Really enjoyed this book but wasn’t on my favourites of the year. The romance was great and I really loved the characters but I felt the reason they stayed together maybe wasn’t the best and somewhat disappointed me. Overall enjoyed it.

I really loved this! It had the perfect formula for a cosy and heart-felt romance journey, with
such a lovely setting and cast of characters. There were so many elements to this that made
me love it even more - the main relationship and how they are complete opposites, the
family dynamics, the small town and the overall themes of finding yourself and rediscovering
what you are passionate about.

We follow social media influencer Mel, as she finds herself in the charming small town of
Cora’s Cove in Nova Scotia, following a mix up with a spa retreat she was meant to be sent
to. Mel arrives at the seemingly lost and run down Whaler Inn, run by cousins Evan and
Lucy. Initially deterred by each other’s contrasting personalities, Evan and Mel learn to live
together as she becomes a guest at the inn, and they soon find they have more in common
than they think and begin to embark on a cute, yet whirlwind, fake dating adventure.

I loved that this book brought in so many different aspects of the character’s lives to add
reality and depth to their situations. It helped build the tension at certain moments and also
further the emotional moments between characters.

Overall, I felt completely transported to this Canadian fishing village and really enjoyed
reading the city girl vs country boy storyline unfold.

This was a heartwarming, cheesy, and fun read which really took me by surprise. I wasn’t a huge fan of Set on You by Amy Lea, so I hadn’t yet got round to reading Exes and O’s, but thought I’d give this one a shot and I’m so glad I did! I totally fell for both main characters - despite it taking me a little time to warm up to Mel I ended up finding I really related to some of the things she struggled with and she handled things in what felt like a mature way (I’m so bored of childish disagreements in romance books lmao)! Also, something about Evan just clicked for me, he felt much better developed than the male MC in Set on You which was my main issue with that book, and he was just perfect book boyfriend material IMO. The plot was a bit corny and unrealistic at times but this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW
cw: grief, anxiety, mention of depression, abandonment issues, adoption, mention of death
When a booking error causes fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen to end up in a small town in Nova Scotia, she immediately butts heads with grumpy fisherman Evan Whaler. When Evan takes her out on his boat, disaster strikes, and Mel pretends to be his fiancée, the lies begin to spiral, but soon neither is sure what they were ever lying about.
I have loved this series by Amy Lea, and although this one took a little longer to really get into, I absolutely loved Mel and Evan together. One of my favourite book boyfriend types is the big, seemingly-grumpy-but-actually-cinnamon-roll man. Evan is exactly that, and I really loved the little ways he showed how much he cared about Mel and his family. I also loved how open he was with his emotions. I empathised with Mel and her backstory, and I really loved the development of their dynamic, from snarky to sweet (and especially the star-rating banter).
There were lots of great supporting characters to enjoy, from catching up with Tara, Crystal, and their significant others, to new additions like the Whaler family, and Mel's brother. I adored Lucy immediately and loved Nana Whaler. And I cackled at Ian, Mel's lovesick neighbour.
I'm not a fan of third-act break-ups, but it made sense, and I really loved the resolution. And the epilogue was adorable.
Another wonderful addition to the series.

Overall Rating: ❤❤❤❤.5
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥
Emotional Rating: 😂🙈💔🙈😬😂💔😂😏😂💓😍🙈😂😏💓😬🙈😊🙈💓😏🥰😍💔😏😍😂💓🥰💓😂💓😊💓😍😊😍💓🥰😢💔💓🥰💓😢💓😍🥰😍💓😂💓🙈💓🥰😍💓😢💔💓👏🏻💓👏🏻😂💓🙈💓👏🏻😊💓🥰


*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review. The Catch is published on 13th February 2024 in the UK*

Favourite Quotes:

“You’re never alone in this world while I’m in it, Mel.”

"I like you exactly how you are..."

He’s compromising for me in the small ways he can. And I guess he has since I arrived.

"If I choose him, I lose you,” I say, voice shaky.
He reaches to take my hand. “You won’t lose me, Mel. I’ll be here. Whenever you need.”

"Jack brought you to me. To all of us. And I’d be a fool not to follow you wherever you go.”

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

I read Exes and O's when it was released and it was one of my favourite contemporary romances this year.
So I jumped at the chance to be able to read this book.
Such cosy, happy and lovely reads. I adore the grumpy x sunshine trope and Amy Lea does it so well!
Now I need to read Set on You asap!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The final instalment of the The Influencer Series, three interconnected standalone novels following three friends as they each fall in love.

