What a fun read! The setting of this book was so neat to read about- and this book managed to be educational while still being an enjoyable romance read! It was obvious that the subject matter was important to mother/daughter duo Jillian Dodd and Kenzie Harp- such care was taken to teach us about the area and conservation issues. I also love that they are donating 10% of their profits to the Sea Turtle Conservancy- 20% during release week! So cool!

Girl Off The Grid by Jillian Dodd and Kenzie Harp is a mother and daughter collaboration about a young college student, Camille Caldwell taking a step out of her comfort zone a little unwittingly.

Camille is a modern fashion-conscious college student who is looking for her big break. She is making a name for herself as a fashion blogger with a YouTube channel, Effortlessly Camille, that teaches other young women some of her unique style techniques. Camille is interested in an internship and gets a call from a top fashion magazine to write an article after going on an eco-trip to Costa Rica. Since they are also sending a photographer, Camille doesn’t focus on the eco part of the trip and plans on a lot of fashion shoots. Why wouldn’t she think that since it is her YouTube presence that got her in the door?

Adam Lloyd is the young photographer who is selected to go on the trip with Camille. He is given the job based on the recommendation of his father who is a famous photographer, Oliver Lloyd. Oliver shared Adam’s portfolio with the magazine editor, Janet Hall. Adam doesn’t want this gig, but his father explains that it could be just the exposure he needs to begin to make his name in the big leagues.

Adam and Camille couldn’t be more different. Adam has spent most of his life a loner traveling with his parents. They go on photo shoots with his dad and anthropology expeditions with his mom. Camille is a New York City girl. She has a very limited experience outside of the City. Adam loves nature. Camille loves fashion and material things. No doubt they will butt heads.

Girl Off The Grid is a cute story that brings two very different young people together to learn that they can relate to a lot of the same things, especially the environment. At the end of the book, the authors mention that they selected this age because of the perspective and willingness of the young to see the world uniquely at this age.

While I understand the reasoning, Camille seems a little too immature not so much for the excursion and the learning experience but the romance and an unchaperoned trip. Truthfully, I expected Janet to have a hidden agenda. Also, I wanted to feel some more chemistry between Adam and Camille. There is a lot of time dancing around their relationship and not moving it forward.

It is evident that this mother-daughter writing team is environmentally aware and have a passion for the cause. I enjoyed the geographical and wildlife information about the Costa Rica and Panama landscape more than the romance part of the story. In fact, the romance often feels like an afterthought or forced at times.

Overall, Girl Off The Grid is a book with a real environmental message and a sweet, young love story. Some of the profits from the book will go to the sea turtle conservatory so in addition to a reading adventure you are helping a good cause. There is a lot of useful information about Costa Rica and the Central American terrain to glean from the read too.

Storyline: 5
Angst: 1
Tissue: 0
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 4
Over All Rating: 4.25 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley
Reviewed by Robin

Camille Caldwell is a NYC fashion blogger who is offered an eco-trip to Costa Rica by a fashion magazine. When wild-life photographer Adam Lloyd from London is offered to accompany her for the week, he initially has no interest. The two of them clash from day one but have to learn to get along. They have a job to do but can they get along long enough to complete their assignment?

“I’m sure it’s always a balancing act between being present for your significant other, providing for one another, and doing what you love.”

“Finding that balance is important, as is finding that special someone to be your partner in life and to love and support all you do. It's a beautiful thing.”

This story was different than many I've read lately. Camille has to go off the grid and avoid social media to immerse herself to experience the nature of Costa Rica. Adam is young photographer who's looking for more experience taking wildlife pictures but not for a fashion magazine. These two have pretty much nothing in common. Adam was raised with a family that valued conservation, nature and helping people in underdeveloped countries. Camille has lived in New York, vacationed in the Hamptons and stayed at five star hotels...she just hasn't been exposed to saving the earth and reducing waste, etc. Living without basic luxuries is a slap in the face for her, and we get to see Camille wake up to the world around her. In this book, we learn about endangered species and environments while Camille and Adam go from barely tolerating one another to friends to feeling an attraction. It's a cute story while bringing important issues to light. Hopefully readers will take some of the lessons Camille learned to heart and become more socially aware. Even if they start with just unplugging from social media for a week. We can all benefit from doing something small and being the change we want to see in the world. Try something new!

I had fun googling different exotic birds and animals as I read this story. I haven’t read too many travel romances so this was something new for me and I’m always open to learning new things. I found this story fun to read and an escape from so much materialism. I pictured myself visiting volcanoes and hot springs. I think I need to plan an eco-trip myself!

Girl off the Grid by Jillian Dodd
4 stars!!

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch

Jillian Dodd and Kenzie Harp transport the reader to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica with visceral scene setting, wildlife and their habitats all while delivering an informative lesson on eco-tourism and…who can forget one enticing slow burn romance in this stunning YA novel. I want to go there and see it for myself! While this is YA and obviously absent is the hot and steamy the crux of this book is pushing your boundaries, be adventurous and out of your comfort zone but most importantly of finding yourself.

“Life is made up of moments. Moments that define you, change you, and test you. You choose these moments. And I am choosing this moment to let go. Not to overcome my fear, but at least face it head on.”

Camille Caldwell is an eighteen year old fashion blogger from New York, she has built up a huge following on YouTube and once she has finished her studies wants to work in the industry. When she is approached by one of her favourite fashion magazines to do an editorial in Costa Rica she jumps at the chance. Camille is immediately thinking high end fashion and hotels but what the deal actually entails is an eco-tourism trip and she has to stay “off the grid.” At one with nature is not at the top of her priority list but with her own photographer and only a once a day video upload to the magazine allowed Camille embarks on the trip of a lifetime.

Adam Lloyd is a London based wildlife photographer, following in his father’s footsteps. Adam is just embarking on his career and this is an incredible opportunity to get himself established, however a prissy, high maintenance fashion blogger is not the baggage that he intended to take but unfortunately, they come hand in hand. Adam is an outdoors man, he has the experience and his parents have brought him up around wildlife all his life, this is second nature to him, unlike Camille.

“I’ve gotten to experience a lot of things in my life so far, but I think that moment is one I will always cherish.”

Being chalk and cheese Adam and Camille do not hit it off in the first instance, so there is definitely that love/hate aspect at the very beginning. However, as Camille’s wildlife adventure continues, Adam starts to see a different side to Camille and it just goes to show that first impressions and prejudices can be extremely misleading. From hate to friendship to more it was great to see these two blossom, however, their story is a delicious sub plot, this is all about the journey.

“I read a lot of romance novels, and I love happy endings. I wish I could write myself one, but I can’t. Because I don’t have any idea how this is going to end. I just hope that I get to see him again. That the distance between us won’t matter. That we’ll figure things out. Because I think I fell in love in the jungle too.”

Even though this a co-written book, it flowed seamlessly and effortlessly and as I said above I was transported to Costa Rica along with Adam and Camille. The environmental issues addressed were interesting and I found this book incredibly informative and it never once felt like a lecture. This is a holiday I would never have dreamt of taking, however, seeing it from these authors eyes makes me want to do just that.

As I said above, this is not heavy on the romance at all, shy of some horsing around and some cute and tender make out sessions, however, having become so invested in them as a couple I was desperate for an epilogue. When I turned that final page and that was it…I was like NO! I need more!! That is always a good thing though. While I appreciate that the crux on this story was to bring awareness of the environmental issues, I do think an epilogue would have given us readers closure on the Adam and Camille aspect too. Anyhow, I loved it!!

www.theromancecover.com

Love this book so much. It's such an amazing story. It's very inspiring and entertaining. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is 100% the type of book that gets turned into a movie for teenage girls. It is entirely predictable and filled with unbelievable numbers of opportunities for awkward moments between Camille and Adam. In other words, it is something my teen self would have probably adored in movie form but my adult self is rolling my eyes at. Which is ok. I’m not the target audience age any more. It did surprise me a bit by having more substance than most chick lit books. You get a pretty good tour of Costa Rica through Camille and Adam’s travels, learning lots about the local flora and fauna, and an on spot understanding of what ecotourism is and what its goals are. (Ok, so this also felt like info dumping, but that is what they do on tours so it’s authentic info dumping.) Camille’s ups and downs of travelling in such circumstances also read pretty authentically though her ability to bounce back and be positive I found a bit hard to believe. She recovers from her freak out moments surprisingly fast. (And as someone who lives in a tropical country overseas and sees more than a few tourists freak out, I thought the freak outs seemed toned down a bit…there’s no communication issues because everyone seems to speak English everywhere Camille goes…, there’s no money conversion/cost issues that come up…Camille freaks out about a porcelain toilet surrounded by curtains on their camping trip but it should have been a hole in the ground which would have probably pushed her over the edge…and there’s no cultural thinking clashes at all. So really, the freak outs are pretty tame.) I think my biggest issue with the plot was the way Camille treated Adam like eye candy in her daily vlogs and he seemed ok with that. It didn’t seem to fit his character, but I’m probably overthinking things for this book. It’s not meant to be taken that seriously. I know this is labeled young adult, but it feels more new adult. Both characters are college age, Camille has just finished her freshman year, and Adam is two years older, so it feels more aimed at that demographic. Hand this one to a hopeless romantic new adult who likes learning about far away places too.

Notes on content: Mild swears about once a chapter. No sex scenes technically but it gets really close with very heavy kissing and feeling described that narrowly manages to stop. There are some near naked encounters and awkward moments but nothing graphic. No violence.

I begin by saying that I love a double-written book, especially when they are mother and daughter with a good relationship as they show and the fact that they wrote a YA's book about wild life protection and the fact that it was an experience that the daughter herself had, attracts even more by showing real sites.

Camille is the type of girl who did not have to battle hard in life, coming from a rich and wealthy family, always interested in the fashion world she makes a success with a blog of fashion tips and makeup. Upon receiving the proposal to go to Costa Rica, she convinces the parents that everything will be simple and very good for her until the moment she is faced with the unglamorous reality that awaited her.

