Camp Nightmare at Lake Thrills and Chills Announcement & TBR 

Okay, this is low-key nuts for me because I’ve decided to create two posts for the two readathons I’m participating in this June. The first one is Camp Nightmare at Lake Thrills & Chills, hosted by Dona Ella, with co-hosts Daijah’s Book World and Khayla’s Book Corner. It’s a month-long readathon from June 1^st to 30^th. It is mainly hosted on Discord, so here is the link. I secretly wish that more book bloggers would join since there’s Misty’s Book Space, which is how I became aware of this readathon, and I from the book blogging world. I’m trying to read just LGBTI+ books in June, and I’m counting some of the books for both readathons.

Challenges:

Tie Dye- cover with your favorite color:

Goodreads Blurb:

t’s 2062 and Florida is partially underwater, but even that can’t bring down the residents of Palm Meridian Retirement Resort, a utopian home for women wanting to revel in their twilight years. Inside, hula hoopers shimmy across the grass, fiercely competitive book clubs nearly come to blows, and the roller-ski team races up and down the winding paths. Injuries can occur, hips and backs not being what they were, but everywhere you look, these women are living large.

But for long-term resident Hannah Cardin, all that is about to change. Since receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, she has opted for a medically assisted death, and tonight, she and her raucous band of friends plan to throw one hell of an end-of-life party.

In addition to the entire resort, Hannah has invited two important people from her Luke, her childhood best friend and longtime business partner, who she’s fallen out of touch with since their retirement, and Sophie, the love of her life, who she hasn’t spoken to since their sudden breakup forty years ago but has thought of every day since.

Luke arrives bright and early, but with an uneasiness Hannah doesn’t have time to confront, especially while she waits to see if Sophie, who never responded to her invitation, is coming at all. As the hours roll on, Hannah’s mind casts back over the highs and lows of her life and the love she shared with Sophie. But as is to be expected at any reunion of old friends—especially one as monumental and emotional as this—Hannah is not the only one with unfinished business. When a devastating secret from the past is revealed, Hannah must reconsider if she’s making the right decision after all.

Friendship Bracelets-a book featuring a friend group

Goodreads Blurb:

Sully is ready to get out of Hearst, Pennsylvania. With a fashion internship secured, the gender-nonconforming eighteen-year-old is trading in their stifling small town for the big city. Sully even sells their beloved car, to Bread—er, Brad—the most boring (and maybe only other) gay kid in town.

When Sully’s internship goes up in smoke, they’re trapped in Hearst with no cash—and no car. Desperate, they go to the thrift store, their personal sanctuary. There, they discover a vintage bag—like “put this baby in an airtight case at the MET” vintage. If Sully can authenticate it, the resale value would be enough for a new life in the city.

But when they begin to investigate, Sully finds themself haunted. Literally. With the ghost of Rufus, a drag performer from the fifties with no memory of how he died standing—no, floating—in their bedroom, Sully’s summer has a new 1) help this ghostly honey unlock his past and move on and 2) make bank—after all, the Real Real doesn’t take poltergeist purses.

With Rufus in tow, and Brad—who’s looking pretty scrumptious these days—playing chauffeur, Sully delves into the history of the town they’re so desperate to escape. Only to discover that there might be more to Hearst than they ever knew.

Emergency Contact- an author you’ve read from before

Goodreads Blurb:

Max Van Doren has a wish list, and a great career and a girlfriend are at the top. But despite being pretty good at her job as an assistant to one of Hollywood’s fastest rising talent agents, she has no idea how to move up the ladder. And when it comes to her love life, she’s stuck in perpetual lust for an adorably perfect bartender named Sadie. Her goals are clear—and Max has everything but the self-confidence to go for them. Even her mother seems to assume she’ll be crawling home to her childhood bedroom at some point . . .

When Max’s roommate, Chelsey—an irritatingly gorgeous and self-assured influencer in plus-size and queer spaces—offers to sponsor her for a new self-actualization app, Max gives in. If she can’t run her own life, maybe an algorithm guiding her choices will help? Suddenly Max is scoring big everywhere, and her dreams are achingly close to coming true. But when one of Chelsey’s posts reveals Sadie’s part in the app’s campaign, Max is poised for heartbreak on all fronts. Tired of the sponcon life with its fake friends and endless selfies, Max realizes that to have true influence, she’ll have to find the courage to make her own, totally authentic way in the world . . .

Field Day- do a summer activity (non-reading)

I don’t know what I’m doing for this one yet.

Pajama Party- Cozy Mystery

Goodreads Blurb:

Find an angry spirit. Send it on its way before it causes trouble. Leave before anyone learns his name.

After over two hundred years, Peter Shaughnessy is ready to die and end this cycle. But thanks to a youthful encounter with one o’ them folk in his native Ireland, he can’t. Instead, he’s cursed to wander eternally far from home, with the ability to see ghosts and talk to plants.

Immortality means Peter has lost everyone he’s ever loved. And so he centers his life on the dead—until his wandering brings him to Harrington, Ohio. As he searches for a vengeful spirit, Peter’s drawn into the townsfolk’s lives, homes and troubles. For the first time in over a century, he wants something other than death.

But the people of Harrington will die someday. And he won’t

As Harrington buckles under the weight of the supernatural, the ghost hunt pits Peter’s well-being against that of his new friends and the man he’s falling for. If he stays, he risks heartbreak. If he leaves, he risks their lives.

Mess Hall-favorite snack or meal (non-reading)

Relay Race- dual timeline

Goodreads Blurb:

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

Remote Location- isolation/destination setting

Goodreads Blurb:

In 1977 Uruguay, a military government crushed political dissent with ruthless force. In this environment, where the everyday rights of people are under attack, homosexuality is a dangerous transgression to be punished. And yet Romina, Flaca, Anita “La Venus,” Paz, and Malena–five cantoras, women who “sing”–somehow, miraculously, find one another. Together, they discover an isolated, nearly uninhabited cape, Cabo Polonio, which they claim as their secret sanctuary. Over the next thirty-five years, their lives move back and forth between Cabo Polonio and Montevideo, the city they call home, as they return, sometimes together, sometimes in pairs, with lovers in tow, or alone. And throughout, again and again, the women will be tested–by their families, lovers, society, and one another–as they fight to live authentic lives.

Cabin Buddies- buddy read

Goodreads Blurb:

Fresh off breaking up with her boyfriend and swerving away from the conventional, TikTok-ready married life she never wanted, Clementine is ready to explore the alternatives. Not that she wants to be single forever, much less die alone. But at thirty-six, it’s time for her to experience new things—including in her love life. And though an invitation to a fake relationship to appease family sounds like a recipe for disaster, Clem finds herself saying yes to smart, spirited dog groomer Chloe Lee anyway . . .

Chloe is long past her own baby gay era, but even before they’ve tackled Clem’s parents’ anniversary party and Chloe’s friend’s wedding, the two of them end up spending a lot of time together. As the attraction between them grows stronger, it all begins to feel pretty real to Clem. Chloe, however, is fine as just friends—plus she’s convinced Clem is just eager for “someone” to take her off the singles list. How to persuade her otherwise? After all, Clem is starting to realize her life is wonderfully full and being “alone” doesn’t scare her a bit. Still, being without the tiny powerhouse that is Chloe, specifically? That’s a whole other story . . . 
 Buddy-reading it with my friend Donna.

Year Two- to, too, two second book in a series, anything to do with 2, you can make a pile of books and mix them up and read the second book in the stack, you can do a poll and read the second-place book. You can spin two times and read a book your hand lands on. Feel free to get creative as we celebrate year 2 of Camp Nightmare

Ghost Stories- Paranormal

Goodreads Blurb:

Humans are dying in San Francisco. The most shunned angel on Earth may very well hold the key as to why…

When Cassius Black moves to San Francisco for a fresh start, the angel’s hopes of staying below the radar of the supernatural organizations that oversee the otherworldly and magic users in the city are dashed when he stumbles across a dead body in the sewers. His grim discovery soon puts him in the sight of the Argonaut Agency and Francis Strickland, the bureau director who knows his darkest secrets. 

Morgan King and his team of Argonaut agents have been hunting for the culprits behind a series of gruesome killings that have rocked the city all summer. Killings that bear sinister hallmarks of sacrificial rituals where the victims’ souls have been ripped from their bodies. When Fate brings Cassius in Morgan’s path, he realizes the angel everyone likes to call The Devil may very well be the only person who can help them track down the murderers.

Morgan and Cassius soon find themselves chasing down a sect of black magic sorcerers and cross paths with a mysterious warlock whose actions evoke disturbing echoes of an incident from Cassius’s past. As rumors of a potential plot to tear the Nether reach their ears, Cassius and Morgan must work together to defeat their common enemy and save the city from destruction, all while fighting their growing attraction for one another.

Show and Tell- true crime books, documentary, podcast, etc.

As you know, I watch a ton of true crime shows, so I am counting my prompt like that.

