Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a breath of fresh air! Throughout the book, there was the theme of acceptance and unconditional love between all the characters, not just Maren and Joe. But speaking of, I loved Maren and Joe. Their relationship was very mature and solid, and they communicated with each other so well. Their relationship was fast, but they remind me of the saying "when you know, you know."
I also loved Shelby and Lorelai! I love their girl group and related to their teasing texts.
Overall, a cute and easy read. Going back to read Shelby's and Lorelai's stories!
Tropes:
Small Town Romance
Older brother's best friend
Friends to lovers
Catch and Keep is a delightful romance with a nice lake setting. I appreciated that the characters were different in terms of life experience but not too far in age gap. I also liked how Maren was not dependent on the love interest to fix her life. It was great that there was a lot of communication between the love interests and it felt like an adult relationship. I liked how the relationship developed slowly (though still got spicy!). The only cringe moment was when the ex-wife was a bit too much of a villian to her children in the end - it seemed a bit too over the top to be real but I guess there are people like that in the world.
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC to review.
Oh my goodness, this was everything I wanted in a lake/fishing-themed romance. Maren was completely likeable, obviously Joe was super swoon-worthy, and his kids were amazing! The tension was out of this world, and their love story was epic. I loved how they understood each other and accepted each other and their quirks. It wasn’t an all-out spice fest, but those steamy scenes were great. I loved absolutely everything about this and am going to see if I can go preorder the paperback right now. I very rarely re-read books but this will definitely be one of them!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback
I absolutely devoured this book in one day. I am obsessed with Maren, Joe, and the kids. Erin Hahn is an auto-read author for me and I wish she got the hype she deserves!!
Loved this romcom about a single dad and his best friend’s younger sister. Outdoorsy, cozy, sexy, fun.
Absolutely love the friendships and family connections in this book. Joe being a single dad to two amazing kids who both adore Maren made it even better.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Catch and Keep to come out October 15, 2024.
This was such a good book. I loved the setting of Northern Wisconsin. The whole story felt super cozy. Maren and Joe made a good couple. They have known each other since childhood with Joe being Maren’s older brother’s best friend. I loved the relationship that Maren had with Joe’s kids. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you so much for the ARC NetGalley!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. All opinions in my review are my own.
I loved this one. I'll admit I was hesitant about a book that included fishing as the main topic but it was so sweet. The writing reminded me a little bit of Abby Jimenez, who I love.
Maren is a former YouTube fishing personality who has just run away from a public proposal she didn't want. She heads to her childhood vacation spot where she learned to fish and decides to fix up the bait shop and apartment that was left to her by her mentor. While there, she gets close to her brother's best friend who owns the resort nearby. Joe, is a single dad of two kids, one of which is autistic. The relationship that develops between them seems natural and is well developed and the characters were both just so likeable and real. I really enjoyed this one and will be looking for others by this author. Thanks for the opportunity to review it.
I got this advanced copy and this is the perfect friends to lovers romance! I love the setting in Wisconsin, the lake life and resort in the off season. It was sweet, but also surprising in the depth of emotions it elicited from me. The single dad thing doesn’t usually work for me, but I think it balanced Joe’s issues with the budding romance with Maren. Additionally, I think it was paced really well. It didn’t feel sudden, and it didn’t feel like we were spending every single second with the MCs, which can get tedious.
erin hahn is one of my absolute FAVORITE authors. while this isn’t my favorite she’s done, it’s still GREAT!
the setting is cute; as someone who lives in wi, reading about a resort there was super fun.
i liked maren as a character. i didn’t remember her really from the other books, but she was VAGUELY there in the back of my mind. her and joe’s relationship i think was executed perfectly. i REALLY liked how it felt like they just slipped into it, and maren was wonderful with his kids.
there wasn’t anything like glaringly wrong or that i disliked, i just don’t think this one hit as hard as her others for me. i remember LOVING lorelai’s book, and while i liked his one A LOT, i didn’t feel that love.
#netgalley
This was a delightful, sweet romance. I enjoyed Maren and Joe - they had solid chemistry and were both supportive of each other. Their family dynamics added good depth to the story. Heartwarming and fun.
Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for another great Erin Hahn story!
📖 The Details:
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
⏱️ Quick Summary:
After Maren breaks up with her boyfriend (during his very public proposal in which she pukes all over him), she heads back to her favorite place - the lake in Northern Wisconsin she loved during her childhood and teenage fishing star, Musky Maren. She planned to come back, fix up her old mentor's apartment to sell, and be on her way to the next thing. But she starts hanging out with old friend and single dad Josiah (Joe) Cole and his kids.
💁♀️ My Take:
I love a good light and sweet Erin Hahn read. I fell in love with her story, style, and characters when I first read You'd Be Mine, and I haven't hesitated to pick up one of her books since then. This one is no different. I really liked Maren - she's strong but flawed, confident, sweet, and witty! I love some good banter with the main characters - Maren and Joe are the best. I also loved ALL the cameos from past books (shoutout Lorelei and Shelby)! There are also some deeper themes with family, relationships, job/future, etc. Would definitely recommend.
Are you looking for a heartfelt journey of love and discovery? In her latest novel, “Catch and Keep” by Erin Hahn contains a captivating friends-to-lovers romance that weaves together warmth, vulnerability, and the magic of first love. Set against the backdrop of a small lakeside town, this book invites readers to dive into the depths of emotions, relationships, and self-discovery.
Meet Maren Laughlin. She’s a spirited protagonist who has spent her life fishing, both literally and metaphorically. She's adept at casting lines into the water, seeking elusive catches, but when it comes to matters of the heart, she's been hesitant to take the bait. Her flannel-clad college sweetheart, Owen, has always been there, a steadfast presence in her life. Yet, their friendship has remained platonic, the line between companionship and something more blurred but never crossed.
As the story unfolds, we witness Maren's internal struggle. She grapples with the fear of losing Owen if they venture beyond friendship. Erin Hahn masterfully portrays Maren's vulnerability: the way her heart races when Owen smiles, the way she notices the flecks of gold in his eyes, and the way she yearns for more. The tension between them is palpable, simmering beneath the surface like a hidden catch waiting to be reeled in.
Jen Devon, author of Right Where We Left Us, aptly describes this novel as "magically both hot and wholesome." And indeed, it is. The chemistry between Maren and Owen sizzles, yet their connection goes beyond physical attraction. Their banter, shared secrets, and stolen glances create a tapestry of intimacy that readers will root for.
The lakeside setting adds to the book's charm. Erin Hahn's vivid descriptions transport us to the water's edge with the gentle lapping of waves, the scent of pine, and the warmth of sun-kissed skin. It's a place where secrets are whispered among reeds, and hearts find solace in the rhythm of the lake.
Not just about romance, “Catch and Keep” is about self-discovery. Maren's journey involves unraveling her own fears, understanding what she truly wants, and learning that sometimes love requires courage. As she grapples with her feelings, readers will find themselves reflecting on their own missed chances and the moments when they hesitated to leap into the unknown.
Hahn's prose is lyrical, evoking emotions that linger long after the final page. She captures the essence of autumn from the crunch of leaves underfoot, the taste of apple cider, and the promise of change. Woven throughout is a soundtrack of grunge music, which adds depth to the narrative. It's as if the book itself hums with melodies of longing and hope.
In this cozy, swoon-worthy romance, Hahn invites us to believe in second chances and the power of vulnerability. As Maren and Owen navigate their feelings, we're reminded that sometimes the greatest catches are the ones we've been overlooking all along.
This book is a keeper, one to be savoured, shared, and cherished. Cast your line and immerse yourself in this heartfelt tale. You won't want to let go, and I cannot wait to read what Hahn pens next!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a honest review.
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn was a true joy to read and I was sad when it was finished. I loved all the characters in this story but I especially love Joe and Maren they were great together. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I've not enjoyed Erin Hahn's prior adult romances as much as I love her YAs, but seems like third time's the charm! I enjoyed Maren and Joe's relationship a lot, and how it was built on fitting into each other's lives first and foremost. It felt very natural and like they were already a family straight from the start, especially with how Maren interacted with Joe's kids. I think this is more in line with how her YA book relationships go - less strict romance book formula like the other two followed - and that's why I enjoyed it so much.
I did feel the Maren-related external subplots were more of an afterthought (Bryce being a creep and especially Maren considering a move to the Grand Canyon), but the main interpersonal relationships - between Maren and Joe, between them and Maren's brother, between Maren and Joe's kids - were so strong that it didn't feel like the book was lacking anything.
Loved this book! A sweet contemporary romance with pops of humor. I enjoyed the author's writing style - descriptive without being flowery, believable characters, and realistic situations. It is a slower burn with a perfect amount of spice. I will be looking for more books from this new to me author.
After puking all over her boyfriend during a very public proposal, Maren hits the road and heads to Northern Wisconsin to her childhood lake vacation spot. At the lake she’s inherited bait shop that’s almost inhabitable. In the early stages of renovating the bait shop she runs into Joe, her brothers best friend, who now runs the lake resort. Maren ends up leading fishing tours for the resort in falling into a life she once envisioned for herself. Things heat up between Joe and Maren, but things are complicated. Joe has two kids and baggage from a bad divorce and Maren has her career with the Park Services calling her back to “real life” whatever that means.
This was an incredibly captivating read. I instantly felt sucked in by the prose. And the story was well crafted, the romance had just the right amount of spice (got a little graphic for the closed door romance folks) and sweetness. Joe is the sexy, sweet, and protective man we all dream of in a book boyfriend. My only complaint is the flashbacks. If this wasn’t an ARC the first flashback might have made me instantly DNF - the second chapter would be a much better starting point in my opinion. And for the majority of the flashbacks I just didn’t feel like they further the plot. All and all though a fantastic captivating read. I recommend this to anyone who likes sweet men and just a little bit of spice in their romance reads! 4.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you net galley and the publisher for the ARC!
I love Erin Hahn! Her books keep my heart singing and growing with love. The characters are rich and the story is a perfect romcom. Catch and Keep had me sucked in by the second chapter. I finished it in 1 day as I couldn't put it down. This is such a heartwarming story filled with diverse and wonderful characters.
I haven't read Erin Hahn before picking up this book from NetGalley and I'm so glad that they were able to introduce me to this author! The only way this book could have been more perfect was if I was able to read it while sitting by the lake. I love a big brother's best friend romance and adding single dad to the mix just made it all the better! Also he's a veteran and runs his family business? This man could not be more perfect. Maren and Joe made the perfect couple and I could feel their connection from the beginning!
I love that this book talked about many topics that other books maybe shy away from. The controversy of sharing your life publicly online like Maren does through her YouTube personality as a young adult and the sexual harassment that can result. Joe's daughter having autism and how her mother cannot handle the diagnosis.
I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to go back and read more of Erin Hahn's novels.
I really loved this! Erin Hahn has a brand and I am here for it. This was such a sweet romance between two wonderful characters who support each other in all the best ways, and I was especially touched by Maren's relationship with Joe's kids.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.
I loved the first two books in this series so much that I wasn't sure this book could live up to my expectations, but it actually exceeded them! I already knew I'd love Maren, but didn't know Joe and his kids would be so amazing. Also, as a single mom of an autistic kiddo, I have to say Erin Hahn did an amazing job of portraying the reality and awesomeness of that life, for a parent and a sibling. I will continue recommending this series to all the readers I know!