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Ebb and Flow #2
Catch of a Lifetime
Every spring, Joe McKenzie’s merman lover, Dave, comes back to him.
Every autumn, Dave returns to the sea.
This is how it goes. This is how it’s gone for a while now. Six months of the year together and six months apart is not ideal, but Joe will take it. He’d wait a lifetime for Dave, after all.
Only this year, it becomes clear that a lifetime spent watching the waves for a lover who will never return could very well be in Joe’s future. Because even though Dave wants to come back…there are things out there in the mysterious deep which might have other plans.
This year, instead of his usual blissful six months of living and loving, Joe’s got a wounded merman to keep safe from further harm, and just when things are finally starting to get back to normal, it all goes sideways.
Now Joe’s left wondering—is Dave the catch of a lifetime after all?
Or is it time for him to cut the line?
Catch of a Lifetime is book two in the Ebb and Flow series, and is a novella-length sequel to Catch and Release.
Every autumn, Dave returns to the sea.
This is how it goes. This is how it’s gone for a while now. Six months of the year together and six months apart is not ideal, but Joe will take it. He’d wait a lifetime for Dave, after all.
Only this year, it becomes clear that a lifetime spent watching the waves for a lover who will never return could very well be in Joe’s future. Because even though Dave wants to come back…there are things out there in the mysterious deep which might have other plans.
This year, instead of his usual blissful six months of living and loving, Joe’s got a wounded merman to keep safe from further harm, and just when things are finally starting to get back to normal, it all goes sideways.
Now Joe’s left wondering—is Dave the catch of a lifetime after all?
Or is it time for him to cut the line?
Catch of a Lifetime is book two in the Ebb and Flow series, and is a novella-length sequel to Catch and Release.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2025
39 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Murray
12 books397 followersIsabel is a writer, a reader, and a lover of love. She couldn’t stick to a subgenre if her life depended on it, but MM romance is her jam. She lives in the UK, reads way too much, and cannot be trusted anywhere near chocolate.
Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com
Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co
Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com
Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 9, 2025
Perfect combination of humour and angst.
I love Joe and Dave together but this was so emotional! Joe's insecurities and worries were out in full force, and Dave isn't the best communicator! I mean, obviously because Dave can only say four English words!!
I hope we get another update for them where they don't have to spend six months of the year apart anymore.
I love Joe and Dave together but this was so emotional! Joe's insecurities and worries were out in full force, and Dave isn't the best communicator! I mean, obviously because Dave can only say four English words!!
I hope we get another update for them where they don't have to spend six months of the year apart anymore.
October 16, 2025
I’m sorry about this review but I just have a lot of feelings. lol
Also I guess I should warn this review has spoilers for book 1.
So I read book 1 and I overall really enjoyed it but I hated that there was so much left unresolved. They never are able to communicate. We have no clue where Dave goes for six months of the year. We know nothing about Dave. Does he have a family? How intelligent is he? Where does he go and what does he do?
So I was so excited when I saw this author wrote a second book, I thought it would give us all the answers. The mental/psychic connection between Dave and Joe is touched on a bit in both books so I thought in this book they would use that to learn to communicate. But it doesn’t.
This book reads more like one of those free stories authors give you when you sign up for a newsletter than it reads like an actual book. We are right back where we started with no answers. And basically now we are thinking Dave could die and Joe would just never know? He would just think Dave never came back? That’s not a happy ending. We still know nothing, for all we know Dave has a second family, a mermaid wife and kids out in the world because maybe mermaids don’t believe in monogamy and maybe mermaids aren’t even capable of love? Joe just waits around for six months then has lots of sex for six months and says that is love? There is still so much unresolved this book just made me more mad. Sorry about the rant, like I said I just have a lot of feelings hahaha.
Also I guess I should warn this review has spoilers for book 1.
So I read book 1 and I overall really enjoyed it but I hated that there was so much left unresolved. They never are able to communicate. We have no clue where Dave goes for six months of the year. We know nothing about Dave. Does he have a family? How intelligent is he? Where does he go and what does he do?
So I was so excited when I saw this author wrote a second book, I thought it would give us all the answers. The mental/psychic connection between Dave and Joe is touched on a bit in both books so I thought in this book they would use that to learn to communicate. But it doesn’t.
This book reads more like one of those free stories authors give you when you sign up for a newsletter than it reads like an actual book. We are right back where we started with no answers. And basically now we are thinking Dave could die and Joe would just never know? He would just think Dave never came back? That’s not a happy ending. We still know nothing, for all we know Dave has a second family, a mermaid wife and kids out in the world because maybe mermaids don’t believe in monogamy and maybe mermaids aren’t even capable of love? Joe just waits around for six months then has lots of sex for six months and says that is love? There is still so much unresolved this book just made me more mad. Sorry about the rant, like I said I just have a lot of feelings hahaha.
