Friday, June 11, 2021

Book Review: Shipped by Angie Hockman



 
Pages: 336
Genre: Adult Fiction
Pub. Date: January 19, 2021
Publisher: Gallery
Source: Publisher for review
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 
 
 
 

Goodreads says, "Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating. But when she’s shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams, all her sacrifices finally seem worth it.  The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Although they’ve never met in person, their epic email battles are the stuff of office legend.  Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos—best proposal wins the promotion. There’s just one catch: they have to go on a company cruise to the Galápagos Islands...together. But when the two meet on the ship, Henley is shocked to discover that the real Graeme is nothing like she imagined. As they explore the Islands together, she soon finds the line between loathing and liking thinner than a postcard.  With her career dreams in her sights and a growing attraction to the competition, Henley begins questioning her life choices. Because what’s the point of working all the time if you never actually live?"

 

Henley Evans has been working so hard at her job in marketing for a cruise line. She deserves the latest promotion at work. She is even going back to school to get her MBA. This promotion should be hers, or maybe not? They are also considering her co-worker Graeme Crawford-Collins, who she can't stand and just so happens to work in her division, except he is in charge of social media.  She has never met him as he works from home, but he drives her nuts through email daily.  Their boss has decided that both Graeme and Henley are candidate for the promotion need to submit a proposal that outlines how to increase cruise sales to the Galapagos Islands.  They can also take the cruise themselves to better get an idea on how to promote it.  This should be an exciting time for Henley, except that she has to spend the week with Graeme on a ship.  Despite her best efforts, she is starting to feel something for Graeme. Is it the beautiful location, the cocktails, and his perfect bod in a swim suit? Henley can't let this go to her head, because what about the promotion? Angie Hockman's Shipped is a fun enemies-to-lovers tale set against the beautiful tropical backdrop of the Galapagos Islands.

Henley is a character that readers can really root for in Shipped. She works hard, loves her job, but has that one co-worker that gets under her skin.   Thankfully, she doesn't have to see him at work as his job is remote.  That is until they are both vying for the same job and put on the same cruise together.  Avid romance readers will know this trope---the whole enemies to lovers in the work place, but Hockman sets herself apart by having such an incredible setting of the Galapagos Islands.

Graeme is the type of character that we love to hate in Shipped.  His emails drive Henley nuts, but once she hangs out with him in person, she realizes he is so much more than the man behind the screen, not to mention his good looks!  They have an epic rivalry, but what will happen to those boundaries once they are crossed? Hockman shares Graeme's backstory, which tugged on my heartstrings and made me feel sympathetic a bit more than before.

What really stands out in Shipped is the outstanding setting of Galapagos Islands; in fact, Hockman includes a lot of information about the environment there and the unique wildlife, which I wasn't expecting.  The cruise to the Galapagos is the perfect beach read setting, especially as their romance blossoms.

So, if you like an enemies-to-lovers romance and want a gorgeous setting, look no further. This was a fun romance and would be the perfect light read to throw in your beach bag this summer. Let me know in the comments below if Shipped is on your TBR list or if you've read it.  Are you a fan of enemies-to-lovers romances?

 

4 comments:

  1. I've seen this around and didn't realize there's a hate to love element. Definitely interested! Love the details of the environment as well. Always been curious about the Galopagos Island.

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    1. It was such a fun romance! I hope you get to read it soon! Thanks for visiting, Joy!

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  2. A romance, a great setting - this sounds perfect for me!

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