Sneak Peek: The Shippers by Katherine Center

Who would’ve thought a cruise would be so romantic? Get ready to board a cruise to love. Katherine Center delivers yet another classic romcom with a dynamic cast and one of the most insane wedding experiences I’ve ever heard of… and that’s a lot coming from me (read about our surprise wedding)!

I’m grateful to have received an advanced reader’s copy of The Shippers via NetGalley!

The Sneak Peek

On the day of her wedding, nothing is going right for Jojo. She’s in the wrong venue, wearing the wrong dress, walking in the wrong shoes, and she’s been done-up in the wrong hair and makeup. Oh, and she’s breaking out in hives… 

But this is what she’s meant to do— she’s supposed to walk down the aisle to her fiancé of four years to finally tie the knot. That’s the box she needs to check and everything will fall into place. This is just wedding day jitters… it happens to everyone. 

Except as she’s finally calming herself and readying for her processional, in walks in her estranged childhood best friend— the boy who lived across the street from her since she was 8, the boy who became her other half from the moment they first met, the boy who moved away to London without a word… and cut her out of his life completely. Except, he’s no longer a boy. The person who walks in is all man. And he gives her an out… 

Cooper has always been the best friend—where Jojo was, Cooper was never too far away. When it came to Jojo, he always had one eye on her and a whole heart on offer. Until he walked away… now, when it might be too late, he’s rushed into the chapel to find Jojo wild-eyed and frazzled. But if there’s anything he can do to make her happy, he’ll do it. And that’s how he ends up carrying her over his shoulder and out of the chapel. 

Yet six weeks later, after she walked out of the church and Cooper went back to London, Jojo is ready to board the cruise ship for her sisters wedding and she’s armed with a plan: Operation Conquer. Yup, that’s right. She’s ready to conquer love. And she enlists her best friend to help. 

What Victoria Loved

VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.75/5

First of all, props to Ashley and Brody because I would NOT have had the patience nor the energy to host a 75-person wedding for the entirety of a cruise vacation! I mean, the dedication this woman has put into planning multiple events, coordinating meals and orchestrating match making opportunities was next-level! While it’s not for me, it certainly seems unique and enjoyable. Definitely an investment for the guests to take that much time off for someone’s wedding, but sounds like everyone had a fun time.

And it would have been nice to learn more about these characters and explore their dynamics outside of the context of Operation Conquest. There were so many interesting characters, but we were left with rather superficial interactions with most of them — Grandma Dodie, cousin Harmony, Brody, her mother, Pete — they all had such intense personalities yet we didn’t have a chance to understand them fully. Honestly, I could have read pages of endless conversation between Jojo and Cooper into the late night.  Instead we got lost in Jojo’s mind, spiraling around the same details. 

To that end, I wish this was a dual POV. With every chapter, I secretly hoped we would get Coopers perspective because you just KNOW he’s screaming in his head. He is classically, the best friend who never took his shot yet always remained her knight in shining armor. He was the person who taught her what it felt like to be safe and loved and wholly cherished. And similarly, she was his center — the whole world he never thought he’d see, the light that brightened his life. 

This is also an example of when I wish parents would’ve meddled a bit, helped point their kids in the right direction and forced the tough conversations. I always struggle with second chances because of the missed time, the pain of the OW/OM drama (if applicable), the heartbreak the people endured in their time apart. BUT I loved that this book explores different dynamics and relationship types: from obsession with a first love to a lackluster relationship of convenience to a blossoming new love at 80 to a second chance with the love of your life or your sibling’s ex… I loved that these characters represented the myriad love stories we could be experiencing. There’s something for everyone. 

⚠️ Spoilers: Whether the relationship is a friendship or a 30-year marriage, miscommunication / fear of communication will always be my least favorite reason for a break. My heart dropped at every instance/ moment Jojo didn’t missed. His adoration of her just pours out of him… and the way she visibly changes when she’s in his presence? I’m not sure how she never put the pieces of the puzzle together. 

Pre-order your copy of The Shippers (Amazon) and read with me!

Favorite Scene

I shook my head. “You were boycotting! You put it in writing.”

Cooper shrugged. “I changed my mind.”

“You’re going to be in so much trouble when my mom finds out,” I said, uttering our childhood catchphrase.

But Cooper shook his head. “I emailed her. She approved.”

“She didn’t approve that,” I said, gesturing at his mountain man ensemble. “You look like hell.”

- THE SHIPPERS by Katherine Center

Similar Reads & Recommendations

• THEY’RE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS: Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely (Amazon)

  Friends to Lovers is exactly why I struggle with the combination of friends to lovers and second chance tropes. It just feels like someone has ripped my heart out and keeps squeezing it until it’s about to burst. It’s painful, yet heartwarming. And the promise of an HEA got me through this book because I was so desperate for Joni and Ran to finally get the ending they deserve. Read my Sneak Peek.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• THERE’S AN UNSUCCESSFUL WEDDING: Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (Amazon)

  I loved this book so much, I’ve planned a vacation to Tofino! I could have read 500 more pages about Frankie and George in their youth or about another week in Tofino. But I’m happy with what we have and I’ll be reading it over and over again with a smile on my face and flutters in my chest. Read my Sneak Peek.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5

• THERE’S A BOAT: Shipped by Angie Hockman (Amazon)

  There’s nothing romantic about being forced to board a cruise to the Galapagos Islands for work… especially when your arch-nemesis is aboard with you. Yet this enemies-to-lovers will have you convinced boarding a cruise ship might just be the answer to finding love. Against the backdrop of the tropics and some once-in-a-lifetime adventures, anything is possible… including falling for your work nemesis.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• THERE’S AN LIST OF COULD’VE BEENS: Exes & O’s by Amy Lea (Amazon)

  Booktok Influencer revisits a list of exes to see if they could be her second-chance romance. Naturally, one might expect some bad blood, but this this romcom was so sweet and charming. And a friendly reminder that maybe (just maybe) the people we meet in each chapter in life serve a purpose that ultimately lead us where (and with whom) we’re meant to be.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

• BY THE AUTHOR: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center (Amazon)

  Emma is an aspiring screenwriter, but she’s postponed her dreams to take care of her family. When she’s presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rewrite a script for “her personal writing god,” the Charlie Yates, she makes the move to LA to pursue her dream! But when their meet-cute is a meet-fail, Emma very quickly learns she has an uphill battle ahead of her and Charlie wants nothing to do with it.

  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

Until the next chapter!

xo, Victoria

P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.