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megelizabeth's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
"What do I want?
I want to work hard and earn respect. I want companionship. I want to pay off my student loans. I want to help Walsh find her footing in life. I want to be the boss someday. I want to be happy.
I want Graeme. I want it all."
These kinds of romances can be a bit hit-or-miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one! I really liked the romance itself, but there was so much more I loved too - the importance it places on friendships and sibling relationships, the themes of growing up and figuring out what you want out of life, and the unexpected emphasis on sustainability and making a difference in the world (which we of course love to see <333). It also succeeded in making me desperate to go to the Galapagos Islands - the parts set there really came to life and provided a great balance between fun, lighthearted travel moments and the more serious themes that are delved into.
My only real criticism is that I found the writing a bit cringy at times, but not so much so that I didn't still thoroughly enjoy the reading experience!
These kinds of romances can be a bit hit-or-miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one! I really liked the romance itself, but there was so much more I loved too - the importance it places on friendships and sibling relationships, the themes of growing up and figuring out what you want out of life, and the unexpected emphasis on sustainability and making a difference in the world (which we of course love to see <333). It also succeeded in making me desperate to go to the Galapagos Islands - the parts set there really came to life and provided a great balance between fun, lighthearted travel moments and the more serious themes that are delved into.
My only real criticism is that I found the writing a bit cringy at times, but not so much so that I didn't still thoroughly enjoy the reading experience!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Death of parent
divine529's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I'm obsessed with this book. Everything about this resonated with me and I loved every second of it. It's been a long time since I read a book I didn't want to put down, and this book fit that bill perfectly.
As much as I love romance plots, I don't read many books from that genre and I find that I can be picky. This book checked every box for me.
This follows our main protagonist, Henley Rose Evans, a 20 year-old who works for a cruise company in the marketing department. She's incredibly driven and eternally stressed out and is up for a promotion. The problem? Her incredibly irritating and good-looking co-worker Graeme is also up for promotion, and Henley will do everything she can to beat him. In the meantime, Henley's sister Walsh is also in town unexpectedly. They all end up going on a cruse to the Galapagos and things kind of go from there.
I couldn't put this book down. From the writing, fun plot and fantastic and relatable characters, it just really resonated with me. Henley and Graeme's whole relationship arc was fantastic and I can see myself in both of the characters in various ways. I adore them both so much. The backdrop of the cruise was also delightful and I loved getting to visit the Galapagos in this. The themes and topics explored were also great: climate change, ecotourism, sexism in the corporate world, harsh judgement when you don't know a person, abusive relationships...all explored in a very poignant way.
All in all, a fantastic read and one I'll definitely reread in the future.
As much as I love romance plots, I don't read many books from that genre and I find that I can be picky. This book checked every box for me.
This follows our main protagonist, Henley Rose Evans, a 20 year-old who works for a cruise company in the marketing department. She's incredibly driven and eternally stressed out and is up for a promotion. The problem? Her incredibly irritating and good-looking co-worker Graeme is also up for promotion, and Henley will do everything she can to beat him. In the meantime, Henley's sister Walsh is also in town unexpectedly. They all end up going on a cruse to the Galapagos and things kind of go from there.
I couldn't put this book down. From the writing, fun plot and fantastic and relatable characters, it just really resonated with me. Henley and Graeme's whole relationship arc was fantastic and I can see myself in both of the characters in various ways. I adore them both so much. The backdrop of the cruise was also delightful and I loved getting to visit the Galapagos in this. The themes and topics explored were also great: climate change, ecotourism, sexism in the corporate world, harsh judgement when you don't know a person, abusive relationships...all explored in a very poignant way.
All in all, a fantastic read and one I'll definitely reread in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
brookey8888's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was really cute. The work enemies I feel like wasn’t as fleshed out as it should be. But I really liked the relationship and the sister relationships. Also the friendships. I also liked the discussion about the environment and how to help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
marybsimp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
nebraskanwriter's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
kikiareyoureading's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
gabibrose's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Angie Hockman sets the best tropes of the romance genre adrift in her debut novel Shipped. In a year where travel has been routinely canceled, Shipped was the ultimate escape to the breezy beaches of the Galápagos Islands. Hockman’s knowledge of the region radiates throughout scene descriptions and pulls readers into the story so vividly that one feels like they’re sitting on the deck of a cruise ship, sipping mojitos, with Henley and Graeme. What I valued the most about this book (besides the endearing and genuine romance that blossoms between these two complex characters) was the information surrounding the Galápagos Islands. Hockman’s enthusiasm for ecotourism and passion for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands’ unique habitat is displayed in a distinctive manner that only proves to strengthen the narrative.
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a gifted ARC!
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a gifted ARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Death
franklybookish's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Cancer, Death, and Domestic abuse
saadiasreads's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
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