Scan barcode
aepritchard's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness and Death of parent
literaryintersections's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Yeesh this was not my favorite. Primarily because the pacing is off so much and I don’t think we spend enough time with the two main characters getting to know each other. Their relationship isn’t believable and this would’ve been better achieved by a dual POV I think? Also Lea didn’t give us enough time with them as fake fiancés. Like it felt so short and rushed. And then you’ve got Evan being horribly rude for the first 45% and I’m supposed to be swooning over this guy and believe him when he says he’s been taken with her from the beginning???? Oof
I also just had a few not so great language issues: Melanie is supposed to be plus sized but says she “north of a size ten” which is still straight sized. The camping scene was so cringe and you can’t convince me she’d be in tip top sex shape within 2 days. Also the Ian kid was horribly creepy and idk why he was in so much of the book! Like talk about not understanding boundaries that’s horrifying.
*I started this review rating it at a 3 but keep going down and down lol*
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.
I also just had a few not so great language issues: Melanie is supposed to be plus sized but says she “north of a size ten” which is still straight sized. The camping scene was so cringe and you can’t convince me she’d be in tip top sex shape within 2 days. Also the Ian kid was horribly creepy and idk why he was in so much of the book! Like talk about not understanding boundaries that’s horrifying.
*I started this review rating it at a 3 but keep going down and down lol*
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
modock's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment
vickie0326's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness
paiges_on_pages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Reel in this February release and mount it on your wall, because "The Catch" by Amy Lea gets five stars from this reader! Thank you to Berkley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Melanie, a Boston influencer, dives headfirst into a quirky Canadian fishing village to rescue her brand after a scheduling mix-up. A boat mishap with the rugged fisherman Evan sets the stage for a hilarious fake engagement, complete with family feuds and wild chemistry in the charming chaos of Cora's Cove.
Amy Lea's storytelling skillfully balances humor, family dynamics, and unexpected romance. Mel and Evan’s chemistry is hotter than a fresh order of poutine, and while their need to take charge may seem immature, their deep talks with one another show how the sexiest trait in a partner is communication. I won’t give away the ending, but it’s the most realistic conclusion I’ve read in a while! I also love how the East Coast backdrop adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative, making it a perfect choice for anyone who loves a small-town romance.
If you're into romantic comedies that deliver laughs, swoon-worthy moments, and a dose of joy, this one's a winner. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Abandonment
Mentions of spiders/insectsallisonisbooked's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
3.75*
This book was super cute. A great finale to the Influencer series by Amy Lea. Mel and Evan may even be my favorite couple from the series.
I love the Grumpy x Sunshine trope. Evan is definitely grumpy. To the point where I was unsure that he actually did like her and I was a little blindsided from him professing his feelings towards Mel.
Calling his fake-fiancé his fiancée and being protective over her when they weren't even dating was too damn cute. I want someone to be obsessed with me like that!
I loved the town and subsequent secondary characters. They were all so well rounded and played their parts perfectly in the story. I need Lucy and Kyle to get their own happily ever after books.
Lea has a way of making you care about the people that Evan has made part of his life.
This book was recommended to me as
"perfect for fans of 'It Happened One Summer' by Tessa Bailey" and I agree completely.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was super cute. A great finale to the Influencer series by Amy Lea. Mel and Evan may even be my favorite couple from the series.
I love the Grumpy x Sunshine trope. Evan is definitely grumpy. To the point where I was unsure that he actually did like her and I was a little blindsided from him professing his feelings towards Mel.
Calling his fake-fiancé his fiancée and being protective over her when they weren't even dating was too damn cute. I want someone to be obsessed with me like that!
I loved the town and subsequent secondary characters. They were all so well rounded and played their parts perfectly in the story. I need Lucy and Kyle to get their own happily ever after books.
Lea has a way of making you care about the people that Evan has made part of his life.
This book was recommended to me as
"perfect for fans of 'It Happened One Summer' by Tessa Bailey" and I agree completely.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
anovelglimpse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
Amy Lea is back with her The Influencer series and this time she's taking us on a trip to Nova Scotia. I had a great time reading this book and here's why:
* It was cool that this book left Boston for another location. It gave this book a fresh feel while still being connected to the first two books in the series. The new setting was so much fun! I loved the Canadian coastal town and the rundown inn. They were almost characters themselves.
