Catch: A Love Story

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Pub Date 08 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 31 Oct 2021

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Description

If only life were as simple as once upon a time and happily ever after.


Jules Bartlett stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago. As captain of the Branch Fishing boats, she manages a mighty crew of twelve men and a plethora of tourists in search of deep sea adventure. Years from her divorce, Jules is content raising her daughter Bella, navigating her family’s ever-changing endeavors, and steering clear of any other men her mother assures her are out there in the sea.


Tyler Pace stopped believing Jules Bartlett would miraculously fall in love with him a long time ago. As CEO of Pace Capital and co-owner of BP Glassworks, he manages the money and anything else in Bodega Bay that needs fixing. Years after returning to a place he’d sworn off in favor of the big city, Tyler is reconciled to staying out of small-town gossip, dealing with his ailing alcoholic father, and assuring his best friend that managing love is as easy as sorting a spreadsheet.


Jules and Tyler have known each other forever, and their quick banter is both effortless and epic. When one wedding changes everything, they’ll both have to set aside what they think they know about love to learn that falling isn’t always the scariest part—sometimes love is all about trusting the catch.

If only life were as simple as once upon a time and happily ever after.


Jules Bartlett stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago. As captain of the Branch Fishing boats, she manages a mighty...


A Note From the Publisher

This is a slow-burn contemporary romance.

This is a slow-burn contemporary romance.


Marketing Plan

Feedback is appreciated on NetGalley, Goodreads, BookBub, retail sites (book is available for pre-order), social media and blogs. 

Feedback is appreciated on NetGalley, Goodreads, BookBub, retail sites (book is available for pre-order), social media and blogs. 


Available Editions

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ISBN 9781732321649
PRICE $4.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 87 members


Featured Reviews

Loved this book, the story of Jules and Tyler.

Tyler has worked hard to get where he is today, but what he really wants is a chance with Jules.
She has been hurt before and hasn't dated since her divorce - will she change that now?

Also nice to catch up with characters from the previous books

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I guess that every once in awhile you can judge a book by its cover. I will admit that I was initially drawn to this one by its striking cover and I was very lucky to find that the book inside more than did it justice,

Jules is no one's damsel in distress. She has survived her divorce, is raising an amazing daughter, and is the only female captain of a fishing boat in California, Tyler is her brother's best friend and an honorary part of her family for as long as she can remember. Her child adores him and they bicker like siblings and that is all she needs from him. What she doesn't know is that Tyler has loved her for years.

This book was filled with wonderful, nuanced characters which was what really made this book special. Jules was strong, and could be bristly but she also had vulnerabilities, I loved her family and her daughter, Bella, was a delight to read about. Tyler very easily could have been written as the cookie cutter wealthy hero. His backstory was touching and gave him added depth. Not to mention that any time he interacted with Bella my knees got a little weak.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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One thing I’ve always enjoyed about Ms. Ewens books is that we’re always guaranteed strong character development. Catch doesn’t fail. No surface level characters here.


Tyler and Bella’s school walk conversations were sweet and it was clear Bella had wormed her way into his heart as much as Jules had.

Loved catching up with characters from previous books!

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I requested this ARC from Netgalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

This is a sweet romance which features likeable characters and a decent storyline. I particularly liked that the heroine, Jules is a single (divorced) mom who is depicted as independent and strong willed and the hero, Tyler is literally the boy next door (Jules' brother's best friend). The plot is not the most original when it comes to the genre but still well-written. Our main couple go to attend Jules' ex-husband's wedding where sparks fly between them. The chemistry between the two is realistic and sweet because they go from friends to lovers. But the dynamic between Tyler and Jules' daughter, Bella is also a pleasant surprise and something I looked forward to reading.

I would recommend this story as a nice cozy, vacation romance if you're into some light-hearted and funny (in parts) reading.

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"It's funny how things anchor people in a storm. Like a boat, but more delicate and vital".
This was my first Tracy Ewens book but OH.MY.GOD. I absolutely loved this one. A huge smile never left my face while reading this one! Tyler was like the perfect man anyone could ever wish for and Jules was so strong, not like other sad and damsel in distress kind of heroines but brave ones who have everything in control. Bella, my cinnamon roll, such an adorable character. The story was so beautifully written that i completed the book in one sitting.
So Jules and Tyler have known each other for like forever, Tyler has been in love with Jules ever since and she on the other hand has coped up from a broken marriage with her beautiful daughter, Bella. She is like such an independent character that even though at times I was frustrated by her actions but still I couldn't help admiring her strength. Tyler was like a perfect boy with a sad backstory but everything in control and did whatever he could for his love. This book was so awesome, from the bickering , the romance, the mother-daughter bond and also, perks of living in a small town, everything was perfect. Can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
#tracyewens #NetGalley

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I need to preface this by disclosing that I haven’t read the rest of this series. That didn’t bother me at all while I was reading this book, but I am definitely going back to read the rest because this book was really great.
The story is excellent. The characters are sublime. The plot is fantastic. The setting is *chef’s kiss*. This is the sort of book that I IMMEDIATELY call my sister about. She already got her pre-order in. I love a good second chance. I love a bickering friends to lovers story I love a good single parent story. I love that the little girl is actually a character in this book. I hate single parent stories where the kid(s) are used as cute props and after thoughts. This book is not that way. Tracy Ewens does Bella justice.

Jules and Tyler are so precious. Absolutely adore them. This book is so good. I can’t honestly even tell you who I liked more, Tyler or Jules. They are both so great. They are so great together. All of the side characters are awesome. I cant wait to go back and read the rest of this series. I can tell this will be my favorite series of the summer!

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Adorable! I absolutely love this author’s writing style. Set in Bodega Bay, a personal favorite, with realistic settings and small town charm (read gossip) this is another favorite. Tyler has been a family friend since childhood, being Drake’s best friend meant he was around all the time. Jules has been divorced for a while now but the pain and embarrassment still hurts. She’s the only female boat captain in California and is proud of it. She’s raising her daughter, the dynamo Bella, to be independent and strong. Jules is not a fan of fairy tales and refuses to be the helpless princess, but that doesn’t mean she is undeserving of her own love story. The second characters are lovable and charming too, Jules’ family and townspeople are unique and seem to look out for each other. If you enjoy this book you can grab the ones for Jules’ other siblings, since each book is a standalone you won’t be lost. I was fortunate to receive an early copy through Netgalley and voluntarily have written this review.

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Thank you NetGalley, author Tracy Ewens, and publisher for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
While this was my first book that I have read in this series, it will not be my last,
The was a beautifully written single mom romance with one of my favorite troupes siblings best friend/friends to lovers. All the characters were so well developed and showed growth throughout the entire book. I loved how much Tyler cared for Jules despite her hard exterior as well as the love he had for Bella, Jules' 11 year-old daughter. Tyler seemed to have made something of himself despite his not so good childhood and the continual struggles with his alcoholic dad. I enjoyed while he became wealthy, the money did not go to his head, but used it to help the community that gave him so much as a child. He never lack in his devotion to Jules. He was always patiently by her side throughout the years being what ever she needed him to be. Jules was such a strong woman. I appreciated how much she wanted to protect Bella from the uglier side of her ex getting married to the woman he created on Jules with (i.e. her best friend). I absolutely loved Tyler and Jules' friendship dynamic. Their banter and comfort they had with each other made their chemistry and shift from a friendship to a romantic relationship made it that much more passionate. Bella was such a lovely character. She really had a lot of understanding of some of the more complexities of the relationships of those of her parents, friends, and family. I loved the mother-daughter bond Jules and Bella had. The writing and the pacing were very well done. It had me finishing this book in not time at all. Then ending was so sweet! Overall, I can't believe I have never read any books by this author before. She is a fantastic writer! I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a wonderful friends-to-lovers/sibling's best friend romance with a sweetheart of a hero and a strong take-no-nonsense heroine. I can't wait to read the previous books in this series.

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Thank you for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this small town love story, although the storyline is okay, nothing special to me.

The characters in this story are very likeable, especially Jules with her strong and independent character, Tyler : very charming and good at fixing everything, the kind of a nice guy who often appears in a small town romantic movie (he reminds me of Nick from the “Feel the Beat” movie.) and Jules’ daughter, Bella who is very smart and thoughtful for her age. Despite the hilarious and sweet teasing moments between Tyler and Jules that caught my attention, the mother-daughter bond of Jules and Bella is also inspiring, I believe it is not easy to explain the complexities of adult relationships and the whole divorce thing to an 11 y.o child and to raise her alone even though they moved back to her parents’ house afterwards, not to mention accompanying her daughter to her ex-husband’s wedding.

Another thing in this book that gets me excited is...one of the characters, Auntie Nikki, is a bookstore owner, and they have a regular book club meeting , yeayyy...and their current read is “Take a Hint, Dani Brown” which I haven’t read yet. So after reading this book, I’ll have two books added to my Wishlist : Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert and Blow : A Love Story by Tracy Ewens (the 12th book in Love Story series about the love story of Jules’ brother, Drake Branch and Millie Hart. The sneak peek is also included at the end of this book.)

Overall, I would recommend this book to you who love feel-good romance with a bit of comedy movies. Some of their conversations are funny and it will make your day!

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4.5 stars
“He was in love with her from a safe distance with fish guts, but this was so extra he could feel his heart clanging in his chest”

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Set in a small fishing town somewhere on the Californian coast, Catch by Tracy Ewens is romance between a fishing boat captain Jules and business owner Tyler. Jules is a divorcee with an eleven year old daughter, Bella, who has been living at home and running her family’s business for 6 years since she left Bella’s father. Tyler is a close friend of the family, her brother’s best friend and man with sad childhood that pushed him to excel and rescue everyone.

Clearly based around the pining hero trope, this book starts with an uneasy friendship and ends with adoration. Tyler knows his feelings from several years before the start of book, but this book is about Jules and opening her heart to him. It is full of stumbles and one or two misteps, but the characters are really good people and you are alongside them celebrating their developing relationship. I love romances that realistically involve tertiary characters. Catch is full of realistic third characters including Bella (some of the best feminism happens while talking to Bella for both main characters), Juliet’s family, Tyler’s family and the town.

If there was one thing I’d change, I’d put more time with Jules on the water and in her natural habitat of her fishing vessel. This is probably a bit niche and comes from my personal past as a mariner. I love that Jules is a boat’s captain and deals with the often main dominated sea life by her self. I just really love boats and would happily have heard more about the daily running – but I get that’s not very romantic.

This book was a slow burn, it spends a lot of time world building and love building. Then just before the fabulous HEA, it twists your poor heart muscle. It’s the kind of book that starts slow but builds until you’re sad the romance is over. I shed real tears while I read this book, it wasn’t heartbreaking but it was heart wrenching for a little while. A book based around a pining man, there’s a long ‘will she or won’t she’ feeling that had me wanting to take the heroine aside and give her my long list of reasons why the hero was perfect for her.

This was a relatively sweet book, the characters had sex but lengthy descriptions were not included. I love to balance my reading between sweet and smutty, so I’m totally enamoured with this obok. Readers that are hard on the ‘no sex between unmarried couples’ or the ‘sexy scenes make the book’ may not enjoy it as much as I did.

It terms of content warnings on this book for alcoholism and parent failure because of a significant subplot between the Tyler and his father. Additionally, it may be obvious because Jules is a divorcee with a daughter but some conversations between mother and daughter may be confronting for people who have experienced them.

While reading this Tracy Ewens earned a new fan. While I’m not a series reader I will be reading the romances of Jules’ two siblings Sistine and Drake, featured in Tap (Sistine) and Blow (Drake), at my next opportunity.

This review also appears on Amazon.com.

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I got caught. That cover had me thinking I was getting a mermaid story but that was not the case. Our heroine owns a fishing/tour boat business but she is not a secret sea creature (darn). ANYWAYS…..

Thanks to #Netgalley and #TracyEwens for the eARC of #catchalovestory

The quick:
Brothers best friend
He’s loved her all along
Jaded heroine
Low steam (one not too detailed sex scene towards the end)
Supportive family
Single mother
Feminist themes
Loads of Talia Hibbert references
Stand alone in a series

The mermaid mixup aside, I had so much fun with this story. Jules is an independent fierce business owner that finds out her ex husband is getting married to the woman he cheated on her with. Tyler is Jules’ brother's best friend and business partner. They have always been a part of each other’s lives. The author gives just enough interactions between the characters to keep you hooked but wanting sooooo much more. The characters were interesting, likeable, imperfect but great together.

Definitely recommend for all the romance lovers! Other characters in this story have their own stories and I will be putting those books on my tbr stat.

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I adored this story - and not just because of the gorgeous cover! Jules is a commercial fishing boat captain, single mom, and all around tough cookie. She moved back to her hometown seven years before after a devastating divorce. She's built herself back up and is completely dedicated to do things on her own and raising her daughter. When we start the book Jules is one hell of a dislikable person. She is incredibly close to her family and they support her without question. But - she's really stuck in place while everyone around her is changing and moving forward. Tracy Ewans displayed some mad author skills by making me see how freaking difficult Jules was - without making me hate her guts.

Tyler grew up with Jules - and is best friends with her brother - but in the last three years he has fallen completely in love with her. He hasn't told her about his feelings - and it seems like she is pretty much the only person who doesn't know. Tyler is the town fixer. He's worked hard to make a lot of money and uses it all to help everyone around him (including the companies he is working with). He is so incredibly kind and is trying so hard. It is an emotional journey to see him learn that not everything in life can be fixed.

Watching Jules was almost physically painful at times - because she was resisting change and her own feelings so hard. You could see that she was clinging so fiercely to status quo as a means to avoiding any pain - all the while missing out on what she could have. I loved the journey both she and Tyler go on. I especially loved how completed Tracy Ewans showed all sides of the characters - she doesn't shy away from the not as pretty sides. Jules's interactions with her ex are a prime example - you can see that although his infidelity ended their relationship, it certainly wasn't the only thing that ended them.

Overall - I highly recommend this - this book will give you all the feelings and has an incredibly satisfying romance.

I will give a couple of trigger warnings tho including infidelity and alcoholism in a parent.

I was very lucky to receive this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

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I have been (impatiently) waiting for Jules’s book since the beginning of the Bodega Bay/Bartlett family books. Tyler and Jules did not disappoint. I loved this book from beginning to end. The playful banter, the chemistry and the amazing cast of characters that I have grown to love through other books in the series made this a 5 star read for me.

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Tracy Ewens was a new-to-me author, and boy, have I been missing out! Catch was such an easy, engrossing read. I just wanted to keep reading and reading.

Tyler and Jules were absolutely wonderful characters, seemingly different but very much complementary to each other. Their banter was highly entertaining, and I enjoyed the slow-burn of their relationship.

The secondary characters were just as great. Bella was a joy. Drake, Millie, Dylan, Jules' parents, they added amazing family dynamics to the story.

I'm really hoping Dylan gets his story next, but in the meantime, I will willingly go back and read the previous Love Stories.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

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I was so thrilled to read Catch: A Love Story. Having read all of the others in this series by the wonderful Tracy Ewens, I was waiting for this book and what a great book it was!

The story of Jules and Tyler was so good and I loved seeing more of Bella. As always the characters in this series jump off the page they're so real and fully fleshed out. If I ran into any one of these characters in the store I wouldn't be surprised!

If you enjoy picturesque small town settings, families that are loving and there for the other members, great backstories, and romance, these are the books for you. Check out Tracy Ewens' entire series, but do know that most can easily be read as standalones. Do yourself a favor and jump into Catch today!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own and happily shared.

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I was initially concerned when I saw this was part of a series I was previously unfamiliar with, but this book definitely works as a standalone.

Jules is a fiercely independent single mom who is also the only female fishing boat captain in California. She has thick skin and takes no shit from anyone. Since her divorce and return back to her hometown, she has let her focus stay on work and on raising her daughter, Bella.

Tyler grew up with Jules, and is the best friend of her brother. He and Jules are friends, but tend to banter back and forth. Tyler had a rough upbringing and is now trying to get his alcoholic father the help he needs. Because of his difficult childhood, Tyler has a tendency to try and solve everyone else's problems.

This friends-to-lovers story is a fairly slow burn. Tyler ends up swooping in to help Jules with a last minute problem and they can no longer deny their chemistry. Jules tries to say it's just a physical thing,but Tyler calls her out. I like that the traditional gender roles are reversed in this story. I also loved how much Tyler cared about Bella, and how he was concerned about how she could be affected if he and Jules got together.

With Jules, I loved that she read one of my favorite romance novels, Take A Hint, Dani Brown, and tried to take cues from that MC. I loved getting to read about the process of her finding herself again, making friends, and finally stepping out from just being a mom to reclaiming herself as a woman.

This was a quick read, but it did have some heavy plot lines. TW for alcoholism, childhood poverty, and infidelity. Even so, I would certainly read more by this author.

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If you love slow burn, quirky romances then this is the story for you! I loved this so much I read it in two days and it would have been one if I wasn’t working. I loved the banter between all of the characters and how they were all involved. Tracy Ewens did an amazing job with writing this and I’m looking forward to reading something else by her. My only critique would have to be I wish just a little more detail was added, such as who was speaking as sometimes I was left confused (but that may just be me) but nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I know anyone who loves slow burn, small town Romances would agree!

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Tracy Ewens once again does not disappoint with her latest superbly written story, Catch, in her long running A Love Story series. I have to admit that Tyler and Jules’ story is my favorite so far…never have I experienced such a wide range of emotions within the pages of one story. My heart broke for both of these characters, and for mostly the same reasons, yet in a different way.

Without giving too much of the essence of the story away by describing much of what these characters navigate throughout their journey to a HEA (Dani Brown has nothing on this author when it comes to romance), I can say that between the two, I’m not sure who my heart broke for more often.

My emotions ran the gamut from laughter to tears, heart sighs to heartbreak, and genuine warmth to the cold truth of human frailties to culminate in the most perfect ending imaginable. I will continue to feel for Tyler and Jules long after I turned the last page because they definitely stole a piece of my heart…as did Bella the most magical and joyful ten year old.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

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Well, this was an unexpectedly amazing slow-burn romance. Catch is about Jules and Tyler. Jules is a divorcee with a young daughter, while Tyler is her brother's best friend. The catch is, Tyler has been secretly in love with Jules for a few years. Is Jules ready to open her heart again?

Let's first talk about these two fantastic protagonists. Jules is a strong-willed fishing boat captain with a sharp tongue and a fierce love for her daughter. Her character development was so relatable, as we see her struggle throughout the book with her feelings for Tyler and her fear of committing to someone again. Meanwhile, Tyler is Mr Fix It - trying to fix his alcoholic father and anything else he can with the money he worked very hard for. Underneath the suit exterior though, Tyler is a total sweetheart and his love for Jules' daughter, Bella will undoubtedly melt your heart.

Now, let's talk about all the other things I loved about this book:
- Great character development
- Grumpy her/sunshine him
- Perfect chemistry and banter between Tyler and Jules.
- Dual perspectives (we know we love to see it in a romance).
- Bella, the cutest and most insightful kid.
- Good pacing and plot - I never felt like the book lagged.
- The fact Jules was reading Dani Brown throughout the book and talked about Dani like she was a wing-woman. It was awesome 👏🏻.

FYI, Catch features minimal steam and a few swear words. This is also just one love story in a long list of novels written by Tracy Ewens. From experience, you don't need to read the others prior to the Catch, but I, for one, will definitely be going back to read more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tracy Ewens for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

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When I first went into this book and realized it was part of a series, I was a little worried I would be lost. However, once I started reading (and looked into Goodreads about the other books) I realized it is companion series! It was so easy jumping into the world of Bodega Bay and the Branch family.
Jules is a single mother who had a world shattering divorce from her daughter's father six years ago. Jules is the captain of two fishing boats. She is strong and tall woman who is adamant about being independent, even if some think of her as bitter or grumpy.
Her family and the dynamics between her parents, brother, and friends is what makes this book so fun! But it is the romance aspect that draws you in.
Tyler is Jules' brother's best friend and has been a part of the Branch family since childhood. His childhood was not the best, but he has worked hard to make his way to the top while keeping his sincerity and humbleness. His own family and personal situations could not be easily managed or "fixed", so it is a personality trait of his to fix things, to fix people.
Tyler loves Jules, and everyone knows it. Except Jules.
She is a character who has shut herself from love because she thinks another heartbreak can not only destroy her, but everything she has tried to maintain since picking herself and her daughter up six years ago.

This story was fun and I felt for Tyler and Jules the whole way through. The dialogue is what kept me reading! I loved the family dynamics and the sarcastic banter between Tyler and Jules. This is a romance, but spice is kept PG, but the butterflies are still there. Overall, it was a great read and I can't wait to go back and read some more of this series so I can get to know the other character more!


"Adults need magic too. They need to risk when necessary and laugh and play."

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Catch: A Love Story is the THIRTEENTH book in Ewen’s Love Story series, but it can be read as a stand alone without any issue. I actually didn’t realize this was a part of a series when I requested it or even when I read the first few chapters, honestly. It was only when I went to mark it as “currently reading” that I realized, and thank heavens for that because I will definitely be catching up on the other Branch siblings' love lives.

This romance feels raw and real and grown up. I love an uber cheesy romance as much as the next guy, but I don’t love the childish way a lot of them tend to portray their characters - sort of delusional and thinking they’re slightly better than others while simultaneously putting others down.

Catch focuses on Jules, a divorcee whose main focus is making sure her daughter is loved and safe. If she’s a little bitter because her ex-husband cheated on her seven years ago, she tries not to let on. (She’s not successful, but she tries). Tyler, her brother’s best friend/business partner, and a guy she’s known for years and who’s basically a part of her family, is in love with her although he tries not to show it. (He’s not successful, but he tries). Tyler is a fixer - a manager of all things: businesses, feelings, his dad. He knows that he can’t let Jules know how he feels because it result in him losing Jules and Bella, Jules’ daughter and certified glitter princess.

Alas, the crab boat ride to love never does flow smooth, and emotions have a tendency to not be managed.

5 stars. Super cute and real and please read it.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Tracy Ewens for providing an eARC for review.

“She wasn’t ready to love Tyler Pace, but like so many things in her life, he’d shown up already loving her anyway.”

The scars from Jules Bartlett’s divorce several years ago run deep and her family knows it. She and her daughter have built a life after returning to her hometown where Jules spends her mornings captaining her family’s fishing boats. There’s nothing she loves more than Bella and being out on the water and does not feel that there is space in her life for romance. Little does she know that her brother’s best friend, Tyler Pace has loved for years and is determined to manage it like he does everything else. He is a fixer, always there for Jules, Bella, and their family but refuses to make a move. He hides his love for her under sharp banter and intentional distancing, balancing his life as a successful businessman with trying to help his father overcome alcoholism. When Jules’ ex invites her to his wedding, Jules and Tyler are put in a position where they must reexamine their relationship.

CATCH is a cozy romance set in a small time with a cast of lovely characters. The family dynamic was warm and playful, and each character felt like they could really be up the coast enjoying Sugar Saturdays, school plays, and book club. All too often, the kids in romance are glossed over but Bella is a complete character and an utter delight to read. Tyler’s care for Jules and Bella is apparent right from the start, and I got a bit frustrated with Jules at times because her ire towards him felt unwarranted. Her acerbic tone is more about herself than Tyler and results in a fair bit of banter because he is always quick with a comeback.

Fairytales and sea references are running motifs throughout the story that occasionally feel heavy-handed yet also feel appropriate because they represent two of the most important aspects of Jules’s life. This slow burn narrative features some of my favorite small-town worldbuilding, and I plan to visit the previous installment in this series of standalone romances to get more time in Bodega Bay (and perhaps discover new locations with the other books as well).

If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s not quite enemies-to-lovers or second chance but that contains notes of each trope, Catch is a sweet option perfect for summer reading!

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I loved this friends to lovers book. It was so warm and cozy. The cozy set up, amazing lovely characters basically made this book so much enjoyable. I loved it. It was a slow burn but Tyler is😍😍

Even though I haven't read another book in the series, it didn't deter me. And it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.

I can't wait to read more from this series. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an ARC of this book.

