Synopsis
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?
Goodreads
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Review
Shipped was one of those books where I really enjoyed a lot about the book, but the main character just wasn’t quite likable enough.
It is an office enemies to lovers book, much like another book I hold near and dear to my heart. Shipped is mostly set on, you guessed it, a ship—a cruise, to be exact, where Henley and Graeme meet in person for the first time. Henley hates Graeme even before she meets him, which is why I didn’t love her. Her snap judgment of Graeme without knowing him at all. I also didn’t like that she seems to take out her, very warranted, frustrations about her boss on Graeme instead of laying blame where it truly belongs.
The story’s cruise aspect was interesting, and I liked that the two of them, out of their element, helped them get to know each other out of their element. I also really did not like Henley’s sister Walsh. She’s not a terrible character, but I just didn’t think she served much of a purpose.
All in all, this was a decent enemies to lovers romantic comedy, but there are better ones out there.