This besties to estrangement to be kinda friends to lovers was it. Their chemistry, the slow burn, the emotional complexity, add in rock and roll drama and an asshat that deserved a punch in the face. And then MAKING HIM ASAS HOUSEMATE like now I need to go read cold world all over again. I will never not pick up a book Alicia writes.

The premise of the book: old band reunited for a one-time gif, bringing along all their baggage and unsaid histories, will be a winner for readers who like sweet romances with friends to lovers.
For me, it was just okay as I felt it took a little longer to sync in with the characters. John and Frankie are likable from the start and the book has a bit of a nostalgic feel. Rating a 3.5.

Friends form band in high school. Band makes it big, including playing a song on a teen paranormal TV show. Band disbands because of reasons. Band gets asked to reunite for a cruise for said teen paranormal TV show megafans. Band says yes even though they haven't talked to each other in like 13 years. Quiet guitar player, former BFF of Hayley Williams-esque front woman, still can't resist former BFF even though they never spoke of feelings before..... but now they are adults and can kind of try to explore said feelings. Friends to enemies to lovers on a cruise ship! I'd say 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I don't typically like books where the main characters have a lot of detailed history that started before the book. Micah and John—childhood best friends—reuniting for the first time since their mega-popular band broke up definitely counts as history. Despite this, Alicia Thompson managed to bring me into this story effortlessly. As the story unfolded, I fell in love with Micah and John's relationship and the natural build of their chemistry. I slowly got to piece together their history in a completely natural way that only made their love story more meaningful. It doesn't hurt that John is my favorite breed of yearning mmc. Add in a sprinkle of authentic and normalized LGBTQ+ representation and I am completely sold.

Thank you to Berkley Romance and Alicia Thompson for the free advance copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily, and all opinions remain my own.

Read This Book If…you were (are) obsessed with Paramore!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

Genre: romance
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes
Setting: cruise ship in Caribbean
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: childhood friends to strangers to lovers, longtime crush, he falls first

My Thoughts:
I love the trend of “we were in a popular band/tv show, broke up, and now we’re back together for some reason”! I particularly enjoyed that Micah and John were not exes, but instead childhood friends turned bandmates turned strangers.

The themed cruise and band reunion was a fun detail, as someone who used to work on cruise ships!

These two were HOT! The spice was excellent and even ventured into kinky (hello, exhibitionism). However, there wasn’t as much emotional depth as I was expecting given the characters’ deep history. The cruise felt like a fling so the ending felt a little rushed.

I enjoyed the Queer rep in this, with Micah being loudly and proudly bi and Frankie coming out as nonbinary.

Overall, this was a cute, spicy read that will be perfect on a beach.

Memorable Quote: “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.”

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!

This is an instant favorite!! I loved the longing and melancholic tone of this book. John had a mouth on him that was unexpected but I loved it. Micah was an unapologetic (in some ways) strong women who needed to heal from the people she hurt. I loved seeing these 2 find their way back together. This is a beautiful estranged friends-to-lovers and I’m so grateful to netgalley for the early read! Thank you!

Thank you to Berkley and MetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love Alicia’s books and this was no different! I had so much fun reading this. I think it was well thought out and so much fun. I think she does such a great job pulling you into the story and she did that here. I highly recommend this one!

Could this book be described as Daisy Jones & The Six meets Titanic? Wait, scratch that! At least the ship doesn’t hit an iceberg, and Jack—pardon me, John—doesn’t freeze to death because his partner is too selfish to share her space. Okay, let’s stop comparing this book to other works and let me tell you how it made me feel.

I wanted to wrap John in a cocoon and protect him. From the beginning, I was firmly on his team. Micah, on the other hand, made some significant mistakes. She felt like the Yoko Ono of the group, tearing them apart a decade ago when they were rising stars at 17. She cut ties with everyone, released a solo album, and then disappeared from the music industry entirely. For years, she focused on living in Silver Lake (my personal opinion about that neighborhood aside) and helping her sister’s beauty salon while resting on her music industry fame.

Now, Micah’s father—also her manager—pushes her to accept a reunion gig, which involves performing on a cruise ship as part of a big TV show panel featuring their hit song. This means she must face her old bandmates, some of whom still hold grudges over the group’s breakup. Among them is Ryder, her ex-boyfriend, with whom she had a messy breakup. But the silver lining? She also gets to reunite with John, her former best friend, whom she hasn’t heard from in nearly a decade. Is John angry at her for ghosting him?

