This was my last book of 2020, just a little behind with posting it. Henley Evans barely has anytime for herself since she is working all the time. Soon she finds herself shortlisted for a promotion at work and it all seems worth it. The only problem is her work nemesis (who she has never met in person since he works remote) Graeme is also up for the promotion. Their boss tasks them with drafting a proposal to increase bookings to the Galápagos Islands but to do so they must first take the cruise together. When they do meet and start exploring the islands, Graeme is nothing like Henley imagined.
The description marketed this book as The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game. I totally can see that comparison! This book had a mix of elements from both books. Coworkers who hate each other that find love and two people who find love while on a crazy vacation. If you liked either of those two books this is a book for you! I loved reading about the Galapagos and ecotourism. It also made me so excited for when traveling can start up again and I can go on a cruise! This was like a vacation in a book!
Thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for a copy to read and review.

Suddenly every romance I read features a female lead the same age as me and I am so here for it, especially when they’re ambitious and career-driven and their love life is shit.

This was equal parts funny and sweet with some off the charts chemistry between our enemies to lovers coworkers, Henley and Graeme. I especially enjoyed the setting of the Galapagos cruise and the backdrop of the competition for a promotion.

I really appreciated how it touched on ecotourism and conservation and it had me immediately googling Galapagos island cruises as soon as I was done.

Absolutely loved the characters, loved the story, loved this one!

Henley Evans has no time for relaxing and fun, she's too busy working towards her MBA, stressing about student loans, and working her butt off at a cruise company to earn the digital marketing director promotion. She's ecstatic to learn that she has been shortlisted for the promotion, however, her competition just happens to be the one person she absolutely hates, Graeme Crawford-Collins, or "Graham cracker collins", as she thinks of him. As if things couldn't get worse, they are both assigned to go on a cruise together and present a proposal on how to increase bookings. The person with the best proposal gets the promotion. Add to that, a younger sister who shows up unexpectedly in need of a place to stay.

I love a good romantic, chick lit book and this was that and more! Most books like this focus only on the romance and there usually isn't much else for substance. This book was refreshingly different. The characters had more depth, their careers were actually an important part of the story and add to the narrative rather than being part of the background. I appreciated how strong Henley is shown to be, but she recognizes when she is wrong and this was totally her story. Graeme is great, but his character didn't really stand out.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more by the author! I also eager to be able to travel again so I can go on a cruise and visit the Galapagos!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC of this book!

Shipped is about a girl who is a total workaholic and about the annoying coworker who changes that about her. Sound familiar? Yeah, it totally is Hallmark vibes. But it was just so fun.

It mostly sets place on a cruise that she and her annoying coworker, who works remotely from a different state, are made to take together in order to prepare for proposals they're each instructed to make. They're both gunning for the same promotion, which is an added element of stakes for them. The cruise element was really vivid and there were scenes that made me feel like I was there with them in the Galapagos Islands.

Both Henley, the main character, and Graeme, the love interest, had pretty normal flaws. Henley was way too into her job and Graeme suffered a really upsetting life event that caused him to fully withdraw into himself. They of course conveniently got over their issues completely and in tandem but I mean it was super fluffy and heartwarming. There were even parts of the story that made me tear up. And I laughed out loud a few times, which is rare for me. I think it would do great as a Hallmark movie tbh!!

There were also a few extra characters, like one of the cruise guests and Henley's sister, who had their own storylines and drama. Their stories both wrapped up pretty nicely but they're focused on in that romance-novel way that makes you expect a sequel about them and I wouldn't be disappointed in that in the slightest.

The fade-to-black sex really was one of the biggest bummers for me. I am not owed sex and/or smut from any story, but then again, yes I am. It wasn't a dealbreaker by any means, but they definitely had all the chemistry needed to make a lil sumthin happen!!!

Also there was a misogynistic ass boss in this story who almost got what he deserved so I can always get down with a Professional Woman Baddie storyline

Basically I'm saying this book won't change your life but it will at least give you a good time and some good feelings and that's all I ask in 2021

This book is EXACTLY what I needed to start the year with. Shipped included all the parts that I love about romance novels. The way it was marketed as a combination of the Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game is spot on.

The chemistry between Henley and Graeme was fantastic and felt realistic. The cruise setting was great and made for some fun scenes.

The thing I appreciated the most about the book was the girl power/girl boss component of it. I love how the book graciously found a way for a couple to exist within the same company.

SHIPPED is a fun and frothy rom-com that follows HENLEY, a social media employee for an adventure cruise company, as she competes with her arch nemesis GRAEME for a position. However, on a trip the two of them take to the Galapagos with their company, she soon realized that her preconceived notions about Graeme were off-base and their undeniable attraction wins out.

