As an older millennial I do love the idea of bands uniting and the nostalgia of it all. This book started out strong for me but about halfway I was not quite as interested. It seemed like the romance was rushed and even though it was a second chance it also wasn't because the two were always just friends? I feel like this book really needed a past and present timeline to tell the story to really get more of the angst and get me to care a bit more about these two being together. There was mention of the past but I really like to "live" more in those timelines too as a reader. Overall I liked a lot about this but it was just missing that extra piece.

Really enjoyed this one! I love the singer/ guitarist romance. I thought it was cool how we got the background of the band while also seeing the romance flourish. I love this author and would read anything she writes!

Alicia Thompson strikes all the right chords in Never Been Shipped, a heartfelt and nostalgic second-chance romance set on a high-seas band reunion cruise. Micah, once the lead singer of a teen band that fell apart too soon, is wary of repeating old mistakes—especially when it comes to matters of the heart. But reconnecting with her former bandmate and longtime friend John forces her to confront what was left unsaid years ago. John, quiet and steady, has always harboured feelings for Micah, and now, with only five days at sea, he has a chance to finally make his move. Thompson blends the magic of music, the ache of missed opportunities, and the sweetness of slow-burn romance into an emotionally satisfying story. With witty banter, simmering chemistry, and genuine heart, Never Been Shipped is a love letter to second chances and the enduring bond between music and memory.

Thank you so much Berkley & NetGalley for this e-arc.

A second-chance romance between childhood best friends, "Never Been Shipped" follows former bandmates as they are forced to be close on a cruise ship. Although she has been unaware of his thoughts, Micah, the main female character, has been the center of John's affections since they were young kids. Together, these two were amazing. I enjoyed seeing them develop, and the cruise site was fantastic.This novel was wonderful; I loved the plot, the characters, and the romance. Rockstar romances seem to be popular this year, so if you haven't already, this is a wonderful place to start.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars for rating

CALLING ALL ALICIA THOMPSON STANS! (me) A NEW BOMBSHELL HAS BOARDED THE SHIP! WE HAVE A NEW ROMANCE TO EXPLORE <3

"What's that saying? Love is friendship caught fire? I've been waiting about a billion years for this one to catch."

So, as you could probably tell, I am an Alicia Thompson stan. Anything she writes, I will read (and probably enjoy) so when I received the eARC for Never Been Shipped, I did the zoomies around my home and then jumped (not straight) into reading it. As expected, I *loved* it. It was every little girl's dream (mine) to be a rockstar and/or fall in love with a rockstar, so this seemed to be right up my alley. Our girl, Micah, ah, she is terribly flawed and scarred from her experience in a band as a teenager. Is it a surprise that a lot of her issues stemmed from the spotlight and a man constantly tearing her down? Nope, par for the course, unfortunately. But she always had one thing to look forward to: Her friend and bandmate, John. When the opportunity presents itself to do a reunion-type of cruise tour and get the band back together for one last gig, Micah and John are both a little hesitant -- but John will go if she goes. AH! When they finally get to the boat, the rest is history! <3 <3

"There's something special about it, isn't there? Being with someone who knew you in a different period in your life, who can help you knit together who you were then and who you are now."

"... But I care. And you should care. Not for the record sales or the concert crowds or any of that, but because you love music and there's such rare, special, precious joy in being able to make it."

"And what are friends for if not to swap around each other's therapeutic insights until we can able together something close to comprehensive mental health care."

But for realsies, these characters are not without flaws and arcs, and that is what I love about Alicia Thompson's writing and building of a story. There are ups, downs, miscommunications, opportunities for growth, and downright feels and dimensional love here. I love that about her stories, because there will always be someone who can find a home in her characters (Not you, Ryder.) and that makes the story more real. We love you, John. Thank you for being an absolute gem of a book boyfriend.

"We survived all those years of will-they-won't-they sexual tension, I suppose an extra few hours aren't going to kill us."

Tropes: Friends to Strangers to Lovers, Band Romance, Forced Proximity, Second Chance Romance, Estranged Friends/Childhood Sweethearts

Themes: Trust and vulnerability, second chances, the power of music, healing

"My whole life, everything has felt like... I don't know. A closed fist. Like I'm trying to hold on so tight, like I'm on the defensive, ready to throw a punch. But you, you've always made me feel like i can just... let go. Uncurl my fingers. Open up my hand."

thank you netgalley & berkley publishing for the eArc of this book!

this was my second alicia thompson book and i really enjoyed this one! it was very cute and entertaining. i really enjoyed both main characters and the way that this author is very consistent in be inclusive through her writing.

