Member Reviews
First of all thankyou to the publishers reaching out to me I felt very privileged to be asked to review another of amy amazing fantastic books .
I can now say that Amy has done it agian she never disappoint me .
If I said to you small town romance, grumpy sunshine charaters , fake dating / engagement , city girl and country boy yep I was sold and boy I loved this book from the begining to end fun so much anf positivity , fun loving charaters , and full of witty jokes , oh wait yes just for you spice queens and kings there is a bit of that in here to .
As for the characters I loved the all for their own little quirks ,Lucy definitely one of my favourites, the main charaters Mel and Evan I adore both of them they both bring so much strength to the story .and I really enjoyed how you see them develop together as well as apart . If you have read the other two book you will know Mel from them and I'm so glad now she got her own story .
Amy writing it brilliant she really knows how to captivate a romcom lover like me .
This book will warm your heart , have you crying a little and having you wetting your self laughing .
I'm giving amy book a very catchimg delightful romance 5 stars
I am a sucker for a grumpy sunshine trope and this book is no exception! The tension between Melanie and Evan was great, and got me really invested in them finally getting together.
The only slight negative I could say about the book is that the whole thing takes place over a couple of weeks. This definitely isn’t a major problem and isn’t the most noticeable, however I much prefer more of a slow burn than Insta love!
However, there was some great character development/backstory and the side characters were also fab and really rounded the story out.
If you like grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers, fake dating/fiancé, opposites attract tropes this one is for you!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. 3.75 stars ⭐️
this is such a disappointing conclusion to the series. wow.
from the offset, i knew i wouldn’t love this book because this type of “enemies” to lovers never works for me. it’s lacklustre, petty and juvenile, holds no real girt or bite, so ultimately the chemistry doesn’t shine through only their bland childishness.
Mel and Evan felt surface level to me, like every other “enemies” to lovers that’s rooted in nothing substantial and two grown adults just act like small whining kids, instead. it was truly mind-numbing to read. im just so over contemporary enemies to lovers where they act in such an unsavoury manner, like why does a fisherman have beef with a random pretty woman he doesn’t know…
sorry no, please come up with a better plot. i truly cannot stand reading romances like this where the couple consists of two judgmental, irritating individuals who refuse to act their age.
Amy Lea has been a success for me with the previous two books, an auto-buy author, to be honest… but i physically could not read this. like it truly pained me to force my eyes to read the words and listen to Mel and Evan be whiny and annoying.
The Catch is a fun, witty and empowering new romance novel from Amy Lea.
When I first started this series, I started midway through with Exes and O’s and was immediately drawn to Amy Lea’s writing, so you can imagine how excited I was to be given an ARC of the ebook of The Catch!
The Catch involves a lot of favourite tropes of mine: fake dating, city girl v country boy, small town romance etc., and so of course I couldn’t wait to get into this one. The story has a lot of heart, which is something that’s been consistent with the two Amy Lea books I’ve read.
I loved that this book had such a positive message about societal double standards and women’s appearances. The main character in this book, Mel, is someone who takes a lot of care in her appearance: she wears designer clothes, fake eyelashes, has had breast implants etc. These are things that often lead to women being labelled as ‘fake’ on social media and in real life, however instead of painting these things in a negative light, Amy Lea has written a story about a woman who becomes a more authentic version of herself without having to change the way that she likes to present herself outwardly, which I really appreciated.
Evan was a 10/10 grumpy, gruff country boy with a sweet side and their relationship was very cute with excellent banter and some good spice which I’m always on board for! He was a complicated character, and Amy Lea isn’t afraid to write both male and female leads that are flawed. Both Evan and Mel make mistakes and both learn from them and take accountability for them.
There were a couple of things I didn’t overly like about the book, though they are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. Firstly, the romance is essentially insta-love which isn’t a trope I particularly enjoy. The characters fall for each other within 9 days or so, and I always find that very unrealistic and prefer when the romance builds over months or years instead of over days.
I also think that, at times, the fake dating felt a little unnecessary. I don’t think it was an essential element of the story, and to be honest, the fake dating could be removed completely and the story would be largely the same (with a few tweaks to explain why Mel stays at the inn).
Whilst this didn’t bother me too much and certainly didn’t ruin the story for me, if I had to be precise I’d probably give this book 4.5/5 instead of 5/5 because of those elements.
Ultimately, Amy Lea has a really endearing and honest way of writing that uplifts instead of tears down. Her characters are genuinely likeable, the banter never fails to make me laugh and I’m clearly going to have to read Set on You ASAP, as I think I may have found a new favourite romance author! If you like grumpy guys with a sweet side, small town vibes, dislike-to-love and a good smattering of spice, I’d highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Amy Lea, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Melanie is an influencer who is losing her influence, so a chance trip to a small Canadian town to promote a new hotel is a bonus. However, dates get mixed up, and she ends up there early, at the height of the fishing season, with nowhere to stay. Luckily, there is one Air BnB booking.
But that is a bit of a let down too. The grumpy owner, fisherman Evan, is hellbent on getting her to leave until his cousin convinces him otherwise.
