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Ever since the world shut down and travels have been put on hold, I seem to find books and movies with exotic settings all the more appealing. Thank goodness for books to transport us to places that COVID won’t allow! And Shipped by author Angie Hockman sends readers on an island getaway.
The story takes an uneasy trip to paradise with Henley Evans, a hard-working marketing manager for an exclusive cruise line. When she finally gets a shot at a big promotion, it comes with a few surprises. First, she’s competing against Graeme Crawford-Collins, the company’s marketing golden boy, who works remotely. And, second, they’ll both be asked to come up with a marketing proposal after experiencing the company’s cruise to the Galápagos Islands. Henley can’t stand pompous Graeme—but after they set sail, she discovers that she might have been wrong about her arch nemesis.
The characters’ journey through the Galápagos is guaranteed to carry readers out of the craziness of pandemic lockdowns and away on a tropical getaway to islands filled with lush vegetation and wildlife—to hike to see the sunrise or swim with sharks. And that definitely makes it a welcome escape after most of us have been stuck at home for far too long.
But the story makes for a great escape, too. The characters are likably flawed, and the tension in their relationship will keep readers coming back for more. Of course, parts of their story are predictable; chick lit fans will know where it’s headed. But there are still plenty of questions to be answered, too. The cruise puts the Henley and Graeme in a difficult position because as they get to know each other, they realize that they don’t actually hate each other—which makes their cut-throat competition more challenging.
Henley’s suspicions don’t go away too easily—and she spends much of the cruise accusing Graeme of faking his kindness as a way to distract her from their competition. The back and forth will keep readers on their toes—and that rivalry adds a fun twist to the usual chick lit formulas.
Really, what better way is there to spend your chilly winter nights than by curling up with a romance set in a tropical paradise? Shipped offers an entertaining story, a little bit of romance, and some not-always-friendly competition—all set against a backdrop of seafaring parties and tropical locales.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
