Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn is a cozy, feel-good small-town romance with heart and depth. It follows Maren, who returns home after a messy breakup and ends up reconnecting with Joe, her brother’s best friend and a devoted single dad. Their slow-burn romance is sweet and swoony, with just the right touch of real-life messiness—think second chances, found family, and lovable kids. It’s warm, emotionally grounded, and perfect if you’re into romances that feel genuine and comforting with a touch of spice.

Catch and Keep is the kind of romance that wraps you up like a flannel blanket and hands you a cup of coffee—strong, comforting, and exactly what you need. Erin Hahn delivers a tender, friends-to-lovers story that’s both grounded and swoony, with just the right balance of small-town charm, real-life baggage, and undeniable chemistry.

Maren is a relatable, quietly bold heroine stepping into a new chapter of her life after years of playing it safe. Her decision to take over her family’s rundown bait shop might raise eyebrows, but it’s exactly the kind of fresh start she needs. Josiah—single dad, resort owner, and her older brother’s best friend—brings his own emotional weight to the story, but he’s warm, steady, and so easy to root for.

Their romance is slow-burning in the best way—natural, unforced, and laced with mutual respect and genuine affection. Hahn nails the cozy, lived-in dynamic of two people who just fit together. Bonus points for the adorable dog (Rogers!) and Josiah’s two kids, who add extra heart to the narrative without ever veering into cliché.

If anything held it back from being a five-star read, it’s that the story sometimes feels too easy. The conflicts are relatively low-stakes, and while that makes for a soothing read, a bit more tension or surprise would have elevated the emotional payoff even further.

Still, this one’s a keeper. With its satisfying blend of warmth, steam, and second chances, Catch and Keep is a perfect pick for fans of small-town romance, gentle reinvention, and love that feels like home.

Erin Hahn is the queen of fantastic couples. I loved Shelby and Cameron....then I loved Lorelai and Craig....now I meet Maren and Josiah and fall even more in love! (Also, I LOVE when past characters make appearances in other books by the author!). Maren was a beautiful and badass character who she turned her life around after some awkward-as-hell past events. I loved how seamlessly she (and her pup!) fit into Josiah's life with his adorable kids. Their story gave me all the feels and I was rooting for their inevitable happily ever after from the beginning!

I fell in love with Erin as a writer when I read her first adult book, Built to Last. Friends Don’t Fall in Love was also a joy and somehow Catch and Keep blew me out of the water.
Maren is so relatable to me. I love how Erin tackles real life issues to help the readers connect with the characters and their situations. Joe, divorced with a undependable ex-wife who doesn’t understand or care to understand their daughter, Lucy, who is autistic. Anders, the caring and protective oldest child is the sweetest big brother. I loved the relationship Maren makes with the kids, separate from Joe. She steps in to their lives not to appeal to Joe, but because she wants to help and genuinely cares for the kids.
I feel with each book in this ‘Smitten in the Mitten’ series, Erin has found a way to draw the readers in deeper with her realistic and layered characters. It is so easy to become emotionally invested in them and their story. Erin has easily become a favorite author of mine since I discovered her on NetGalley years ago

Catch and Keep is a cozy, swoon-worthy romance perfect for the summer. The setting is welcoming, the characters are endearing, and I love all the tropes (small town, single dad, guy falls first). Overall I had a great time with this story!

The title and cover are lovely. This was a sweet feel-good romance novel that is perfect for the summer. The characters are delightful. There is no hidden agendas, drama, or surprises.

Erin Hahn’s Catch and Keep is a tender, soul-stirring YA romance that explores love, loss, and the bittersweet beauty of second chances. With her signature emotional depth and relatable characters, Hahn delivers a story that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.

The novel follows West, a talented but struggling musician, and Grace, a determined young woman with a complicated past, as they navigate the highs and lows of a relationship that begins as an unexpected connection and blossoms into something much deeper. Grace, who’s trying to find her footing after a traumatic event, is both skeptical and cautious about letting anyone into her heart. West, on the other hand, is grappling with the pressures of his budding music career and the expectations that come with it. When their worlds collide, sparks fly, but not without a fair share of misunderstandings and emotional turmoil.

Hahn’s writing is rich with nuance, capturing the complexities of young love and the challenges that come with it. What stands out in Catch and Keep is the authentic emotional journey both characters undergo. Grace’s vulnerability, paired with West’s quiet but intense desire to protect her, creates a beautifully layered dynamic. Their relationship isn’t just about attraction—it’s about healing, growth, and learning how to let go of past wounds in order to build something new together.

Hahn also brings her trademark authenticity to the setting, crafting a story that feels both personal and universal. The music industry backdrop adds an interesting layer to the romance, with the tension between West’s career and his relationship with Grace providing a compelling backdrop to their evolving connection. Hahn’s exploration of family, friendship, and the messy complexities of love make this more than just a romance—it’s a deeply emotional exploration of what it means to find yourself while also finding someone you want to share your life with.

The pacing of the novel is just right, with moments of lighthearted banter and intimate connection woven seamlessly into more poignant, reflective scenes. The chemistry between West and Grace is undeniable, and while their journey is filled with ups and downs, it’s their growth as individuals that makes this story so compelling.

Thank you NetGalley, Erin Hahn, and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness, I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this book!! "Catch and Keep" was everything I hoped for and more! Beautifully written, incredibly sweet, and deeply emotional, it tugged at my heartstrings from the very first page. This was my first read by Erin Hahn, and it certainly won't be my last! I was completely immersed in characters that felt so real, with a relationship that developed organically. AND BEST OF ALL - NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!! I was also extremely impressed by Hahn's thoughtful and authentic portrayal of a character with autism. Such a heartwarming story and an easy addition to my top favorites of 2025!! 🩷🩷🩷🩷

Tropes/Themes:
🐟 Friends to Lovers
🐟 Brother's Best Friend
🐟 Single Dad
🐟Small Town Romance
🐟Slow Burn
🐟Autism Representation
🐟No Third Act Breakup
🐟Dual POV

Synposis:
Mauren Laughlin has a spent a lifetime casting lines, waiting and hoping, but at thirty-three, she's ready to reel in something real. When she turns down a safe proposal and walks away from the life she's always known, Maren returns to her childhood lakefront, where an old bait shop and a new beginning await.

Josiah Cole has built a life from second chances, a beloved lakeside resort, two kids who light up his world, and a heart that's mended itself, piece by piece. When Maren drifts into his orbit, it feels less like falling and more like floating, easy and certain, inevitable.

But when love feels this effortless, can it really be trusted? Or is this exactly what it means to find the one you were meant to catch and keep?

My Thoughts:
"Catch and Keep" is pure joy wrapped in a love story! Joe completely stole my heart! The way he stood up for Maren, openly loved her, and never once made her question her worth. He's the kind of hero you don't just root for, you fall for. A true cinnamon roll hero with a heart of gold! Maren's journey was just as moving, especially in the way she connected with Lucy. Showing her patience, understanding, and never treating her as anything less than extraordinary.

This story is brimming with all the best things: fierce friendships, unconditional family, a slow-blooming love that feels both magical and real. And the two kids, plus the adorable dog 🐶, completely captured my heart and made this story shine even brighter.

l loved every page, and I'm already planning to add a physical copy to my personal library. I wholeheartedly recommend and it deserves ALL the stars!!! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off, the cover—so crisp, so cute, so fall! It instantly made me want to pack a bag and head straight to northern Wisconsin. Catch and Keep is a standalone romance novel by Erin Hahn, and while it had its charming moments, it didn’t fully land for me.

The story centers on Maren, who is proposed to by her longtime boyfriend and promptly vomits. Realizing she needs a reset, she leaves town and heads to a favorite childhood destination: a lake in northern Wisconsin. She’s inherited an old cabin there and decides to fix it up while figuring out her next move. Unexpectedly, her new neighbor turns out to be Josiah (Joe)—her childhood crush and her older brother Liam’s best friend. Joe is now a divorced single dad, a former Marine, and the manager of his family’s lakeside resort.

The book checks a lot of romance trope boxes: friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, and single dad—plus a unique twist with fishing as the shared passion. I especially enjoyed watching Maren bond with Joe’s kids, particularly his autistic daughter. Those scenes added heart and depth to the story.

That said, I did feel Maren could’ve used more time focusing on herself before jumping into a new relationship. Her brother was overbearing in a way that detracted from the story, and Joe’s ex-wife was portrayed a little too much like a Disney villain. There was also an odd stalker subplot that didn’t really pay off.

Overall, this was a light, easy read with cozy vibes and a lovely setting. It didn’t fully hook me, but I’d be open to reading more from Erin Hahn in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I have been a fan of Erin Hahn's novels in the past but this one fell flat for me. While the choice of characters was interesting, forest ranger on leave Maren and single dad and former military man Joe, the story felt like it moved at a snail's pace. The stakes never felt high enough nor was I a fan of the conversational narration that gave us every single thought the character was thinking. I ended up "calling the game" at about the 85%+ mark knowing that nothing new was going to happen and the characters would live HEA.

Considering that this was the second in third in the series and the second one I've felt this way about, I think the problem is me. I'm the problem, it's me. 😏

I can read anything Erin Hahn writes. She knows how to write emotional romance stories. And it's no different in Catch and Keep. I absolutely adored the main character, Maren, in Catch and Keep. Maren has the courage to change her life. Not everyone does it, but Maren did. She wanted something different so Maren is taking the chance. And I am loving every moment of Maren journey.

I picked this up because I had already read the other two books in this series. I wasn't too excited about the plot at first, but I quickly realized I was wrong. I loved the chemistry between these two main characters.

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the small-town vibe and how Maren found herself again after turning down a big proposal. The setting by the lake felt so cozy, and Joe—who’s a great mix of charming and down-to-earth—was a character I couldn’t help but root for. Their chemistry was natural and sweet, and I loved seeing their relationship build. This book was the perfect mix of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments.

Small-town romance lovers, Catch and Keep is definitely for you!
Erin Hahn is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. She strikes a nice balance between heartwarming and heartbreaking that leaves you feeling all the feels by the time you finish the last page.

I loved that Maren and Joe are getting a second chance to make the leap from friends to lovers. Their chemistry was so sweet and felt incredibly natural. I appreciated that Maren was messy, walking away from the life she knew to work on the Bait Shop. Joe totally had me swooning. Usually the single Dad trope isn't for me but it really worked for Joe. I really enjoyed his POV - especially all the times he was secretly going gaga over Maren!

Catch and Keep has a pretty tidy HEA, making it the perfect vacay or summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Erin Hahn for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

✨️ CATCH AND KEEP ✨️
3⭐️ for plot | skipped the spice chapters

Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this #gifted digital ARC and apologies that it took a long while to catch up on my reads and reviews due to schoolwork

Catch and Keep explores second chances, family ties and strength in starting over. Small town vibes, dual POVs, and family relationships add warmth that will make this a cozy read for fans of contemporary love stories. I laughed having Bon Jovi music to their wedding plans as he's my ultimate fave rock star!

I can see why this book will swoon readers who love romance and spice but it just wasn't for somebody like me who's picky with romance reads.

I really like the complex characters Erin Hahn writes and this one was no exception. I really love the way she includes personal growth in the characters' romance and the chemistry really worked for me. This one was good!

This book was adorable. Heartwarming, sweet. I enjoyed the characters and the single dad trope isn’t overplayed like some others. Would recommend.

Maren's boyfriend of a year just proposed and she answered him by throwing up on his feet. Josiah is raising his 2 kids by himself after his ex-wife decided being a mom was too hard. Maren and Joe have known each other their whole lives and never expected to end up in the same place again. This was a sweet romance with characters that have great chemistry. I loved that the story includes Joe's kids, Anders and Lucy, and that Lucy has autism.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. I love a single dad romance, and this one was wonderfully done. I loved the slow burn, the humor, and the natural feel to this story. I can't wait to read more from this author!