From John’s perspective, he’s been struggling to make a name for himself in the music industry. He shares a house with a large group of roommates who have become his makeshift family. John has quietly harbored feelings for Micah since they were kids. When she started dating Ryder, he kept those feelings bottled up and acted like nothing was wrong. Now, seeing Micah again and playing alongside her on the cruise reignites those old emotions. Can they still be friends after ten years of silence and exclusion? Or could they start over? The chemistry and tension between them are undeniable—so strong it feels like they might tear each other’s clothes off. But is this just chemistry, or is there something deeper that could change their futures forever? Should they take a chance on love again, even if it means risking everything?

I didn't hate this book, it just wasn't for me. I am not a huge fan of the musician/band romances, so it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was very well written, just not for me!

This second-chance romance brings plenty of emotional tension, centering on two former bandmates, Micah and John, who are forced back into each other’s orbit. The reunion leans into forced proximity—a trope that works well here, gradually peeling back layers of unresolved feelings and old wounds between Micah and John. They were former best friends/bandmates.

There’s undeniable chemistry between Micah and John, and the history they share adds depth to their dynamic. However, the miscommunication angle is leaned on a bit too heavily at times, which may test the patience of some readers. Still, the payoff is worth it.

The female main character, Micah, is delightfully messy—realistic, flawed, and emotionally raw. Her journey toward self-awareness is compelling, even if it’s sometimes chaotic.

If you're into romances with angst, tension, and a little band drama, this one hits the right notes—just be ready to ride out a few frustrating misunderstandings along the way.

I did not like this book… it was just kinda boring and the main drive of the relationship felt really physical rather than emotional, which is fine, just not my personal preference. I love reading any books about musicians, this one just really didn't grip me and I wish there was more yearning with the way It was set up. I mean in love since y'all were kids… gimme more lead up. But anyways, im sure some will enjoy this one, it just didn't work for me.

I always enjoy a childhood friends to lovers story and liked seeing their band reunite and bring Micah and John back into each other’s lives. I would’ve loved flashback chapters to their teen years in the band, but appreciated the dual perspectives you get from both characters.

Brave of me to read this when I have a DEEP and INTENSE aversion to songs in books. Also musicians terrify me bc what if they SING to me with EYE CONTACT. Lol but it was fun!

There really wasn’t much to the relationship? No angst, not a lot of drama, and it was once again very sweet (a theme of 2025 releases). Which is ~fine but JUST fine in my opinion since I’m looking for Big Emotions. For a band with a big breakup, there wasn’t much to it honestly. There was one token dick, but even then he was dealt with pretty cleanly and he didn’t really do too much on the page.

But if you’re looking for a low angst summery read, I think it’ll fit the bill. I’ve enjoyed every book from Alicia and this was really no different, I just wasn’t blown away. Both MCs began the book in love with each other so it was kinda just like…okay now kiss. But I loved that we got to see Asa and Lauren again!! And I always wanted to be reading the book and was never annoyed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5


I received an ALC, eARC, and finished copy from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

Rock star romance is one of my favorite genres, and I really appreciate the ways this is Not a traditional rock star romance - they hit it big as kids, basically - things fell apart, they lost touch. Time for a comeback - or a redo.

Micah and John were a sweet couple, each with their own hang ups in past and present that kept them apart. I liked seeing in memories how they were as kids, and then how they’ve grown and changed being apart for so long. The romance felt really genuine, the music talk was on key, and honestly that sounds like the best cruise ever.

Super appreciate no third act breakup and miscommunication trope! ❤️❤️ thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

Bandmates reflect on what drove them apart as a band on a reunion cruise for a show featuring their one hit wonder. I liked digging into the characters backstories and the development of their new romance.

3.75 ⭐️

Such a fun storyline! Childhood friends create a band in their teens, become one-hit-wonders, then break up and don’t speak until over a decade later when the band reunites for one more performance on a themed cruise. Micah, your avoidant black cat and runaway is full of conflicting feelings for her old best friend John, your typical cinnamon roll who’s been in love with her for YEARS.

This was so entertaining to read and listen to. Majority of the book takes place on the cruise ship which adds a level of forced proximity (good and bad) and tensions become higher. I thought all the band members were fantastic side characters and each added their own flare to the band dynamic. Loved Micah and John’s story and I’m excited to explore more books by Alicia Thompson! Thank you Berkley for the arc :)

4.5 stars. A soft and vibey estranged pining childhood friends to lovers, with a heavy dose of mid-00s emo nostalgia.

The band is getting back together for a nostalgia cruise, and after a decade apart, they confront the things that tore them apart. Most of the development isn’t plot, it’s internal, which really works for me personally (I love when characters learn and grow on page!), however I know that isn’t for everyone. John and Micah have so much history and love and grace for each other. I enjoyed watching them rediscover each other and work through their past to find a stronger future.

