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Member Reviews

this book was interesting and made me feel a lot of things. I really liked the perspective of Joe, and how he had to deal with an awful ex-wife who doesn’t really understand her children. I think the book was very fast paced for the length of time that was actually shown. I also enjoyed the way the relationship went. It was 0-100% real fast! I also didn’t understand the way her relationships with men went. I was so confused about the stalker dude, and that the fiancée didn’t even fight for her. I felt like it should have been one or the other, but not both. It was good, but that was my one issue with it! Either way, it was a good book, and I want to read the authors other series!

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Love this author and love anything she writes. I just enjoyed everything about this story and I immediately started to read it again because I liked it so much. Just read this book please.

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What can I say, I'm a sucker for single dad and brother's best friend tropes and this book happens to have both. That makes it an insta want to read and boy did it live up to most of my expectations.

This book was so sweet and the story was so wholesome. Joe is a single dad with two kids, with his youngest being autistic. However, Maren does so well with both of them and falls in love with both of his children and when the kids' mother does not treat her kids right, Maren steps in and proves how the kids should be treated.

Also, the friendship between Maren and her friends, and blossoming friendship between Joe and the fiance/husband of Maren's friends was so amazing and hilarious. I wanted more!

Maren's brother was a big annoyance throughout the whole entire book, except for maybe the last 5%. I understand that most brother's best friend tropes include a brother that is not accepting of the relationship, however this took it to a whole new level with the brother just being verbally abusive to his sister the entire book. This is the reason why I deducted 1 star. I feel like they went really hard on this every time Liam was in the book. HOWEVER!!!! The way that Joe spoke up for Maren every time Liam acted up was super sweet and I loved every second of that.

I also did enjoy that the main FMC is ACTUALLY not like all the other girls. She has a major love for fishing and the outdoors and I've never read a book with an FMC like that. It was really refreshing to see a character like this as an FMC in a romance.

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BREATH OF FRESH AIR!! 4.5 🌟

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading a book by Erin Hahn, and I have to say, I'm now looking forward to reading more of her work.

The story is set in a Wisconsin resort, surrounded by woods and a lake. It was a light, sweet read that captivated me from the very beginning. I felt as if I was sitting on the dock, gazing at the glistening water and breathing the fresh air while reading the book.

The plot revolves around Maren, who returns to her hometown after a breakup. She's determined to renovate her childhood idol's apartment and bait shop into something amazing. Along the way, she finds herself falling for her older brother's best friend, who is a divorced single dad - someone she initially considers off-limits.

Throughout the book, Maren undergoes a journey of self-discovery, ultimately finding what truly brings her happiness in life.

I particularly loved Joe Cole, his adorable children, and his parents. And let's not forget about Rogers, the dog - what a good boy!

On the other hand, I wasn't a fan of Joe's ex-wife, and it was disheartening to see him blame himself for her behavior. I'm glad that Maren was able to help him see the truth. In my opinion, Maren is a much better mother figure to Joe's kids than Kiley could ever be.

Overall, it was a captivating book that kept me eagerly turning the pages to discover what would happen next.

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Immersed in the breathtaking Northwoods of Wisconsin, this book serves as a refreshing escape. The picturesque backdrop had me yearning to grab a fishing pole and unwind under a canopy of pine trees, evoking a desire to embrace the serene setting.

Within the narrative, Maren, the sister of the best friend, and Joe, her brother's close companion, discover a potential beyond their familiar roles. The blossoming love story, wonderfully depicted by Erin, unfolds with charm and warmth, promising delightful surprises.

Among the highlights, Joe's endearing children steal the spotlight. Anders, the eldest, radiates a gentle spirit that illuminates the pages, while sweet Lucy beautifully portrays autism with authenticity and care. Their presence enriches the narrative, captivating readers much like they captivate Maren.

Whether you're drawn to fishing or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, this enchanting tale crafted by Erin offers a tranquil and heartwarming retreat. Allow yourself to be swept away in this idyllic world she has so exquisitely created.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC of this book!

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I really enjoyed this heartwarming love story. It really captures what it’s like to persevere moving forward in life. It was such a wonderful read.

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4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this older brother's best friend to lovers story! Likeable characters - except Liam and Kiley! lol
I especially enjoyed Maren's connection with Joe's kids develop. A little spicier than what I personally prefer, but that's a me issue, not a writing issue.

My one critique - Maren is known as "Musky Maren" because she is known for catching muskellunge fish. However, as a high school teacher, teens use the word musky to indicate body odor.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

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Catch and Keep follows Maren who goes back to her childhood summer getaway home after turning down a proposal from her boyfriend. She has inherited a run down old bait shop and decides to stay and fix it up, and immediately runs into her childhood friend Joe. He’s now a divorced dad of two and easily becomes friends with Maren, working and spending time together. I didn’t expect to love this book so much, but dang it, I really did. This is a story I won’t soon forget, full of love, heart, laughter, spice, and a little drama just to keep you on your toes. I’m obsessed.

I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

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Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for access to this E-ARC! So cute!! Loved the characters & the setting. Also enjoyed just the whole vibes of this book. Excited for more from this author.

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Hahn has crafted the perfect summer come down. Tucked away in northern Wisconsin we meet Maren, or Mare, and her older brother’s long time best friend Joe during a warm September. Maren has escaped to her childhood safe haven to process the fallout of turning down her now ex-boyfriend's proposal. Little did she know she was moving in right next door to now single dad Joe and his ready-made family. At the behest of her brother Liam, Mare is determined to not interfere with Joe’s family and life. She has enough of her own problems to deal with: a run down bait shop left to her by a childhood mentor, looking for a new job, figuring out how to start over. Of course, sometimes even the best laid plans don’t go according to plan.

Hahn has crafted characters that feel whole and their interactions are engaging. The inclusion of diversity brings a welcome air of reality to this contemporary romance. The dialogue is authentic and the pacing is smooth. Joe and Maren’s dual narratives add depth and understanding to the characters' inner thoughts.

This is the perfect book to curl up with on a fall day and get immersed in the world of “Catch and Keep”.

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At thirty-three, Maren Laughlin's just turned down her boyfriend’s proposal, walked away from her decade-long position as a park ranger, and returned to her childhood playground in Northern Wisconsin to accept her inheritance: a decrepit waterfront bait shop. After a lifetime of letting things happen to her, she’s ready to start making her own moves, even if everyone else thinks she’s making the wrong ones. Well, not everyone—at least the local heartstopper and resort owner is on her side.

Josiah Cole has made some missteps in his life, but he’s proud of what he has: two awesome kids and the keys to the kind of getaway spot that has families coming back every summer– their up north home away from home. After his marriage dissolved, leaving him a single dad, he feels he’s the last person to judge Maren for her recent transformation (even if his best friend, her brother, wants him to feel otherwise). Besides, he genuinely likes having her around. She’s a breath of fresh air, his kids adore her (not to mention her dog, Rogers), 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.

This was a super sweet slow burn. I love the single dad trope, it's one of my favorites. When kids are written WELL into a good romance, it's going to be a winner for me. This was that. I loved Josiah and Maren, their budding (slow!) relationship, and the kids! Beautiful. Highly recommend this, especially to people who like family stories! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

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It was a very good book! I enjoyed the characters and the story was different than what I have read before! Would recommend!

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This book was absolutely precious. Maren just ran away from a proposal to fix up a bait shop and apartment that we're left to her by her mentor. She runs back into Joe whose her brothers best friend. Joe is a single dad who is trying his best for his sweet kids. This book has great autism representation and a precious love story about people who are moving forward though they've been through a lot and choosing each other no matter what.

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3 stars is a bit of a reach! It was slow and fast at the same time. Loved the representation in this and the location of where it took place was unique. Grateful that Netgallery gave me this ARC and I would recommend people readying this if they are looking for a quick and easy read, I just didn’t like how the storyline felt all over the place.

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Absolutely loved this book! As someone who has family from Michigan and Wisconsin, this book totally captured the mannerisms of a Northerner.
The dual point of views from the FMC & MMC was immaculate because you were able to experience the 🌶️ from both sides.
I think this book encompasses the whole “right person, right time” despite their baggage. Having a midlife crisis and running off to then fall in love with your brother’s best friend? I think yes 🥰

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I absolutely loved everything about this book. It made me laugh, cry, ponder, and fall in love with the characters. Lucy's autism was so beautifully written about - written with so much love, acceptance, and care. Anders had such an important light shone on him - often times, siblings of kiddos with special needs end up taking care of themselves and I love that Maren was able to fill that hole for him. The characters were loveable, the storyline was amazing. Being a Wisconsinite, I can truly say the vibes were spot on for the Northwoods. I cannot get enough of this book.

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Catch and Keep was such a great read. Maren, the female lead was so incredibly likable that you couldn’t help but want for the best outcome for her. I was rooting for her for the entire book. I also felt she was super relatable too! Joe was also a really likable character who seems to have been through it and your heart really just goes out to him! I absolutely loved the dynamic and romance between the two, and I’m a sucker for a good brother’s best friend trope. The only thing that I didn’t love about this book was that I felt that some events were built up in the storyline, that didn’t play out in the dramatic way I thought it may have or was built up to be, but it didn’t take away from how thoroughly I enjoyed the story overall! I absolutely recommend this book to all light-hearted romance readers!

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Really enjoyed this book! It is the 3rd book of three friends - I had not read the first two books but it doesn't matter. I was not lost at all. And now I want to go back and read the first two books. It is a great summer beach read and I read it in a day!

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3.5 stars! This was such a cozy, heartwarming read. I love the "sibling's best friend/best friend's sibling" tropes, and have read and really enjoyed a few of Erin Hahn's other books, so I was especially excited to pick up CATCH AND KEEP, and it definitely did not disappoint. The relationship between Maren and Joe was so sweet to read about—their chemistry practically jumped off the page! Beyond the romance, I thought Hahn did an amazing job of developing the setting (literally felt like I was there on the lake!), as well as the platonic and familial relationships in the book. It's always fun when characters an author has previously written about show up in future stories, and I loved seeing the friendship between Maren, Lorelai, and Shelby shine throughout. It was also great to read about Joe's relationship with his kids, and the special bond Maren created with them. Maren's adorable dog was another highlight for me, of course!

If there's one thing I didn't personally love, it was the stalker plotline. I felt like it made sense, given that Maren used to be a famous influencer, but at the same time, didn't seem totally necessary, since there were other sources of conflict/tension throughout the story. I also thought the resolution of it was a little bit rushed—I loved that Maren saved herself and resolved things herself, but the pacing felt a little off towards the end, considering how much buildup there had been surrounding the whole storyline. Still, I really enjoyed CATCH AND KEEP overall, and would recommend it, especially for any romance fans! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

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I loved this book and couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. I fell in love with the characters and was really invested in them, especially Joe. From the first chapter in his perspective I was hooked. It had a good amount of spice for a romance(that sometimes I wish would have went on a little longer). I wish there was a little more conflict but it was definitely a feel good romance that I will read again and recommend.

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