REVIEW: Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

In Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson, Micah has been out of the spotlight long enough now to start gaining some perspective on what role she played in the demise of her band. They may have been considered one-hit wonders, but she remembers the blood, sweat, and tears they all put into the two albums they released. Micah certainly hasn’t been pining away for a reunion. So, when the idea was thrown at her, she gave a resounding NO. But the chance to see her former childhood best friend John–and the possibility of making amends with everyone–is enough to get her to listen to the offer. A nostalgia cruise featuring the supernatural TV show characters who turned her band’s ballad into a hit should feel tacky. But somehow Micah agrees, knowing this might be her only chance for a reunion. If they can all get along while sequestered on a cruise ship.

‘She just had to figure out how to get through the next four days without wanting to throw herself–or Ryder–off the ship.’

John has never really left the music world in the thirteen years since his band broke up. He mostly plays in cover bands and fills in for fellow rhythm guitarists, but he still remembers the thrill of playing to huge crowds across the world. The chance to see his former bandmates again is tempting. This might be the only time they will all be in one place. But John also remembers the terrible end to their group. The hard feelings and break down of relationships. Specifically, his friendship with Micah. She was one hell of a lead singer and the closest, dearest friend he’d ever had–his safe place during his tough childhood. There was a day when John dreamed of more between them. So, when they go forward with their cruise, standing on the same stage together once again, he feels the spark in his heart that maybe they can rekindle at least their friendship, if not maybe something even more.

‘He’d taken all of this for granted, after a while. The crowd, the music, the people on the stage, *her*. He’d forgotten how special it all was.’

What could possibly go wrong with a band reuniting for a nostalgia cruise after thirteen years apart? A lot, actually. NEVER BEEN SHIPPED had all the rock star dreams, drama, and bad blood you’d expect but it also had a sweet friends to lovers romance along with an entertaining diverse cast.

‘That was the thing about music. Sometimes it could speak in a way that words couldn’t.’

CW: View Spoiler »Alcoholism (historical), physical & verbal child abuse (historical) « Hide Spoiler

NEVER BEEN SHIPPED was a fun and unique spin on a rock star romance. Alicia Thompson bought back together a former one-hit wonder band who broke up nearly fifteen years ago. There was still some animosity, at least with some of the band members. But it was the long-time friendship between lead singer Micah and rhythm guitarist John that hurt the worst when it fell apart. Now older and wiser, the duo came face to face with each other again. And it not only brought up their tangled past, but it was also at a time in their lives when they were both out of sorts, needing to push forward somehow.

I will note that if you’ve read Thompson’s book, With Love, from Cold World, then you’ve “met” John already. He was Asa’s roommate, and it was hinted that he was part of a one-hit wonder band. Getting to learn more about him, the band itself, his time with close friend Micah, and his horrible childhood really made me appreciate John and Asa’s easy friendship even more. The found family he had with Asa and their other roommates was so important to him. It grounded him and allowed John to pursue his music on his own terms. But when it came time to reunite the band, the music itself was never really in question. It was all the egos and hard feelings between certain people that caused friction.

Micah was a bit tougher for me to understand and to cheer on. She was the queen of self-sabotage who tended to act first, think later. And she was also the one who played a big part in breaking up the band with little to no explanation–and never following up with them to settle things. But Micah grew on me over time. And I did think she was very much a good fit with John, her childhood friend. There was some definite steam between them (he was a surprisingly fabulous dirty talker), although it was their camaraderie that warmed my heart and that paved the way for John and Micah to reconcile completely.

QOTD: Would you ever go (or have you ever been) on a “nostalgia rock” cruise to see specific band(s)?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: June 10th, 2025 | Berkley |

A band reunion may be enough to change two musicians’ tune on love in this electric romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

Micah’s relationship to music is complicated. As teenagers, her band took off after being featured on a popular TV show, but the group barely released their sophomore album before breaking up. Now, over a decade later, the band is reuniting for one more performance on a themed cruise, and Micah is determined to learn from her past mistakes — no losing herself in the music, and no losing her heart along the way.

John misses playing in a band, and mostly he misses Micah, who’d been his best friend until the music stopped. Back then, he didn’t take the lead, either in his guitar parts or while he sat back and watched her date another bandmate. John’s never been one to rock the boat, but he’s faced with another chance now that this cruise has brought music — and Micah — back in his life.

Onboard, Micah can’t help but see John with brand new eyes, and John’s feelings only intensify as the discordant band’s tension grows to a breaking point. With five days at sea, there’s a ticking clock on anything that might develop between them, and they’ll have to decide if their relationship is destined to be more than a one-hit wonder.