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Catch and Keep
In Erin Hahn's latest cozy, swoony romance, 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.
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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2024
133 people are currently reading
20885 people want to read
About the author
Erin Hahn
8 books1,379 followersERIN HAHN is the author of the young adult novels You'd Be Mine, More Than Maybe, and Never Saw You Coming as well as the adult romance Built to Last. Romance is her vibe, grunge is her soundtrack and fall is her signature color. She fell for her flannel-clad college sweetheart the very first day of school and together, they have two hilarious kids who keep her humble. She lives outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn't.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,130 reviews
April 6, 2024
This is a single dad, older brother’s best friend romance. One of the children is autistic, which makes their story even more interesting and lovable as she falls for his 2 children and they fall for her. And did I mention the dog? Her dog plays a big part in the story which I loved.
Maren is a great FMC and I really enjoyed her love for fishing. She had a bond with an old man growing up that taught her to fish and I loved this part of the story and how much impact she made on his life.
Joe is super lovable too. They have a slow burn for sure. The chemistry between them during the few spicy scenes were great & I actually wish we got a few more of those scenes.
I also enjoyed the banter between her and her friends during the few text messages where they discuss their life and relationships.
I gotta say I did not like her brother at all. Even when he apologized, I still hate him and don’t forgive him.
The last 1/3 of the book was my favorite when they finally become a true family. This is a good heartwarming love story.
Thank you to Netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Maren is a great FMC and I really enjoyed her love for fishing. She had a bond with an old man growing up that taught her to fish and I loved this part of the story and how much impact she made on his life.
Joe is super lovable too. They have a slow burn for sure. The chemistry between them during the few spicy scenes were great & I actually wish we got a few more of those scenes.
I also enjoyed the banter between her and her friends during the few text messages where they discuss their life and relationships.
I gotta say I did not like her brother at all. Even when he apologized, I still hate him and don’t forgive him.
The last 1/3 of the book was my favorite when they finally become a true family. This is a good heartwarming love story.
Thank you to Netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2025
4.5 stars
This was an absolute delight for me and just what I needed to read. Such a wholesome romance that also dealt with some heavier topics but I think this had the perfect blend of serious and contentment.
I really loved both MC's. Maren was such a great character from the start and loved her backbone and the way she let people have it (deservedly). She was independent and strong but also just wanted to really belong somewhere and feel loved. Enter Joe. He was such a cinnamon roll and admittedly made some mistakes in the past with his ex, but he was showing up on full force now.
Maren's brother, Liam, was a piece of work. Maren had a good backbone on her, but that can only do so much for you when you have someone who is supposed to support you but just condescends to you in a somewhat passive way.
But I loved the relationship in this and the way it developed it organically and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. I want to present every author who writes a romance without a breakup an award. I want to see exactly what was done here. Just a third act wrench that requires communication, maybe space if it's required, and some grace.
Would absolutely recommend for romance readers ❤️
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
This was an absolute delight for me and just what I needed to read. Such a wholesome romance that also dealt with some heavier topics but I think this had the perfect blend of serious and contentment.
I really loved both MC's. Maren was such a great character from the start and loved her backbone and the way she let people have it (deservedly). She was independent and strong but also just wanted to really belong somewhere and feel loved. Enter Joe. He was such a cinnamon roll and admittedly made some mistakes in the past with his ex, but he was showing up on full force now.
Maren's brother, Liam, was a piece of work. Maren had a good backbone on her, but that can only do so much for you when you have someone who is supposed to support you but just condescends to you in a somewhat passive way.
But I loved the relationship in this and the way it developed it organically and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. I want to present every author who writes a romance without a breakup an award. I want to see exactly what was done here. Just a third act wrench that requires communication, maybe space if it's required, and some grace.
Would absolutely recommend for romance readers ❤️
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
April 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Erin Hahn, and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my goodness, I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this book!! "Catch and Keep" was everything I hoped for and more! Beautifully written, incredibly sweet, and deeply emotional, it tugged at my heartstrings from the very first page. This was my first read by Erin Hahn, and it certainly won't be my last! I was completely immersed in characters that felt so real, with a relationship that developed organically. AND BEST OF ALL - NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!! I was also extremely impressed by Hahn's thoughtful and authentic portrayal of a character with autism. Such a heartwarming story and an easy addition to my top favorites of 2025!!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
Tropes/Themes:
🐟Friends to Lovers
🐟Brother's Best Friend
🐟Single Dad
🐟Small Town Romance
🐟Slow Burn
🐟Autism Representation
🐟No Third Act Breakup
🐟Dual POV
Synposis:
Mauren Laughlin has a spent a lifetime casting lines, waiting and hoping, but at thirty-three, she's ready to reel in something real. When she turns down a safe proposal and walks away from the life she's always known, Maren returns to her childhood lakefront, where an old bait shop and a new beginning await.
Josiah Cole has built a life from second chances, a beloved lakeside resort, two kids who light up his world, and a heart that's mended itself, piece by piece. When Maren drifts into his orbit, it feels less like falling and more like floating, easy and certain, inevitable.
But when love feels this effortless, can it really be trusted? Or is this exactly what it means to find the one you were meant to catch and keep?
My Thoughts:
"Catch and Keep" is pure joy wrapped in a love story! Joe completely stole my heart! The way he stood up for Maren, openly loved her, and never once made her question her worth. He's the kind of hero you don't just root for, you fall for. A true cinnamon roll hero with a heart of gold! Maren's journey was just as moving, especially in the way she connected with Lucy. Showing her patience, understanding, and never treating her as anything less than extraordinary.
This story is brimming with all the best things: fierce friendships, unconditional family, a slow-blooming love that feels both magical and real. And the two kids, plus the adorable dog 🐶, completely captured my heart and made this story shine even brighter.
