Benson

by Brina Brady

Thirty-year-old Benson McCoy hides behind a veil of precision and routine, his cab a sanctuary of order where every item has its place, and every stop is timed to the minute. Beneath his tight-lipped smiles and mechanical schedule lies a man aching with loneliness, haunted by the time he never carved out for connection. As he hauls a load of toys cross-country from New York to Los Angeles, trapped in a cycle of work and his father’s expectations, Benson quietly yearns for something or someone to disrupt his solitude. He doesn’t expect that someone to be Kyle Foster, a charming storm of disarray who might just upend Benson’s rigid world and uncover the tenderness he’s tried so hard to bury.

Twenty-two-year-old Kyle, impulsive and reckless, runs from the chaotic mess of his own making with the sounds of sirens faintly echoing in the distance. Kyle shows up on the shoulder of some frozen NYC highway, hitchhiking toward California with half a plan and a backpack full of chaos. If anyone needs a daddy, it’s Kyle. He asks too many questions, laughs too loud, and doesn’t know how to shut down his heart or his mouth. Kyle’s presence is a messy explosion of honest emotion, impossible to ignore his whirlwind of unfiltered energy.

They hit the icy roads together—two strangers, one rig, and a growing tension neither of them knows what to do with. Between awkward silences, cheap diner meals, and late-night talks that get way too real, Benson and Kyle begin to crack each other open. Benson needs a boy, and Kyle needs a Daddy for Christmas. Neither of them was looking for love.

Love doesn’t always come knocking, but sometimes, it climbs into the passenger seat and refuses to shut up.

A Daddy for Christmas 3 is a multi-author series. Holiday tales of lost boys in need of Daddy’s love and in some cases, a firm hand. Naughty or nice, it’s all in Santa’s hands now. So why not dive in and read each standalone and enjoy the holidays alongside our boys? The character’s theme is Grumpy and Sunshine.

Genres: Christmas, M M Romance

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

I read and write M/M Gay Erotica/Romance novels.

I am a retired high school teacher with a Master's Degree from California State University of Long Beach and UCLA.

I taught various high school subjects including the following:world history, math, Algebra, Careers, CAHSEE prep, Independent Studies,science, Adult School, Orientation, and even middle school for three years. Let's not talk about the middle school experience. I prefer teaching high school seniors.

During the day, I read and write. I enjoy taking writing classes in my spare time.

Reviews

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benson & Kyle do not have a relationship of fluff and pure sweetness. They have a real one that makes your heart race and hope they find their peace. Benson picks up Kyle hitchhiking to California, and together they take to the open road in hopes of finding where they belong. The build up to them being truly fully together was beautiful in that way you understood both sides of what was going on. Kyle needed to see if his California dream was real or another wish. Benson needed to return home to help run the company before it fell apart. Neither decision was made lightly and in the end paved for them to have a stronger relationship in the end. Also can say this was one of the few road trip romances that I got and enjoyed how their story developed.

[lori ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. I highly recommend this book to read this book.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle is escaping, or at least trying to. He's burned his bridges with his last job after being asked to do more than he’s comfortable with. A new start in California draws him to hitchhiking out of New York. Benson is heading west delivering toys to those in need along the way when he spots a very cold young man looking for a ride. So starts this enchanting story of two lost souls finding what they need in each other, home. Benson becomes the Daddy that Kyle needs to love him, protect him, and see him like he's worth something. Kyle is the chaos that Benson needs to unlock the emotions that he's kept buried in his organized precision. This definitely was a hard one to put down and seems to need a second volume.

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

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benson McCoy, thirty and rigidly disciplined, lives a life of routine on the road, hauling toys across the country while keeping his emotions locked away. His spotless truck and strict rules are shields against the silence of a loveless existence. Kyle Foster, twenty-two and reckless, bursts into Benson’s world with charm, chaos, and a desperate need for care. Hitchhiking west with nothing but a backpack, Kyle’s openness and laughter clash with Benson’s restraint, sparking tension and unexpected intimacy. Snowbound miles turn strangers into confidants as guarded silences give way to late-night confessions, cheap coffee, and tender moments neither planned. Benson wasn’t searching for a boy, and Kyle wasn’t seeking a Daddy — yet together they discover what happens when control collides with chaos, and buried tenderness demands to be seen.

I enjoyed this story about two strangers finding love in motion, proving that sometimes the road to intimacy begins with collision. I liked that Benson’s rigid discipline met Kyle’s reckless freedom, creating friction that blossomed into connection and that both men carried emptiness, but the road became a space where vulnerability could surface. Neither man sought romance, yet their bond grew from chance encounters into something transformative. I also liked that beneath the banter and tension lies the possibility of healing through care and acceptance. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Daddy for Christmas 3 delivers a grumpy/sunshine pairing that feels far more grounded than the premise might suggest. Benson and Kyle’s connection isn’t wrapped in festive fluff; it’s messy, tentative, and full of the kind of emotion that creeps up on you during long stretches of open road. Their journey from New York to California gives the story space to breathe, and watching them slowly let down their guards, sometimes reluctantly, sometimes unintentionally, is one of the book’s greatest strengths.

Benson’s rigid routines and carefully contained life make a striking contrast to Kyle’s chaotic charm, and the way they unsettle each other feels authentic rather than gimmicky. Both men have crossroads to face, and the choices they grapple with add weight to the romance rather than pulling focus from it. By the time they start to find a rhythm together, you really understand what each of them stands to lose and what they might finally gain.

It’s one of the rare road-trip romances where the journey genuinely shapes the relationship, not just the scenery. Warm, heartfelt, and surprisingly reflective, it’s a holiday story that leaves you hoping both men find exactly where—and with whom—they’re meant to be.

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

[Yvonne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved all of the adventures in this wonderful book. I feel in love with Benson from the very beginning and once Kyle made himself known and asked for Benson to help him I feel for him too. Benson is a wonderful caring man who was traveling across country to bring LGBTQ children who are shunned because of who they are, a wonderful holiday because he knows they matter. Along his way (at the beginning) he found and saved Kyle from freezing to death at a frozen over rest stop where his car had died. Once these two started talking they had an instant connection and really made the trip across country an adventure. Then Kyle started doubting that Benson meant the words he was saying and tried to flee but Benson told him that he loved him and that he wasn’t going away, emotionally. Benson had to return home to Michigan because he had a family business that he had to take care of but he left a plane ticket for Kyle so he could come to be with Benson when he was ready. After a little while of torturing them both Kyle decided he was ready to choose a life with Benson. I am so glad that I got to read this book because I really appreciate the ones I love and the holidays more now.

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

[Steve Pardue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two captivating protagonists, Benson and Kyle, embark on an unforgettable adventure across the country. This tale highlights their journey from New York to California, where they play Santa Claus and his elf helper, respectively.

Benson and Kyle's journey is anything but ordinary. As they embrace their festive roles, they soon find themselves under the watchful eyes of an unknown follower. This element of suspense provides a thrilling backdrop to their blossoming relationship. Their emotional arcs are intricately intertwined, offering readers a deep understanding of their distinct personalities and the chemistry that develops between them.

As Benson and Kyle navigate their complicated surroundings, the evolving dynamics between them become a focal point of the story. They find love along the way, yet their differing visions of life challenge their budding romance. These contrasting ideals lead to a poignant split that underscores the characters' emotional depth. However, through uncertainties and missed opportunities, they ultimately discover what truly matters, guiding them toward their happy ending.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS 3. This is a Multiple Award Winning Authors Collaboration that lend their talents to make Christmas wishes come true. All Standalone Books so you can choose your favorite Author or buy them all. You will find heart warming holiday bliss. BRINA BRADY has gifted us with Daddy Benson. He is driving an 18 Wheeler across the United States to deliver Christmas wishes to displaced young people who have been abandoned for living their truth. Kyle is standing in the snow in NYC trying to hitchhike to California. These two begin a journey that leads to love and heartbreak. Growing up in a broken system, Kyle has never known love. Benson is going to give this broken young man something to believe in. This is a hard won battle for both. Brina Brady gives them both a new perspective on what love is all about. I Loved This Book. These Books make my holiday season brighter. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS A DADDY FOR CHRISTMAS 3!!!!!!!!!!

