Book Review: The Relationtrip by Elana Johnson

📚Book Review: A Soulful, Slow-Burn Vacation Romance That Delivers All the Feels

The Relationtrip by Elana Johnson is more than a vacation romance—it’s a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant journey of healing, friendship, and finally letting love in. As someone who adores friends-to-lovers, slow burns, and clean-but-swoonworthy romance, this one hit every note. I hope you enjoy my book review of the fun novel.

✈️ The Premise

Sloane Sanders hasn’t been on a date in years. Ever since her fiancé left her at the altar and her parents’ marriage crumbled, she’s kept love at arm’s length. But a spontaneous decision five years ago—offering her extra honeymoon ticket to a complete stranger—turned into a life-changing friendship.

That stranger? Logan Murphy, a reclusive man with a secret. What began as a one-off adventure has turned into an annual tradition: every winter, Sloane and Logan escape to a tropical destination together. They text, video chat, and support each other from afar during the rest of the year. But this year in Belize, everything changes.

The truth is, Logan is in love with Sloane. And this time, he’s finally going to tell her.

✨ Why This Story Works

💕 The Slow Burn Perfection

Elana Johnson excels at the slow burn. She lets the romance unfold naturally—tender glances, loaded silences, inside jokes, and that simmering will-they-won’t-they tension that has you holding your breath with every page. Logan’s longing is achingly beautiful, and Sloane’s hesitation feels grounded and real.

📖 Dual POV Magic

Told in alternating points of view, we get an intimate look into both characters’ thoughts and feelings. The dual perspective adds depth, allowing us to witness Logan’s quiet yearning and Sloane’s cautiousness as they tiptoe closer to a relationship neither dares to define—yet.

💡 Favorite Tropes & Elements

• ✅ Best Friends to Lovers
• ✅ He Falls First
• ✅ Slow Burn Romance
• ✅ Vacation Setting
• ✅ One Bed Trope
• ✅ Nicknames + Inside Jokes
• ✅ A Dog Named Titan (yes, he matters!)
• ✅ The Grand Gesture

This book is trope gold. If you’re a sucker for friends-to-more done with care and chemistry, you’ll fall head over heels.

🌴 Atmosphere & Setting

Belize isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. From moonlit beach walks to couples massages (with modesty) and fruity drinks, the setting transports you. You can feel the warmth of the sand, the humidity in the air, the peace of leaving your regular life behind. Johnson writes with such vivid sensory detail that you’ll want to book a tropical getaway by chapter three.

🖋 Writing That Speaks to the Soul

Elana Johnson’s prose is like poetry wrapped in a hug. Her emotional depth is unmatched, and her descriptions are lyrical and evocative. One passage that truly stuck with me:

“The human heart is the most amazing thing in the whole universe, because it can love as deep as the darkest trench in the ocean and yet hurt so much a woman feels like she is buried inside that chasm…”

I highlighted so many lines that I could fill an entire journal. Her writing doesn’t just tell a story—it reaches into yours.

💬 Favorite Moments in the Book

• 🧳 The Non-Honeymoon Origin Story
• 🛏 The One Bed Scene
• 😍 The First Kiss
• 🐶 Titan’s cameo moments
• 💌 Logan’s inner monologue (honestly, frame it)
• 🌅 The couple’s massage
• 💥 The Grand Gesture at the end! (Awe)

Each of these scenes builds their love in meaningful, unforgettable ways. You’ll find yourself laughing, blushing, tearing up, and cheering them on.

👥 Character Dynamics

Sloane is strong and successful, but her heart is heavily guarded. She’s relatable, flawed, and full of quiet strength. Logan? Oh, Logan. The man writes sweeping romance novels but struggles to express his own feelings in person. His vulnerability, patience, and unwavering love make him one of my favorite heroes ever.

Their banter is charming. Their chemistry is palpable. And their emotional intimacy? Off the charts.

🧼 Clean Romance with an Adult Feel

The Relationtrip is completely clean—no explicit scenes—but it never feels juvenile or watered down. Johnson masterfully balances emotional and physical intimacy through touches, glances, and unspoken longing. This is clean and wholesome romance at its finest—deeply moving, mature, and satisfying.

💭 Book Review Final Thoughts

Elana Johnson is an absolute master of emotional storytelling. The Relationtrip isn’t just about a vacation—it’s about taking risks, healing from the past, and trusting love again. It’s one of those rare books where every chapter makes you feel something—whether it’s butterflies, heartbreak, laughter, or joy.

If you’re a fan of People We Meet on Vacation but crave more emotional depth, less angst, and a clean and wholesome read, this book is your next perfect read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5/5 Stars

📌 Read The Relationtrip if you love:

• Best friends slowly realizing they’re in love
• Escape-to-paradise vibes with emotional payoff
• Dual POV clean romance
• Books that make you feel
• Grand gestures, poetic writing, and characters worth rooting for

📚 Add this to your TBR immediately.
And when you’re done? Go grab another Elana Johnson title. You’ll be hooked—I promise.

I love her Cowboy books … for obvious reasons.

And, if it’s not so obvious, my hubby is a cowboy!

I bought the special edition with printed edges directly from the author on her personal website, which is how I received all the cute swag.

This book that’s absolutely stunning—one of those rare finds that feels like a treasure the moment you hold it. The printed edges are exquisite, beautifully detailed and adding a unique charm that makes the entire volume feel elevated and intentional… and yes, a little more expensive, but so worth it. Inside, the color interior brings the pages to life with vivid, rich chapter illustrations that complement the text perfectly. It’s not just a book—it’s an experience, a visual and tactile delight that makes reading feel like unwrapping something exciting.