Free Space

Day on the Lake- water on the cover

Goodreads Blurb:

n the run from scandal, Rook is about to get in even more trouble with sassy Aldo. Is he ready to risk his career for love?

Rook Warrick

As one of Hollywood’s most bankable action heroes, I have a reputation for always defeating the bad guys and getting the girl in the end. When a video of me passionately kissing my male co-star outs me from the closet and puts my career in jeopardy, I run away to a luxurious resort in the Maldives to hide out until the scandal blows over. That’s where I meet Aldo, my sassy live-in butler. My world feels like it’s collapsing around me, but he brightens my days and sees the real me that I’ve had to keep hidden. Our repartee turns my unwanted sabbatical into a true vacation in paradise.

Plus, the longer I’m around Aldo, the more his playful innuendos make me think things I really shouldn’t about a baby-faced twenty-year-old. Even worse, I think I’m actually starting to fall in love with him for real. But how can it be wrong when it feels so right?

Aldo Farnese

It’s no wonder Rook is tightly wound when he’s a gay man who has spent his entire professional career pretending to be a straight movie star. He needs someone laid-back like me to help him relax as I take care of all his needs. It starts as a fun way to make both of us feel better as we pass the time, but it quickly becomes so much more than that.

I’ve never been interested in a committed relationship, but Rook makes me want that with him. I know he could be the perfect boyfriend for me, but how can I convince him to give us a chance to star in our own romantic happily ever after?

Camp Counselor- a character in a position of authority

Goodreads Blurb:

I’m determined to win over the one guy who hates me…but I never expected to fall for him

Being a prince may seem like a fairytale, but to me, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. That’s why I’m excited when I get permission from my uncle—the king of Norway—to go undercover as a student at an American college for a year. And I’m even more ecstatic to be selected for their football team. Soccer, I mean. The only problem? Farron, the team captain, dislikes me on sight. Determined to win him over, I start a charm offensive, but nothing works. He only hates me more.

Until the animosity comes to an explosive release…and we end up kissing each other. How did that happen when neither of us has ever been attracted to a guy before? Farron wants to let it run its course and get it out of our system, but I doubt that’ll work. I’m falling for him hard, but he has no idea who I really am. I fear that if he finds out, he’ll never speak to me again…

Icebreaker- new to you author

Goodreads Blurb:

If they want to be together, they have to forgive…

Dawson is America’s it boy.
Being a Hollywood A-list actor has come with its cost. And if he doesn’t want to lose everything, his secret must stay in the closet.
He never imagined a quick trip to his parents’ new home would bring him back. His first, and last, love. The one that ran away.

Leo has failed at everything.
Dead-end modelling career? Check.
Short-lived boy band fame? Check.
Critically panned West End debut? Check.
But, finally, he’s about to catch his big break.

Going back home after nearly two decades was meant to be a short stop before following his dream. Instead, he’s forced to face his past…and the ex that betrayed him.

Seeing each other again opens old wounds and their hatred is hard to hide. Or is it the spark that is still alive? They failed being in a relationship once. Should they even try a second time?

Star Gazing- night sky on the cover

Goodreads Blurb:

t’s hard to get what you don’t ask for
Noah’s world turned on its head when he discovered his new boss was the gorgeous Daddy Dom he saw at DASH. He knows he should talk to him, but how can he do that when he ends up hurting himself any time Deputy Daddy is near?

As the chief deputy, Zander knows he needs to keep things professional with the newest deputy. That becomes harder each time Noah gets hurt. All he wants to do is swoop in and make things better. Maybe if he can find the mysterious guy with the intricate tattoo from DASH, he’ll be able to stop obsessing over the newest deputy.

An accident has Zander’s personal and professional lives colliding as he discovers the man with the tattoo is none other than Noah. Now that he knows Noah’s secret, the overprotective Daddy isn’t going away until he’s sure Noah is okay.

A little communication goes a long way, but after a misunderstanding and a lot of embarrassment, will the two ever be able to talk? If they can’t, one of them is going to need a new job. If they can, Daddy and boy might just discover that they are exactly what the other has been looking for.

Summer Love- Romantic Suspense

Goodreads Blurb:

Viktor left small-town Vermont to become a Navy SEAL and had no intention of tying himself down or falling in love. A succession of men and women share his bed, passion and danger are his addictions, and he’s the first of his team to run headlong into trouble. When his nephew witnesses a murder, Viktor returns home to protect his family and lands in the middle of an active case led by none other than the man he left behind. He can handle getting punched out by Aiden, but teaming up with the sheriff to find a killer is not on the cards. For Viktor, love is dangerous, makes a man vulnerable, and one mistake could get Aiden killed.

