There's just something about Erin Hahn's romances that make me feel so warm and cozy! CATCH AND KEEP is the third book in a series of inter-connected standalones about a group of friends, and this book follows Maren. Maren ran away from an unwanted public proposal and went to the only place that felt right: the Northern Wisconsin lakeside town she spent her summers in growing up.

CATCH AND KEEP was so sweet, sexy, and heart-warming all at the same time! Maren expected to fix up the dilapidated bait shop she inherited from her mentor and leave, not fall in love with her childhood friend, Josiah. How cute were Maren and Joe?! I love the "oh shoot, I guess we're dating and didn't realize it" trope and Erin combined it so well with friends-to-lovers. Maren effortlessly fit into Joe's life and I was SUCH a fan of this couple, y'all.

Other things I loved: the way Maren was with Joe's kids, especially Lucy, Joe's parents and the sense of community they created at the resort, the way Maren and Joe each learned to set boundaries with people, and the appearances by Maren's friend group. The cameos from Lorelai, Huck, Cam, and Shelby were an awesome treat.

At the end of the day, I'll read anything Erin writes. Check out her romances for warm, funny, sweet stories. `

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn is a cozy, feel-good romance that pulls you right in. Maren is at a major turning point, choosing to reclaim her life by taking over a rundown bait shop in the place that always felt the most like home. That means leaving her ex who stole her promotion and opted for a public proposal hoping it would smooth over the deceit.

Enter Joe, the single dad and local resort owner who also happens to be her brother's best friend—and who might just be the perfect match for her in more ways than one.

Hahn does an amazing job with the easy, banter-filled relationship between Maren and Joe, making it feel natural and comforting while still capturing that spark of romance. Joe’s kids and Maren’s dog, add so much warmth and humor, creating a real sense of found family.

The story balances lighthearted moments with real-life challenges, from Maren’s fresh start to Joe’s experience as a single parent, which gives the story authenticity and heart. I found myself wishing for more depth in Maren's relationship with her brother, whose verbally degrading behavior left me uncomfortable at times and felt unexplored. It would’ve been great to see how their dynamic was shaped. Despite this, Catch and Keep is a swoon-worthy read that feels like a warm hug, reminding us that sometimes, real love just clicks. Erin Hahn continues to be one of my favorite authors for good reason, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A witty contemporary romance. Great characters, complicated families and a lake setting. This is an entertaining and wonderfully written read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

What an adorable book! When I requested the galley, I just did so because the cover was cute but then was so completely hooked!
The book was the perfect length and I could read the whole thing without a break if I wanted to!

Maren and Joe are perfect MCs! They are mature adults with their own sets of emotional baggage but I love that there is no miscommunication.
I also love the brother’s best friend trope so I might be a little biased but this is a sweet, light read. Joe’s kids Anders and Lucy are adorable and add an element of joy to the book.

5/5 can’t wait to read the author’s other books!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was a bit unsure at first when Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn opened with a long explanation about a fish called Musky, but I ended up loving this book! The fishing aspect was woven in seamlessly, and Maren and Joe’s chemistry was perfection. The way they built their relationship, especially with Joe’s kids, was truly heartwarming. I wish I could spend my summers at Cole's Landing with all of them!

While it took awhile for me to warm up to this brother’s best friend romance, it definitely won me over by the end. I loved the cinnamon roll hero, a former Marine who is loyal, kind, and a genuinely good dad. The representation of a special needs child and how that changes parenting was great, as was the found family feel. I also appreciated that our hero is the furthest thing from a playboy - until recently, he’d been with the same woman since his teens, well before he even looked at the heroine as anything but his best friend’s kid sister. Their 5-year age gap is nothing now that they’re in their thirties, but it was everything as teens. That’s partially why it took longer for me to get into this one - I was confused whether the heroine considered him a brotherly figure, her sexual awakening, or simply a pest. The book is also third(?) in a series, though none of the marketing mentions that. I felt like I was missing something whenever the heroine interacted with her friends, but much of that faded away once I settled into the story. It gets swoonier and more heartwarming once the romance takes center stage, pulling me in just as I was about to write it off. The second half was strong enough for me to round up my rating, and this ended up being a tender, engaging read.