October 22, 2025
I find it quite astonishing that Isabel Murray can write a romance in which one half of the pairing doesn't speak the same language and yet we still understand everything.
Everything about the relationship that is, because we're still no wiser as to where Dave goes for half the year but that's because he's a merman or something similar and Joe's human.
Even so, I don't care, this is more of a catch up with them than anything that moves the overall story along but it's still absolutely worth the read.
Joe and his best mate Jerry are like an old married couple in the way they interact but it's a solid relationship that comes to the fore when Dave turns up injured.
There's no real plotline as such here, so it's not obvious how to sum up what happens next, I'll just say I'd happily read twice as much of them just doing their thing.
Everything about the relationship that is, because we're still no wiser as to where Dave goes for half the year but that's because he's a merman or something similar and Joe's human.
Even so, I don't care, this is more of a catch up with them than anything that moves the overall story along but it's still absolutely worth the read.
Joe and his best mate Jerry are like an old married couple in the way they interact but it's a solid relationship that comes to the fore when Dave turns up injured.
There's no real plotline as such here, so it's not obvious how to sum up what happens next, I'll just say I'd happily read twice as much of them just doing their thing.
November 8, 2025
I love Jerry!!
This was really bittersweet. It's actually really sad. I mean, since this is book 2, we all know that Dave and Joe can't really "communicate", per say. So, a lot are assumptions. I think Jerry put it best.
And that's really ALL we can do.
This was really bittersweet. It's actually really sad. I mean, since this is book 2, we all know that Dave and Joe can't really "communicate", per say. So, a lot are assumptions. I think Jerry put it best.
And that's really ALL we can do.
October 14, 2025
Nice to see a continuation of the last book, but that’s all this felt like, a continuation… didn’t really have enough plot /new elements to feel like a second story to tell. Maybe if it had been advertised as a little novella of what’s next, then expectations would have been more appropriate
November 9, 2025
This was pointless? Underwhelming? Unnecessary? We learn nothing new about Dave, they don’t suddenly develop better communication skills and frankly, the whole point of this seemed to be Jerry’s supposition about Joe and Dave’s future which eh.
November 10, 2025
This was every bit as much fun as the first book!
October 8, 2025
I just love Dave and Joe and Jerry! I was tempted to give this 4 stars except I realised I was docking a star simply because I wanted more. I can’t get enough of these pair ❤️
It was wonderful to get time with these guys again- the premise remains excellent, still funny and fabulous along with being beautifully romantic in its way ❤️
It was wonderful to get time with these guys again- the premise remains excellent, still funny and fabulous along with being beautifully romantic in its way ❤️
October 12, 2025
Wonderful followup to Catch and Release. I so love an author that can combine a moving tale crammed with emotion and wonder, along with giggles and absolutely steaming hot play. I could read more of this... Simply delicious.
October 10, 2025
Beautiful and a touch bittersweet
Catch and Release was my first Isabel Murray book, though I have since read and loved everything she’s released.
I was thrilled to see that there would be another book for Dave and Joe, but as you might guess from the blurb (and prologue), it’s not smooth sailing (nautical pun intended) for our favorite slightly feral merman and adorably fretting human.
Honestly, though, that is completely in line with the first book, which had melancholy moments as well as hysterically funny ones (Jerry, bless him, makes for some amazing comic relief, as well as surprisingly solid advice at times).
It’s intriguing, if not occasionally frustrating, having a couple where they literally can’t talk to each other, but they have learned to communicate in other ways, and—at least for the most part—seem to understand each other. And, most importantly, they love each other above all else.
Now, where can I find my own hunky merman? 😅
Catch and Release was my first Isabel Murray book, though I have since read and loved everything she’s released.
I was thrilled to see that there would be another book for Dave and Joe, but as you might guess from the blurb (and prologue), it’s not smooth sailing (nautical pun intended) for our favorite slightly feral merman and adorably fretting human.
Honestly, though, that is completely in line with the first book, which had melancholy moments as well as hysterically funny ones (Jerry, bless him, makes for some amazing comic relief, as well as surprisingly solid advice at times).
It’s intriguing, if not occasionally frustrating, having a couple where they literally can’t talk to each other, but they have learned to communicate in other ways, and—at least for the most part—seem to understand each other. And, most importantly, they love each other above all else.
Now, where can I find my own hunky merman? 😅
October 24, 2025
I will read anything and everything by Isabel, especially when it comes to Joe and Dave. These two have had my heart from book one and that’s why I finally bought myself a paperback copy of Catch and Release recently. This story didn’t disappoint, I just wish Dave wasn’t hurt at the start and didn’t disappear for periods at a time. Joe was so heartbroken and it made me sad. But as always, Jerry had me laughing out loud. I’m afraid this is the end of Joe and his 🧜♂️ merman so I’m so glad I will get to read about them over and over again.
I did like how even though Joe didn’t know where Dave went, he was able to press on the bite mark on his neck from Dave and glean that he was safe and have some insight to his whereabouts. It was sweet and magical
I did like how even though Joe didn’t know where Dave went, he was able to press on the bite mark on his neck from Dave and glean that he was safe and have some insight to his whereabouts. It was sweet and magical
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
A really sweet follow-up novella to Catch and Release.
I adored Joe and Dave and it was so beautiful to see how Joe cared for Dave when he needed him. In both books, I like how Joe never really knows what Dave does when he's at sea, but they have such a strong bond, he knows that Dave will always come back. They never break through the language barrier, so Joe doesn't find out what happened to Dave when he washes up on the shore injured and near death.
Jerry is such a fun, amazing friend. I love the scenes with him, especially when he and Dave have their little disagreements.
I highly recommend the first book, Catch and Release, and this is a perfect little follow up.
I adored Joe and Dave and it was so beautiful to see how Joe cared for Dave when he needed him. In both books, I like how Joe never really knows what Dave does when he's at sea, but they have such a strong bond, he knows that Dave will always come back. They never break through the language barrier, so Joe doesn't find out what happened to Dave when he washes up on the shore injured and near death.
Jerry is such a fun, amazing friend. I love the scenes with him, especially when he and Dave have their little disagreements.
I highly recommend the first book, Catch and Release, and this is a perfect little follow up.
November 5, 2025
Nooo! It's over already?!?
I'm sad now.
It was a slow beginning. There was a lot less sexy scenes than the first book- which I didn't mind. Plenty of Jerry being the sassiest, straight BFF ever. Gotta love Jerry. The ending was beautiful. Absolutely poetic with glimpses of their future.
It was so good to get back with Joe, Dave and Jerry.
My only real complaint is that it felt so short. I didn't check if the book was literally shorter than the first or if it just felt that way because the first like 7 chapter was them trying to get Dave in the house.
I'm sad now.
It was a slow beginning. There was a lot less sexy scenes than the first book- which I didn't mind. Plenty of Jerry being the sassiest, straight BFF ever. Gotta love Jerry. The ending was beautiful. Absolutely poetic with glimpses of their future.
It was so good to get back with Joe, Dave and Jerry.
My only real complaint is that it felt so short. I didn't check if the book was literally shorter than the first or if it just felt that way because the first like 7 chapter was them trying to get Dave in the house.
October 10, 2025
Good follow up novella to Catch and Release. I was very curious about what Joe and Dave’s future was going to be like, and it’s good to see their love still going strong. Jerry is still hilarious and a solid grounding counterpart to Joe’s anxiety. Dave is wild and beautiful and loyal and I just hope one day Joe can spend the winter months out at sea with Dave wherever that may be….
October 13, 2025
“Keep coming back to me, Dave. Okay?”
He laid his hand on top of mine and pulled me in for a slow, sweet kiss.
So I
October 23, 2025
4.5/5, but really more like 4.25/5, rounded up for excellence. Because needing better proofing is all it really has wrong with it. And even though I want more, it’s not needed. Fucking lovely. Boys are still just three silly geese in a trench coat, but I mean, there were valid reasons for some of the silliness. That helps. Still Jerry’s biggest fan.
October 12, 2025
Always love reading about Dave and Joe. This one was somewhat emotional, but Dave is still his wild, inhuman self and it's wonderful. The book still has the typical humorous romance that characterizes Isabel Murray's books. I liked the hints of the future too. I also love the name "Ebb and Flow" for this series. It's perfect.
October 19, 2025
4.0. Love Dave, Joe (and Jerry!) and this was more loveliness and took things a little further, progressed their relationship into sustainability long term. Hope for more, there is still alot left and this shorter book left most of it unquenched.
October 9, 2025
This author and all of these characters always make me laugh. This short story brought the feelings too. A fun visit back into the world of Joe and Dave.
October 11, 2025
Adore Joe and Dave!
I do adore Joe and Dave (Jerry too!) , Catch of a Lifetime has the magic, romance moments of Catch and Release but with a little added extra. Loved it!
I do adore Joe and Dave (Jerry too!) , Catch of a Lifetime has the magic, romance moments of Catch and Release but with a little added extra. Loved it!
October 14, 2025
Absolutely loved loved loved this sequel, and I just hope this author writes more about those two. I can't get enough of them, and there's so much more to tell.
October 14, 2025
I love Dave and Joe so so much. I think about them so often. All hail Queen Isabel!
October 21, 2025
I am obsessed with Jerry and Joe (and to a lesser extent, Dave) and I was SO excited to see more of their story. Ugh. I love it.
October 22, 2025
Happy to revisit these characters, but the story felt flat.
November 10, 2025
I wanted to love book 2 more than I actually did, but Jerry was still awesome and Dave was still kind of an asshole at times, so I'm glad it got written. 🙂
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews