Review: The Shippers by Katherine Center

*I received an advance digital copy of this book from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

The Shippers

by Katherine Center

May 19, 2026

Goodreads Summary:

One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship.

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little 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), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sister’s a little busy being a bride at the moment—so JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wing man. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if she’s honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJo’s life. It’s bliss for her to see him again, and it’s agony, too—and the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she can’t bring herself to ask.

Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance—as JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way.

No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.

Review

I knew I was going to love The Shippers just from reading the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book. The story was a heartwarming look at love that endures. Katherine Center’s words were simultaneously moving and funny as hell ;)

The Shippers made me smile and laugh out loud endlessly. I couldn’t get enough of JoJo and Cooper because every time they were together, shenanigans ensued. Outlandish and outrageous don’t even begin to cover the ridiculous situations they found themselves in. Just when I thought things couldn’t possibly get more out of hand, they do. But all were in entertaining and (mostly) harmless ways ;)

I adore JoJo so much. Yes, she had her share of embarrassing moments, but she was chaotic in the best of ways. She was reliable when it counted- taking care of her sister and making time for her dad. Only when it came to Cooper did JoJo stumble. Her familiarity with him blinded her to their possibility but Cooper was the very best of them. Sweet and attentive, he cared for JoJo like no others. “I was melting and flowing, and getting so lost- in ways that felt exactly like being found.” (Loc 2814, eARC)

JoJo and Cooper required no explanation. From goofy kids to slightly more serious adults, the two of them had a connection. Every time they were together, the pages brightened and things were more interesting. I got all the fluffy and gooey feelings from them! “Most of us never get fluent enough in the language of math to see its beauty. Maybe that’s true of love, as well. But the beauty is there, all the same.” (Loc 3848, eARC) JoJo and Cooper together simply made sense.

I honestly can’t remember the last time a book made me laugh and swoon this much. The Shippers was uplifting, soothing and just so dang much fun! Diving into it was the best decision ever.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.