What do you think?
Rate this book
Camp
Adam Finley has a secret life...
Living with his conservative parents, Adam dares not express all the feelings he keeps buried inside. Bisexual to the core, he keep his gay side buried deep; only exposing it in the expanse of the world wide web.
Blake Roberts lives life wide open...
Out and proud, Blake helps people come to terms with their sexuality in a safe open space. He wants everyone to be honest; to themselves and to others.
When online friends become real life people...
When Blake meets Adam, he at first doesn't realize their secret connection. Once it comes to light, will he live by his honor code and stay honest and true? Or will Blake keep it hidden for the sake of his new-found feelings?
*This is a Friends to Lovers, Gay for You M/M Romance with a HEA ending*
Living with his conservative parents, Adam dares not express all the feelings he keeps buried inside. Bisexual to the core, he keep his gay side buried deep; only exposing it in the expanse of the world wide web.
Blake Roberts lives life wide open...
Out and proud, Blake helps people come to terms with their sexuality in a safe open space. He wants everyone to be honest; to themselves and to others.
When online friends become real life people...
When Blake meets Adam, he at first doesn't realize their secret connection. Once it comes to light, will he live by his honor code and stay honest and true? Or will Blake keep it hidden for the sake of his new-found feelings?
*This is a Friends to Lovers, Gay for You M/M Romance with a HEA ending*
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2016
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2016
I really hate leaving a two star review… Possible spoilers ahead.
This is the second book I’ve read by Beau Bishop. I gave Until Kyle 3 stars and said I was sure the writing would continue to improve. Well, not so much in this one.
I know authors work hard and it’s not easy to put yourself out there by publishing your stories so I hate to be overly critical. I will try to give only constructive criticism here.
That being said, major elements of the story seem to have been added without much consideration. For example, one of the main themes throughout the story was Adam being afraid of coming out to his super conservative religious parents; the whole time I’m reading I’m waiting for the big blow-up to happen. When we finally find out that Adam has told his parents it’s like no big deal at all.
Similarly, the logic of story elements just doesn’t seem to be well thought out either. For example when Adam and Blake finally move in together (after they’ve been together as a couple for 6 months) Adam says to Blake “You like to cook, right?” If they’ve been together 6 months and are moving in together, Adam surely would know that Blake likes to cook. The dialogue consequently is perplexing and distracting. Overall I just felt like the dialogue didn’t flow well and I had to read some sections more than once before I could move on.
This could have been such a great story but it just wasn’t. I almost DNF but I hate doing that so I persevered. I’d probably be willing to give this author one more chance but I think I’d have to wait quite a while and see if he gets better at his craft.
As a side note – and not a criticism of the writing – a couple of reviews called this a “sweet romance.” Maybe the romance between the two characters was sweet, but before they get together Adam participates in a few live internet video chat “sessions with other men where the activity is sexual and described in quite a bit of detail. If you are looking for a PG-rated “sweet romance” this is not an e-book you want to download.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This is the second book I’ve read by Beau Bishop. I gave Until Kyle 3 stars and said I was sure the writing would continue to improve. Well, not so much in this one.
I know authors work hard and it’s not easy to put yourself out there by publishing your stories so I hate to be overly critical. I will try to give only constructive criticism here.
That being said, major elements of the story seem to have been added without much consideration. For example, one of the main themes throughout the story was Adam being afraid of coming out to his super conservative religious parents; the whole time I’m reading I’m waiting for the big blow-up to happen. When we finally find out that Adam has told his parents it’s like no big deal at all.
Similarly, the logic of story elements just doesn’t seem to be well thought out either. For example when Adam and Blake finally move in together (after they’ve been together as a couple for 6 months) Adam says to Blake “You like to cook, right?” If they’ve been together 6 months and are moving in together, Adam surely would know that Blake likes to cook. The dialogue consequently is perplexing and distracting. Overall I just felt like the dialogue didn’t flow well and I had to read some sections more than once before I could move on.
This could have been such a great story but it just wasn’t. I almost DNF but I hate doing that so I persevered. I’d probably be willing to give this author one more chance but I think I’d have to wait quite a while and see if he gets better at his craft.
