Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and __ for these e-ARC copies (audiobook and ebook) of Catch and Keep for my honest review. I was grateful and honored to be able to review both versions - because as a reader I typically enjoy switching between audiobooks and either the physical or ebook copies I have when I work. I will review my thoughts on both styles of reading this one below.

Let me start off with this - I have personally enjoyed every single book that Erin Hahn has published since Built to Last (which was my first ever experience of her writing). She has a way of crafting wholesome, well written stories that suck you in with splashes of humor and thought provoking topics. Catch and Keep was no different for this reader. This SLOW burn romance truly built a beautiful story that was worth the wait. It can be read as a standalone, but is a part of a series and is the third installment.

Read if you love:

-Small Town Romance - with fun fishing references and Lake Life
-Friends to Lovers / Older Brother’s Best Friend
-Single Dad
-Dual POV
-SLOW BURN
-Hilarious Bantering
-Autism Rep
-Heartfelt Character’s Personal Growth


Trigger Warnings:

-Loss of Parental Figure
-Divorce
-Metal Health

Bringing hard subjects like divorce, mental heath issues and grief into romances can be very difficult, especially when it can draw such triggering or negative feelings for those diving in. However, the author handled it with care, and brought in wonderful characters that brought the child’s perspective. Dash in sprinkles of humor and banter - and you have a story that drives those thought provoking moments I personally crave when connecting with an author’s work. I LOVED that there was a disability rep with Autism. Being a 33 year old momma to a kiddo on the spectrum… LIVING in Wisconsin made reading this so much more relatable and fun!

Speaking of Wisconsin Lake Life… I am not a fisher hah! So I will be honest, it did take me a bit to fully get into this one. Being a slower burn romance to played into this. I had to take a star off due to this, but I promise you that if you stick around - the wait will be worth it!

Audiobook experience:

I LOVED the audio version of this story. The narrators did a phenomenal job. They both conveyed the MC’s personalities and emotions well which truly enhanced the reading experience. I personally love when multiple narrators perform in a dual POV story.

I loved this story and the characters so much. I liked getting to know these individuals and their backgrounds. All in all, it was an enjoyable small-town fall story. This is a really well-written and enjoyable book. Although this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone, I was unaware that it was the third in a series. I'm excited to read the first two books.

Thank you tonetgalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have been eagerly anticipating Catch and Keep, and I was not disappointed. Since reading Built to Last, I have been looking forward to Maren’s story. I was a bit apprehensive going into when I saw Joe’s backstory, which was quickly erased, with Lucy and Anders becoming one of my favorite parts. I am sorry to see this series end and hope Hahn will continue writing for adults.

I just finished Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn and here are my thoughts.

Maren has had a run of bad luck. Her boyfriend proposes in front of her whole family to soften the blow of taking a job promotion right out from under her and her brother still treats her like a little kid instead of the 33 year old woman she is.

When a man she thought of as a second father passes away and he leaves her his bait shop, she returns home to deal with her inheritance. Her brother's friend, divorced and a single father of two, can’t help finding themselves looking forward to being in each other's orbits… Even though they are not off limits to each other.

This is a really cute small town romance with:

**friends to lovers
**Older brothers best friend
**single dad
**dual POV
**slowwww burnnnnn

I wasn’t a big fan of the fish talk. I get that she was big into fishing but it didn’t interest me but the romance and banter was enough to overlook the fish tales.

I really loved the autism rep. As a mother with 2 asd kids I like when books get it right.

The writing is good and I really enjoyed the way it all worked out.

4.5 stars

Thank you to @stmartinspress for my gifted copy through @netgalley

absolutely adored these characters and this story!!! It really had it all. Maren was such a strong FMC and I loved that she was into fishing. I feel like that's not a storyline I've ever seen. Joe was such a dreamy MMC. I mean single dad, brother's best friend, and awesome guy, what more could you ask for? His kids were adorable and added so much to the storyline. I loved the ASD representation in the book too!

I had no idea this was the third book in a series but it can totally be read as a standalone. I can't wait to read the first two books now!

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn is another delightful addition to Hahn’s repertoire, showcasing her talent for creating engaging characters and heartfelt stories. As one of my favorite authors, Hahn’s books are always a joy to get lost in, and this one is no exception.

What I Loved:
Character Development: Hahn excels at crafting relatable and multi-dimensional characters. The protagonists, Maren and Joe, are well-developed, with their personal growth and evolving relationship feeling authentic and deeply moving.
Engaging Plot: The storyline is both fun and thought-provoking, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The mix of romance, personal challenges, and the dynamics between the characters make for an enjoyable read.
Humor and Heart: Hahn’s signature blend of humor and heartfelt moments shines through. The witty banter and genuine emotional beats create a well-rounded and enjoyable narrative.

Audiobook Experience:
Narration: The audiobook, narrated by Zura Johnson and Michal Norman Johnson, adds an extra layer of depth to the story. The narrators’ ability to convey the characters’ emotions and personalities enhances the listening experience, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Overall, Catch and Keep is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant romance that will appeal to fans of contemporary love stories. Erin Hahn delivers a story full of love, laughter, and heartfelt moments, making it a perfect read (or listen) for anyone who enjoys a deeply emotional romance.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #ltbreaderteam #catchandkeep #erinhahn #smpinfluencers

If Toby Keith Joined The American Pie Crew And Had Lunch With Nicholas Sparks, You'd Get Something Close To This Book. Seriously. One, no matter what the RWA/ RNA types claim, Sparks writes romance novels. Tragedy is a perfectly valid end to a romance, and sometimes the romance is ever more powerful/ memorable *because* it ended in tragedy. And now that we've inserted a "controversy creates cash" flashpoint into this review... ;)

Seriously, the Keith and Sparks connections here are primarily due to the background of our male lead, a former soldier now returning home to take over his parents' business as they attempt to retire. It is this part of the tale that adds some extra emotional heft that Sparks and Keith were so excellent with, particularly as it relates to soldiers, in their stories. Indeed, there are absolutely times where Keith's "American Soldier" begins to sound almost audibly in at least this reader's head while reading this book.

Outside of our male lead though, this book is one that highlights that northern Michigan/ upper Wisconsin lake resort vibe that American Pie used so well in a couple of their movies to great extent, though mostly showing it from a more local perspective than the summer party crowd. We get some meta commentary on the perils of online "fame", and we get a LOT of laughs - which is where the American Pie connection really comes to bear. Not in the titular joke from that series, but there are absolutely some comedic bits that will take readers "of a certain age" (re: those who were older teens/ younger 20s when the first couple of American Pie movies came out) back to that era.

Overall a largely fun romcom with some truly serious elements, though seemingly lighter in tone than many "Hallmarkie" movies despite having elements that are more serious than are generally found in that set. So an interesting combination, and one that Hahn works to great effect here.

Very much recommended.

This book was such a joy to read! Maren and Joe made such a sweet and spicy pair, and I loved how their relationship progressed. With elements of brother's best friend, small (lake) town, single dad, neurodivergence representation (autistic child), and friends-to-lovers, there's a lot of goodness happening here. I adore Erin Hahn's writing, and this book just feels like a warm hug from someone who just *gets* you.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own.

This was such a sweet book. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their background. Overall it was a fun fall, small town story.

It is no surprise, but I loved this book. Maren and Joe felt so real, like I could turn the corner and bump into them walking down the street. Their banter is fantastic and how they get from two separates to one fantastic was everything I wanted.

There's just something about Erin Hahn's romances that make me feel so warm and cozy! CATCH AND KEEP is the third book in a series of inter-connected standalones about a group of friends, and this book follows Maren. Maren ran away from an unwanted public proposal and went to the only place that felt right: the Northern Wisconsin lakeside town she spent her summers in growing up.

CATCH AND KEEP was so sweet, sexy, and heart-warming all at the same time! Maren expected to fix up the dilapidated bait shop she inherited from her mentor and leave, not fall in love with her childhood friend, Josiah. How cute were Maren and Joe?! I love the "oh shoot, I guess we're dating and didn't realize it" trope and Erin combined it so well with friends-to-lovers. Maren effortlessly fit into Joe's life and I was SUCH a fan of this couple, y'all.

Other things I loved: the way Maren was with Joe's kids, especially Lucy, Joe's parents and the sense of community they created at the resort, the way Maren and Joe each learned to set boundaries with people, and the appearances by Maren's friend group. The cameos from Lorelai, Huck, Cam, and Shelby were an awesome treat.

At the end of the day, I'll read anything Erin writes. Check out her romances for warm, funny, sweet stories. `

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn is a cozy, feel-good romance that pulls you right in. Maren is at a major turning point, choosing to reclaim her life by taking over a rundown bait shop in the place that always felt the most like home. That means leaving her ex who stole her promotion and opted for a public proposal hoping it would smooth over the deceit.

Enter Joe, the single dad and local resort owner who also happens to be her brother's best friend—and who might just be the perfect match for her in more ways than one.

Hahn does an amazing job with the easy, banter-filled relationship between Maren and Joe, making it feel natural and comforting while still capturing that spark of romance. Joe’s kids and Maren’s dog, add so much warmth and humor, creating a real sense of found family.

The story balances lighthearted moments with real-life challenges, from Maren’s fresh start to Joe’s experience as a single parent, which gives the story authenticity and heart. I found myself wishing for more depth in Maren's relationship with her brother, whose verbally degrading behavior left me uncomfortable at times and felt unexplored. It would’ve been great to see how their dynamic was shaped. Despite this, Catch and Keep is a swoon-worthy read that feels like a warm hug, reminding us that sometimes, real love just clicks. Erin Hahn continues to be one of my favorite authors for good reason, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A witty contemporary romance. Great characters, complicated families and a lake setting. This is an entertaining and wonderfully written read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

What an adorable book! When I requested the galley, I just did so because the cover was cute but then was so completely hooked!
The book was the perfect length and I could read the whole thing without a break if I wanted to!

Maren and Joe are perfect MCs! They are mature adults with their own sets of emotional baggage but I love that there is no miscommunication.
I also love the brother’s best friend trope so I might be a little biased but this is a sweet, light read. Joe’s kids Anders and Lucy are adorable and add an element of joy to the book.

5/5 can’t wait to read the author’s other books!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was a bit unsure at first when Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn opened with a long explanation about a fish called Musky, but I ended up loving this book! The fishing aspect was woven in seamlessly, and Maren and Joe’s chemistry was perfection. The way they built their relationship, especially with Joe’s kids, was truly heartwarming. I wish I could spend my summers at Cole's Landing with all of them!

While it took awhile for me to warm up to this brother’s best friend romance, it definitely won me over by the end. I loved the cinnamon roll hero, a former Marine who is loyal, kind, and a genuinely good dad. The representation of a special needs child and how that changes parenting was great, as was the found family feel. I also appreciated that our hero is the furthest thing from a playboy - until recently, he’d been with the same woman since his teens, well before he even looked at the heroine as anything but his best friend’s kid sister. Their 5-year age gap is nothing now that they’re in their thirties, but it was everything as teens. That’s partially why it took longer for me to get into this one - I was confused whether the heroine considered him a brotherly figure, her sexual awakening, or simply a pest. The book is also third(?) in a series, though none of the marketing mentions that. I felt like I was missing something whenever the heroine interacted with her friends, but much of that faded away once I settled into the story. It gets swoonier and more heartwarming once the romance takes center stage, pulling me in just as I was about to write it off. The second half was strong enough for me to round up my rating, and this ended up being a tender, engaging read.

The story follows Maren, a woman who left her job and her long-term boyfriend after he stole her promotion and then tried to propose. Feeling adrift, Maren returns to the fishing town she loves, where she runs into her brother’s best friend, Joe. Now a divorced dad to two adorable kids, Joe is more appealing than Maren remembers him being. After going through a messy divorce, Joe is now single for the first time since he was a teenager, so it’s a shock to the system for him to realize that the tomboy he knew back in the day is now a knockout of a woman. The two quickly realize that their relationship feels different now, but both of their lives are a mess - and Maren’s brother has warned them both away. As Joe and Maren navigate their shifting feelings, they grow closer without even trying.

This is one of those books that I probably would’ve DNFed if I didn’t have an early copy, because I truly struggled to get into it at first. It kicks off with a prologue that did absolutely nothing for me, then brought in a friend group that made it clear this isn’t a standalone, so things definitely started on the wrong foot. Then I wasn’t clear if Maren was a tomboy or a beauty queen, if she thought of Joe like a brother or had been harboring a crush - I just felt overwhelmed and out of the loop. I don’t think that cleared up until almost a third of the way through, but I really did enjoy the book after that. I loved that Joe was such a gentle sweetheart, a total catch who doesn’t know it because of all the “baggage” that comes with him. It was great to see Maren seamlessly fit into his world, and I loved their connection. It’s kind of/sort of a slow burn, with a relationship that takes awhile to find its footing. Once it does though, this was a very heartwarming read.

Erin Hahn does what she does best: engaging plot, a romance that sweeps you off your feet, deep hurts and sorrows dealt with gentleness and honesty wrapped up in a true friend's hug. Also with some of my favorite romance tropes: brother's best friend, *slight* age gap, childhood friends, small town, and no third act breakup. I'm a bit sad to see this trio of friends' stories close (I've read and enjoyed them all), but excited to see what Hahn has next.

Catch and Keep was a swoony, sweet romance featuring two people who've known each other for most of their lives but are suddenly seeing each other in a new light. Maren spent summers at the Wisconsin lake resort that Joe's family owned, and Joe and Maren's older brother were and are still best friends. She fell in love with fishing and the outdoors there and has pursued a career with the National Park service, while Joe, 5 yrs older then her, joined the Marines, got married, had 2 kids and is now divorced and has taken over running the resort.

When Maren, reeling personally and professionally, retreats to the lake to sell an inheritance from an old friend, the last thing she expects is for a powerful attraction between her and Joe to ignite. Joe, swamped with the demands of running the resort and raising two young children, one of whom has special needs, is similarly blindsided. What follows is a lovely romance, driven by mutual respect, plenty of sparks, and facilitated by adult communication. Best of all, no third act breakup! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This was a lighthearted sweet romance featuring the brother's best friend trope. Maren moves back to Wisconsin after turning down a proposal from her boyfriend. She's there to spend some time in the fishing cabin she inherited while figuring out what to do next. What she doesn't expect is to run into her brother's best friend, Josiah. Maren always had a small crush on Josiah but Josiah has just noticed Maren to be more than his best friend's little sister. As the two spend time together and grow closer, the struggle with Maren's uncertainty contrasts with Josiah's settled life as a single father to two young children, one with autism.

This was such a great fall read. I loved the setting of Northern Wisconsin. I enjoy the brother's best friend trope but liked this even more because Maren's brother lives in a totally different locale. It gave Joe and Maren time to figure things out without the awkwardness of dealing with the brother right away. Maren is an avid fisher which was a fun aspect of her personality. I enjoyed how she was with Joe's kids. They were present without being too annoying or intrusive as can happen sometimes in a romance. There was an odd subplot with Maren being sort of stalked that felt unnecessary but didn't bother me enough to make the book enjoyable. This is not Hahn's first book and while I could tell there were characters that show up from her previous books, this one does read just fine on its own. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted romance.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.

If you are looking for the warmest, coziest, swooniest fall romance, Maren and Joe are here and calling your name. Catch and Keep is everything to me. This book is so tender and special and I will hold it so close to my heart for the rest of forever. And while I do feel this way about @erinhahn_author and all her books in general, Catch and Keep is my favourite Erin Hahn book now.

Maren is a former pageant queen, fishing influencer, and park ranger. She’s just the best human. She’s hot and funny and so real it’s a little painful. Is it too punny to say she’s *floundering* to find her path forward after a disastrous break up and subsequent departure from her job? Running back to the cabin in Wisconsin where she learned to fish, she has to learn who she’s going to become now. Enter her older brother’s best friend, and the object of her teenage dream: Josiah Cole.

Joe is the sweetest single dad. The way that he loves is so deep and the way that he will fight for those he loves is intense. Anders and Lucy are so lucky to have such a fierce advocate for them in their dad. Joe was dealt a shitty hand, with a rough ex-wife situation, and a high needs ASD child, and he navigates it with such grace and compassion. Add on the way that he defends Maren and loves her and what you’ve got is actually the man that I would love to find eventually.

Maren and Joe’s romance is just soft. That’s the best way to describe it. It’s comfortable and easy. They are so perfectly suited for each other. They are each other’s perfect person. One of the most precious things in this book is the relationship between Maren and Joe’s kids. She was not only made for Joe, but she was made for those kids. She fits in their family so well and loves them so hard.

While this might be a very Midwest romance, this Canadian lake girl felt right at home with Maren and Joe. Catch and Keep was the perfect end to this series. I loved seeing Shelby and Cam, and Lorelei and Huck in this book. This friend group is so precious to me and I love all of them so dearly.