Editorial Content for Shipped
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Reviewer (text)
Henley Rose Evans is a hard-charging young woman who is out to win it all. On the verge of a big promotion, she learns that she must produce a compelling marketing proposal for her cruise line, or lose the job to a reviled coworker. It gets worse when she finds out that they must share a cruise to the Galápagos Islands and submit competing proposals.
Graeme Crawford-Collins, whom Henley has never actually met in person, represents every man who has disappointed her --- both personally and professionally. Determined not to let it happen again, she sets her phone’s daily reminder to defeat Graeme. Throw in a sister who marches to the beat of a different drum and a boss who is subtly hostile, and Henley’s life is about to get complicated as she wonders if Graeme is cold and manipulative or not quite the demon she had envisioned.
"SHIPPED is a fun and enjoyable novel. I highly recommend it if you are looking for an easy and lighthearted read with an agreeable dose of social responsibility."
The style of writing is casual and free-flowing. The book is mostly narrated from Henley’s mind, and we ride along her stream of consciousness as she assesses her life choices and judgments. The latter refers to her feelings for Graeme. She has only encountered this mystery man via video meetings and phone calls, but has decided that he must go down. The problem is twofold: He is handsome and threatens to drag her into a destructive interoffice romance that can derail her career. Plus, he wants her promotion. Therefore, every action he takes or comment he makes is parsed and weighed to determine just how evil he is.
When Henley’s sister, Walsh, inveigles her way onto the trip, she presents an alternate image of life and responsibility. Unlike Henley, she lives in the moment. Flirty and breezy, she is ready to see the good in people, and is a constant reminder to Henley that there is another way. Of course, she has her own problems, and they often intrude upon Henley’s life as one would expect.
If there is a weakness here, it would be the inclusion of forced analogies and similes that contribute little to the story. Examples include describing someone “as graceful as a truffle-sniffing pig” or “as useful as square wheels on a bicycle.” Fortunately, these digressions detract little from the flow and enjoyment of the book.
Angie Hockman does a great job of prioritizing her characters for us. Each one is fleshed out so thoroughly that I had cast many of them in my mind. She weaves a storyline that includes the Galápagos Islands and the threats they face --- and, of course, the implication that these threats cast a much wider net. At the end of the cruise, Henley’s love life, her career and the future of these vulnerable islands are hanging in the balance.
SHIPPED is a fun and enjoyable novel. I highly recommend it if you are looking for an easy and lighthearted read with an agreeable dose of social responsibility.
Teaser
Henley Evans, a marketing manager for a cruise line, is shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams. The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos. The 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.
Promo
Henley Evans, a marketing manager for a cruise line, is shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams. The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos. The 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.
About the Book
The UNHONEYMOONERS meets THE HATING GAME in this witty, clever and swoonworthy novel following a workaholic marketing manager who is forced to go on a cruise with her arch-nemesis when they’re up for the same promotion.
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?
Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne, SHIPPED is a fresh and engaging rom-com that celebrates the power of second chances and the magic of new beginnings.
Audiobook available, read by Inés del Castillo
