Penguin for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I really had a hard time reading this one because I found the main character to be so annoying. He was so judgmental all the time and it just really annoyed me. He tried way too hard with his daughter too, it was just annoying.

I hope others love this one but it wasn’t for me.

I read so few books about parenting from the father's point of view, this was refreshing.

John only has one child, his daughter Avery, on the cusp of turning 11 and starting middle school. He misses the days when she thought he was her hero so in order to recapture some of the magic he signs up for a weeklong Father/daughter camp. John quickly realizes that his visions of the camp and the week are not reality. Instead of bunking with his daughter, he's in a cabin with three other fathers who couldn't be more different. The dads are all pretty much stereotypes and each have problems with their relationships, but they are there to make things better so we see a lot of progress of the week.

There is a lot of humor and definitely some sap, but I appreciated the different POV and how fatherhood has changed over the years. These men were all just trying to figure it out, just like moms. There were times when I thought John was a too obsessed with his daughter but that is certainly better than the parent who ignores their kid.

This is a really quick, light read with a humorous first person narrator. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Dad Camp by Evan S. Porter

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a cute book about the evolution of father/daughter relationships. Avery’s approaching her teenage years quickly and her father, John, doesn’t know how to cope with her distancing herself from him.

John thinks the solution to this is to attend a summer camp specifically for father/daughter bonding. What he wasn’t expecting was to bond with a group of dads trying to figure out their own daughters.

This was a quick read, funny, and well written. While I enjoyed it, it probably would’ve hit harder if I was the right audience. This would be a good summer read for parents of teenagers and summer camp story lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the e-copy of this book!

It took me a couple of weeks to sit down and write this review. I am several years removed from the time of John and Avery but this book took me right back. John loves Avery. Becoming a father was the greatest thing to ever happen to John and he has poured all of himself into being the best dad possible. Unfortunately as Avery gets older, it becomes harder and harder to keep their relationship the same. When John makes a selfish decision that will completely change his relationship with Avery, he decides to send them to Dad Camp in an attempt to salvage what he can before he loses her trust forever. Sadly for John, Dad Camp is less of a chance to spend time with Avery and more of a boot camp in facing his feelings and coming to terms with Avery growing up.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading Dad Camp. When a book is described as heartwarming I worry that it will instead be cringe-inducing or overly sentimental. This book is neither of those. Dad Camp is actually heartwarming in a good way. Evan S. Porter perfectly described the feelings induced when your child is rapidly approaching adolescence and no longer needs you in the same way. It felt like Porter had been secretly spying on me when I needed to carve out an identity away from being a caregiver after completely devoting myself to raising a child who now was old enough to no longer consider me his best friend. This book is obviously a great read for people with children but I would say its also a great read for people without children. It can give some insight into the mind of a parent who is so excited that their child is growing up into this amazing person but simultaneously holding on tightly to their little kid because they're not ready to be left behind.

Dad Camp is a very sweet book and genuinely funny. Full disclosure, I am not a parent and it's been a long time since I was an 11 year old girl so there were times I thought John was a bit obsessed with his daughter Avery. But then I stepped back and asked myself if I would have felt like that if it was a mom being super into their kid's life.

John wants to bound with his daughter before she begins middle school so they go off to a father daughter camp with a land of misfit toy array of dads. I liked the other dad characters and thought their interactions and personal growth were neat to see. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the letters each of the men wrote.

This was a very sweet book about fathers and daughters. It's perfect for the summer, especially with Father's Day right around the corner.

I liked all the characters and could picture the story playing out on Disney+. It's a good palate cleanser of a book with low stakes and minimal angst. It was refreshing to read a cute, happy book centered on a father-daughter relationship for a change.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.