A cute and funny enemies to lovers romance set between two colleagues competing for the same promotion. While this was a workplace romance, it had a spin where the majority of the book is set on an adventure cruise, so we get to see them outside the workplace confines and in super fun (and compromising) positions. I enjoyed the romance and the tension the author built, and would note that there are other themes outsides romance covered in this book - gender inequality, friendships, abusive relationships, conservation, etc.

I also loved that the ending took a step back from the romance aspect and focused on women empowerment and leadership in the workplace. I appreciated that it touched on sexism in the workplace and would have loved to see it focus on a more male dominated industry (i.e. STEM) as Marketing skews female. I did love the side characters and the women supporting women aspect that Christina and Tori brought to the story.

You could tell Angie Hockman really wanted to shine a light on the Galapagos and conservation efforts (especially in her authors note) and the book did that in a genuine and smooth way.

Thank you NetGalley, Angie Hockman and Gallery Books for the ARC of Shipped.
This is my personal review.
I opened the book and said to myself I will just read a few minutes. Well needless to say before I knew it I was at the end. What a great book. It had absolutely everything I like in a book. Great characters who blend so well together.
Henley and Graeme are coworkers and until they are assigned to go on a cruise to the Galápagos to help boost bookings for the company they work for had never met in person.
The chemistry between the two sizzles and I could feel the romance building and it was written in a way that just made the building romance even better!
This is one you have to grab when it comes out. It will make your day of reading feel so well spent.

Henley is up for a promotion, and must write up a proposal to boost sales of cruises to the Galapagos for the travel company she works for. But there is a catch - she must go on the cruise herself before writing the proposal, and her work nemesis/person up against her for the job is going to be there, too. Graeme works remotely so she’s never met him in person, but from their work exchanges she finds him unpleasant. Once on the cruise and actually getting to know Graeme, her views start to shift. But, there is still the job they are both after.

This was a fun read and I enjoyed “traveling” to the Galápagos Islands through the story. It is a great read for those of us who miss traveling due to the pandemic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Title/Cover Draw:
This cover is gorgeous! I can’t stop staring at it. After reading Sadie earlier this year, I knew I just had to read the next thing Courtney Summers came out with. Very excited to receive this for review ahead of time!
What I liked:
The writing sucked me in immediately. Even though this is not a speculative book, there were moments that I would wonder if there was something otherworldly going on. But even though this is a book about a cult, it is important and unique. Today, we are searching for meaning, love, a purpose...and being told many things. It’s easy to be led astray. This book is important.
What I didn’t like:
Just like other people who read this book, there is a certain scene that is (to me) completely out of character for our heroine. It made me a little angry and disheartened. I understand the motive and why it was included, but it really jarred me out of the story.
The Characters:
Lo is innocent and abandoned most of her life in one way or another. But she is sympathetic and you just want her to find love.
The Ending:
Bittersweet but real.
Consider if:
You like darker stories about love.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.

kept seeing this one being called a mix of the hating game and the unhoneymooners - such a bold claim! i would say it's a fairly good description though. it was super fun and sweet and i really enjoyed it. can't believe it is a debut!

I had no idea this 2021 new release would become one of my favorite books I read this year. Shipped is a contemporary romance with a workplace enemies to lovers trope and a significant focus on environmental conservation.

Henley is a marketing manager for a cruise line who is going up against her nemesis, Graeme, for a promotion. When their boss send them both on the company's cruise to the Galapagos Islands, she vows to stay focused and come up with a killer marketing proposal that will win her the job, despite the fact that Graeme may not be as awful as she once thought...

This novel was so engrossing I never wanted to put it down! I adored Henley, her flighty sister, and her best friends. Plus I appreciated that Graeme wasn't the villain for dumb reasons and we got to know him just as well as her.

The amount of detail and information on the Galapagos was fascinating. You could tell it's close to Angie's heart and it gave a depth to this story that I adored! Give yourself a present this year and start 2021 off with this wonderful book!!

It’s been a while since I picked up a romance and was immediately hooked the way I was with this book. It is described as the Un-Honeymooners meets The Hating Game and I’d say that is dead on. It is laugh-out-loud hilarious and will have you sighing, snort-laughing, and cringing in equal measure.

Henley Evans works for an adventure cruise-line (based out of Seattle….holla) and is up for a promotion. Unfortunately so is her work nemesis Graeme Crawford-Collins. The two have never met because Graeme works remotely, but that hasn’t stopped them from forming an intense rivalry from afar.

