4 stars
A great book to “escape” from the frigid cold outside my door.
I know everyone has already said it, but this is appropriately compared to The Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game.
It was very fun to read!
The only problem I could point out was that the hate (or kind of dislike) to love was short lived and the romance started quickly, but honestly this book was too fun, I didn’t find myself caring about that so much.
Definitely a book that I would buy for myself!

Also, I did not realize this was a debut author. Great start! I will read more of her work.

*special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for a review!

This was a nice change of pace for the romance genre. Not only is this a really good contemporary romance but it also touches on wildlife preservation. Hockman even gives details at the end on how you can make a difference and where you can donate. Henley is such a relatable MC. I love that the author speaks through her for the inequality that women often face in the workforce.

I will say the book is predictable and some of the actions of Henley’s sister are questionable. This read is somewhat clean during the steamy scenes. There isn’t great detail given but there is a ton of sexual tension. For all the buildup it’s a bit of a let down when they skip over the climax like a PG-13 movie.

All in all I’d recommend as a clean-ish romance read.

Q: how close are you to the ocean? I’m about 6.5 hours away from Charleston or Hilton Head, SC, the beaches we’ve taken our kids to the most.
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The blurb! The cover! The premise (workplace enemies to lovers)! You could have colored me intrigued by Angie Hockman’s Shipped & it ended up being a cute, zippy read that fell a *little* short of my high expectations.

Henley Rose Evans, marketing manager for a cruise line, is up for a promotion. The problem is that her nemesis Graeme Crawford-Collins, the man who once accepted praise for something she came up with, is also up for the same position.

The second problem is that both Henley & Graeme will be on the same cruise trip as they travel throughout the Galápagos Islands. Afterwards they’ll craft proposals for improving customer experience on that line & their boss will base his promotion decision on who is most successful.

With sparkling descriptions of the setting, a heroine with a big growth arc, & a hero who, despite what the heroine initially thinks, is a “kind” person (my secret kryptonite), Shipped has a lot to delight. There are bursts of humor & moments when women save the day, even bringing down a nasty villain.

But there’s one aspect of Henley & Graeme’s journey to love that rubs me the wrong way, & though it’s a blip in the scheme of things it doesn’t reflect 100% well on the hero to me. & honestly I would have also enjoyed seeing the hero in a truly embarrassing moment because the heroine has a few incidents of unintentional public humiliation while the hero is all too often Mr. Charming/Mr. Capable. But that’s probably just me 🤣.

All things considered, this is a fun, non-steamy, relatively gentle, enemies to lovers read in a setting that really comes alive.



CW:

references to abuse of someone close to heroine.

4 ⭐️. Shipped is available on January 19, 2021. Thanks to Gallery Books & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

this was really sweet! it really does feel like the spiritual baby of THE HATING GAME and THE UNHONEYMOONERS, but just a bit more depth to the side characters. had I not already read those two books, I think I would’ve enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers plot a tad bit more. still! loved it and the conservation plot line.

I would LOVE to read a book about walsh! she’s such a compelling character.

Henley dedicates her life to her work, and is feuding with her remote co-worker Graeme who is up for the same promotion as her. Their boss sends them on a cruise to the Galapagos to help pitch their chance for the promotion, and Henley realizes Graeme isn’t as bad as she made him out to be.

The description of this being a combo of The Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game is perfect! If you liked either I think you’ll enjoy this.

I loved this book — I could relate to Henley who always prioritizes work and grad school, and loved her connection with Graeme. You could feel their tension and chemistry and I enjoyed their flirty banter. I also loved that it was more than romance as Henley tries to stand up to her sexist boss.

If you want to daydream about vacationing in the Galapagos dive into a sweet romance, I highly recommend you pick this up when it publishes January 19.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery books for the ARC!

This book was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I'll be honest, I didn't love Henley the first half of the book but she came a long way over the course of the story.

I loved the imagery of the Galapagos that the author weaved throughout the story. I wish the portion of the story after Henley got home was the bigger overall focus of the story. We need more strong women and women supporting each other in media.

This does have you standard romance elements but goes on to include other elements as well.

At first I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure if I would grow to love Henley and Graeme but in the second half they had my whole heart. Very reminiscent of The Hating Game, Shipped is about judging a book by its cover and being so very very wrong. By the end I was crying and cheering Henley on for being the badass boss babe that she is! Read this one and just let your heart feel warm.

Shipped is the absolute perfect pandemic read- you get a little romance with a whole lot of travel- Angie Hockman does a wonderful job describing every part of the cruise and all of the expeditions which makes you feel like you are there with the main characters. While in quarantine, I have been travel deprived and really enjoyed being able to safely travel to the Galapagos Islands while staying in my own home.

The romance is absolutely adorable- I fully understood the work stress that they were under and why things progressed as quickly as they did. There was a little bit of tension but mostly, this was a sweet romance about two people who are on opposite sides of a challenge. I would love to know a little bit more about the characters but really, this was wonderful and I cannot recommend it enough!

A big thank you to Gallery Books, Netgalley, and Angie Hockman for the ARC and the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

"Shipped" is the perfect anecdote to life during a pandemic and the tumultuous political climate of our time.

