Family Camp

Daddy Dearest, Book 1

De: Eli Easton

Narrado por: Matthew Shaw

When Geo signs up for Family Camp, he envisions nature hikes, s’mores, and a chance to win over his recalcitrant new foster kids, Jayden and Lucy. He’s tried to become a dad for so long, and he hopes the three of them can be the family he’s always wanted. What he doesn’t anticipate is the prickly and gorgeous camp counselor who constantly comes to his rescue.

Travis spends a week every year at Camp Evermore, the camp his adoptive parents own. As a pro baseball player, his presence guarantees a full campground and excited campers. He has one rule: Never, ever mess around with anyone at camp. His profession demands he stay in the closet. But one sweet and funny new dad is about to test all his resolve.

Sparks fly for Geo and Travis, and not because of the nightly campfire. Having been a foster kid himself, Travis is drawn to Geo’s sincerity and big heart and to his kids. The four of them just fit. But will this be a summer romance? Or can they find a way to be a family long after Family Camp is over?

About the Daddy Dearest series

The Daddy Dearest series will consist of stand-alone contemporary novels focusing on single gay dads who find hot romance. Expect laughs, sweet and sexy slow-burn romance, and lots of family feels!

©2019 Jane Holmes (P)2019 Jane Holmes

I loved the book and the audio made it even better

I loved this story when I first read it back in March 2019 and now I love it even more after listening to the great narration by Matthew Shaw. I don't normally re-read books but I do enjoy listening to the audio of books that I've already read really enjoyed.

When I listen to a story that I've already read, I always think that I won't need to pay that close of attention to it and can get other things done while listening; that was not the case with Family Camp. The narration was so good that it held my attention right from the get-go. Great job on the story by Ms. Easton and great job on the narration by Matthew Shaw.

Below is what I wrote about the story when I first read and reviewed it:

I'm a relatively late-comer to Eli Easton's writing so I'm just now beginning to realize how versatile of a writer she is. I've read one of her books with dog shifters, one with a mail order bride that isn't at all what you might think, one that was heartbreakingly realistic and a fantastic historical Christmas novella. I consider each of these to be wonderful books but oh so very different types of stories.

Now we have Family Camp and what a great story it is! I'm a sucker for gay romances that include kids. The fact that Geo is fostering two of them, and wants nothing more than to give them a stable home-life and environment, really got me in the heart.

The two MCs (main characters) don't exactly get off on the right foot with each other when Travis, a hunky pro baseball pitcher, misinterprets something that Geo says. Once that misunderstanding is straightened out the sparks really begin to fly.

Family Camp really is all about family. Geo becomes friends with several moms and the kids during the course of the week. Travis's family runs the camp and his parents and several of his siblings are integral to the story. There are a lot of fun things in the story and Geo's sense of humor is really delicious.

The book is also a coming out story. As a pro baseball player Travis has hidden his sexuality from everyone but one of his sisters (she guessed his secret). He's denied himself any kind of romantic relationship but he is so drawn to Geo that he just can't resist.

I won't say any more about the coming out part of the story as it would be too spoiler-y, but it's one of the better ones that I've read lately.

If you like a great feel-good romance, with just the right amount of angst, I think you will love Family Camp. I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.

A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

Emotion tempered with humor

Family Camp pulls at the heartstrings with a too sweet, somewhat hesitant romance and two adorable children. Most times in romance, kids are used for some cute dialogue and oh, how sweet moments, but Jayden and Lucy are just as much main characters as Geo and Travis, and the story revolves around them just as much as the romance.
Geo and Travis are so different but absolutely perfect for each other. Travis has had a successful career in professional baseball, but he also has plenty of insecurities from his childhood. A childhood that makes him the exact person young Jayden and Lucy need to understand their new situation. Geo has so much love to give and is determined to bond with the kids, which is what leads them to family camp.
There is a little bit of misunderstanding to slow the start of this romance, but it's quickly resolved and this pair of sexy guys can't keep their hands off each other. The real angst in the story comes from exactly where I expected given Travis' career and insecurities keeping him in the closet. It is done a little differently than the norm, and it's not over the top, keeping the story on the lighter side.
There are so many wonderful characters in Family Camp. From the other campers to Travis' family, they all add something to the story. I absolutely loved Travis' family and how they responded to the bit of turmoil between our romantic couple.
The narrator for this one did take some getting used to. In fact, I wasn't sold on him at first, but as the story progressed, I warmed up to Matthew Shaw's performance and enjoyed the story.
All in all, this one is emotional, especially with the kids' adjustments to their situation, plus the blooming romance between Travis and Geo, but it's all tempered with some wonderful wit and humor.

All the feels....

Hot - Funny - Sweet - Lovely. Truly a good read. The story and narration are excellent

Wonderful Family Trope Romance!

Oh my gosh, soooo funny! Geo's sense of humor is amazing. The deals he makes with himself, "I promise I'll give up watching Project Runway for the rest of my life, if (fill in the blank) works out". Simply adorable.

Really lovely "family trope" romance, beautifully performed by Matthew Shaw.

Family, home, being true, and falling in love...

Whenever I read or listen to an Eli Easton story, it's almost guaranteed to be yet another one that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. I read Family Camp, the first in her Daddy Dearest series when it was released in March, but even though I already knew the story, I was still looking forward to listening to the audiobook, and a lot of that had to do with the author's choice for narrator. Matthew Shaw became an immediate favorite after hearing his narration of Easton's Robby Riverton: Mail Order Bride, which was on of my year-end favorite audiobooks for 2018.

There's something about listening to Matthew Shaw narrate an Eli Easton-penned romance that makes me want to do nothing else but lean back and fall in love with the story and its characters. I adored Geo, and while it did take me a bit longer, I ended up liking Travis as well. From the themes of family and home to being true to yourself and falling in love, there was a lot to love about this audiobook, enough that I didn't realize that more than seven hours had already passed. Time flies when you're listening to an audiobook as good as Family Camp. This gets five stars. ♥