Rating:

Katherine, what are you doing to my heart with this book???

As someone who’s been on a couple of cruises (and has a third one coming up this April, speaking from experience here), the cruise ship setting made this absolutely sing for me. And look, I should’ve probably waited to read this closer to my trip in April so the vibes would match my real life, but there was zero chance I was sitting on this ARC without diving in immediately. It’s the kind of summer read that makes you want to book a vacation on the spot.

I docked half a star because there were moments when Jojo’s desperation felt a bit over-the-top and slightly frustrating. But Cooper? Absolute dreamboat (pun intended, lol!). Girl, come on!!! The banter, the tension, the whole slow-burn thing *chef’s kiss.*

Here’s the thing about the first half: yeah, parts of it felt a little predictable. But that didn’t bother me one bit. If anything, it made the anticipation sweeter. I was just sitting there waiting for the pieces to fall into place, and when they did, it landed. I could not put this down and finished it fast.

This isn’t my first Katherine Center book, (I also loved The Rom-Commers) and she clearly knows how to nail the friends-to-lovers romance. The Shippers is sweet, bingeable, and exactly what I want when I’m reaching for a feel-good escape. It’s the literary equivalent of a drink with an umbrella in it: light, fun, and the perfect way to zone out.

Highly recommend for anyone looking for a romance that won’t demand anything heavy from you but will absolutely charm you anyway.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!