This book really did it for me. The title is a play on the fishing saying "catch and release" because Maren is all about fishing. It even made her famous. This is a big brother's best friend, single dad trope, and a contemporary romance.


I loved the story, the title, the characters, the drama, the romance. I loved it all the way to the epilogue. I loved how good Maren was with Joe's little autistic daughter and how she embraced Anders and Lucy so naturally. I loved how Joe gave himself wholeheartedly to his children and to Maren.

There were some big issues and possible triggers in the story. There was treatment of the child on the spectrum, ex-spouse abandonment of children, and stalking.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this e-book. All thoughts are my own.

I've loved all of this author's adult romances, but this might be my favorite. It was so warm and cozy. I absolutely loved Joe's kids and the way Maren was with them, as well as the ease they had with each other. I typically like a third act breakup, but Erin Hahn knows how to write romances without them that have enough conflict to avoid being just vibes. This book is a perfect example. It was fun seeing the characters from the other two. In short, I loved it!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I will read anything this author writes and I will miss this little world that she created. Even though this isn't a true series I loved getting to see all three of these best friends get their happily ever afters. Even though it has characters from previous books it can 100% be read as a standalone and the same goes for the other books.

I loved everything about this book but mostly Joe and Maren's relationship and Joe's kids. His kids are seriously adorable.

Also a big thing to love was the fact that it didn't truly have a third act breakup. I'm a sucker when these books find a work around for those. While they have some time apart during the third act they are still very much together and that's fantastic.

A little too much “modern” day for me. I could do without boys wearing nail polish, gay teenagers. and criticizing the “man up” mentality. Ugh. Could have been a great romance book without all that.

You cannot see me smiling through my happy tears, but that's the state this book left me in. Once again, Hahn has crafted a beautiful story which hit all the right emotional notes for me.

I know I sound like a broken record, but there is just something about people who share a great deal of history falling in love. Joe and Maren may not have been close in the past, but they grew up together. Joe was raised in the Northwoods while Maren's family vacationed there since she was in diapers. Joe had been, and was still, best friends with Maren's brother, so they were always in each others orbits. But now they were older and seeing each other in a different way. LOVE THAT!

It was wonderful the way they just clicked with such ease. Both were coming out of broken relationships and found comfort in being able to connect to someone. Joe was still adjusting to life as a single dad, and it was lovely the way Maren fit right into his life with his children. She quickly formed a bond with these two sweethearts and provided a source of support for Joe.

My heart was overloaded by the way Maren and the children connected with each other. She was wonderful with them, and I think it meant even more to me given the circumstances with their mother. I won't talk too much about her, but I was happy they had Maren in their lives.

Something really special about this story was the setting. I swear with every book Erin Hahn writes, she is able to sell this city girl on the outdoor life. The lake, the fishing, the boats -- I loved it all, and I adored how it revitalized Maren.

There was no doubt how tied to the Northwoods Maren was. It was part of her being, and I really liked how she was drawn back after a rather terrible experience. I like that she reclaimed this piece of her life because it was such a big part of who she was.

Aside from the romance and Maren's personal journey, there were so many smaller parts of this story I adored. The sweet flashbacks, the cameos from Hahn's other couples, the family focus, Fost -- there were just so many things that made me happy.

Overall, Hahn did an amazing job transporting me lakeside where I had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful romance unfold. I cannot wait for Hahn to take me to another lovely place again soon.

A girl and her older brothers best friend ? SAY LESS.

This book started a little hallmark-y but picked up in the end. I loved Maren and Josiah, they just seemed to fit. I appreciated it not being instant love, especially given the children.

The cozy romance was delivered and I ate it up, as I do with most of Hahn's novels. I also give kudos to the autism representation, it felt appropriate.

Medium spice but thats ok, there was enough romance to keep your cheeks rosy.

Overall a solid read, thank you St Martins Press for the ARC!

Lucky for you readers, this one is already on shelves and ready for you to pick up! Grab your copy of Friends Don't Fall in Love and Built to Last if you haven't already


3.75 ⭐️

Single dad + best friend's little sister = one very happy reader. Maren heads back to Wisconsin after a proposal goes wrong. She starts to revaluate her life and in comes the brother's best friend-- Josiah Cole (Joe). They fall into a relationship without even trying and I fall into a deeper need to keep reading. The longing glances and simmering of the relationship is chefs kiss good. Part of a series but can be read as a standalone.
4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was so cute! a couple of standouts:

The way Joe’s kids were written was so refreshing. It can be hard to find kids written well in adult romance - they often turn out to be overly precocious, or not written like the age they’re supposed to be, etc. But Joe’s kids were written with depth and accuracy, and getting to see Maren’s relationship with them grow and develop was incredibly sweet.

The setting was excellent! I almost felt like I was out there by the lake. This felt like the perfect fall read, atmospherically.

Maren was a lovely character to read. Her thoughts and concerns felt real, and it was great to go along on her journey.

No one in this book felt like an overdramatized caricature - even the people making bad decisions or doing bad things.

I had a few quibbles with the pacing, but overall this was such a pleasant read - 4/5.

3 ⭐️

Although I don't know a single thing about fishing, or boating, and have never swam in a lake, I enjoyed the atmosphere and setting of this book. Single dad and brother's best friend are two tropes that I eat up. This one was a classic to both. The book's latter half started getting a bit too cheesy for me, but I still enjoyed it overall.


Thank You NetGalley for the ARC 💓

This book was just the sweetness I’ve been craving. The Childhood friends to lovers/brother’s best friend vibes are strong, without over-powering what is ultimately a story about family, and finding where you fit in. The North Woods setting was the perfect back drop for this outdoorsy romp. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my gifted ARC!

✨ARC review✨
3.5
This was such a cute brother’s best friend, single dad romance!

While Maren and Joe knew each other growing up, it’s not until she returns to the small fishing resort town she spent summers at after a disastrous proposal that they have a connection all their own.

I loved the genuine connection and support that Joe and Maren developed. Thinking she’d only be in town for a little while, Mare just couldn’t resist the single dad and his adorable kids. Anders and Lucy were so sweet and I loved that Maren took the time to know each of them and see just what they needed.
Maren herself was at a crossroads in her life, not tied down to one place, but despite the warnings from her brother to not complicate the family, Joe and Maren were exactly what each other needed.

Joe was such a good dad to his kids. With a complicated relationship with their mom, he and the kids got so much of what they’d been missing with Maren.
Brother’s best friend is one of my favorite tropes. I loved the way this one played out as they stood their ground and believed in the future they could have together.

Available now!
🐟single dad
🎣brother’s best friend
🐟ASD rep
🎣fishing town

In the past, I’ve expressed how much I love this author’s YA romance books. While I enjoy her adult contemporary romance, I haven’t connected to the story and characters in the same way as I do with her YA…until now. This book is phenomenal! I couldn’t put it down. The chemistry, the use of the kids and dog without letting the storyline wander off, the building up of each character – chef’s kiss!

Maren and Josiah try to ignore their pull. He is her brother’s best friend, a single dad blindsided by his divorce and his wife’s abandonment of the kids, and someone living where he plans to stay. She just broke up with her almost fiancé, left her job where she was passed up for a promotion, and doesn’t plan on sticking around after she fixes up and sells the bait shop she inherited. Yet the longer she is in town, where she spent her summers growing up, the more she wonders if she wants to leave. It’s not long before Maren is seamlessly fitting into Joe’s family and life.

Maren’s oldest brother is used to taking care of everyone, even his best friend. He doesn’t realize how much he is hurting his sister when he warns her away from Josiah. As the story progresses, it becomes clear he treats Maren as a child still even though she’s in her 30s. He talks down to her and diminishes her accomplishments. Once Joe’s eyes are opened to this dynamic he cannot help but show his true emotions in front of everyone. As much as he wants to stand up for Maren, Joe understands she needs to stand up for herself.

I absolutely loved this story. I won’t say I read it in one sitting because I had laundry to do, but I read it in one day.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
🌶️🌶️ (1.5/5)

This book was like jumping in cool water on a blazing hot, summer day: refreshing. I absolutely loved this one! This was my first Erin Hahn read and I absolutely fell in love with the way she writes.

I loved Maren as the FMC. I’ve never read a book about fishing and I’m glad it was this one. Hats off to Erin Hahn for creating a FMC who works in a male dominated field. And Joe, wow. What an amazing dad and all around great guy. The two complimented each other so well.

