Such a charming end to this series! I didn't feel like we really got to KNOW Mel in the previous books, but she was a fantastic character with great depth in this one, and Evan was the perfect companion for her. The city girl and country boy, grumpy-sunshine charm was on point and the warm family environment, plus continuing Crystal and Tara's stories, made for a great plot.

I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that this book looks a bit too much like Tessa Bailey's books, but it doesn't. It has the same vibes but not the same feel. Let me explain.

Off the bat, Melanie and Evan both knew that they didn't like each other. They weren't going to change their feelings, even though they both live together in a cozy cottage hotel. It wasn't going to change. I like that for them because they both knew that they were the total opposite of each other. There was no way for them to form a connection until recent events.

It's kind of laughable when you think about it. Out of nowhere, they became engaged to each other, aka fake dating to the extended families, when Evan trips over the boat and ends up in the hospital. In Melanie's mind, she needs to be there for him even though they don't like each other. So she told a big lie to the hospital staff about being his fiancé and to his family as well. It kind of works out because Evan needs help convincing the extended families not to sell the cozy cottage hotel.

You will think that this arrangement will work out perfectly for them. I will remind you that forced proximity is a thing for romance books, which means Melanie and Evans will spend more time together. And once they do, they soon realize that even though they are opposites, they have great chemistry.

Be warned; there aren't many spicy scenes in the book. Just a bit mild.

- Opposites Attract
- Small Town
- Fake Dating
- Fashion Influencer & a Lobster Fisherman
- Dislike to lovers
- Single POV

Melanie is a fashion influencer from Boston who takes a trip to Nova Scotia in an attempt to create more content for her dwindling social media account. But when she arrives to find out the resort has booked the wrong dates for her trip and now is sold out she scrambles to find a place to stay in the mean time. Enter Evan, the burly, grumpy lumbersnack who helps run a small town dilapidated airbnb.

I thought this story was relatively fast paced, had some great banter, and I loved the character development and the found family vibes. This is the third and final book of The Influencers series, but can be read as a complete standalone. I had not read the other books prior.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥.5

This is the 3rd book in the #theinfluencer series by Amy Lea.
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The Catch is set in Canada, Nova Scotia specifically. Mel is an influencer who is sent to Canada to feature a new resort on her social media platforms.
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After a booking disaster, she ends up at a bed and breakfast in desperate need of a renovation.
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🎣grumpy x sunshine
🎣opposites attract
🎣fake engagement
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This book has several funny moments, but also touches on difficult topics. I thought it was a good mix of funny and heartfelt.
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This book releases February 13th!
Thank you netgalley and Berkeley for the opportunity to read this book!
3.5 stars

This book was like While You Were Sleeping and The Proposal smashed together. Which wasn't a bad thing, but I feel like there were too many surface level characters and themes/tropes smashed together. I wasn't completely sold on the characters chemistry either. It seemed a bit forced in places. Overall, it was a cute enemies to lovers story that I recommend if you are a fan of that trope!

3.75⭑

Tropes;
- fake dating
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town romance
- single POV

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Amy Lea is so obviously a contemporary romance fan - her writing is fresh, her characters are relatable, and the spice is 👍🏻👍🏻

I saw this book comped as The Proposal meets While You Were Sleeping, which really fit. The whole book felt like a walk through a quiet coastal town.

I liked Melanie and I thought most of us can probably relate to her struggles with social media and image. She an Evan had a great opposites attract dynamic. Their friendship and banter kept me hooked (sorry, it was right there).

Fake dating always requires a bit of suspended belief in my opinion, but I love it regardless and I thought the motives here were pretty well intentioned and believable.

This ended up being a 4-star read for me, and now that Amy has finished her Influencer series I’m excited to see what stories she writes next!

3.5 stars - rounding up to four for the realistic and lovely conclusion.

Melanie, a lifestyle social media influencer finds herself stranded in a Canadian fishing town, at an inn with less-than-friendly proprietors and questionable conditions. However, the eternal optimist, Melanie decides to make the most of her stay and finds that the curmudgeonly owner Evan might not be quite so cranky after all.

The book is the third in Lea's Influencer series but stands up on its own merits. Her depictions of family dynamics and balancing privacy with closeness lead Evan and Melanie to fake an engagement and as the two spend more and more time together, they realize their feelings might not be so fake afterall.