A reluctant boat trip to spot whales, a tragic accident, and Melanie finds herself with a fisherman fiance! (Pretend, of course...).
It is an enemy-to-lovers story, with a heap of family drama, some sizzling romance and a sprinkling of spice!
The Catch is #3 in the Influencers series, but you can read it as a stand alone.
An easy read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Penguin for an ARC.
The catch is the final installment in the influencer series by Amy Lea.
The novel follows Mel, who is a social media influencer, and has just been offered a paid opportunity to stay at and review a new resort in Canada. But there is a mix up in her booking and she has to stay in a Air BnB in the area, which turns out to be very different from the photos.
I absolutely adored this novel it had all my favourite troupes -
Fake dating, grumpy x sunshine and small town romance. I really enjoyed this romance novel and I highly recommend it.
💖The catch by Amy Lea is out on the 13th February 2023.
💖 Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for my Arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Penguin, Amy Lea and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"The Catch" by Amy Lea invites readers into the charming world of Melanie Karlsen, a fashion influencer grappling with the fate of her brand's relevance. Tasked with resuscitating her image, Melanie finds herself in a quaint Canadian fishing village, where she unexpectedly collides with the enigmatic Evan Whaler, a rugged fisherman who challenges the notion of stereotypical 'nice' Canadians. In a delightful twist of fate, a boating incident leads to a case of mistaken identity, prompting Melanie and Evan to embark on a pretend engagement that promises to change both of their lives in unforeseen ways.
While the premise of "The Catch" holds promise, the execution fell somewhat short for me. The central character, Melanie, struggled to resonate with me, and her perspective as the protagonist occasionally made it challenging to fully immerse myself in the story. The narrative's dramatic tendencies, reminiscent of youthful storytelling, detracted from the potential depth of the book. Despite this, the underlying concept of the book was intriguing and fresh, offering an exploration of self-discovery and love within the confines of a staged romance.
I’ve read and loved Amy’s other two books in this series - and the third instalment didn’t disappoint! Mel is probably the character I felt closest to in a lot of ways. Her constant fear about the possibility of going broke again, and wanting to look after everyone she loves - to the detriment of herself, is something I can definitely emphasise with. Evan is wonderful, with his plaid, and his beard, and his initial grumpy fisherman vibe. I love the fact that we delve further into the reason for this initial grumpiness later on in the book. (He’s actually a complete Timbit of a man, and I love him). I thought the whole Whaler family was wonderful, warm, loving, welcoming to outsiders, and not afraid to put you in your place when necessary. Also, I absolutely love the fake dating trope in a rom com - so that was an immediate win. This book was wonderful, so touching, had me grinning like a mad woman - and I loved the cameos from the previous books couples! Also, the spice? Yes, yes please 🤌 So grateful to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC of this book!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC!
Grumpy x Sunshine. Only One Bed. Fake Dating. Lobsters. Honestly, what more do you need in a fun contemporary romance?
I adored this book, which is completely unsurprising considering how obsessed I am with the first two Influencer books. One thing I love about Amy's writing is that the characters aren't just copy-paste versions with different coloured hair - each FMC is different in looks, style, personality and taste, and the same goes for the MMCs. We had Scott, who was a Chris Evans-esque firefighter, then Trevor all lean and tattooed. And now we have Evan the burly lobster fisherman with a love of plaid. We love to see variety in our book boyfriends! More of this please!
The Catch made me laugh out loud multiple times, but also tugged at my heartstrings in a big way, which I've found is a hallmark of Amy's writing. She's swiftly become an autobuy author for me, up there with Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood. I loved this series and can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
I’ve read all the books in the influencer series and this is by far my favourite! I loved the complexities of the two main characters and loved Evan from the word go. The timeline although in reality was short was executed well and I think Lea’s banter has excelled since her earlier books. A great read and one I look forward to adding to my bookshelf
Absolutely swoonworthy. I adored this one. I read it on one day and regret nothing. Amy Lea does it once more with a knockout read filled with heart and fantastic steam. I just love and adore the writing style. A fantastic read all around.
And so ends the Influencer series! I really enjoyed this, I'm a sucker for a fake-dating trope and The Catch didn't disappoint. Sweet and spicy in all the right places. This was such a great series of books, and I'm so grateful for the ARC, thanks a million
"The Catch" by Amy Lea offers readers a delightful rom-com experience that blends slow-burn romance with the intrigue of fake dating. Set against a backdrop of unexpected encounters, the story introduces us to the charming and enigmatic MMC character, Evan, who is playfully described by the FMC as a 'lumbersexual fisherman'. The collision of these two worlds, as fashion and makeup influencer Mel crosses paths with Evan, promises a captivating tale of laughter, chemistry, and heartwarming moments. Lea skillfully weaves together the tension of fake dating with the magnetic allure of the outdoors, creating a lighthearted yet engaging narrative that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages. "The Catch" is a witty and enjoyable read that explores the complexities of modern relationships while embracing the charm of genuine connection.
