Just a Trip

Just a Bentley Christmas #3

by Jenessa Fayeth

Waking up in Vegas is not all it’s cracked up to be. Before you ask, no, I didn’t find myself married, simply kidnapped. By my brother.

Let me repeat that. MY BROTHER KIDNAPPED ME.

Thankfully, the beautiful, albeit somewhat terrifying woman at the bar has agreed to let me ride to Phoenix with her. So I’ll be out of Vegas and back home for the holiday in no time. As long as we don’t end up in jail, or worse.

At least the woman who used to annoy me has turned into a decent travel companion.

Now if we can ever make it home.



Being home for the holidays is overrated. Or at least my home.

So when the chance comes to attend someone else's holiday, I jump at the opportunity. I’m lonely, okay?

But traveling with Trent is more than I expected. As in, I did not expect these kinds of feelings. Not after only twenty-four hours together.

The trip is perfect, in a complete train wreck kind of way. But what happens when we get home?

Just A Trip is a sweet romantic comedy.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Closed Door Romance, Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2023

Reviews

[Kaitlin M]

I’ve read all of the books in the Just a Bentley Christmas series and this one was my favorite! The struggles that Karli and Trent are dealing with are so relatable and it’s nice to see the process they go through to acknowledge these struggles and begin healing from them.

The development of Karli and Trent’s relationship was super sweet and believable and I loved how they got to know each other and understand each others quirks over this road trip.

I could not put this book down and ended up finishing it in just over a day!

This is a closed-door sweet rom-com with mostly clean language (2 uses of c*ap) and no biblical profanity.

Thank you to Jenessa Fayeth for sharing this ARC with me!

[Jess.bookrecs]

ARC REVIEW
I absolutely adored this and honestly I’m lowkey shocked cause I usually don’t like how fast paced novella’s are.. I tend to not feel any chemistry with and between the characters but of course this was not the case here. It was properly written coupled with the fact that the FMC’s story just about warmed my heart.❤️‍🩹

[Hannah Stob]

3.5 ⭐️rounded down

This was a cute and quick read! I liked the quirky characters; Karli was interesting but overall I liked her 😂 Trent and his family were goals! I love a close knit family and the thanksgiving dinner seemed like a fun event. I loved the traditions they had together, makes me so excited for thanksgiving next week 🥰

This story was a little too much instant love for me, two days to fall in love seemed a little much but it’s a short novella so I’ll take it.

Overall, this story kept my attention and I loved the fact that it was closed doors! I would love to read more of Jenessa’s stories as this was my first! Thank you for the ARC copy 👏🏼

[Taylor M]

I don’t typically like novellas because they usually seem so rushed but I didn’t feel like that at all with this book. While the story takes place over only a couple days, I never felt like the author rushed the story along. It drew me in immediately and I didn’t want to put it down until it was over.
I loved Karli! She’s so warm and friendly but she also keeps people at surface level. She had a hard childhood and it really impacts the way she interacts with people. Trent is very steady and dependable. He always does what he feels is expected of him. Their opposite strengths allow each of them grow and learn from each other as they face the challenges along the way.
I really loved Trent’s family, especially his mom and grandma. They’re my favorite! I didn’t super love Sean but he was written in a way that made me annoyed with him and want to read his story next anyway. I didn’t like some of his choices but I understood his motives.
I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read the next one!

I received an ARC copy of this book to review.

[Audrey Colman]

I might’ve said it in another review… but I’d love to be a Bentley. I know what life with 3 siblings is like, but there’s just something about all the banter in the Bentley family, the jokes, the bets, but also the love.

Trent’s soft heart just pulls you in, and the ways that Karli has to learn to open up and trust just make this book such a cozy sweet read!

This book will make you want to find an old VW bus and take a cruise across the country. Hopefully it’ll be a little safer and less eventful than Trent and Karli’s ride 🤭

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading)]

Genre: romcom
Content: makeouts, parental neglect 😢

This was my first book by @authorjenessafayeth and it won’t be my last! It’s an instalove story with forced proximity and a road trip. Trent is serious, buttoned up and grumpy. Karli is spontaneous and generally has a happy disposition. She’s got some pretty profound abandonment and commitment issues due to parental neglect. It was really beautiful to watch Trent and the rest of the Bentley’s embrace her.