Henley and Graeme are workplace rivals who are sent on a company cruise to the Galapagos Islands. I don't think I need to say more, about the plot, but this is a quick, fun, and funny read.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARCI in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Shipped by Angie Hockman had the makings of a rom-com when you throw in work rivalries, cruise ship romances, love-hate relationships, family interference, and sad backstories. It was a good, quick, and fun read but I would not say it was great. The main problem is that I think the Henley and Graham relationship could use some work. There’s not enough build-up to make you believe that the two lead protagonists would give up everything for each other. Also, I thought there was too much work paranoia. I would have a hard time working for a company that keeps you fearful or worried about other people's opinions to the point that you can’t have a life, romance, or simply enjoy your days off. That’s clearly a signal it is time to get another job. Not a bad story just not delicious. Thanks to NetGalley for the free e-book. My Opinions and thoughts are my own and without reservation. #romance #galapagosislands #cruise #jobopportunity #shipped #netgalley

I love a good enemies/frenemies to lovers story and I enjoyed The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners, so when I heard comparisons to this book I got excited. But I only made it to the fifth chapter before I had to tap out.

Unfortunately, this really misses the mark for me. The writing, the dialogue in particular, feels stilted and canned, and I can't figure out if the author was trying too hard or not trying at all. The characters are flat and stereotypical - Walsh, the heroine's sister, in particular with her role as the gorgeous mess who jumps from man to man like they're stepping stones. It relies heavily on the cliches and while the intriguing story drew me in, it didn't do a good job of holding my attention. The author shows some promise, but this needs more work.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Shipped. This book was freaking adorable! One of the best hate to love romance I've read. I'm definately going to follow this author. Don't miss out on this one friends!

Henley and Graeme's story of two people whom work for the same company and our sent on a cruise to see who comes up with the best proposal for an upcoming promotion. Henley has a dislike for him and this trip together she tries her best to avoid him when she can. It also doesn't help that when they are near each other she can't seem to remember she dislikes him over all the other feelings she has popping up. Enjoyed reading and learning about the Galapagos Islands.

Contrary to the classic “romcom beat sheet”, here, we have the two main characters, Henley and Graeme, aka the bane of her professional existence, who fall for one another early on in the story, which was sort of a twist to me; where would the story go if they hooked up so early?
It’s very cute. Very funny. Very sunny. A read in the vein of Mhairi McFarlane, Sophie Kinsella, or, to pick an American author, Emily Henry.
I would’ve given it four stars, but this being a debut, high-five, Angie Hockman!
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the eARC.

When I saw that this book was being compared to one of my favorites (The Hating Game) I have to admit I had some pretty high expeditions. Shipped met those expectations and then some!

The two main characters were so likeable with undeniable chemistry. I was rooting for Henley the whole time as she learned to stand up for herself. Graeme was so supportive of her and I enjoyed seeing his growth throughout the book as well. I liked how their relationship was more enemies to friends to lovers and seemed more believable that way.

The supporting cast of characters in this book were so lovely and charming, I found myself attached to every single one of them.
The author did such an amazing job writing about the Galápagos Islands that I was ready to book my trip the minute I finished this book. Such a wondrous and unique place.

I was so excited to get to read this book, thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the advanced copy.

this was a new to me author. i enjoyed this romantic comedy. it made me laugh out loud. it was a fun relationship to read about.

Are you looking for a light hearted book full of steamy scenes, sisterly bonds, and some much needed travel? This book right here is for you!

Before reading this book, I had read a few rom coms in a row, and I was starting to feel a little burnt out with the genre. I mean, a lot of the plot lines from different books were even starting to mix together in my head! Needless to say, this book had a lot to prove to me right from the get go becauae of the headspace I was in. Yet, somehow, even with me not feeling the genre at that point, this book won me over.

I loved the haters to lovers romance, the competition aspect, the strong sisterly bond, and bringing down a misogynistic male 👊🏻 The fact that the book mostly takes place on a cruise to the Galapagos was just the cherry on top during these non-traveling times.

I would recommend this fun book for some light reading!

I want to first start by saying thank you to both NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC.

This book was a super cute read and I really enjoyed reading it.

Shipped is a Enemies to Lovers story with a little bit of misunderstanding and miscommunication were thrown in there as well. This book also gives the reader the chance to travel, during a time that we are staying home. It definitely made me want to visit the Galapagos more than I would have before.

Henley and Graeme are in the running for the same position, and the person with the best proposal will win. Henley sets out to the Galapagos with her eye on the prize and will make sure that she comes out on top, she didn't expect to find herself wildly attracted to Graeme, who she has only met over a computer screen. Seeing him in person throws her off her game a little but she can't forget what Graeme did to her, and she will win this promotion because she is the better choice.

Graeme has had a tough life, and meeting Henley in person was everything he didn't know he needed. During this time on this trip, while winning the promotion is important to him, winning Henley's heart is even more. Graeme sets out on this trip to understand why Henley dislikes him so much and to make sure they can work together well.

Shipped is a great romantic comedy, a quick read that makes you want to travel the world. Definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a light fun read.

A fast, fun read - I do love a good enemies-to-lovers story and this one comes complete with travel and cruising, a conservation message, and a fabulous sticking it to the man moment for the brilliant, hard-working heroine.

Adorable! This was exactly what I needed, so refreshing that I couldn’t help smiling the whole way through. Henley was competing with her office nemesis for a job promotion and they are both sent to the Galápagos Islands on a cruise with their company to come up with the best digital marketing campaign.

Graeme isn’t sure why Henley hates him, but he can’t resist the fire inside him when she looks at him with disdain. She has lit him up and brought him back into the world of the living.

The banter and tension between the two of them is top notch and I fell in love with Graeme pretty much the first time he spoke. What an amazing book boyfriend, he’s pretty high on my list right now.

I loved Henley’s friends and support system and her relationship with her sister, Walsh. This book has so many great messages and I adored it. Thank you to Gallery, Netgalley and the author for an early copy!