I really enjoyed Melanie's character arc and growth in realizing that there might be more that makes her happy beyond her phone screen. Evan's grumpy protectiveness was swoon-worthy and the conclusion of the two opposites merging their lives was sweet and surprisingly realistic.

I received a copy of the book from Berkley, all opinions are my own.

In book 3 of The Influencer series, fashion and lifestyle influencer Melanie Karlsen heads to Canada for what is supposed to be a weeklong stay at a luxury resort and spa. When those plans for pampering plus content-making go awry, she finds herself at a bed-and-breakfast in a small fishing town. The condition of the bed-and-breakfast leaves much to be desired as does the company. Owner Evan Whaler does not want her there and has no qualms about unleashing his surliness upon her.

It’s the story of a city girl meeting a small town, a fake engagement, and family drama. It’s the tale of an influencer learning to strip off the filters and be real. Filled with grumpy-sunshine, While You Were Sleeping, and The Proposal vibes, half smiles and bared forearms, this one ultimately ended up being a delight for me, but I wasn’t hooked—see how I used a fishing pun there?—until around the 30% mark. I recommend sticking with it to see Melanie grow, Evan open up, and their love blossom.

I received an advance copy from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own

I am not usually a fan of InstaLove, but this book was really sweet!

This book concludes the Influencers series, but you can read it without having read the others (although you should!). I really liked that it dove a bit into themes of grief and loss as well as responsibility and feeling as though you have to be the caretaker. I took on that role for YEARS and the burden it leaves you with is hard to explain. Melanie lives this and surrounds herself with superficial things to not let anyone in. One week with the Whaler family, though, and she realizes just how much she's been holding herself back from.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I’m genuinely speechless (first time for everything) realizing we’ve come to the end of the Influencer series. Melanie, Tara, and Crystal have carved such a special place in my heart that I truly will miss their recurring presence in subsequent stories. And while I might be slightly bias as Exes and Os is my favorite in the series (I mean, it stars a Romance Bookstagrammer, come on!), Melanie’s tale really resonates with me. Her story is one of acceptance, trust, embracing the unknown, and challenging logical reasoning (no matter how sound it may be).

As a lifestyle influencer, Melanie Karlsen has worked to curate the perfect brand for her audience. The look, the luxury, the embodiment of perfection, she is the bar that others only wish they could reach. Yet, behind this well-crafted exterior lies a cost not everyone sees. To maintain this image, she distances herself from others, with the exception of controlled peeks she allows by close friends Tara and Crystal – and, of course, her brother Julian. Melanie has constructed barriers to protect the less confident person she conceals. And while this defense has served her well, it begins to fracture. After her split from Ronan and the subsequent loss of sponsorships, Melanie’s past fears threaten to resurface. Fear driven and running out of options, Melanie seizes an unexpected offer of a week-long, all-inclusive trip to a Nova Scotia resort for social media promotion. What seems like the perfect escape quickly turns into a nightmare when the arrival dates are misaligned, leaving Melanie stranded. Quick on her feet, Melanie finds a room at a bed and breakfast an hour out of town. Unfortunately, it is ran by Evan, a temperamental, yet intriguing innkeeper. Their initial clash, including a reservation refusal and an unwanted eight legged visitor, sets the stage for an unexpected adventure. Melanie’s determination to navigate this rough spot grows when she signs up for a whale-watching tour, captained by none other than Evan himself. Fate seems to have it in for her when an accident puts Evan in the hospital, propelling Melanie into a whirlwind of guilt and a desperate charade as his fiancée to circumvent hospital policy and keep him company until Lucy arrives. Her little controllable white lie goes up in smoke when Evan’s suddenly appears with questions. As the only other person that could save her, Lucy convinces her to keep up the lie so she can help end a family feud and save the inn. Melanie has no idea how she gets herself into these situations but understanding the importance of family (she would do anything for Julius), she is determined to do what she can – as long as her and Evan don’t kill each other first!

