Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for an arc of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Catch and Keep is the third in an interconnected series of novels. It can be read as standalone but will spoil the endings of the first two novels.

This book was something special. It is a brother’s best friend to friend to lovers romance with a special group of friends, family, and the cutest kids.

Maren is the last of the Shelby/Lorelai/Maren trio to search for her happily ever after. Following a … nauseating response to a proposal by her ex-boyfriend, Maren escapes to her safe space. She goes back to the lake that taught her peace and how to fish. Maren’s late fishing friend/teacher left her an inheritance and now is as good a time as any to go fix it up. Then, she runs into Joe, her brother’s best friend, divorced dad of two with the cutest - but not overly precocious like most kids in novels - kids around…

Maren is, by far, my favorite of the trio. She is smart, kind, attentive, and truly a heck of a good human. Joe is an incredible father who does every possible thing for his kids as well as for the resort he and his parents own. Reading about these two learning to care for each other, lean on each other, and fall for each other was a joy. Seeing Maren jump in to help Joe when he struggles as a single parent was incredible.

The side characters in this book were something else as well. Maren and Joe’s parents, Maren’s brother Liam (every older brother that cares about his little sister, while forgetting she is a full fledged adult), Maren’s SIL Jess, and at the top of the list - Anders and Lucy. Anders is the sweetest older brother to his little sister Lucy. Anders defies gender norms with pink and sparkly nail polish, absolutely loves fishing, and would do anything for his sister. Lucy has her good days and bad days, but is such an incredible artist and is only four. She lit up every page she was on. I couldn’t get enough of those two kids.

There may or may not have been some fun cameos, too.

TW: Minor character stalks a MC, but does not physically harm her and does not technically break any laws. Absentee parent. Absentee parent blaming child for her autism. Brother infantalizing and undermining abilities of adult younger sisterI’m

The story was well crafted and captivating. Cute characters that are relatable. Erin Hahn is becoming an author I look for.

There is a reason why Erin Hahn is my biggest auto author. This. This is why. Her writing style is unmatched in my opinion. The way she builds her characters to continuously grow into people you feel like you personally know. I have been waiting for Maren to get her time to shine. And the way I fell in love with Josiah Cole from the opening line signifying him, done for. He had me in a chokehold. The way Maren and Joe just melted together so effortlessly was everything that my aching heart needed. The side characters Hahn writes are always top tier. They help carry the story on at full speed. While reading this, all I kept saying to my husband was, “I want to be fishing right now! I want to be out on the water! Can we take the canoe out?!” I fell in love with Lucy so fast- and I was audibly fighting for her right along with Maren. To say I devoured this book is an understatement. I already want to reread this book. 😂 I was so happy with how much Shelby and Lorelei were in the book bringing you back into the three amigos world. I want best friends like that!

A friends to lovers story with two thirtysomethings was just the romance vibe I needed in my life. This story was just so, so great. Maren is back in her hometown after turning down her boyfriend's proposal (in some kind of way) after inheriting an old bait shop that is terrible shape. Once back in town, she reconnects with her brother's best friend Joe. And as you might infer, the friendship starts to go into something more. I loved the way the romance developed, and I also loved that it was layered with emotions connected to kids and divorce and family and jobs and so many things. There was also some really great banter, and it was just a gem of a romance. If you're looking for a great catch (sorry, I had to) of a romance, this is one y'all! Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this October 2024 release!

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn

💖 Brother’s best friend
💖 Lake romance
💖 Sunshine/sunshine
💖 Autism rep
💖 Gender non-conforming rep

This is an adorable story about Marnen, a fishing enthusiast and park ranger, who runs away from her life after answering her boyfriend’s unexpected proposal by vomiting all over him. She ends up at the lake she spent her childhood summers on with the plan of renovating a property left to her by a late fishing mentor.

She soon runs into Joe, her big brother’s best friend, and learns he is a divorced dad of two. Despite her brother’s warning to stay away from him, sparks soon begin to fly.

I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Erin Hahn and this was no exception. Her characters are beautifully complex and their emotions are clearly displayed on the page.

My only reason for deducting a star was due to a subplot that I would have liked to see developed more. It did not detract from the plot, but I also did not feel like it added much when it really could have.

While you wait for publishing day, read the love stories of Maren’s two best friends:
💖 Built to Last
💖 Friends Don’t Fall in Love

This read will be perfect for fans of Lucy Score and Mia Sheridan!

Open door spice: a few on-page spicy scenes
Content warning: stalker vibes

Thank you to Erin Hahn and NetGalley for the ARC!

Maren has just turned down her boyfriend's proposal and needs a new start renovating the old bait shop and apartment that was left to her by an old friend. Josiah is struggling being a single parent with two kids and running the resort his family owns. Maren returns to the Northwoods and is reacquainted with her brother's best friend, Josiah. Maren is soon working at the resort as a fishing guide and becoming an integral part in Josiah and his children's lives. Will Maren find a way to become a permanent person in their lives or is this really just temporary?

I really enjoyed this book. I have read Built to Last and Friends Don't Fall in Love that feature Maren's best friends as the main characters. I think that Catch and Keep has been my favorite of the three books. The connection between Josiah and Maren is so genuine and the way that Maren is able to be there for his children is heartwarming.

I appreciated the autism rep in Lucy, Josiah's daughter. I felt that some descriptions of her autism were a little out of date and the feminine colors and things that her brother Anders enjoyed did not do anything for the plot or his character development.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I would recommend this book!

I dunno guys, I just couldn't get over the fact that she volleyed between viewing him as an older brother and being her sexual awakening as a kid. :/

Also didn't really like those couple of sentences referring to autistic people as "people with autism" and the MMCs daughter as his "daughter with autism". They're just autistic people/autistic kids (which was the verbiage used throughout afterwards). It's like they forgot to take those two instances out. Hope when the book is published those instances will have been scrubbed.

Catch And Keep by Erin Hahn is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, big-brothers-best-friend romance that is simultaneously sexy and sweet. Maren, an avid fisherwoman, returns to her favorite lake in Wisconsin for some space to think after a disasterous proposal that has her rethinking her life. She inherited an old cabin and bate shop from one of her fishing mentors, and she renovates it as she plans her next step in life. Mid renovation, she trips and lands in the bed of her big bro's bestie Joe. Oops! Joe is a single father of two and is busy managing his family's resort.... did I mention he's her brother's best friend?! Things are a bit complicated, to say the least but they soon realize that their relationship is much more than casual.

Thank you #NetGalley, St. Martins Press and Author Erin Hahn for early access to read Catch and Keep in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it and spent the whole book rooting for Maren and Joe!

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were very complex and the setting was gorgeous. I loved the little details, to me they really make the story. I would definitely recommend!

There were parts of this book I really liked. I loved the setting, the small town vibe, and the focus on fishing. I thought that was a unique and fun twist.

The characters felt a little two-dimensional to me. It felt like the author kept throwing out details to try to make the character seem more interesting, without actually doing anything.

A few of the details felt very distracting, overwhelming, and unnecessary:
-the son having female tendencies—Lucy’s autism helped carry the story along, but Anders tendencies did little to nothing, or perhaps read insincere to me? Kind of like a cash grab to include the LGBT community.
-the obsession with the stalker seemed unnecessary. The FMC already struggled with standing up to her brother, so I don’t feel she needed to prove it twice.
-her friends being famous also felt unnecessary and unbelievable to me. I’m not sure what the point was?

I absolutely loved this book! It was a fun and fresh take on a big brothers best friend romance. I found the main characters Maren and Joe to be relatable and enjoyed their connection and chemistry. I thought the cameos of Shelby and Lorelai from previous books were great, as we got to expand on both characters.. While Maren’s brother, Liam annoyed me at times, it added well to the storyline.

Being from Wisconsin, I loved that the plot was lakeside! Probably my favorite part of this book was the heartfelt relationship Maren ended up having with Joe’s kids. This book was a quick read that tugged at my heartstrings and also had some swoonworthy scenes to it.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this. The story telling, writing, setting were all so enjoyable; it's the perfect way to escape. The two main characters and every single supporting character were excellently placed and developed. Maren Laughlin and Josiah Cole are what love stories should be made of always.

More to come at release.

This was my first Erin Hahn book and I’m so freaking glad i read it. It was just, it was so good. It was a nice slow burn with friendship and togetherness.

Maren and Josiah honestly just fit together. And they didn’t even realize they both needed what the other offered until they were deep into a friendship and opened their eyes to the potential they could have.

I loved how Maren learned what she needed to by watching and implementing the things Josiah did for Lucy and what she needed in her day to day life.

The way she wrote about the divorce and the kids feelings, it was top notch.

This book was such a joy to read. I laughed out loud at the banter. I swooned at Josiah and Bon Jovi. I melted with love at Maren at Christmas.

I will recommending this book to all my friends.


*i received an early copy from net galley for an honest review*

Surprising no one, I can with full confidence say that Erin Hahn is my favorite romance author. After reading every single one of her books and being thoroughly delighted, I can also say that Catch and Keep is my favorite one so far.

The characters are always so flawed and relatable, and Maren and Joe were no different. I adored the cameo appearances of Shelby and Lorelai, the well-rounded cast of family and friends, and the way Hahn gives voice to important issues in a way that’s not too in your face. Her delivery is impeccable.
Highly recommend this one!


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this delightful book. Opinions are my own.

CATCH AND KEEP is a cute, feel-good romance. With the tropes of brother's-best-friend, friends-to-lovers, dual pov, it makes for a fun and breezy read. Maren is great with Josiah's kids and loves the outdoors in northern Wisconsin, what more could Josiah want in a partner? Only problem is Maren is his best friend's little sister. With Maren staying at his resort, how much can he be around her before something gives? After leaving her job and boyfriend, Maren has made a lot of change in her life. She is taking time to figure out what she wants and where she wants to be. Is she also able to add in love to mix? 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so cute! The romance and the banter was just perfect. The main character’s were so enjoyable to read about.

4.25 stars out of 5.

I really enjoyed reading this book and it really gave lake life/ small town romance vibes. It immediately hooked me and I didn't want to put it down. I didn't know it was part of a series but it read like a standalone to me. I loved both Joe and Maren and could really feel the chemistry between them from start to finish. Lucy and Anders were also great characters and really added to the story. I am going to have to read the other two books staring Maren's best friends, Shelby and Lorelai now. I definitely recommend this book!

In Catch and Keep, we meet Maren who just dumped her boyfriend after he proposed to her in front of their friends and families. She escapes to Northern Wisconsin where she inherited an apartment and a bait shop. Both of which are in bad shape. She plans to renovate them, sell them, then move on and decide what she wants to do with her life. She runs into her older brothers best friend Joe, who runs a resort on the lake. Joe is recently divorced and has 2 children he cares for full time. Sparks begin to fly between Maren and Joe but will they last?

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I think I might’ve liked this book the best out of the series. There was enough plot with Maren’s broken engagement and her brother’s hang ups and Joe’s kids and her semi-stalker to give it some oomph that I thought was lacking in previous installments. I really enjoyed Joe’s kids and their relationship with Maren, I think that was the heart of the books.

There were also things I was never truly sold on but I know were established previously, like Maren being both a pageant Queen and being obsessed with fishing (and with a YouTube name like Musky Maren :/ ) so I just had to move past. I also think Joe was a little too guilty over his ex, but I did appreciate his growth in that area.

Overall enjoyed, 4 stars.

Heat level: 3.5

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.

the sheer amount of cringe that exists in the dialogue and internal monologues for these characters is giving me the ick so bad. hahn makes the same writing mistakes of a debut author or a wattpad writer, like describing the characters’ outfits in unnecessary detail and frequency.

in terms of actual content, I’m not really into military guys, and I was not buying the whole back story with the ex wife and reasoning behind their divorce. I swear this guy complained about his ex wife for half the book, which does not set the mood for a romance with another woman.

would only recommend for someone who has a low tolerance for cringe and cares about fishing 🎣

✧ DNF 53%, I held on until the first whiff of spice, but then the scene was so awkward it gave me second hand embarrassment, goodbye!

What a delightful read - I loved Maren and Joe’s story and this was actually my most anticipated and favorite story of the series. The lake scenery was absolutely dreamy. My only gripe is that the Bryce story felt incomplete.