Adam, on the other hand, is a wildlife photographer who accepts his father's proposal to increase his portfolio and give prominence to his work. He knows exactly what awaits him and is outraged at having to put up with Camille.

The book brings a light writing with first person chapters alternating the point of view of each protagonist and shows well the dynamics of this type of tourism with its natural and rustic appeal and without the facilities of modern life. The book has been entertaining almost a juvenile chicklit with a beautiful background romance plus having an air of reality show because of the daily videos that Camille needs to record about her feelings while traveling.

Both characters needed to get out of their comfort zone and their friendship grows in a dynamic and cute way and they end up breaking the prejudices that each one has over the other. The way each one conveys what they feel on each ride made me feel there and live with them all.

I loved the way the parents participated in each one's decision and the way Adam shows how his parents' love happened.

I loved the cover and the title, very well chosen passing the fun and adventurous atmosphere of the plot.

What did not make me favorite was the way the writers developed the ending. I had a great expectation when I realized how everything was going on and as I drew to a close I hoped for a better explanation for one of the situations mentioned by Camille in her video at the moment when the plot point of the book occurred, in addition I expected an epilogue or a less Abrupt end .

Anyway, in general I liked it too much and worth the reading and because of the end I hope the writers write other books showing more the couple and other adventures.

4/5 stars

Kisses, Myl

I loved this book! Different from what I've read in awhile! Thoroughly satisfied!

Refreshingly different!

I was a little hesitant about reading this book as it was almost marketed as something sitting in between fiction and nonfiction. There are a lot of factual events and locations which provide readers with a great deal of background around conservation projects in Costa Rica and this is told alongside the story of two characters brought together by a fashion magazine in order to report on the many fascinating and diverse aspects of this wonderful country.

We first meet blogger Camille Caldwell who has a large social media following based around her love for fashion. When she receives a phone call from a well-known fashion magazine offering her the trip, and opportunity, of a lifetime, she jumps at it. Camille is to share her adventure with wildlife photographer Adam Lloyd, who takes an instant dislike to Camille and everything she portrays. Putting his concerns aside though, Adam sees this trip as a way to raise his own profile, even if it means take girly fashion photos! When Adam finally meets Camille meet though, he finds her sweet and bubbly, although at times frustratingly ignorant, or so he thinks.

As the pair explore Costa Rica through a series of pre-planned trips, Camille finds herself roughing it a lot more than she expected and at this point, she does become a little whiny, both for readers and Adam alike. That said, she’s young and whilst the story causes you to forget her age at times, her personality soon settles down into an altogether more loveable character, which Adam also finds.

From forests to beaches, butterflies to sea turtles, this story takes readers on a voyage of discovery whilst watching Adam and Camille grow close. However, whilst they do grow close, please do not expect anything more than a gentle affection towards each other as their romance develops. This book is not heavy on the romance, with the exception of some kissing and youthful fun and games. That didn’t bother me, what had me totally frustrated and the main reason this story is a 3 star read was the ending. I turned over the last page, enjoying the conclusion to the story only to see that it had ended, with no epilogue. I’m not the biggest fan of forced and occasionally unnatural epilogues but to end this story where it did was simply a crime. I appreciate that the conservation projects were probably the main focus of this book but still, this ending left me feeling flat and wanting that little bit more.

Whilst a new writing partnership, mother and daughter, this was a well-written book and one which people will enjoy if only to experience all that Costa Rica has to offer.

When I first found out about this book, I was excited! The authors created a unique twist to the online blogger plot line. I really found this to be a fun read especially for those that are social media lovers. The main character, Camille gets the chance of a lifetime to go to Costa Rica on assignment for a popular fashion magazine. However, there is a catch. She cannot take her cell phone. This is where she meets Adam, the super hot nature photographer. This makes the story a fun read because of the nature of this assignment and Camille being out of her element. I will not give too much away but this book is an overall great read that any social media lover should read

NYC fashion blogger Camille agrees to travel to Costa Rica on an ecotourism trip to be part of her favourite magazine. She is joined by Adam, wildlife photographer. They have nothing in common at first, Camille is not a fan of cold showers and no air conditioning, and really has no idea what ecotourism means, which is pretty funny to read if you've traveled at all and can really picture exactly what she's experiencing!! Adam is a well seasoned traveler so not very patient with Camille and has definitely prejudged her as a "fashion type" before getting to know her!

They have some great adventures, if you love traveling I'm sure you will love this book, it was a nice light read that I really enjoyed!

This book, while a fast, fluffy read, had a lot of clunky dialogue and that didn't make the low-stakes plot that much more compelling. A secondary option for acquisitions, if I find our shelves are short on summer romances.

This was a really sweet read. If you're young, it will give you all sorts of (clean) ideas for adventures to have. If you're older, it will give you a step back in time to reminisce about being that age and having these types of adventures. The characters are adorable, even the supporting ones, and you can't help but smile as you follow along their journey.

Cute light romance about a young women and young man who are sent on a trip to Costa Rica. The young girl is their to do a photo shoot for her fashion blog and the man to do the photography. Some interesting details about the culture, land and animals.