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Valentine's Inc. Cruises #9
Ship Off
Ben - Free spirit. Nomad. Drifter. Those are the labels my family always threw at me. I’ve been on my own and on the road—nothing but me and my motorcycle—for a long time now and that’s the way I like it. When an old friend badgers me into going on a singles cruise, I moan and groan through the whole thing until I find myself in the middle of perfect blue water, getting to know the most beautiful—and uptight man—I’ve ever met.
Silas - My twin sister, Simone, is pure evil. Why else would she force a mandatory vacation from our co-owned bakery on me? While I don’t agree that I’m too high-strung, I will admit that my anxiety does sometimes get the best of me. But a singles cruise? I don’t want or have time for a relationship despite what she might think. I give in and go on the cruise, not expecting anything except plenty of sunshine and all the cocktails my drink package will allow, when the perfect stranger settles into the seat next to me and takes my breath away. The only problem? We couldn’t be more opposite if we tried.
Ship Off is a stand-alone novella of approximately 30,000 words. It features an exciting time at sea, a terrible Hawaiian shirt collection, and two completely opposite men who couldn’t be more perfect for each other. HEA guaranteed.
Silas - My twin sister, Simone, is pure evil. Why else would she force a mandatory vacation from our co-owned bakery on me? While I don’t agree that I’m too high-strung, I will admit that my anxiety does sometimes get the best of me. But a singles cruise? I don’t want or have time for a relationship despite what she might think. I give in and go on the cruise, not expecting anything except plenty of sunshine and all the cocktails my drink package will allow, when the perfect stranger settles into the seat next to me and takes my breath away. The only problem? We couldn’t be more opposite if we tried.
Ship Off is a stand-alone novella of approximately 30,000 words. It features an exciting time at sea, a terrible Hawaiian shirt collection, and two completely opposite men who couldn’t be more perfect for each other. HEA guaranteed.
90 pages, ebook
First published September 9, 2019
67 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Frost
53 books485 followersRomance writer. Dog mom. Hoarder of coffee cups. She/her.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 14, 2021
4.5 stars
I really liked this story a lot! No angst. No stupid misunderstandings. Just 2 guys who meet on a cruise, aren't looking for something serious, but find it anyway!
I really liked this story a lot! No angst. No stupid misunderstandings. Just 2 guys who meet on a cruise, aren't looking for something serious, but find it anyway!
June 15, 2022
SHIP OFF was a cute read and I especially enjoyed the banter and joking between Silas and Ben. They're each on the singles cruise "against their will" thanks to meddling family and friends so they decide to pretend they're together to warn off anyone else. Neither of them wants a relationship right now, but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Both Silas and Ben were enjoyable characters but I will admit their "voices'' sounded very similar so I was sometimes confused on which POV I was reading.
September 13, 2019
Such a sweet story. It was good to see Jackson and West again as well. Between those two and Silas's sister, it was time for their friends to take a break and they made them sign up for the cruise. And the rest is history.
Silas was just going to basically enjoy reading by the pool relaxing and seeing the sights when they ported. What he didn't expect was the tattooed man who accidentally bumped into his chair and asked to sit beside him. Silas couldn't help but scowl at first at being interrupted, but Ben quickly had him smiling and laughing. They decided to be each other's decoy boyfriend to keep the mean at bay and just relax and enjoy their time. But what neither expected, is that they really enjoyed each other's company. And the more they spend together, they feel like it's becoming a lot more than just friends. But the week is almost over and they don't want to part. In fact, the last day tears are shed. But they both had lives to go back to. But they were miserable. Jackson made a sneaky move and had his grandmother getting the story out of Ben and then they surprised him with Silas showing up. It was a magical weekend. But when it came time to leave again, they were determined to find a way to stay together. But can a drifter settle down and make a life or will he want to run when things get too close?
These two were so sweet. I just loved them. They say opposites attract and these two are so different it's funny. A mechanic with drifting tendencies and a baker. One with tattoos and one who wants to sit and read and relax. But the chemistry between them was a slow burn. They enjoyed the intimacy and becoming friends. Enjoyed the build up and what all that entailed. So I understood how miserable they were when it was time to go back to real life. What they built felt ripped from them when the cruise was over and it felt miserable. When they got together again, it doesn't mean it was easy. It's give and take and compromise. But if it's worth having, it's worth the work. And they thought it was worth it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Silas was just going to basically enjoy reading by the pool relaxing and seeing the sights when they ported. What he didn't expect was the tattooed man who accidentally bumped into his chair and asked to sit beside him. Silas couldn't help but scowl at first at being interrupted, but Ben quickly had him smiling and laughing. They decided to be each other's decoy boyfriend to keep the mean at bay and just relax and enjoy their time. But what neither expected, is that they really enjoyed each other's company. And the more they spend together, they feel like it's becoming a lot more than just friends. But the week is almost over and they don't want to part. In fact, the last day tears are shed. But they both had lives to go back to. But they were miserable. Jackson made a sneaky move and had his grandmother getting the story out of Ben and then they surprised him with Silas showing up. It was a magical weekend. But when it came time to leave again, they were determined to find a way to stay together. But can a drifter settle down and make a life or will he want to run when things get too close?
These two were so sweet. I just loved them. They say opposites attract and these two are so different it's funny. A mechanic with drifting tendencies and a baker. One with tattoos and one who wants to sit and read and relax. But the chemistry between them was a slow burn. They enjoyed the intimacy and becoming friends. Enjoyed the build up and what all that entailed. So I understood how miserable they were when it was time to go back to real life. What they built felt ripped from them when the cruise was over and it felt miserable. When they got together again, it doesn't mean it was easy. It's give and take and compromise. But if it's worth having, it's worth the work. And they thought it was worth it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
June 5, 2024
old post reposted
Okay, yes, another deviation from my TBR piles, but in all fairness, this series (Cruises) is linked to the Valentine's Inc series (a lot of the same authors were invited to contribute, the whole cupid company idea is the same, and a lot of the side characters in the original series are now main characters in this one) and each book has a cute ship-themed title. The ninth book in this series is titled "Ship Off," and it's by Michelle Frost.
["Ben
Free spirit. Nomad. Drifter. Those are the labels my family always threw at me. I’ve been on my own and on the road—nothing but me and my motorcycle—for a long time now and that’s the way I like it. When an old friend badgers me into going on a singles cruise, I moan and groan through the whole thing until I find myself in the middle of perfect blue water, getting to know the most beautiful—and uptight man—I’ve ever met.
Silas
My twin sister, Simone, is pure evil. Why else would she force a mandatory vacation from our co-owned bakery on me? While I don’t agree that I’m too high-strung, I will admit that my anxiety does sometimes get the best of me. But a singles cruise? I don’t want or have time for a relationship despite what she might think. I give in and go on the cruise, not expecting anything except plenty of sunshine and all the cocktails my drink package will allow, when the perfect stranger settles into the seat next to me and takes my breath away. The only problem? We couldn’t be more opposite if we tried."]
Short and sweet. There wasn't really much of a fight when they realized they chemistry and the attraction between them was real and mutual. It was beautiful. They were a bit opposite, but they still matched pretty damn well.
#shipoff #michellefrost
#shipwork #shippingorders #shiphappens #battleship #luckoftheship #shippingthecaptain #abandoningship #shippingourloves #upshipcreek #cruises #cruisesinc #valentinesinccruises #valentinesinccruisesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Okay, yes, another deviation from my TBR piles, but in all fairness, this series (Cruises) is linked to the Valentine's Inc series (a lot of the same authors were invited to contribute, the whole cupid company idea is the same, and a lot of the side characters in the original series are now main characters in this one) and each book has a cute ship-themed title. The ninth book in this series is titled "Ship Off," and it's by Michelle Frost.
["Ben
Free spirit. Nomad. Drifter. Those are the labels my family always threw at me. I’ve been on my own and on the road—nothing but me and my motorcycle—for a long time now and that’s the way I like it. When an old friend badgers me into going on a singles cruise, I moan and groan through the whole thing until I find myself in the middle of perfect blue water, getting to know the most beautiful—and uptight man—I’ve ever met.
Silas
My twin sister, Simone, is pure evil. Why else would she force a mandatory vacation from our co-owned bakery on me? While I don’t agree that I’m too high-strung, I will admit that my anxiety does sometimes get the best of me. But a singles cruise? I don’t want or have time for a relationship despite what she might think. I give in and go on the cruise, not expecting anything except plenty of sunshine and all the cocktails my drink package will allow, when the perfect stranger settles into the seat next to me and takes my breath away. The only problem? We couldn’t be more opposite if we tried."]