Aiden never expected to find lasting love with a decorated active SEAL, but he didn’t anticipate Viktor would leave his bed never to return. Even two years later, disappointment simmers below the surface, and he never wants to see Viktor again. But, when seemingly unrelated deaths draw Viktor back home, Aiden has to find a way for them to work together despite their past. With Viktor’s training and Aiden’s local knowledge, they partner to work the case, but Aiden isn’t just fighting the bad guys and mother nature; he’s falling in love with a man who will surely leave him again.

What links the string of deaths in the Green Mountains? Can hate and distrust turn back to love? And if they make it down from the mountain alive, can Aiden persuade Viktor he has a reason to stop running?

Morning Announcements-audiobook

Quinn wants to save his bookshop, the last thing he needs is to fall in love…

Hay-on-Wye’s only queer bookshop is always a hive of activity. So when it’s threatened with closure, its owner Quinn Oxford is determined to do whatever it takes to save his beloved shop.

That is until romantic novelist Noah Sage arrives in town. Gorgeous, brooding and clearly unhappy to be there, Noah is the distraction Quinn doesn’t need. Noah has a history with Hay and it’s one he’d rather not face. But when the snow leaves him stranded, he’s left with no choice.

Hay is a small town, meaning Quinn can’t help but bump into Noah wherever he goes. And as the two grow closer together, is it possible that Noah’s feelings towards Hay will thaw? Can Quinn have a real-life romance and save his beloved bookshop? Or will he need a Christmas miracle…

Campfire Stories- attend sprints (non-reading)

First-Time Campers- Young Adult

Goodreads Blurb:

Nav knows how to flirt, but she also knows love is a messy, losing proposition. She doesn’t need her best friend, Hallie, the serial monogamist, to demonstrate it to her over and over. So when shy new girl Gia asks Nav for help getting Hallie’s attention, Nav makes sure she seems genuine—she doesn’t want to add another heartbreak to Hallie’s never-ending list. They strike a bargain, and Nav agrees to give Gia lessons in romance. If it works, maybe Hallie can date someone decent for a change.

Except…Gia’s not just bad at flirting, she’s terrible. She’s too anxious to even speak to Hallie, never mind date her. But somehow, every awkward joke and catastrophic practice date makes Nav like Gia a little bit more. And not in a friend way. As the three girls’ feelings get spun around, Nav will have to question if she’s as much of an expert as she thought…or if love might be worth every bit of trouble after all.

Camp Champs- treat yourself (non-reading)

Scavenger Hunt

Legacy Camper- a book you’ve been meaning to read

Goodreads Blurb:

J—’s life is consumed by the roller coaster video game Coaster Boss, and by the power she exerts over the pixelated theme park attendees. Her life outside the game, however, is less controllable.

Me.
I’m such a big space. I break the universe, a glitch.

She’s navigating ADHD, the loneliness of middle school, and an overwhelming crush on a girl named Junie. J— is convinced that Junie sees her as who she really is, a person who isn’t “bad” just because she doesn’t stay quiet and sit still in class. As a person who is realizing that the name she’s been given doesn’t really fit her. And that maybe boy doesn’t either.

Nature Walk- nature on the cover

Goodreads Blurb:

Anyone will tell you; Cooper Heath isn’t much of a build-it-yourself kinda guy.

I’ve been way too busy trying to turn my Hollywood dreams into a career—while simultaneously trying to keep my family afloat when my twin brother’s medical bills keep threatening to sink us—to ever strap on a tool belt.

But when Jacks needs a treatment I can’t afford, I’m willing to take just about any role that comes my way…

Even if it means spending an entire summer posing as the fake boyfriend of an up-and-coming YouTube renovation expert while we renovate a dilapidated cabin in front of the cameras.

Even if it means we’re sharing one tiny bed in one very tiny RV.

Even though I quickly find myself falling for my sweet, strong, sexy, stubborn, and oh-so-silent costar.

Because in a world of social media filters and fair-weather followers, Isaac “Nine” Winshed is something special, someone real. He’s strong, and honest, and kind, and so incredibly… genuine.

And when our summer is over, I’m left with an impossible choice: leave Nine behind for the life I always wanted or build a new life with him… together.

Okay, that looks to be about it. I’m going to try to move the Bootcamp announcement and TBR quickly, but if I don’t manage it, it will be up tomorrow.

Alex