I loved it!! Amy Lea is one of my fav romance authors now. Evan was perfection. Her best male MC yet. The banter was great. The spice was even better.
Highly recommend!!
The Catch is the final book in the Influencer series by Amy Lea.
This book follows Melanie, a social media influencer, who gets stranded in a small fishing town when the resort who have invited her along get the dates for her flights/trip mixed up. Melanie meets Evan when she checks into the only available Airbnb for the week so she doesn’t have to fly home.
This book was incredible and I absolutely loved following Melanie and Evan’s story. This book was the most perfect end to this series, I’m also sad that it’s over though.
If you love fake engagement, city meets small town and grumpy fishermen who secretly care about you, then you need to read this book when it comes out Feb 2024.
Thank you to Penguin Random House UK and NetGalley for offering me an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
Melanie is an influencer who has headed to Nova Scotia for a week long content shoot hosted by a fancy hotel chain, but what she doesn’t expect is to have flown out a week earlier than her reservation, or for there to be a fishing tournament in town, or to have to stay in the only available inn in a quaint fishing village. And she especially doesn’t expect the grumpy fisherman/inn owner who is about to become her fake fiancé.
If you liked Tessa Bailey’s ‘It Happened One Summer’ then chances are you’ll enjoy this novel, too! Set in the idyllic Coral Cove, you’ll fall in love with the town, the people and the idea of moving to the middle of nowhere to run an inn (the last one might just be me).
The final book in the influence series, I enjoyed Mel and Evan’s story, but Tara and Trevor are my solid faves.
Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.
10/10 warm fuzzies in full affect in this spectacular book.
Amy Lea does a wondered job of hooking you in, the little love bug inside me did a happy dance when Evan softened to Mel and vice versa. I devoured this book and couldn't put it down.
Tropes;
- fake dating
- grumpy x sunshine
- small town romance
- single POV
The Catch is the last instalment of Amy Lea’s Influencer Series and I highly enjoyed it.
We follow Melanie, a side character from books 1&2, who is a fashion social media influencer and who has just been offered a paid opportunity to stay and review a new resort in Canada. However, due to a booking mix up, she doesn’t have anywhere to stay and looks on Air BnB for a local place to stay… which turns out to be a bit run down compared to the photos
This is where we meet our very grumpy fishermen/Air BnB Host love interest, Evan. Mel & Evan don’t start on the right foot and end up bickering back and forwards with each other for the first couple of days - their banter was so fun and you could tell they were crushing on each other but trying to hide it.
They decide to fake date to help Evan’s family come together to help restore their BnB. Their fake dating scheme came with the typical forced to hold hands, hug and kiss a little in public to make it seem real, all the while they are falling for each other.
I loved the entire set of side characters - being able to revisit the couples from books 1&2 and the new side characters, Evan’s family. They were so entertaining and added so much fun to the story.
My only critique is how fast Mel & Evan’s relationship developed. It all happened in the space of two weeks and everyone knows I’m just not a fan of insta love relationships in books. For me personally, it always makes the relationship feel rushed and a little underdeveloped.
However, if this is something that doesn’t bother you then you will enjoy this book just as much as Set on You and Exes & O’s.
Thank you NetGalley & Viking Penguin UK for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
My REVIEW of The Catch by Amy Lea
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First of all thank you so much to Amy Lea and Penguin random house for my advanced eARC of this book! I loved it so much!! Amy Lea has become one of my favourite Authors of all time, I would highly recommend any of her books to you. If you like Beth O’Leary or Taylor Jenkins Reid books I’d personally say you will definitely enjoy this book!
This is her third book in the influencer series although I haven’t read the first one, but I can say that the books can be read individually because they follow different characters. I love how the books talk about the reality, the real people and it isn’t all about who they create themselves to be on their social media platforms.
This book is predominantly set in a small town in Canada, where she meets the Small town fisherman. This book features a slow burning romance so if you enjoy reading about those this book is definitely for you! I gave this book five stars because I could not fault it, I read it within 2-3 days and I didn’t want to put it down at any points!! ❤️❤️
Favourite quote: “of course. I love you. My home is with you” ❤️🥹
Melanie is offered the opportunity to take an all-expenses-paid gateway in exchange for content and promotion on her socials. After a hotel mix up, she finds herself stranded in East Cost Canada without accommodation, during the busiest season, for seven days. When the only available accommodation is an hour and half away with a grumpy owner who doesn’t want her there, she decides to make do for a week. I mean what could possibly happen in seven days…
I have said it before and I will say it again, Amy has the ability to grasp your attention from the very first page. She writes the most superb characters, and it has been wonderful to read her writing flourish throughout this whole series.
This book was everything I wanted and was the perfect end to an impressive series. Whilst reading, I just kept thinking the only detail that would make this more perfect is reading from Evan’s perspective, so the epilogue was a nice touch.
I am heartbroken to say goodbye to this series, but I can’t wait to read what comes next from Amy Lea.
Read if you enjoy:
•Grumpy/ Sunshine
•Small Community
•Opposites attract
•Fake Dating
•Found Family
Thank you Amy Lea, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.