Catch and Keep – Book Review

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.

When Maren’s long time boyfriend Shane proposes to her, Maren throws up on his shoes which ends her relationship with him. She eventually moves back to her hometown in Wisconsin, where she has inherited an apartment owned by her fishing mentor Fost, who passed away. She meets Josiah Joe Cole, who is divorced with two kids, Anders and Lucy, who is autistic. Though Maren’s brother Liam warns Maren against Joe, Maren couldn’t help how she became a part of Joe’s family by the winning the heart of his children and eventually the heart of Joe.

This was a heartwarming romance tale. I really love the characters, both Maren and Joe are likable. I also like Maren’s relationship with Joe’s children, particularly with Lucy who is autistic. The chemistry between Maren and Joe is sizzling. There were spicy scenes in the book and I actually enjoyed reading this normal novel. The writer made us feel like we are in the rural part of Wisconsin and the writing was actually great. Not only that–I really like Maren’s friendship and how her friends ae always supportive to her.

Overall, this a heartwarming romance novel that will keep you up all night–worth five stars.