Short and sweet. There wasn't really much of a fight when they realized they chemistry and the attraction between them was real and mutual. It was beautiful. They were a bit opposite, but they still matched pretty damn well.
#shipoff #michellefrost
#shipwork #shippingorders #shiphappens #battleship #luckoftheship #shippingthecaptain #abandoningship #shippingourloves #upshipcreek #cruises #cruisesinc #valentinesinccruises #valentinesinccruisesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
September 28, 2022
Oh my yes!!
This was a great read. I started reading and could not put it down. Silas and Ben were perfect in my book from their first hello. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to meet and instantly hit it off like they did. With each chapter I loved the build up of their romance and I wasn’t left waiting to find out how they would end up together but it wasn’t too rushed nor drawn out. Initially I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a cruise ship romance but this was perfect. I cannot wait for the next book to read about Jackson and West; their already a match made in heaven for me!!!
This was a great read. I started reading and could not put it down. Silas and Ben were perfect in my book from their first hello. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to meet and instantly hit it off like they did. With each chapter I loved the build up of their romance and I wasn’t left waiting to find out how they would end up together but it wasn’t too rushed nor drawn out. Initially I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a cruise ship romance but this was perfect. I cannot wait for the next book to read about Jackson and West; their already a match made in heaven for me!!!
November 10, 2020
A sweet, sexy romance
Ben and Silas compliment each other well and have wonderful chemistry. Fake boyfriends is a fun trope that works best with the right duo. Luckily, Ben and Si are that duo.
Michelle Frost has written a flirty, hot, adorable love story between two men who could not be more perfect for each other.
Ben and Silas compliment each other well and have wonderful chemistry. Fake boyfriends is a fun trope that works best with the right duo. Luckily, Ben and Si are that duo.
Michelle Frost has written a flirty, hot, adorable love story between two men who could not be more perfect for each other.
March 15, 2022
Good but typos!
Ship Off is ok but I couldn't help but be distracted by the typos!!! (To be fair there weren't as many as in some books I've read but it was still distracting.) The characters were great but there was something missing for me. It's definitely worth a read though.
Ship Off is ok but I couldn't help but be distracted by the typos!!! (To be fair there weren't as many as in some books I've read but it was still distracting.) The characters were great but there was something missing for me. It's definitely worth a read though.
March 20, 2025
Who would've figured you'd meet the ONE on a cruise!
I guess it could happen only if you put yourself out there. Try it! You may like it and find someone, thanks to a sister and an ex. THANK YOU, MICHELLE! ENJOY!
I guess it could happen only if you put yourself out there. Try it! You may like it and find someone, thanks to a sister and an ex. THANK YOU, MICHELLE! ENJOY!
May 30, 2020
4/5
Fun short read for a feel good romance. Well-written and fun characters. It was good to see familiar character faces.
Available on KU
Fun short read for a feel good romance. Well-written and fun characters. It was good to see familiar character faces.
Available on KU
August 6, 2020
So kann man auch auf wenig Seiten eine wirklich nette Geschichte erzählen.
May 27, 2022
WOW!! So Good!!
Well written story and well developed characters! I was so engrossed that I didn't want to put this book down and so I didn't! I read it in just a few hours!
Well written story and well developed characters! I was so engrossed that I didn't want to put this book down and so I didn't! I read it in just a few hours!
August 31, 2022
Good Novella
March 18, 2023
3.5 stars - a sweet love story about two 40-ish men not looking for a relationship.
February 22, 2024
Ship Off
Awww what a sweet and amazing story. I was laughing and tearing up and I just loved these guys so much. Ben and Silas were fun and happy. I loved it!!!
Awww what a sweet and amazing story. I was laughing and tearing up and I just loved these guys so much. Ben and Silas were fun and happy. I loved it!!!
September 20, 2025
I adored ittttttt
January 20, 2021
I loved Michelle's Open Wounds series and she quickly becomes a favorite and must read author but, maybe because of the premise, this one was a bit too slow to keep me interested, so instead of finishing it in one sitting I had it sitting for days and days before I went back to it.
After the 7th chapter the story did pick up and I did read it in one go but still it was just a pleasant read.
