A review by alilbitofmonica
Dad Camp: A Novel by Evan S. Porter

3.0

First of all, while I have no real complaints about this book, it is just not really for me content-wise. But I do think it was written well and has a lovely story of the struggles of parenting/fatherhood. If I were a father (or a man?), maybe this would have hit harder?

- I love the idea of showcasing a father's inner struggles with his relationship with his daughter, showing the dynamic between them from many angles and many ages to allow us to get a fuller picture of the family.
- I hate the fact that the whole book is built on a lie that John told just to get Avery to go to this camp with him. Like in what world would that set this up to be a good arrangement?
- The camp vibes are immaculate. I love a good summer camp and this had some very fun, vivid representations of camp activities.
- I loved exploring the different dynamics of all the father-daughter duos at the camp, so we not only get John + Avery, but all of the others and their own struggles.
- Avery was a spunky main character with her own flaws
- This was not as exciting as I thought it could be... Cute, heartwarming, inspiration, sure. But this isn't what I usually like to read.

- I also love that the author has stated that this book came about upon his own self reflection as a father and all the struggles of "manhood" and "fatherhood" that he has encountered or knows that men encounter. Knowing it comes from a personal place does put it into better perspective.