Cover Image: The Catch

The Catch

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Melanie Karlsen is thinking that a fully paid Nova Scotian getaway may be just what she needs. Especially since she’s been having a harder time engaging her online audience which is her main source of income. With high hopes, Melanie hops on her prepaid flight and prepares for a full week of relaxation and hopes that this is what will turn her career around.

Unfortunately, the resort mixed up their bookings, and Melanie is a week early with nowhere to stay. Lobster season has every hotel and airbnb booked with the exception of one B&B. This out of the way lodge is in a tiny little town and is managed by a giant grumpy fisherman with some sort of grudge against influencers with fake eyelashes.

It’s only for a week so Melanie decides to muscle through the fisherman’s sarcastic streak and get to know the quaint little town she’s been exiled to. However, that all changes when an unfortunate boating accident occurs, and she finds herself pretending to be the grump’s fiancée all in the name of mending family ties.

As someone who spent her childhood summers in a small town in Nova Scotia, this books was particularly nostalgia inducing. Each description of the boats, ocean and people had me longing for one of those summers.

So many romance books peddle the trope of the main character not being like other girls so I loved that Mel is unapologetically a girly girl. She takes her job seriously and is ready to start a fight with anyone who says influencing isn’t a job. She is also very obviously is dealing with some personal trauma from having to become a fully functioning adult at a very young age. She is independent, almost to a fault and I can definitely relate to that.

This was a very sweet, grumpy-sunshine trope with a lot of heart as well. I would have liked to have gotten to know Evan a bit better but overall I really enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin General UK, and Amy Lea for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Actual rating: 3,5

This book is perfect for any fans of small-town rom coms. It has all the elements of a small town, a city girl who goes to this small town and gets there for a week and goes through a rediscovery of self and meets a small-town man (who usually has a very handy job) and helps a business (in this case an inn) that is in trouble. It is the recipe for success, and it is hard not to enjoy that kind of romance. Reading this book, reminded me a lot of Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer, but a little more rom-com, as I thought it was funnier as well as romantic.

I’m a huge fan of small-town romance, I love how the story happens in a very limited geographical space with great secondary characters and The Catch had all these mixed with one of my favourite tropes: fake dating. The reason why this book is not 5 stars to me is that I felt like the beginning was a bit too fast, so much was going on with short scenes that I was not connecting with Mel or the story. I was not visualising the story and struggling to swoon about Evan. After 25/30%, when the boating accident happened, I was so into their story, that the pages flew by. I also wish I could have seen Mel interact more with Chrystal and Tara. Maybe because in the previous two books of this series, they were so supportive of each other, I missed having them there throughout the book beyond text messages.

Overall, I think it’s another really good book by Amy Lea. I have read all her books by now and she knows how to create fun female characters. I think they are always very enjoyable and entertaining and this one hasn’t disappointed me. It’s a great ending for the Influencers series.

Thank you to Netgalley UK and Penguin for sending me this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

My first Amy Lea book and suffice to say, not my last. It read like a modern-day romcom. It also reminded me of one of my favorite books ever, it happened one summer by Tessa Bailey. Tessa babes would certainly love this book. This was thoroughly enjoyable and heart-warming at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

4.5*

-small town
-grumpy x sunshine
-fake dating
- found family

This book is about Mel who is Tara’s and Crystals best friend. She gets a brand deal opportunity but once she gets to her destination she finds out that she came a week earlier than she was supposed to. She finds herself a new inn which happens to be Evans. Evan tries everything to get her out of the inn but Lucy steps in. Evan ends up in a hospital due to an accident and Mel screams that she’s his fiancé and results in them fake dating.

This is a third and last instalment to the influencer series which i’m sad that it’s ending. Amy has a way with her writing that makes you fall in love with her work.

I ate this book up. This is my favourite one throughout the whole series. Even though it’s a bit insta love, I honestly don’t mind it one bit. Mel and Evan banter was so entertaining to read. Mel is a headstrong women who keeps fighting for best interest. Evan is a strong and stubborn character who knows what he wants. I love how the town made her feel so welcomed especially his family. They were so excited to have her there with them and literally towards the end of the book it’s shows how much they cared about her.

The way he bought her eyelashes because hers flew off while they were on the boat!!! My heart was swooning over him.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I did not think that Amy Lea could come close to the wonder that was Exes and Oh's, but The Catch comes really close!

This book follows the last lady in the influencer trio, Mel, on a trip that was supposed to relaunch her brand online. With pressures of money and her need to be the strength for family and friends, she had lost her way and her sense of self. The offer for a resort getaway could have been the answer to all her issues, if there hadn't been a mix up with the dates meaning Mel was forced to stay in Cora's Cove with Evan.

The Catch has all of my favourite tropes: fake dating, mutual pining and grumpy x sunshine. Along with a set of incredible side characters with complexities of their own to add to the story. The world Amy has built for Crystal, Tara and Mel makes this book feel like spending time with friends.

Was this review helpful?

4.5⭐️

This was absolutely adorable, enjoyable and heartwarming all wrapped up into a nice caring package.