i've only read this book and 'with love, from cold world' by this author (i own her other two books so they'll be moving up the tbr sooner rather than later)- has she created an entire universe?? i went in fairly blind so i'm not sure if i stumbled upon her two books that connect or if they all do- time will tell! but i got really excited when i realized that John was Asa's roommate from cold world! (and seeing lauren and asa together again).

i think daisy jones & the six just ruined me for any other 'getting the band back together' type of vibe story and it's chances of becoming a five star read. i went in expecting them to all hate each other and there to be a ton of drama and agnst but i didn't really get that, they all surprisingly still liked each other?? (except that one dude who i won't even name).

i was shocked when micah and john connected so quickly with each other but i also want every story to have some enemies-to-lovers in it. i loved the glimpses into their childhood together to deepen their history and connection- i do wish it was written fully into a dual timeline rather than just flashbacks.

the majority of this book is set on a cruise to the bahamas so it really is the perfect book to binge on the beach, on a cruise, by the pool or at the lake this summer :)

A rock band reunited on a boat. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. The tension, the longing, the forced proximity. Chemistry and genuine communication? Yes please. Just a fun read. “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦? 𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸.”

Sometimes you can tell from the first chapter if a book is going to be a 2-star or a 5-star read, and sometimes you peg it as, oh just another exploration of the band reunion plot, meh, three stars… and then it surprises you and just keeps getting better and better. Never Been Shipped is a clever, sexy, and emotionally satisfying friends to lovers romance about surviving childhood traumas, getting your shit together, allowing vulnerability, standing up to bullies, closure, and starting new chapters, and I immediately wanted to go read Alicia Thompson’s entire back catalog, especially the companian novel, With Love, from Cold World.

ElectricOh! a teenage punk band whose original song “If Only” by founding members and best friendss John and Micah was featured on the prom episode of a popular shapeshifter show (think of all the bands who debuted on Buffy) have agreed to a fifteen-year reunion tour: a command performance on a cosplay-themed cruise. There will be a short set and appearances at activities like shuffleboard and bingo, culminating in a performance of their hit at the cruise prom. With no rehearsals (since they kind of can’t stand to be in the same room together anymore), and little contact in the past decade and a half, can they pull it off? The band fractured when Micah took a deal and made a solo album that didn’t deliver on it’s hype.

4.5 stars!

In between scheduled activities, there’s a lot of catching up to do. Quiet John, who has been kind of in love with Micah from the moment they met, plays corporate gigs and weddings, and still doesn’t drink. Guitarist Ryder, who secretly dated lead singer and guitarist Micah, is still a toxic, gaslighting douchebag, expert at deflecting blame. He’s presented as rather one-note, so it’s ultra-satisfying when he gets his comeuppance. Bassist Frankie has adopted they/them pronouns and is very satisfied with session work. . Drummer Steve is the only one settled: married, living back in Ohio, and joyfully parenting a three-year old. Thompson moves the narrative back and forth in time to show all the almosts, and create a compelling environment for John and Micah to finally get their happy ever after, for the band to work out their kinks and hurts, and for childhood secrets to be revealed, confirmed, processed, and tucked into the past as relevant baggage that needn’t continue to stand in the way.

For more stories about band reunions, check out For One Night Only by Jessica James, which has a similar plot; The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Seigemund-Broka, about a Taylor Swift like superstar who invites her former love to be her piano player on tour; or Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey, about the offspring of rock stars on a mission to get their mothers to reunite their band.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #NeverBeenShipped via #NetGalley courtesy of #Berkley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Never Been Shipped was such a cute friends (to strangers) to lovers romance!

Micah and John had been in a band together years ago, but she left the band for a solo career. Years later, the band was invited to reunite and put on a show on a cruise.

The cruise setting? So fun!

There was kind of a lot going on, but all of the problems were just glossed over. There was drama with the band, and considering how they broke up, I thought they’d address it more.

The angst and tension between Micah and Johnson was everything, though! The two of them had so much chemistry, and they truly understood each other. And the friends to strangers to lovers was done well.

This was my first book by Alicia Thompson, but it won’t be the last!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Alicia Thompson has become a favorite author of mine (The Art of Catching Feelings was one of my top books last year!) and I really enjoyed Never Been Shipped! It’s a second chance, former best friends/band mates, “it’s always been you” story that was romantic AF and spicy to boot. The band ElectricOh! has been over for years, but are brought back together on a fan cruise for a TV show their biggest song was featured.

John and Micah haven’t spoken since ElectricOh!s end. There’s always been something there and neither were brave enough to try ten years ago. Can they get over the past hurts - and their current fears - to make it work, finally?

These two were so good together. Loved their growth and the cruise location was really fun! I also appreciated the care of that Alicia used for trickier topics, like discussion of John’s alcoholic & abu$ive parent. Definitely check this out if you’re a fan of contemporary romances with nostalgia, spice, and music. I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

This is my third book by Alicia Thompson and she gets better every time! Never Been Shipped follows John and Micah, two former members of a band who reunite after a decade on a week long cruise. During this cruise they're forced to confront the issues that tore their band apart, while also navigating their not so past feelings for one another. Alicia Thompson does an incredible job at creating tension between characters. There is just enough give and take to make you want to fly through this book. The yearning in this book is next level, and I was hanging on to every word. I also really appreciate how strong of a voice each of Thompson's characters have. Each person in this story has such a distinct perspective. This is a perfect summer read, and Alicia Thompson continues to be one of my favorite romance authors.

Really enjoyed this a lot. The chemistry between John and Micah was fire, the yearning and angst, the history!. It was all really good and kept me engaged throughout. Like the rest of the band as well (other than Ryder), and the connection that came back after years apart. A fun read.

4 stars.

Alicia Thompson's "Never Been Shipped" is a slow-burning childhood best friends second-chance romance featuring forced proximity on a cruise ship between former bandmates. The main male character, John, has been in love with Micah, the main female character, since they were younger, though she has been oblivious to his feelings. Their band made it big with a moderate degree of success, but after Micah unilaterally ended things and went solo with no rhyme or reason or explanation as to why, relationships were shattered and tensions have been left to fester in the years since. Her band has been given the chance to reunite for a "prom" cruise celebrating the cast and fans of television show where their song was used, so, reluctantly, she takes the offer knowing she has a lot to answer for. She is the most nervous about seeing everyone again, particularly John, her former best friend, since it seemed like she started to have feelings for him before everything went south. I found this book to be nostalgic, fun, and interesting. It kept my attention the entire way through it, and I had a good experience reading it. It isn't overly long, and it moves quickly despite being a slow burn, so that's a plus! I liked the characters, especially since they are imperfect and messy. My one minor complaint is that it takes a while for the tension of the romance between Micah and John to bubble over and become more, much too slow for my taste. Luckily, there is a lot of chemistry between the two of them. The rest of the bandmates are also interesting characters with differing, unique personalities, except for Ryder, who can take a short walk off a long pier for all I care. What a horrible person (well written, though)! This does not come close to my love, "The Art of Catching Feelings," but I did enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alicia Thompson, Berkley Publishing for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I wanted to love this so bad….. LOL But I just couldn’t. I’ve only read her debut with the serial killer title, and I LOVED that one. SO when her next book came out, I didn’t even read it, I just bought it lol But now I’m thinking I need to read the others, because although I mostly liked this one, it wasn’t great………….

Ok so I think the issue here was the emotion? They were mad and toxic with each other most of the book, but we also saw them pining, but it wasn’t convincing? Not for the amount of stand-offishiness that was happening. It just felt like a lot and I didn’t like that. I never bought in to their romance. Which was pretty bad because that was truly the only thing happening.

When I say it was the only thing happening, there was also another plot line that was honestly more exciting than their love story. The whole plot bit about the ex I thought was so good! But like it was barely talked about and then skated over and it just got boring after that. I saw a different review that said it would have been more exciting if they fell off the ship, and I fully agree with this lmao I’m not gonna lie, I went looking for more reviews like mine because so many loved this. I thought I was the broken one.

I know next you’re going to ask, “why didn’t you DNF it?” Because, and I’m not going to lie to you….. I liked the spice lol After all this, Thompson still knows how to write the romance right. Well I mean if that’s all you liked? lol I liked it because I was already aware that it was all I was going to get out of it, so I just let go and enjoyed reading it. I also liked it because I’m someone that loves the “it has to happen right now because I can’t wait” microtropes, and the very scene on this cover made me put the book down and fan myself for a little bit lol

Will I be as eager to pick up her next ones? Probably not. Will I willingly pick up her older ones in case those were like her debut? Absolutely. I guess this is going to be like a game of chicken or something. If you’ve read any of her others, let me know. Which one do I start with to scratch the itch of her original work?

Never Been Shipped – Alicia Thompson
The synopsis: Micah's relationship with music is complicated. As teenagers, her band took off after being featured on a popular TV show, but the group barely released their sophomore album before breaking up. Now, over a decade later, the band is reuniting for one more performance on a themed cruise, and Micah is determined to learn from her past mistakes -- no losing herself in the music, and no losing her heart along the way.

John misses playing in a band, and mostly he misses Micah, who'd been his best friend until the music stopped. Back then, he didn't take the lead, either in his guitar parts or while he sat back and watched her date another bandmate. John's never been one to rock the boat, but he's faced with another chance now that this cruise has brought music -- and Micah -- back in his life.

