The Relationtrip

May 22, 2023
Prolific clean romance author Johnson (The Grumpy Cowboy Collection) begins a new travel series with an optimistic friends-to-lovers vacation romance. Ever since Logan “Murph” Murphy stepped in as a last-minute companion for Sloane Sanders’ planned honeymoon after her fiancé abandoned her at the altar five years ago, they’ve been long distance best friends and have arranged a yearly vacation week together. But this year in Belize, everything is different: though Sloane’s been indulging in cuddly romantic fantasies about Murph, when he admits he’d like to date her, she’s afraid of ruining the friendship—and of being hurt like she was before.
Romance readers who know exactly what they like — cozy romances with beachy kisses and people learning to trust offers of happiness — will enjoy this execution of a classic formula. Logan and Sloane are likable leads; Johnson depicts them as well-suited to one another, and gives each of their concerns equal weight in the text. Their connection may be a slow burn, though the arc of their emotional progression doesn’t change much: both are interested from the start, as most of the tension comes from skittishness. The aspects of the story that center on becoming comfortable in honest feelings hit solidly. Though beach lovers will sympathize with Sloane’s swimwear decision woes, lovers of travel romances may find details on Belize lacking as the setting remains largely a generic resort.
The dramatic climax follows classic tropes but strains credulity, with the accidental revelation of a surprise from Logan that would have taken serious effort for him to have kept concealed for so long, and then Logan fighting to win her back by engaging in behavior that’s presented as sweet but in real life would set alarm bells ringing. But the sparkling final pages, complete with loop-around closure to the next year’s vacation, is exactly what the story requires.

Takeaway: Lovers of cozy, slow-burn clean romances will enjoy this beach story.
Comparable Titles: Emma St. Claire's Sandover Island series, Francesca Lane’s Grace’s Fake Groom.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B

Longtime friends and once-a-year travel mates admit and explore their new romantic feelings for each other while on a trip to Belize in Johnson's contemporary romance. Pittsburgh-based real estate agent Sloane Sanders, 31, is excited to be going on her annual trip with her best friend, Logan Murphy. The only chance she gets to see him in person is on their planned annual trips, which began when she was jilted at the altar six years ago yet still went on her planned honeymoon. Sloane offered him the extra ticket at the airport; Logan took it and was sympathetic support during "our non-honeymoon in Mexico." Since then, they've stayed connected by texting often and taking yearly trips together. Meeting in the Atlanta airport en route to trip number six--this time to Belize--Sloane is jolted to realize that she finds Logan very attractive. Logan, meanwhile, has been in love with her for more than two years. He's decided to share these feelings on this latest trip--and also the fact that he's a successful writer of romance novels under a pseudonym. When Logan finally reveals his feelings, Sloane is responsive but fearful given her past and her parents' recent divorce. Prolific romance author Johnson, writer of The Seaside Strategy (2022), has produced an enjoyable slow-burn tale; the couple effectively distracts themselves with several Belize excursions (such as ziplining) as they consider how to move their relationship forward. A particularly appealing element of this book is its depiction of a patient, perceptive hero, with Logan acknowledging, "I can write a happily-ever-after from start to finish, but life inside novels is rarely as messy as a single day a real human being lives....Sometimes I can't even separate the many and varied emotions I'm experiencing at one time." A sweet friends-to-lovers tale featuring an engagingly skittish and sensitive central duo.

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