Love. That's what they have, and I don't.
4.5
Catch and Keep Book Cover Catch and Keep
Erin Hahn
Romance
St. Martin's Griffin
October 15, 2024
Paperback, Ebook
320

In Erin Hahn's 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.

“So Hallmark got it wrong, clearly, because nowhere in their many, many iterations of romance does the put together best friend unravel in the midst of a very public proposal from her boyfriend of a year after he steals her work promotion out from under her.”

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Erin Hahn can do no wrong in this reviewer’s eyes.

Her spirit and spunk shine brightly through her characters’ voices. Hahn doesn’t need to write lyrical prose or use fancy language to craft a story. On the contrary, her words and thoughts are written plainly enough to seem as if I’m reading the thoughts of a friend or neighbor. They’re the words of someone whose language you speak and someone whose experiences are your own. If you haven’t read an Erin Hahn book, you’re missing out on some exceptional romance novels.

Erin – if you ever read this, I’d love to be your friend. I can offer lots of laughs, self-deprecating memes and reels, and sarcasm. Call me.

“It’s as easy as breathing, being with Joe.”

There are a few things you’ll be guaranteed when cracking an Erin Hahn cover:

  1. Romance
  2. Epic Music References
  3. Found Family
  4. Bad Ass Women
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

“Catch and Keep” is third in a same world-stand alone series about three best friends. There’s no need to have read the previous two books “Built to Last” and “Friends Don’t Fall In Love”, but it also wouldn’t hurt to know that they are exceptional. I’ve reviewed them both for the LitBuzz so you can find my glowing reviews on the site. I specifically recommend the audio for Friends so that you can hear Huck’s sexy song to Lorelai. It’s WORTH IT.

SHANE PROPOSED. I VOMITED. PEACED OUT TO WISCONSIN. TALK TO YOU SOON.

Maren, after being proposed to in a very public and unwanted manner, hurls her guts up and runs away. Girl, I can sympathize. Fight or flight is real, and flight is my jam. Maren escapes up to her fishing cabin in the Northwoods to collect herself, get some perspective, and get back to basics. She gets more than she bargained for, though, in all the best ways.

Final Thoughts

Like I said, Erin Hahn can do no wrong in my eyes. I will buy anything she chooses to release, brag about it, and cajole you into reading it until you, too, are a diehard fan. Her books are easy to get lost in, but even easier to feel seen in. Come for the romance, stay for the strong women, the men who love them, and the excellent music. Welcome to the Erin Hahn Fan Club.