The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia Summary, Characters and Themes

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia is a moving and multilayered novel about two women from different worlds who find themselves on life-altering journeys during what were supposed to be routine trips. 

Jasmine, escaping an abusive relationship, and Stephanie, a successful but disillusioned news executive, both board flights that mark the beginning of transformation—not just in location but in identity and purpose. Set against the backdrop of Denver, the novel explores themes of reinvention, trauma, friendship, and courage. As their paths converge, the story celebrates the quiet power of women reclaiming control over their lives, one brave decision at a time.

Summary

Jasmine, a 44-year-old bartender in Wisconsin, makes a bold decision: she’s leaving her abusive boyfriend Glenn in the dead of night. 

Her escape is years in the making—carefully planned through stolen savings, secret preparations, and sheer desperation. She drugs Glenn with Ambien, leaves under the pretense of grocery shopping, and boards a flight to Denver with no solid plan except to disappear and start over. 

Jasmine is wracked with anxiety but hopeful that this drastic move will lead to something better.

Meanwhile, Stephanie, a 45-year-old news director in Madison, prepares for a work trip to San Diego. On the surface, she’s successful—financially stable, respected at work, and seemingly put together. 

But inside, she’s exhausted, lonely, and drifting. Her recent divorce, distant relationship with her son, and a career that feels increasingly hollow have left her yearning for something undefined. She, too, takes an Ambien the night before her flight, not to escape danger, but to silence the restlessness inside her.

The two women board the same flight, unaware of each other’s presence. Stephanie is in a haze of routine; Jasmine is gripped by fear and a cautious sense of freedom. 

Stephanie has a layover in Denver, while Jasmine has no further plans—Denver is her destination, though she’s told everyone otherwise. With limited funds and no clear path, Jasmine checks into a budget motel and starts looking for work. 

Meanwhile, Stephanie, during her layover, contemplates her life choices over wine and idle observations.

Their lives begin to echo each other in subtle ways. Jasmine gets a cleaning job at the hotel where Stephanie is staying for her conference. 

Their paths cross silently, unnoticed. Stephanie’s conference is unfulfilling, filled with professional posturing and hollow conversations. Jasmine’s job is exhausting but gives her a sense of autonomy she’s never had. Despite different circumstances, both women are in emotional limbo—trapped between who they were and who they might become.

Jasmine meets Gabe, a kind bar owner who offers her a job as a waitress. Stephanie meets Diana, a vibrant woman attending the conference who inspires her to think differently about what she wants from life. Eventually, Stephanie and Diana visit Gabe’s bar, where Jasmine is working. A brief glance passes between the two women—a flicker of something unspoken—but their lives remain separate for now.

As days go on, Jasmine receives ominous texts from Glenn, confirming he’s tracked her down. 

Terrified but determined, she confides in Gabe and takes steps toward legal protection. Stephanie, on the other hand, has an awkward run-in with a one-night stand who also turns out to be a conference attendee. The experience forces her to reevaluate her choices and confront her loneliness head-on.

The danger intensifies when Glenn physically confronts Jasmine outside the bar. She calls the police, and with Gabe’s help, Glenn is arrested. Jasmine finally begins to believe in the possibility of real freedom. Stephanie, too, reaches a tipping point. After an emotional conversation with her estranged son, she quits her job, begins blogging, and starts considering a fresh start in Denver.

In the final chapters, Jasmine secures her own apartment, volunteers at a shelter for abused women, and slowly builds a future. 

Stephanie finds her voice through writing and consulting, opting for purpose over prestige. The two women meet again—this time for real. They talk, connect, and realize how much their “business trips” were about anything but work.

In the epilogue, both women are thriving. Jasmine is healing and reconnecting with her mother; Stephanie is working on her own terms. On a Denver patio, they watch the sunset—two women forever changed, bonded by resilience, and finally at peace.

Characters

Jasmine

Jasmine is a woman in her early 40s who has endured years of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend, Glenn. Her character is defined by her deep-seated fears and desires for independence.

Having grown up with neglect and been trapped in unhealthy relationships, Jasmine’s decision to escape Glenn marks a turning point in her life. It’s filled with both terror and a flicker of hope.

Her struggle for autonomy is at the core of her narrative. Initially, she is cautious and hesitant, unsure of her future and how she will navigate a new life with limited resources.

However, as the story progresses, she gains confidence. Jasmine becomes stronger and more self-sufficient, finding empowerment through small steps like securing a job, forming friendships, and eventually confronting her past.

Her bond with Gabe, a local bar owner, represents a slow but steady path toward healing and trust. She begins to accept that she deserves safety and love.

Ultimately, Jasmine’s journey is one of survival, resilience, and reclaiming her voice.

Stephanie

Stephanie, a 45-year-old news director, represents a more established and outwardly successful character. Despite her professional accomplishments, she feels emotionally adrift.

She is grappling with a recent divorce, a strained relationship with her son, and an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction with her life. Her work, which once provided her with purpose, has become a source of emotional fatigue.