They both get sent on a cruise to the Galapagos in a competition to each come up with a killer marketing plan for the region. What could possibly go wrong? Only Henley puking all over the place right as she meets Graeme for the first time, an amorous Russian, an epic lip-sync battle, a well-meaning but troublesome sister, and an unfortunate kayaking adventure. So you know…totally smooth sailing (pun intended).

The tension build-up between the two main characters is hot, but there is low steam (it’s more closed-door) for this one. I was 100% here for their awesome banter too, I love me some sassy dialogue.

I also loved that the happy-ever-after wasn’t just about getting the guy, it was really well-rounded. While some members of our book-club thought the ending was a little too tidy I really enjoyed it.

I read this one with the @LoveARCtually book club and we had a final chat with the author, which was hilarious! We really wanted to know if Henley’s sister Walsh would get her own book, and while she told us she doesn’t have plans to write one, she then outlined a whole story she had in her head that sounded amazing…so fingers crossed!

I know it’s early but I’m already certain this will make my top romance list for 2021, you’re definitely going to want to check it out!

Don't be fooled! Shipped isn't your typical vacation rom-com. Henley Evans is a bad-ass. Like many millennial women she is trying to do it all. Hold down a full time job, get her MBA at night school, save her younger sister when fails at adulting, and be a supportive best friend. How is she supposed to have time for love when she's trying to break the glass ceiling? A chance for a promotion has Henley asking herself the big questions. Can I have it all? Is having it all worth it if I'm alone in my success?

I actually really enjoyed this book. The first few chapters I was a little annoyed that Henley kept getting in her own way. But I mean, don't we all? I'm sure whoever is currently reading my life story is equally yelling on the other side of the page for me to stop getting in my own way, too.

This book was fun and cute and I'm so glad Henley finally took what she deserved!

This book was adorable! Such a cute romantic comedy with elements of nature. I enjoyed seeing the main characters fall in love and the plot kept me entertained until the end!

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

I loved this book. Once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. I loved that it was something different. I loved the fact that it took place on a cruise.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Oh, my heart! This is such a fun, heartwarming romance to devour.

Henley, a travel marketing manager, is so focused on her job that she has let her personal life fall to the wayside. When she finds out she is up for a promotion, Henley is forced by her boss to go on a cruise with Graeme, her arch-enemy and the social media manager for her company, who is the other candidate for the position. Things quickly heat up as Henley realizes Graeme is nothing like she imagined.

This book had me laughing out loud, and also filled my heart with warm fuzzies. I breezed through this book in a day, because I HAD to know what happened next. Henley, Graeme, Walsh, and Henley’s work friends are all fun, endearing characters. (I absolutely loved the inclusion of Henley and Graeme’s pets too!) The descriptions of the trip have me seriously envious and plotting how to get my husband to agree to cruise to the Galápagos Islands soon.

If you love books like “Beach Read” and “The Unhoneymooners,” you NEED to read this book—you will not be disappointed. I know I will be eagerly awaiting any future work from Angie Hockman!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC to read and review!

I loved this funny, romantic story. It was a wonderful escape! The perfect mix of exotic locales and funny mishaps. I will be recommending this one to my library patrons for sure!

𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 by Angie Hockman follows our lead Henley Evans in pursuit of a well deserved promotion where she works at an adventure cruise company. But her work enemy Graeme is also up for the position! Her boss recommends that they both take a trip to better understand their clients and the ships themselves. But Graeme is more handsome and kind than Henley knows and they soon find themselves falling for each other. ⁣
⁣
I loved this book for several reasons. I absolutely loved Henley’s drive for her career and her education. She is excellent at her job and works tirelessly to do her best effort. I loved Graeme’s support of Henley and he was proud of her hard work. She had very dedicated friends and they were genuinely excited for each other’s successes and life events. The only person that didn’t work for me was Henley’s sister Walsh. She seemed added on in places. That being said, I would love a sequel featuring Walsh more!⁣
⁣
The author Angie Hockman clearly put a lot of time and research into the Galápagos Islands so make sure you read her author’s note about the animals and wildlife at the end of the novel.⁣
⁣
Thank you to @angie_hockman @netgalley @gallerybooks and @ for this advanced reader copy. I’m really looking forward to more from Angie.
⁣
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫⁣

I have seen this book described as The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren meets The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, and I would have to agree. Henley Evans works for a cruise ship company and is up for a promotion. She has worked hard and thinks she's a shoo-in for the new position. However, her nemesis, Graeme, is up for the same job.

Their boss sends them on a cruise together as both an opportunity to experience their product and as an assignment to come up with some new marketing strategies. They get to go to the Galapagos Islands! Just the descriptions of the Galapagos Islands and the wildlife would have hooked me, but we also had two very likable main characters fighting a mutual attraction as they both work to secure the promotion. Enemies to Lovers is a trope that is hit or miss with me (sometimes the enemies part makes me not like a character), and this was definitely a hit! We also get to know Henley's sister, Graeme's backstory, and several of their co-workers. I really enjoyed getting to know Henley and Graeme and would love to see them in a future book (hint hint :-) ).

For me this is 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

Thank to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shipped is described as The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game, and I don't think it could be truer.

Shipped follows the ambitious Henley as she learns that she made the short list for a promotion with the cruise line company she works for. But the other name on that list is Graeme, her work rival that works remotely. To see who gets the promotion, each has to come up with a marketing proposal while on the company's cruise in the Galápagos Islands. Henley sees that Graeme isn't exactly what she expected, and she has to decide if she can trust him or if he's just competition.

Shipped was cute and fun. I loved the romance between Henley and Graeme, their banter was as cute as their nicknames for each other. Graeme was a strong and supportive love interest, someone I felt like was real.

Angie did a great job creating side characters with depth that held my interest, from Henley's younger sister Walsh, the interesting cruise passenger Nikolai, and Henley's co-worker Barb.

I also liked how this book highlighted the sexism that some women experience in the workplace. From Henley's boss calling her sweetheart to her ideas not being taken seriously. It made me angry and made me more on Henley's side and rooting for her.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun work romance set in a tropical paradise.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Shipped!

This book promised to be similar to The Hating Game but I like this even more.

Henley, a driven workaholic, is up for a big promotion at work. Problem is she is up against her work enemy. The cruise company they work for sends them both on a cruise to get to know the tourism side better. Like any good office enemy story we start to learn that Graeme isn’t quite as bad as Henley thought. In fact he’s anything but. I got to a point in this book where I couldn’t put it down. Graeme was swoon worthy. Can Henley get passed that they’re up for the same job? Can she ignore the male dominance in her industry and keep trying to succeed? Can she prioritize herself over work?

There’s a lot more to this than an enemy turned love interest story. I love Henleys fierce character. She doesn’t give up when her boss tries to intimidate her. This story deals with the struggles women face in the workplace & how they’re not always seen as equal. All too true. I also loved the descriptions of the cruise to the Galapagos. I was so impressed by Hoffman’s creativity but loved even more to read after that her descriptions were all real! Makes me want to visit (post pandemic!). I loved the angle of ecotourism- such an important topic.

Great read! You’ll fall in love with Graeme and have so much pride for Henley as a strong woman.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book. Pub Date - 1/19/2021.

Shipped is promoted as a mix of The Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game and I loved both of those so I was definitely excited to read this one! It's definitely super cute. I loved the setting - the Galapagos is on my bucket list! I think the hatred was very much one sided and I was expecting more pranks but it was still really fun. I also appreciate that Hockman highlighted the sexism that could occur in the workplace.

Overall, a fast paced cute romance set in a magical place on earth!

Shipped is a sweet romance that is perfectly described as a mix between The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners.

Henley is a motivated, intelligent and hard working woman who knows she’s the perfect candidate for a promotion in her company’s marketing team. The only problem is her biggest rival, Graeme, is on the short list for the job too. Henley’s boss decides that she and Graeme need to go on a week long cruise in the Galapagos islands where they can experience one of their company’s cruises first hand. Graeme has been working remotely since he started so this will be the first time Henley will meet him in person. They have been asked to each come up with a marketing strategy to improve their company Galapagos bookings. The one with the best idea will win the promotion and Henley is determined to show how much better suited she is for the job. After they meet, she soon discovers that Graeme isn’t the person she imagined.

This was a great enemies to lovers romance. I loved the balance between Henley’s snark and attraction with Graeme. He was hard not to adore and the two of them together made for an entertaining read. I also really enjoyed all of the side characters - from Henley’s sister, to her friends and the other cruise passengers. While I thought the plot comparison between The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooner’s was completely accurate, I found that the tension between the characters wasn’t quite at the same level as the other two novels. I think some might be expecting a little more heat given those particular comparisons but I still really enjoyed this fun rom-com.

5⭐️
I just fell in love with book! It was fun and romantic.
I loved:
• The writing
• The cruise line 🚢
• Excursions
• The romance
• The chemistry
• Graeme, who happens to be my new book boyfriend.
If you love a good rom-com then you’ll love this from beginning to end and you won't be able to put it down. I highly recommend it.
The story mostly took place on the Galápagos Islands. Wow! Which was described so well in my opinion. I learned so much about it. It was truly entertaining. I can’t wait to see more from this author.
Thank you Galley Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.