The Shippers is Katherine Center’s latest novel after The Love Haters came out last year (she also came out with a very short novella/story called Everybody’s Favorite Guy that’s worth a listen/read if you need something quick to cleanse your reading palate). Both have VERY tropical vibes, and while I think I liked The Love Haters a teensy bit more than The Shippers, it was still a really enjoyable read. 

The Shippers is a very formulaic Katherine Center novel. While I love Katherine Center’s signature style, I feel like The Shippers didn’t have enough different things going on to make it memorable (however, Cooper is my FAVORITE). Like, The Love Haters has the fact that the main male character is a rescue swimmer and the female protagonist can’t swim. There’s also a gaggle of old ladies rooting for them to fall in love. With The Shippers, it’s held on a cruise ship (which was so fun by the way), but Jojo is SO oblivious that it just seems a little more than comical. It was almost roll-you-eyes worthy. While I didn’t hate her character, I also didn’t love her either. 

So, I’ll go into the characters now. Jojo’s dad? Yeah, it was a little unbelievable with his character arc and all that happened. I’ll talk a little more about that in the spoilers, but I never once believed his arc to be realistic. Her sister, Ashley, is mainly there for moral support. You see Jojo’s mom in maybe ten scenes throughout the book. Harmony and Bridesmaid 2 are more memorable than Jojo’s family (honestly would LOVE to see a story with Harmony as the protagonist – she was more interesting than Jojo for sure). It wasn’t that Jojo was undeveloped per se, but she just wasn’t… I don’t know. Like she didn’t have main character energy. In the book, it was mentioned that she was a teacher maybe three times? Not only that, but that she was a specialized teacher of math and art. That would have been SO cool to develop more and add to her personality. But her whole personality the entire time was trying to get Finn to fall in love with her. It was a little annoying at first. To be fair, though, Cooper’s whole personality was the opposite. Obviously, from the moment you are first introduced to Cooper, you know he’s the real love interest that Jojo just doesn’t acknowledge. While I’m fine with that, I do think characters need more than just pining over the one they love. Cooper, though, at least had such a sweet and romantic personality that I could overlook his lack of… personality. 

The chemistry between Cooper and Jojo, though? I LOVED IT. I loved their witty banter and their games and their general ease around each other. The romance part in Katherine Center’s novels? Always perfect. You’ll get the butterflies and all of the feelings for these two. 

With the story, as far as being set on a cruise, you have Jojo rooming with her ostracized cousin, Harmony, but since Harmony keeps bringing men back to their room, Jojo ends up rooming with Cooper instead. Great recipe for a romance novel. They are preparing for Jojo’s sister’s wedding (Ashley), so a lot that goes on has to do with wedding activities. It’s fun to see them all interact, and there’s one tense moment towards the end when Jojo disembarks for an errand, but other than that, it’s all fun and games. I needed a little more seriousness than that one, short scene. And, of course, there’s a happily ever after at the end, which is a MUST for a romance novel.

Spoilers ahead. 

Okay, her dad being totally unseen for two decades? That felt so unrealistic. I really couldn’t back that, but that’s just how I feel. Also, Jojo being completely oblivious to Cooper for so long? How is that even possible?? Literally he was perfect as the male lead. Also also, the lighthouse scene? Hardly a few pages and that’s the only action we see in the whole book. 

Overall, as much as I griped about the characters and the lack of action (I mean, it is a romance novel after all not a thriller), I still really enjoyed this book. Katherine Center never fails to disappoint with chemistry and romance. 3.5 out of 5 stars rounded to 4 for social platforms. 

Source: Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley

(P.S. You can read tons of books—including ones written by me—by trying a free trial of Kindle Unlimited!)