What to look forward to in The Catch:
Fake dating/engagement
'Enemies' to lovers
Small town
Grumpy x sunshine

Melanie Karlsen is a fashion/lifestyle influencer looking to expand her content in a last ditch effort to stay relevant online. After a brand trip mix-up, Mel finds herself in a rural village in Canada with only one Airbnb to stay in. Reluctantly, the owner agrees for her to stay even though the Inn is under renovations.

Enter Evan, burly fisherman who is the epitome of 'grumpy' in our grumpy x sunshine. A boating accident lands Evan in the hospital, and Mel wakes at his bedside to find his whole family believing she is his fiancée. This is a family that has been divided for years, and news of this surprise engagement seems to be bringing them together. Mel agrees to keep up the ruse for on week, but soon finds herself wondering if she could really leave this small town, and a certain fisherman, behind.

This was fun! I really liked the premise, and the setting was a nice change from the previous two books in the series. I did struggle to warm to Mel a little, but I enjoyed hers and Evan's interactions and watching their fake relationship develop. I liked how Mel was looking to make the most out of the mix-up with her trip and offered to help Evan and his cousin with content for the Inn if they helped her get some outdoorsy content for her account.

I did feel there were a few gaps in the plot for this one, some things not quite feeling finished or rushed through. Overall, this is still a really fun read and I would definitely recommend it.

I've really enjoyed this series. All of them have been quick, easy reads that I've read in one sitting. If you haven't already read Set on You or Exes and O's , I would definitely give those a read before The Catch releases early next year.

The Catch releases February 15th 2024. Thank you again NetGalley and Penguin for the arc.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

I like a good fake dating story and this one provided its own unique take. Fake fiancés to end a family feud is a new trope for me and the author paced the fake dating to falling in love out perfectly. I was a huge fan of all the Canadian characters in this book, and it didn’t feel to forcefully Canadian.

This book made me realise how dislikeable the female main characters of the first two books in the series are.

I wish Melanie’s influencer career was a more prominent plot point, as apart from a few photoshoots, it felt like an afterthought. I wish there was some fallout from her extending her stay at the inn and cancelling her influencer trip to a resort.

This is by far the best book in this series and I look forward to seeing Amy Lea’s future work as her writing is getting better with each book!

I've read most of Amy Lea's books now and can for sure say she's become and autobuy author.

I liked the concept of these books being in an influencer series and liked that some of the characters overlapped and it was nice hearing little snippets from them crop up in this book. If you love the fake dating/forced proximity tropes this book is for you! I loved the small town and family vibes of this book too, I found it to be a nice easy comforting read and Evans family were great side characters. Also, Evan himself..😍 I'd say this book was probably the spicer one of the 3 in the influencer series but it wasn't too much so it felt well balanced.

I Love Amy Lea and I am so sad this series is ending. This was such a fun book and I just adored every second off it. Mel has been stranded in a small town after a problem with her booking and finds herself at a house with a grumpy hot fisherman.
When something happens and people think Mel is his fiance they have to work together to help the family get back together, get the house up to the way it once was and not get any feelings involved.

I just love Mel and Evan. The chemistry, the connection was just everything. They butt heads but they can't deny the attraction between them.

Amy is a fantastic writer and I just adored this story so much. Probably my favourite of the 3 and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Mel is a bit of a high maintenance standoffish heroine as the book opens and it takes a while to get to know her and like her. Once I was in though, I was in! A fabulously disfunctional and made family on one side, and a sad lonely one on the other makes this a great read. Evan and Mel are a lovely couple and I couldn’t help but root for them.

The Catch is the final instalment in the influencer series. The first two being “Set on You” and “Exes and O’s”

A boating incident lands fisherman Evan in the hospital where Mel is mistaken for his fiancee. In exchange for Evan's help with her social media content, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for one week.

Another fabulous easy to read romance 📚

This wasn't quite the same vibe as the others in the series, but it was still sweet. Excited to read more from her!

I somehow didn’t realise Amy Lea’s books were somehow connected but here I am, having read my first book of hers and you can be sure I went back to read her previous two published books. I adored Mel and Evan and seeing their relationship bloom. Also, who doesn’t love a bit of grumpy sunshine?

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review. This was my favourite book of this series, I really related to Melanie and and I loved the romance between her and Evan. Some really cute moments, funny banter and really a really easy story to get into. Super readable and could have easily read it one sitting

Amy Lea is back with the last book in her Influencer series, The Catch. Melanie is a fashion influencer, a city girl through and through. In a last ditch attempt to rescue her brand, she finds herself stuck in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada in a run down hotel that is very much a work in progress run by a grumpy fisherman named Evan.