The story follows Maren, a woman who left her job and her long-term boyfriend after he stole her promotion and then tried to propose. Feeling adrift, Maren returns to the fishing town she loves, where she runs into her brother’s best friend, Joe. Now a divorced dad to two adorable kids, Joe is more appealing than Maren remembers him being. After going through a messy divorce, Joe is now single for the first time since he was a teenager, so it’s a shock to the system for him to realize that the tomboy he knew back in the day is now a knockout of a woman. The two quickly realize that their relationship feels different now, but both of their lives are a mess - and Maren’s brother has warned them both away. As Joe and Maren navigate their shifting feelings, they grow closer without even trying.

This is one of those books that I probably would’ve DNFed if I didn’t have an early copy, because I truly struggled to get into it at first. It kicks off with a prologue that did absolutely nothing for me, then brought in a friend group that made it clear this isn’t a standalone, so things definitely started on the wrong foot. Then I wasn’t clear if Maren was a tomboy or a beauty queen, if she thought of Joe like a brother or had been harboring a crush - I just felt overwhelmed and out of the loop. I don’t think that cleared up until almost a third of the way through, but I really did enjoy the book after that. I loved that Joe was such a gentle sweetheart, a total catch who doesn’t know it because of all the “baggage” that comes with him. It was great to see Maren seamlessly fit into his world, and I loved their connection. It’s kind of/sort of a slow burn, with a relationship that takes awhile to find its footing. Once it does though, this was a very heartwarming read.

Erin Hahn does what she does best: engaging plot, a romance that sweeps you off your feet, deep hurts and sorrows dealt with gentleness and honesty wrapped up in a true friend's hug. Also with some of my favorite romance tropes: brother's best friend, *slight* age gap, childhood friends, small town, and no third act breakup. I'm a bit sad to see this trio of friends' stories close (I've read and enjoyed them all), but excited to see what Hahn has next.

Catch and Keep was a swoony, sweet romance featuring two people who've known each other for most of their lives but are suddenly seeing each other in a new light. Maren spent summers at the Wisconsin lake resort that Joe's family owned, and Joe and Maren's older brother were and are still best friends. She fell in love with fishing and the outdoors there and has pursued a career with the National Park service, while Joe, 5 yrs older then her, joined the Marines, got married, had 2 kids and is now divorced and has taken over running the resort.

When Maren, reeling personally and professionally, retreats to the lake to sell an inheritance from an old friend, the last thing she expects is for a powerful attraction between her and Joe to ignite. Joe, swamped with the demands of running the resort and raising two young children, one of whom has special needs, is similarly blindsided. What follows is a lovely romance, driven by mutual respect, plenty of sparks, and facilitated by adult communication. Best of all, no third act breakup! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This was a lighthearted sweet romance featuring the brother's best friend trope. Maren moves back to Wisconsin after turning down a proposal from her boyfriend. She's there to spend some time in the fishing cabin she inherited while figuring out what to do next. What she doesn't expect is to run into her brother's best friend, Josiah. Maren always had a small crush on Josiah but Josiah has just noticed Maren to be more than his best friend's little sister. As the two spend time together and grow closer, the struggle with Maren's uncertainty contrasts with Josiah's settled life as a single father to two young children, one with autism.

This was such a great fall read. I loved the setting of Northern Wisconsin. I enjoy the brother's best friend trope but liked this even more because Maren's brother lives in a totally different locale. It gave Joe and Maren time to figure things out without the awkwardness of dealing with the brother right away. Maren is an avid fisher which was a fun aspect of her personality. I enjoyed how she was with Joe's kids. They were present without being too annoying or intrusive as can happen sometimes in a romance. There was an odd subplot with Maren being sort of stalked that felt unnecessary but didn't bother me enough to make the book enjoyable. This is not Hahn's first book and while I could tell there were characters that show up from her previous books, this one does read just fine on its own. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted romance.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.

If you are looking for the warmest, coziest, swooniest fall romance, Maren and Joe are here and calling your name. Catch and Keep is everything to me. This book is so tender and special and I will hold it so close to my heart for the rest of forever. And while I do feel this way about @erinhahn_author and all her books in general, Catch and Keep is my favourite Erin Hahn book now.

Maren is a former pageant queen, fishing influencer, and park ranger. She’s just the best human. She’s hot and funny and so real it’s a little painful. Is it too punny to say she’s *floundering* to find her path forward after a disastrous break up and subsequent departure from her job? Running back to the cabin in Wisconsin where she learned to fish, she has to learn who she’s going to become now. Enter her older brother’s best friend, and the object of her teenage dream: Josiah Cole.

Joe is the sweetest single dad. The way that he loves is so deep and the way that he will fight for those he loves is intense. Anders and Lucy are so lucky to have such a fierce advocate for them in their dad. Joe was dealt a shitty hand, with a rough ex-wife situation, and a high needs ASD child, and he navigates it with such grace and compassion. Add on the way that he defends Maren and loves her and what you’ve got is actually the man that I would love to find eventually.

Maren and Joe’s romance is just soft. That’s the best way to describe it. It’s comfortable and easy. They are so perfectly suited for each other. They are each other’s perfect person. One of the most precious things in this book is the relationship between Maren and Joe’s kids. She was not only made for Joe, but she was made for those kids. She fits in their family so well and loves them so hard.

While this might be a very Midwest romance, this Canadian lake girl felt right at home with Maren and Joe. Catch and Keep was the perfect end to this series. I loved seeing Shelby and Cam, and Lorelei and Huck in this book. This friend group is so precious to me and I love all of them so dearly.

5⭐️
2🔥

Quick Breakdown

Brother’s Best Friend
Single Dad
Friends to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
No Third Act Breakup
Dual POV
Open Door - Mild

After her boyfriend gets the promotion she had been working for, then publicly attempts to propose, Maren escapes to her happy place: a lake in northern Wisconsin that her family often visited. Intending to take some time to fix up the run down bait shop a family friend had left to her, it’s there that she runs into Joe, her brother’s oldest friend.

This soft & gentle gem of a romance had me swooning from start to finish. Fairly light & low angst, it’s was paced perfectly for a blossoming relationship between Maren & Joe.

Fresh off a breakup from a relationship that was going no where anyways, Maren & Joe rekindle a friendship / association from childhood before it deepens through mutual understanding & compassion. Joe, a divorced single dad of two is doing his best to keep his head above water with his role at his family’s lakeside resort & meeting the needs of his son & autistic daughter. I loved how Maren & Joe seamlessly eased into a relationship, making it feel inevitable despite the circumstances muddying the water. The tension between the two burned bright despite the easy domesticity they fell into.

Set to the backdrop of lake life, boating & fishing I desperately wanted to book my next vacation lakeside. I also downright adored the kids here. With similar ages as my kids, they read as believable as if they were my own. The cameos from characters of books past brought me all the joy. Gahhh, just read it!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

While this is not listed as a series, two of Maren's friends (side characters in this one) starred in their own previous books. To get the full background of everyone, I recommend reading those books, too, but not necessarily needed.

This one may be my favorite of the three friends' stories. Maren is a strong, independent woman and I totally applaud her character. Even if she does make a sudden escape from an unwanted, public proposal from her tool of a boyfriend. He knew she wouldn't want a proposal, let alone in front of family. Grrr!!!

This book had a favorite trope, best friend's little sister/forbidden relationship. But give me a break! Both were grown, adults...Liam, the big brother was so frustrating and patronizing. He made his character so hard to like even as he eventually makes amends, but still...Ugh!

I adored Maren and Joe (and the kids and dog!) Their relationship felt organic and so real...the way they just fit! They just naturally fell into a true family dynamic. Insert smiley face and teary eyes...As much as there was a spark immediately from our couple, the support, friendship, and mature communication between them was epic! Who would have known that if people just talked, it would alleviate so much angst...lol

The bond between Maren, Lucy and Anders...sweet perfection. Made even more special when you compare the lack of compassion, patience, and love from their biological mother. What a selfish, vile woman! The new family, one by choice and not blood was everything!! And no 3rd act breakup...A plus!

Just a me thing, but I could do without all the spice element...there was already a lovely, intimacy established without the need of open-door scenes.

Still loved the book! Keep them coming...

5 stars

Thank you to SMP Romance for the advance reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Catch and Keep is the third book in a series. While I have largely seen is marketed as a stand alone, I wished I had reminded myself more of Shelby and Lorelai's books before starting this. Their friendship with Maren was a key highlight of this book.

As everything in her life feels like it's going off the rails, Maren returns to the lake in Wisconsin where she spent her summers. And she runs into Josiah, her best friend's brother. I found the brother angle interesting, since her brother continued to warn her off of Joe in the present, rather than just when she had a childhood crush.

Joe is a single dad dealing with a lot. But their lifestyles clearly mesh together well. So it's easy to picture them together from the start. I found the representation of his daughter with autism incredibly realistic. And I was just in awe of all the love shown throughout this story.

My favorite parts were seeing how Maren grew and enjoying all of the amazing outdoor scenes. It was great to see a wrap up to this trilogy.

CW: stalker

4.25 stars

Erin Hahn is quickly becoming a must read for me. I loved the trio of books about best friends. This is Maren's story. It can be read as a standalone but I would recommend all three.

The tropes are single dad/brother's best friend. Both Maren and Joe are wonderful characters. Their story is an easy one to fall into. Joe's children, Anders and Lucy, are adorable and I love the representation of a neurodivergent child. I also cannot forget Maren's dog, Rogers, who really livens up the book.

The story was easy to read in one go. I couldn't put it down. Recommend this if you like when there is no 3rd act breakup.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

This is my first book by this author and I devoured it! I thought the characters were so well written and dealing with actual issues happening now (especially the MMC) and you could tell the connection between them was real. Not only that, the setting was PERFECT!

I am a fan of Erin Hahn! I am not a fan of fish. This sounds very stupid, but overall the life displayed was hard for me to immerse myself in because I would never be caught (ha get it...fish) in that environment. Also, this single-dad trope didn't hit the right marks for me. I do recognize that being 28-yr-old, having a FMC as a 33-yr-old hit maybe a little too close to home. BUT it was a sweet, cozy, sexy, easy read and would still recommend!

This was a cute read !
I enjoyed this story very much. What drew me in immediately was the FMC reacting hilariously to being purposed. I thought " I need to know what's going to happen next!"
The main characters in this story are in their mid to late 30's so the communication is there. I love when stories have a good base for a relationship. That means there was no third-act breakup due to miscommunication or frustrating circumstances. I did tear up a little towards the end, and that's how I knew for sure that this was a good book.
 🐟Slow burn
🐟Older Brother's Best Friend
🐟Single Dad

So much to love about this story, the romance, the lake setting, the small town life, and a single parent story line. There was also representation of autism through the daughter. This was a great story all around.

Such a really good read.
Very heartwarming and cozy. It was a good book to cozy up and read.
Would absolutely recommend this book to my friends

I love that Erin Hahn can never let me down!

The backstories that Erin creates for her characters are so well done, and she has no problem letting their personalities shine through. Reading her newest romance was so easy. I fell right into the plot, the world, the romances no problem. I think this one might be my favorite of the three adult romances in her fictional contemporary world.

Connecting emotionally to both Maren and Josiah was easy. I felt their struggles and their pain with the people in their lives. And I loved their maturity and resilience of pushing back at those people and standing up for themselves.

I REALLY wish we got to see Josiah got to hash things out with his ex, Kiley.

The relationship was also written so naturally despite not being the conventional format of your typical romance. It’s refreshing to see people fall in love in different ways and I think Erin Hahn does it REALLY well.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store next!