Stephanie’s character is more introspective, often contemplating the nature of her fulfillment and her need for change. Throughout the story, she faces moments of crisis and personal reflection.

Her interactions with Diana, a free-spirited woman she meets during her business trip, serve as a catalyst for Stephanie’s self-discovery. These encounters challenge her to rethink her life choices and the possibility of reinvention.

As Stephanie loosens the grip of her past, she begins to explore what it means to live authentically, away from professional constraints. Her growth culminates in a decision to leave her high-powered job and pursue a more meaningful, self-directed life.

Themes

The Resilience of Personal Transformation Amid Trauma and Adversity

One of the central themes of The Business Trip is the resilience of individuals, particularly women, in the face of trauma and personal adversity. Jasmine’s escape from an abusive relationship marks a significant turning point in her life, and this theme of personal transformation is explored throughout the book.

For her, the decision to flee her abuser is not just a physical escape, but a psychological one. This transformation is compounded by her struggle to overcome years of neglect, low self-worth, and unhealthy relationships.

While she navigates her new life in Denver, she battles constant reminders of her past, such as the recurring threats from Glenn, but she steadily moves toward a place of empowerment. Similarly, Stephanie, though not escaping an abusive relationship, grapples with her own emotional baggage—the aftermath of a divorce, a strained relationship with her son, and dissatisfaction with her career.

Both women face their struggles with a sense of determination and ultimately emerge as more self-reliant. This shows how personal reinvention, though difficult, is possible even when faced with immense emotional burdens.

The Intersection of Independence and the Fear of Isolation

The theme of independence is intricately tied to the fear of isolation in The Business Trip. Jasmine’s journey toward independence is a central thread in the narrative, symbolized by her decision to break free from Glenn and take control of her life.

However, her newfound freedom comes with the challenge of isolation. She starts over in a new city with no support network, struggling to find work and navigate the unknown, which fuels her anxiety.

The theme of isolation is mirrored in Stephanie’s arc, as her successful career and outwardly perfect life mask an internal sense of loneliness. Despite her professional achievements, she remains emotionally detached from her son and feels alienated in her work environment.

Both women wrestle with balancing their need for independence with the accompanying fear that their solitude might become overwhelming. As they both evolve, they find that their independence is most fulfilling when shared with others, highlighting the importance of building meaningful connections as part of personal growth.

The Power of Empathy and Unlikely Friendships in Healing

Empathy and the forging of unlikely friendships play pivotal roles in the healing processes of both Jasmine and Stephanie. As their paths cross in Denver, they begin to form connections that serve as emotional anchors for them in moments of crisis.

Jasmine’s relationship with Gabe, a bar owner who offers her support when she is vulnerable, represents the power of kindness and empathy from others. Gabe helps Jasmine process her trauma and empowers her to seek justice, showing how support from others can catalyze personal healing.

Likewise, Stephanie’s friendship with Diana opens her eyes to a new world of spontaneity and liberation, providing her the emotional courage to question her life choices and ultimately reshape her future.

The final convergence of their stories reflects the idea that true healing often comes not from facing adversity alone, but through the solidarity and empathy of others. Their shared experiences foster mutual understanding, ultimately leading to a deep and meaningful connection that marks a new chapter in both their lives.

The Reclamation of Autonomy and the Complexity of Control

A recurring theme in The Business Trip is the reclamation of autonomy and the complex nature of control. Jasmine’s journey is a stark portrayal of regaining control over one’s life after being systematically stripped of it by her abuser.

Her experiences highlight the internal and external battles that come with asserting control in an environment that seeks to dominate and confine her. This theme extends to Stephanie’s story as well, as she contemplates whether her career, which she once believed provided control, has instead confined her to a life of monotony and unfulfilled desires.

Both women must navigate the delicate balance between freedom and control, understanding that true autonomy lies not in external achievements, but in the ability to make personal choices that align with their authentic selves.

The realization that control is often an illusion reinforces the idea that autonomy is not just about gaining power over external forces, but about mastering one’s own emotions, desires, and responses to life’s challenges.

The Quest for Self-Worth and Rebuilding Identity Post-Trauma

Another significant theme in the book is the quest for self-worth and the challenge of rebuilding identity after trauma. Both Jasmine and Stephanie embark on journeys that force them to confront their pasts and redefine who they are outside of the roles they’ve played in their previous lives.

Jasmine’s sense of self-worth has been profoundly damaged by her abusive relationship, and her escape is not just a physical act, but also a confrontation with her own fears of inadequacy and failure.

As she navigates her new life, she slowly learns to trust herself again and rebuild her identity from the ground up. Stephanie’s journey is more about reclaiming her sense of value after her divorce and the emotional detachment from her son.

She too faces the task of reimagining herself as someone more than just a news director, confronting her own feelings of emptiness, and trying to find fulfillment outside her career.

Their individual quests for self-worth culminate in personal growth, and their transformations serve as poignant reminders that the process of rebuilding oneself can be a long, difficult, but ultimately empowering journey.