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!

A brother’s best friend, single dad, kind of childhood friends to lovers and set in a small town resort area. This was such an easy, enjoyable read. There were some rushed parts but I loved the characters and couldn’t stop reading.

Ah, this is exactly the book I love to read!!!

It sucked me in right from the start, and made me not want to put it down.

Maren and Joe just make sense. As do Anders and Lucy. And you can't forget Rogers.

The fishing aspect wasn't something I thought I'd enjoy. The author did a really good job of explaining it just enough to educate you but not bore you.

Yes, read this book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a great read for someone looking for a low stakes romance with main characters who are both kind, mature, rational adults. I loved the ND rep in the MMCs daughter - I haven't read a book with that representation in a child and thought it was really well done. There are some great tropes - brothers best friend, childhood friends, single dad, etc.

I am a fishing girlie so that was fun!

The spice sort of hits out of nowhere after not a ton of relationship development and emotional development/tension. Somewhere between 2.5-3 peppers on the heat level.

I wanted to connect more to the characters' relationship, and when things get lovey dovey without the buildup I don't feel that connection. I also did not love the random creepy man side plot but I generally don't like creepy men so that tracks.

After working for the Park Service and losing out on a promotion to her ex-boyfriend Maren is ready for a fresh start. When she ends up inheriting a bait shop back home, Maren heads to Wisconsin where she runs into her brother’s best friend . After serving in the military and the dissolution of his marriage, single dad Josiah is back in the Midwest focusing on his family. As Maren and Josiah work together reestablishing the bait shop feelings develop not just between the two, but between Maren and Josiah’s children as well. Will there be a future for them after all?

This was a sweet romance with an ode to the outdoors. I especially appreciated the autistic representation of Josiah’s daughter, which we need more of. Both Maren and Josiah and their own pasts and issues they needed to work through, but they do it together. A true real life testament of romance!

I absolutely LOVED this book!! I loved the small town setting in Wisconsin and all the fishing and lake vibes. I fell head over heels in love with the characters--Joe, Maren, the kids Anders and Lucy, and of course, Rogers the dog. This book was romance perfection for me. The romance felt real, they communicated like adults (I hate the miscommunication trope) and there was no third act breakup. The dual POV worked perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and highly recommend it! A perfect Fall read as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Catch and Keep. The main character Maren grew up spending summers at a campground in Wisconsin and loving to fish. When her current boyfriend proposes to her she runs away to that familiar campground. While she is there she connects with her brother's best friend Joe and his children. I loved the characters of this book including Maren's best friends and their significant others.

I grew up in NE Wisconsin I really tried to get a sense for where the campground and lake was located. Something in the beginning of the book made me think NW Wisconsin, but the family always went to Green Bay to shop or go to the airport which would be farther than going into the Twin Cities. Honestly that is my only criticism because this was a great read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• listened on audio as well (I did like the narration of both MC’s)

“You’re a catch, too, Joe. You’re my catch.”

🐟 Fishing is a main plot
• ex military man + ex married
• single dad
• his ex sucks, I could not imagine a parent like that
• autism rep (one of his children) + also really good autism rep!
• mc’s in their late 20s/30s
• no third act break up (although there is a conflict with her brother)
• small town

This book is really wholesome and cute, even though I’m not a fisher it was still fun to hear what it’s like from someone who does fish for fun and with good intentions.

My only complaint is the “my brothers best friend” was talked about too much, we get ittt it’s forbidden. It doesn’t need to be said more than at least 3 times.

Thank you NetGalley - publishers for arc. All opinions are my own.

Loved this read. Great fully formed characters, a wonderful setting and a truly wonderful happily ever after. Maren is trying to figure out what her next move is after her life blows up. She broke up with her ex, who turned out to be a jerk of the highest order. He really had no idea who she was and what she wanted. He stealthily stole the job she wanted, proposed in a way that was everything she didn’t want and wanted her to be the opposite of who she was. He was “the man” after all and what he wanted, thought and knew was more important to anything she felt. She packed up her car and headed to her happy place. She had inherited an old shop and apartment and figured she’d renovate and figure out her next move. Upon her return she finds Josiah Cole and his two amazing children are back in town. He is her brother's BFF and was her childhood crush. They’ve both been warned by her brother to stay away from each other, but for very different reasons. Her brother is the guy who thinks he is the smartest in any room he is ever in. The things he feels and says about her are atrocious. It's a wonderful story about love, life, moving forward acceptance, and most of all, finding home. The ending was so incredibly sweet and filled with love that I was a little sad when I finished it. Really enjoyed the entire book.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I like Maren and Joe’s story. She fell first years ago and Joe had no clue. After they both have life changing events they end up on the resort they both grew up going to. Maren had no intention of making her feelings known to Joe but slowly they spend more time together. Even though I like their story I actually like Maren’s relationship with Joe’s kids just as much.

Believe or not there are three “villains” in the story. Two are written well where they are doing just enough…evil? Mean/wrong things? that works. Joe’s ex wife though…I think it went a little far. I can understand Kylie having trouble relating to her kids but to pretty much write them off and not even try? I know it’s not unheard of, there are plenty of terrible parents out there but compared to our other villains she is more extreme. With Joe and Maren being close to perfect parents it does level it out but I think meeting a little more in the middle is more believable.

I did enjoy Catch and Keep. Kylie may have gone too far to the dark side but there is plenty of good happy parts to keep the story an overall happy read.

✅ Maren, 33, recently single, on hiatus from her job & Josiah (Joe), 38, former marine, single dad to 2 kids, runs his family’s resort
✅ brother’s best friend
✅ dual POV
✅ cute dog
🌶️: yes, and in the first 2/3rd