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The Shipped Trip: A Fake Dating Brother's Best Friend Romance
What happens at sea, stays at sea.
Chloe’s life would be falling apart—if it ever felt like it really got started.
Her dream of becoming a professional dancer was shattered in the same accident that totaled her car at seventeen. Ever since, Chloe has been drifting from one thing to the next, never quite finding her footing. Now, at twenty-nine, she’s back living at home, working at her brother’s bar, and failing spectacularly at learning how to knit.
Then a friend offers her a free Caribbean cruise. A fresh start, a change of scenery, maybe even a clue about what she’s meant to do next. There’s just one someone else was supposed to go with her. And the man who shows up at the airport is none other than her brother’s best friend, Holden Hartman.
Holden is everything Chloe is focused, successful, and firmly on track. He runs a thriving brewery and barely has time to breathe, let alone take a vacation. But when he hears Chloe needs a travel companion, he jumps at the chance. His feelings for her have always run deeper than he lets on, but risking his friendship with her brother feels like crossing a line he can’t undo.
Once aboard, they discover the cruise isn’t just a vacation—it’s a couples cruise. To stay on the ship, they’ll have to pretend they’re together. As Chloe flips through the brochure, eyeing the endless classes and possibilities, excitement bubbles up. She could finally find her calling. Holden agrees to the farce, mostly because he will do anything for Chloe.
But as the ship sails on, pretending starts to feel easier. Sexier. More real. And somewhere between sun-soaked days and moonlit nights, Chloe and Holden must decide whether this is just a vacation fantasy or the beginning of something they’ve both been too afraid to reach for.
Things You'll Love
Brother's Best Friend
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
Destination Romance
Dirty Dancing references
"Let's get it out of our system."
Perfect for fans of Lucy Score, Tarah Dewitt, Christina Lauren, and Meghan Quinn.
Chloe’s life would be falling apart—if it ever felt like it really got started.
Her dream of becoming a professional dancer was shattered in the same accident that totaled her car at seventeen. Ever since, Chloe has been drifting from one thing to the next, never quite finding her footing. Now, at twenty-nine, she’s back living at home, working at her brother’s bar, and failing spectacularly at learning how to knit.
Then a friend offers her a free Caribbean cruise. A fresh start, a change of scenery, maybe even a clue about what she’s meant to do next. There’s just one someone else was supposed to go with her. And the man who shows up at the airport is none other than her brother’s best friend, Holden Hartman.
Holden is everything Chloe is focused, successful, and firmly on track. He runs a thriving brewery and barely has time to breathe, let alone take a vacation. But when he hears Chloe needs a travel companion, he jumps at the chance. His feelings for her have always run deeper than he lets on, but risking his friendship with her brother feels like crossing a line he can’t undo.
Once aboard, they discover the cruise isn’t just a vacation—it’s a couples cruise. To stay on the ship, they’ll have to pretend they’re together. As Chloe flips through the brochure, eyeing the endless classes and possibilities, excitement bubbles up. She could finally find her calling. Holden agrees to the farce, mostly because he will do anything for Chloe.
But as the ship sails on, pretending starts to feel easier. Sexier. More real. And somewhere between sun-soaked days and moonlit nights, Chloe and Holden must decide whether this is just a vacation fantasy or the beginning of something they’ve both been too afraid to reach for.
Things You'll Love
Brother's Best Friend
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
Destination Romance
Dirty Dancing references
"Let's get it out of our system."
Perfect for fans of Lucy Score, Tarah Dewitt, Christina Lauren, and Meghan Quinn.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐
I had fun reading this, I loved the cruise setting and the adventure they went on. While there was a few things I didn't enjoy, I did have a good time overall.
Chloe gets an opportunity to go on a cruise, but her plus one turns out to be her brother's best friend. A man she had a crush on since forever and when it turns out that the cruise is for couples only, they have to pretend they are together for the next seven days.. Holden has feelings for her too, but he's afraid what will Kyle, his best friend, think.. The more time they spend together, doing activities, the harder is to deny their feelings. Maybe they can just get it out of their system and what happens at sea, should just stay at sea, right?
Chloe has been struggling with her purpose in life and I enjoyed seeing her figure out what she wanted and then achieving it.
Holden was driven, very much a workaholic and loving, but he let the fear of what ifs stop him from going after what he really wanted.
I really liked Kyle and Ruby, I should probably read their book too.
The best part of this book was the setting, who doesn't love a cruise!! I loved seeing them enjoy it and try to pretend to be a Wilting, it was so entertaining. The cooking class, the painting, the therapy, the compliments, the dancing, the snorkeling, the storm, all the little things and the support... I do think they were an amazing couple, I just wish we got a little more depth and that we experienced their connection a little better. I think some of their arguments were never that serious, but that's just me.. It was also a little rushed and the Kyle issue was taken a little too far. I wish it was resolved sooner.. I did love the ending scene though, that was such a cool moment, it was perfect for them!!
Like I already mentioned, some things were rushed, not just with them, but with the plot too. The beginning, for example, was too sudden and sometimes it would feel like we were speeding through the plot, when we should've slowed down and gotten more depth. That's not always a bad thing, I just had some issues with it here. I still enjoyed it and finished it in one sitting, so I clearly didn't mind that much!!
This is my first encounter with this author and I'll definitely check out more of her books. This is a part of an interconnected series, so I'm going to add the rest of the books on my list!
*Thank you to Netgalley, to the author and to Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC.*
I had fun reading this, I loved the cruise setting and the adventure they went on. While there was a few things I didn't enjoy, I did have a good time overall.
Chloe gets an opportunity to go on a cruise, but her plus one turns out to be her brother's best friend. A man she had a crush on since forever and when it turns out that the cruise is for couples only, they have to pretend they are together for the next seven days.. Holden has feelings for her too, but he's afraid what will Kyle, his best friend, think.. The more time they spend together, doing activities, the harder is to deny their feelings. Maybe they can just get it out of their system and what happens at sea, should just stay at sea, right?
Chloe has been struggling with her purpose in life and I enjoyed seeing her figure out what she wanted and then achieving it.
Holden was driven, very much a workaholic and loving, but he let the fear of what ifs stop him from going after what he really wanted.
I really liked Kyle and Ruby, I should probably read their book too.
The best part of this book was the setting, who doesn't love a cruise!! I loved seeing them enjoy it and try to pretend to be a Wilting, it was so entertaining. The cooking class, the painting, the therapy, the compliments, the dancing, the snorkeling, the storm, all the little things and the support... I do think they were an amazing couple, I just wish we got a little more depth and that we experienced their connection a little better. I think some of their arguments were never that serious, but that's just me.. It was also a little rushed and the Kyle issue was taken a little too far. I wish it was resolved sooner.. I did love the ending scene though, that was such a cool moment, it was perfect for them!!
Like I already mentioned, some things were rushed, not just with them, but with the plot too. The beginning, for example, was too sudden and sometimes it would feel like we were speeding through the plot, when we should've slowed down and gotten more depth. That's not always a bad thing, I just had some issues with it here. I still enjoyed it and finished it in one sitting, so I clearly didn't mind that much!!
This is my first encounter with this author and I'll definitely check out more of her books. This is a part of an interconnected series, so I'm going to add the rest of the books on my list!
*Thank you to Netgalley, to the author and to Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC.*
May 3, 2026
I want to start by thanking @beyondthebookspr and @ncbartonwrites for sending an e-ARC to a baby reader like me!
Now coming to The Shipped Trip!!! Holden and Ruby’s whirlwind cruise romance was so so so cute. I’m a big fan of tropes overlapping as the characters grow into themselves and together and that’s exactly what this book specialises in. It felt like we’re cruising with them, it has drama, yes, but also such warmth.
Favourite Ruby moments: This girl has been through hell and back with an injury that killed her dancing career and being an ex-dancer myself, every single bit of it was so relatable and heartbreaking. The struggle was so subtly put in the way she loves her life every day and Holden literally holding her hand through figuring out the only way out had me crying.
Favourite Holden moments: This man tried being goofy golden retriever flirt, but he’s honestly is more like the calmest parts of the ocean, the guy who looks out for you without making a spectacle of it. The thoughtfulness behind looking after your best friend, his wife, AND his sister simultaneously? BEAUTIFUL. Also a man who can dance effortlessly and appreciates art without being pretentious? YES PLEASE.
I’m absolutely floored by the balance of the writing. It’s spicy, warm, and so satisfying as a whole, it’s basically the perfect way to start your summer.
I’m also one of the few people who picked this up as a standalone without reading the predecessors in the series, but I know for sure that I will be reading the rest ASAP. Can’t wait for more!!!
Now coming to The Shipped Trip!!! Holden and Ruby’s whirlwind cruise romance was so so so cute. I’m a big fan of tropes overlapping as the characters grow into themselves and together and that’s exactly what this book specialises in. It felt like we’re cruising with them, it has drama, yes, but also such warmth.
Favourite Ruby moments: This girl has been through hell and back with an injury that killed her dancing career and being an ex-dancer myself, every single bit of it was so relatable and heartbreaking. The struggle was so subtly put in the way she loves her life every day and Holden literally holding her hand through figuring out the only way out had me crying.
Favourite Holden moments: This man tried being goofy golden retriever flirt, but he’s honestly is more like the calmest parts of the ocean, the guy who looks out for you without making a spectacle of it. The thoughtfulness behind looking after your best friend, his wife, AND his sister simultaneously? BEAUTIFUL. Also a man who can dance effortlessly and appreciates art without being pretentious? YES PLEASE.
I’m absolutely floored by the balance of the writing. It’s spicy, warm, and so satisfying as a whole, it’s basically the perfect way to start your summer.
I’m also one of the few people who picked this up as a standalone without reading the predecessors in the series, but I know for sure that I will be reading the rest ASAP. Can’t wait for more!!!
May 4, 2026
3.5 stars.
All I need rn is a vacation
All I need rn is a vacation
May 3, 2026
This was such a cute read!! It was a little spicy in parts, but I absolutely adored Holden and Chloe!! 🩵🩵🩵
May 14, 2026
My rating: 4.5 out of 5.
This is another great summer read! Holden is Chloe’s brother’s best friend. She’s known him since they were kids and they’ve always had feelings for each other, but neither has ever said a word. Chloe’s pregnant sister-in-law Ruby can no longer make it on the Caribbean cruise that was gifted to her and Chloe’s brother Kyle because it’s too close to her due date, so she tells Chloe and their friend Heather to take their place. When Heather is unable to make it, Holden ends up taking her spot.
This ends up being a couples cruise for relationships that are either wilting, budding, or blooming. They end up faking that they are a wilting relationship and cue the beginning of their story. The banter and chemistry are palpable, and their journey throughout the book is fun, funny, and entertaining.
Thank you Beyond the Books PR for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is another great summer read! Holden is Chloe’s brother’s best friend. She’s known him since they were kids and they’ve always had feelings for each other, but neither has ever said a word. Chloe’s pregnant sister-in-law Ruby can no longer make it on the Caribbean cruise that was gifted to her and Chloe’s brother Kyle because it’s too close to her due date, so she tells Chloe and their friend Heather to take their place. When Heather is unable to make it, Holden ends up taking her spot.
This ends up being a couples cruise for relationships that are either wilting, budding, or blooming. They end up faking that they are a wilting relationship and cue the beginning of their story. The banter and chemistry are palpable, and their journey throughout the book is fun, funny, and entertaining.
Thank you Beyond the Books PR for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 27, 2026
In this novel, the fourth installment of NC Barton’s Fortune Falls series, gross innuendos in her DMs are about to lead FMC Chloe to give up on online dating — and maybe even all romance. When she accepts a ticket to a Caribbean cruise from her brother Kyle’s partner, Ruby, Chloe is under the impression that she’ll be joined by her friend Heather. The last thing she imagined, though, is arriving at the airport for the first leg of the journey only to find that Heather is not her travel buddy — instead, she has come face to face with Holden, her brother’s longtime best friend with whom she is secretly in love. Just when Chloe thinks things couldn’t get any worse, however, she and Holden discover that the cruise is for couples only — so they’ll have to look the part.
Ever since I became a romance reader a couple of years ago, I have been a fan of the fake dating and forced proximity tropes — and this book is a prime example of why. Is it the most realistic story ever written? No, and I believe I speak for many readers when I say that this is precisely the adorable brand of escapism we’re seeking when we pick up a romance novel. To me, Barton’s characters are exceptionally well-developed. I particularly enjoyed the fact that, while there was plenty of spice, readers were able to see the growing emotional connection between Chloe and Holden as well. This was an easy five-star for me, and I’ll be picking up NC Barton’s other works soon.
Ever since I became a romance reader a couple of years ago, I have been a fan of the fake dating and forced proximity tropes — and this book is a prime example of why. Is it the most realistic story ever written? No, and I believe I speak for many readers when I say that this is precisely the adorable brand of escapism we’re seeking when we pick up a romance novel. To me, Barton’s characters are exceptionally well-developed. I particularly enjoyed the fact that, while there was plenty of spice, readers were able to see the growing emotional connection between Chloe and Holden as well. This was an easy five-star for me, and I’ll be picking up NC Barton’s other works soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5/5⭐
Tropes
🩷Forced Proximity
🩷One bed
🩷Brother's best friend
🩷Couple's Cruise
🩷Fake dating
First and foremost i would like to thank Author N.C Barton and story club books LLC for providing me with the ARC of the book in return for an honest review, I'm truly grateful.
Reading this book made me realize how desperately I need a vacation because why have I not gone on one in YEARS 😭 This is literally the type of book you read while travelling somewhere pretty or when you need a cute little escape from reality for a few hours.
This story follows Holden, a brewery owner/workaholic and also Kyle’s best friend, who has secretly been in love with Kyle’s sister Chloe for YEARSSS. Meanwhile Chloe is trying to figure out her life after an accident forced her to step away from ballet and now she feels completely lost when it comes to finding her passion again. AND on top of that?? my girl has also been crushing on Holden forever. The only reason neither of them confessed? Her brother 💀
Honestly I really felt for Chloe throughout this book because you could genuinely see how lost she felt after ballet was taken away from her. Everyone around her seemed to have their life figured out while she was just trying to survive one day at a time and figure out who she even was outside of dancing. There were moments where she felt insecure, frustrated and honestly just stuck in life which made her feel super relatable. I also loved seeing her slowly gain confidence throughout the trip and realize that maybe her passion wasn’t actually gone… she just needed time to rediscover it again.
Brother’s best friend trope automatically had me sat because that trope EATS every single time. But then these two accidentally end up paired together for a COUPLES CRUISE vacation??? while secretly being in love with each other AND not knowing the other person feels the same??? yeah no this book had my full attention immediately.
The vacation was honestly exactly what both of them needed. Chloe needed time away to figure herself out and Holden desperately needed a break from being married to his job 24/7. Different reasons for going… same outcome because whew this trip changed EVERYTHING for them.
Now let’s talk about HOLDEN because this man was DOWN BADDD. Like sir wasn’t even trying to hide it 😭 the way he was always protective over her, constantly showing up for her, believing in her even when she didn’t believe in herself, motivating her nonstop until she realized the thing she was passionate about was literally right there the whole time??? and the Dirty Dancing references every five seconds because she loved the movie??? YEAH. That’s husband behavior actually.
Meanwhile Chloe was oblivious as hell because Holden’s actions were basically screaming “I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU” in 4K. But honestly Holden was just as clueless about her feelings too so they were both fighting for the president of oblivious club title 💀
The chemistry between them??? INSANE. They had the tension, the comfort, the humor, the romance AND the spiceeee. Everything about them together just worked so well. Holden gave Chloe the reassurance and support she desperately needed while Chloe brought out this softer side of Holden that made me melt every single time.
That being said, I really wish we got more Holden and Kyle friendship moments because we barely saw much of their bond outside of a few scenes. Some flashbacks or more friendship moments would’ve made the emotional side hit even harder. The plot also felt a little rushed at times and some parts weren’t explained properly enough so certain things felt slightly incomplete. The dialogue could’ve also been stronger in some places.
But overall?? this was such a cute cozy vacation romance and if you love brother’s best friend trope, mutual pining, forced proximity, tension, comfort and spice then this is 100% a fun read to pick up 🩷
Tropes
🩷Forced Proximity
🩷One bed
🩷Brother's best friend
🩷Couple's Cruise
🩷Fake dating
First and foremost i would like to thank Author N.C Barton and story club books LLC for providing me with the ARC of the book in return for an honest review, I'm truly grateful.
Reading this book made me realize how desperately I need a vacation because why have I not gone on one in YEARS 😭 This is literally the type of book you read while travelling somewhere pretty or when you need a cute little escape from reality for a few hours.
This story follows Holden, a brewery owner/workaholic and also Kyle’s best friend, who has secretly been in love with Kyle’s sister Chloe for YEARSSS. Meanwhile Chloe is trying to figure out her life after an accident forced her to step away from ballet and now she feels completely lost when it comes to finding her passion again. AND on top of that?? my girl has also been crushing on Holden forever. The only reason neither of them confessed? Her brother 💀
Honestly I really felt for Chloe throughout this book because you could genuinely see how lost she felt after ballet was taken away from her. Everyone around her seemed to have their life figured out while she was just trying to survive one day at a time and figure out who she even was outside of dancing. There were moments where she felt insecure, frustrated and honestly just stuck in life which made her feel super relatable. I also loved seeing her slowly gain confidence throughout the trip and realize that maybe her passion wasn’t actually gone… she just needed time to rediscover it again.
Brother’s best friend trope automatically had me sat because that trope EATS every single time. But then these two accidentally end up paired together for a COUPLES CRUISE vacation??? while secretly being in love with each other AND not knowing the other person feels the same??? yeah no this book had my full attention immediately.
The vacation was honestly exactly what both of them needed. Chloe needed time away to figure herself out and Holden desperately needed a break from being married to his job 24/7. Different reasons for going… same outcome because whew this trip changed EVERYTHING for them.
Now let’s talk about HOLDEN because this man was DOWN BADDD. Like sir wasn’t even trying to hide it 😭 the way he was always protective over her, constantly showing up for her, believing in her even when she didn’t believe in herself, motivating her nonstop until she realized the thing she was passionate about was literally right there the whole time??? and the Dirty Dancing references every five seconds because she loved the movie??? YEAH. That’s husband behavior actually.
Meanwhile Chloe was oblivious as hell because Holden’s actions were basically screaming “I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU” in 4K. But honestly Holden was just as clueless about her feelings too so they were both fighting for the president of oblivious club title 💀
The chemistry between them??? INSANE. They had the tension, the comfort, the humor, the romance AND the spiceeee. Everything about them together just worked so well. Holden gave Chloe the reassurance and support she desperately needed while Chloe brought out this softer side of Holden that made me melt every single time.
That being said, I really wish we got more Holden and Kyle friendship moments because we barely saw much of their bond outside of a few scenes. Some flashbacks or more friendship moments would’ve made the emotional side hit even harder. The plot also felt a little rushed at times and some parts weren’t explained properly enough so certain things felt slightly incomplete. The dialogue could’ve also been stronger in some places.
But overall?? this was such a cute cozy vacation romance and if you love brother’s best friend trope, mutual pining, forced proximity, tension, comfort and spice then this is 100% a fun read to pick up 🩷
Review of advance copy received from Author
Our final book in the Fortune Falls series has come, and it is so absolutely lovely. This story focuses on Chloe (Kyle’s sister) and Holden (Kyle’s best friend), so we also get delightful Kyle and Ruby moments, for readers who loved them from The Road Not Taken (me, I’m readers). But fear not - The Shipped Trip works as a solid stand alone novel that will most likely inspire you to pick up the other Fortune Falls books.
N.C. Barton takes us on another journey of the geographic AND emotional. Chloe and Holden end up on a couples’ cruise through Ruby’s machinations (made even more impressive by her extreme pregnant-ness) and must act as a couple while on board. Their secret crushes on each other torment them in a truly delightful forced-proximity situation. Between romance-building art classes and weirdly hot borrowed pink employee uniforms, Chloe and Holden can barely contain their mutual attraction. Suddenly denying themselves a romance because of Kyle seems insane. With the backdrop of the Caribbean during hurricane season, these two seem destined to explore the decades long feelings they’ve harbored.
Meanwhile, and more poignantly, both of our MCs grapple with their “purpose” in life. Chloe struggles with chronic pain and her loss of her passion - dance. She feels lost and adrift, aimless and uninspired, and the pressure she has put on herself stifles her immensely. Holden, meanwhile, is working himself too hard and is buckling under the pressure of his self-expectations, his concerns about his employees’ and their well-being, and honoring his grandfather. His brewery is doing well, but he wants to do better, and his focus means he’s missing out on everything else out there.
I spent so much of this book with a tiny stadium in my head chanting KISS KISS KISS and I’ve got to say - this might be Barton’s spiciest book to date. Holy Helles (that’s a beer reference, y’all), I needed a dip in the ocean after reading this! Chloe and Holden have such hot chemistry that my fingers were singed!
A beautiful representation of living with chronic pain, Chloe’s journey of blooming into herself is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. I loved watching her explore and nurture herself, and watching Holden help her made me all tingly and happy. Holden, for his part, is a swoony fellow, good-looking and principled, and as someone married to a recovering workaholic, so fully realized that it’s like he is a living person.
The Shipped Trip is an insightful love story to all of us struggling to feel as though we’re doing what we are meant to do. That we’re living up to expectations, finding our passions, and making a difference in the lives of the people we love. N.C. Barton is clearly doing what she is meant to do - her storytelling is immersive and memorable, and whenever I need some wisdom, I’ll revisit Fortune Falls.
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and N.C. Barton for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
N.C. Barton takes us on another journey of the geographic AND emotional. Chloe and Holden end up on a couples’ cruise through Ruby’s machinations (made even more impressive by her extreme pregnant-ness) and must act as a couple while on board. Their secret crushes on each other torment them in a truly delightful forced-proximity situation. Between romance-building art classes and weirdly hot borrowed pink employee uniforms, Chloe and Holden can barely contain their mutual attraction. Suddenly denying themselves a romance because of Kyle seems insane. With the backdrop of the Caribbean during hurricane season, these two seem destined to explore the decades long feelings they’ve harbored.
Meanwhile, and more poignantly, both of our MCs grapple with their “purpose” in life. Chloe struggles with chronic pain and her loss of her passion - dance. She feels lost and adrift, aimless and uninspired, and the pressure she has put on herself stifles her immensely. Holden, meanwhile, is working himself too hard and is buckling under the pressure of his self-expectations, his concerns about his employees’ and their well-being, and honoring his grandfather. His brewery is doing well, but he wants to do better, and his focus means he’s missing out on everything else out there.
I spent so much of this book with a tiny stadium in my head chanting KISS KISS KISS and I’ve got to say - this might be Barton’s spiciest book to date. Holy Helles (that’s a beer reference, y’all), I needed a dip in the ocean after reading this! Chloe and Holden have such hot chemistry that my fingers were singed!
A beautiful representation of living with chronic pain, Chloe’s journey of blooming into herself is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. I loved watching her explore and nurture herself, and watching Holden help her made me all tingly and happy. Holden, for his part, is a swoony fellow, good-looking and principled, and as someone married to a recovering workaholic, so fully realized that it’s like he is a living person.
The Shipped Trip is an insightful love story to all of us struggling to feel as though we’re doing what we are meant to do. That we’re living up to expectations, finding our passions, and making a difference in the lives of the people we love. N.C. Barton is clearly doing what she is meant to do - her storytelling is immersive and memorable, and whenever I need some wisdom, I’ll revisit Fortune Falls.
Thank you to Beyond the Books PR and N.C. Barton for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Story Club Books L;LC and NC Barton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest I had a really hard time with this book. It was predictable, a little boring at times, and I really had to push myself to read until the end. The beginning is almost fantasy with how it's pulled off. Chloe needs a vacation and her best friend Ruby found out she's pregnant and can't go on the cruise her and her husband were planning for their vacation to the Caribbean so she gifts the cruise to Chloe and another one of their friends Heather. Suddenly, they have plane tickets in their name, but Chloe has NEVER been west of Montana. You can't even purchase a ticket without passport information and Ruby never asked for that info. The next thing that is SO unlikely.
Second thing that almost made me DNF was Heather never actually showed up at the airport, but instead in their place Holden, Chloe's best friend and crush since a teenager shows up instead. It costs an arm and a leg to change a flight in someone's name and then when she calls up her friend she plays all innocent and hangs up. I would be so angry if I was Chloe. She didn't even want to go on the cruise in the first place and if it were me I would have walked out of the airport.
I can't spoil it too much, but ultimately they have to pretend to be their friends on the cruise (which for 2 girls I think would have been hard?), but MULTIPLE times they slip up and call each other the wrong name. Chloe even says Holden's full time at one point and no one bats an eye, but they are constantly warned to be careful.
The trip is romantic of course and they get pushed together, but all Holden cares about is work. What honestly bothered me about them is they don't change throughout the book, they stay the exact same. Their whole personalities are beer and dancing. Holden messes up a few times, but instead of really taking accountability he just does grand gestures and everything is forgotten and they move on. The small drama there is is honestly for the sake of drama.
And my biggest irritation of all - is it is advertised at being on the Oregon Coast. Maybe the other 3 books were, but this takes place in another country. Only the last really 20% takes place in Oregon and besides mentioning some cities it really could be anywhere and that was disappointing.
Overall, this book was stilted, almost felt forced, and is nothing unusual already on the market. I was so excited, but the execution unfortunately is just meh.
To be honest I had a really hard time with this book. It was predictable, a little boring at times, and I really had to push myself to read until the end. The beginning is almost fantasy with how it's pulled off. Chloe needs a vacation and her best friend Ruby found out she's pregnant and can't go on the cruise her and her husband were planning for their vacation to the Caribbean so she gifts the cruise to Chloe and another one of their friends Heather. Suddenly, they have plane tickets in their name, but Chloe has NEVER been west of Montana. You can't even purchase a ticket without passport information and Ruby never asked for that info. The next thing that is SO unlikely.
Second thing that almost made me DNF was Heather never actually showed up at the airport, but instead in their place Holden, Chloe's best friend and crush since a teenager shows up instead. It costs an arm and a leg to change a flight in someone's name and then when she calls up her friend she plays all innocent and hangs up. I would be so angry if I was Chloe. She didn't even want to go on the cruise in the first place and if it were me I would have walked out of the airport.
I can't spoil it too much, but ultimately they have to pretend to be their friends on the cruise (which for 2 girls I think would have been hard?), but MULTIPLE times they slip up and call each other the wrong name. Chloe even says Holden's full time at one point and no one bats an eye, but they are constantly warned to be careful.
The trip is romantic of course and they get pushed together, but all Holden cares about is work. What honestly bothered me about them is they don't change throughout the book, they stay the exact same. Their whole personalities are beer and dancing. Holden messes up a few times, but instead of really taking accountability he just does grand gestures and everything is forgotten and they move on. The small drama there is is honestly for the sake of drama.
And my biggest irritation of all - is it is advertised at being on the Oregon Coast. Maybe the other 3 books were, but this takes place in another country. Only the last really 20% takes place in Oregon and besides mentioning some cities it really could be anywhere and that was disappointing.
Overall, this book was stilted, almost felt forced, and is nothing unusual already on the market. I was so excited, but the execution unfortunately is just meh.
May 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
All aboard for this cute and fun filled romance novel by NC Barton. Book 4 of Fortune Falls takes to the high seas with a Caribbean cruise. The Shipped Trip is everything I have come to enjoy from NC and absolutely loved how she brought our MCs together. Now personally, I am not a huge fan of cruises, however NC creates a setting you can’t help but want to be in. The cruise I have been on didn’t offer half of what is portrayed in the book. Maybe I would like them more if it had been more like the cruise NC created.
Chloe reminds me so much of most young adults who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Her dreams came to a halt when she got in a car accident when she was 17 and since then she’s been trying to find her next dream. When offered an all paid cruise, she jumps at the opportunity to get away, while also determining what she wants to do. When she finds out someone will be joining her, she never imagines it will be her brother’s best friend, the person she has been crushing on for years. And they just discovered this is a couple’s cruise!
Holden will do anything to see Chloe smile, so it is easy for him to say yes to a cruise with her. Except she doesn’t know he’s going and they both don’t know it’s a couple cruise. Pretending to be a couple is easy for him as he has had feelings for Chloe for years, but never pursued them due to his best friend, her older brother. He doesn’t know Chloe has feelings for him either, so their pretending doesn’t seem to be difficult for either of them. But what happens when the cruise ends? He’s finally seen what life is like with Chloe and isn’t ready to go back to life without her.
The chemistry between these two is spectacular. With neither one knowing the other has feelings, it puts extra tension into their cruise. They don’t know they have shared feelings, but the reader does and that provides wonderful insight to every action they take. It made me want to see what they will become not able to happen soon enough. They are exactly what the other needs to bring balance to each of them. They were truly a delight to read about and NC does a great job with their story.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🛳️Brother’s Best Friend
🧡Friends to More
🛳️Forced Proximity
🧡One Bed
🛳️Found Family
🧡Just One Time…Yeah Right!
🛳️Fake Dating
All aboard for this cute and fun filled romance novel by NC Barton. Book 4 of Fortune Falls takes to the high seas with a Caribbean cruise. The Shipped Trip is everything I have come to enjoy from NC and absolutely loved how she brought our MCs together. Now personally, I am not a huge fan of cruises, however NC creates a setting you can’t help but want to be in. The cruise I have been on didn’t offer half of what is portrayed in the book. Maybe I would like them more if it had been more like the cruise NC created.
Chloe reminds me so much of most young adults who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Her dreams came to a halt when she got in a car accident when she was 17 and since then she’s been trying to find her next dream. When offered an all paid cruise, she jumps at the opportunity to get away, while also determining what she wants to do. When she finds out someone will be joining her, she never imagines it will be her brother’s best friend, the person she has been crushing on for years. And they just discovered this is a couple’s cruise!
Holden will do anything to see Chloe smile, so it is easy for him to say yes to a cruise with her. Except she doesn’t know he’s going and they both don’t know it’s a couple cruise. Pretending to be a couple is easy for him as he has had feelings for Chloe for years, but never pursued them due to his best friend, her older brother. He doesn’t know Chloe has feelings for him either, so their pretending doesn’t seem to be difficult for either of them. But what happens when the cruise ends? He’s finally seen what life is like with Chloe and isn’t ready to go back to life without her.
The chemistry between these two is spectacular. With neither one knowing the other has feelings, it puts extra tension into their cruise. They don’t know they have shared feelings, but the reader does and that provides wonderful insight to every action they take. It made me want to see what they will become not able to happen soon enough. They are exactly what the other needs to bring balance to each of them. They were truly a delight to read about and NC does a great job with their story.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🛳️Brother’s Best Friend
🧡Friends to More
🛳️Forced Proximity
🧡One Bed
🛳️Found Family
🧡Just One Time…Yeah Right!
🛳️Fake Dating
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ask arc read from NetGalley. I loved the story between the MMC & FMC! I did feel like somethings were rushed or like I needed to play catch up to understand what was going on. For example the FMCs accident which made her stop dancing. We got the chronic pain from the first couple of chapters and her finding her purpose in life but not really the story of what truly happened. While she was on the cruise with the MMC and he probes about her dancing that's when she thinks about that night that she had the car accident and the drs told her she wouldn't be able to dance. The MMC is swoon worthy but at the same time he is so head over heels for the FMC that his friendship with her brother is more important going after what he truly wants in life which is her. Then she over thinks and so does him and it turns out that once they are left in St. Marteens they finally give in and have their time together but they mess it up by seeing it as a fling in their own heads and then when the FMC confesses over dinner what she feels and he doesn't reciprocate and she takes off running only for the MMC to follow and bring her back to finish dinner it felt like all the MMC truly wanted was just someone to bang and not take into account her true feelings. They did the mile high club but they both wanted to continue in their minds on vacation because being back to reality meant they weren't together but they themselves did that to them. The FMC wanted to talk to her brother and tell him but the MMC was so scared of loosing his friendship he would rather loose her. The FMC finds her calling which is to open a dance studio and help other little girls become dancers and the MMC becomes the nanny of his best friends baby. They see each other occasionally but nothing happens. Then one day the MMC invites the FMC over for dinner but he is stuck at work with a huge account he forgets about the dinner or the time and the FMC is heartbroken. That is what finally pushes the MMC to come clean to his best friend who laughs and says, "oh we all know, there is something there." Gives the MMC his blessing and helps him win her back. Over all it was a good read and I enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📝 ARC Review: I enjoyed the set up for this story - winding up on a cruise for couples, but it’s you and your brother’s best friend… who you’ve pined for for years. Now you have to pretend to be a couple and follow the cruise itinerary, including couples therapy… it was funny and passionate, and well written. It was a slow build up for about half the book and then once the spice hit, it was a bit of a frenzy.
That being said, I don’t often read brother’s best friend tropes, for the exact reason this story began to annoy me… I do not understand the angst and the overall “it can never happen… they’re off limits” vibe that seems to always accompany this trope. In my mind I do not get why it’s made into such an issue. First, if you love your sister and your best friend, you should want both of them to be happy and find love. So if it’s with each other, what’s the issue? Second, the brother should be super thrilled for his sister to get with his bestie, because he already knows the man and approves of him since they are besties, so he should be extra happy that he doesn’t have to worry about his sister getting with some unknown entity who may be a lying manipulator. Who could be better for your sister than someone that’s already practically family and you’ve known them for years?! So yeah, the level of angst and it can never happen vibes for this trope grate on my nerves something fierce, which is why it’s a trope I rarely read. This story however, looked and sounded cute, and overall it delivered.
Genre: Romance
Series: Fortune Falls, Book 4
POV: First Person; Dual
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Vibes: Angsty yearning; comical situation; loving family.
Tropes 👇
- Brother’s best friend
- Gifted vacation cruise
- Secret pining
- Fake Dating
- He runs a brewery
- She deals with pain from an accident and wondering what she’s meant to do
- Cooking & painting classes
- Couples therapy
- Snorkeling
- Dance studio
- Dirty Dancing “I’ve had the time of my life” scene
CW’s 👇
- Mention of car accident
- Chronic pain issues
- Alcohol use
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
That being said, I don’t often read brother’s best friend tropes, for the exact reason this story began to annoy me… I do not understand the angst and the overall “it can never happen… they’re off limits” vibe that seems to always accompany this trope. In my mind I do not get why it’s made into such an issue. First, if you love your sister and your best friend, you should want both of them to be happy and find love. So if it’s with each other, what’s the issue? Second, the brother should be super thrilled for his sister to get with his bestie, because he already knows the man and approves of him since they are besties, so he should be extra happy that he doesn’t have to worry about his sister getting with some unknown entity who may be a lying manipulator. Who could be better for your sister than someone that’s already practically family and you’ve known them for years?! So yeah, the level of angst and it can never happen vibes for this trope grate on my nerves something fierce, which is why it’s a trope I rarely read. This story however, looked and sounded cute, and overall it delivered.
Genre: Romance
Series: Fortune Falls, Book 4
POV: First Person; Dual
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5
Release Date: May 19, 2026
Vibes: Angsty yearning; comical situation; loving family.
Tropes 👇
- Brother’s best friend
- Gifted vacation cruise
- Secret pining
- Fake Dating
- He runs a brewery
- She deals with pain from an accident and wondering what she’s meant to do
- Cooking & painting classes
- Couples therapy
- Snorkeling
- Dance studio
- Dirty Dancing “I’ve had the time of my life” scene
CW’s 👇
- Mention of car accident
- Chronic pain issues
- Alcohol use
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2026
How does a free 7-day cruise with your friend sound? But wait… she couldn’t make it at the last minute, and in her place… OH NO. It’s your brother’s best friend!
When her brother and sister-in-law notice that Chloe’s in desperate need of a break, they gift her and her friend, Heather, a 7-day Caribbean cruise vacation. Chloe packs a bag with dire hope that one of the myriad courses offered aboard might be her calling, but when she reaches the airport, she’s in for a shock! Instead of Heather, her brother’s best friend and crush, Holden Hartman, shows up! It’s not an ideal scenario for either of them, and things get worse when they realize that the cruise is meant strictly for couples only. Do they fake it and take the rare cruise opportunity or hop on the next flight back home? Such a dilemma!
Firstly, I want to wholeheartedly thank the author, N.C. Barton, and Beyond the Books PR for a whole whirlwind of an experience packed into this ARC!
To start off, I really appreciated that the story was tightly edited. Chloe was being shipped off to the cruise with no time wasted, which, I feel, actually helped build the anticipation even more. The tension between Chloe and Holden was pretty evident from the moment they reached the cruise, and I was digging every word, every second of it!
Well, I completely forgot to make notes after that until I reached halfway through because I was so immersed in the story! Chloe and Holden had such a cute bond, and their banter made me laugh even when I was having a particularly bad day. I loved how visual the writing was, as well. I could play out the entire cooking class slo-mo accident scene as if I were watching a movie! Holden is probably the closest fictional character to real life I have come across so far.
However, I thought that some of the minor points, like last-minute cancellations, for example, were pretty plot convenient. I also predicted a few events. None of that affected my experience, though, as I was caught up in all the feels! I was thoroughly invested, and I was swooning the whole time!
My heart is so, so full after having completed "The Shipped Trip"! This is an entire feature film waiting to happen, and I can’t wait to see it (again)! Since there are multiple spicy scenes in the book, I recommend it to ages 18 and above.
When her brother and sister-in-law notice that Chloe’s in desperate need of a break, they gift her and her friend, Heather, a 7-day Caribbean cruise vacation. Chloe packs a bag with dire hope that one of the myriad courses offered aboard might be her calling, but when she reaches the airport, she’s in for a shock! Instead of Heather, her brother’s best friend and crush, Holden Hartman, shows up! It’s not an ideal scenario for either of them, and things get worse when they realize that the cruise is meant strictly for couples only. Do they fake it and take the rare cruise opportunity or hop on the next flight back home? Such a dilemma!
Firstly, I want to wholeheartedly thank the author, N.C. Barton, and Beyond the Books PR for a whole whirlwind of an experience packed into this ARC!
To start off, I really appreciated that the story was tightly edited. Chloe was being shipped off to the cruise with no time wasted, which, I feel, actually helped build the anticipation even more. The tension between Chloe and Holden was pretty evident from the moment they reached the cruise, and I was digging every word, every second of it!
Well, I completely forgot to make notes after that until I reached halfway through because I was so immersed in the story! Chloe and Holden had such a cute bond, and their banter made me laugh even when I was having a particularly bad day. I loved how visual the writing was, as well. I could play out the entire cooking class slo-mo accident scene as if I were watching a movie! Holden is probably the closest fictional character to real life I have come across so far.
However, I thought that some of the minor points, like last-minute cancellations, for example, were pretty plot convenient. I also predicted a few events. None of that affected my experience, though, as I was caught up in all the feels! I was thoroughly invested, and I was swooning the whole time!
My heart is so, so full after having completed "The Shipped Trip"! This is an entire feature film waiting to happen, and I can’t wait to see it (again)! Since there are multiple spicy scenes in the book, I recommend it to ages 18 and above.
May 18, 2026
SPOILER FREE ARC REVIEW
Thank you to Author NC Barton, Net Galley, & Victory Editing Net Galley Co-op for this ARC
This book was 4 out of 5 stars for me! I just LOVE a cute romcom and NC Barton delivers this with Chloe and Holden's story!
Just imagine your brother and SIL offer you a free cruise because they can't make it. Now initially, you are set to go on the cruise with your best friend, but while you're at the airport waiting for your flight, your brother's best friend/childhood crush comes and sits next to you! Come to find out your best friend had a last minute family emergency and Holden steps in to take her place. The icing on the cake is, when you arrive to the port to board the ship, you are shocked to find out that this is a couple's cruise and you have to pretend to be a couple or risk getting booted from the boat!
AND THAT, is where this story truly begins!
Chloe and Holden were initially, and understandably, so stubborn during the first half of the book fighting their attraction to one another in respect of her brother and not wanting to ruin their own friendship, while also trying to convince themselves that the other person could not POSSIBLY have any feelings for them.
I loved the flirty banter and that this book contained some of my favorite tropes: brother's best friend, forced proximity, fake dating, and she falls first but he falls harder. Also, both Chloe and Holden are on this cruise for different reasons. Chloe feels like she is lost in life with no directions and hope that the cruise activities will help her find her way or her passion. Holden is the quintessential workaholic who runs a successful brewery but hasn't stepped away from his business to relax in years.
Can what happens on the ship stay on the ship or do these two deserve to finally give in to the love they've had for each other for years? I hope you all read and love this book as I did!
This is a super cute vacation romance and a book that is perfect for summer with low angst and HEA
Thank you to Author NC Barton, Net Galley, & Victory Editing Net Galley Co-op for this ARC
This book was 4 out of 5 stars for me! I just LOVE a cute romcom and NC Barton delivers this with Chloe and Holden's story!
Just imagine your brother and SIL offer you a free cruise because they can't make it. Now initially, you are set to go on the cruise with your best friend, but while you're at the airport waiting for your flight, your brother's best friend/childhood crush comes and sits next to you! Come to find out your best friend had a last minute family emergency and Holden steps in to take her place. The icing on the cake is, when you arrive to the port to board the ship, you are shocked to find out that this is a couple's cruise and you have to pretend to be a couple or risk getting booted from the boat!
AND THAT, is where this story truly begins!
Chloe and Holden were initially, and understandably, so stubborn during the first half of the book fighting their attraction to one another in respect of her brother and not wanting to ruin their own friendship, while also trying to convince themselves that the other person could not POSSIBLY have any feelings for them.
I loved the flirty banter and that this book contained some of my favorite tropes: brother's best friend, forced proximity, fake dating, and she falls first but he falls harder. Also, both Chloe and Holden are on this cruise for different reasons. Chloe feels like she is lost in life with no directions and hope that the cruise activities will help her find her way or her passion. Holden is the quintessential workaholic who runs a successful brewery but hasn't stepped away from his business to relax in years.
Can what happens on the ship stay on the ship or do these two deserve to finally give in to the love they've had for each other for years? I hope you all read and love this book as I did!
This is a super cute vacation romance and a book that is perfect for summer with low angst and HEA
May 26, 2026
For all you People We Meet of Vacation lovers this book gives off that same fun, flirty summer vibe.
I wasn't sure what to expect but happy to report it exceeded my expectations! This was my 1st read from NC B and right off the bat I liked her pacing, it was fun, sexy and I love a good Brothers Best Friend & 1 bed tropes!!
Our FMC Chloe is "forced" to go on a vacation.
Needing lil retrospection for her life choices, her (pregnant) best friend offers an all expense paid cruise to the Caribbean. Since it was really a trip for her bestie & husband (Chloe's brother), she plans to make it a girls trip with another friend. But the universe had other ideas, not only does her girl friend cancel at the last minute, but her replacement is none other than Holden Hartman. Her brothers best friend and the boy she's been in love with since she was a kid. As fate would have it this cruise is not just any cruise, but a Couples Cruise. Fake dating to avoid risk of being kicked off the ship, our sweet Chloe and Holden are forced to face their feelings, where they end up catching more than a nice sun tan. Quite LITERALLY missing the boat back these 2 find themselves in the eye of the storm, but is that just a metaphor for what's been building between the 2 of them?
This was such a great, steamy, playful summer read, full witty quips and of course a HEA. Though this is supposed to be book 4 from her Fortune Falls series this is read as a complete standalone, where you don't feel like your missing any background.
I also have to call out that I LOVE that Chloe and her family are Greek!! It was so nice to have this diverse & cultural representation with our main character.
Thank you BTB PR for sending me this ARC I loved it! Now I want to go back and start the series.
4.25⭐️
I wasn't sure what to expect but happy to report it exceeded my expectations! This was my 1st read from NC B and right off the bat I liked her pacing, it was fun, sexy and I love a good Brothers Best Friend & 1 bed tropes!!
Our FMC Chloe is "forced" to go on a vacation.
Needing lil retrospection for her life choices, her (pregnant) best friend offers an all expense paid cruise to the Caribbean. Since it was really a trip for her bestie & husband (Chloe's brother), she plans to make it a girls trip with another friend. But the universe had other ideas, not only does her girl friend cancel at the last minute, but her replacement is none other than Holden Hartman. Her brothers best friend and the boy she's been in love with since she was a kid. As fate would have it this cruise is not just any cruise, but a Couples Cruise. Fake dating to avoid risk of being kicked off the ship, our sweet Chloe and Holden are forced to face their feelings, where they end up catching more than a nice sun tan. Quite LITERALLY missing the boat back these 2 find themselves in the eye of the storm, but is that just a metaphor for what's been building between the 2 of them?
This was such a great, steamy, playful summer read, full witty quips and of course a HEA. Though this is supposed to be book 4 from her Fortune Falls series this is read as a complete standalone, where you don't feel like your missing any background.
I also have to call out that I LOVE that Chloe and her family are Greek!! It was so nice to have this diverse & cultural representation with our main character.
Thank you BTB PR for sending me this ARC I loved it! Now I want to go back and start the series.
4.25⭐️
May 25, 2026
The Shipped Trip by NC Barton is the kind of romance that feels like sunshine on your skin, salt in the air, and the dangerous thrill of pretending feelings aren’t real when they absolutely are. Equal parts swoony and escapist, this cruise ship romance delivers all the delicious tension of forced proximity while balancing deeper themes of identity, grief over lost dreams, and figuring out what comes next when life hasn’t gone according to plan.
Chloe instantly feels relatable in that messy, “what am I even doing with my life?” kind of way. At twenty-nine, she’s stuck in a rut after losing the future she once imagined, and her uncertainty makes her journey feel surprisingly emotional beneath the fun, tropical setting. Watching her slowly rediscover pieces of herself while trying random cruise activities and opening herself up to possibility gave the story more heart than I expected.
And Holden? Certified book boyfriend material. The quietly pining, dependable, brother’s-best-friend energy is STRONG here. He’s patient, protective without being overbearing, and so obviously gone for Chloe that every lingering glance and small moment practically crackles with tension. Add in a couples cruise mishap, forced fake dating, and only one bed? Absolute romance chaos in the best way.
The chemistry between Chloe and Holden is slow-burning but undeniably magnetic, and once the lines between fake and real begin to blur, the emotional payoff feels worth the wait. Bonus points for the Dirty Dancing references and vacation setting that made everything feel cinematic and fun.
If you love romances with yearning, vacation vibes, fake dating mishaps, and a hero who has clearly been down bad for years, The Shipped Trip deserves a spot in your beach bag.
I had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, and these are my honest thoughts.
Chloe instantly feels relatable in that messy, “what am I even doing with my life?” kind of way. At twenty-nine, she’s stuck in a rut after losing the future she once imagined, and her uncertainty makes her journey feel surprisingly emotional beneath the fun, tropical setting. Watching her slowly rediscover pieces of herself while trying random cruise activities and opening herself up to possibility gave the story more heart than I expected.
And Holden? Certified book boyfriend material. The quietly pining, dependable, brother’s-best-friend energy is STRONG here. He’s patient, protective without being overbearing, and so obviously gone for Chloe that every lingering glance and small moment practically crackles with tension. Add in a couples cruise mishap, forced fake dating, and only one bed? Absolute romance chaos in the best way.
The chemistry between Chloe and Holden is slow-burning but undeniably magnetic, and once the lines between fake and real begin to blur, the emotional payoff feels worth the wait. Bonus points for the Dirty Dancing references and vacation setting that made everything feel cinematic and fun.
If you love romances with yearning, vacation vibes, fake dating mishaps, and a hero who has clearly been down bad for years, The Shipped Trip deserves a spot in your beach bag.
I had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, and these are my honest thoughts.
May 28, 2026
NC Barton delivers an absolute knockout with The Shipped Trip, and I’m still not over it. This book takes the brother’s-best-friend trope and elevates it to art. Holden and Chloe have the kind of chemistry that crackles on every page. The tension between them is unreal slow-burn glances, charged banter, and those almost-kiss moments that make you want to scream into a pillow. Barton just gets how to write yearning.
The trip itself is the perfect forced-proximity setup. “The Shipped Trip” becomes the turning point where Holden and Chloe finally stop fighting what’s obvious: leaving without each other isn’t an option. Their happily ever after is so wholesome and earned, it’ll leave you grinning for days.
As a dancer, Chloe’s arc hit me hard. That feeling when your heart wants to dance but your body says “not today” is painfully real, and Barton nails it. Watching her heal, reclaim her passion, and open her own dance studio was empowering. Holden, with his quiet strength and brewing success, matches her perfectly. They need each other like oxygen. The book is addictive to read.
And yes, it’s spicy. The spice is well-paced and intentional, adding heat without overshadowing the emotion.
Kyle and Ruby, the second-lead couple, aren’t just filler. Their dynamic impacts Holden and Chloe’s journey, adding depth and humor.
If you want tension, heart, spice, and a HEA that feels like a warm hug, read this. NC Barton slayeddd as she wrote this book!!
The trip itself is the perfect forced-proximity setup. “The Shipped Trip” becomes the turning point where Holden and Chloe finally stop fighting what’s obvious: leaving without each other isn’t an option. Their happily ever after is so wholesome and earned, it’ll leave you grinning for days.
As a dancer, Chloe’s arc hit me hard. That feeling when your heart wants to dance but your body says “not today” is painfully real, and Barton nails it. Watching her heal, reclaim her passion, and open her own dance studio was empowering. Holden, with his quiet strength and brewing success, matches her perfectly. They need each other like oxygen. The book is addictive to read.
And yes, it’s spicy. The spice is well-paced and intentional, adding heat without overshadowing the emotion.
Kyle and Ruby, the second-lead couple, aren’t just filler. Their dynamic impacts Holden and Chloe’s journey, adding depth and humor.
If you want tension, heart, spice, and a HEA that feels like a warm hug, read this. NC Barton slayeddd as she wrote this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Chloe is at that point in life where she’s still waiting to “bloom” and figure things out. Then her sister-in-law Ruby offers her and a friend a spot on a cruise. What Chloe doesn’t expect is for her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend, Holden to turn up as her plus one… on a couples’ cruise.
I was hooked from the moment she spotted Holden at the airport. Their dynamic is fun right away, especially with the whole fake-dating setup and all the awkward (and not-so-awkward) cruise activities. The story is told from both perspectives, which works well. You get to see what each of them is thinking, and it made it easy to root for them.
Chloe’s struggles felt real, and I liked how Holden supported her without taking over or “fixing” everything. It felt pretty grounded.
I was not expecting them to miss the ship at one of the docked ports but, I preferred that section. Once they’re off the cruise, things felt more natural without the pressure of pretending.
It’s an easy, quick read, I finished it in a couple of days. It’s a bit predictable in places, but still enjoyable, and I liked how things wrapped up for Chloe.
The first by NC Barton for me and realised this is part of a series, but it worked fine as a standalone.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy
I was hooked from the moment she spotted Holden at the airport. Their dynamic is fun right away, especially with the whole fake-dating setup and all the awkward (and not-so-awkward) cruise activities. The story is told from both perspectives, which works well. You get to see what each of them is thinking, and it made it easy to root for them.
Chloe’s struggles felt real, and I liked how Holden supported her without taking over or “fixing” everything. It felt pretty grounded.
I was not expecting them to miss the ship at one of the docked ports but, I preferred that section. Once they’re off the cruise, things felt more natural without the pressure of pretending.
It’s an easy, quick read, I finished it in a couple of days. It’s a bit predictable in places, but still enjoyable, and I liked how things wrapped up for Chloe.
The first by NC Barton for me and realised this is part of a series, but it worked fine as a standalone.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2026
The Shipped trip by N.C. Barton is book 4 in Fortune Falls series and can be read as a standalone. It revolves around Chloe and Holden. This book is filled with adventure, passion, romance, humor and self discovery.
The setting of cruise was amazing and I enjoyed reading that part a lot. The fake dating trope and all the events in the cruise were humourous. This story did show how one trip can bring change to your life in a good way.The complexities of falling in love with brother's best friend was presented well. Chloe and Holden were passionately in love with each other and the romance was just extraordinary and I did enjoy their chemistry a lot. They were just terrific.
The character of Chloe and her hardships was emotional part of the story. I loved how she made so much progress towards the end and it was amazing to read about her journey.
The character of Holden was caring, selfless and passionately in love with Chloe.He was an amazing friend and there were certain moments in the story were he was just perfect in every way.
Overall I enjoyed this story a lot and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a feel good book.
P .S. I really want someone to book a trip for me like Ruby did for Chloe🙈
The setting of cruise was amazing and I enjoyed reading that part a lot. The fake dating trope and all the events in the cruise were humourous. This story did show how one trip can bring change to your life in a good way.The complexities of falling in love with brother's best friend was presented well. Chloe and Holden were passionately in love with each other and the romance was just extraordinary and I did enjoy their chemistry a lot. They were just terrific.
The character of Chloe and her hardships was emotional part of the story. I loved how she made so much progress towards the end and it was amazing to read about her journey.
The character of Holden was caring, selfless and passionately in love with Chloe.He was an amazing friend and there were certain moments in the story were he was just perfect in every way.
Overall I enjoyed this story a lot and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a feel good book.
P .S. I really want someone to book a trip for me like Ruby did for Chloe🙈
May 21, 2026
Back to Fortune Falls for one more romance. But we don’t stay there long, we’re off on a cruise to the Caribbean.
Chloe is gifted a cruise by her very pregnant sister-in-law who can’t go herself but when she arrives, she discovers that instead of a female friend she was supposed to be taking, she ends up with her brothers very attractive best friend Holden, who she has been crushing on since she was a teenager. Not only that, when they get there, they discover they are on a couples cruise and have to pretend to be dating in order to not get thrown off the cruise.
I loved this book, Holden and Chloe were instantly relatable and very good together. Because they knew each other from a young age, they had the banter and inside jokes that helped with their chemistry. Once they acted on their feelings, they had such an amazing spark and they complimented each other well.
I loved the unexpected turns to their journey, such as missing the boat and the precarious flight under a hurricane watch. These just served to enforce their proximity and discover their true feelings. I wish they had not given in to their doubts when they returned home to Fortune Falls but I did enjoy the ending, the big gesture from Holden, it suited their romantic journey perfectly.
Chloe is gifted a cruise by her very pregnant sister-in-law who can’t go herself but when she arrives, she discovers that instead of a female friend she was supposed to be taking, she ends up with her brothers very attractive best friend Holden, who she has been crushing on since she was a teenager. Not only that, when they get there, they discover they are on a couples cruise and have to pretend to be dating in order to not get thrown off the cruise.
I loved this book, Holden and Chloe were instantly relatable and very good together. Because they knew each other from a young age, they had the banter and inside jokes that helped with their chemistry. Once they acted on their feelings, they had such an amazing spark and they complimented each other well.
I loved the unexpected turns to their journey, such as missing the boat and the precarious flight under a hurricane watch. These just served to enforce their proximity and discover their true feelings. I wish they had not given in to their doubts when they returned home to Fortune Falls but I did enjoy the ending, the big gesture from Holden, it suited their romantic journey perfectly.
May 29, 2026
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
AUTHOR: NC Barton
Release date: 19/05/2026
Available on Amazon as Paperback, Ebook and KU!
RATING : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What to expect:
💜 only one bed
🛳️ fake dating
💜 forced proximity
🛳️ brother's best friend
💜 open door
🛳️ “let's get it out of our system”
💜 dirty dancing references
I would like to thank NC Barton & beyondthebookspr for giving me the opportunity to Read & Review The Shipped Trip as an ARC.
This Book was exactly what I needed!
The book follows Chloe a young woman who can't seem to find her purpose in life, she gets thrown into a Couples Cruise with her brothers best friend Holden all thanks to her sister inlaw Ruby who the crusie was originally intended for.
Chloe has crushed on holden since high school, but doesn't know Holden feels the same way, that is until they both end up on a much needed holiday "Couples" cruise where they are forced to Fake date & share a bed.
I was pulled in from the get go, this was such a cute romcom style book thats had me emotional in parts but mostly giggling while kicking my legs.
So if you're looking for something cute, funny, quick and easy to read, that is great for the summer this is the book you need!
AUTHOR: NC Barton
Release date: 19/05/2026
Available on Amazon as Paperback, Ebook and KU!
RATING : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What to expect:
💜 only one bed
🛳️ fake dating
💜 forced proximity
🛳️ brother's best friend
💜 open door
🛳️ “let's get it out of our system”
💜 dirty dancing references
I would like to thank NC Barton & beyondthebookspr for giving me the opportunity to Read & Review The Shipped Trip as an ARC.
This Book was exactly what I needed!
The book follows Chloe a young woman who can't seem to find her purpose in life, she gets thrown into a Couples Cruise with her brothers best friend Holden all thanks to her sister inlaw Ruby who the crusie was originally intended for.
Chloe has crushed on holden since high school, but doesn't know Holden feels the same way, that is until they both end up on a much needed holiday "Couples" cruise where they are forced to Fake date & share a bed.
I was pulled in from the get go, this was such a cute romcom style book thats had me emotional in parts but mostly giggling while kicking my legs.
So if you're looking for something cute, funny, quick and easy to read, that is great for the summer this is the book you need!
May 5, 2026
Accidentally ending up on a couples cruise with your childhood crush who also happens to be your brother’s best friend? Say less. I was in immediately. 🚢💛
This had such fun rom-com energy with a really solid emotional core underneath. Chloe and Holden were both so easy to root for, and I loved the “everyone knows except them” dynamic. Holden especially was such a sweetheart, quietly thoughtful in the way that actually matters, which made their connection feel really genuine.
I also really appreciated that this works perfectly as a standalone, even though it’s part of a series. It made me want to go back and read the others without ever feeling lost here.
My only real issue was some noticeable editing errors that pulled me out of the story a few times, which is a shame because everything else was so well done.
Overall, a really fun, cozy rom-com with great characters and a trope setup that completely delivered. 💫
Thank you to NetGalley and N.C. Barton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This had such fun rom-com energy with a really solid emotional core underneath. Chloe and Holden were both so easy to root for, and I loved the “everyone knows except them” dynamic. Holden especially was such a sweetheart, quietly thoughtful in the way that actually matters, which made their connection feel really genuine.
I also really appreciated that this works perfectly as a standalone, even though it’s part of a series. It made me want to go back and read the others without ever feeling lost here.
My only real issue was some noticeable editing errors that pulled me out of the story a few times, which is a shame because everything else was so well done.
Overall, a really fun, cozy rom-com with great characters and a trope setup that completely delivered. 💫
Thank you to NetGalley and N.C. Barton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
- Fake relationship
- Close proximity
- Mutual pining
- He falls first
- Brother's best friend
I absolutely have been consuming fake relationship romances lately, so I was looking forward to this book. Add in the fact that it is a summer romance (and it's now beach reading season!), and I was ready!
The mutual pining in this book was so delicious. Neither Chloe nor Holden feel they can express their true feelings because Holden is Chloe's brother's best friend. Totally off limits. But the heart wants what the heart wants. They have flirted a little over the years, but have never crossed the line past friendship....until they wind up on a couples cruise!
They have to fake a relationship so that they don't get kicked off the cruise...and potentially cause Chloe's sister-in-law's mother to lose her job! Luckily, they don't have to pretend the feelings, but pose as a couple whose relationship is in trouble. The chemistry is so good in this! And Holden is so witty!
This is the perfect beach/vacation read to get you in the mood for summer!
- Close proximity
- Mutual pining
- He falls first
- Brother's best friend
I absolutely have been consuming fake relationship romances lately, so I was looking forward to this book. Add in the fact that it is a summer romance (and it's now beach reading season!), and I was ready!
The mutual pining in this book was so delicious. Neither Chloe nor Holden feel they can express their true feelings because Holden is Chloe's brother's best friend. Totally off limits. But the heart wants what the heart wants. They have flirted a little over the years, but have never crossed the line past friendship....until they wind up on a couples cruise!
They have to fake a relationship so that they don't get kicked off the cruise...and potentially cause Chloe's sister-in-law's mother to lose her job! Luckily, they don't have to pretend the feelings, but pose as a couple whose relationship is in trouble. The chemistry is so good in this! And Holden is so witty!
This is the perfect beach/vacation read to get you in the mood for summer!
May 19, 2026
The Shipped Trip was a fun journey for me. When Chloe and Holden are gifted a cruise, they are both in need of a vacation, but they didn't realize the cruise was for couples. They decide to make the best of it and pretend to be a couple for the free trip.
I loved Holden from the beginning, loved how he was desperate to be near Chloe, but also so terrified of losing his best friend and only "family," Kyle, who is Chloe's brother. Chloe is just as smitten with Holden, and has been most of her life, but she always thought he only saw her as his best friend's little sister. Being in close proximity for 7 nights forces them to give in to their mutual feelings, but at the end of the week, they decide that what happened on the ship must stay on the ship, because neither of them wants to upset Kyle. Can they move forward alone, now that they know what it's like to be together?
Great story about overcoming adversity (Kyle's lack of family, Chloe's accident and injury), learning to take risks, and pursuing your dreams, even when it's scary.
I loved Holden from the beginning, loved how he was desperate to be near Chloe, but also so terrified of losing his best friend and only "family," Kyle, who is Chloe's brother. Chloe is just as smitten with Holden, and has been most of her life, but she always thought he only saw her as his best friend's little sister. Being in close proximity for 7 nights forces them to give in to their mutual feelings, but at the end of the week, they decide that what happened on the ship must stay on the ship, because neither of them wants to upset Kyle. Can they move forward alone, now that they know what it's like to be together?
