Kellan needs a break from touring with his band, and settles in, incognito, to a remote campground in Missouri, where he falls in love with camp manager JoyAnne.
(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)
Plot and Setting: 5 -- Plot has many unique elements, no major holes, and a sense of focus. Kept me interested and eager to keep reading. A really solid take on the girl-meets-celebrity story. Giving JoyAnne a really solid reason for not wanting to leave her little corner of the world made the story interesting, though she did drag her feet even more than I expected. Setting is clear, believable, and consistent. Enough tidbits about times and places that it was easy to know when and where everything took place.
Characters: 4 -- Main characters are relatable, realistic, interesting, and dynamic. Some very understandable struggles for the characters: Kellan's burnout and wanting to be known as just himself, and JoyAnne's determination to cling to the safe haven she's found at the campground and not wanting to risk any more loss. Some minor characters have depth, while others may be slightly stereotyped or simplified. I liked Vic, though I would've liked to see more of how he changed his mind about Kel, not just the before and after. Definite strong points in the relationships between characters.
Mechanics and Writing: 4 -- A handful of typos, punctuation issues, or word errors, but nothing that seriously hinders understanding. Good use of POV (Kellan and JoyAnne). Generally skillful writing.
Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. JoyAnne obeys God's call to let go of the tight grip she's had on her memories and the campground where she felt safe for so long, and in doing so she finds freedom and love again. Kellan turns to God in his weariness, and finds the sense of home he's prayed for. He also faces the consequences of deception, well-intentioned as it was. Sex, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all. Some kisses, but they're careful not to get carried away or put themselves in the way of too much temptation.
Personal Enjoyment: 4.5 -- I loved it. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. I’d enjoy reading it again.
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