Camp Eagle Ridge Series by Ezra Dao

A bear, an air horn, and a night in a very small tent change everything. Aiden. I'm so not into Jay. He's afraid of nature, he's a failure as a camp counselor and, well, he's a guy. And I'm straight. So why can't I stop fixating on his stunning face and delectable lips? Lips that make me think about things I shouldn't be thinking about my co-counselor. But when a bear shows up, it's Jay's anxiety that saves us, and I can't fight the urge to thank him - intimately... moreA bear, an air horn, and a night in a very small tent change everything. Aiden. I'm so not into Jay. He's afraid of nature, he's a failure as a camp counselor and, well, he's a guy. And I'm straight. So why can't I stop fixating on his stunning face and delectable lips? Lips that make me think about things I shouldn't be thinking about my co-counselor. But when a bear shows up, it's Jay's anxiety that saves us, and I can't fight the urge to thank him - intimately. When I realize he's gay, my fixation becomes more intense. Can I admit I'm drawn to him before it's too late? Jay. I’m so not into Aiden. He’s cocky, and full of himself, and keeps lecturing me about how great camp is. Plus, he’s straight. Or… I think he’s straight? The spooning makes it a bit confusing. Also, there’s the kissing, and the other things. less

Working at Camp Eagle Ridge was amazing until my asshole ex showed up. Parker. Camp Eagle Ridge is my safe space. It’s where I first came out as gay, where I met my best friend, where I found home when there was no longer a home to return to. But this year, everything has changed. My best friend has a better job offer, the staff is full of people I don’t even recognize. I’m getting too old for summer camp... moreWorking at Camp Eagle Ridge was amazing until my asshole ex showed up. Parker. Camp Eagle Ridge is my safe space. It’s where I first came out as gay, where I met my best friend, where I found home when there was no longer a home to return to. But this year, everything has changed. My best friend has a better job offer, the staff is full of people I don’t even recognize. I’m getting too old for summer camp. And the worst part of all? My ex—the closeted athlete who refused to make our relationship official—is in our cabin and won’t explain why. Dare I dream that he’s here to chase me, to win me back? But when Ravi, my nerdy new co-counselor confronts me about my troublesome crush on Sutton, it’s him I can’t stop thinking about. His gorgeous body, his dimples, and the way he studies everything in the most intense, detailed way—including me. Ravi. Coming to this camp was the biggest mistake of my life. Everyone is so effortlessly cool, so comfortable in the great outdoors. It’s the sort of place where I’ll never fit in. No one has a proper appreciation for the value of checklists and spreadsheets. And to make matters worse, Parker, my co-counselor is a cheerful golden retriever of a man who is the exact opposite of everything I look for in a friend. He’s perpetually disorganized, ridiculously impulsive, and never, ever on time. But I can’t stop staring at him. And when I let Parker do something very sexy with his pretty mouth, my orderly world spirals out of control. Now I’m driven by lust, bad decisions, and the dawning realization that I might not be quite as straight as I always thought I was. less

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be spending another summer at Camp Eagle Ridge. Especially not with my stepdad's idea of a "perfect" summer. I’d much rather spend my days in my cabin on the property, reading my favorite books, or working on my goal of becoming a professional illustrator. But I love this place, and I love my family, and I owe it to them to give them one last summer... moreNever in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be spending another summer at Camp Eagle Ridge. Especially not with my stepdad's idea of a "perfect" summer. I’d much rather spend my days in my cabin on the property, reading my favorite books, or working on my goal of becoming a professional illustrator. But I love this place, and I love my family, and I owe it to them to give them one last summer. But when I'm paired up with the infuriatingly handsome Sutton Holm — the cocky jock with muscles for days — something inside me starts to stir. And I’m pretty sure it’s my hatred for him. After all, Sutton tried to rip my best friend away from the man he loves, didn’t he? But as we navigate the challenges of camp together, I see a sweeter, kinder side of the man we all detest. And I begin to wonder what secrets he’s hiding behind all that anger. And why am I so drawn to him? Sutton and Ben’s story was originally published as Episodes 69-100 of Beyond the Summer on Kindle Vella. less

He thought he had everything, but maybe he was just waiting for the right man. Matt Blackstone is content in his solitary life as the director of Camp Eagle Ridge. He has a beautiful tiny home in the forest, he works his dream job, and he’s surrounded by wonderful friends and family. And best of all; he and his friends built camp into something truly special. But when he meets a gorgeous, sassy college student named Casey Kim at a student job fair, Matt's perfect world gets flipped upside-down... moreHe thought he had everything, but maybe he was just waiting for the right man. Matt Blackstone is content in his solitary life as the director of Camp Eagle Ridge. He has a beautiful tiny home in the forest, he works his dream job, and he’s surrounded by wonderful friends and family. And best of all; he and his friends built camp into something truly special. But when he meets a gorgeous, sassy college student named Casey Kim at a student job fair, Matt's perfect world gets flipped upside-down. Casey butts heads with Matt at every turn, insisting that Camp Eagle Ridge needs to make some big changes. Matt relishes the challenge of proving Casey wrong — so much so that he offers the young man an internship. Soon enough, Matt realizes that he’s made a big mistake. Casey is infuriating, bossy, overconfident and… beguiling? Their nonstop bickering might drive Matt’s staff crazy, but behind closed doors, things start to heat up in a completely unexpected way. And Matt is all in. After all, what better way to sort out their differences than by letting things get physical? But even though the hate sex is hot enough to light the sun, Matt and Casey are too different to ever really get along. Aren’t they? less