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I have to be honest here, but the only reason I wanted to read this book is because I love the cover so much. I don't even think I read the synopsis which is unusual for me. Sure I love covers of books, but that is not usually the only thing I look at when choosing a book to read. So when the ARC popped up for me I sat down and thought I would read a bit and see how it goes. Only I stayed up way too late finishing this wonderful read! I am usually careful to not read at night unless I know I can finish a book before my bedtime, but I did that thing where I lied to myself and said just one more chapter before I watch some TV or something to wind down for the night. And next thing I knew I had finished the book and looked at my watch and wondered how it got to be so late. To me that is the mark of a really amazing read. One where you are so into the world and the story the author created you don't even notice the time passing. Oh, it was great.

This is the first book from this author I have read, but I definitely need to go read the rest of the books in this series! It didn't feel like I was missing anything not knowing the characters beforehand, but I am excited to read more of the stories now!

This is the story of Jules and Tyler. Jules who never wants to be in love again as she saw what can happen when it doesn't work out, and Tyler who is Jules' brother's best friend and has been in love with Jules for years now. Jules is super prickly, but you get it. Yes, there were a few scenes where she was really rude, one in particular you knew how it was going to work out in the end, but I still wanted her to find her magic again. To figure out that you can love again and it can be wonderful. I still wanted everything for her.

And Tyler? Oh, he was a sweetheart. Based on his home life he tries to control and manage everything. He even tries to manage his feelings for Jules because he knows they will freak her out and he doesn't want to lose her or her daughter Bella. They are everything to him so his plan is to manage and be happy with what he has. Only that of course doesn't work out the way he plans and oh, I loved him so much. He is so wonderful with everyone, especially Jules and Bella. I loved reading this story and watching everything play out. These two are perfect for each other and oh, it made me feel all the feels. I can't wait to read more from this author!

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CATCH: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Surprising cute and who doesn’t love a good second chance at love? Makes me want to go back to the start of the series and see what I’ve been missing.

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Catch: A Love Story by Tracy Owens is part of a series, however, the first book I read and did not find myself lost. Here we have the story of Jules and Tyler and it is a second chance at love romance. Jules is divorced and has a daughter. She no longer believes in love or that she can ever trust another man. Her focus is work and her daughter. She and Tyler have been friends for a long time, but Tyler has a secret. He has been secretly in love with Jules. Their story is truly a friends to lovers one where they share good banter and a slow burn romance. This is an author I will definitely add to my reading!

Happy reading!

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This was a really solid romance! I loved the themes it explored on both sides of the relationship, following a friends to lovers trope (definitely a slow-burn) with dual viewpoints (which I always appreciate!). There were definitely feminist/powerful single mom vibes, dealings with childhood trauma/alcoholism/neglect and how that affects your relationships throughout life, and found family!

My only critique is that it could be a little cheesy at times (but I mean, it’s a romance, cheesy is okay sometimes!) and you get frustrated with the main character and their decisions. But I feel like that is necessary for the plot and character development.

Overall I read this in 2 days and it kept me engaged! Also, the MC’s daughter Bella is just adorable & an amazing reflection of her mom’s influence.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review!

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Jules is a cynical divorced single mom and Tyler is a CEO bachelor, they've known each other since their childhoods and have had unfortunate paths. How are they together, though? Lovely, just lovely. There's always some banter between them and the usual small-town girl and city-boy from that very same town that culminates in an interestingly heartwarming interactions between the two. This was a quick-read with some heavy topics dealt with in such a delicate manner that it does not steer away from the main romance between these characters, served in a slow-burn friends-to-lovers. Two independent characters learning to grow together, with impeccable chemistry. I mean, Jules as a main character is very relatable. The fact that she takes cues from a Romance novel whilst being a protagonist OF a romance novel? Like, haven't we all?

I love how the novel shows both Jules and Tyler develop and mature. Jules comes out of her shell more and is trying to have a more active place in her community instead of isolating herself, and Tyler has to deal with some past demons and catch the attentions of Jules. What a read! Highly recommend.

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Catch: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens is a friend's to lovers contemporary romance. Jules is the captain of Branch Fishing boats and Tyler grew up with Jules and her bother. Jules and her young daughter came home following a divorce. Tyler has loved her for a while, but can Jules find her way to admitting what she feels for Tyler is also love?

I really loved this book. I thought the way that Tracy Ewens wrote these characters was fresh and authentic. I loved Jules and Tyler's banter as well as their interaction with the other characters in the story. Both learn some truths about themselves, and I gave one of those satisfied sighs as I finished reading that meant all was well in my reading world.

My sincere thanks to the author and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion of it. This book was released June 8th. Consider giving it a read. I was glad I did.

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I absolutely loved this book! It felt like everything I wanted from a romance was given to me by Ewens. Catch: A Love Story brought so many great things to the table, and I feel like I could discuss this book for hours on end with anyone that has read it. My favourite part of the book has to be the characters - they're brilliant! Ewens has created beautifully written characters, who are not only likeable, but also feel like real people. They're vulnerable and have flaws that are portrayed perfectly throughout the novel, it really adds a well-rounded feeling to the book, and as a reader, it was nice to see characters show vulnerability; while authors easily choose to gloss over this side of characters, Ewens did not.

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I loved this story!! I found myself pulled into the storyline right away and couldn't help but root for Tyler from the beginning! I absolutely loved the charming small town setting. The only thing I wish is that it hadn't ended as I wasn't ready for the story to be done!

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This was my first Tracy Ewens book, but it won’t be my last! Catch is a heartwarming, second chance romance between Juliet ‘Jules’ Bartlett, a divorced single mom who might be a little bitter/grumpy, and Tyler Pace, a her brother’s best friend/business partner who is a natural fixer and has been in love with Jules for years. Tyler has part of Jules’ life since they were kids and is practically a member of the family. Jules desperately wants Tyler physically but has absolutely no desire to be ‘fixed’ or to allow herself to fall in love again. Their back and forth banter gives way to their mutual attraction when Tyler accompanies Jules and her daughter Bella to her ex-husband’s wedding, but whether they can make it work for more than just a one night stand remains to be seen. I loved watching these two deal with all their past hurts and insecurities, trying to set those things aside and make room in their hearts for each other.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tracy Ewens for the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review!

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Quirky, catchy, twisted and humorous – this book was loaded, to be honest. And going in with no expectations, this book was an amazing, feel-good read. The characters were so relatable in their behaviours and the apt amount of drama they carried out had me turning the pages at every chance.

This story is simple yet relevantly dramatic and I loved how the author has balanced both these aspects so well. Jules’s and Bella’s headstrong character and Tyler’s compassionate nature really captivated my attention throughout the book.

I am really happy that I got a chance to read this book. It was, all in all, a fun and fulfilling read.

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Catch was a wonderful romance that breaks the typical mold. It was an easy quick read where you were invested in the characters and cared about their welfare.

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So different than what I expected but an excellent read! One of my favorite romance novels of the summer. Part of the series that I haven't read but it worked as a standalone. I will definitely check out the other books in the series.

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Thank you to Tracy Ewens, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

My rating: 4/5 stars

Okay, so this is my first time reading a book by Tracy Ewens, I'm really drawn by the cover and the synopsis of Catch: A Love Story! I was really worried when I found out that this book is a part of a series, but thank God that this can be read as a standalone.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much? Some of my favorite tropes are here in this book, slow-burn romance, strong and independent women MC, and friends-to-lovers!
The atmosphere of the small town is also great! What I love the most is the character! Jules is a hard-working single mother who also works as the only female captain in the town. Tyler is the best friend of Jules's brother, so apparently, Jules and Tyler grow up together (which is very cute pls). Tyler has to deal with his alcoholic father while maintaining his work. Their romance is just so sweet (thanks to Tyler mainly), the fast-pacing is also great!
Although I have to admit I was really frustrated by Jules's behavior at the end, I keep saying "WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT JULES?" but well, it's forgiven :)

I will keep my eyes and tbr list for more Tracy Ewens's books!

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This is a beautiful romance with appealing characters and a solid plot. I loved how the heroine, Jules, is a single (divorced) mom who is empowering, while the hero, Tyler, is literally the guy next door (Jules' brother's closest friend). The narrative is not the most innovative in the category, but it is well-written. Our  love birds attend Jules' ex's wedding, where flames flare. Because they move from friends to lovers, their chemistry is authentic and lovely. However, the interaction between Tyler and Jules' daughter, Bella, was a nice surprise that I was looking forward to reading.

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The love story was so delicate, I really enjoyed reading about this particular second-chance love. The setting and the plot was well developed. Before reading make sure to look up TWs, each character had their purposes which was lined out and somehow met by the end of the book.
It was a heartwarming story!

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A modern day fairy tale with a twist…


Life is not always easy, as Juliet Bartlett and Tyler Pace can well attest, with pain and scars most often inflicted by those closest. This harsh reality has dissolved the magic of love and a happily-ever-after causing them to pour their energy into their work and responsibilities as a way to manage their feelings and protect their hearts. While their ordeals are hard to forget; they’re even harder to keep from coloring everything going forward and influencing choices and decisions. Jules and Tyler are familiar with each other’s pasts having grown up together, Tyler is Jules’ older brother’s best friend who spend a significant amount of time with their family due to his horrible home life. Their lives are even more intertwined since they both moved back to Bodega Bay, CA; revolving around their love and care for Jule’s eleven year old daughter, Bella, as they continue a relationship marked by their sarcastic banter while keeping each other at arm’s length emotionally. But love has a mind of its own and they soon learn that love is not something that can be managed, like their work, when it decides to write them in its fairy tale.

“The problem with feelings was that unlike tasks, they couldn’t be added and deleted as quickly as he would like. Feelings stuck and made a mess.”


