Meet Henley (yes, like the clothing brand and a town in the UK but actually named after a member of The Eagles) she is clever, strong, hardworking, motivated and is our protagonist. Henley lives in Seattle and works as a Digital Marketing Manager for a cruise company but she has been shortlisted for the position of Director.

Also up for the position of Director is Graeme. Graeme works from home in a different state, is short/direct with his communication, can come across unfriendly and is disliked by Henley for these reasons but also because he took credit for some work she did that went viral!

Their boss sends them on one of the company’s cruises to experience it and to also come up with a proposal to support their application for the Director position. Hence people stating this is like The Hating Game meets The Unhoneymooners.

I really enjoyed a number of aspects about this book:
💚 Enemies to Lovers is one of my favourite tropes
💚 The MCs have good chemistry and often talk out their issues - miscommunication or lack of, is a big bug bear for me!
💚 Henley has a great group of friends/colleagues and it’s lovely to see this portrayed and their support of each other
💚OMG, the Galapagos cruise sounds INCREDIBLE!
💚 The Author’s note regarding the Galapagos, sustainability, small cruise ship companies etc. felt passionate yet genuine.

The only real negative is that once the cruise ends, the pacing changes and that final section of the book felt a bit rushed and all too neat.

Steam wise, there’s kissing and sex is implied but no details.

I enjoyed this (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and I fell in love with the cruise idea.

I received a digital copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

An absolutely perfect and hilarious summer read!

Cruising holidays are idyllic, the sunshine, the sea, the views are just incredible.


Working towards a directorship role in her marketing team for a cruise ship company, Henley has the chance to finally gain that promotion.

The catch? She has to go up against her work rival, Graeme!

The pair are sent off on a working cruise holiday to prepare for their pitch which will propel one of them into the promotion. Henley had the knowledge, skills and work ethic so the job is basically hers, right?...

Henley Evans works blooming hard. She has ambition, however it has meant she has neglected herself and her family and friends. It will all be worth it if she get this promotion at work. The only problem, Graeme Crawford-Collins is also in the running and he seems to go out of his way to make work difficult. the promotion will go to the best proposal on how to improve sales for their Galápagos cruise. To help them with inspiration they get to experience the cruise.... together.

This was fun! I absolutely loved the setting and hearing more about the Galápagos. The author's note at the end really highlighted how she was inspired and how we need to be doing more to help look after places like this.

The romance worked for me. It does include misunderstanding but what I loved is that it avoids the miscommunication trope. Instead they sort things out like actual adults! Thank you! It was a very consensual relationship. Another thumbs up from me.

Our protagonist has a great friendship group around her and we see development of the adult relationship with her sister as well.

Henley has ambitions and I love that the romance did not mean that she gave up on her ambitions. It was nice to see a strong female lead who knew what she wanted. Don't get me wrong, she was flawed and made mistakes. She felt very nuanced.

Cannot wait to see what comes next from Angie Hockman.

This is THE perfect by the side of the pool read, although, in the current circumstances more like THE perfect in a hot bath pretending you're somewhere else read.

I have whizzed through this book since starting it Saturday evening (it's Monday evening now) and enjoyed every second. It has a light tone that easily distracts you from your day whilst you read. The perfect "Get out of reading slump jail" card if you are having difficulty focusing right now, or if you're just having a bit of rotten time. This is the sort of book you want to be picking up.

I chose Shipped because it has get what you see on the tin vibe and after reading it. I got what it said it on the tin. An easy read, with likeable characters who you have to route for and a plot line we have all kind of experiences but also kinda not. We've all been a victim of a James in the past in one way or another.

Henley is our main MC and she starts off coming across as a bit petty, especially next to Greame! But each has a story to explain their behaviours and suitable back stories to connect them and help promote their growing fondness for each other. Greame is our love interest, and if anything I wish there was more to the beginning of their relationship but I'm certainly not complaining on what I received.

The side characters really added to the book, I loved the Chiropractor and his little plot line. Henley's sister and co-workers were also incredibly on point and fitting for the stories environment.

The book focuses around the incredible (I've not been, it's on the bucket list) Galápagos. Now this is where I find extra love for the book, the author clearly has a passion for the Galápagos islands. In her authors notes she describes having been there and how every reference to the islands and the characters experience is 100% real. Including the issue of conservation. Not many of us would think on the topics or the islands in the way she has brought them to our attention, so I absolutely adore her for using her platform to raise awareness. And should Covid ever let us travel anywhere ever again I'll be looking to see what I need to save to have some the experiences that Henley and Greame have had.

A funny witty rom com set aboard a boat. Life isn't always as you expect it to be and here you can find out why. I enjoyed reading this, it's been very well written and I give it 4 stars.

This was a really strong debut novel! I had seen this on a lot of people's most anticipated romance lists for 2021, so I was excited to give it a go, and on the whole it didn't disappoint. I've never read anything set in the travel industry before, but it seemed like the perfect setting to provide some much-needed escapism content, which is exactly what Shipped gave me. I liked the mix between the typical office job and all the work dynamics, and then the refreshing backdrop of the Galapagos Islands. Hockman's writing allowed me to breeze through the book - I couldn't put it down! I really liked the fact that there was more to the story than just the rivals-turned-lovers trope, and the conservation element was great in allowing for Henley's character to grow and really come into her own by the end of the book. I did find Graeme a bit too good to be true, and possibly written to be the perfect guy who was never anything but amazingly supportive, but that could just be me being cynical. Overall, really enjoyable.

I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers and this one just ticked all the right boxes. Add in some women empowerment and a work promotion on the line and this one had me devouring it in one sitting.

Henley is such a brilliant character who gets herself into some awkward situations that had me suffering second hand embarrassment! She's a brave, strong and independent female that just wants to work her way up the ladder and be respected for the time and effort she puts in. Henley and Graeme have the perfect banter and I couldn't help but enjoy the sexual tension between the two. Graeme was perfect and oh so cute that it was impossible for me not to fall in love. Another man to add to my book-boyfriend list.

I loved the premise and setting for this book as I can honestly say that I haven't read many books that are based on a cruise ship. I loved all the different activities and I can just imagine how beautiful those views would have been!

This was such a light and adorable romance that had me eagerly turning the pages and I was honestly gutted when it was over! This book definitely gave me The Unhoneymooners/The Hating Game vibes which are both two books I absolutely adored! So if you're a fan of either of them then go read this one! You won't regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
Funny, smart and easy going story, with many laugh out loud moments and heart warming scenes, this book was a fresh breath of air and a must read for all the romance lovers.
Beautiful settings, a mix between The Unhoneymooners and any other recent office romance stories, this book will keep you invested from the beginning to the end.

Henley is working her way up the job ladder which leaves no time for a life outside of work. An opportunity arises for her to apply for the job of her dreams but there is a catch. She must go on a cruise with her arch enemy as they are both competing for the new job. Will Henley start to question what her life is all about?

BOOK REVIEW: Shipped by Angie Hockman

3 stars

I enjoyed this book but sadly I didnt love it.
The storyline was a nice and cute romance and a very easy read. I liked the characters and they had a decent amount of depth but I just didn't connect with them which I need for a romance to be great.
The story was based in the Galapagos which was wonderful and the descriptions almost took you away and let you immerse yourself in nature through a book. It felt like I was travelling with the characters! It had a really good environmental angle which I also loved.
I liked the romance but it is being compared to the hating game by Sally Thorne and its nothing like it! There was no smut and the enemies to loves tension (which it is being marketed as) wasn't there for long, if at all. It was a bit of a let down for me and a bit too cheesy for my taste.
Overall a nice easy read with a good environmental theme (which saved it for me) but in my opinion nothing new or majorly special.

Please note that I was #gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until December came, I never realised how big a fan I was of romance/rom-com. When the opportunity to read Shipped was presented to me (here on Netgalley - Thank you!) I had to get a copy.

I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book as it brought the escapism I was searching for. I find that I saw a lot of myself in Henley. She's determined, career-oriented, and driven which are all things I believe myself to be, even if it comes as a detriment at times. Watching as her character grew, and her backstory unfolded really brought to light why she fought so hard for everything she wanted in life. Whilst it was a 'typical' enemies to lovers romance, that in no way made it dull. Everything moved at a fairly quick pace, but I enjoyed that more as it meant finding out more about the characters sooner than having a slow-burner and getting bored!

Greame... uh, where to begin? Was anyone else a bit hot under the collar? He's the sweetest - and, hottest, let's be honest - guy ever! I loved finding out everything about him, and reading as he tore down Henley's walls. If anyone beats him as my Book Crush of 2021, I'll be absolutely stunned. I don't even know how else to express my love for him, but this is all I've got before I tumble head first down the Greame rabbit hole!

The side characters were brilliant too. They were all the most supportive, lovely friends a girl could wish for!

I don't usually delve into Author's Notes - apologies - but for this book I did. After realising that Hockman has visited the Galápagos Islands herself, it brought a new level of realism to the book as it made the island come alive in my mind. I could feel the sand between my toes, see the beautiful wildlife and feel the heat from the sun (and other things, possibly). It's one thing to write about a place you've never visited, but it's something completely different when you write about one you have been to as you want to do it justice. You want others to feel the way you did when you went there, and I feel Hockman really did that with Shipped. I loved the focus on eco-tourism as well, it brought a new element to the book that has never - to the best of my knowledge - been included in a romance before.

It's an easy five-star rating for me. Thank you again to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this glorious book.

This book was pure escapist joy, and it couldn't have come at a better time! Whoever wrote the cover description has nailed it - it's the perfect marriage of The Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game. It was an incredibly fun read - it was predictable in that comforting way that I love, but the characters and, in particular, the setting made it feel fresh and exciting. The ending was incredibly satisfying, and I was in love with all of the characters by the end - even (or maybe especially) Nikolai!

I’m a fan of contemporary romances and rom-coms, but I don’t tend to love them. I requested Shipped as part of my Debut Author Challenge, mostly to promote a debut author rather than thinking I was going to find a favourite book of the year. But…

I did?!

I loved Shipped so, so much. I was a little hesitant about it at first, not because of the rom-com thing but because Henley is a very abrupt and stoic character who is very focused on her job and not so much on her relationships with her family and friends. But as the novel progressed, I started to understand where Henley was coming from. Her past was revealed, we got to understand why she is the way she is, and I was cheering her on.

I loved the romance in this book because it’s not your typical enemies-to-lovers relationship. Henley dislikes Graeme because he once took credit for her own work and he seems to be a bit of a slacker, and then they’re put up against each other for an important promotion. All good reasons to dislike someone at work, right? Some more than others… So I was expecting Graeme to be a right twit, but it turns out it was all possibly a big misunderstanding and he’s lovely.

Seriously, he’s the loveliest. He’s an absolute sweetheart who has some trauma, but he’s not all broody and passive aggressive. He calls Henley out on her nonsense too, which is great. I shipped this so hard, and Graeme’s character made such a nice change from the usual romantic love interest.

I also loved the side characters in this, particularly Henley’s sister Walsh. Trigger warning: She’s dealing with an abusive ex. She was loyal to Henley and really cute and just such a good sister. I’d read a book about her, if Hockman ever wanted to do a companion novel… Just saying.

Another thing I loved about this book was it included travel. The main characters go to the Galapagos Islands and it’s warm and sunny, and there are beaches and tortoises and flamingoes. I haven’t been on holiday in AGES, especially a beach holiday, so I was loving this. Not only that, but Hockman brings up conservation and ecotourism, which I didn’t expect but that’s really what made me give this book five stars because they’re both things I am PASSIONATE about. The author’s note about the topic made me cry.

Pick this book up, please. You will not regret it if you’re looking for a book with a great romance, real laugh out loud moments, sweet siblings, conservation, girl power, and so much more.

I LOVED this book. I’ve been in a similar position to Henley, doing a job I was good at but not necessarily lighting me on fire, working for a promotion because that’s what you do - and then realising there was a sidestep to something I could be even better at which would also make a positive difference to the world around me. Shame there were no Graham crackers along the way!!

3.5 rounded up - This book was definitely a lot of fun! I really enjoyed the setting of travelling around the Galapagos and also the commentary on conservation and wildlife. This was compared to the Unhoneymooners in the blurb and whilst there are some comparisons, I did personally prefer that book over this one. I did really like the ending of this though and it is a great beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Shipped is essentially a romance novel set on a boat. But that boat is sailing around the Galapagos Islands and the wildlife encounters and natural settings are described beautifully and true to the Galapagos experience. The characters are easy to.warm to and it's a feel good novel where everything eventually falls into place (of course!). Read it and escape to distant shores with a hunky young man.
Thanks to #AngieHockman,.#netgalley and the publisher for my arc.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me access to the eArc. If I was able to rate this 2.5 I would but because I can’t do that here, I’m having to rate it a 2 stars. I went into this with high hopes because of The Unhoneymooners which was a 5 stars for me but this just fell flat. Unfortunately, I was really hoping to love this, It was on my anticipated releases for this year.

Shipped is the perfect rom-com, it has everything you expect - it had me laughing and crying. I had such an enjoyable time reading it, and devoured it in two sittings. Angie completes the story so well, no loose ties are left unsolved which I appreciated. The characters were fantastic, I had a hard time connecting with Henley's sister, but after her secret was revealed I understood her more.

Henley's character is fantastic, it wasn't just about romance. It was about self development and i was with her for every step of it. I'll be looking forward to more of Angie's work in the future!

This book was right up my alley. It included my trifecta of tropes; enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and damaged protagonists. Henley and Graeme's romance was both sweet and angsty, with the snarky sarcasm I appreciate in a heroine, and a hero ready to jump to her defence even though he's aware she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
This books also takes on conservation efforts, and the reality of sexism in the corporate workplace, both of which I feel were handled well. I enjoyed the casual educational tidbits scattered throughout, and the lush descriptions of both flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands.
My only gripe with this book is that it wrapped up incredibly quickly, and I found myself dealing with a little bit of whiplash. I also would have appreciated spending a little more time on the romance between the two characters outside of the cruise.
That said, this was a delightful, fun romance, and I'm excited to see what comes next from Angie Hockman.

TW: Small mention of domestic abuse, including a few abusive text messages, descriptions of psychological, emotional, and physical abuse in the past (although the victim is never physically harmed), and discussion of a controlling relationship.

Sweet, witty & swoon-inducing! Shipped was such a fun read! Every exchange is charming and kept me on the edge of my seat