I absolutely love grumpy/sunshine, fake-relationship and opposites attract. Although this was a fast-paced book, it is kind of a slowish burn.

Mel is the ultimate city girl that dislikes nature and the whole small town living idea. She is an influencer that likes her comforts and beautiful clothes. I found her relatable and felt really sorry for her at a certain point because she couldn’t help her circumstances while growing up.

Evan was an absolute grump at the start of the book and did not like Mel one bit. After deciding to work together to save the inn, his heart began the thaw. Evan is a lover of nature, fishing and anything outdoorsy. I love how loyal he was towards his family and the inn.

I loved this book and would definitely recommend for a comfy read.

Was this review helpful?

This is such a cute read, I love Amy Lea’s books so knew I’d love this one too. It features loads of my favourite tropes including grumpy/sunshine, small town romance and fake dating. Would recommend for lovers of the Knockemout series and It Happened One Summer!

Was this review helpful?

Rating: 4,75/5
Spice: 2 / 5

After reading Exes and O’s, I was really excited to read the third book in the influencer series by Amy Lea. I really liked this one, maybe even more than Exes and O’s. I think I am just a sucker for the fish out of water (pun intended) in a smalltown environment. Combine that with a grumpy fisherman and a fake engagement and we have got ourselves a winner. I fell even more in love with Amy’s writing and the struggles that both MC’s had to go through to allow themselves to open up and love wholly was such a wonderful experience. I am usually not a type for an instalove kinda story (okay within 2 weeks in this instance), but the way that it’s been done here has gotten me totally on board for it.
The first actual real kiss is at 58% and I find that I get really frustrated if it’s later than 65% of the book. Around 60% is the sweet spot for me, the perfect amount of pining without going overboard.
This has slightly more steam than Exes and O’s, but it’s also executed really well. I adored the scene at the lighthouse, which simultaneously had me almost peeing my pants from laughing.

If you are a fan of Ali Hazelwood and Christina Lauren I would highly recommend to read this one.

Was this review helpful?

After a mix up of reservation dates, influencer Melanie finds herself in the quaint little coastal town of Cora’s Cova in eastern Canada. But there’s one problem, she’s got nowhere to stay. After finding a Local Air BnB co owned by grumpy fisherman Evan, the pair get off to a rocky start, made even worse when Evan ends up in a boating accident with Mel as a witness. In a state of panic at the ICU, Mel tells the doctors she’s Evan’s fiancee so she can keep an eye on him, but is forced to keep up the lie for the sake of Evan’s family and saving the Air BnB. But as feelings grow, is Mel willing to give up her picture perfect life for a shot with Evan?

Everyone knows that Amy Lea writes cutesy little rom coms, and The Catch was certainly that. An easy enemies to lovers plot with likeable characters and some very funny one liners, which made for a nice little read.
Romance isn’t my go to genre, and if it is, it’s usually historical/literary, not contemporary insta love, which is probably why I didn’t LOVE this book. The writing at times felt a juvenile, the fake engagement storyline seemed really far-fetched and I generally wasn’t that invested in Mel and Evan. Not to mention this book does not need to be as long as it does. I feel like romance books are getting longer and longer and there’s simply just no need!

I think my criticism here isn’t just directly at this book, I think it’s at romance in general, and I’m kinda learning that as much as I want to love these books, they’re maybe just not my thing. This was by no means a bad book, it just wasn’t the one for me, and I know plenty of people who have read and loved this one! Plus I can appreciate that at times this was very witty and very funny and did make me giggle 😂

Certainly very glad I’ve finally read this one and I’m intrigued to see how i get on with Set on You and Exes & O’s!

Was this review helpful?

I loved Amy Lea's first book, second book not so much but I did make it 50% in, with this one I got to around 20-25% and gave up. The MFC is a tad annoying but I can move past that if the story is good but it just wasnt and oh my goodness the MMC is just horrible, like he is truly unlikeable and I am not wasting my time on that. It really is a shame as the tropes in this book seem good but the characters really let them down.

Was this review helpful?

Amy Lea was one of my favourite romance authors before going in to The Catch. Amy Lea is still one of my favourite romance authors after reading The Catch.

The Influencer Trilogy is definitely one of my favourite trilogies (the second book is my favourite out of them all). They’ve never failed to bring a smile to my face, a full out laugh, a flush to my cheeks and a tear to my eye. Lea writes emotions and characters well, and I’ve found myself connecting with each and everyone of them even if on the surface our situations are completely different.

This book had some of my favourite tropes: fake dating, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity and it executed them all really well. I loved how Evan and Mel’s personalities both complimented each other and clashed together. I love how both of them had to learn to look beyond their preconceived notions of self and the other, to see the truth of who they are.

I particularly loved how this book sort of pulled Mel apart (sorry Mel) and put her back together again. We got to see behind the ‘facade’ she had been putting up, why she had been doing it, and for her to come to terms and be more comfortable with herself to face the realities she didn’t want to face.

I think this book did a good job of representing how difficult it is to feel like your friends are moving on without you, and how to cope with everyone’s shifting priorities and lives.

This book was of course laugh out loud funny. Amy Lea is a comedian and I won’t hear otherwise.

I can’t wait to read what Lea has coming next. She’s always got a fan in me.

Was this review helpful?

3.5⭐ thank you net galley and Amy Lea for the arc!

I'm a sucker for a small town romance! I really enjoyed how this story progressed on throughout. With a start of enemies to lovers and fake dating, was right up my street!

Was a lovely end to the influencer series, definitely recommend!

Was this review helpful?

3.75 ✰ I really liked the insta love point of the book although I don’t think the chemistry between the characters was really there for the most part of the book…. 😩

he is a grumpy fisherman and she is an influencer that lives for the social media and public. 👜

I’ve never read an Amy Lea before and I was looking so forward for this one,
not my favourite book ever but I definitely had a good and enjoyable time while reading! 📖

Tropes:
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Enemies to lovers
- Small town
- Single POV
- Insta Love

Thank you to the Publisher for an eARC via NetGalley! 🎣

Was this review helpful?

ARC REVIEW:
This was awesome, cosy and fun. The fun twists and the strong theme of family throughout made this really enjoyable. I loved Evan and Mel's "i hate to love you" it made them fiery but also quite real. Definitely recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

before we get into this review, i’d like to thank @amylea @vikingbooksuk for the physical proof copy and @netgalley for the ebook arc🫶🏽

in this book, we follow melanie & evan. mel is a fashion influencer that is desperate to rescue her fashion career. in an attempt to save her career, she finds herself in a rural fishing village after a miscommunication with a brand she’s working with🫠

evan is a grumpy fisherman who owns the B&B mel finds herself at. the extremely broody and handsome owns wants mel GONE. he doesn’t like city girl vibes🫣
after a boating incident that lands evan in the ICU, mel and evan quickly find themselves in a fake engagement💍

this is actually the third instalment in amy’s influencer series but i read this one first! i genuinely think it doesn’t take away from the reading experience at all. im definitely going to be reading more of amy’s books! 🥰

this was an extremely fast paced, sweet, small town romance which i absolutely adored. this shocked me tbh because i’m more of a slow burn girly but i didn’t even realise how fast paced it was! & omg, i ate up the fake dating trope!! that trope just does it for me every single time🫶🏽

i really loved the way amy showed that grief is different for everyone. it’s never the same for two people. the way she did portrayed this was incredible!
a little side note.. i loved the side characters SO much. i feel like they brought so much life to the story🥹

the tropes in this book were amazing!! we had fake dating, small town romance, grumpy x sunshine, grumpy guy only has a soft spot for her, found family, city girl x small town guy & forced proximity! 🩵

Was this review helpful?

I am absolutely in love with this book! It made me cry, swoon and laugh everything I look for in a romcom. This was my first Amy Lea book but it won’t be my last. I didn’t know it was part of a series at first but I actually have the first two on my bookshelf so now I’m defo gonna read them!

Was this review helpful?

immersed myself in a delightful small town romance that left me enchanted. The palpable longing between the characters, even when they resisted, added a unique and special touch to the storyline. The charm of a small town setting only enhanced the overall experience, making it an absolute favorite. The narrative skillfully weaves a tale of love, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and memorable romantic journey.

Was this review helpful?

I ate this book up. This is the final installment to the series and it was a wonderful end. It had fake dating, which I will never say no to and its help restore a BnB.

Was this review helpful?

The Catch is the first book by Amy Lea that I’ve had the privilege of reading and it didn’t disappoint. A fun enemies to lovers small town romance with an abundance of loveable characters. Schitts Creek meets The Proposal. Not only is the romantic plot gripping with amazing banter, but the character development of both the main and minor characters has you rooting for each and every one of them.

I only wish that I had read the first two books in the series before The Catch - not because I felt I was missing any crucial information but because Amy Lea is such a great writer that I want to know more about every single one of her characters and I have 100% been missing out.

Was this review helpful?

This was an enjoyable romcom read with It Happened One Summer vibes and a boatful of tropes including:
🩵Small Town Romance
🩵Fake Dating/Engagement
🩵Slow Burn
🩵Forced Proximity
🩵’Enemies’ to lovers
🩵Opposites Attract/ Grumpy x Sunshine

This was sweet and spicy and I loved the small town setting- it felt so cozy and cute, like sunshine on a page that brightened up the drizzly February days and it will be a great read come the summer ! Evan was a pretty swoon worthy love interest once you got past his slightly grumpy outer shell and the entire Whaler family were an excellent set of side characters but honestly, the real star of the show was Nana who was hilarious and an absolute ✨Queen✨.

Melanie and Evan had great banter and I loved Mel’s energy as well as her pride in being a 'curvier' girl but I wish this was a dual POV rather than single as I feel like seeing Evan’s thoughts would have made me enjoy this even more and I also think this could have been shorter/simplified and still been enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?