Great story about overcoming adversity (Kyle's lack of family, Chloe's accident and injury), learning to take risks, and pursuing your dreams, even when it's scary.
May 19, 2026
- Brother's Best Friend
- Forced Proximity
- Only One Bed
- Destination Romance
The Shipped Trip by NC Barton was a beautiful summer read filled with a romance that blended travel with emotional self-discovery, and a slow-burn chemistry a heartwarming escape. In this novel, we follow the story of Chloe as she finds herself in the pitfall of life after an accident at seventeen shattered her dreams of becoming a dance. Stuck at home living with her parents and working for her brother, Chloe is offered a chance for a fresh start by going on a Caribbean Cruise with none other then her brothers best friend Holden Hartman. I really enjoyed how Barton was able to write emotionally grounded characters that had their own flaws, making them feel more relatable and deeply human. Overall, The Shipped Trip was the perfect escapist summer read that blended humor with vulnerability to create a swoony love story perfect for readers that love cozy-vacation vibes!
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
- Forced Proximity
- Only One Bed
- Destination Romance
The Shipped Trip by NC Barton was a beautiful summer read filled with a romance that blended travel with emotional self-discovery, and a slow-burn chemistry a heartwarming escape. In this novel, we follow the story of Chloe as she finds herself in the pitfall of life after an accident at seventeen shattered her dreams of becoming a dance. Stuck at home living with her parents and working for her brother, Chloe is offered a chance for a fresh start by going on a Caribbean Cruise with none other then her brothers best friend Holden Hartman. I really enjoyed how Barton was able to write emotionally grounded characters that had their own flaws, making them feel more relatable and deeply human. Overall, The Shipped Trip was the perfect escapist summer read that blended humor with vulnerability to create a swoony love story perfect for readers that love cozy-vacation vibes!
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
May 24, 2026
The Shipped Trip was a cute read. Chloe is searching for her purpose in life. She was a dancer, but after a car accident, she is unsure about dancing again. Back at home, her friend and brother send her on a cruise. What they don't tell her is that it is a couples cruise and she is going on it with her brother's best friend, who she has always secretly pined for. The same goes for him, but neither feels they can act on those feelings due to her brother. They have to pretend to be a couple on the ship or risk losing their trip.
Chloe and Holden were awesome characters. They get along well, the only turmoil seems to be with they should act on their feelings for each other. There are some flat spots in the book where there are issues that arise and don't seem to ever be resolved. I really enjoyed when they were off the ship. It was more focused on them.
There was plenty of spice in this book. It started out strong and the pacing was spot on.
Thank you to NetGalley, Story Club Books, and NC Barton for the ARC. This review is my own opinion.
Chloe and Holden were awesome characters. They get along well, the only turmoil seems to be with they should act on their feelings for each other. There are some flat spots in the book where there are issues that arise and don't seem to ever be resolved. I really enjoyed when they were off the ship. It was more focused on them.
There was plenty of spice in this book. It started out strong and the pacing was spot on.
Thank you to NetGalley, Story Club Books, and NC Barton for the ARC. This review is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Chilli rating - 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plot - 5
Rating- 5 ⭐
Expect
📖 Brothers best friend
📖 Forced proximity
📖 One bed
📖 Destination romance
"What happens at sea, stays at sea."
thank you to N C Barton and Netgalley for letting me read the arc of The shipped trip
My thoughts of the book 💭
What a wonderful book. It's such an easy book to read.
It's the perfect holiday read beside the sea or on a cruise.
I loved Chloe the fmc, she's a little bit lost and doesn't know what she is doing with her life. She's been in love with her brothers best friend forever.
Holden the mmc has a successful brewery business, and he's loved his best friends sister for years.
They accidentally go on a couples cruise, which they have to pretend they are a couple..plenty of funny moments
I really loved this book, it was full of flirty banter. It was full of will they won't they, sweet moments and about finding yourself, and that new dreams can be made and found
Plot - 5
Rating- 5 ⭐
Expect
📖 Brothers best friend
📖 Forced proximity
📖 One bed
📖 Destination romance
"What happens at sea, stays at sea."
thank you to N C Barton and Netgalley for letting me read the arc of The shipped trip
My thoughts of the book 💭
What a wonderful book. It's such an easy book to read.
It's the perfect holiday read beside the sea or on a cruise.
I loved Chloe the fmc, she's a little bit lost and doesn't know what she is doing with her life. She's been in love with her brothers best friend forever.
Holden the mmc has a successful brewery business, and he's loved his best friends sister for years.
They accidentally go on a couples cruise, which they have to pretend they are a couple..plenty of funny moments
I really loved this book, it was full of flirty banter. It was full of will they won't they, sweet moments and about finding yourself, and that new dreams can be made and found
May 11, 2026
“What happens on the ship, stays on the ship.”
…except not everything does stay on the ship 😏
This was such a cute, easy to devour romance with all the fun vacation vibes. Between the forced proximity, fake dating setup, and family members very obviously meddling because they KNOW these two belong together? I was entertained the whole time!
The cruise director was so unnecessarily stern that it looped all the way back around to being hilarious. Every scene with her felt unintentionally chaotic in the best way.
I also appreciated the chronic pain representation woven into the story. It added another layer to Chloe’s character that felt grounded and real.
Once they returned home, the will they / won’t they stretched on a little longer than I personally wanted, but I was still rooting for them the entire time!
Overall, this is a sweet, lowish angst vacation romance with fun chemistry, family meddling, and soft emotional moments
…except not everything does stay on the ship 😏
This was such a cute, easy to devour romance with all the fun vacation vibes. Between the forced proximity, fake dating setup, and family members very obviously meddling because they KNOW these two belong together? I was entertained the whole time!
The cruise director was so unnecessarily stern that it looped all the way back around to being hilarious. Every scene with her felt unintentionally chaotic in the best way.
I also appreciated the chronic pain representation woven into the story. It added another layer to Chloe’s character that felt grounded and real.
Once they returned home, the will they / won’t they stretched on a little longer than I personally wanted, but I was still rooting for them the entire time!
Overall, this is a sweet, lowish angst vacation romance with fun chemistry, family meddling, and soft emotional moments
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book felt like a good summer vacation!
Ruby is burntout from work as it's not her purpose in life and so her sister-in-law sets her up to a vacation she so badly needs. When she reaches the airport she realises her partner for the trip is the guy she has always had a crush on--Holden who himself is down bad for her and doesn't fall short to show it.
The way they are both oblivious to each other's feelings was hilarious. The comfort, humor, and spice they share once they finally give in made me absolutely melt. The way the author balanced spice and warmth was so beautiful.
I wish the characters had more depth but overall it was an amazing read. The setting, the way she described the atmosphere and events felt like you're on the cruise right along with them, enjoying your own little fictional vacation.
If you are a fan of the brother's best friend trope and love a comforting, high-tension vacation romance, this is 100% such a cute and quick read to pick up!
Ruby is burntout from work as it's not her purpose in life and so her sister-in-law sets her up to a vacation she so badly needs. When she reaches the airport she realises her partner for the trip is the guy she has always had a crush on--Holden who himself is down bad for her and doesn't fall short to show it.
The way they are both oblivious to each other's feelings was hilarious. The comfort, humor, and spice they share once they finally give in made me absolutely melt. The way the author balanced spice and warmth was so beautiful.
I wish the characters had more depth but overall it was an amazing read. The setting, the way she described the atmosphere and events felt like you're on the cruise right along with them, enjoying your own little fictional vacation.
If you are a fan of the brother's best friend trope and love a comforting, high-tension vacation romance, this is 100% such a cute and quick read to pick up!
May 29, 2026
N.C. Barton is cranking out books you guys and I am just lapping them up!
After an accident as a teenager Chloe has been a little aimless. The one constant? Her crust on her brother's best friend Holden. Little does she know that the crush is reciprocated. Then a friend gives them a free Caribbean cruise and what could go wrong? Only for the cruise to be all about couples and if they don't successfully fake it they'll get kicked off the boat and a friend's mom will lose her job.
I love a fake dating story and add in brother's best friend and I am sat. I wish we had gotten more of the friendship between Holden and Chloe if only to add to their romantic chemistry. I was also surprised by how little the cruise set up ended up playing out in the story! I wanted more about this weird little romantic cruise line. But as always the spice was great and the story wrapped up nicely. A fun summer read!
After an accident as a teenager Chloe has been a little aimless. The one constant? Her crust on her brother's best friend Holden. Little does she know that the crush is reciprocated. Then a friend gives them a free Caribbean cruise and what could go wrong? Only for the cruise to be all about couples and if they don't successfully fake it they'll get kicked off the boat and a friend's mom will lose her job.
I love a fake dating story and add in brother's best friend and I am sat. I wish we had gotten more of the friendship between Holden and Chloe if only to add to their romantic chemistry. I was also surprised by how little the cruise set up ended up playing out in the story! I wanted more about this weird little romantic cruise line. But as always the spice was great and the story wrapped up nicely. A fun summer read!
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