Camp Love is a sweet and uplifting second-chance romance set in the charming backdrop of an adult summer camp. Ellie Belmont and Lacey Cole capture the magic of nostalgia, the joy of unexpected reconnections, and the warmth of a supportive community. I loved Jamie and Autumn’s chemistry, the playful camp atmosphere, and the heartfelt moments of growth and healing. It was a delightful read from beginning to end, and I gave it five stars.

Yes yes YES!! This is the summer of phenomenal sarcastic romcoms. I devoured this. Absorbed it like I was a sponge. Can we please get more books that are filled with banter between the main characters? The amount of joy I get reading good banter is so entertaining and this book had top tier banter. Autumn and Jamie are a former couple who haven't seen each other since their breakup. They decide to have a little summer camp fling but both of them realize....they have developed genuine feelings for each other again. I absolutely loved this book. It was shirt, it was fun, it had spice, it had excellent dialogue and banter. Perfect summer read. I think I saw this is a first in a series and I'll be searching for the rest of this series. I need more by these authors. So enjoyable and everything a romcom should be.

Short, sweet, and cozy second chance romance summer read 🫶🏼 This story really made me want to go back to summer camp, and Jamie & Autumn’s second chance romance gave me such romcom movie vibes >>> Hallmark in a good way!!! Ultimately, this was a bit predictable (and a little vanilla for me) but still had me going awwwwww. 🥰 If you like safe reads that make you giggle and feel cozy with a touch of spice >>> this is for you

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Consumed: Netgally ARC ebook
Read if you love:
• second chance romance
• forced proximity
• adult summer camp
• workaholic lawyer x camp counselor free spirit
• best friend side characters that make you 😊
• slow burn

Thank you netgally for the free ARC! This is my honest review 🥰

I just could not get into this one. I tried a few times but was just bored, so I ended up dnfing about 20% in. Could have been a case of bad timing between Camp Love and I.

This book was a very fun summer read. It makes me want to go to camp! I cannot wait for the rest of the series.

I loved how real the conflict was in this book. Oftentimes you run into scenarios that can be solved by a simple conversation or change in perspective, but the conflict of giving up your goals and dreams for the sake of a relationship is a real one. I like that it showed the conflict and working through the resolution throughout the story. It was a refreshing perspective.

Camp Love has a fun premise, but falls into the familiar trap of not being able to live up to the promise of what we could have had. While I was reading, there was something that just fell "off" about it and I never felt connected to the story. The story promises a second-chance romance between Jamie (James), a workaholic 30-ish year old lawyer, and Autumn, his high school girlfriend whose heart he broke 10 years ago, who reconnect at an adults only summer camp where she is the camp counselor and he is a camper.

All of the characters felt underdeveloped, flat, and rather immature. I understand that the setting is supposed to be an camp for adults where they get to disconnect from "adulting", slow down, and feel like a kid again. So why was so much of the focus on everyone hooking up and acting like they were 16, rather than on personal growth?

Jamie and Autumn are supposed to have history, as they dated for 3 years in high school, which was 10 years ago. I needed to know more about this history. Without that background, and only vague descriptions and one scene of Jamie explaining the reason he broke up with Autumn, I have no emotional stake in them as a couple. Their whole relationship during this week is based on the love they had when they were younger, how neither of them ever truly got over it, and are rekindling that love now. But I never FELT that. Give me some flashbacks to when they were younger, something about their lives over the past 10 years missing each other. Something! No tension. No chemistry.

There were so many side characters who were either only very briefly on page, or mentioned once or twice and then never again. Why was there so much focus on the gossip around characters who have no page time who are supposedly hooking up or getting flirty? I have no investment in these characters and therefore don't care about this "juicy gossip". Many of these names are only mentioned in this context. Jamie's best friend slash employee, Ren, who is also on the trip, is literally having his own summer romance with another camper, Grant, and we get less page time with them than we do with this side character gossip. Jack, Autumn's best friend and fellow counselor, goes through a gnarly break up during the week and Autumn doesn't even seem to care. He says he breaks up with her and she never even asks "Why?" or "What happened?". Just goes back to hooking up with Jamie. None of these people are good friends to one another, and continue the immaturity felt throughout the book.

At the end of the week, all of the campers are hugging and reminiscing about their week and Jamie makes a comment that outside of his family, all of the people from that week are his favorite people. Since when? Other than the first day at camp when he meets the other people in his pod, he isn't shown interacting with anyone other than Autumn, Ren, or Jack. When did these lifelong friendships develop? Again, I have no emotional connection to any of the characters because there is nothing being given to me to make that connection.

Don’t even get me started on the absolutely absurd ending. I really wanted to like this but did not have a good time reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It was such a pleasure to spend some time at Camp Starlight. I grew up going to summer camp, for multiple weeks a summer, kindercamp through teen camp. I would love to attend summer camp for adults. The setting in Camp Love was magnificent and I loved that we got a map of the camp at the beginning of the book to really help immerse us in the location. I loved Jamie and Autumn’s second chance romance. The tension!!!! Jamie and Autumn were together in high school. While I do wish we would have gotten some chapters from that time to help build the characters a bit more and help us connect to their romance, I was able to buy in to their relationship enough. The side characters were lovely and knowing this was book one of a series, I spent a lot of my reading time trying to guess which character’s story we will get to know next. I am excited for future additions to the Camp Starlight universe.

This was a really great end of summer read. The setting was exactly what I hoped it would be when I first read the blurb about the book. I think this cover design is great and will draw in lots of readers.

I think the adult summer camp setting gives the authors a ton of material to work with and I look forward to seeing what they do in the future books in the series.

I think the only reason it’s not getting more stars from me is that sometimes the writing felt off from the MMC. I loved his character but it also felt very similar to the internal monologue for the FMC. There were multiple times I went back to see whose chapter I was reading.

Definitely worth reading though and overall I enjoyed it! I shared my review on TikTok as well!

A story of second chances with people that are complete opposites in their personalities and outlook in life. James is a workaholic lawyer and Autumn is a counselor at a summer camp for grown-ups. James gets roped into signing up for some vacation time at the camp with his best buddy Ren. This leads to him reconnecting with Autumn who was his high school girlfriend. This story is about how James embraces his Jamie persona and decides to fight for what's important in his life - his true love 💖

I received this ARC on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Highly recommend 👍🏻

4 ⭐️

Camp love centers around Autumn, who is a camp counselor for an adult camp site named camp starlight. She loves meeting all the different people who show up, except when she notices her high school ex boyfriend Jamie arrives.

Jamie is a lawyer in the city who is all work, no play. He doesn’t make time for family or relationships, he’s just focused on the next big promotion at work.

When Jamie’s co worker/ best guy friend guilts him into a trip to camp, he’s also shocked to see high school ex girlfriend is a counselor there.

The story includes second chance romance, heart felt sappiness, and some spicy scenes. 🥵🌶️

I loved this story! It gave me the best summer vibes. I liked that the pacing of the story flowed well. You get to meet a bunch of side characters, and with the dual POV it really shows you inside autumn and Jamie’s heads, which helps understand major plots of the story.

I can’t wait to read more from this series in the future!

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, & authors Ellie Belmont and Lacey Cole for the ARC!

I was completely drawn to the premise of a book about an adult summer camp designed for a much-needed escape. This second-chance romance unexpectedly reunites high school exes, Jamie and Autumn, at Camp Starlight. Jamie, a workaholic lawyer, is dragged to camp by his best friend, while Autumn is an ax-throwing camp counselor who helped build the place. I appreciated the Pacific Northwest setting, though this book wasn't an absolute hit for me,

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the e-ARC.

DNF @ 25%

First, I would like to thank NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest and free review.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this one. I originally decided to request this arc because I love a camp setting, and it seemed like a cute, summer romance. I appreciate the atmosphere of the novel. I think the authors did a great job of creating a light and fluffy environment. But what I struggled with was following the characters. We were introduced to many characters all at once, and I found myself, as I read on, not being able to keep track of who was who. I also didn't feel a connection to our main characters. They kept going in different directions when it came to their thoughts and actions, which made the plot slightly confusing for me.

Although this one was not for me, I do believe that those who like easy romances, second chance love, and fun camp settings should try it out for themselves!

Camp Love is a cutie story about two high school sweethearts reconnecting after a decade - and did i mention it is set at at a camp for adults?! Not only does Camp Starlight sound like an amazing time, the story of all the people who work and visit makes me wish it was real! I love Autumn and Jamie and would recommend this second chance romance to anyone who enjoys campfires and a little spice!

Tropes:
Second chance
Small town
Found family

I loved the premise and some of the characters, I loved the diversity and modern day relationships - however, I feel like it was trying a little too hard to be inclusive in some aspects. The second chance trope isn’t one of my favourites, I’m a one and done kinda girl when it comes to chances. But the setting was fab and let me immerse myself in camp!

