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Catch and Release
Willa’s track record with men is mediocre at best. All of her relationships have ended terribly–including with her current boyfriend of two years, Leo, who she just found out has a wife and baby.
Flustered, frustrated, and heartbroken, she moves back into her family home on the Gulf Shores, starts teaching yoga at a hotel, and swears off men.
Until she meets Shawn–the sexy fisherman next door who she’s definitely just friends with.
The only problem? It’s her first time being single in God knows how long, and there’s an itch her vibrator just can’t scratch…
Catch and Release is a standalone romantic comedy. It's a small town, neighbors-to-lovers romance with laugh-out-loud small town moments, saucy bedroom scenes, and friendships that will make you want to hug your people. This book has open-door sex scenes and is intended for 18+ readers.
Flustered, frustrated, and heartbroken, she moves back into her family home on the Gulf Shores, starts teaching yoga at a hotel, and swears off men.
Until she meets Shawn–the sexy fisherman next door who she’s definitely just friends with.
The only problem? It’s her first time being single in God knows how long, and there’s an itch her vibrator just can’t scratch…
Catch and Release is a standalone romantic comedy. It's a small town, neighbors-to-lovers romance with laugh-out-loud small town moments, saucy bedroom scenes, and friendships that will make you want to hug your people. This book has open-door sex scenes and is intended for 18+ readers.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2024
42 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
June 11, 2024
Not to bury the lead here but I made my husband drive me around all weekend because I could not put it down.
This book will make you want to buy a matching yoga set, rent a VRBO on the Alabama coast and call your grandmother. I continuously found myself thinking “That’s so silly… GIVE ME MORE!”
If you’re anything like me, Wilder’s debut novel will have you squealing and kicking your feet in the air.
Now if you need me I’ll be lying awake and night thinking about NDAs and Layla’s impending storyline.
This book will make you want to buy a matching yoga set, rent a VRBO on the Alabama coast and call your grandmother. I continuously found myself thinking “That’s so silly… GIVE ME MORE!”
If you’re anything like me, Wilder’s debut novel will have you squealing and kicking your feet in the air.
Now if you need me I’ll be lying awake and night thinking about NDAs and Layla’s impending storyline.
January 6, 2024
Catch and Release is such a fun, witty romance novel that takes place in setting that is simultaneously romantic and down home. I loved it and I know you will too.
April 9, 2024
Read this if you love: smart and sassy FMC’s, sultry MMC’s and explosive sexual tension
August 5, 2024
BOOK👏🏾 OF👏🏾 THE👏🏾 SUMMER👏🏾 So summery!! soo spicy 🌶️🥵 and I learned a few things about fish along the way!
Ms. Wilder CRUSHED it on this one. Can’t wait to read what’s next🥰
Ms. Wilder CRUSHED it on this one. Can’t wait to read what’s next🥰
January 27, 2024
Great debut from this author! Willa is a badass and I definitely laughed throughout. Can’t wait to see the friends’ stories!
April 14, 2024
Catch and Release is a sexy, spicy and heartfelt romance novel that truly captivated me from start to finish. Vanessa Wilder’s writing is so detailed and descriptive that I was able to imagine myself within the characters’ world and experiences. Wilder’s depiction of these characters - from primary, to secondary, to even tertiary characters - is so thorough that this sweet novel could spark a series! I am enthralled by all of these characters and would love to see more of them! This is a spicy novel done right - with sexy scenes and a rich plot throughout! Thank you Vanessa Wilder & team for selecting me to receive this ARC. I look forward to future novels and writing.
April 9, 2024
This is the sexy friends to lovers romance book you need in your life! Willa and Shawn’s chemistry is off the charts, the host of side characters are so lovable, and Vanessa’s writing will transport you to the coastal shores of Alabama and make you wish you were also hanging out in a boat with your hot fisherman neighbor. I highly recommend this book!
April 14, 2024
ARC Review -
This was such a sweet read and the spice was spicing! 🌶️
Shawn is the definition of ‘if he wanted to, he would’! This book was the perfect length and I loved that there was no 3rd act breakup 🫶🏻
This was such a sweet read and the spice was spicing! 🌶️
Shawn is the definition of ‘if he wanted to, he would’! This book was the perfect length and I loved that there was no 3rd act breakup 🫶🏻
May 6, 2024
This was such a cute read - I really enjoyed Vanessa’s writing style, easy and casual.
Small town romances are always a hit, but when you have such great main characters - it makes the read that much more enjoyable ❤️🔥
Small town romances are always a hit, but when you have such great main characters - it makes the read that much more enjoyable ❤️🔥
April 23, 2024
This is a fun summer romance! It has a great setting which creates a strong sense of place throughout the work.
May 22, 2024
AMAZING!!!
This book had me laughing crying..and screaming 😱... I need more soooo good!! I need more!!!
This book had me laughing crying..and screaming 😱... I need more soooo good!! I need more!!!
May 27, 2024
this book was so cutie! good mix of sweetie rom com and steaminess;)
January 5, 2025
So cute! Quite….spicy lol! I liked the characters, and I love a sassy grandma who is in everyone’s business. I would recommend this to people who love spice in books for sure.
June 19, 2024
okay….i love him but I would cut the man bun off his head while he was sleeping and then he’d be perfect
January 24, 2025
This was a cute easy read to get me out of my reading slump… however similar to every other romance novel out there. City girl leaves city, meets big tall strong small town man. You get the rest 😂 3 starssss ⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 11, 2024
*ARC READER REVIEW*
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Vanessa you absolutely killed this debut book and i absolutely loved it. From the writing to the funny characters and the plot it was overall an amazing read.
Let’s start with the writing, I was such a fan of the tone of the book, because how a book is written seriously sets up how much I will enjoy the book. It wasn’t immature or childish and it read very well to me.
Willa was such a lovable FMC and I admired her confidence and attitude towards life. Despite her turbulent dating history it takes a lot of courage to go to therapy and open up again but she did and I think she grew because of it. Shawn felt and read like a warm blanket, ready and waiting to provide you comfort, and he did. I liked that we explored his own love life and how that ties into the type of relationship he wanted, it also helped that he was halfway in love with Willa from the get go.
Grams needed her own special paragraph because she was the best, we love a matchmaker who wants her grandson to find love and happiness and when I say she was relentless I mean it. The way she took in Willa like her own from the start gave me all the feels and was heartwarming.
There were so many story lines that I think we needed to explore more to make the book come together as a whole and so if there are more books to come I would love to read them. I would have also loved to read more about their relationship as a real couple.
Overall an amazing debut from Vanessa and I was so happy that I was given the chance to have this arc review!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Vanessa you absolutely killed this debut book and i absolutely loved it. From the writing to the funny characters and the plot it was overall an amazing read.
Let’s start with the writing, I was such a fan of the tone of the book, because how a book is written seriously sets up how much I will enjoy the book. It wasn’t immature or childish and it read very well to me.
Willa was such a lovable FMC and I admired her confidence and attitude towards life. Despite her turbulent dating history it takes a lot of courage to go to therapy and open up again but she did and I think she grew because of it. Shawn felt and read like a warm blanket, ready and waiting to provide you comfort, and he did. I liked that we explored his own love life and how that ties into the type of relationship he wanted, it also helped that he was halfway in love with Willa from the get go.
Grams needed her own special paragraph because she was the best, we love a matchmaker who wants her grandson to find love and happiness and when I say she was relentless I mean it. The way she took in Willa like her own from the start gave me all the feels and was heartwarming.
There were so many story lines that I think we needed to explore more to make the book come together as a whole and so if there are more books to come I would love to read them. I would have also loved to read more about their relationship as a real couple.
Overall an amazing debut from Vanessa and I was so happy that I was given the chance to have this arc review!!
April 21, 2024
4 ⭐️
“There’s no harm in a little catch and release.”
🥹🥹🥹🥹
This book was so swoony. I loveeeeee Shawn and Willa…. ESPECIALLY Shawn.
Willa moves in to her grandparent’s home that she spent her childhood in. Her hot neighbor, Shawn, happens to have the nosiest and cutest grandmother ever who does everything in her power to find her grandson a girlfriend.
Willa swore off men after her many failed relationships & Shawn swore off being a f***boy, wanting to find a relationship. But when Shawn meets Willa, he can’t resist and agrees to a FWB arrangement. This man is head over heels OBSESSED with Willa and would do anything just to be near her.
The story was so good and kept me hooked the whole time. The individual growth between the two and together as a forming couple was soooo good. The side characters were GREAT, Grams being the best of course. I can’t wait for the next book. I need a Charlie, Layla, and Amanda book ASAP. I need all my girls to fall in love like Willa did with Shawn 🥲
Book is definitely recommended ✅
Thank you for the ARC 💖 These opinions are entirely my own!
“There’s no harm in a little catch and release.”
🥹🥹🥹🥹
This book was so swoony. I loveeeeee Shawn and Willa…. ESPECIALLY Shawn.
Willa moves in to her grandparent’s home that she spent her childhood in. Her hot neighbor, Shawn, happens to have the nosiest and cutest grandmother ever who does everything in her power to find her grandson a girlfriend.
Willa swore off men after her many failed relationships & Shawn swore off being a f***boy, wanting to find a relationship. But when Shawn meets Willa, he can’t resist and agrees to a FWB arrangement. This man is head over heels OBSESSED with Willa and would do anything just to be near her.
The story was so good and kept me hooked the whole time. The individual growth between the two and together as a forming couple was soooo good. The side characters were GREAT, Grams being the best of course. I can’t wait for the next book. I need a Charlie, Layla, and Amanda book ASAP. I need all my girls to fall in love like Willa did with Shawn 🥲
Book is definitely recommended ✅
Thank you for the ARC 💖 These opinions are entirely my own!
April 16, 2024
I was given this book as an ARC and I had high hopes for it. All I can say is that it delivered on all levels. I loved this book so much that I already want to read it again. I took this with me on a road trip and I could not put it down, managed to finish it before we even got to our destination because it was so captivating. From the beginning of the story, Vanessa was able to hook you in as a reader and make you feel the emotions of each character which not everyone can do. I loved that the main characters started off as friends and watching their relationship slowly prosper was my favourite part. I laughed, I cried and even though I was sad that the book ended I wouldn't have changed anything about it. All I can say is if you're thinking about reading this book DO IT! you won't regret it.
April 20, 2024
ARC Review
A great debut from Vanessa Wilder! A cute, sexy rom-com with lovable main characters and side characters. Willa is a great relatable FMC I could connect with her really well, I like how she sets her boundaries with Shawn and how patient he is when it comes to her. I wish I could find a guy like Shawn he is down so bad for Willa I am a sucker for the he falls first trope and how he respects Willa's feelings and boundaries. Shawn's Grams is a brilliant character and how she is so set on setting them up, the relationship Shawn has with Grams is adorable. He is the definition of if he wanted to he would. There is great potential for this to be a series I'd like to read more about some of the other characters. The spice in this book is just the perfect amount it does not over shadow the rest of the story. A perfect read for spring/summer!
A great debut from Vanessa Wilder! A cute, sexy rom-com with lovable main characters and side characters. Willa is a great relatable FMC I could connect with her really well, I like how she sets her boundaries with Shawn and how patient he is when it comes to her. I wish I could find a guy like Shawn he is down so bad for Willa I am a sucker for the he falls first trope and how he respects Willa's feelings and boundaries. Shawn's Grams is a brilliant character and how she is so set on setting them up, the relationship Shawn has with Grams is adorable. He is the definition of if he wanted to he would. There is great potential for this to be a series I'd like to read more about some of the other characters. The spice in this book is just the perfect amount it does not over shadow the rest of the story. A perfect read for spring/summer!
April 23, 2024
I read Catch and Release as an ARC reader, and I’ve been so excited to rate it, but also very afraid, because I don’t want to spoil anything!
First of all is a very light read, light as in you can read it in a day or two, not in a bad way, it’s witty and an amazingly sweet ride. I enjoyed it very much!