Quotes That Stuck Out
😏 "You're kind of evil, you know that?" I smirk. "It's one of my more desirable qualities."
🦋 “I think when you have a family, not only will you fly, but everyone will, because you'll lift them all up."
💕 "The best moments in life are when you're faced with fear, but you choose to be brave."
"Thanks for being brave enough to choose me," Trent whispers.

[Lissa]

I absolutely loved Trent & Karli's sassy, funny, adventurous,caring, sweet, loving, swoony story!!!

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy]

Trent has woken up in Las Vegas. His twin brother, Sean, gave him a little something to help him sleep. He is not a happy man. For one, he cares nothing about the show that Sean wants to see. Secondly, he does not want to miss his family's Thanksgiving meal. When he plops himself down at the bar, he never dreamed he would end up next to Karli. Of all the bar stools in Vegas, they end up sitting beside one another. They have a little history that I will not share. You will have to read the book. Let's just say it was comedy hour at the Bentley house one day, and Karli was the star of the show.

Karli is only in Vegas due to an obligation she feels to her deadbeat mother. Now she is questioning why she bothered. When she hears Trent's story, she offers to drive him back home, if he will let her have Thanksgiving dinner with his family. She has never had a real family Thanksgiving, and she yearns for it. Trent decides this is an easy yes for him. He has no idea what is store for him until he ends up in the parking lot and sees his mode of transportation. I can just imagine the look on his face.

This will be a road trip that you will want to forget, but you cannot forget it. If it can go wrong, it is going to go wrong. There were lots of laughs, a few tears and even some harrowing moments. I wanted to reach into the book and hug Karli. This poor girl had no family to speak of when she was growing up. Her mom is something that I cannot type in a review. However, I have to give kudos to Karli. She is a survivor. She has risen above her circumstances and made a better life for herself. She is full of sarcasm, but you soon realize that some of this is a defense mechanism. She is also full of life. The banter back and forth between these two was comedic at times and tender at times.

This was a wonderful book to read right before Thanksgiving. Holiday traditions are supposed to be about family, and the Bentley family takes that very seriously, all while ribbing each other relentlessly and playing pranks on one another. This was the first time I read a book written by Jenessa Fayeth, and I was very impressed and very entertained. This will not be my last book. This is a closed door romance with kissing only which is always a plus for me.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessica]

Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and love you no matter what.

“Karli, you’re a beautiful woman, and you don’t need my opinion on a skirt. You’d be beautiful with or without one.”

I gently lay down on the other side of the bed on top of the covers then roll to my side and allow myself to take her in. She’s breathtaking. I can’t believe I didn’t realize how incredible she was the first time I met her.

“I don’t plan on saying no to you ever again” he whispers.
Waking up in Vegas is not all it’s cracked up to be. Before you ask, no, I didn’t find myself married, simply kidnapped. By my brother.
Let me repeat that. MY BROTHER KIDNAPPED ME.
Thankfully, the beautiful, albeit somewhat terrifying woman at the bar has agreed to let me ride to Phoenix with her. So I’ll be out of Vegas and back home for Thanksgiving in no time. As long as we don’t end up in jail, or worse.
At least the woman who used to annoy me has turned into a decent travel companion.
Now if we can ever make it home.
Being home for the holidays is overrated. Or at least my home.
So when the chance comes to attend someone else’s holiday, I jump at the opportunity. I’m lonely, okay?
But traveling with Trent is more than I expected. As in, I did not expect these kinds of feelings. Not after only twenty-four hours together.
The trip is perfect, in a complete train wreck kind of way. But what happens when we get home?

Road trip, one bed, taking care of her when she’s sick, family, found family, friendships. Jenessa Fayeth has a way with her writing and her characters. I’m not surprised that I had a great time reading this book. 4 stars.

[Randi Sampson]

Just a Trip is the third book in the Just a Bentley Christmas series. I had not personally read the previous books in the series and found that this read just fine as a standalone.