As a side note – and not a criticism of the writing – a couple of reviews called this a “sweet romance.” Maybe the romance between the two characters was sweet, but before they get together Adam participates in a few live internet video chat “sessions with other men where the activity is sexual and described in quite a bit of detail. If you are looking for a PG-rated “sweet romance” this is not an e-book you want to download.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
November 21, 2016
This started off badly and unfortunately only got worse.
I found it hard to get my head round Adam, a 22 year old, having to check with his parents and ask their permission about whether he can go out. Even to the Mall.
I found it even harder to fathom that Adam thinks this is acceptable...
'"While he knew that he was being very responsible and that adhering to his parents wishes was best, it still bothered him to be treated as a child so much."
But he allows it to continue...
He has to be in before it gets dark for goodness sake! He's twenty bloody two not twelve!!!
Later in the book he has no problem meeting someone for dinner and checking with his parents isn't mentioned. It's not until he gets back (late) that were told his parents are out of town.
It seems like important parts of the book were added without being completely thought through.
Another example is how Adam was terrified to come out because of his ultra conservative parents but when he finally does its absolutely no problem.
I really like the idea for the story and I think it's got great potential but the writing is just so immature I spent more time eye rolling than anything else. The characters lack depth and the storytelling is clunky, disjointed and juvenile.
The sex scenes were awful and Adam's 'enlarged rod' has scarred me for life.
Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I found it hard to get my head round Adam, a 22 year old, having to check with his parents and ask their permission about whether he can go out. Even to the Mall.
I found it even harder to fathom that Adam thinks this is acceptable...
'"While he knew that he was being very responsible and that adhering to his parents wishes was best, it still bothered him to be treated as a child so much."
But he allows it to continue...
He has to be in before it gets dark for goodness sake! He's twenty bloody two not twelve!!!
Later in the book he has no problem meeting someone for dinner and checking with his parents isn't mentioned. It's not until he gets back (late) that were told his parents are out of town.
It seems like important parts of the book were added without being completely thought through.
Another example is how Adam was terrified to come out because of his ultra conservative parents but when he finally does its absolutely no problem.
I really like the idea for the story and I think it's got great potential but the writing is just so immature I spent more time eye rolling than anything else. The characters lack depth and the storytelling is clunky, disjointed and juvenile.
The sex scenes were awful and Adam's 'enlarged rod' has scarred me for life.
Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2016
Deeply closeted Adam's only escape lies in talking online with his friend Camp. When he meets Blake he's over the moon even if he does have to hide it from his parents, however, as they start getting to know each other Blake realizes he already knows Adam from online. Knowing how closeted and insecure Adam is when not hiding behind the internet, Blake becomes terrified of scaring him off, something he feels might kill him. This was a sweet, light read with a pretty straightforward storyline and interesting characters.
**this book received in exchange for an honest opinion**
**this book received in exchange for an honest opinion**
June 25, 2017
Chat room to bedroom
Story one:
Adam wasn't enjoying his relationship with his girlfriend, for a very good reason: he's gay. Adam's outlet for his feelings was the word wide web. In a chat room he met a guy called Camp. He and Adam become very good cyber buddies. Sharing intimate details of their lives. Camp encourages Adam to embrace his attraction to men and do something about it. When Adam spots a sexy guy at a coffee shop a second time, he finally gets a chance to talk to him. Blake checks all of Adam's boxes. When Adam tells Camp about meeting Blake, Camp realizes he knows Adam more than just in cyberspace. - let the drama begin.
This story keeps it light with the feels and works out the kinks. 3.0 for stolen kisses.
Story two:
A bonus story with the kindle version. A governor's son feels neglected and stages a kidnapping. The plan would have worked if it wasn't for that dog and the meddling kids. Oh wait, wrong story. Well, planning your own kidnapping never goes well. Especially if you fall in love, and this time it's not Stockholm syndrome. A liberal interpretation of the American legal system is at play with this one. 3.0 for a cabin in the woods.