You are going to find strong friendships, loving grandsons/granddaughters, nosy grandmas, small town vibes, and consent.
It goes like this;
Willa has been in many bad relationships and after her last boyfriend, she swears guys off, of course he was a douche, so who wouldn’t? She moves away to her family’s childhood beach home, in a beachy town, where she meets Shawn, who starts off slightly douchey, but they have many things in common so they become friends and… here comes the fun, lovely, sexy, tearful moments.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
First of all is a very light read, light as in you can read it in a day or two, not in a bad way, it’s witty and an amazingly sweet ride. I enjoyed it very much!
You are going to find strong friendships, loving grandsons/granddaughters, nosy grandmas, small town vibes, and consent.
It goes like this;
Willa has been in many bad relationships and after her last boyfriend, she swears guys off, of course he was a douche, so who wouldn’t? She moves away to her family’s childhood beach home, in a beachy town, where she meets Shawn, who starts off slightly douchey, but they have many things in common so they become friends and… here comes the fun, lovely, sexy, tearful moments.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
April 24, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book! Willa discovers that her boyfriend has a wife and child because he takes them to her favorite brunch place. Who does that?! She decides to move “home” in order to nurse her broken heart. Insert Shawn the bait shop owner. Their meet cute is a good one 😏
Willa and Shawn are absolutely adorable together. I really enjoyed watching them going from neighbors to fishing buddies to friends to lovers. Shawn was very patient with Willa throughout her whole healing journey and I enjoyed that he didn’t push her to move too fast.
Grams was the best character in the whole book! I want to try her food so bad! All the food in the book sounds delicious honestly. 10/10 on the food descriptions!
*Thank you Vanessa for the ARC! I appreciate you allowing me to read your creation early!
Willa and Shawn are absolutely adorable together. I really enjoyed watching them going from neighbors to fishing buddies to friends to lovers. Shawn was very patient with Willa throughout her whole healing journey and I enjoyed that he didn’t push her to move too fast.
Grams was the best character in the whole book! I want to try her food so bad! All the food in the book sounds delicious honestly. 10/10 on the food descriptions!
*Thank you Vanessa for the ARC! I appreciate you allowing me to read your creation early!
April 25, 2024
This book was a really fun small town read I highly recommend this book
I don’t really typical go for/like 3rd person point of view books but I will say this book was written very well to keep me interested in what I was reading.
I’m a sucker when it comes to a friend with benefits book I absolutely devour them like it’s nothing this read kept me on my toes and wanting more. let’s not even get me started on the spice 🌶️ 🤭 very well written literally unbelievable.
Willa the fmc was such a strong character to me i absolutely loved her she went through so much just to come out stronger and better.
I feel like we all need a Shawn in our life. 🤫
Loved the dual pov another fave of mine literally chief kiss 💋
Adored the grandma and how she wanted the best for them she is literally the sweetest/funniest person. Grams was just the best! Honestly.
I don’t really typical go for/like 3rd person point of view books but I will say this book was written very well to keep me interested in what I was reading.
I’m a sucker when it comes to a friend with benefits book I absolutely devour them like it’s nothing this read kept me on my toes and wanting more. let’s not even get me started on the spice 🌶️ 🤭 very well written literally unbelievable.
Willa the fmc was such a strong character to me i absolutely loved her she went through so much just to come out stronger and better.
I feel like we all need a Shawn in our life. 🤫
Loved the dual pov another fave of mine literally chief kiss 💋
Adored the grandma and how she wanted the best for them she is literally the sweetest/funniest person. Grams was just the best! Honestly.
May 13, 2024
This book pulled me out of my reading slump!!
Catch and Release is a small-town neighbors-to-lovers romance.
Willa returns to Florida after a devastating breakup with her boyfriend, Leo. She has sworn off boys in hopes of healing her broken heart. However, that plan goes awry when she runs into Shawn, a local shop owner, and her sexy next-door neighbor.
Shawn is a reformed playboy. He's sick and tired of meaningless flings and wants something real. But with Willa healing from a broken heart and not wanting anything serious, Shawn can't resist her and agrees to be friends with benefits to be with her.
