The Catch

By: Jenna Miles

Narrated by: Caroline Keeler

Author Jenna Miles is now JENNA MALABY! Same great Gen X romance; new pen name!

Poignant and powerful, The Catch is a retro Gen X second chance romance with an angsty love triangle. Told in nonlinear fashion between 1993, 2006, and 2012, it captures the nostalgia of young love amid the relatable trials of motherhood and responsibility.

Julia Dunphy’s husband just left her for the second time, her thirteen-year-old won’t stop swearing in public, and to top it all off, her four-year-old just asked to buy condoms. Needless to say, this isn’t how she expected her life to pan out.

As a teen in the nineties, Julia had bold plans to study marine biology far from home – dreams not even William, the quietly brilliant working class boy next door, could derail. Not even with his blue eyes, loyal heart, and constant surprises. Still, despite time, distance, and marriage to another man, Julia’s most tender memories revolved around William. After eleven years and countless broken dreams, Julia and William got a second chance when they imagined a whale-watching business – until that, too, ended in heartbreak beyond repair.

Now, despite a fresh start in her own aquarium shop amid the wreckage of her marriage, Julia knows a third chance with her first love is far too much to hope for. But when she uses her training as a paralegal to save William's whale-watching business, and he shows up to thank her, she dares to wonder - are third chances possible, after all?

Equal parts witty, heartwarming, and gut-wrenching, The Catch is perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Christina Lauren, and reminiscent of classics like Jane Austen's Persuasion. It offers a guaranteed Happy For Now ending, with a Happily Ever After in its sequel.

©2015 Jenna Miles, d.b.a. Jenna Malaby (P)2025 Jenna Miles, d.b.a. Jenna Malaby

A beautiful second chance romance!

Okay so firstly, I really liked this book. I think Jenna Miles is a wonderfully talented writer and knows how to capture a reader with her characters. My issue was that I didn’t connect with the male love interest, making it difficult for me to root for their relationship. Maybe if this story had been framed as women’s fiction/self-discovery rather than a traditional romance, I would have invested much more easily. That said, I still really enjoyed the story! I loved learning so much about building and maintaining aquariums and marine life. While I was graciously sent a physical copy to review, I ended up downloading the audiobook as well, and must commend Caroline Keeler who did a phenomenal job with the narration. This is a heavily layered romance with unforgettable characters, and just because the MMC drove me bonkers doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check it out!