The Shippers by Katherine Center is a funny and sweet childhood friends-to-romance rom-com book that is filled with funny moments and love.
If you’re looking for a romance book that reads like a cute rom-com with childhood-lovers-to-friends, then you need to check out The Shippers. JoJo is going to get married, but when her childhood friend Cooper comes in, she realizes she’s been wrong about everything. Then, a couple of weeks later, her sister is getting married on a cruise. JoJo decides to change her fate by making her crush fall in love with her. Cooper joins her in her shenanigans while trying to make her see she’s great the way she is. Can JoJo see past her crazy scheme to see the amazing person in front of her?
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The Shippers Overview
Title: The Shippers
Author: Katherine Center
Pages: 336 Pages
Publish Date: May 19th, 2026
Genre: Sport’s Romance
My Star Rating: 4/5 stars! (I loved this book and would recommend it to most people!)
Grab Your Copy Here: https://amzn.to/4t5SoMX
Synopsis from Amazon
After a lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton vows to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. Armed with pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest). Determined to woo him for closure, she ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, as her wingman. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but showed up anyway. Cooper: who moved to London without a word four years ago. That Cooper: who broke her heart.
Shipboard antics abound in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance, as JoJo and Cooper team up, fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, get jealous, answer long-held questions, and finally, at last, discover truths about each other that will change everything.
My Review of The Shippers
First off, thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of The Shippers. I thoroughly enjoyed reading JoJo and Cooper’s love story.
Let me tell you one thing about me: I LOVE a childhood friends-to-lovers romance. I blame all the shows I watched as a kid, where neighborhood friends end up together. It’s just one of my favorite tropes. I love a romance where the main male character and female character know each other so well. The Shippers is the perfect book to read if that’s your vibe, too.
This book has some very funny moments that will make you actually laugh out loud. But it also has some pretty heartfelt moments. I cried at least twice while reading this book. It will hit you in the feels while reading some of the men in this story’s background. Honestly, the men in this book are some of the best I have read recently. They are layered and complicated.
I’m pretty sure Cooper will hold my heart for a while. It’ll be really hard for the next main male character I read because I know I’ll compare him to Cooper. He’s the perfect cinnamon-roll energy, ride-or-die for JoJo. From the second he walks in, I knew I would love this man.
Now, let’s talk about our main girl, JoJo. She’s obviously carrying some trauma from her past and constantly feels like she needs to change herself for a guy. I’m so glad she doesn’t lose her quirky, whimsical self in the process. She’s funny and passionate.
The Shippers is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a funny, sweet, rom-com friends-to-lovers romance that will make you laugh and cry. Perfect for some summer reading by the pool.
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- And Now Back To You by B.K. Borison NetGalley Book Review
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Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoy this amazing book as much as I did. The Shippers is full of heart and humor. It’ll make you think about the people in your life and what motivates them to act the way they do. If you have any questions or comments bout this book, let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from all of you.
If you enjoyed this review or know someone who will enjoy this book, please don’t hesitate to share this review. I appreciate all the love and support.
Thanks for reading,
Kel