I thought this was an entertaining, quick, and layered romantic comedy that was perfect for quarantine - it felt like I was able to travel to a tropical destination from the comfort of my couch. Bonus points for me because the Galapagos is one of my dream destinations and I could tell the author did a lot of research on it, which I appreciated as a reader. Some of the plot was obviously outlandish but it was all in good fun and I would recommend for anyone looking for this type of commercial romance.

Henley Evans is best described as hard working and driven. Aside from being a market manager for a cruise line company she is attending school to get her MBA. Although everyone sees how hard working she is, it may not always be a good thing. She has no time for anything besides work and school so clearly her dating life is zero. With a promotion opportunity on the horizon Henleys boss has decided the best way to truly be emerged in the experience their customers get is is for her to take one of their cruises herself! The one road-bump to getting this promotion and enjoying her vacation, her coworker and enemy Graeme.

This book was just so fun! I loved the relationships between characters and loved nearly all of the characters in general. This book is just a great romcom to start the year with!

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery books for the ARC!

Fans of The Honeymooners and The Hating Game rejoice! This book is everything that you needed.

Henley Evans barely has time for herself between school and her career. When she's up for the new promotion of her dreams, it all seems worth it. There's just one catch. Her enemy, Graeme Crawford-Collins is also competing for the position. Although they've never met in person, things are about to change when they both end up on a cruise to the Galápagos to work on their proposals for the position. When she finally meets Graeme in person, she starts to realize that he is nothing like she imagined. With her career on the line and her growing attraction to the competition, Henley starts to question her life choices. What's the point of working all the time when you haven't had the chance to live?

From the moment I started reading this book, I could not put it down! Angie Hockman had me engaged since the first chapter. Henley and Graeme have good chemistry and their banter was great. This book is filled with likable characters, witty lines, and a fun storyline. There were some points in this book that I laughed out loud but there also were some times that I rolled my eyes (but that's what rom-coms make us do sometimes, right?). I also really loved the underlying message that women have to work 10x harder than men in the corporate world. I did feel like the ending was rushed and unrealistic. I would have loved some more steam between the characters. An epilogue would have really helped wrap the story up. Overall, I really did enjoy this book and recommend it to readers!

Thank you, NetGallery and Gallery Books for this advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I don't think Shipped is the right book for me. I made several attempts and I struggled to maintain interest in it. I read about 45%. It was well written, with characters who I could see further development from.

Cute and sweet - obviously predictable but a cozy, mindless read for winter break. I enjoyed the bits of Galapagos education sprinkled into the story, and of course the girl power that weaves throughout Henley’s professional life.

*I received this ARC from the publishers via NetGalley.

I LOVED this book! I went into it just expecting romance, but I got so much more! Female empowerment in the workplace, female friendship and sisterhood, and a touch on leaving abusive relationships, just to name a few. I was completely sucked in until the very end. Can’t wait to read more from this author!!

This book was amazing. It was full of broken glass ceiling girl power. The ending was impeccable and made me feel super vindicated. I just want to make everyone read this book.

I loved everything about this book. Since receiving Shipped by Angie Hockman as an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, I cannot tell you enough how happy I am that I received it! I love seeing a jerk get what’s coming to him! I love seeing a heroine stand up for herself and go after what she wants! I also love seeing what started as a hate relationship turn to love! Henley works for a cruise line as a marketing manager and her coworker Graeme is the social media manager. When the digital marketing director position becomes available their boss decides to send them both on a cruise together to come up with the best digital marketing campaign. What follows is what makes this book so amazing!! Great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC for Shipped by Angie Hockman.

Shipped follows the story of hard-working Henley Evans who is striving to earn a promotion at her company which offers cruises internationally. Henley is hopeful to get the new position, but her boss throws her a curveball: she is competing against Graeme, her co-worker, whom she despises. To make matters worse, they are both being sent on cruise to get some insight for their own company proposals, which will determine who gets the promotion.

Things get complicated when Henley comes face-to-face with her competition, and she realizes that he is way more than she bargained for, in just about every way possible.

Shipped is a wonderful read that sucks you in, makes you long for a vacation, and a killer romance.

First of all, thank you to Gallery Books for approving me for an eARC of Shipped!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the MC (Henley) lives in Seattle, and I'm always here for some Seattle love!

Shipped follows Henley Evans, marketing manager for a cruise line. Between her job and pursuing her MBA, Henley hardly has any time to herself. When she's told she's short-listed for the promotion of her dreams, she finds out the other candidate is none other than Graeme Crawford-Collins, the social media manager and the bane of her existence.

To prove themselves worthy of the promotion, they are sent on a cruise to the Galápagos, and the best proposal wins. Only problem? They just might be falling for each other.

I love the characters and the setting. Hockman taught us a bit about eco-tourism and the Galápagos. There was so much love put into this book, and I was completely invested! I read it in one sitting (which happens maybe 3-5 times in a year) and I can definitely recommend this one!

When I saw the summary of this book claiming to be a mix of The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners I had to read it at once. And boy did it live up to that claim! An enemies to lovers office romance with a Galapagos tropical setting, this book offered the perfect amount of escapism along with a swoon-worthy romance that was sassy, sweet, and sarcastic.

The characters, Graeme and Henley, were your basic rom-com characters, but Angie Hockman created the cutest story. The story obviously focused more on Henley being from her perspective, but I would have liked more Graeme - I mean who wouldn't. I really enjoyed the addition of environmental philanthropy throughout the book and in particular the author's note at the end about the real-life impacts and how people can help. I found that added a new layer to an otherwise easy romance. I enjoyed the office drama and twist at the end, however unrealistic the last part was, and I did think that lovely personal growth for Henley to stand up for herself and be the boss she is! Who doesn't want to dismantle the patriarchy and save the planet?!

Also, I loved SO many of the supporting characters. Henley had amazing women in her life, and even the quirky cruise guests made the story come to life.

Shipped checked all of the boxes for me because this is the type of story I LOVE. If you like traveling, enemies to lovers, and boss-ladies, read this story asap! Start the new year off right with this lovable romance!

Always my thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest feedback.

Marketed as The Hating Game meets Unhoneymooners, I just knew I had to read this as soon as possible and I was not disappointed.

Things I loved:
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Exotic locale
Strong female characters
Slow build romance

Henley is a workaholic struggling to take college classes and prove herself and get ahead at work. She learns she is up for a promotion that will get her closer to her ultimate goal. The problem is, she’s not the only one in the running for the promotion. Graeme is also up for the promotion and even though he works remotely, he has been a thorn in Henley’s side and her enemy/opponent at work. In order to complete their final proposals for the new job they are tasked with going on the same cruise to the Galápagos Islands. Once they meet, Henley realizes she may have been wrong in her opinions and attitude towards Graeme. But, she’s not going to let his hotness or kindness get in the way of her getting this promotion.

This was a slow build romance, enemies to lovers novel which includes amazing insights of the Galápagos Islands and you truly felt the author’s love for them shining through the pages.

The supporting characters, other cruise members, co-workers and Henley’s sister were all enjoyable to read about and played a part in the story as to the job promotion and the main characters’ relationship. I loved the friendship and the relationship between sisters being a big part of the plot.

Pick this one up if you are looking for a sweet, fun romance and be ready for Graeme to be your new book boyfriend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this book was. The description saying that it’s the hating game meets the unhoneymooners is 100% accurate. I love to both of those books so much so I had high hopes for this book and boy where my expectations Matt. I don’t think I could find a single flaw about this book the only nitpick that I could find is that I do wish I had a little bit more steam but that’s personal preference and it was so perfect I couldn’t give it anything less than five stars. I can’t wait to see what other books this author comes out with and I hope you give this book a chance and enjoy it!

Y'all know I read a lot of contemporary romance (see my beginner's guide). So when I saw Shipped by Angie Hockman available in NetGalley, I had to request it. HAD TO REQUEST IT. It's being marketed as The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game and after reading it, it totally is.

Henley Evens is going to get the promotion. And not just any promotion -- the promotion that she's worked night and day for at Seaquest Adventures cruises. There's just one tiny problem. Graeme, aka her office enemy and the remote social media manager who is always causing Henley problems, is up for the same position. In a head-to-head battle for the role, their boss sends them on one of Seaquest's cruises to the Galápagos Islands. Whoever comes back with the best marketing idea to boost bookings for the trip gets the role.

As the competition for the promotion heats up in the Galápagos, tension isn't the only thing rising between Henley and Graeme. With an ending you will not see coming, Shipped is the perfect read to warm up the month of January.

After a long December, Shipped was exactly the kind of book I needed. I couldn’t put it down, as I got lost in the sweet romance novel.

Henley Evans is a workaholic, who spends all her time trying to get ahead at work, and very little time on herself, her friendships and her family. She and her co-worker Graeme are shortlisted for a promotion at work. They are both sent on a cruise in the Galapagos - tasked with sending the best marketing proposal to their boss. The winning idea gets promoted! Despite going into the trip strongly disliking her co-worker, Henley finds once she meets him on the cruise that maybe he isn’t so bad afterall. Can Henley figure out how to have it all?

Angie Hockman has you rooting for Henley and Graeme, even through their growth and mistakes. The story has you smiling, laughing, crying and at times cringing alongside the characters. The description of the Galapagos Islands also gave me major wanderlust!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this advanced reader copy!