REVIEW: The Catch by Amy Lea

The Catch by Amy Lea: Staying relevant as an influencer is no easy feat, just ask lifestyle and fashion blogger Melanie. With her follower count down and few to no new partnership deals coming in, Melanie needs something big if she wants to be able to maintain her plush life. So when a cute seaside resort in Nova Scotia reaches out offering her a free weeklong stay in exchange for some social media coverage it is a no brainer for Mel. However her dream retreat soon turns into the trip from hell not only is their a mix up with her dates but it turns out the resort is fully booked! If Mel doesn’t want to lose the partnership then she has no choice but to wait out the week while in Canada, which is how she finds herself in a small fishing village staying with grumpy fisherman named Evan Whaler at his run down family B&B. How she winded up falling in love with the grump well that really is something fairytales are made up of…

“I want to be your rock. The one at your side, always.”

LOVED!! The Catch was easily one of the best books that I have read in a very ling time! Not only was this book exactly what I love about the fake dating romance trope but it was such a warm and fuzzy read that I just could not get enough of Mel and Evan, and really the entire Whaler clan! There were notes reminiscent of The Proposal laced throughout this book but honestly I couldn’t help but love this story just a bit more! Truly this book had the right formula to be transformed into one of the best romcom movies! I loved this super cute and easy paced romcom, we get a great mix of all the best tropes; fake dating, opposites attract, grump meets sunshine and some good ole forced proximity.

Mel was truly one of the nicest leading ladies ever, I loved her character from the very start of this book. Not only was she kind and caring but she cared for her brother and the Whalers deeply. But gosh did my heart just hurt for her with all the backlash and criticism that she had to face from her social media platforms. I have to say I really enjoyed getting to see her step out of her comfort zone and roughing it a bit while in Nova Scotia. Aside from being a total fashionista I loved the fact that she was so sassy and ready to banter with Evan at every turn. Now for our big grumpy fisherman Evan, well to be honest his first impression was not great but once we got to know the man behind all the plaid it was hard not to love the big guy. Evan worked the hot outdoorsman vibe down to an art and he knew how to play into his charm, though I have to say that I loved that he gave Mel a run for her money in the banter and sass department. However beneath all his plaid and muscles Evan had been carrying around a lot of guilt that was so misplaced, I’m so glad that he finally comes to terms with his and lets it go.

“You’re never alone in this world while I’m in it, Mel.”

The chemistry between Mel and Evan was epic! These two started of as oil and water and only got better as the book progressed. Behind all their barbs they both kind of liked the other but pride and miscommunication really got in their way for the most part. Once they started their fake dating act, well this is when it got really good! I loved the little stolen moments they shared even when no one else was watching. There was something very sweet and wholesome about the build up of their love story, well aside from the faking it bit. There third act drama played into their narrative so perfectly, I don’t want to give away any spoilers here so all I will say is, grand gesture! Oh and the bag of falsies, talk about swoony!!

“Jack brought you to me. To all of us. And I’d be a fool not to follow you wherever you go.”

The supporting characters were top freaking notch in this book! I absolutely adored the Whalers! This crazy mismatched bunch was so full of life and drama I could not get enough of them! I just loved Nana! She reminded me of my own Nana and this just warmed my heart, aside from this she was a total kook. Though true thanks has to be given to Lucy for pushing Evan and Mel into the entire fake dating thing, if it wasn’t for her these two would have missed their true love story. I also really liked Mel’s friends back in Boston and the little role that they played in helping these two find their way back to each other.

I think it would be safe to say that The Catch was hands down my favourite Amy Lea book ever! This super cute seaside romance will no doubt steal your heart while have you wishing for your very own small town love story. This book is not to be missed!!!

Book Info:

Publication: February 13, 2024 | Berkley | The Influencer #3

A grumpy lobster fisherman tosses a fashion influencer’s impeccably curated life overboard in the next romantic comedy from international bestselling author Amy Lea.

In a last-ditch effort to rescue her brand from the brink of irrelevance, Boston fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen finds herself in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada. The only thing scarier than nature itself? The burly and bearded bed-and-breakfast owner and fisherman, Evan Whaler—who single-handedly disproves the theory that Canadians are “nice.”

After a boating accident lands Evan unconscious in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée by his welcoming yet quirky family, who are embroiled in a long-standing feud over the B&B. In a bold attempt to mend family fences, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content.

Amid long hikes and campfire chats, reeling in their budding feelings for each other proves more difficult by the day. But is Mel willing to sacrifice her picture-perfect life in the city for a chance at a true, unfiltered love in the wild?