Trip

by Cheril N. Clarke

She’s ready to risk it all for more passion, adventure and liberation in her life.

As a “successful” and “happily married” interior decorator, Trish is desperate to feel a sense of fire and desire again.

She’s got the big house.

She’s got the luxury car.

She’s got the doting husband but…she doesn’t have a sense of freedom or intimate thrill.

She's trapped in a picture of perfection and is dying inside.

...until she discovers the electrifying world of “Jump,” where psychedelic trips lead to otherworldly adventures and taboo desires. But her secret time travel to other realms risks her life’s stability and could shatter her marriage to pieces.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2024

About the author

Cheril N. Clarke is a multi-faceted writer whose body of work encompasses a unique blend of creative and business writing. Beginning her career 20 years ago as a creative writer, she has since written six novels, several e-books, multiple children’s books, and award-winning stage plays. Cheril has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets, including: VoyageATL, The Philadelphia Women’s Journal, Curve Magazine, About.com, National Public Radio, The Princeton Packet, Philadelphia Gay News, Out IN Jersey, and Burlington County Times.

In the summer of 2020, Cheril made her songwriting debut with the sultry, neo-soul song, Your Touch. The track was written and produced by Cheril as C. Nicole and performed by a ghost singer.

As a business writer, Cheril is the founder of Phenomenal Writing, LLC, an executive communications agency that provides ghostwriting services to C-level executives and entrepreneurs. With a background deeply rooted in creative writing, Cheril has the unique ability to easily connect with audiences of all types and has written speeches for clients worldwide.

Cheril lives with her wife, Monica, and Shih Tzu, Foxy Roxy in Puebla, Mexico.

Reviews

[LaToya Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ This book was an interesting ride but it was definitely a slow burn for me.

Trish and Jamie have been married for years and on the outside looking in - they had it all. The careers, the nice house and cars. That is until Jamie is badly injured in a motorcycle accident and falls into depression. Although Jamie is there physically, Trish feels alone in her marriage. The intimacy is seriously lacking and she craves touch and excitement. After a run in with a family friend - she becomes interested in the world of psychedelics and is introduced to “Jump”. With Jump, Trish has the ability to time travel and satisfy her needs and desires. There are just a few issues : Jamie has no idea what his wife is up to and is this cheating? Once he finds out- will this destroy their marriage?
Overall, I really enjoyed the writing and the author did a great job with all the details. At times I wanted Trish to extend Jamie more grace but then I had to ask myself - what about her needs?

[Read_With_KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It was a journey of forgiveness, acceptance, and above all, a journey of love renewed.”

"Trip" is an exhilarating and electrifying novel.

The author expertly explores themes of passion, adventure, and liberation through the captivating story of Trish, a seemingly perfect and successful woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and desire.

The vivid descriptions of psychedelic trips and otherworldly adventures kept me on the edge of my seat, while the emotional depth of the characters and their complex relationships had me completely invested in their fates.

I am not sure I agreed with how Trish handled her choice to not tell her husband about what she was up to, initially. But his understanding regarding her ‘why’ made it all better.

Bonus points because the Harlem Renaissance era is a time I wish I could’ve experienced firsthand!

Overall, I found this book to be a fun, quick and thought-provoking read that challenges societal norms and explores the true meaning of freedom and fulfillment.



Audio 2⭐️ I don’t think AI narration is for me.

[Lez_be_readin_ya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you, Cheril, for this #ARC and the amazing opportunity to review your debut book.

Trish is in an unfulfilled marriage with her husband Jamie when she bumps into her Auntie Nia, who tells her of her exciting escapades over the last few years. With unmet desires and longing for more, she decides to embark on adventures of psychedelics, plant medicine, and escapism and into a world of magical time travel.

This book is brilliant it's exciting, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The journey that Trish takes into this world is very well presented and thoroughly thought out. The descriptions of the places and times she travels to in the past are great and informative.

The writing is easy to read. It's entertaining, and I could not put it down. I loved the incorporation of the hummingbird when Tracy experienced Jump it was a nice touch, and I seriously can't wait for book 2 to come out.

As you all know, I am a sapphic romance reader. This book, although it does have a scene with a woman, is a #bisexual book and therefore contains a scene with a man. Although I am a lesbian and more keen on reading books with only female entanglements, this book was really good and has opened my reading to dip my toe into this world also. So thank you, Cheril, you have made my TBR pool even bigger 🤣

I definitely recommend this book! This title will be released on February 21st, so go and get it in your calendars and pre-order today!

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book so fast! Trish was an absolute trip and tensions run high throughout the whole book - I had to know what happened next because she was doing the most but also not the most at the same time! Read it and you'll see what I mean.

It's very focused on the MC and her family from a character development standpoint, but there were some hints or mannerisms that she picked up on that made me want to learn more about how she interacted with some other characters as well. Sometimes I found myself questioning what was real because she felt so vividly. I also found the themes of intimacy and drug use very interesting.