Y'all, this was such a cozy read! Willa is snarky, sassy, and doesn't take crap from anyone.
Shawn is an adorable golden retriever MMC who will do anything to be with Willa.
Also, shoutout to Grams, you are the real one.
Catch and Release is a small-town neighbors-to-lovers romance.
Willa returns to Florida after a devastating breakup with her boyfriend, Leo. She has sworn off boys in hopes of healing her broken heart. However, that plan goes awry when she runs into Shawn, a local shop owner, and her sexy next-door neighbor.
Shawn is a reformed playboy. He's sick and tired of meaningless flings and wants something real. But with Willa healing from a broken heart and not wanting anything serious, Shawn can't resist her and agrees to be friends with benefits to be with her.
Y'all, this was such a cozy read! Willa is snarky, sassy, and doesn't take crap from anyone.
Shawn is an adorable golden retriever MMC who will do anything to be with Willa.
Also, shoutout to Grams, you are the real one.
May 22, 2024
I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK! Literally everything about this, I loved.
I also grew up in fishing in Florida so I totally related to so many of the scenarios in this book, especially the first bait shop scene.
I adored the FMC In this book, Willa. I loved her spunk, personality, vulnerability, etc. Definitely a top tier FMC for me. And her relationship with Shawn?? Umm perfection. One of my favorite things about them was their communication. Even though they harbored feelings for a while, they never let miscommunication get in the way. No third-act breakup here 👏🏻 We love a man that can communicate and be honest about his feelings. Oh and that date he planned for Willa? *major heart eyes*
I cannot wait for Vanessa’s next release. This book was incredible.
4.5⭐️
2.5🌶️
•Small town
•Neighbors
•Friends-with-benefits
•Sassy grandma
•He falls first and hard
•Golden retriever mmc
I also grew up in fishing in Florida so I totally related to so many of the scenarios in this book, especially the first bait shop scene.
I adored the FMC In this book, Willa. I loved her spunk, personality, vulnerability, etc. Definitely a top tier FMC for me. And her relationship with Shawn?? Umm perfection. One of my favorite things about them was their communication. Even though they harbored feelings for a while, they never let miscommunication get in the way. No third-act breakup here 👏🏻 We love a man that can communicate and be honest about his feelings. Oh and that date he planned for Willa? *major heart eyes*
I cannot wait for Vanessa’s next release. This book was incredible.
4.5⭐️
2.5🌶️
•Small town
•Neighbors
•Friends-with-benefits
•Sassy grandma
•He falls first and hard
•Golden retriever mmc
April 20, 2024
This was such a cute and fun read!! I devoured it in 2 sittings. I loved the vibes of this book so much - it screams summer. Willa and Shawn were so much fun to read and I loved the development of their relationship from when they don't have the best first interaction to spending almost all their time together 💗
The tension was sooooo good and the build up to their relationship was 👌 especially when Shawn gets jealous and basically claims her I squealed!!!
The side characters also added a really nice layer to the story - grandma Ida is iconic !! The girl gang was so real in telling it straight and it was so funny because everyone could see what was going on between the mmc and fmc except for them😁
Thoroughly enjoyed this book - huge sunshine read 💕🥰🎀📖
The tension was sooooo good and the build up to their relationship was 👌 especially when Shawn gets jealous and basically claims her I squealed!!!
The side characters also added a really nice layer to the story - grandma Ida is iconic !! The girl gang was so real in telling it straight and it was so funny because everyone could see what was going on between the mmc and fmc except for them😁
Thoroughly enjoyed this book - huge sunshine read 💕🥰🎀📖
April 14, 2024
So far I’m 60% through will update this when I’m fully finished(full time toddler mom and I work from home).
So far I love this book! I catch myself thinking about it and looking forward to when I get to read it again! It makes me blush, laugh, and kick my feet. I can’t wait to finish reading it but I can’t help but want it to last longer! It’s helped me get out of a pretty bad reading slump so I am forever grateful for this book! I absolutely adore how this is written and how I feel like I know the characters personally.
