Never Been Shipped By Alicia Thompson Book Review

I will be honest, I read Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson all at once. The story about a band getting back together on a cruise ship really interested me. Alicia Thompson, who wrote “Love in the Time of Serial Killers,” is a USA Today bestselling author. She adds music, memories, and true healing to her new book coming out in June 2025.

Key Takeaways

Never Been Shipped is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance on a busy cruise ship. It mixes music and memories in a new way.
The story has real characters who change and get better because of their past and love for music.
This makes the romance feel true and deserved. People who like music, slow-building romance, and second chances will enjoy this book.

Worth Reading?

Appeal for Romance Fans

I have to admit, I finished Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson in one sitting. I just could not stop turning the pages. If you love romance, especially the friends-to-lovers kind, this book will probably hit the spot for you.

The story follows two old bandmates, Micah and John, who reconnect on a cruise ship. Their chemistry feels real and sweet, not forced. I found myself rooting for them from the start.

The romantic tension between Micah and John kept me hooked.
Their history as childhood friends made every scene feel extra meaningful.
The dual point-of-view style let me see both sides of their feelings, which made the story even more satisfying.

A review from magicalreads7.wordpress.com gave Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson a solid 3.75 stars. The reviewer praised the strong character voices and the way the romance built up over time. They also liked how the story balanced the past and present, making the emotional moments land harder. I felt the same way. The book gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling I look for in a good romance.

Laura Black, a romance editor, also gave the book high marks. She tagged it with “musician” and “rock star,” so if you like stories about music and romance, this one fits right in. She called the book strong and said it had a lot of appeal for fans of both romance and music.

Unique Elements

What makes Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson stand out? For me, it’s the mix of music, nostalgia, and second chances. The cruise ship setting adds a fun twist. I could almost hear the band playing and feel the ocean breeze as I read.

The band reunion plot is not something I see every day in romance books.
The story explores how music connects people, even after years apart.
Both main characters deal with their past in honest ways, which made me care about them even more.

I also liked how the book did not shy away from tough topics. It showed how childhood memories and old wounds can shape who we are. But it never felt too heavy. The story balanced the serious moments with humor and hope.

To be fair, I have to give props to Alicia Thompson for making me feel like I was right there on the cruise ship, cheering for Micah and John. The emotional payoff at the end left me smiling.

If you want a romance that feels fresh but still gives you all the feels, Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson is worth picking up.

Plot Summary

Band Reunion on a Cruise

I have to admit, I love a good reunion story, but this one felt extra special. The whole setup takes place on a cruise ship, which made everything feel a bit more exciting and unpredictable.

I could almost smell the salty air and hear the thump of pop music echoing down the halls. The band, once famous for their catchy songs, gets a chance to perform together again after years apart. That cruise ship isn’t just a backdrop—it’s like a pressure cooker for old feelings and new sparks.

The cruise brings everyone together in close quarters.
Every meal, rehearsal, and late-night walk on deck pushes the characters to face their past.
The music isn’t just background noise. It’s the glue that holds these people together, even when things get awkward.

Main Characters

Micah, the lead singer, always stood out to me. He’s charming, but you can tell he’s hiding some pain. John, the estranged guitarist, brings a quieter energy. Their friendship felt real, with all the messiness and history that comes from growing up together in the spotlight.

Micah wants to prove he’s more than his past mistakes.
John struggles with trust, especially after what happened between them.
Both share a deep love for music, but their connection goes way beyond the stage.

Watching them try to reconnect had me rooting for them, even when things got tense. To be fair, I have to give props to Alicia Thompson for making their journey feel so honest.

Romance & Characters

Friends-to-Lovers Trope

I always fall for the friends-to-lovers trope, and this book nails it. Micah and John have a history that feels real. Their friendship started with music, but you can see the deeper feelings hiding under the surface. I found myself grinning at their awkward moments and inside jokes. The slow build made every touch and glance feel important.

The story never rushes their romance.
Every shared memory adds another layer to their connection.
I loved how their friendship made the romance feel earned, not just thrown in for drama.

Sometimes I wanted to shake them and say, “Just admit you like each other!” That tension kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Character Growth

Both Micah and John change a lot during the story. I saw Micah struggle with his past and try to fix old mistakes. John learns to trust again, even when it scares him. Their growth felt honest, not forced.

Micah faces his fears about performing and being vulnerable.
John opens up about his feelings, even when it hurts.
They both learn that healing takes time, but it’s worth it.

I have to give props to Alicia Thompson for making me care about these characters. Their journey felt personal. I saw pieces of myself in their struggles and victories. By the end, I felt like I’d been on the cruise with them, cheering them on.

Themes

Music & Nostalgia

Music in this story hit me right in the feelings. Every time the band played an old song, I felt that rush of memories, like hearing a favorite tune from middle school. I noticed how the book uses music as a bridge to the past. It made me think about how pop culture keeps bringing back old trends.

I read that movies and music often follow a 30-year nostalgia cycle. Creators and fans both love to revisit the sounds and styles from their youth. I saw this in the book—Micah and John’s band reunion felt like a throwback, but also fresh.

About 68% of people in the U.S. feel nostalgic for times before they were born.
Millennials and Gen Z especially love old music and styles, maybe because life feels so stressful now.
Nostalgia helps people feel safe and happy, even when things get tough.