Onboard, Micah can't help but see John with brand new eyes, and John's feelings only intensify as the discordant band's tension grows to a breaking point. With five days at sea, there's a ticking clock on anything that might develop between them, and they'll have to decide if their relationship is destined to be more than a one-hit wonder.
This book was so fun! Alicia has a way of creating fun and inclusive and never dull stories that keep the reader invested throughout. There was some important representation that didn’t take away from the reading experience; it gave more to the depth of the characters throughout the book. The representation of being queer was entirely something I wish was something I was able to read when I was in high school or at least a college student. Reading books with similar thoughts of the reader regarding any topic can be extremely beneficial for many reasons. It’s nice to see the way the topics were discussed between the characters in the book.
The romance between John and Micah was sweet, intimate, and steamy. I would want a man like John to love me the way he gives all his love to Micah.
The drama surrounding the band felt very real and at times was irritating and overstimulating.
Thank you to Berkley and Alicia Thompson for the e-arc of this book and the ability to read it.

Alicia Thompson strikes a soulful chord in her latest romance, weaving together music, memories, and rekindled love into a story that is both nostalgic and emotionally fresh. Set aboard a themed cruise against the high-stakes backdrop of a long-awaited band reunion, this novel explores the significance of revisiting the past—not to relive it, but to rewrite it.

At the heart of the story are Micah and John, former bandmates whose relationship was once filled with unspoken tension and missed opportunities. Micah, who was once caught up in the whirlwind of early fame, approaches the reunion cautiously, determined to protect her heart and discover her own voice outside the music that once defined her. John, on the other hand, is burdened by the quiet regret of not stepping up—both on stage and in love—and sees this reunion as his last chance to make things right.

Thompson excels at capturing the emotional complexities of second-chance romance. The chemistry between Micah and John simmers with both history and hope, making their slow-burn connection feel deeply earned. Their dynamic is steeped in shared memories, forged in youth and fractured by time.

What elevates this romance beyond the typical second-chance trope is the setting: the cruise serves as both a pressure cooker and a liminal space where anything can happen. With only five days at sea, every conversation, every performance, and every stolen moment is filled with urgency. Thompson masterfully uses this timeline to build tension both romantically and within the reunited band, whose unresolved conflicts mirror Micah and John's own emotional stalemate.

This was such a fun, summer, childhood friends to lovers romance. Their band split up years ago and nobody really understands why. They are offered the opportunity to do a reunion cruise. Locked on a cruise ship with your toxic ex, your ex band mates, and the boy who was your best friend until you blew it all up? Talk about DRAMA!

The spice was top tear too. And there’s nothing sexier than a man who says “don’t talk about my wife like that” to his own wife when she’s talking bad about herself. That gave me the fanny flutters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Tropes:
💜 guitarist x singer
💜 childhood best friends to lovers
💜 second chance romance
💜 band mates getting-the-band-back-together
💜 forced proximity
💜 he falls first
💜who-hurt-you

🌟: 4.25

"I think I was half-gone for you the minute you introduced yourself."

It feels like there's been an increase in romance books in which the main characters reunite with their once-famous band, and where many of those stories are used to explore a second chance romance, I loved how this one was an unrequited love type of friends-to-lovers story (yes, we all know I am a slut for friends-to-lovers). Regardless, this felt like a fresh take on a frequently done story.

I loved being able to read both Micah and John's POV. Micah, as the one who broke up the band, was incredibly compelling to read because while she regrets the way she went about doing things, she's not apologetic for what she did, because it was what was best for her (and good for her too because FUCK RYDER FOR THE SHIT HE PUT HER THROUGH). In contrast, John is my little yearning loverboy who has held a torch for Micah since they met in middle school, and he's scared that Micah, once they've reunited, won't return his feelings.

Micah and John were so cute together. It felt like the forced proximity of the cruise allowed their relationship to unfold very naturally. On the one hand, it feels cathartic reading John's POV when they finally become something more, and on the other, Micah slowly realizing that it should have been John the entire time was satisfying in its own way.

I enjoyed the dynamic of the band members (minus Ryder because fuck Ryder). Between Frankie, who is effortlessly cool, and Steve, who was just happy to be there, they were definitely a group I would have loved if they were real.

So... does this surpass my all-consuming love for The Art of Catching Feelings? No, but I still loved this book.

P.S. Fuck Ryder one more time for good measure

thank you for the chance to read this early. love a second chance romance, love that the "villain" gets punched in the face, and the forced proximity (because cruise ship!) even though they had separate spaces as well, was delightful.

I didn’t realize how much I needed this book until I finished it. There’s something about the way the story unfolds — subtle, surprising, and strangely comforting. It’s the kind of read that sneaks up on you and stays tucked in your mind for days. Definitely worth picking up.