Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn ~ 320 pages ~ to be published on October 15, 2024 by St. Martin’s Griffin
Goodreads Synopsis:
Maren Laughlin has been fishing her whole life, but she’s finally ready to be caught.
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. It’s not a question of should they, but rather can they make it last? Are things too easy, or is this just how real love works? In Erin Hahn’s heartwarmingly sexy Catch and Keep, Maren and Joe have to be brave enough to find out.
What I Thought:
*All of my reviews are spoiler-free!*
*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC!*
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. 🥰
Erin Hahn cannot write a bad book, I have become convinced. I will admit, I was a little bit wary when I saw the subject matter of this one. Fishing? Eek, that is not my thing at all. I really should never question a book by this woman. I loved it, and heck, I may even want to give fishing a whirl now!
I have really enjoyed this “series” that follows three best friends and their love stories. The first two were about Shelby and Lorelai, who were both in the public eye in some respect. This book is a little more homey, with Maren who is all about fishing and her dog, Rogers. While she did have an up-and-coming YouTube fishing channel back in her younger years, she has moved firmly out of the spotlight by the time this story rolls around. It was nice getting to see a very down-to-earth, ‘normal’ girl getting to have a chance at love and happiness in this book.
Maren and Joe were such a great couple to get to fall in love with. Maren is sweet, spunky, and vulnerable. Joe is sweet, a great dad, and learning to open up to love again. They are a match made in cozy heaven. I loved the fall vibes of this one, as well as the setting. I have never been to Wisconsin, but I would love to visit now! I could absolutely see the setting in every description, and it was beautiful.
I loved getting to meet Joe’s kids, and seeing the relationship blossom between them and Maren was almost as wonderful as the romance that blooms between Maren and Joe himself. I loved that aspect of this story. It is not always just about falling in love with the guy, it is all that comes with him, including his family.
As for the conflict in the book, I liked one but not the other. Seeing Joe’s relationship with his ex was a great source of conflict, as well as Maren being afraid of her brother finding out about her feelings for his best friend. Both of these were perfection. I wasn’t a huge fan of the stalker-fan conflict. I just felt like it was a tiny bit forced, and I think the book could have stood without it just fine. That is my only complaint though.
Loved this book, loved the characters, loved the setting, loved the vibes. Pick this up, you won’t be sorry. And maybe it will make you want to try fishing 🎣😉
My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
I gave Catch and Keep 4.5 Stars!
Are you interested in learning more about this book/series? Check out the links below!
Order Catch and Keep on Amazon
Have you read any of Erin Hahn’s previous books? Check out my reviews for some of them here!
Built to Last ~ Friends Don’t Fall in Love
You’d Be Mine ~ More Than Maybe ~ Never Saw You Coming ~ Even If It Breaks Your Heart
Are you a fan of Erin Hahn’s books? Which is your favorite? Are you a brother’s best friend romance kind of girl? What are your favorites? Let’s chat in the comments!
Love and happy reading,
Whitney
Whit Reads Lit 