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Benson, is hauling toys from NY to LA. Kyle, fiercely independent, is dancing in a club because he loves to dance while keeping his head down. His employer makes and unacceptable request which Kyle refuses to agree with. As he is leaving, he makes a bad decision. He decides to leave town with his minimum possessions and not dressed for the weather. Benson, sees him on the side of the road obviously freezing and decides to help out. Kyle has a lot of dreams and questions about life. He doesn't view life as easy. Benson, is taking a break from running the family business with his brother. They each travel with questions, decisions self inventory and obligations. They are really on a trip of discovery and are surprised when they discover each other. Good story, nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Daddy Benson’s gaze landed on Kyle, who was quietly wiping a tear away, his shoulders slightly slumped. This wasn’t just nostalgia. It was healing. A reminder of where he’d been and how far he’d come.'

I really enjoyed this book. Good world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Benson and Kyle. I thought they were really sweet together and Benson was exactly the Daddy Kyle needed. But Benson was lonely, and Kyle was exactly what he needed as well. Kyle did appreciate Benson picking him up on the side of the road after he escaped his last job, and their personalities clicked right away.

'For the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel like he was running. He felt like just maybe he was heading somewhere worth going.'

I liked the dynamic between them and the way their relationship developed. A sweet holiday romance. 4 stars

[Anij · Rating 3 out of 5]

"He knew one thing about Kyle: he was lying to him."

Hard review to write. This story started strong. I liked both Benson and Kyle. Their road trip was fun and I loved their dynamic and how they responded to each other. Once they arrived in California their story suddenly changed and not for the better. They stopped communicating and instead made assumptions that didn't match the characters I had come to know. Kyle's reasons for not wanting to leave were selfish and foolish. Benson's for leaving seemed sudden and didn't even make sense until later, which means he never explained himself to Kyle. The ending was abrupt and incomplete. Yes, we got a hea, but it was so brief, it didn't even feel real. After such a great start I felt it needed more. If they had spent Christmas together in California and then gone to Michigan to live I would have rated this story higher. For me everything that happened from Christmas Day on was totally unnecessary and spoiled a good holiday story.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Daddy for Christmas 3: Benson is part of the multi author Daddy for Christmas 3 series. Each book can be read as a standalone but why not enjoy the whole series. This is the story of Benson and Kyle. I fell in love with both of these guys because they feel so real. I loved that the relationship took time off develope. In the end they were just what the other needed. This was a perfect holiday story filled with emotion. I would definitely recommend this book and series as 5 star reads.
received a free review copy

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benson by Brina Brady is about 2 men Benson & Kyle who meet under unusual circumstances and fall in love. Kyle is afraid of his past of being invisible and that he will lose himself if he doesn’t stand on his own two feet. Benson, dealing with his own problems, wants to keep Kyle safe and seen. I wish it could have been a little longer with diving into Benson and Kyle’s past just a little more.
This was a lovely and sweet story that you can find love and safety anywhere but not lose yourself in being visible when you are used to being invisible to everyone.

[Alyl02 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick & easy book to read. Benson is such a sweet person so giving. To see a MC that goes above and beyond is so wonderful to see/read. While Kyle takes a bit longer for you to love as a character. But I love that each character gave the other what they needed without even trying. Both found a home & love that they needed. There were moments that were a bit too much for me but so quick that it didn’t really affect the story or me likely the story. I love the growth by the end.

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

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benson McCoy is all precision and routine. He has plans for his Christmas toy delivery job and he will give sweet and impulsive Kyle a lift, but that's all it can be. Kyle is heading to California, to dance, and Benson has his family and work in Michigan. But the pull together? Ah now, that's a difficult one to argue with, especially as Benson is the Daddy Kyle's always wanted. So it's not easy for them to part. Needless to say, they eventually do figure things out to be together.