After a boating incident lands Evan in hospital, Melanie is mistaken for his fiancée by his quirky family. Mel agrees to fake her engagement to Evan for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content. But when both develop feelings for each other, is Mel willing to give up her life in the city for a change at love in the wild?

Who doesn’t love a funny romance story with a six foot four burly blonde fisherman who looks like he could fit perfectly in with the Deadliest Catch franchise?
Lea’s ability to write sassy and sarcastic female characters shines through once again. The banter and chemistry between Mel and Evan is perfection, the level of spice is just the right amount.

The Catch is a fun romantic comedy with some side characters who almost steal the show from Mel and Evan (looking at you Nana!). It features some of my favourite tropes, enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity and grumpy vs sunshine. There are some big topics tackled in this book too – Mel is trying to figure out who she is and Evan is struggling to keep his family together.

You will fly through this book in one sitting so make sure to preorder your copy now. The Catch will be available to buy from February 15th 2024. It’s sure to be another massive hit for Amy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Like the other two in this series, this is an easy to read romance. I loved the chemistry that built between Mel and Evan. The relationships between members of Evan’s family which you seen evolve over the course of the book. The small town vibes.

And the catch up of Crystal and Tara’s lives at the end. I love it when you get glimpses into the lives of previous leads in the series 🥰

Recommend checking out this series. Amy Lea is is definitely one of my auto read authors 📚

4.5 ⭐️

The Catch is the third book in The Influencer series and as a huge fan of the previous two, I lost my s**t when I received an email giving me access to an early ARC of this book. And it is quite early, because there was six months to the release when I received my advanced copy. Oh, the excitment!

I tried making myself wait to read it closer to the release date but I couldn't. Not when the book was just chilling in my kindle, so here we come with the review!

The Catch follows the last influencer in our favorite girlie trio of badass women. In this book we follow Melanie, looking to refresh and rebirth her brand as the social media trends of pretty people change constantly. She receives a full pre-paid holiday from a hotel line and decides that its the perfect chance of giving life again to her brand.
So, she goes to the hotel, flies miles and miles away to Halifax, when the hotel lets her know that they mixed up the check in days and she has one more week before her holiday starts. She can't afford to go back with another flight and then return *again* so she finds out a beautiful B&B an chaos ensues.

B&B isn't actually open? Check!
The owner is hot and grumpy flannel wearer? Check.

What follows is a beautiful and giddy experience of nature, named spiders in showers, humor, some boat accidents or two, small town shenanigans and, of course, fake dating!
Evan is also a fisherman. A very hot fisherman with amazing knowledge of the female reproductive system.

If i got a nickel for every time I fell for a hot grumpy fisherman from a small town book, I'd get two nickles, which isn't much, but it's fun that it happened twice!

Ah, this book was amazing. I loved the family banter, the backstories of the Whalers, of Mel and of the inn. I loved how nature was used delicately to further thing along, the spice was incredible and the third-act breakup was resolved healthily and quickly enough that I can ignore it. Would've loved more cameos of our favorite babies from book 1 and 2, but this book was still a good send-off to this series.!

Thanks to Penguin Random House UK and Amy Lea with providing me with this glorious ARC of a book!

This book is solid! It's sweet and funny, entertaining and a hot contemporary romantic comedy. I loved how author combined both romance and humor in an engaging and fun story. Moreover, the chapters were charming enough to have me falling and rooting for them!

I absolutely ADORED this book! I am a huge fan of the influencer series by Amy Lea, but this instalment was my favourite.

Fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen accepts a collab with a luxury resort on the east coast of Canada, but on her arrival she discovers the hotel has gotten the date wrong, so she finds herself stuck in a rural fishing village in an inn that's under renovation. The owner, a bearded, burly, flannel-wearing grump named Evan Whaler, makes Melanie feel less than welcome, but with no other options in the area, she has to endure the bad energy.

When a boating accident lands Evan unconscious in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée by the medical staff, and the charade continues when Evan's quirky family arrive on the scene. In an attempt to mend their family feud and keep the inn in the family, Melanie agrees to fake their engagement for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content.

I loved these characters! Lea has a knack for writing real, flawed and engaging leads, with plenty of chemistry and banter between them. Every trope I love is in here: grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, fake dating, AND city girl meets small-town! I couldn't get enough of the story and absolutely inhaled it. If you liked the film The Proposal, you'll love this!

A fun romantic book with all the classic will they, won't they elements. There are some surprises along the way but thoroughly enjoyed this and how easy it was to engage with the characters.