Thank you Net Galley and Victory Editing for the E-ARC 🩷

High school ex lovers cross paths at an adult camp in the wilderness… ah yes please! This book was such a cozy and feel good read! I am a sucker for second chance romance and this one hit the spot for me. I love a book with flirty banter and angst that isn’t dragged out forever and this delivered! I really enjoyed it 😊

I devoured this book like it was the last s’more at the campfire. Jamie and Autumn’s second chance story had me grinning, blushing, and getting all nostalgic about first love and the people we grow into. Camp Starlight is the kind of magical, quirky setting I’d kill to spend a summer in s’mores drinks? Yes please. I loved how both characters had to face who they used to be and who they are now, with just the right amount of heat, heart, and healing. It’s a cozy hug of a romance with just the right amount of spark. Can’t wait to dive into the next Camp Starlight book! 🏕🔥💕
#CampLove #RomanceReads #SecondChances #HighSchoolSweethearts #SummerFlingVibes #Bookstagram comes out Aug 5

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

So disappointing! Great premise that went nowhere. The characters had no depth, zero chemistry, they acted like they were 12, no background given - especially for Autumn and Jamie, where some "10 years ago" chapters would have been helpful. I thought it was going to be humorous but again, that was missing. And what was the point of having her parents show up around 80% into the story? Zero point, that's what. The story takes place over one week yet I could never figure out what day it was or how much time they had left until all of a sudden it was the last day of camp. And the choice Jamie made at the end was entirely unbelievable.

thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC! 🫶🏻

can we pretty please make Camp Starlight a real place? ✨

when high-school sweethearts Jamie and Autumn cross paths ten years after a devastating breakup, neither of them expected their chemistry to burn as brightly as when they were teenagers 🔥

Jamie is a workaholic lawyer, and Autumn is a camp counsellor who adores her job and her work family, even if it wasn’t her original plan of becoming a doctor

the vibes in this book are unmatched— the “summer camp for adults” was exactly what I needed to get through this Australian winter 🏕️

this was my first second chance romance and I will definitely be exploring more due to this book! I absolutely loved how much the characters have changed from when they were teenagers, as well as how much they grow and develop throughout the story

Jamie and Autumn’s story was written so beautifully, and kudos to both of the authors for creating such a vivid little world that I can’t wait to dive back into 🥹

📚✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📚
Camp Love by @elliebelmontauthor & @laceycoleauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Thank you to the authors and @netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Jamie is a workaholic lawyer, laser-focused on making senior partner. With no social or romantic life to speak of, he lets his BFF Ren drag him on a much-needed vacation to Camp Starlight, a summer camp for adults. 🍹🏕️

Autumn has worked at Camp Starlight since it opened. Between axe-throwing 🎯, arts and crafts, and working with her BFF Jack, it’s her dream job.

Neither of them expected to see the other again, but there they are. Autumn, Jamie’s high school sweetheart, the one he dated for three years before breaking her heart. And there he is: James, now a polished, handsome version of the boy who left. The reunion is as awkward as it is electric.

The spark between them hasn’t gone anywhere. But with just one week of camp, Jamie and Autumn must decide: is this a sweet summer fling... or are they ready to try again for real?

I absolutely LOVED this book! Camp Starlight is a genius idea. If this place doesn’t already exist, someone please build it before next summer so I can pack my bags. 🏕️🍸🔥

Autumn and Jamie are a perfect match. Their chemistry is sizzling, but what really made them shine was how much fun they had together. Whether they were flirting, reminiscing, or just hanging out, their connection felt authentic and natural.

The side friendships in this book were just as strong as the romance. Autumn and Jack prove that men and women can be just friends — no drama or jealousy to be found. And Jamie and Ren? Absolute friendship goals. 💙 Their bond is emotionally open and deeply caring in a way we rarely get to see in MM friendships.

This one’s a feel-good, flirty, friends-to-lovers second chance that left me smiling from start to finish.

Perfect for fans of:
💘 Second chance romance
🏕️ Camp settings
💬 Flirty banter
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Strong friendships
🔥 Slow burn with serious payoff

#CampLove #ARCReview #RomanceBooks #SecondChanceRomance #RomComReads #ContemporaryRomance #Bookstagram #SummerRomance #FeelGoodFiction #RomanceRecs #NetGalleyReviewer

This book gave me exactly the summer feeling I needed. It was short, cute, and had that perfect mix of romance and fun. I really loved Autumn, she felt like someone I could be friends with. Jamie surprised me in a good way, and even if at first he seemed a bit too serious, he ended up being charming and sweet. Their second chance romance was written in a way that felt warm and believable, with just enough spice to keep things exciting. The setting at the adult summer camp was super fun. I honestly didn’t want the story to end. I totally gave this 5 stars, no doubts. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.