* The meet-hate was awkward in the best way. I loved the irritation that simmered with chemistry that developed between Mel and Evan.
* The accidental fake relationship between them brought some big laughs along with the chance for a deeper connection between Mel and Evan.
* I liked learning about Mel and Evan's pasts and what shaped them into who they were. There was trauma to unpack and the way they shared it with each other and grew through it was special.
* The side characters were larger than life. Lucy was great. I would love for her to get her own romance. Evan and Lucy's family was hilarious. The feuds, the wackiness...pretty much everything about them added fun to the story. It was also nice to get a little Crystal and Tara as well.
* The spider, the slug, and the centipede.
* Lea did a great job mixing the big, tough emotions with uplifting, laughter filled moments.
There was only one thing that didn't work for me as well as I wanted it to...
* There was a big build up to the characters finally acting on their attraction, but somehow it still felt like instant love. It almost felt like it came out of nowhere when Evan was wanting Mel to stay his fiancée. It shouldn't have, but the only thing I could think of to maybe make it work better for me was having at least a few chapters in Evan's POV.
Other than that one thing, I loved this book. It was a lot of fun to read. I'm looking forward to reading whatever Lea wants to write next.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
Amy Lea is back with her The Influencer series and this time she's taking us on a trip to Nova Scotia. I had a great time reading this book and here's why:
* It was cool that this book left Boston for another location. It gave this book a fresh feel while still being connected to the first two books in the series. The new setting was so much fun! I loved the Canadian coastal town and the rundown inn. They were almost characters themselves.
* The meet-hate was awkward in the best way. I loved the irritation that simmered with chemistry that developed between Mel and Evan.
* The accidental fake relationship between them brought some big laughs along with the chance for a deeper connection between Mel and Evan.
* I liked learning about Mel and Evan's pasts and what shaped them into who they were. There was trauma to unpack and the way they shared it with each other and grew through it was special.
* The side characters were larger than life. Lucy was great. I would love for her to get her own romance. Evan and Lucy's family was hilarious. The feuds, the wackiness...pretty much everything about them added fun to the story. It was also nice to get a little Crystal and Tara as well.
* The spider, the slug, and the centipede.
* Lea did a great job mixing the big, tough emotions with uplifting, laughter filled moments.
There was only one thing that didn't work for me as well as I wanted it to...
* There was a big build up to the characters finally acting on their attraction, but somehow it still felt like instant love. It almost felt like it came out of nowhere when Evan was wanting Mel to stay his fiancée. It shouldn't have, but the only thing I could think of to maybe make it work better for me was having at least a few chapters in Evan's POV.
Other than that one thing, I loved this book. It was a lot of fun to read. I'm looking forward to reading whatever Lea wants to write next.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Grief
rachelshubin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My face on finishing this book😐
Ugh, I had SUCH high hopes for Mel’s story but ultimately was let down. I’m surprised I didn’t like this book, considering I gave Set on You 4.5 stars and Exes and O’s 5 stars. This story felt like it was practically written by a different author.
I didn’t fall for the plot or enemies to lovers storylines in this book. It was just lackluster and I was never convinced of Mel and Evan’s chemistry. It didn’t even really have enough Tara/Trevor or Crystal/Scotty cameos. At some points I found myself skimming the story because I was just so over the plot. This book really reminded me of It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey - so fans of that book will probably love it. Plus, you don’t even need to read the other two Influencer books to read The Catch.
Bottom line, this book was the weakest in the series and I found it disappointing and not bringing anything new to the romance genre. I wish it had been different! I hope I like Amy Lea’s next book better.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ugh, I had SUCH high hopes for Mel’s story but ultimately was let down. I’m surprised I didn’t like this book, considering I gave Set on You 4.5 stars and Exes and O’s 5 stars. This story felt like it was practically written by a different author.
I didn’t fall for the plot or enemies to lovers storylines in this book. It was just lackluster and I was never convinced of Mel and Evan’s chemistry. It didn’t even really have enough Tara/Trevor or Crystal/Scotty cameos. At some points I found myself skimming the story because I was just so over the plot. This book really reminded me of It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey - so fans of that book will probably love it. Plus, you don’t even need to read the other two Influencer books to read The Catch.
Bottom line, this book was the weakest in the series and I found it disappointing and not bringing anything new to the romance genre. I wish it had been different! I hope I like Amy Lea’s next book better.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
More...