While troupes have a tendency to repeat themselves (if it’s not broke, don’t fix it), the characters manifested within these troupes are what make a world of difference. Amy does a brilliant job creating deep contrasts with Melanie’s and Evan’s backgrounds... Mel and Evan’s interaction, driven by their differences and a battle of wills, is the rocket fuel of this story, keeping readers guessing if they will ever find common ground. It was a creative twist to use the basis of the fake relationship for the collective benefit of reuniting a fragmented family and rescuing the inn versus selfish/personal needs. It adds a heartfelt spin to the troupe while allowing more angles to play out between the two characters.

As always, I love it when I am reading a series and get to check in with characters. We get an update on Crystal and Scott as well as Trevor and Tara.

The humor woven throughout the series remains as strong as ever, with Melanie and Evan’s lively exchanges and memorable moments.

As we have come to expect from Amy, where there is humor, there is heat. Masterfully balancing the lighthearted moments with the sensual tension between the characters, Amy adds just enough heat to spice up the narrative without overwhelming it.

While the close of the Influencer Series brings a sense of loss, the anticipation for Amy Lea’s future work is undeniably exciting. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll run into Melanie, Crystal, and Tara again somehow, much like Sophie Kinsella has revisited beloved characters. In either case, Amy definitely saved the best for last.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

The Catch is the third book in Amy Lea's influencer series. With this book, we wrap up the trilogy by focusing on Mel, a fashion and lifestyle influencer. She takes an opportunity to travel to Nova Scotia to stay at a resort for her week and get new content to shake up her social media. But everything goes wrong, the resort had the wrong dates, and the only AirBNB she can find to stay at is Evan's run-down family inn.

This is a set-up for a great enemies-to-lovers story. Their animosity is intense right from the start, with both disliking so much about each other and their lifestyles. As they start a fake engagement, they have hot chemistry and a constant fight for being the more dominant one in the relationship. I had no idea how this could conclude with a romance-style happily ever after.

I loved getting to know Evan's family and the whole Coral Cove community in Canada. There were great scenes of fishing, whale watching, waterfalls, and lighthouses. It may not be the lifestyle influencer aesthetic Mel prefers, but the scenery sounded amazing and exactly to my tastes.

Kelsey Navarro Foster narrated with absolutely phenomenal voices. I was especially impressed how well she voiced Evan's perspective and had to double check it was all just her.

The Catch can be read alone, especially since so much of it is while Mel is traveling. It didn't really feature her friends from the previous books as much as I would have liked, but it still provided a nice conclusion to the series.

Rounded up to 4 stars

Reel in this February release and mount it on your wall, because "The Catch" by Amy Lea gets five stars from this reader! Thank you to Berkley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Melanie, a Boston influencer, dives headfirst into a quirky Canadian fishing village to rescue her brand after a scheduling mix-up. A boat mishap with the rugged fisherman Evan sets the stage for a hilarious fake engagement, complete with family feuds and wild chemistry in the charming chaos of Cora's Cove.

Amy Lea's storytelling skillfully balances humor, family dynamics, and unexpected romance. Mel and Evan’s chemistry is hotter than a fresh order of poutine, and while their need to take charge may seem immature, their deep talks with one another show how the sexiest trait in a partner is communication. I won’t give away the ending, but it’s the most realistic conclusion I’ve read in a while! I also love how the East Coast backdrop adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a small-town romance.

If you're into romantic comedies that deliver laughs, swoon-worthy moments, and a dose of joy, this one's a winner. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley publishing for my complimentary eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Catch is the last in The Influencers series and I think it was the best one. I enjoyed the Canadian setting and all the shout outs to what makes Canada a truly wonderful country.
Timbits
Slow easy lifestyle
Poutin

While insta love is not my favorite troupe, the fake engagement and forced proximity helped pave the way for a truly enjoyable romance.


Perfect if you like:
Grumpy Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Fake Engagement

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Amy Lea for an advance copy of The Catch in exchange for an honest review. The Catch is the third installment in "The Influencer Series" but I believe it completely reads as a standalone, as I have not read the first two in the series. The Catch follows influencer Melanie as she travels to a small town on the coast in Canada to essentially get some new content for her social media sites. Mel ends up staying in an old inn and meets Evan. Evan is a fisherman and a boating accident ends up with him in the hospital. Mel pretends to be his fiancee in order to stay with him at the hospital. Low & behold, she doesnt realize that his entire immediate family would come to the hospital and believe that she is his fiancee. The two keeps up this facade and we see them navigate through many trials, tribulations, and a whole lot of "fun" throughout the story. The ending was absolutely **chefs kiss** and I cannot wait to read the other two books in this series. You can pick up The Catch on Feb 13th and it would be the perfect Valetines gift for the romance reader in your life.

The Catch by Amy Lea is book number three in her The Influencer series, and can stand alone. Melanie Karlsen has lived a hard life, and decided that she would never be in that place again. She has built an Instagram influencer page that pays well and takes care of her brother. She is now feeling she is not as relevant and has decided to visit the East Coast of Canada for a gig. Evan Wheeler runs the inn where Melanie ends up, but is not her biggest fan. But, after their families mistake them for being engaged things shift.

I enjoyed laughing along with Melanie and Evan as they navigated their relationship. Evan’s family was so funny and you could not help but love them. I enjoyed the small-town setting of the Canadian Fishing Village with the village festivals, townspeople, and local places.

The Catch is a great story with laugh out loud funny scenes, an interesting family, and good chemistry. I recommend The Catch by Amy Lea.
This is open door with mature themes.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

“I want to be your rock. The one at your side, always”

This book was pretty cute. I liked the story and the characters a lot and I remain firm at loving the fact that this series is about influencers and they mention every day things in it. I loved the body diversity but this is classic of this series.

It’s not my favorite of the series, I think there was something lacking a little. Maybe I needed some more chemistry between them. I get that he was captured from the beginning but the turn from “dislike” to love was so quick it gave me a bit of whiplash. It felt too instalovey for my taste and personal preference. The family showing up at the end was also kind of crazy because it’s just a little too unreal for me. Yes yes it’s a fictional book and fictional characters but it’s very unrealistic that 6 family members can just drop everything to travel to another country with the MMC to get her back. With that said, it also felt nice because one of the main tropes here is found family but still.

The pacing was good, I was entertained. I know this series won’t be for everyone but it’s worth living them a shot for sure. Book two remains my fav!

Mel, a fashion influencer from Boston winds up in a rural town in Canada and stays at the bed and breakfast of a surly fisherman named Evan. Evan takes Mel out whale watching, but while rescuing her from falling off the ship, he has an accident that sends him to the hospital. When Evan is unconscious, Mel tells the doctors that she's his fiancee, so that they let her stay with him. (It reminds me of While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock!) They decide to keep up the fake fiancee charade when they realize it might have a positive impact on the rift in Evan's family.

• I'm a sucker for fake dating!
• Cozy, friendly, rural town setting.
• Characters with some hefty family baggage. I do like it when romance novels explore this!
• The quirky family and their fued was okay... but the drama didn't quite pull me in the way I think it could have... I didn't really care too much about them, but it turned out to be a large part of the fake dating plot!
• I felt like Evan was a night and day different person from the grumpy, surly way he behaved at the beginning of the book to the lovey-dovey end of the book, and Mel didn't really have enough of a growth arc to me.
• Mel's online haters and her ex boyfriend criticize her for being fake. . .but unfortunately, I also felt like she wasn't a very authentic person and didn't love the influencer aspect. It felt as shallow in fiction as I think it often is in real life. I really like when i can connect with the heroine in a novel, bur other than our spider phobia...I couldn't relate to Mel at all, unfortunately.
• Overall, I just didn't connect with this one. The last book I read by this author was 5 stars for me, so the disconnect was a bit if a surprise!

The Proposal meets While You Were Sleeping

Need we really say any more? If you like both or either of those movies, you will enjoy The Catch

4⭐️
Read if you enjoy:
-fake dating
-small town romance
-grumpy sunshine
-stories with big families
-discussions on grief and mental health
-following influencers on social media
-outdoorsy vibes
-one POV

I loved the setting for this one and it makes me want to book a trip to Canada!! Although I didn’t connect with the main character a ton, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story! The romance was cute. I love an enemies to lover and grump sunshine trope. Fake dating usually isn’t my favorite, but I liked it mixed in with the other tropes. The falling in love was pretty quick, so if that’s not your thing, you may not love this one. This was my second book I’ve read by this author, and I look forward to reading more!