The Shippers Release Celebration With Katherine Center

Schedule

Fri May 29 2026 at 07:00 pm to 10:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

The First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist | Cambridge, MA

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Aboard a cruise ship for a destination wedding you'll encounter old crushes, bad timing, and plans that don’t go quite as expected.
About this Event

We’re thrilled to welcome back Katherine Center, New York Times bestselling author and reigning queen of comfort rom-coms!

Join us as we celebrate the release of , your next favorite summer romance. Shipboard antics abound in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers story featuring fake flirting, slow dancing, duet singing, and all the delicious tension you love. When you rope your best friend into helping you woo someone else… what could possibly go wrong?

Hear Katherin share insight about the writing process behind the new release, and the magic behind crafting her signature sweet, swoony, joy-filled love stories.

Tickets include a pre-signed DELUXE EDITION of The Shippers with a gorgeous hardcover featuring beautiful sky-blue sprayed edges.

After the discussion, you’ll have the chance to meet Katherine, say hello, and snap a photo!

Please note: This event will be held at our Harvard Square neighbor, The First Parish so that even more of you can enjoy the celebration.

Hop on board, we’re setting off on a night of celebration! We can’t wait to see you there.

EVENT DETAILS

  • 6:30 PM: Doors Open – Settle in, grab your pre-signed book, and get ready for a great discussion!
  • 7:00 PM: Discussion Begins Katherine Center will dive into THE SHIPPERS
  • 7:45 PM: Q&A Session – Your chance to ask the author anything!
  • 8:00 PM: Snapping Pics, and Salutations – Meet the author and snap a photo.
  • 10:30 PM: Event Wraps Up – Thanks for joining us!

Tickets are limited, so grab yours soon! If the event sells out, you can join the Eventbrite waitlist by selecting “Reserve a spot” followed by “Join Waitlist”. Should any spots open up, you’ll have 24 hours to register before we offer it to the next person.


ACCESSIBILITY

Guests who would benefit from priority seating or any additional assistance are encouraged to reach out in advance — just email us at [email protected]. We're more than happy to make arrangements to ensure you feel comfortable and supported.

We’re always learning and looking for ways to make our events more accessible. If you have suggestions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you!


BOOK PICKUP POLICY

If you purchased a book with your event ticket but can’t make it to the event—and don’t request a refund—we’ll happily hold your book for pickup for up to 30 days after the event date.

We’ll be in touch via the email you provided at checkout to help coordinate pickup. After 30 days, if we haven’t heard from you or made other arrangements, we’ll consider the book abandoned property and may donate it or return it to inventory so it can find a new home.

Thanks so much for your understanding and for supporting our events—we love doing this with you!



Event Photos

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine Center is the New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels. She writes deep, nuanced, laugh-and-cry rom-coms that brim with hope and healing. Her books have made countless best-of lists, including Amazon’s Top 100 Books of the Year, Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of the Year, the Indie Next Great Reads List, Goodreads’ Best Books of the Year, Library Reads Hall of Fame, People Magazine's Best New Books, and more. Two of her novels have become global Top Ten movies on Netflix, and a third is in production right now. Her spring 2026 book is The Shippers. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.


ABOUT THE SHIPPERS

When Josephine Clark faints at the altar at the moment she's about to get married, the wedding is naturally called off. JoJo comes to the stark realization that she is making a huge mistake and this decision is backed up by the sudden appearance of her estranged childhood friend, Cooper Watts.

Cooper had been boycotting her wedding, but now he rescues her from the disapproving eyes of everyone at the venue. But she and Cooper haven't spoken in years and he's been living a life away in London. JoJo has been hurt by his mysterious disappearance, but now, he is her savior, much as he always was during the years of their childhood. But there is no time for Jo to lick her wounds over her abandoned wedding: her own sister is planning a destination wedding--on a cruise ship no less--and the entire old neighborhood is invited, including Cooper.

Her sister is determined to find a romantic match for Jo, on this ship-full of eligible (and not so eligible) men. But is the man she has her eyes on really the one she should be with? And what mysteries is Cooper hiding, to explain his four year absence? Has true love been in front of her this whole time? Or will stormy seas and misunderstandings capsize her chance at happiness? No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center and THE SHIPPERS will set readers on a course for true love and delicious escape.



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Our bookstore is home to open seven days a week!

Start your day with expertly crafted espresso drinks, artisanal pastries, and more. In the evening, the bar comes alive with wine, cocktails, sweet treats, charcuterie plates, and more. Enjoy seating indoors or on our covered patio.

To stay in the loop, visit the e and look for events listed under “George Howell Coffee & Wine Bar” at our Lovestruck Books & Cafe location!


Cafe Hours | 8:00am – 4:00pm

Bar Hours | Sunday – Wednesday: 4:00pm– 8:00pm, Thursday – Friday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm



PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

Your presence at the Lovestruck Books & Cafe event acknowledges that you have been informed of the potential to be documented as part of a video or photo release, and that you grant permission for your likeness to be included in publication of any footage.

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Where is it happening?

The First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist, 1446 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 39.19

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