Shipped

Gracie Hanson works in digital marketing for a cruise line while pursuing her MBA at night. When a promotion opportunity arises, she finds herself competing against her workplace nemesis, Henley Evans, for the senior management position. Their boss sends them both on a cruise to the Galápagos Islands to develop marketing proposals for the company's newest venture. Despite their professional rivalry, Gracie and Henley must navigate close quarters on the ship while each trying to create the winning campaign. The story follows their journey through the Galápagos as they face workplace competition, personal growth, and unexpected developments in their relationship. The tropical setting provides a backdrop for professional challenges and interpersonal dynamics. Beyond the romance, the novel explores themes of professional ambition, workplace dynamics, and the balance between career advancement and personal fulfillment. The environmental conservation message woven into the Galápagos setting adds depth to the contemporary narrative.

Readers describe Shipped as a light romantic comedy with workplace rivalry and cruise ship adventures. Many compare it to The Hating Game but set at sea. Readers appreciated: - The detailed cruise ship setting and travel descriptions - Strong environmental conservation themes - Witty banter between leads - Professional female protagonist in STEM - Clean romance without explicit content Common criticisms: - Predictable plot follows rom-com formulas - Side characters lack development - Environmental messaging feels heavy-handed - Slow pacing in middle sections - Romance takes time to develop Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,900+ ratings) BookBub: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings) "Perfect escape read with substance behind the fluff" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on work politics, not enough romance" - Amazon reviewer "Like The Hating Game but with less chemistry" - BookBub reviewer

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood A STEM professional navigates a fake dating arrangement with a fellow scientist while building her career in academia.

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas An engineering lead accepts her workplace rival as her fake date to a wedding in Spain.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren Two enemies embark on a free honeymoon cruise meant for the bride and groom who fell ill.

Float Plan by Trish Doller A woman takes a sailing journey through the Caribbean islands with a professional sailor after personal loss.

Beach Read by Emily Henry Two writers with opposing genres switch writing styles while staying in neighboring beach houses.

🚢 Like her protagonist Henley, author Angie Hockman once worked in marketing for a cruise line and drew from her real-life experiences to create authentic details throughout the novel. 🌺 The book's Galápagos cruise setting was inspired by the author's own voyage to the islands, where she fell in love with the unique wildlife and stunning landscapes. 📚 Shipped was selected as a "Best Romance of 2021" by multiple outlets, including Amazon, Buzzfeed, and USA Today. 🌊 The novel tackles eco-tourism and conservation themes, highlighting both the benefits and challenges of balancing tourism with environmental protection in the Galápagos Islands. 💻 The enemies-to-lovers plot was partially influenced by the rise of remote work and virtual teams, exploring how digital communication can lead to misunderstandings and false impressions between colleagues.