Story one:
Adam wasn't enjoying his relationship with his girlfriend, for a very good reason: he's gay. Adam's outlet for his feelings was the word wide web. In a chat room he met a guy called Camp. He and Adam become very good cyber buddies. Sharing intimate details of their lives. Camp encourages Adam to embrace his attraction to men and do something about it. When Adam spots a sexy guy at a coffee shop a second time, he finally gets a chance to talk to him. Blake checks all of Adam's boxes. When Adam tells Camp about meeting Blake, Camp realizes he knows Adam more than just in cyberspace. - let the drama begin.
This story keeps it light with the feels and works out the kinks. 3.0 for stolen kisses.
Story two:
A bonus story with the kindle version. A governor's son feels neglected and stages a kidnapping. The plan would have worked if it wasn't for that dog and the meddling kids. Oh wait, wrong story. Well, planning your own kidnapping never goes well. Especially if you fall in love, and this time it's not Stockholm syndrome. A liberal interpretation of the American legal system is at play with this one. 3.0 for a cabin in the woods.
September 8, 2016
As I come from a super religious family, I totally understand how much damage they can do to someone who doesnt't fit into their narrow box of expectations. So after repeatedly reading about how rigid and unbendingly fanatical soon to be college graduate Adam's parents were in their expectations of him and their overzealousness in their own practice, I was expecting to see that Adam would have to experience a complete break from them after being given an ultimatum from them to be like they were or be cut from their lives forever.
Because, let's face it, that kind of life long dedication to one specific set of beliefs does not go away because the person's chuch "adopts a tolerance policy". It would have made more sense to me if the parents had walked away from that church and found another who practiced the super fundamentalist viewpoint that his parents had through the entire book, all while taking the "high road" and demanding that Adam bow to their rules or be dead in their eyes.
Other than that, I felt that Adam was somewhat of a split personality in that he had the need for the gritty, sexualized side of his nature to make an appreance at times, with the cam sessions, while hiis sweet vulnerability had him seeking someone to love and accept him at the same time.
I thought that Blake's actions made sense in a realistic world, as people do not want to disappoint someone they are falling in love with, for fear of rejection and loss of that new found love. He seemed to be written as a bit more naive than I would have expected given his job and the fact that he had lived in the real world for a while. But real people have real fears that make them feel small to themselves at times.
All in all, I was not disappointed in the book, but there were times that placement of statements or questions did not make complete sense in the timeline. I would certainly read Beau Bishop's books as they are published, as I think that an author rarely falls into the public spotlight with all of their i's dotted and their t's crossed. I know that really dedicated authors rely on reviews that really explain the reasoning behind the rating given and I have tried to do that to the best of my ability.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Bishop and I look forward to your next one.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Because, let's face it, that kind of life long dedication to one specific set of beliefs does not go away because the person's chuch "adopts a tolerance policy". It would have made more sense to me if the parents had walked away from that church and found another who practiced the super fundamentalist viewpoint that his parents had through the entire book, all while taking the "high road" and demanding that Adam bow to their rules or be dead in their eyes.
Other than that, I felt that Adam was somewhat of a split personality in that he had the need for the gritty, sexualized side of his nature to make an appreance at times, with the cam sessions, while hiis sweet vulnerability had him seeking someone to love and accept him at the same time.
I thought that Blake's actions made sense in a realistic world, as people do not want to disappoint someone they are falling in love with, for fear of rejection and loss of that new found love. He seemed to be written as a bit more naive than I would have expected given his job and the fact that he had lived in the real world for a while. But real people have real fears that make them feel small to themselves at times.
All in all, I was not disappointed in the book, but there were times that placement of statements or questions did not make complete sense in the timeline. I would certainly read Beau Bishop's books as they are published, as I think that an author rarely falls into the public spotlight with all of their i's dotted and their t's crossed. I know that really dedicated authors rely on reviews that really explain the reasoning behind the rating given and I have tried to do that to the best of my ability.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Bishop and I look forward to your next one.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
March 21, 2021
Adam lives with very strict, religious parents, and is afraid of coming out of the closet. He is part of an online group where he becomes friends with a guy named Camp. Meanwhile, he also sees a guy at the coffee shop who he is attracted to. Eventually, circumstances work out where Adam and the guy at the coffee shop, Blake, meet and start to date. Blake realizes very quickly that Adam is the guy he talks to online under the fake name Camp. He struggles with telling Adam it is him, but he is afraid to scare him off. They have great chemistry as online friends and as boyfriends. It was a small obstacle to overcome, but these guys were able to do so. I do wish there was a bit more about Adam's family. He was so worried about how they would react and was a main part of Adam's reluctance, but then it seemed like the family was fine and a non-issue. It would have been nice to have a little more depth to that in the story for Adam.