After the 7th chapter the story did pick up and I did read it in one go but still it was just a pleasant read.
October 12, 2019
3,5*
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like
‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd,
‘Save the kids' series from EM Leya,
‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or
'Liberty' from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books and
Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times a year (most romances where you can
enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader,
maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok). It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like
‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd,
‘Save the kids' series from EM Leya,
‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or
'Liberty' from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books and
Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times a year (most romances where you can
enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader,
maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok). It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
Read
June 2, 2024reread 6/1/2024 don’t ask me why i read it again. I guess I was in the mood for Michelle Frost. I really wish they’d write a few more contemporary MM romance. I don’t mind the paranormal, but I was introduced to this author through contemporary and enjoyed those much more.
————————————————————————————————————————-
First finished book of the year. I really liked the nod to MM romance readers with the quote from their own paranormal romance Under a Full Moon.
————————————————————————————————————————-
First finished book of the year. I really liked the nod to MM romance readers with the quote from their own paranormal romance Under a Full Moon.
September 14, 2019
Cutesy crusing MM Romance
4 stars!
This is the best Valentine's Inc. Cruises story yet! It is loosely connected to Michelle Frost's Valentine's Inc. short- Kiss Off so I recommend reading that one first.
Here we have a couple of older guys forced onto a singles cruise by their loved ones. They ban together to avoid the dating scene and then poof...LOVE! Well it wasn't that easy but you get the gist! I loved this couple. Their relationship felt organic and the ending was absolutely perfect.
Can't wait for more awesome stories by this author!
4 stars!
This is the best Valentine's Inc. Cruises story yet! It is loosely connected to Michelle Frost's Valentine's Inc. short- Kiss Off so I recommend reading that one first.
Here we have a couple of older guys forced onto a singles cruise by their loved ones. They ban together to avoid the dating scene and then poof...LOVE! Well it wasn't that easy but you get the gist! I loved this couple. Their relationship felt organic and the ending was absolutely perfect.
Can't wait for more awesome stories by this author!
September 9, 2019
Short & Sweet
The Valentine’s Inc Cruises books are, mostly, shorter than my usual preference but I’ve had so much fun reading them. Ship Off is no exception, with two lovely sweet main characters, a few in the background that we see but don’t get too much info about (because Michelle Frost is a good short/novella writer and doesn’t rush the story by trying to do too much around it), and a sweet HEA. Fab.
The Valentine’s Inc Cruises books are, mostly, shorter than my usual preference but I’ve had so much fun reading them. Ship Off is no exception, with two lovely sweet main characters, a few in the background that we see but don’t get too much info about (because Michelle Frost is a good short/novella writer and doesn’t rush the story by trying to do too much around it), and a sweet HEA. Fab.
September 19, 2019
Valentines inc 9
Welcome on board another Valentines Inc cruise ship, this time a friend/fake relationship turns real for these two who have to make sacrifices to make it work off ship and in real life
Welcome on board another Valentines Inc cruise ship, this time a friend/fake relationship turns real for these two who have to make sacrifices to make it work off ship and in real life
September 9, 2019
Loved it
These two were just so effortlessly sweet and perfect together. I adored them. A smidge of angst, a whole lot of sweet, some steamy scenes. I definitely reccomend.
These two were just so effortlessly sweet and perfect together. I adored them. A smidge of angst, a whole lot of sweet, some steamy scenes. I definitely reccomend.
September 10, 2019
Really well done for a short story!
A few times the weong name was used (fi chapter 3- it’s from Ben’s POV and instead of the name Silas, the name Ben is used.
A few times the weong name was used (fi chapter 3- it’s from Ben’s POV and instead of the name Silas, the name Ben is used.
September 10, 2019
This short-story is really sweet and loved it. A nice, sweet story of falling in love and finding a way to be happy together with difference in how to life :)
October 5, 2019
So cute
Silas and Ben's story was cute. I liked they had the same ideas about each other and their relationship. They were good for each other.
Silas and Ben's story was cute. I liked they had the same ideas about each other and their relationship. They were good for each other.
October 13, 2019
Cute and quick
These guys are just cute. Ben and Si have that instalove that just makes you happy to read it. I really enjoyed it.
These guys are just cute. Ben and Si have that instalove that just makes you happy to read it. I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews