Catch and Keep

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn

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Catch and Keep is the third book in Erin Hahn’s first adult romance series, and just like the previous two books, it is funny, sexy, and heartwarming. It is everything a modern-day romance novel should be. In the first book, Built to Last, Hahn introduced three lovely women – Shelby, Lorelai, and Maren. The first book centered around Shelby. The second book, Friends Don’t Fall In Love, was devoted to Lorelai. Now it’s Maren’s chance at love.

Maren Laughlin spent her teen years guiding fishing tours in northern Wisconsin and had a YouTube channel made popular by her knowledge and looks. “It was basically hot girl fishing, with the added bonus that she knew what she was talking about.” Now she has a fulfilling career as a park ranger. Her best friend Shelby referred to her as “frat-boy catnip. It’s the heady combination of beauty queen and park ranger” in the first book of the series. When Maren’s boyfriend applies for the same job promotion – and gets it – and then makes a very public and unwanted proposal, Maren ditches the life she’s built in Michigan to run away with her dog to the Northwoods. She inherited an old bait shop by the lake, and spends the first few days of her escape “deep cleaning decades of grime and rodent feces from the tiny, questionably livable apartment.“

The bait shop used to serve visitors at Cole’s Landing Resort, where Maren gave fishing tours. Josiah (Joe) Cole has been her brother’s best friend since they were kids, but she hasn’t seen him since before he got married and had kids. He’s a single parent now, with full custody of his two kids – and those kids made my heart melt. His daughter is autistic and his son “has a soft heart” and likes pink. More impressive than the kids is their father’s fierce love and protection. “If pink makes him happy,” Joe swears he’ll buy his son “every shade of pink in the world.” 

Swoon. Is there anything more attractive than a strong man who supports his kids and wants nothing but the best for them? The world needs more dads like him, especially in fiction.

Dating while being a single parent isn’t easy, and Joe hasn’t had sex in three years, but he fights his attraction to his best friend’s little sister. She is on the rebound, and giving fishing tours while she figures out her life. Despite all the protests, of course, they’re both drawn to each other. Maren steps in to help with Joe’s kids, and she fits into their lives. They want each other, but uncertainty looms over their future. When Maren receives an ideal job offer in Arizona, she has to decide if she can leave Joe and his kids. 

Catch and Keep is a slow burn, and despite the mutual attraction, they don’t get heated until two-thirds of the way through the book. I finished reading it in one go, absolutely devouring it. It is as hot and lovely as the previous two books, but this one is honestly my favorite of the three. Adding an amazing single dad to the mix – with an autistic child – brought romance into reality. We need more neurodivergent representation, along with supportive parents with would do anything for their kids. Readers want to see Maren and Joe together. They want to see those two kids grow into adulthood under their loving care – and maybe have some future siblings, too. 

Hahn is a talented author and I’ll continue to read anything she writes. I follow the author on Instagram, and you should, too.

Check out my review of the first book, Built to Last, and the second book, Friends Don’t Fall in Love. Catch and Keep hits shelves on October 15, 2024.

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Visit the author’s website and follow her on Instagram.

Catch and Keep cover design and cover illustration credits will be updated after publication.

Advance Reading Copy provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

I will purchase the audiobook version for my collection via Audible as soon as it is available.