Right from the first chapter, this book had me laughing out loud. I could tell right away that this group of siblings were going to be an absolute blast... and that was even BEFORE the kidnapping! Oh yes, this book was certainly not short on the laughs! But there were also some really difficult moments with Karli's family as well. While those moments definitely tugged at my heart, the balance between the two was done very well. I appreciated that the humor kept it from becoming too much. And oh, the chemistry! I absolutely loved these two together with their flirty banter and how he wanted to take care of her, something that she hadn't seen much of in her life. This story takes place over just a few days, but there was a lot packed into those few days and I absolutely loved every minute of it.

Just a Trip is a closed-door romance with kisses only.

**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Priscila]

Just a Trip was a whirlwind of emotions. It's endearing and cute, and definitely pulls at your heartstrings, alternating between touching moments and real convos about Karli's upbringing, the secret Trent's keeping, and the meaning of family. Yes, this is a road trip book with plenty of funny moments (Bertha is the best) along with some "foot in mouth" ones (lines that can be understood in two different ways, like "I've slept in his bed") but it definitely had me laughing (or snorting) my way through. Like, I read this one in less than 48 hours. However, I especially loved it for its message about family and Karli's growth throughout the book. There's also some serious chemistry and swoon between her and Trent, and it makes for a pretty enjoyable Thanksgiving Sweet Romance.
I'd recommend this one to people who love that genre as well as the forced proximity trope. I'm looking forward to checking out more books by this author. ~ 5 stars

Content:
Romance: just kisses, but she sees him in a towel (thinks it's a dream) and runs her fingers on his chest.
Language: none
Other: accident involving fire

[Alecia (aleciareadsitall)]

This book had me hooked as soon as I saw the adorable cover. In this sweet romance, the main characters Karli and Trent are thrown together for a road trip after a random second meeting in Vegas. Their attraction is almost instant, and their bond grows over the course of the trip.

I love a strong female MC and Karli didn’t disappoint. She has a rough past, but doesn’t let it affect the way she treats other people. Trent was a protective male lead, but didn’t try to overstep with Karli. I loved the way their personalities balanced each other out. At around 175 pages, the pacing of the book was quick, and I found myself not wanting to put it down. Karli and Trent’s interactions were genuine and believable; there wasn’t any miscommunication or back and forth of will they/won’t they. The way that Trent talked about Karli completely melted me.

With this read, @authorjenessafeyeth is a new auto-read author for me. Definitely pick this this one up when it comes out.

[Rachelle LeBlanc]

SUMMARY:

Karli is in Vegas to spend Thanksgiving with her mom. Her mom does what she always does and leaves Karli at the bar to hook up with some young guy she just met. Karli decides this year to not stick around to Thanksgiving and to head home to Phoenix.

Trent was drugged with Benadryl by his twin and taken to Vegas to see a magic show. His twin just wanted to spend time with Trent because he had been blowing him off lately. Trent is mad and goes to a bar instead of the motel.

Trent and Karli run into each other at the bar. She offers to give him ride back to Phoenix since she is headed there. She just has one condition. Trent has to take her to his family’s house for her first ever real Thanksgiving dinner. He agrees. Let the adventure begin.


My thoughts:

I liked Karli and Trent’s characters. The banter between them was really good in some spots and just okay in others.

There is a short interaction between the two in chapter one that applied it was the only time they met. Eleven months later, they are able to recognize each other at a bar in a completely different city and state. Not saying it’s unbelievable but a little more interaction in that first part would have made it more believable.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read about finding yourself (Trent) and overcoming your past (Karli).

Thank you to Jenessa Fayeth for a complimentary copy.

[Well Read Wanderer]

This was my first book by Jenessa Fayeth and I loved it. I need to go back and read the series now, I’m intrigued! I loved Karli and Trent, they were both very interesting characters and I related so much to them, especially Trent. I found Karli a bit annoying at the beginning and it took me a while to actually like her but I understood her. Her trauma and past struggles made her who she is; and I really appreciated how self-aware she was sometimes of those things.

Although it felt a bit fast, their developing relationship was super cute. I loved that this was a bit of an enemies to lovers situation. It made their relationship much more fun. Also, they got to know each other at their worst moment which made it feel more real. Their dynamic and chemistry was there from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down until the end. I finished this book in just one day!

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Voyage]

I know most romances don't feel very realistic, but this one even less than usual. There are many weird things happening: how the characters met (during a fake tattooing session!?), how Trent is "kidnapped" by his brother (!!), how the protagonists meet and fall in love so quickly and irreversibly... Granted, they were cute together and talked a lot and had their fair share of trials over the couple of days they spent together, but I still feel it was too much of an "insta love".

Overall, it was an ok read, but it didn't really convince me personally. I'm not sure this special universe with this slightly unhinged family is for me. I'm sure other readers will love it though, because it's well written and might appeal to their humour and imagination.

*I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

[Farsha R. Sofyria]

First of all, i wanna thank @authorjenessafayeth for giving me an opportunity to read her upcoming book. So here's my short review based on my perspective:

I love the characters. Karli sounds so energetic and positive even though her family is far from that word. And Trent, he is a type of man who makes someone feel comfortable around him. Maybe because he is pretty calm but so fun to talk and very sincere. He cares about her so much, and i love it.
I love the way the writer writes this book. The words aren't too complex. She makes it simple and easy to understand without making it boring.

Overall:
It starts from:
They dont like each other
To:
They respect each other
They share the laugh together
They share the story
They understand each other
They compliment each other
They take care of each other
And so the love words become stronger.
This book writes all the processes nicely. Good work!

Ps: i think i need to read the other Bentleys books 🫶

[Marie]

Karli is a very independent woman but she's had to be and is good at hiding her feelings. Whereas Trent comes from a very close knit family who not only show their love for each other but aren't scared to speak their minds except for him he's known as the quiet brother. When they both end up stuck on a road trip home together from Vegas it forces them to talk. Especially as the trip ends up taking two days instead of a few hours. Will they talk honestly and will they both make it through the trip. This is a funny book that keeps you hooked from start to finish. I loved the characters and the way you just have to keep reading. I received this as an ARC copy and this is my own opinion and review of the book

[lovelybookstolove]

This was such a fun read! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Trent and Karli!

Love the family dynamics of Trent’s family. Starting with his brother “kidnapping” him (so funny! and such a brother thing to do!), and ending with the big family celebrations. It is honestly what I hope for my children someday-the closeness of siblings and wanting to be together.

I love how Karli fits right into Trent’s life! This is a well-written love story and couple!

You’ll love this book if you like:
🌸Road Trip
🌸Rom Com
🌸Closed Door
🌸 Forced Proximity
🌸Great Chemistry
🌸Found Family

I was given a complimentary copy of Just a Trip. This is my honest opinion and all words are my own.
Thank you for sharing your story with me!

[Carissa]

I really enjoyed this novella! Trent and Karli were an adorable opposites attract couple and I loved their road trip and time together! They were both super real with each other and saw some of their worst moments. This may have been a very fast timeline but it didn’t feel forced or rushed. There were plenty of sweet moments and hard reality mixed together. But in the end everything came out exactly as you would’ve wanted. Their story was really sweet! I can’t wait to catch up on the previous stories in this series and I’m super looking forward to Sean’s!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shona]

Another brilliant book in this series. Trent has been kidnapped and taken to Las Vegas by his twin brother. He’s less than happy and anxious to get home for Thanksgiving in a couple of days. He bumps into Karli there (she’s a friend of another brothers fiancée) and she offers to drive him home. On the condition that she’s invited to their family Thanksgiving. A road trip home ensues with much hilarity but also heart. We begin to see why Karli wants to experience a family thanksgiving and why Trent is unsure of his future. The sibling banter is always enjoyable. Already looking forward to the next one in the series!

[Cherilyn (Cherwhatyouread)]

This book had me laughing from the first chapter! Loved it.

Favorite Quotes:
I gently lay down on the other side of the bed on top of the covers then roll to my side and allow myself to take her in. She’s breathtaking. I can’t believe I didn’t realize how incredible she was the first time I met her. Something about a crazy lady with sharp objects tends to frighten a man. Or just me. But now, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to take my eyes off of her.

No one has ever taken care of me like this. My fingers find the familiar gold chain around my wrist and it’s like I can hear my grandma saying, ‘That’s how you know he’s a good one.’

[Ella Staffolani]

I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book.

It got me laughing out loud, and shipping for the first page.

When I got this arc, i wasn’t aware it was part of a series, but it works as a stand alone just fine.

The chemistry of the characters is so on point, that I didn’t mind how fast the feelings for each other started growing. Because sometimes that happens, and you cannot quite put it into words.

If you want the perfect festive book for this season this is it, look no longer!!

[Alisha]

I loved this book so much! It was a fun read. Even though it was a short story that takes place within a few days, it was perfectly paced and the characters were well written. Trent and Karli were able to be vulnerable with each other and truly see one another while overcoming obstacles together. This book is full of fun banter, sweetness, a pinch of spice and self discovery. I adore the Bentley family and their bets and was so happy that Karli became a part of their family. I am looking forward to Sean's story!

[Laura Bradley]

Trent Bentley's brother kidnaps him and takes him to Vegas. However, Trent does not want to go to Vegas and when he's there he bumps into his sister in law's bestie, Karli, who he's only met once before. She offers him a ride back home in her van and the ride home is what you could call eventful..

I loved this book. The banter and chemistry between the two main characters was palpable and it was such a fun and sweet read!

Some tropes in this book include forced proximity, strangers to lovers, one bed, found family and dual POV.

[Mary Ann Speel]

Story of two people who meet unexpectedly in a bar who have been been left by the person they came with or purposefully left the person they came with. They both want to leave the bar and go to another city where family is for Thanksgiving dinner. The woman has the van and it’s the man’s family who is hosting the dinner. The trip should only take 4 hours but with all the problems they encounter along the way it takes them 2 days. They arrive in time for the feast and the family is overjoyed to have the woman, who they know and love participate in their feast. HEA for the H/h.

[Dana Loves Books]

Just a Trip
By Jenessa Fayeth

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

Y’all, this was such a fun read! I truly enjoyed Karli and Trent, their chemistry was undeniable! This one definitely pulls at your heartstrings. It had some hilarious moments, some really cute moments and some really raw ones as well. It was really a total package.

There was a lot of family banter which I am obsessed with. The found family in this book was just sheer perfection. Jenessa can write a beautiful family dynamic. This was the first book by her I’ve read but definitely won’t be my last.

[Jamie Adams]

This was my first book I read by Jenessa Fayeth and it definitely didn't disappoint. I really liked reading it and it's a great quick read to put you in the holiday mood. I loved how well Trent and Karli fit together, once they got used to one another. Overall it was a great quick read and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more books by this author as well. Thank you to Jenessa Fayeth for the advanced copy.

[Lynsey McDaniel]

This is me in the year 2023 realizing how much I have needed a Thanksgiving read.

This is a road trip romcom that dives pretty deep into the themes of found families, healthy boundaries, and maternal trauma. It is titled as a novella, and I definitely wish it had been just a bit longer to flesh out some of those richer elements that it touched on. The characters were likable and I was rooting for them.

🦃🦃🦃🦃

[MacKenzie]

This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is in a series but can easily be read as a stand alone. Trent and Karli have met because of a family member but never really hung out. In a situation of a road trip where everything seems to go wrong they begin to drive deeper into what makes each person. I loved their dynamic and felt like Trent really understood Karli’s tells. Plus the road trip was hilarious and they took everything in stride.

[Rosemary Vera]

“Thanks for being brave enough to choose me.”
-Trent

The perfect thanksgiving read!
A road trip that changed two lives for the better. A holiday where family comes together to be thankful and grateful.
And a book that captures love, family, and hope. I completely loved this book and Jenessa always does an amazing job in leaving me smiling with a happy heart by the end of her books! Can’t wait to read Sean’s story!