I loved every page, and I'm already planning to add a physical copy to my personal library. I wholeheartedly recommend and it deserves ALL the stars!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my goodness, I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this book!! "Catch and Keep" was everything I hoped for and more! Beautifully written, incredibly sweet, and deeply emotional, it tugged at my heartstrings from the very first page. This was my first read by Erin Hahn, and it certainly won't be my last! I was completely immersed in characters that felt so real, with a relationship that developed organically. AND BEST OF ALL - NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!! I was also extremely impressed by Hahn's thoughtful and authentic portrayal of a character with autism. Such a heartwarming story and an easy addition to my top favorites of 2025!!🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
Tropes/Themes:
🐟Friends to Lovers
🐟Brother's Best Friend
🐟Single Dad
🐟Small Town Romance
🐟Slow Burn
🐟Autism Representation
🐟No Third Act Breakup
🐟Dual POV
Synposis:
Mauren Laughlin has a spent a lifetime casting lines, waiting and hoping, but at thirty-three, she's ready to reel in something real. When she turns down a safe proposal and walks away from the life she's always known, Maren returns to her childhood lakefront, where an old bait shop and a new beginning await.
Josiah Cole has built a life from second chances, a beloved lakeside resort, two kids who light up his world, and a heart that's mended itself, piece by piece. When Maren drifts into his orbit, it feels less like falling and more like floating, easy and certain, inevitable.
But when love feels this effortless, can it really be trusted? Or is this exactly what it means to find the one you were meant to catch and keep?
My Thoughts:
"Catch and Keep" is pure joy wrapped in a love story! Joe completely stole my heart! The way he stood up for Maren, openly loved her, and never once made her question her worth. He's the kind of hero you don't just root for, you fall for. A true cinnamon roll hero with a heart of gold! Maren's journey was just as moving, especially in the way she connected with Lucy. Showing her patience, understanding, and never treating her as anything less than extraordinary.
This story is brimming with all the best things: fierce friendships, unconditional family, a slow-blooming love that feels both magical and real. And the two kids, plus the adorable dog 🐶, completely captured my heart and made this story shine even brighter.
I loved every page, and I'm already planning to add a physical copy to my personal library. I wholeheartedly recommend and it deserves ALL the stars!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 16, 2024
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
Contemporary romance. Brother’s best friend, single dad troupes.
Maren Laughlin spent summers with her family in the waterways of Northern Wisconsin. As a teen she had a fishing channel showing the local spots for catching musky and enjoying the outdoors. At thirty-three when her boyfriend surprises her with a public proposal in front of friends and family, she inelegantly declines and escapes back to Wisconsin where she’s inherited a decrepit bait shop and small apartment. She takes a leave of absence from her Park Ranger job and decides to renovate the property and figure what comes next.
Josiah Cole has finished with his military career and is running the resort his parents have owned as well as being the full time parent to his two children, the younger being autistic. Joe and Maren’s brother Liam have been best friends since school age. Maren is five years younger than the two friends and while Liam still sees her as a kid and just starting a career, Joe sees the adult and the work she’s put in at the bait shop and how much she enjoys taking charge of the fishing charters. She has a knack for finding the fish and has always loved it. Maren and her dog have also befriended his children which, of course, has own heart appreciating her. And maybe there’s a little list there too, between the two of them.
This book is not listed as a series however the heroine has two best friends that are included and supportive in this story and this book takes place after their stories. 1) Built to Last and 2) Friends Don’t Fall in Love. To avoid spoilers I would recommend reading those rom coms first.
Joe and Maren together fit like puzzle pieces. She’s the outdoors fishing expert and he’s part-time bartender and maintenance guy and together they make the family resort a place to relax and enjoy. The scenes with the children are just heart clenchers and sweet. Liam is the typical big brother. He has emotional growing to do. I loved how supportive her two best friends and their husbands are.
Flirty and enticing. A adorable romance to read.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance. Brother’s best friend, single dad troupes.
Maren Laughlin spent summers with her family in the waterways of Northern Wisconsin. As a teen she had a fishing channel showing the local spots for catching musky and enjoying the outdoors. At thirty-three when her boyfriend surprises her with a public proposal in front of friends and family, she inelegantly declines and escapes back to Wisconsin where she’s inherited a decrepit bait shop and small apartment. She takes a leave of absence from her Park Ranger job and decides to renovate the property and figure what comes next.
Josiah Cole has finished with his military career and is running the resort his parents have owned as well as being the full time parent to his two children, the younger being autistic. Joe and Maren’s brother Liam have been best friends since school age. Maren is five years younger than the two friends and while Liam still sees her as a kid and just starting a career, Joe sees the adult and the work she’s put in at the bait shop and how much she enjoys taking charge of the fishing charters. She has a knack for finding the fish and has always loved it. Maren and her dog have also befriended his children which, of course, has own heart appreciating her. And maybe there’s a little list there too, between the two of them.
This book is not listed as a series however the heroine has two best friends that are included and supportive in this story and this book takes place after their stories. 1) Built to Last and 2) Friends Don’t Fall in Love. To avoid spoilers I would recommend reading those rom coms first.
Joe and Maren together fit like puzzle pieces. She’s the outdoors fishing expert and he’s part-time bartender and maintenance guy and together they make the family resort a place to relax and enjoy. The scenes with the children are just heart clenchers and sweet. Liam is the typical big brother. He has emotional growing to do. I loved how supportive her two best friends and their husbands are.
Flirty and enticing. A adorable romance to read.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
March 14, 2025
If you're looking for a feel-good romance that will leave you smiling, this novel is a must-read! From start to finish, it offers a heartwarming story filled with delightful characters and a refreshing absence of unnecessary drama. The chemistry between the main couple is simply wonderful, and their journey toward love feels so natural and genuine.
This book strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted fun and emotional depth, making it an easy, enjoyable read that never feels shallow. The author crafts a story that's as much about connection and growth as it is about romance, which makes it all the more satisfying.
Whether you're lounging on a beach or curled up on your couch, this novel is the perfect companion. It’s an uplifting escape that delivers all the joy and warmth you could want from a romance. Highly recommend it for anyone in need of a smile!
This book strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted fun and emotional depth, making it an easy, enjoyable read that never feels shallow. The author crafts a story that's as much about connection and growth as it is about romance, which makes it all the more satisfying.
Whether you're lounging on a beach or curled up on your couch, this novel is the perfect companion. It’s an uplifting escape that delivers all the joy and warmth you could want from a romance. Highly recommend it for anyone in need of a smile!
November 24, 2024
4.5 stars!
"Catch and Keep" by Erin Hahn is simply wonderful. It is a childhood friends-to-lovers, single dad, older brother's best friend romance that takes place in a small town on a lake. I loved Maren and Joe! Maren's life is a little bit in shambles after rejecting her boyfriend's very public marriage proposal. She retreats to the lake where her family vacationed all her life, reacquainting herself with Joe, who is not divorced and has two children. Maren is going to fix up and sell the bait shop and cabin that were left to her by a family friend. Joe's family just so happens to own a bunch of cabins on the lake and offer her a place to stay while she works on the property. She and Joe are back in each other's orbits, giving one another stolen glances, and eventually, stolen kisses. Maren meets and eventually falls in love with Joe's kids, especially Lucy, who is autistic. My favorite part about this book is how realistic it feels. The characters feel realistic and lived-in. The challenges they face are real and handled in a natural manner. The families in this book are close, the bonds unbreakable even when they are bickering. And the love story.... god, I loved watching Maren and Joe fall for one another. There is quite a bit of talk about fishing since Maren used to have a very famous YouTube channel, and I feel like I learned quite a bit about it! I found the pacing to be perfect as it unrolls in a slow-burning fashion. It's not too long, not too short, with the perfect amount of description and backstory. I just love Erin Hahn's work so much. Her stories feel a warm hug. You're going to love this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Hahn, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Catch and Keep" by Erin Hahn is simply wonderful. It is a childhood friends-to-lovers, single dad, older brother's best friend romance that takes place in a small town on a lake. I loved Maren and Joe! Maren's life is a little bit in shambles after rejecting her boyfriend's very public marriage proposal. She retreats to the lake where her family vacationed all her life, reacquainting herself with Joe, who is not divorced and has two children. Maren is going to fix up and sell the bait shop and cabin that were left to her by a family friend. Joe's family just so happens to own a bunch of cabins on the lake and offer her a place to stay while she works on the property. She and Joe are back in each other's orbits, giving one another stolen glances, and eventually, stolen kisses. Maren meets and eventually falls in love with Joe's kids, especially Lucy, who is autistic. My favorite part about this book is how realistic it feels. The characters feel realistic and lived-in. The challenges they face are real and handled in a natural manner. The families in this book are close, the bonds unbreakable even when they are bickering. And the love story.... god, I loved watching Maren and Joe fall for one another. There is quite a bit of talk about fishing since Maren used to have a very famous YouTube channel, and I feel like I learned quite a bit about it! I found the pacing to be perfect as it unrolls in a slow-burning fashion. It's not too long, not too short, with the perfect amount of description and backstory. I just love Erin Hahn's work so much. Her stories feel a warm hug. You're going to love this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Hahn, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
May 1, 2025
Catch and Keep
5✨
love the originality
💜💜💜💜💜
This book can be read as a standalone, BUT the side characters overlap. Big bonus if you read them in the right order. ( I found out after reading catch and keep first. If I new I would have read this book last.)
reading order >>>
1 : Built to last
2: Friends don't fall in love
3: Catch and Keep
5✨
love the originality
💜💜💜💜💜
This book can be read as a standalone, BUT the side characters overlap. Big bonus if you read them in the right order. ( I found out after reading catch and keep first. If I new I would have read this book last.)
reading order >>>
1 : Built to last
2: Friends don't fall in love
3: Catch and Keep
November 21, 2024
Catch and Keep was just such a fun and sweet story, so I obviously binged it!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
This is one of those books that has you saying, “Awe! I just wanna jump into the pages and be part of this family!” Seriously, when you have a book with supportive parents on both sides, a single cinnamon roll dad, and a female MC who is completely bad ass, you find yourself fully absorbed into a story you never want to see end.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Dual POV
Friends to Lovers
Single Dad
Single Dog Mom
Family Drama
Found Family
Small resort town
Autism rep
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲?
Be still my beating heart! I’m beginning to think the single dad trope is going to become tied as my new favorite. Joe was just everything you want and his romance with Maren was so good. The best was how they came together along with Joe's adorable kids thrown into the mix. Seriously, seeing them find their happiness along with two cute kids thrown into the mix was pure gold, and these cuties were total scene stealers.
🔥Steam level: Open Door
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
Zura Johnson and Michal Norman Johnson absolutely blew it out of the park with their narration and the added life they brought to the story.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
The story holds a steady pace but hooks you and then it’s all about devouring it as fast as you can.
I promise you that this is one of those books you just find yourself falling into, and after you pick it up, you too will find yourself developing feelings for ALL the characters. This book was truly a joy to read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you SMP for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
This is one of those books that has you saying, “Awe! I just wanna jump into the pages and be part of this family!” Seriously, when you have a book with supportive parents on both sides, a single cinnamon roll dad, and a female MC who is completely bad ass, you find yourself fully absorbed into a story you never want to see end.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Dual POV
Friends to Lovers
Single Dad
Single Dog Mom
Family Drama
Found Family
Small resort town
Autism rep
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲?
Be still my beating heart! I’m beginning to think the single dad trope is going to become tied as my new favorite. Joe was just everything you want and his romance with Maren was so good. The best was how they came together along with Joe's adorable kids thrown into the mix. Seriously, seeing them find their happiness along with two cute kids thrown into the mix was pure gold, and these cuties were total scene stealers.
🔥Steam level: Open Door
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
Zura Johnson and Michal Norman Johnson absolutely blew it out of the park with their narration and the added life they brought to the story.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
The story holds a steady pace but hooks you and then it’s all about devouring it as fast as you can.
I promise you that this is one of those books you just find yourself falling into, and after you pick it up, you too will find yourself developing feelings for ALL the characters. This book was truly a joy to read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you SMP for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 10, 2025
OBSESSED wouldn’t even begin to describe the way i feel about this book, major slay fr 🫶🤞💅
October 3, 2024
4.5/5
small town, single dad romance strikes again !!
guys this was such a fun surprise!! if you really enjoyed wild eyes by elsie silver you should totally pick this up, the main character is not a singer but for some reason the vibes felt the same and i was loving it. i didn't even mean to get so attached to this book but i started it this morning and could not put it down. all the elements of the little town were so cute, anders and lucy were adorable, and the romance was so pure. i will say that the part of the story that involves her creepy fan was kinda annoying just because there wasn't really much conclusion. like that aspect could've been left out and the story would be just as enjoyable.
ignoring that random side plot, this romance is so, so good!! i just love the way that joe and maren fell in love. they made a cute little family and it was just so sweet to see. seeing maren find her happiness was so enjoyable and her relationships with the kids... SHUT UP. the kids were the best inclusion into this book. the four of them just fit as a little family and this is by far one of my favorite single parent romances. this is random but since they called josiah joe i could only picture him as joe burrow, pre dyed hair, and that made my experience wonderful. ugh this was just so sweet and i am so happy i found this!!
because i enjoyed this so much i will be looking for lorelei and shelby's books. i feel like i got the tail end of the friendship and i need more. the setting also made this such a good fall romance so be looking to pick it up when it comes out on the 15th. i will be thinking about lucy and maren for the rest of the year now...
*thank you NetGalley for the ARC*
small town, single dad romance strikes again !!
guys this was such a fun surprise!! if you really enjoyed wild eyes by elsie silver you should totally pick this up, the main character is not a singer but for some reason the vibes felt the same and i was loving it. i didn't even mean to get so attached to this book but i started it this morning and could not put it down. all the elements of the little town were so cute, anders and lucy were adorable, and the romance was so pure. i will say that the part of the story that involves her creepy fan was kinda annoying just because there wasn't really much conclusion. like that aspect could've been left out and the story would be just as enjoyable.
ignoring that random side plot, this romance is so, so good!! i just love the way that joe and maren fell in love. they made a cute little family and it was just so sweet to see. seeing maren find her happiness was so enjoyable and her relationships with the kids... SHUT UP. the kids were the best inclusion into this book. the four of them just fit as a little family and this is by far one of my favorite single parent romances. this is random but since they called josiah joe i could only picture him as joe burrow, pre dyed hair, and that made my experience wonderful. ugh this was just so sweet and i am so happy i found this!!
because i enjoyed this so much i will be looking for lorelei and shelby's books. i feel like i got the tail end of the friendship and i need more. the setting also made this such a good fall romance so be looking to pick it up when it comes out on the 15th. i will be thinking about lucy and maren for the rest of the year now...
*thank you NetGalley for the ARC*
June 17, 2024
Erin Hahn is quickly becoming one of my auto-read authors. This book was heartfelt and reminded me exactly why I love romance.
This book has:
•Single dad and brother best friend tropes 🫶
•An outdoorsy heroine who has returned home after rejecting a proposal. She reunites with the hero, her older brother’s best friend, who is now a single dad of two kids
•A slow burn with lots of bonding with the hero’s children before a romance develops. The found family trope never fails me 🥹
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has:
•Single dad and brother best friend tropes 🫶
•An outdoorsy heroine who has returned home after rejecting a proposal. She reunites with the hero, her older brother’s best friend, who is now a single dad of two kids
•A slow burn with lots of bonding with the hero’s children before a romance develops. The found family trope never fails me 🥹
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2024
Erin Hahn does not disappoint! This is actually interconnected with two of Erin's previous books, which I did not realize, one of which I have read and gave 4 stars (Built to Last) and the other I have not read (Friends Don't Fall in Love) but is on my TBR. One doesn't necessarily have to read the previous books prior to reading Catch and Keep, but the other couples from those books do make their happy-couple appearances in this book.
Aside from that, this book was the perfect read for mid-fall as the book spans from about September and through the Christmas holidays and into the next year. Maren returns to her childhood stomping grounds at a rustic lakefront resort after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend and being passed up for a promotion to her dream job. Here she runs in to her brother's best friend, Josiah, who works at the resort. He's all grown up--home from duty in Iraq and single dad to two kids. Maren and Josiah are so sweet and easy together. I loved seeing them combining their lives around the resort, in the outdoors, and in their home. Josiah's kids were great as characters and Maren was almost too good with them considering she had no previous experience with kids, let alone an autistic child. But hey, I'm easy to please. I like a nice, happy, sappy love story and Erin Hahn delivered.
*~ Thank you to St. Martins Press and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own. ~*
Aside from that, this book was the perfect read for mid-fall as the book spans from about September and through the Christmas holidays and into the next year. Maren returns to her childhood stomping grounds at a rustic lakefront resort after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend and being passed up for a promotion to her dream job. Here she runs in to her brother's best friend, Josiah, who works at the resort. He's all grown up--home from duty in Iraq and single dad to two kids. Maren and Josiah are so sweet and easy together. I loved seeing them combining their lives around the resort, in the outdoors, and in their home. Josiah's kids were great as characters and Maren was almost too good with them considering she had no previous experience with kids, let alone an autistic child. But hey, I'm easy to please. I like a nice, happy, sappy love story and Erin Hahn delivered.
*~ Thank you to St. Martins Press and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own. ~*
April 16, 2024
This was my first book my Erin and I absolutely loved it, a super cute slow burn and best friends brother contemporary romance novel. All the characters were loveable and you were rooting for the two main love interests.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an arc of this book
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an arc of this book
April 8, 2025
DNF @ 58%
This book felt so damn long—I swear it felt like I was listening to it for an actual lifetime.
The FMC was painfully one-dimensional. Like, where was the depth? The complexity?
The MMC being blonde and ex-military… yeah, that was an instant eww from me.
Also, the author tried so hard to make his ex look like the villain, but honestly? I would’ve left that man too. It didn’t feel convincing at all.
And let’s not forget—nothing had happened by 58%, and somehow it still felt like I had been stuck in that book forever. It was dreadful.
Her brother treating her like she was thirteen was so weird. Like, sir, that is a grown woman. Stop acting like she’s a helpless child—it was uncomfortable to read.
October 16, 2024
I love these adult novels by Erin Hahn. She describes Joe and Maren’s relationship as just so easy to fall into, and this book was exactly the same. I started reading, and before I knew it I had developed feelings for these characters in part because of the easy flow of the story, but also because of the setting and the kids. This story was a joy and I relished reading Maren and Joe’s story.
There isn’t a great romance novel if there’s not a hint of conflict and we do have a couple of storylines that create that dynamic for our duo. Maren’s brother is Joe’s best friend, and he doesn’t hesitate to warn Maren off of catching feelings for Joe. He’s also a bit of a dope to Maren and gave the reader a person to get frustrated at that wasn’t our hero or heroine. Joe also isn’t the swinging single guy, he comes as a package with his two kids who added a lot to the story- as well as a dumb ex- spouse that the reader could also focus some energy on hating. It was only Maren and Joe’s feelings that were easy breezy, these conflicts gave the story a lot of heart in their conclusions.
I’ve read the other two novels in this stand alone series. I say stand alone and series in the same sentence because Maren’s two best friends were the heroines from the previous two adult novels by this same author. It’s always nice to see how other characters you’ve read have advanced their storylines and I welcomed that brief peek. Despite their reoccurance, you can read this novel as a stand alone and not miss a thing but I bet when you’re done, if you hadn’t read the other two novels you’re going to want to pick them up and catch up!
There isn’t a great romance novel if there’s not a hint of conflict and we do have a couple of storylines that create that dynamic for our duo. Maren’s brother is Joe’s best friend, and he doesn’t hesitate to warn Maren off of catching feelings for Joe. He’s also a bit of a dope to Maren and gave the reader a person to get frustrated at that wasn’t our hero or heroine. Joe also isn’t the swinging single guy, he comes as a package with his two kids who added a lot to the story- as well as a dumb ex- spouse that the reader could also focus some energy on hating. It was only Maren and Joe’s feelings that were easy breezy, these conflicts gave the story a lot of heart in their conclusions.
I’ve read the other two novels in this stand alone series. I say stand alone and series in the same sentence because Maren’s two best friends were the heroines from the previous two adult novels by this same author. It’s always nice to see how other characters you’ve read have advanced their storylines and I welcomed that brief peek. Despite their reoccurance, you can read this novel as a stand alone and not miss a thing but I bet when you’re done, if you hadn’t read the other two novels you’re going to want to pick them up and catch up!
August 8, 2024
Catch & Keep is what I describe as a romance with heft. It's a breath of fresh air while also taking a deeper look at being a divorced single parent with a child on the spectrum (him) and reinventing your life after an abrupt change (her).
I've been a resident of NorthCentral WI for the past 20+ years and have spent many a weekend "up north" at the lake and let me tell you @erinhahn_author NAILS IT! There is such a strong sense of place, but I don't think you need to hail from the Midwest to appreciate this book. Hahn's writing is so immersive that I could feel the breeze off the lake, hear the sound of the fishing boat pulling into shore and smell that quintessential summer blend of trees and sand.
Heartwarming & cozy
Filled me with wanderlust
Brothers Best Friend
Slow burn
No 3rd Act Breakup
Standalone, but return characters from Built to Last and Friends Don't Fall in Love
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I've been a resident of NorthCentral WI for the past 20+ years and have spent many a weekend "up north" at the lake and let me tell you @erinhahn_author NAILS IT! There is such a strong sense of place, but I don't think you need to hail from the Midwest to appreciate this book. Hahn's writing is so immersive that I could feel the breeze off the lake, hear the sound of the fishing boat pulling into shore and smell that quintessential summer blend of trees and sand.
Heartwarming & cozy
Filled me with wanderlust
Brothers Best Friend
Slow burn
No 3rd Act Breakup
Standalone, but return characters from Built to Last and Friends Don't Fall in Love
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
November 21, 2024
Thank you St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffith for my copy. All thoughts are my own.
Me: sees book is set at a lakeside resort
ADD 👏 TO 👏 CART
I’ve read the other books in this Interconnected romance world of three best friends and their lives and I think this has to be my favorite. It’s a single dad, second chance, brother’s best friend romance aka chock full of juicy tropes, spice, tension, and adorable kids. There were some lines and statements that made me a little weary, but overall, I found this book to be very entertaining and it kept me reading. It also is a great Fall book that features the major holidays of the ‘Ber Months but isn’t a Christmas book.
Synopsis:
“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.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Tropes and Setting—Brother’s best friend, second chance, and single dad? A reading cocktail for the ages. Plus, a lakeside resort town! So many of my favorite things in one delicious book.
The Pacing/Structure—Everything felt like it flowed well and felt natural to the characters. I love that with second chance, especially childhood friends second chance, is that it’s okay to sprinkle in epic pining early on because they already know each other.
The Chemistry—This characters made sense and I loved watching them discover their feelings for each other.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
A few lines that felt unnecessary regarding the military. Minor enough that I can’t recall them but enough that I took pause while reading.
POTENTIAL SPOILER; I felt like there was going to be a stalking/kidnaping plotline and maybe I’ve read a few too many romance suspenses, but I was disappointed a certain plot line didn’t have more weight. i’m glad Maren was able to stand up for herself at the end, and I do think it’s valuable to see female creators create boundaries with male audience members. But I felt like Bryce was too creepy to only watch from afar, if that makes sense. It doesn’t invalidate the fear surrounding sexual harassment online, I just felt like as a plot point, it felt unfinished.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 3/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
sexual harassment, toxic relationship, ableism, child abuse, bullying
Me: sees book is set at a lakeside resort
ADD 👏 TO 👏 CART
I’ve read the other books in this Interconnected romance world of three best friends and their lives and I think this has to be my favorite. It’s a single dad, second chance, brother’s best friend romance aka chock full of juicy tropes, spice, tension, and adorable kids. There were some lines and statements that made me a little weary, but overall, I found this book to be very entertaining and it kept me reading. It also is a great Fall book that features the major holidays of the ‘Ber Months but isn’t a Christmas book.
Synopsis:
“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.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Tropes and Setting—Brother’s best friend, second chance, and single dad? A reading cocktail for the ages. Plus, a lakeside resort town! So many of my favorite things in one delicious book.
The Pacing/Structure—Everything felt like it flowed well and felt natural to the characters. I love that with second chance, especially childhood friends second chance, is that it’s okay to sprinkle in epic pining early on because they already know each other.
The Chemistry—This characters made sense and I loved watching them discover their feelings for each other.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
A few lines that felt unnecessary regarding the military. Minor enough that I can’t recall them but enough that I took pause while reading.
POTENTIAL SPOILER; I felt like there was going to be a stalking/kidnaping plotline and maybe I’ve read a few too many romance suspenses, but I was disappointed a certain plot line didn’t have more weight. i’m glad Maren was able to stand up for herself at the end, and I do think it’s valuable to see female creators create boundaries with male audience members. But I felt like Bryce was too creepy to only watch from afar, if that makes sense. It doesn’t invalidate the fear surrounding sexual harassment online, I just felt like as a plot point, it felt unfinished.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 3/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
sexual harassment, toxic relationship, ableism, child abuse, bullying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
I’ll read anything Erin Hahn writes at this point. It’s all incredible.
This universe is full of such great characters already and Maren and Joe only add to that. Their story was so tender and easy it was perfect.
I want to go to the place this book is based on. It sounds like a great time. Also the whole Cole family???? I want to hug them all they’re all so sweet.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love a single parent romance where the love interest forms a bond with the kids before anything else. Maren being so patient and willing to learn while taking every one of Lucy’s autistic quirks in stride was incredible. Joe wanted to cry about it and so did I. Not to mention how amazing of a kid Anders is.
The cameos from the other two couples were so good. I love Lorelai and Craig SO much I want to read their book again already. Also the FaceTime meeting of the men?????? I love them all.
I’ll be thinking about this book for a while to come, I already know it.
ARC from NetGalley and St. Martins Press
This universe is full of such great characters already and Maren and Joe only add to that. Their story was so tender and easy it was perfect.
I want to go to the place this book is based on. It sounds like a great time. Also the whole Cole family???? I want to hug them all they’re all so sweet.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love a single parent romance where the love interest forms a bond with the kids before anything else. Maren being so patient and willing to learn while taking every one of Lucy’s autistic quirks in stride was incredible. Joe wanted to cry about it and so did I. Not to mention how amazing of a kid Anders is.
The cameos from the other two couples were so good. I love Lorelai and Craig SO much I want to read their book again already. Also the FaceTime meeting of the men?????? I love them all.
I’ll be thinking about this book for a while to come, I already know it.
ARC from NetGalley and St. Martins Press
April 2, 2024
This was such a cute book.
It was a quick read and so sweet.
Maren and Jo are so cute together and you root for them the whole book. Jo’s kids are so sweet and I love when he sticks up to Maren’s brother when the brother puts Maren down in front of him.
Will definitely read more books by this author!!!
It was a quick read and so sweet.
Maren and Jo are so cute together and you root for them the whole book. Jo’s kids are so sweet and I love when he sticks up to Maren’s brother when the brother puts Maren down in front of him.
Will definitely read more books by this author!!!
January 18, 2025
2.75⭐️⭐️
🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Y’all,my first DNF of 2025,I honestly really thought I would love this book but I didn’t.I skimmed through it and I hated it.The characters were boring and annoying and their was no chemistry whatsoever between them.it felt forced,like they were both there at the same time and decided to go along with it.i don’t recommend 😭
🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Y’all,my first DNF of 2025,I honestly really thought I would love this book but I didn’t.I skimmed through it and I hated it.The characters were boring and annoying and their was no chemistry whatsoever between them.it felt forced,like they were both there at the same time and decided to go along with it.i don’t recommend 😭
October 13, 2024
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Catch and Keep
Author: Erin Hahn
Romance
Loved this so much! Woodsy, cabin, fishing themes. Our FMC is also thirty three which I found super refreshing. I love reading romance books with FMCs closer to me in age. Maren has just moved back to her home in Wisconsin to accept her inheritance which is a cute little bait shop. She loves fishing. Josiah is her brothers best friend, divorced, and raising his two kids by himself. When Maren and Josiah find themselves back in each others orbit, a romance story begins and it is so cute. Also about 🌶️🌶️/5 on the spice scale. Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC. This book releases on 10/15 and if you love brothers best friend, single dad, cozy romance stories then pick this one up!
Catch and Keep
Author: Erin Hahn
Romance
Loved this so much! Woodsy, cabin, fishing themes. Our FMC is also thirty three which I found super refreshing. I love reading romance books with FMCs closer to me in age. Maren has just moved back to her home in Wisconsin to accept her inheritance which is a cute little bait shop. She loves fishing. Josiah is her brothers best friend, divorced, and raising his two kids by himself. When Maren and Josiah find themselves back in each others orbit, a romance story begins and it is so cute. Also about 🌶️🌶️/5 on the spice scale. Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC. This book releases on 10/15 and if you love brothers best friend, single dad, cozy romance stories then pick this one up!
October 14, 2024
I’ve enjoyed every single book I’ve read from this author, but I think this one is my favorite. The story was so sweet and I adored how Maren became part of the family so seamlessly. When it comes to a single dad romance it’s one thing to see the main characters fall in love with Joe, but to also see Maren fall in love with his kids and the kids fall in love with her as well. It was super heartwarming.
When the conflict of sorts occurred, the characters talked things through and did what was needed to reassure each other about the relationship. It fit the story so well and I’m glad things played out the way they did.
There are some more serious topics throughout the book that were handled with care. Though there are a couple characters I’m still mad at for how they acted.
🤭 brother’s best friend
🤍 single dad
👥 close proximity
🐟 outdoorsy
🐶 includes a dog
👏🏼 no third act breakup
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
1.5/5 spice level 🌶️
When the conflict of sorts occurred, the characters talked things through and did what was needed to reassure each other about the relationship. It fit the story so well and I’m glad things played out the way they did.
There are some more serious topics throughout the book that were handled with care. Though there are a couple characters I’m still mad at for how they acted.
🤭 brother’s best friend
🤍 single dad
👥 close proximity
🐟 outdoorsy
🐶 includes a dog
👏🏼 no third act breakup
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
1.5/5 spice level 🌶️
October 25, 2024
4.5 ⭐️. Michigan author and references, best friend’s brother, single dad, strong female character.
October 15, 2024
Thank you St. Martin’s and Spotify Audiobooks for the gifted eARC and ALC of Catch and Keep! I loved it!
Why — WHY! — did I wait so long to read Erin Hahn? This sweet and spicy romance featuring a single dad and a famous fisherwoman is set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin (love!) and has all the charm I’ve come to expect from the midwest. The book just FEELS like a hug. It features so many tropes — second chance, friends to lovers, brother’s best friend, single parent — but never feels cliche. I always love when rom coms feature strong female friendships and Catch and Keep brings it in spades with Maren’s two best friends. Apparently this is the third in the series and the first two featured each of the BFFs, but you don’t need to read those to love this one.
This is the perfect fall read to cuddle up with, especially if you love single dad MMCs, strong and independent FMCs, and books set in the Midwest!
Audio: This dual POV book is narrated by two performers — always a plus! Marin is performed by Zura Johnson, who brings depth, emotion, and authenticity to her portrayal. Josiah is narrated by Michael Norman Johnson (no relation to Zara, from what I gather, but someone correct if I’m wrong) delivers a similarly engaging and authentic performance. Highly recommend the audiobook!
4.5 stars
Why — WHY! — did I wait so long to read Erin Hahn? This sweet and spicy romance featuring a single dad and a famous fisherwoman is set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin (love!) and has all the charm I’ve come to expect from the midwest. The book just FEELS like a hug. It features so many tropes — second chance, friends to lovers, brother’s best friend, single parent — but never feels cliche. I always love when rom coms feature strong female friendships and Catch and Keep brings it in spades with Maren’s two best friends. Apparently this is the third in the series and the first two featured each of the BFFs, but you don’t need to read those to love this one.
This is the perfect fall read to cuddle up with, especially if you love single dad MMCs, strong and independent FMCs, and books set in the Midwest!
Audio: This dual POV book is narrated by two performers — always a plus! Marin is performed by Zura Johnson, who brings depth, emotion, and authenticity to her portrayal. Josiah is narrated by Michael Norman Johnson (no relation to Zara, from what I gather, but someone correct if I’m wrong) delivers a similarly engaging and authentic performance. Highly recommend the audiobook!
4.5 stars
August 18, 2024
I found Erin Hahn a while back through Netgalley and was able to snag an ARC of Built to Last. I absolutely loved it and couldn’t wait to get the side characters’ love stories. So, I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Catch and Keep, and I am so glad that I did.
I feel like this one hit a lot of boxes for me that I am not used to seeing in romance books. For one, having the FMC be a gorgeous outdoorsy tomboy was brilliant. I know nothing about fishing but I cared about it in the book because she cared about it. The ex-Marines single dad who is actually super soft and not full of red flags, with an ex wife who bailed on them. My favorite, however, was the ASD representation in the daughter. I definitely do not see that very often, and I definitely am not used to seeing that treated with so much care.
I loved seeing the relationship between the two MCs grow, despite how hard the older brother tried to discourage it. I mean, he really sucked… I would not have forgiven him for everything he said, but I am glad that eventually the FMC was able to stand up for herself. I think the two MCs just work so well together, and the FMC paid attention from the very start to the little details that the family needed and how to help out, which was so great.
I cannot wait to read more of Erin Hahn’s works, I know I won’t be disappointed!
I feel like this one hit a lot of boxes for me that I am not used to seeing in romance books. For one, having the FMC be a gorgeous outdoorsy tomboy was brilliant. I know nothing about fishing but I cared about it in the book because she cared about it. The ex-Marines single dad who is actually super soft and not full of red flags, with an ex wife who bailed on them. My favorite, however, was the ASD representation in the daughter. I definitely do not see that very often, and I definitely am not used to seeing that treated with so much care.
I loved seeing the relationship between the two MCs grow, despite how hard the older brother tried to discourage it. I mean, he really sucked… I would not have forgiven him for everything he said, but I am glad that eventually the FMC was able to stand up for herself. I think the two MCs just work so well together, and the FMC paid attention from the very start to the little details that the family needed and how to help out, which was so great.
I cannot wait to read more of Erin Hahn’s works, I know I won’t be disappointed!
October 25, 2024
There aren’t enough words to describe how much I loved this book 🥹 it makes me so happy seeing how many people loved this book that is set in my favorite place, northern Wisconsin🌲
Maren and Joe are everything. I fell in love with Joe’s kids, & Maren’s relationship with them 🫶
Erin Hahn won me over so quickly with this one, and I loved every minute. Every page was beautifully written and I loved how some of her past characters showed up in this novel.
Family, friendship, love, and being at the lake — what more could I ask for in a book?!? 🥹
🎣 brother’s best friend
🎣 single dad
🎣 small town romance
🎣 dual POV
Maren and Joe are everything. I fell in love with Joe’s kids, & Maren’s relationship with them 🫶
Erin Hahn won me over so quickly with this one, and I loved every minute. Every page was beautifully written and I loved how some of her past characters showed up in this novel.
Family, friendship, love, and being at the lake — what more could I ask for in a book?!? 🥹
🎣 brother’s best friend
🎣 single dad
🎣 small town romance
🎣 dual POV
Read
May 26, 2025DNF at 45% out of sheer boredom. The writing is flat and isn’t engaging enough to feel immersive. No rating as I failed to make it to 50%. Just not the book for me.
Side note. There are characters in this novel who were clearly featured in earlier books. Seems as though this is a series focused on three friends. The author does not make reference to that. I appreciate continuity so discovering that was a source of annoyance for me. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to begin with the first novel. Not sure that would have changed things but it warranted mention.
Side note. There are characters in this novel who were clearly featured in earlier books. Seems as though this is a series focused on three friends. The author does not make reference to that. I appreciate continuity so discovering that was a source of annoyance for me. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to begin with the first novel. Not sure that would have changed things but it warranted mention.
October 30, 2024
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.
Audio note: The audio was solid! I’m not familiar with either narrator, but they both give good performances. I particularly liked Zura Johnson, whose voice was perfect for the sentimental, borderline women’s fiction vibes of the story. Michael Norman Johnson felt a little stiff, but I did like his voice. It’s dual narration with a runtime of around 9 hours, which felt like a good length. You could probably listen to the bulk of this at the office, though there are a few spicy scenes along the way. They’re brief but heated, so something to keep in mind. Personally, I found the audio to be a bit sedate at times, which didn’t help as I was struggling to get into the story, but worked for the tone later on. Overall, certainly not a bad audio experience.
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.
Audio note: The audio was solid! I’m not familiar with either narrator, but they both give good performances. I particularly liked Zura Johnson, whose voice was perfect for the sentimental, borderline women’s fiction vibes of the story. Michael Norman Johnson felt a little stiff, but I did like his voice. It’s dual narration with a runtime of around 9 hours, which felt like a good length. You could probably listen to the bulk of this at the office, though there are a few spicy scenes along the way. They’re brief but heated, so something to keep in mind. Personally, I found the audio to be a bit sedate at times, which didn’t help as I was struggling to get into the story, but worked for the tone later on. Overall, certainly not a bad audio experience.
August 17, 2025
‧₊˚ ┊ 🎣┊ ೀ୭ 3.5 stars
🎧 ┊Coastline — Hollow Coves
“I'm moving far away
To a sunny place
Where it's just you and me
Feels like we're in a dream”
꩜ my thoughts
RTC I’m not really sure how i’m feeling on the book so i’m giving time to think and i’ll come back to it 💕
꩜ the characters
⁀➴༯ Maren
⁀➴༯ Joe
꩜ quotes
“You’re allowed to have feelings, Anders. We all are. And we can’t really control them, anyway. We feel what we feel,”
· · ─ ·📖· ─ · ·
‧₊˚ ┊💌┊ ೀ୭ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
a friends to lovers WITH older brothers best friend trope??? omg 🤤🤤 someone kill me those tropes are so fucking perfect AHH
🎧 ┊Coastline — Hollow Coves
“I'm moving far away
To a sunny place
Where it's just you and me
Feels like we're in a dream”
⋆˚࿔ But now it’s like she can walk in the room, and every part of me notices. Before I even see her. I feel her there, and I want her, but I also just want to be near her to talk to her. To make her laugh. She laughs, and it’s like … stupid.” “Stupid?” “I mean, I’m … stupid. For her, though. And in general.” “Totally in love with her,” Huck agrees. “Sorry, man. You’re in it now.”
꩜ my thoughts
RTC I’m not really sure how i’m feeling on the book so i’m giving time to think and i’ll come back to it 💕
꩜ the characters
⁀➴༯ Maren
⁀➴༯ Joe
꩜ quotes
“You’re allowed to have feelings, Anders. We all are. And we can’t really control them, anyway. We feel what we feel,”
· · ─ ·📖· ─ · ·
‧₊˚ ┊💌┊ ೀ୭ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
a friends to lovers WITH older brothers best friend trope??? omg 🤤🤤 someone kill me those tropes are so fucking perfect AHH
March 18, 2024
4 ⭐️. This book was the cozy contemporary romance read I’ve been desperate for.. this was also my first Erin Hahn book. I didn��t realize this was book 3 in a trio of books, so it will ruin the ending of the other two books but according to me it works as a standalone. I definitely want to go back and read the other two about Maren’s bffs who make appearances in this book.
Admittedly, I picked this one up because I love small town/lake vibes and it releases on my birthday. I know nothing about fishing… in fact I have zero interest in fishing and this still worked for me. This book is about Maren, a mid 30s park ranger running from a bad relationship/proposal gone wrong. She goes to a small lake town where she grew up and was willed property and gets help from an old childhood friend, Joe and his family to help fix up the property.
I loved the characters and life’s nuances it portrayed… mid 30s, single dad with two kids (one with ASD), terrible ex wife, large families, caring best friends. I loved the connection between Maren and Joe’s kids, I really liked how Lucy’s autism contributed to the story. I can go on and on, I teared up multiple times which always moves my star rating up when it hits my emotions. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Of course it wasn’t perfect, some of the writing tripped me up and the pageant girl that is also the tomboy fishing girl? It plays all too perfect. I also wanted more with the Bryce subplot. But in the end I really enjoyed it and it should be a must read on your fall tbr coming out October 15, 2024.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Erin Hahn for this egalley in exchange for my honest review.
Admittedly, I picked this one up because I love small town/lake vibes and it releases on my birthday. I know nothing about fishing… in fact I have zero interest in fishing and this still worked for me. This book is about Maren, a mid 30s park ranger running from a bad relationship/proposal gone wrong. She goes to a small lake town where she grew up and was willed property and gets help from an old childhood friend, Joe and his family to help fix up the property.
I loved the characters and life’s nuances it portrayed… mid 30s, single dad with two kids (one with ASD), terrible ex wife, large families, caring best friends. I loved the connection between Maren and Joe’s kids, I really liked how Lucy’s autism contributed to the story. I can go on and on, I teared up multiple times which always moves my star rating up when it hits my emotions. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Of course it wasn’t perfect, some of the writing tripped me up and the pageant girl that is also the tomboy fishing girl? It plays all too perfect. I also wanted more with the Bryce subplot. But in the end I really enjoyed it and it should be a must read on your fall tbr coming out October 15, 2024.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Erin Hahn for this egalley in exchange for my honest review.
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