Super thrilled I was able to snag this ARC. Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley!!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the arc of "Never Been Shipped".

This was my first time reading an Alicia Thompson book, and I would recommend reading "With Love, From Cold World" prior to this book if you are in the same boat. While they are stand-alone stories, one of the characters from "Never Been Shipped" is introduced in WLFCW. I will be going back to read that now that I know.

The covers of Alicia Thompson books are so incredibly fun. I am obsessed with the vintage comic style of the artwork. I usually don't comment on book covers, but hers stand out to me.

Now to talk about this book. Never Been Shipped is a second-chance, friends-to-lovers, famous people romance that primarily takes place on a cruise ship. The cruise is for fans of a teen drama called "Nightshifters" that was popular 10 years in the past. Our main characters, Micah (FMC) and John (MMC) were members of a band (ElectricOh!- hated the name until the meaning behind it was explained, then I loved it) that got famous from a song that played during the "Nightshifters" prom episode. The other three members of the band- Ryder, Steve, and Frankie, are also present on the ship. Ryder and Micah were in a tumultuous relationship that eventually led to the break-up of the band, initiated by Micah. Oh, and p.s. John has been in love with Micah since they were children. This background obviously leaves to tension between bandmates.

The friends-to-lovers relationship that develops between Micah and John is both incredibly sweet and spicy. John is a very lovable MMC, whereas Micah isn't always easy to like, but becomes easier to understand as the book progresses. Their background as childhood best-friends really lends some depth to their relationship. And the epilogue is heart-eyes.

The only thing missing for me was more detail into the relationship that existed between Ryder and Micah, and I think more drama could have happened between them on the boat. For instance, it seemed like Ryder was trying to play it off for fans that he and Micah might be rekindling their relationship, but nothing really came of that.

I would recommend this for anyone who likes a spicy romance or books with a celebrity trope. I will circle back and read other Alicia Thompson books now that I know she's an author speaking my language.

What a steamy romance that will leave readers satisfied with the pining, the tension, and the resolution!

I will admit that I had a really hard time getting into the novel, as there were so many names being tossed around very early on. I didn't really understand the premise and hard a difficult time picking out who our main characters were going to be.

However, once they got on the ship, the story flew by at a breakneck speed. I was invested in the relationship, the backstory, they bandmates, and where we were headed. I loved seeing Micah and John find each other again, whilst also discovering what was important to themselves.

adding Alicia Thompson to my list of authors that I'm glad I gave a second chance. now I don't usually like to bring up what I thought of author's other books in a review for a book of theirs I just got finished reading, but it has meaning to my review of this book. I put down cold world because I thought it took too long to get to the main plot. I was about 10 ish percent of the way through cold world and probably around 90 pages in and I still had not gotten to the start of the crux of the issue and however they would have solved that. I thought to myself this is way too long for a book to get to its point and so I put it down. I will say that Thompson is very good at drawing things out, but there's a time and place for it. This book was the time and place for that. The tension was delicious and simmering and by the time I was at 15% and they were just getting to the cruise itself I felt like yes this is exactly where I should be right now and this is exactly how long it should have taken to get to this point. It didn't bother me that it had taken that long to get to the point. I loved it because there was enough plot in between that drove the characters to that point unlike cold world where I felt it lacked that drive that I was looking for. Cold world felt stagnant in its first 90 pages whereas never been shipped came to life under the guise of the drama between the bandmates and the pull and allure of a potential relationship between John and Micah. I was invested, I was hooked, I wanted to read more. And I did. I finished this entire book in approximately 4 hours. That's easy for me to do, but I have to be really into a book for me to not want to put it down for any reason whatsoever, and I did not want to put this book down. I loved the fact that the characters had depth but weren't so dramatic that their essence as a person was lost in the nitty gritty details of why they broke up as a band. I loved that there was a clear antagonist to the story and that the rest of the characters were lovable, because there are some books where there's a clear antagonist but the other characters are also unclear on whether or not they're on the main character's sides or they're just unbearable as characters to read about and I didn't find that here. I especially loved Steve and the fact that he was such a nonchalant happy-go-lucky dad who just wanted a picture of a famous person so that way he could brag to his son when his son was older that he met a famous person. didn't matter who the person was he just wanted to be able to brag to his son that he met a celebrity irregardless of the fact that he is pretty much considered a celebrity himself. I loved Frankie and their unabashed boldness and the way they carried themselves and how they took no disrespect from anybody. I love that when Micah finally stood up for herself it was not only for her but for John as well and I think that really solidified their relationship for me in that moment. I truly didn't have a single bad thing to say about this book. I have Thompson's other books in my library holds right now, because if her other two books are anything like this one, then sign me up.