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

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I enjoyed Kyle and Benson's story. I liked that Benson was considerate of his tenants. I also liked how generous his heart was with all the young people he gave gifts to. Kyle's backstory was horrible. The poor guy never knew his family or any real kind of love. Starting over on the other side of the country seems like a great idea. He wasn't expecting Daddy Benson. I liked that he stuck with his initial thought and gave California a try, even if we already figured out he was going to be with his Daddy. Great book.

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benson is on a mission to make others joyous for the holidays. He is delivering gifts to shelters, hospitals and other places in need. On the way out of NY in a snowstorm he picks up Kyle hitchhiking. Kyle wants to go to California to start over, he is a dancer who recently got fired. This is their journey across the states where their love grows. The story is heartbreaking at times, funny at other times but ends happily.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, involving, and engrossing!! I was totally invested in this book and their story.
Asked to be more than JUST a dancer, Kyle quit his job and decided to hitch across the country.
Benson was delivering gifts across the country and spotted a guy on the side of the road during a snow storm. Picking him up. He found the man of his dreams?!?!.

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

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. I loved Kyle and Benson and their relationship was real with real emotions and some heartbreaking moments and a few light hearted moments. Their journey was not an easy one but eventually they find their happily ever after. I recommend this book. It was well worth the read.

I received an arc copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Fran Rosey · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love it. the way they just came together and each understood the other. when Benson had to go back home he asked multiple times if Kyle wanted to go with him but each time he said no i need time, and Benson gave him that time. what makes this book really great is because Benson allowed Kyle to have his space and eventually they are able to have a wonderful hea.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable story that really touched my heart! Kyle and Benson were perfect for each other and I loved watching their relationship grow on their trip! This story definitely has some touching scenes but it also made me laugh at times. A great read!.

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

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, heartwarming romance about Benson who is delivering toys across the country when he picks up Kyle, hitchhiking. They were both so likeable and sweet as Benson becomes Kyle's Daddy. Their relationship isn't easy but they made such a wonderful couple.

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

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benson and Kyle’s story isn’t just cute, it’s heartfelt and genuine. When Benson picks up Kyle hitchhiking to California, their road trip becomes a journey of figuring out where they truly fit.

Benson has responsibilities waiting at home, but the way they navigate it together makes their connection even stronger. By the end, seeing them find their place and each other, is wonderful.

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet and both characters were charismatic and charming, but the romance wasn't there. I was missing why Benson cared so much. It was instalove, but based on pretty much nothing. He knew nothing about Kyle at all. I'm just not believing that they gave up everything for each other after a couple of days. And Benson's family was super rage filled.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked Benson and Kyle as a couple. It was great how they faced real life problems. I'm glad Kyle chooses Benson in the end.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of the multi author Daddy for Christmas 3 series and it is another great addition to this series of standalone stories, this is Benson and Kyle’s story and it is a well written grumpy/sunshine Daddy/boy story that is definitely worth a read.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I really enjoyed this story. This was an interesting story from an unusual meeting to a relationship that was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Even though it made me cry there was so much hope between the two of them.

[Christina Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another cute book about two people, the holidays and a little bit of holiday magic. The story is nice due to low angst and lots of love.

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

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

Kyle broke my heart. Young, no family or friends, and hitching in the winter to California. Trucker Benson gives him a ride and begins an adventure. Both men have secrets. Benson has a life in Michigan. Kyle needs to find himself. Can this daddy boy relationship work out?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After quitting his job as a male dancer, with nothing left to keep him here, Kyle decides it's time to leave NY & venture to California. There has to be something better. While hitchhiking his way to Callie he gets picked up by Benson, Benson is a truck driver going across the states delivering Christmas gifts to shelters & hospitals. While driving Benson keeps feeling a pull towards Kyle every time he calls him Daddy. A well written low angst HEA story.

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