Edit** just finished and 1000% this book is 5 stars for me! I love grams so much. Shawn and Willa are so cute together. I look forward to more books from this author!
So far I love this book! I catch myself thinking about it and looking forward to when I get to read it again! It makes me blush, laugh, and kick my feet. I can’t wait to finish reading it but I can’t help but want it to last longer! It’s helped me get out of a pretty bad reading slump so I am forever grateful for this book! I absolutely adore how this is written and how I feel like I know the characters personally.
Edit** just finished and 1000% this book is 5 stars for me! I love grams so much. Shawn and Willa are so cute together. I look forward to more books from this author!
April 21, 2024
This beautiful Love story is addictive and sweet!
The FMC goes through some intense trust issues, she upends her whole life and moves back to her childhood home.
The MMC is hot as hell and sweet as a puppy, hard working man taking care of his grandma! The grandmother plays the cupid in bringing these two together!
They go through the sweetest phase of getting to know each other and forming an easy but solid bond!
There are moments of pure love and ultimate lust as they manoeuver through issues together!
Loved the grandma and her friends!
Loved the Dual POV
Loved the MMC and his conviction in love!
The FMC goes through some intense trust issues, she upends her whole life and moves back to her childhood home.
The MMC is hot as hell and sweet as a puppy, hard working man taking care of his grandma! The grandmother plays the cupid in bringing these two together!
They go through the sweetest phase of getting to know each other and forming an easy but solid bond!
There are moments of pure love and ultimate lust as they manoeuver through issues together!
Loved the grandma and her friends!
Loved the Dual POV
Loved the MMC and his conviction in love!
April 23, 2024
I typically stray away from 3rd person point of view books, so I was a little disappointed when I opened this up and it was written in 3rd person. But, the story still caught my attention, so I gave it a chance. I ended up really enjoying it! The main characters feelings and emotions were still portrayed well in third person. The storyline was good, albeit a little fast for my taste but you’ll have that with small town romance books. Both characters are enjoyable and there is not really a third-act breakup between the two but more of them against the situation. I am pleasantly surprised and excited to see more from Vanessa Wilder!
April 9, 2024
Absolutely loved this - could hardly put it down wanting to know what is happening next! Big lover of he falls first and and small town romance
Would love to see this be part of a series as so much potential - would love to know more about tucker and hanna and their perspective and certainly would love to know more about Leo and what he was up to and Charlie and Wyatt certainly have a story to tell! For a debut it was really well done, characters were lovable and nothing was forced or rushed
Oh and the spice was spicing nicely ;-)
Would love to see this be part of a series as so much potential - would love to know more about tucker and hanna and their perspective and certainly would love to know more about Leo and what he was up to and Charlie and Wyatt certainly have a story to tell! For a debut it was really well done, characters were lovable and nothing was forced or rushed
Oh and the spice was spicing nicely ;-)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
**ARC Review**
I adored this book, it had everything that I loved.
We meet Willa who is swearing off all men after a bad break up, she packs up everything and moves back to the only place she calls home. Shawn is her sexy fisherman neighbor and instantly pines over Willa. Shawn is everything that Willa needed to make her fall in love again.
We have neighbors to lovers, he falls first & HARD, it’s spicy I would say its 2.5 chilis but when it’s spicy its SPICY, (whew that car scene 🥵) I loved the plot and development and the patience that Shawn has for her.
Also we love grandma Ida!
Vanessa is definitely getting added to my insta read author list. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I can’t wait to read everything you publish
I adored this book, it had everything that I loved.
We meet Willa who is swearing off all men after a bad break up, she packs up everything and moves back to the only place she calls home. Shawn is her sexy fisherman neighbor and instantly pines over Willa. Shawn is everything that Willa needed to make her fall in love again.
We have neighbors to lovers, he falls first & HARD, it’s spicy I would say its 2.5 chilis but when it’s spicy its SPICY, (whew that car scene 🥵) I loved the plot and development and the patience that Shawn has for her.
Also we love grandma Ida!
Vanessa is definitely getting added to my insta read author list. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I can’t wait to read everything you publish
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews