I loved this one from the dedication to lake girls at the beginning. Maren returns home to small town Wisconsin after having just walked away from her boyfriend's proposal and her job as a park ranger. She has inherited a small bait shop there and decides to go spend some time, but ends up quickly running into her older brother's friend, single dad - Joe. The two of them are sweet and cautious together, her brother has threatened as much, but their chemistry is just electric. I really enjoyed this one. This author consistently writes enjoyable rom-coms. I enjoyed the lake setting and the chemistry between the characters. I will keep on reading whatever this author puts out. It's just the perfect little quick reading, cozy romance. Also that cover is giving all the fall vibes.

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book.

Love Erin Hahn and everything she writes. This story was adorable and easy to read. I also love the cameos from the characters from previous books.

Picking up one of Erin Hahn's books was truly one of the best decisions I've ever made. Since that first book I checked out, Hahn has become an auto-read for me, and this one was no exception.

Josiah aka Joe and Maren are amazing leads with such fantastic chemistry. Their relationship builds as Maren tries to escape from her reality and get back to the one place in the world she loves, living on the lake and fishing.

I absolutely adored Lucy and Anders, and seeing the way that Maren took up for each of the kids and connected with them in a way that was meaningful to each of the kids was so important to read. It was truly one of my favorite parts of this story.

10/10 everytime, thank you Erin for writing such wonderful, loving characters and stories.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely my favourite of the three books about this group of friends—and I liked it better than Even If It Breaks Your Heart, which I also quite enjoyed. I almost wish there was another friend in the group so we could continue living in this world, but it looks like we’re closing the chapter on these women.

What didn’t work for me

Marin’s brother: I know part of the plot was that there was meant to be tension due to the fact that Josiah is Liam’s best friend, but Liam was unnecessarily cruel to Marin throughout the book. Her parents never said anything about it and there were supposed to be two other brothers who would have maybe rounded out the dynamic a little bit, but I felt that we could have shown the tension in a different way.

The borderline stalker: Maybe this needs a trigger warning, but Marin does have a stalker of sorts in this book. Did I understand why Hahn added it to the story? Sure. Do I think we could have done without it and created tension another way? Also yes. I feel like we were traumatizing Marin for no reason between this guy and her brother.

What I liked

The single father trope: I have said this before about Hahn’s books, but I like that the main characters (in this series at least) are not right out of high school or right out of college—they are women and men into their careers and who have a more mature take on life. The fact that Josiah has kids and has an ex-wife and all the baggage that comes with that makes for a deeper and more real connection between him and Marin. It feels more believable.

The dual POV: Sometimes I think the dual POV just makes it more frustrating when the characters don’t get together right away because you read that they’re both pining for each other and you just want them to do something about it, but because Joe is a single parent, you really get a different insight into where his head is at (with all his life baggage) versus Marin, who is really falling in love for the first time. They bring different perspectives and you get to know each of them this way, which I enjoyed.

Shelby and Lorelai (and Cam and Craig): People who haven’t read the other books might find it annoying that the audience keeps getting these vignettes with Marin’s best friends—sometimes literally taking her away from the main plot—but as a person who has read all three, I really liked these glimpses into what they were up to and showing how friendships are important. Plus, there’s a scene where Cam and Craig are giving Josiah a pep talk that was really, really heartwarming.

4.5 STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced book copy in exchange for my honest review.

The tropes are single dad and brother's best friend. Honestly, I went into this book and didn't have any high expectations because it focused so much on the lake aspect but that is a big part of the book however it has so many other parts that it wasn't such an issue for me.

This book was so good for me I just couldn't put it down. For me it was the aspect of a single dad and the kids actually acting like kids was a huge thing for me. It had a good representation of a child on the autism spectrum, and it didn't make her a tragedy. It was done in my opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, as always, all words are my own.

4.5 stars

I adored this so much. It had me smiling, laughing, saying aww, had me mad at their family members and made me want to tear up. Anders and Lucy were *chefs kiss* in the kids department and I'm so glad they had such a big role in the story. Really loving Erin Hahn's adult novels.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Is this….is this my favorite Erin Hahn book yet??? I think it is 💕
The found family vibes of all the epic and strong women from her past books! The men who love them! The kick-butt main character who is allowed to be soft and strong and feel her feelings! The absolutely adorable love interest and her childhood crush! The reality of being a woman who posts on the internet and has to deal with creepy men! I could go on and on and on, but wow. This is SUCH a cozy and fun autumn romance and I devoured it all up.

This the perfect fall cozy romance read!! Maren grew up with a love for fishing that followed her into her career as a Park Ranger. After skipping out on a public proposal she goes back to her old fishing grounds to re-evaluate her life. While there her world collides with Josiah (her older brother’s best friend) and the sparks are flying. Josiah is a single dad of two, one of whom is autistic, and he’s decided to start living again. I loved watching their childhood annoying siblings friends relationship turn into a true adult friendship and then I to even more. If you looking for a feel good romance with falls vibes, this is the book for you!!

Rating: Absolutely Loved It, 5 stars

I think that my enjoyment level may have been a little bit closer to 4.5 stars, but there were aspects of this that I just loved SO much that I decided to round it up.

Catch and Keep is the third and final story of the best friend trio introduced in Built to Last, finding love. We follow Maren whose ordered life has just blown up around her. Her boyfriend gets her promotion, then proposes to her in an extremely public way. She naturally vomits on his shoes and runs away to the lake in Northern Wisconsin where she used to spend every summer growing up. Once there, she runs into her older brother's best friend: Josiah Cole, an ex-Marine, single dad and his two children. Romance ensues.

The thing I loved the most about Maren and Joe was that their story was so quiet and natural. They sort of just fell into a relationship from being friends. His two children, Lucy and Anders were just so wonderful, and I loved seeing Maren fall in love with them along with Joe. Anders becomes her fishing buddy and idolizes her the way that she used to idolize her fishing mentor growing up. Lucy is on the spectrum, and I loved seeing Maren learn how best to show love to Lucy. The whole dynamic just felt like it had existed for a long time, and I loved seeing them all interact as a family.

I also really appreciated that the conflict in this was all external. There were some instances within their relationship that required communication and grace, but most of the things that were "keeping them apart" were all external factors. The fact that they loved each other was never really called into question and there was no third act breakup. We get a few spicy scenes, which I enjoyed, but they felt almost unnecessary to me personally, because the rest of their love story felt so authentic.

Overall, I loved the quiet setting of this, all the references to fishing, and all the characters. The glimpses of Lorelei and Shelby were so fun, and I think that Maren's may be my favorite story of the three. I thought that Erin Hahn really portrayed Lucy's autism with care. I am not a parent to a child with autism, nor am I autistic myself, but I do work in special education, and it felt very well done to me. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a good contemporary romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Catch and Keep releases on October 15, 2024.

Catch and Keep gave me all the autumn vibes. While this is a romance, it also explores topics such as self-discovery, growth, and embracing change. I loved the small town community feel of the setting. Maren’s brother annoyed me, but what big brother doesn’t? The fishing references are definitely unique for a romance novel.


Read if you like:
- Fishing and outdoors
-Single dad trope
-Brother’s best friend
-Small town romance

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had been looking forward to reading this for a while and I am thrilled that it did not disappoint! This book was the perfect combination of sweet with some spice. I love a romance that makes me giddy! Cheers for Maren and Joe being adults and acting like it. They had great communication, and I enjoyed how the dynamic of Joe’s kids was addressed.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s for the ARC!

A very cute, fall, found family, small town, hot single dad, brother’s best friend romance. It checked all of the boxes, without being too cliche at the same time. There was spice, but it wasn’t overdone or too frequent. I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending to my friends!

The fishing aspect was a fun part that makes this book different from the rest. The setting was well built, and I could easily picture the bait store and flowages. It added to the cozy autumnal vibes of the book for sure. The Musky Maren YouTube channel was also a unique take, and added some interesting storylines with her stalker throughout the book.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics of the Cole’s and how they broke the stereotypical romcom mold. It emphasized Maren’s attributes as she immediately fit in and supported both Lucy and Anders. It was very heartwarming, and certainly highlighted the failures of their biological mom. That was an interesting part of the plot to follow along with as well!

I received this book as an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you Erin Hahn and St. Martin’s Press!

I definitely enjoyed this book! I love that it was cozy. I love that the female main character was in her 30s. It was definitely swoons and I love the characters love journey.
Single dad & Brothers best friend or some of my favorite Book tropes!

Erin Hahn’s "Catch and Keep" is a beautifully woven tale of self-discovery, love, and the courage to embrace change. Maren Laughlin’s journey from a stagnant relationship and a secure job as a park ranger to reclaiming her childhood in Northern Wisconsin is both inspiring and relatable.

At thirty-three, Maren’s decision to reject her boyfriend's proposal and inherit a dilapidated bait shop is a bold move, one that sets the stage for her transformation. Hahn brilliantly captures Maren’s internal struggles and her determination to take control of her life. The picturesque setting of Northern Wisconsin, with its vibrant descriptions, serves as the perfect backdrop for Maren’s journey of self-reinvention.

Josiah Cole, the charming resort owner and single dad, is a fantastic counterpart to Maren. His own story of navigating life after a divorce adds depth to the narrative, and his connection with Maren feels genuine and effortless. Their chemistry is electric, with moments that are both heartwarming and steamy. Hahn’s portrayal of their relationship explores the complexities of love, especially when both characters are learning to trust again after heartbreak.

What I particularly enjoyed about "Catch and Keep" is its exploration of community and family ties. Maren’s interactions with the locals, including her supportive friends and quirky family dynamics, create a rich tapestry of relationships that enhance the story. Hahn’s writing is infused with humor and warmth, making the characters feel like friends you’d want to root for.

The novel also raises intriguing questions about what it means to truly love someone and whether love should always be a challenge or if sometimes it can just be easy. As Maren and Joe navigate their blossoming romance, readers are left pondering the beauty of uncomplicated connections and the bravery it takes to embrace vulnerability.

In summary, "Catch and Keep" is a delightful read that seamlessly blends romance with themes of self-empowerment and the joys of second chances. Erin Hahn has crafted a story that is not only entertaining but also resonates on a deeper level. If you’re looking for a heartwarming and sexy escape that will leave you feeling uplifted, this book is a perfect choice. Grab your favorite blanket and settle in—you won’t want to put it down!

This was such a cozy and swoony read. It was my first time reading this author and it definitely won't be the last. I enjoyed the Wisconsin setting and overall it was a lot of great tropes I enjoyed.

Erin Hahn does not disappoint. This is my fourth book of hers and they are all 4-5 stars. This on in particular was an absolute delight. Her books are sweet and swoony (and sexy) while tackling difficult subjects.

Things between Maren and Joe are easy from the beginning. This is a low angst romance but there are a lot of external issues they struggle with, including the fact that he's a single dad of two.

While it doesn't say this is a series, this is connected to Hahn's other two adult romance novels and you may be confused by all the side characters if you haven't read those.

Highly recommend.

Did I stay up til 4am finishing this book, why yes, yes I did.
This ended up being one of my favorite Erin Hahn book I've read so far. Set in WI, Maren goes back to the resort where she spent most of her summers growing up, after a break up with her boyfriend to fix up a bait shop and an apartment. Joe, who now runs the resort, is a single father for 2 adorable kids, and Maren's brother Liam's best friends. Maren is told to stay away but she does truly follow her heart. 4.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn is a heartwarming and evocative romance that beautifully captures the essence of healing and rediscovery. The story follows Maren Laughlin, a woman at a crossroads in her life. After turning down a marriage proposal and leaving her job as a park ranger, she returns to her childhood haven in Northern Wisconsin to take over her late grandfather's shop.

The romance between Maren and Joe, her brother's best friend, is a slow burn that is both sweet and sizzling. Their chemistry is palpable, and their journey from friends to lovers is filled with tender moments and heartfelt conversations. Joe's patience and understanding make him an endearing character, and his support helps Maren find her footing again.

Overall, Catch and Keep is a delightful read that will leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling. It's a testament to the healing power of love and the importance of finding one's true path. If you're a fan of friends-to-lovers romances with a touch of nostalgia and a lot of heart, this book is definitely for you.

He is a single dad of two, just trying to keep all his plates spinning. She's just upended her life after her toxic boyfriend, who just stole her work promotion, tried to propose. Oh, she also happens to be his best friend's little sister. Together they make a pretty stunning friend-to- lover's romance story.

This is the perfect fall romance. It's set in a small fishing resort town in Wisconsin with quirky characters and that small-town charm. Not to mention, we get to see some of our favorite best friends from Hahn's previous books. Joe is such a cinnamon roll hero. He is a hometown favorite and just so freaking wholesome. Maren is a bit impulsive but has good intentions and a heart of gold. They were both so perfectly flawed but clearly the missing puzzle pieces for each other. I loved the subtle mystery subplot with Bryce. It kept me engaged in the story

I loved the bond Maren had with Joe's kids Anders and Lucy. Lucy has an autism spectrum disorder and gets a lot of adult attention while Anders is forced to grow up a little faster because of it. I loved that Maren's relationship with Anders was able to lift the load Joe had letting Anders be the kid for once while she also had a special relationship with Lucy all the same. It was just done so flawlessly. Even better though, is that there was no third act breakup which I am always a fan of!

Read if you like a brother's best friend, friends to lovers, forbidden romance. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 10/15.

Only for Erin Hahn would I emerge from my self-imposed romance ban and read an entire book in a day. Do I regret it? Possibly. But it's Erin Hahn.