After turning down her boyfriend's wedding proposal and walking away from her decade-long career as a park ranger, Maren Laughlin returns to her childhood home in Northern Wisconsin to accept her inheritance: a decrepit bait shop. After letting others dictate her life, Maren is finally ready to make her own decisions. As she renovates the bait shop and tries to figure out her next step, Josiah Cole, her brother's best friend and resort owner, is there to help. Things between Maren and Josiah come so easily, and before they know it, they've both caught feelings for one another. But is this relationship a keeper? Or will they repeat their past mistakes?

This is the third and final book in this cozy romance series. But if you haven't read the other two, which I highly recommend, you can read this as a standalone. I've loved all three books, but this one is definitely my favorite. Set in Northern Wisconsin, it's the perfect romance for the fall.

Even though this is a cozy romance, the two leads deal with some real-life issues. Maren is feeling the pressure from her family -- mainly her older brother, to finally commit to something in her life. The only trouble is that Maren doesn't know what she really wants. On the other hand, Josiah is a single dad doing his best to juggle his parental duties, including navigating the challenges that his younger autistic daughter faces and running a business. Even though Josiah wishes his ex-wife was part of their children's lives, he finally feels like he and the children have figured out a routine that works for them. But of course, when Maren and her dog reconnect with Josiah and his children, their best-laid plans go right out the door.

This romance is sweet and emotional and has some great banter. I think it's one of the best single-dad portrayals I've read in romance. Outside of the romance, Erin does a great job of capturing female friendship and family dynamics.

It was an adorable romance that I couldn't put down, and I can't recommend it enough!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review

This book was not what I thought it was going to be.
It was even better.
I am here for the single dad trope. Seeing how much Joe LOVES his kids fully, even knowing Lucy needs a little extra attention, was amazing.
Maren and Joe were great together. I loved seeing Maren naturally slotting in to Joe's life, messy mornings and all. Those are the best kinds of relationships. And there is no third act breakup!!!!
And Maren's friendship with Shelby and Lorelai was funny and just how real friendships are. Their banter was top notch.
Maren's brother, Liam, who also happens to be Joe's best friend, was nasty at some points, but I am SO SO SO glad Maren AND Joe stood up to him. And that Liam saw he was the problem and course corrected. His apology to both of them was sincere, and I am so happy for all of them.
Honestly, his ex can kick rocks. I'd love to shut her in a dark room with the window open on a freezing night. I really just want to throttle her.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I didn't realize it was third in the series (Shelby's book is first, then Lorelai's, then Maren's.) I have read Built to Last, which is Shelby's book. Off to read Lorelai's.
4.5/5 stars rounded down.

I really wish this was advertised as the series it truly is. The marketing for this is all wrong and that's a shame.

I started with this book and it was amazing! I loved the characters, the growth, the mystery and overall just the world building. The friendships were strong. But I couldn't help but notice as I was reading that something felt off about this- it was as if I started reading a story several chapters in so I went to reviews to find out if I was missing something. Lo and Behold there are 2 other books before this and it's never mentioned.

I read this and then backtracked and read book book one( Built to Last) and book two (Friends don't fall in love). Admittedly, book 3 is superior as the story just grows and the friend group bonds. I didn't think I'd enjoy a story about fishing so much, but Maren, the FMC just has that way of reeling you in. Yeah yeah, a fishing joke- I couldn't help it.

This has it all, some romance, some mystery, some strong family and friend bonding. Josiah (Joe) is friends with Maren's brother. He is discharged from the military and trying to raise two little kids on his own, one with autism. The mom walked away when she couldn't handle the small town life and the autism struggles leaving Joe to do it all- and he is one hell of a man and father and son. Maren has a calming aura to her and is able to become friends with the young kids and also see Joe needs help. Sure, there is a little drama with the ex for a bit, but it was portrayed how it can often be in real life. This story is so beautifully written in the way that it showcased disorders in a positive light while also admitting that it can be a struggle. The representation was so spot on.