Would’ve liked to have more moments with Maren’s other brothers.. could’ve sworn she said she had three but we really only get snippets of Liam, her oldest one. I’m not sure I really liked him but whatever, this book isn’t about him.

I will absolutely be reading more from this author.

CATCH AND KEEP - Erin Hahn

GREAT CHARACTERS! - 5 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Maren Laughlin has turned down a marriage proposal and returned to her childhood home in Wisconsin to accept an inheritance: a decrepit bait shop. She’s ready to start making her own moves, although her family thinks she’s making the wrong ones. Josiah Cole has made some mistakes in his life, but he’s happy with his job as manager of his family's lodge, plus his two awesome (but challenging) kids. He loves having Maren around. She’s a breath of fresh air, his kids adore her, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful. Things between Maren and Joe are easy. So easy, they’re fully immersed in the middle before they even decide to begin.

Writing - 4.5 stars - I was totally caught up in this romance from the very first page. It's easy to read, with characters that I could relate to. The descriptions were so clear that I could picture the settings and the people very well. This is a new-to-me author that I will definitely revisit.

Characters - 5 stars - Maren is a strong, capable woman (I loved how she related to Lucy, the autistic child), but sometimes the people around her treat her like the child she used to be rather than a grown woman. But she doesn't hold a grudge about it and doesn't spend too much time worrying about it, simply making decisions on her own and moving forward. She's attracted to Joe, and she's taking steps to let him know. Joe, for his part, is a great (but overwhelmed) dad, and I loved watching him care for his kids.

Title - 4.5 stars - The fishing reference is expected because of Maren's love for fishing and her job of running charters. And the fact that they "keep" rather than "release" tells us that the romance will be successful.

Cover - 4 stars - I'm not a huge fan of the cartoon-y covers that are the latest trend, but this one makes sense, and the colors are bright and draw the eye. Very nice.

Overall - 5 stars - This is everything that I want a romance to be. The characters are personable and approachable--definitely people that I'd love to hang around with. The interactions between the main characters, but also expanding to include Joe's parents, Joe's kids, and her celebrity friends, add humor and caring to the relationships. The setting is beautiful, the potential difficulties make sense, and the HEA was inevitable and very satisfying. This is a new-to-me author, and I will definitely look for more from her.

Unfortunately, Ms. Hahn has been unable to capture the same fiery chemistry from book 1. This is one series or romances that has not excited me passed the first one.

I adored this book and the found family trope. The romance was spicy. The characters were likable. The representation of a neuro divergent child was wonderful and the landscape of the north woods of Wisconsin was captured beautifully. That’s where I spend my summers and this book felt like a big welcome back hug. Would 10/10 recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

good romance and loved how they found love and each other. They survived their trials and found their way back to each other. another great romance.

Overall enjoyed this one! I’m a pretty big fan of Erin Hahn’s books, so I was excited to read this one! I’m not a huge fan of the romanization of the military though

I really enjoyed this fun, brother's best friend, single dad romance. Erin Hahn has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This one had it all--great characters, great writing, solid conflict and all the feels. Once I started, I couldn't stop. I absolutely loved the connection between Joe and Maren. The author does a great job of making you feel like these characters could be friends or family. She also does such a great job describing the setting that it almost feels like it's a character in the story. I highly recommend this heartwarming romance. Huge thanks to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this story.

Maren returns to her childhood roots after her ex steals a promotion from her and proposes in shocking fashion. While living at the resort her family used to vacation at, Maren grows close to her older brother’s best friend and his two kids.

Catch & Keep is book 3 in this universe. It can be read as a standalone.

I loved this one! I really enjoyed Lorelai & Craig’s story in book 2, but this one really kicked it up a notch. Maren and Joe’s love story was perfect for them, and the way that Joe’s kids Lucy and Anders fit in with it was so beautiful.

The lake resort setting was great. It felt like its own little world and the world building of it worked well. Maren being an ace fisherman was a fun set up that was really unique.

I thought the commentary on having a public persona was really interesting too. I was so glad to see Maren finally stand up for herself and set the record straight on how not okay the behavior of some of her “fans” was.