Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson (June 10, 2025) Huge thanks to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the #ifted advanced digital and audio copies of this beautiful, nostalgic, and heart-tugging second-chance romance. Alicia Thompson proves once again why she’s an auto-buy author for me.
You know those iconic songs that instantly transport you back to your favorite teen drama? As teenagers, Micah, John, and their bandmates rocketed to fame with the hit song of a generation tied to a cult-favorite TV show. But as quickly as their star rose, it all fell apart, taking friendships (and hearts) with it.
Now, a decade later, the show is hosting a reunion fan cruise and the band is reuniting for the event. Five days on the open sea, surrounded by superfans, unresolved feelings, and the ghosts of their past? What could go wrong… or finally go right?
Micah and John’s story is EVERYTHING. The “friends-turned-strangers-turned-something more” slow-burn tension, the aching vulnerability, the rekindled connection! It’s tender, electric, and deeply emotional. I loved how Alicia balances fun and introspection, fame and intimacy, nostalgia and healing. Her male characters are always so emotionally open in a way we don’t see enough.
If you loved The Art of Catching Feelings, this book brings that same mix of heart, hope, and heat – with a cruise ship, a boy band reunion, and a whole lot of feelings. I smiled, I swooned, I felt every page.
🎧 Audiobook Notes: Ellie Gossage is a new-to-me narrator and I was blown away by her performance. Her delivery of both Micah and John’s voices felt nuanced, emotional, and completely captivating. It’s one of those audiobooks you don’t want to stop listening to. (Runtime: 10h 10min)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook Performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 