Overall, Trip was a quick, juicy, and entertaining read. I have one question...where are we going during the sequel?

[alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my fave.

[AshtonReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very relatable for me. Finding psychedelics at 30+ years old, experimenting, doing inner work, finding who I am, what I want, who I want to be. I’ve also had the struggle of trying to do these things/grow, with a partner that wasn’t in that mind frame. It’s a tricky thing to navigate. I enjoyed the realness of this book.

[RNB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate how this book explored topics like self-discovery, conflict management, and healthy communication within a marriage

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I really enjoyed this. I did think that it was going to be sapphic but it’s not. That was my fault. I know better than to assume. The heroine Trish is possibly bisexual so that’s cool but she is married and her and her husband Jamie are going through a very rough patch.

I loved the discussion of mental in Black men as Jamie is clinically depressed. I thought it was handled very well. Trish is having her own issues on top of dealing with Jamie’s and starts experimenting something called Jump. It was absolutely fascinating and I think Clark did a fantastic job explaining everything and making sure that it all made sense. I loved how Trish was able to experience different time periods and I wish those scenes had lasted longer. I liked Trish as a main character a lot and the plot had me hooked so I will definitely be checking out book two. This was a really good start to an interesting and unique series.

*Arc provided in exchange for an honest review from the author

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book because the author randomly showed up in my Insta feed promoting this book, and I was intrigued by finally finding a book with a FMC who was over 35 years old. As much as I love YA, I'm over young characters right now. I crave more maturity and emotional range, and this book delivers.

The description mentions how it's about psychedelic trips leading to otherworldly adventures in time, but it's so much more than that. It's about emotional healing, growth, and accepting change in an unpredictable world.

I enjoyed the author's exploration of using psychedelics to heal oneself, and the adventures on which Trish embarked during her journey of self discovery.

I laughed, I cried, I gushed over this book to my husband and am excited to read the second book.

🌶️🌶️ - Mildly-descriptive scenes that rarely happen.

[Stacy L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting slow burn. This book is part romance, part fantasy, part suspense. It’s honestly unlike anything I’ve read before. Trish Gregory is looking to regain the passion that has been lost in her marriage following her husband’s motorcycle accident. She connects with a family friend, Auntie Nia, who introduces her to a new way of coping with her problems. Through the course of the story, we go along with Nia as she discovers a world she has never known before. Along the way, there are bumps in the road. Lies, deception and unexpected surprises. If you’re looking for something new and unexpected, give Trip a try.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book about longing and discovery. A woman whose marriage was in trouble looks for ways to fix it. She discovers an unorthodox way of dealing with her loneliness. Will it be what her marriage needs or will it destroy it beyond repair . This book was a rollercoaster of emotions and explorations that were pushed to the limit. I read most of this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down. It’s so intriguing and complicated. I highly recommend it.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trish and Jamie had a good marriage, until they didn't. Stressors have eroded the once happy couple. Jamie has made efforts to become the man she loved fully. Trish's feelings of frustration with her now lackluster marriage can no longer be ignored. Undertaking an unexpected route to remedy her situation, peels the layers of emotion, hurt, healing and communication to the bare bones of their marriage. An interesting story. I would like to see what happens next with this couple.

[Sheena Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a slow burn for me. I enjoyed the character developments and loved how she touched on mental health especially in black men, it was very refreshing to see that point of view. Excited to see what book 2 holds and the journey that Trish and Jamie will take together.
Thank you for this ARC opportunity.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had everything that I was hoping for from the start of the Sensual Portal series. It had everything that I was looking for and so glad I got to read this. It had a great cast of characters and worked in the story.Cheril N. Clarke does a great job in writing this and creating interesting characters.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brianna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and interesting read. It was a trip indeed and quite thought provoking. I love all the detail and information that the author provided for the contents of the book. I am looking forward to the next book to see how the characters continue their different journeys

[Christine Schneeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished my book and I truly felt that I was with the characters all the way through the book. MS. Clarke keeps you on your toes wondering what was the next Jump. When I was finished I was wanting to read more. I would read it again and again. Patiently waiting for book 2

[Ara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook version: I could not with the sound effects nor the AI voices (per the description - I hadn't noticed it till I noticed there was something off, I went back and looked at the Hoopla description and there it was.) I wanted to like this but I DNF.

[Jadance Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book really was a trip! Budum bum! 🥁 All jokes aside I think the concept of this story is cool and was compelling to read. It was a lil weird how she would go to another timeline to have affairs basically but girl was lonely. Also I’m not sure if this was a cool touch to add to the book or not because I listened to the audiobook. But about halfway through the book, there was silence and THE ENDING OF THE BOOK. So if that wasn’t a weird audio glitch then an interesting choice for sure.