The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

...from the publisher...
Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.
But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring.

Full of quirky characters, family drama, and sweet romance, The Happy Camper will have you scouring Craigslist for your own diamond-in-the-rough camper to restore and haunting your local hardware store for a handy guy to help your dreams come true.

...mythoughts... 
Melody Carlson's The Happy Camper follows Dillon Michaels on a journey of self discovery.  Always responsible, she worked hard in her career and was loyal to a relationship she thought would lead to a loving marriage. As the pieces of her plans fall one by one like a juggler's balls, it dawns on her that her that she needs a big change.  Her last straw moment became the catalyst she needed to let Mr. not-so-right-after all and that empty job behind to help her lonely grandfather on his farm.

I enjoyed this book, first because it was written by Melody Carlson.  She has the gift of developing characters who may need a nudge to see just how good life can be if they are if pointed in the right direction. Dillon Michaels is a good example of a young woman who gives all to her job and boyfriend, but forgets to live the life she was designed to live. Starting over is scary but sometimes, looking back one can't help but wonder why they didn't do it sooner.

Secondly, this book is entertaining.  Restoring the vintage Oasis trailer is a metaphor of Dillon's life.  She was tired and feeling a bit neglected.  Underneath all of the dust and old paint was a beauty ready to show how much life was underneath.  Dillon found a gift she didn't expect to find in the middle of this restoration.  She had to leave her Colorado life behind to see that her life was right where she left it behind on her family's farm. 

I will admit that I did not look at Craigslist for a camper, I am a lake girl at heart.  I did, however, scour the net on the subject and the first picture I found showed the exact colors of Dillon's little Oasis, complete with burnt orange appliances. From now on, when I see the vintage trailers on the road, taking the glampers to congregate, I will have a new appreciation for their journey.  I recommend this book without hesitation to anyone who enjoys entertaining, Christian fiction.  Thank you to NetGalley.com for this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.