Many thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to voluntarily read and review early.

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4⭐️
CATCH & KEEP
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: contemporary romance
📖 320 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🎣🐠🐕🍁♥️🚤👀🔧🌶️🎤🔥🥹

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ single dad
◽️ brothers best friend/ forbidden attraction
◽️ friends to lovers
◽️ dual POV
◽️ small town romance

🩵𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲🩵

Thank you @stmartinspress @netgalley @erinhahn_author for the #gifted copy!

CATCH & KEEP is a delightful contemporary romance that captured my heart from the start. Set against the cozy, picturesque backdrop of a WI autumn that rolls into Christmas, this story is perfect for curling up with as the weather cools. EH does a fantastic job setting the scene, creating a warm & inviting atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in.

The characters are charming & well-developed, making it easy to root for them! The book offers everything you want in a small-town romance: new beginnings, the comfort of found family, undeniable chemistry, & just a touch of suspense with a creepy stalker thrown into the mix.

If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming, bingeable read with a mix of sweet & steamy moments, I highly recommend this one. It’s an easy read that delivers all the feels & makes a great companion for fall 🤗 .

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Maren Laughlin returns to Northern WI after rejecting her boyfriend’s proposal & leaving her job as a park ranger. She inherits a run-down waterfront bait shop & is determined to take control of her life, despite doubts from those around her. Resort owner Josiah Cole, a single dad with 2 kids, supports Maren’s newfound independence. As they grow closer, their relationship becomes effortless, but they wonder if it’s too good to be true. Together, they must figure out if their easy connection is genuine love & if it can last.

Such a cute read! I absolutely love Joe’s kids- Lucy and Anders are so cute. Loved the representation that was brought in this book for these two kiddos. Joe and Maren are amazing- I love a brother’s best friend romance!!

This was so cute 🥺 a nice breath of fresh air. The love interest, the kiddos, and THE DOG. I loved the change of the girl being the outdoorsy/fisher girl and actually knowing what she was talking about. This was absolutely wonderful and I can’t wait to read more of this authors books

**Special thanks to Net Galley for providing an eARC in return for an honest review.*

Fall in lake country, childhood friends, an adorable dog named Rogers...these are just some of the things to be found in this adorable romance that will have you laughing and crying all while kicking your feet.

When Maren's life goes absolutely off its rocker, she finds herself back in Wisconsin at the resort her family went to every summer when she was a child. Embarking on a new adventure of fixing up the bait and tackle shop she's inherited, Maren finds herself starting over and trying to figure her life out.

Enter Josiah Cole, former Marine, father of two, resort owner, and oh yeah, her brother's best friend. Joe is everything Maren wants but doesn't think she can have or that she deserves. Follow along on this perfect fall read to see if Maren gets her Hallmark ending.

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

This is a single dad, older brothers best friend read and let me tell you I D E V O U R E D this. The growth of the main character especially when it comes to self love was such a beautiful journey to follow. Joe was such a loveable character and such a remarkable dad, I loved glimpses of that. There were a few instances, with a few particular side characters that had me wanting to just shake some sense into them. This story was so much more than a romance, the natural progression of a friendship to something more was just the icing on the cake. If you are a fan of single dad, friends to lovers or older brothers best friend, PLEASE pick this one up.

This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved this just as I loved the other two books. This was just so sweet and swoony.

Maren was such a great character. She was strong and independent but that didn't stop her from just wanting to be loved and feel like she belonged somewhere. She's also in her 30's and as a woman in her 30's I really appreciated that. Joe and Maren's relationship was just so lovely. I really loved the way it developed it organically and seem so realistic. Plus, the fact that there was no third act breakup! It was just a bump in the road that led to some great communication.

Overall, this was absolutely a new favorite romance. I really do love Erin Hahn's adult romances. I simply can't get enough, and I'll be waiting with bated breath for their next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press /St. Martin’s Griffin for the e-arc of this book!

I loved how cozy and sweet this felt to read. I related to the FMC a lot and loved seeing these two figure out how to make their relationship work!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and __ for these e-ARC copies (audiobook and ebook) of Catch and Keep for my honest review. I was grateful and honored to be able to review both versions - because as a reader I typically enjoy switching between audiobooks and either the physical or ebook copies I have when I work. I will review my thoughts on both styles of reading this one below.

Let me start off with this - I have personally enjoyed every single book that Erin Hahn has published since Built to Last (which was my first ever experience of her writing). She has a way of crafting wholesome, well written stories that suck you in with splashes of humor and thought provoking topics. Catch and Keep was no different for this reader. This SLOW burn romance truly built a beautiful story that was worth the wait. It can be read as a standalone, but is a part of a series and is the third installment.

Read if you love:

-Small Town Romance - with fun fishing references and Lake Life
-Friends to Lovers / Older Brother’s Best Friend
-Single Dad
-Dual POV
-SLOW BURN
-Hilarious Bantering
-Autism Rep
-Heartfelt Character’s Personal Growth


Trigger Warnings:

-Loss of Parental Figure
-Divorce
-Metal Health

Bringing hard subjects like divorce, mental heath issues and grief into romances can be very difficult, especially when it can draw such triggering or negative feelings for those diving in. However, the author handled it with care, and brought in wonderful characters that brought the child’s perspective. Dash in sprinkles of humor and banter - and you have a story that drives those thought provoking moments I personally crave when connecting with an author’s work. I LOVED that there was a disability rep with Autism. Being a 33 year old momma to a kiddo on the spectrum… LIVING in Wisconsin made reading this so much more relatable and fun!

Speaking of Wisconsin Lake Life… I am not a fisher hah! So I will be honest, it did take me a bit to fully get into this one. Being a slower burn romance to played into this. I had to take a star off due to this, but I promise you that if you stick around - the wait will be worth it!

Audiobook experience:

I LOVED the audio version of this story. The narrators did a phenomenal job. They both conveyed the MC’s personalities and emotions well which truly enhanced the reading experience. I personally love when multiple narrators perform in a dual POV story.

I loved this story and the characters so much. I liked getting to know these individuals and their backgrounds. All in all, it was an enjoyable small-town fall story. This is a really well-written and enjoyable book. Although this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone, I was unaware that it was the third in a series. I'm excited to read the first two books.

Thank you tonetgalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have been eagerly anticipating Catch and Keep, and I was not disappointed. Since reading Built to Last, I have been looking forward to Maren’s story. I was a bit apprehensive going into when I saw Joe’s backstory, which was quickly erased, with Lucy and Anders becoming one of my favorite parts. I am sorry to see this series end and hope Hahn will continue writing for adults.

I just finished Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn and here are my thoughts.

Maren has had a run of bad luck. Her boyfriend proposes in front of her whole family to soften the blow of taking a job promotion right out from under her and her brother still treats her like a little kid instead of the 33 year old woman she is.

When a man she thought of as a second father passes away and he leaves her his bait shop, she returns home to deal with her inheritance. Her brother's friend, divorced and a single father of two, can’t help finding themselves looking forward to being in each other's orbits… Even though they are not off limits to each other.

This is a really cute small town romance with:

**friends to lovers
**Older brothers best friend
**single dad
**dual POV
**slowwww burnnnnn

I wasn’t a big fan of the fish talk. I get that she was big into fishing but it didn’t interest me but the romance and banter was enough to overlook the fish tales.

I really loved the autism rep. As a mother with 2 asd kids I like when books get it right.

The writing is good and I really enjoyed the way it all worked out.

4.5 stars

Thank you to @stmartinspress for my gifted copy through @netgalley

absolutely adored these characters and this story!!! It really had it all. Maren was such a strong FMC and I loved that she was into fishing. I feel like that's not a storyline I've ever seen. Joe was such a dreamy MMC. I mean single dad, brother's best friend, and awesome guy, what more could you ask for? His kids were adorable and added so much to the storyline. I loved the ASD representation in the book too!

I had no idea this was the third book in a series but it can totally be read as a standalone. I can't wait to read the first two books now!

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn is another delightful addition to Hahn’s repertoire, showcasing her talent for creating engaging characters and heartfelt stories. As one of my favorite authors, Hahn’s books are always a joy to get lost in, and this one is no exception.

What I Loved:
Character Development: Hahn excels at crafting relatable and multi-dimensional characters. The protagonists, Maren and Joe, are well-developed, with their personal growth and evolving relationship feeling authentic and deeply moving.
Engaging Plot: The storyline is both fun and thought-provoking, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The mix of romance, personal challenges, and the dynamics between the characters make for an enjoyable read.
Humor and Heart: Hahn’s signature blend of humor and heartfelt moments shines through. The witty banter and genuine emotional beats create a well-rounded and enjoyable narrative.

Audiobook Experience:
Narration: The audiobook, narrated by Zura Johnson and Michal Norman Johnson, adds an extra layer of depth to the story. The narrators’ ability to convey the characters’ emotions and personalities enhances the listening experience, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Overall, Catch and Keep is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant romance that will appeal to fans of contemporary love stories. Erin Hahn delivers a story full of love, laughter, and heartfelt moments, making it a perfect read (or listen) for anyone who enjoys a deeply emotional romance.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #ltbreaderteam #catchandkeep #erinhahn #smpinfluencers

If Toby Keith Joined The American Pie Crew And Had Lunch With Nicholas Sparks, You'd Get Something Close To This Book. Seriously. One, no matter what the RWA/ RNA types claim, Sparks writes romance novels. Tragedy is a perfectly valid end to a romance, and sometimes the romance is ever more powerful/ memorable *because* it ended in tragedy. And now that we've inserted a "controversy creates cash" flashpoint into this review... ;)

Seriously, the Keith and Sparks connections here are primarily due to the background of our male lead, a former soldier now returning home to take over his parents' business as they attempt to retire. It is this part of the tale that adds some extra emotional heft that Sparks and Keith were so excellent with, particularly as it relates to soldiers, in their stories. Indeed, there are absolutely times where Keith's "American Soldier" begins to sound almost audibly in at least this reader's head while reading this book.

Outside of our male lead though, this book is one that highlights that northern Michigan/ upper Wisconsin lake resort vibe that American Pie used so well in a couple of their movies to great extent, though mostly showing it from a more local perspective than the summer party crowd. We get some meta commentary on the perils of online "fame", and we get a LOT of laughs - which is where the American Pie connection really comes to bear. Not in the titular joke from that series, but there are absolutely some comedic bits that will take readers "of a certain age" (re: those who were older teens/ younger 20s when the first couple of American Pie movies came out) back to that era.

Overall a largely fun romcom with some truly serious elements, though seemingly lighter in tone than many "Hallmarkie" movies despite having elements that are more serious than are generally found in that set. So an interesting combination, and one that Hahn works to great effect here.

Very much recommended.

This book was such a joy to read! Maren and Joe made such a sweet and spicy pair, and I loved how their relationship progressed. With elements of brother's best friend, small (lake) town, single dad, neurodivergence representation (autistic child), and friends-to-lovers, there's a lot of goodness happening here. I adore Erin Hahn's writing, and this book just feels like a warm hug from someone who just *gets* you.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own.

This was such a sweet book. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their background. Overall it was a fun fall, small town story.

It is no surprise, but I loved this book. Maren and Joe felt so real, like I could turn the corner and bump into them walking down the street. Their banter is fantastic and how they get from two separates to one fantastic was everything I wanted.