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The Shippers

A Novel

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Pub Date May 19 2026 | Archive Date Jun 02 2026


Description

One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship.

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest ), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sister’s a little busy being a bride at the moment—so JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wing man. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if she’s honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJo’s life. It’s bliss for her to see him again, and it’s agony, too—and the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she can’t bring herself to ask.

Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance—as JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way.

No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.

One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship.

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781250408051
PRICE $30.00 (USD)
PAGES 336

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Average rating from 1579 members


Featured Reviews

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WHAT A BANGER! I swear, there hasn't been a rom com book that actually made me laugh out loud and force me to put my kindle down bc of how comedic these characters are (especially our fmc jojo). Things get rolling right from the start and Katherine Center does a wonderful job of keeping readers engaged with the current storyline but also providing adequate background through flashbacks and recounts through the character's voice. If you LOVE friends to lovers (like me) oh oh oh this is bound to catch your heart, because Cooper?!?! this man YEARNS!! And I kept wanting to throw my kindle across the room to knock some sense in Jojo because as sweet and funny as she is, she is soooo dense when it comes to recognizing Cooper's feelings, but that makes for good drama i guessss (hehehe). If you love pure fun, comedic dialogue, sizzling character chemistry, and childhood friends to lvoers, this is FOR YOU!!! Or if you just love LOVE, this one is absolutely for you! Add it to your TBR. This is by far my FAVORITE Katherine Center book!

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I was fortunate enough to receive an early review copy of Katherine Center’s newest novel, The Shippers. Center is one of my favorite authors, so I immediately dove in. This story was instantly readable, full of laughs and lovable characters. As a bonus, I even learned what “shipping” means. 🤣🫣

Center has delivered yet another heartwarming, fun and easy to read love story and I highly recommend making this your next comfort read.

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Every Katherine Center book has been a 5 star read for me & this was no exception - if anything I wish I could go up to 6 stars for this book!!

Katherine Center always says rom-coms should be predictable in that you know it will have a happy ending bc that’s what they are all about!! I love how her writing shows that through & through! The premise of this book surrounds Josephine or “Jojo” who is terrible at love. If any guy that likes her too much, she has to end things. She believes she has cracked the code to healing herself from her horrible romantic history by setting up a plan to make the person who gave her her perfect first kiss, the one that no one since could measure up to, fall in love with her.

I loveee that the “plot twist” of this book is predictable in that you know it will be the happy ending everyone is craving & you know enough to enjoy how it all plays out as you read! As usual with her books, I was giggling & smiling to myself while reading & that’s what rom-coms are all about - falling in love with falling in love over & over again!

Thank you Netgalley & St Martins Press for this ARC - No notes, just praise as usual :)

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I will read ANYTHING that is written by Katherine Center. With the knowledge of the author going into this read, I knew I would love it, but as always, she continues to give me the most lovely story that keeps me on my toes and wanting more. every. single. time.

If you haven’t delved into the world of Katherine Center, you’re not living. Pick this up, or any book of hers, NOW. You won’t regret it.

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This book is proof that Katherine Center really never misses. I loved everything from the authors note at the beginning— because SAME, I will always search if the book has a HEA— to the main characters, the side characters, the plot, and the development. I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t stop. It was romantic, sweet and funny and gave me everything I look for in a rom-com and then some. I can’t wait to order this book and add it next to my other fave Katherine Centre books.





I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own :)

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I want to say I’ve read 5 or 6 of her books now and I have to say that KC can just do no wrong! Her books are fun romcoms but also have depth and I always thoroughly enjoy them! This one is no exception, definitely recommend!

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Katherine Center is simply the best romance author out there. I love her writing style and the way she develops her characters. This book was no exception. The plot is utterly charming and you cannot help but love all of the characters. Another winner and I highly recommend this book.

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