Tracy Ewens has written a refreshingly, unconventional contemporary romance in Catch: A Love Story. Jules is not your traditional female lead. She is a tall, athletic woman who captains her own fleet of commercial fishing boats. Some might even paint her as unfeminine with her dominant personality and caustic tongue, sharpened by her circumstances, yet there is a soft, even fragile, side that is evident in her interactions with those closest to her, especially her precious daughter, Belle. An especially perceptive child, Belle brings out the best in the adults around her, forcing both Jules and Tyler to constantly re-evaluate their predilections towards relationships and especially their feelings towards each other.


Catch: A Love Story might seem to follow a predictable plot line: antagonistic friends fight a mutual attraction, run scared from the realization that they care deeply for this other person, only to come to the realization that they can’t live without each other. Yet the story’s unique characters and introspection puts a highly creative and entertaining twist on this common trope. While I couldn’t help disliking Jules’ blunt and abrasive delivery with Tyler, who was loyal and longsuffering on so many fronts with her, it was fitting considering she used that persona as a shield for her bruised and battered heart. Her personality also made the audacious ending, of the princess sweeping in on the white horse to save the day, that much more believable. If you are looking for a great summer read, Catch: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens might just fit the bill.

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I have truly enjoyed all of Tracy Ewens’ books, and Catch is no exception. Picking up where the Blow left off, the reader learns more about those characters while exploring Tyler and Julie’s story. This aspect is one of the best parts of Ewens’ books, they follow characters previously introduced. Tyler and Julie have each faced hardship and disappointment, which has left them at times jaded. However, their attraction to one another overwhelms even their most cynical thoughts, forcing them to make big decisions. You’ll root for these two while also learning about their jobs, as Ewens does an excellent job researching the occupations and giving the reader insight into those worlds too.

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Though I wasn't sure what to expect, and contemporary is not my go-to genre, I was immediately hooked (no pun intended) by this story of the relationship between a fishing boat captain and her brother's best friend.

Tyler Pace fell in love with Jules Bartlett long before she became a divorced single mother. He's a reliable friend to her and her daughter Bella, but Jules's prickly nature keeps him at arms length and he begins to doubt she will ever be ready to risk her heart again. In Jules's mind there are two major strikes against this local boy who made good - he has money and a tendency to use it to swoop in and fix things. Obstacles abound and past trauma is very present, as Tyler's alcoholic father's health fails and Jules is invited to the wedding of her ex-husband and the friend he cheated with.

Set in the town of Bodega Bay, California, this is such a slice of life story - from the supportive friends and wonderful families, to the small town community in this story of two people who have known each other all of their lives finding love - albeit with vastly different timing.

What a surprise this story was - through the ups and downs of this relationship, as the narrative switches between perspectives, I was all in and left at the end with a desire to read more of this series. I do enjoy a mature romance, and these are the type of characters that feel like people you might really want to know. Recommended with a note that this salty slow burn contemporary is an open door romance with cursing as a natural feature of language in the narrative as well as the dialogue.

This review refers to a temporary digital copy that I voluntarily read through NetGalley, courtesy of the author. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

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"Catch" by Tracy Evens was a nice little escape from my usual reading material.

Jules Bartlett spends 300 days a year on her family's fishing boats and absolutely adores it. If she's not on the water she's raising her daughter Bella. Jules has no time for romance or BS. After a heartbreaking divorce, Jules put a wall around her heart, vowing never to let anyone else hurt her.

But of course, there's always someone who breaks down those walls. Introducing Tyler Pace, Jules' self-made, and extremely handsome childhood friend. Tyler has always loved Jules but never took the chance in telling her. Until the two engage in some "casual sex" and change the course of their lives forever.

This book was a breath of fresh air. It was a sweet, cute friends/enemies to lovers trope. Honestly, enemies to lovers are one of my favorite romance tropes. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a romantic escape!

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When I got this book, I definitely didn't expect it to be what it was. And I'm so grateful for it! I'm in a romance novels vibe lately, and this was definitely one of the best I've read in a while.

First, I gotta talk about Jules. She's great, very aware of her strenghts and weaknesses, the kind of main character you love in the first page of reading their thoughts. Sometimes she was a little stubborn, but who isn't? Especially with everything she felt was under her responsibility, it all made sense, and it was really nice to see how she evolved throughout the story.

Tyler was just as delightful to read. It's always nice to see the male character completely dumbstruck everytime he sees the woman he loves, and he was a very layered character, with his own issues and also very aware of them.

Maybe my favorite thing about this book was the family environment surrounding it. Even though the focus was on the love story (as is the series' name), it was very clear from the beggining that this was also a family story. Not perfect families, but real ones, with real issues and effects on the characters' lives, but also very important for their growth. Family love played a big part in it, and I just loved it.

Overall, it was a great read, which motivated me to go look for the author's other stories right away.

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A beautifully written story of two people who have had love sneak up on them. Neither one can see a future where life as friends can turn into a life lived together. A really SIGH worthy ending.

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