I found myself humming along to imaginary songs, wishing I could join the crowd. The story made me remember my own favorite bands and the comfort of old playlists.

Healing & Growth

This book surprised me with how real the healing felt. Both Micah and John carry scars from their past. I watched them struggle, mess up, and try again. Their journey showed me that growth isn’t quick or easy. Sometimes, you have to face old pain before you can move forward.

Micah learns to forgive himself for mistakes.
John opens up, even when it scares him.
Their friendship and music help them heal together.

I’ll be honest, some scenes left me a little choked up. The story reminded me that everyone has something they’re working through. Healing takes time, but it’s possible with the right people by your side.

Writing & Impact

Style & Voice

I noticed right away that Alicia Thompson writes with a voice that feels both sharp and warm. Her style reminds me a bit of Hemingway, who used simple words but packed a punch. Thompson’s sentences move fast, but she still finds space for those little details that make a scene pop. I could almost hear the music and feel the tension between the characters. She doesn’t waste words, but every line matters.

Short, punchy dialogue keeps the story moving.
Descriptions use just enough detail to paint a picture, but never slow things down.
The dual point-of-view lets me see both Micah and John’s thoughts, which makes their feelings feel real.

I love how Thompson’s writing balances humor and heartache. She never lets the story get too heavy, but she doesn’t shy away from tough moments either.

Emotional Resonance

This book hit me right in the feelings. I found myself rooting for Micah and John, even when they messed up. Studies show that when characters show real emotion, readers remember them longer and care more. Thompson uses small moments—like a shaky hand or a nervous laugh—to show what her characters feel inside.

I felt my heart race during the band’s first performance.
Some scenes had me grinning; others left me a little choked up.
The story’s emotional ups and downs made me want to keep reading.

I’ll be honest, I couldn’t put it down. The emotional payoff felt earned, not forced.

Strengths

I have to give props to Alicia Thompson for making this book so easy to love. I found myself smiling at the little details and feeling every awkward moment between Micah and John. Here’s what stood out for me:

Relatable Characters: Micah and John felt like real people. I saw their flaws and strengths. Their friendship made me remember my own old friends.
Fresh Setting: The cruise ship gave the story a fun twist. I could almost hear the waves and the music at the same time.
Emotional Honesty: The book never fakes the tough stuff. Both main characters face their fears and talk about their feelings. That made the story hit harder.
Music as a Thread: Every song and rehearsal pulled me deeper into their world. I wanted to join the band, even if I can’t play a note.
Pacing: The story moves fast. I never felt bored or lost. Each chapter left me wanting more.
Humor and Heart: I laughed out loud at some lines. Other times, I felt a lump in my throat. The balance kept me hooked.

Weaknesses

I have to admit, even though I enjoyed most of the story, a few things tripped me up. Sometimes, I found myself flipping back a page or two, trying to figure out where I was in the story. The structure felt a bit messy in spots.

I noticed the book jumped into a lot of details about the band’s past and the cruise lineup before I really got to know the main themes. That made it harder for me to settle in and just enjoy the ride.

Here’s what stood out to me:

The book sometimes throws a lot of information at you early on. I felt a little lost with all the band history and side characters before I even got to the heart of Micah and John’s story.
The section headers and chapter breaks didn’t always match what was happening in the story. I had to pause and figure out what the focus was supposed to be.
Some chapters mixed up themes and side plots, which made it tough to follow the main thread. I wanted a clearer path through the story.
The themes didn’t always show up right away. I wish the book had set them up earlier so I could connect with the characters faster.

If you like a super clear, easy-to-follow structure, you might get frustrated here. I found myself wishing for more obvious signposts to guide me through the story.

I still cared about Micah and John, but the way the story jumped around sometimes pulled me out of the moment.

Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson: Recommendation

Who Will Love It

I have to admit, I finished Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson in one long, late-night stretch. I just kept telling myself, “One more chapter,” until the sun came up. If you’ve ever stayed up way too late with a book, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

This story will hit home for a few types of readers:

Music Lovers: If you ever made playlists for your crush or dreamed about being in a band, you’ll get a kick out of the band reunion and all the music talk.
Friends-to-Lovers Fans: You like slow-burn romance? You’ll find yourself rooting for Micah and John, even when they’re being stubborn.
Readers Who Crave Nostalgia: The book feels like flipping through an old yearbook or hearing a song you loved in middle school. It’s packed with memories and second chances.
Anyone Who Wants Honest Characters: I saw real struggles here. The characters mess up, say the wrong thing, and try again. That made me care about them even more.

If you want a story that feels real, with characters who grow and heal, this one delivers. I laughed, I got a little choked up, and I wanted to hug these characters by the end.

I wouldn’t call Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson a jaw-dropping read, but it left me smiling. I’d give it a solid 7/10. If you love music, romance, and stories about fixing old wounds, you’ll probably love this book too.

I keep thinking about Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson. The story is special because the characters feel honest. It has a lot of music nostalgia and a slow-burn romance.

This book feels more real than other music romances. It is not as easy to guess what will happen next.
About 68% of readers like to see comparisons before they pick a book. This one does well when compared to others.

This book made me smile and feel a bit nostalgic. If you like music, second chances, or want a story that feels real, you should try this book.