September 20, 2016
I imagine coming out could be extremely hard with parents who are extremely religious. Adam was just counting the days to graduate college to leave the nest once and for all. Joining a online group helped him understand himself more. Meeting an online buddy named Camp helped him even more. He learned to stop thinking everyone he looked at was judging him.
Blake was getting over a bad breakup so he joined the online day community just to chat. He didn't do the cam thing online. He met Adam at the café he frequent on his way to work. Leaving Adam his business card was the best thing he's ever done. But what happened next to him scared him and he found he had to lead Adam on until he was ready to tell him the truth.
A cute story of two people learning to over come fear and just trust that everything will work out in the end. A happy ending as well.
Blake was getting over a bad breakup so he joined the online day community just to chat. He didn't do the cam thing online. He met Adam at the café he frequent on his way to work. Leaving Adam his business card was the best thing he's ever done. But what happened next to him scared him and he found he had to lead Adam on until he was ready to tell him the truth.
A cute story of two people learning to over come fear and just trust that everything will work out in the end. A happy ending as well.
September 4, 2016
I received this book free for an honest review.
I think the story was a good one. The writing in places felt stilted, more so than the previous book I have read by this author.
I liked the fact that it wasn't instant everything and the MCs were friends both on and offline before anything happened. The secondary characters or Adams girlfriends were okay I think they could have been involved more.
The relationship with the parents could have been developed more and it seemed pretty much of a let down after he had moved out and nothing was said apart from one line at the end. I felt like seen as they had been such a drawback in the coming out then they would have been more involved towards the latter part of the book.
It was an okay read.
I think the story was a good one. The writing in places felt stilted, more so than the previous book I have read by this author.
I liked the fact that it wasn't instant everything and the MCs were friends both on and offline before anything happened. The secondary characters or Adams girlfriends were okay I think they could have been involved more.
The relationship with the parents could have been developed more and it seemed pretty much of a let down after he had moved out and nothing was said apart from one line at the end. I felt like seen as they had been such a drawback in the coming out then they would have been more involved towards the latter part of the book.
It was an okay read.
September 13, 2016
Interesting story idea but too surface for my taste.
I feel this book would have worked better had the main characters been younger, as they did not act or sound 22 and 26. I think men of these ages could definitely do exactly what they did in this book. However, their feelings and experiences were boiled down to a series of brief mentions in melodramatic, turn-on-an-emotional-dime style .... a sentence here, a paragraph there ... but without real depth behind the words or dialogue.
My advice to this seemingly new author: Keep writing and telling stories, because your ideas are good ... but a little more "background noise" would go a long way.
I feel this book would have worked better had the main characters been younger, as they did not act or sound 22 and 26. I think men of these ages could definitely do exactly what they did in this book. However, their feelings and experiences were boiled down to a series of brief mentions in melodramatic, turn-on-an-emotional-dime style .... a sentence here, a paragraph there ... but without real depth behind the words or dialogue.
My advice to this seemingly new author: Keep writing and telling stories, because your ideas are good ... but a little more "background noise" would go a long way.
September 1, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really liked it. I thought it was well written and had nicely developed characters. The storyline was well thought out. I have never read anything by this author before but look forward to checking out more of this author's books.
September 18, 2016
A great start
The characters are great...I really love both Blake and Adam...(As well Camp). A really good story and yet there really is a lot more that could be explored within this story. There should h ave been more. My mind just keeps running off into different directions to further this story...thumbs up to a new up and coming/running author...
The characters are great...I really love both Blake and Adam...(As well Camp). A really good story and yet there really is a lot more that could be explored within this story. There should h ave been more. My mind just keeps running off into different directions to further this story...thumbs up to a new up and coming/running author...
September 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. I loved the fact that he had to hide who he was and then fell for 2 different guys who turned into 1. I loved the issues they go through and who they become. this was a lot of fun to read and I'm glad i got to review it
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews