4.5 stars - Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we let our best friends steer us into treacherous waters!

Runaway Groom was a refreshing romance that reminds us that the only thing love needs to creep into your heart is the courage to share honestly, freedom to communicate openly and fortitude to give yourself to someone who likely annoys and thrills you in equal measure. It also provides a great reminder that celebrity doesn't guard a person from having any of the flaws, worries or dreams any other regular Joe or Jane may have. In fact, it likely increases everyone's awareness of the negatives and makes the positives harder to obtain.

Runaway Groom has heart, heat and a HEA. What more could a reader ask for?

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Runaway Groom was a cute and fun story surrounding the Jilted series introduced in the first book. This book was really great as it followed the usual Lauren Layne givens: alot of sass, banter and hot chemistry. I loved Gage and Ellie as they were so cute together. They had back and forth spitfire banter which was fantastic and electric chemistry. I love how they were so drawn to each other and how they could not get enough of each other!

Runaway Groom is the second book in the I do, I don't series but can be read as a complete standalone. This book had a definite Bachelorette feel with the idea of there being a possibility the Runaway Groom, Gage Barrett, could finally settle down once and for all at the end of the show. But what (reluctant Bachelor) Gage didn't foresee was that he would meet a woman who gave as good as she got and didn't hold back. Ellie saw the real him beyond the glitz and the glamour. But would she be able to put her own strict rules aside on who and what she wants and see what she has right in front of her?

I really really love Lauren Layne's books as she always delivers with an amazing story each time. I seriously can't wait for the next one! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula

This book was just exactly what I needed. Fun, entertaining, full of snappy banter and sparky chemistry and - in a sea of books that just failed to hook me - Runaway Groom took me hook, line and sinker.

I think I have a weakness for reality TV love stories. Something about the delicious guilty pleasure of reality TV mixed with the fluttery butterflies and swoony interactions between two people who are actually falling in love. The whole thing just feels super indulgent, and loads of fun. It helps that I basically adored Gage from the beginning, and I loved how slow and steady his relationship with Ellie unfolded. They were adorable together - playful and sweet even as they fought the real feelings that were developing between them.

And the banter? Ugh. Banter is my weakness and Ms. Layne delivered in spades. And, while I became a little bit impatient for these two to get their act together and get out of their own way, I completely adored the way she resolved things for us in the end.

All in all, this was a complete delight for me. I didn't want to put it down and I enjoyed nearly every moment I spent reading it. It felt like a treat, and I am absolutely all-in for the next installment! ~ 4.5 Stars

Runaway Groom was a charmingly fun romance centered around a Bachelor-esque reality show, and underneath the backdrop of this show was a wildly hot and explosive love affair steeped with interesting characters and Layne’s signature wit. In what initially started as a love-hate relationship soon bloomed into a rare commonality of being in this thing together against all others, and from tentative friends came so much more.

What was most enjoyable about this novel was the progression of Ellie and Gage’s contemptuous feelings for one another and how it slowly and organically morphed into an odd state of mutual trust. But most of all, it was fully believable–both the actions of the other contestants and the show itself, along with the progression of their romance. And while it had delicious angst and build-up, there was an abundance of humor mixed in to keep it light. There was the potential to make Gage like other playboy-like characters, but Layne put a spin to how he was portrayed and made him incredibly likable and swoon-worthy with very little effort from the reader to fall for him. I imagine that Ellie fell for him in the same manner as I did, thus bringing her character into reality.

One of the reasons I adore this series is because each novel has felt so different while all being very much tied together, completely standing on their own but bringing the gist of the series into each one. Runaway Groom is the kind of novel you inhale and immerse yourself into, spending one sitting becoming a part of these characters and their world because it’s impossible not to.

Lauren Layne does it again! Loved this book! I didn't read ready to run, which is the first book in this series, but you definitely don't have too. This is a great stand alone.

I felt Gage and Ellie's connection and pull almost immediately. It took a little while to get used to all the side characters in this book since it's set in a 'The Bachelor' type setting, but I caught up with it fairly quickly.

I was sucked into the world of "Jilted " pretty quickly and since I couldn't seem to put the book down, I devoured it in just 2 days! FANTASTIC read. Put this on your to read list! Trust me!

Interesting premise that should to appeal to legions of romance reality show fans, but I could not enjoy it.

I thought that both hero and heroine were not likable, and there was too much emphasis on the heroine 'not being like other girls' (even though both characters claimed to not believe that, and 'seemed' to care for other people, their actions and comments proved otherwise).

Add the snarkiness between the women on the show, and the utter ickiness of the characters, and this book was just not for me. Who enjoys seeing women pitted against each other for a chance to get with an idiot?

Cute cover, though.

Gage Barrett has really done it this time, he got drunk, made a bet and lost, so now he is filling his obligation of said bet on a reality show called Jilted, which ultimately means at the shows close he will have himself a wife. And the mere thought of being married gives him the hives, he has been down this road twice now, and both times he bailed before the "I do's" were said, but this time he signed on the dotted line agreeing that he must utter those words and it scares the hell out of him. He likes his freedom, and a wife would certainly cramp his style... but a bet is a bet!

Ellie Wright and her best friend have created the best t-shirt on the planet and they are certain it will be a hit with women, but they seem to have hit a little hitch, they need a boost in advertising, so what better way to get publicity, then to advertise on TV. The only problem with this little plan is that Ellie will be competing on the ever popular TV show Jilted for that publicity... and possibly landing herself a husband by shows end. Letting her best friend talk her into this to this cockamamie idea was beyond stupid on her part, she can't compete with these women, nor does she want to win the prize... a husband, by the name of ever famous playboy Gage Barrett. She has seen the tabloids and is well aware of what kind of man he is, but then she meets him, and begins to wonder if he is really as bad as they say?

Runaway Groom is a delightfully hilarious and oh so sexy little tale that is sure to score a special place in the hearts of readers, with it's feisty banter, steamy toe curling moments, and quirky, yet lovable, characters readers will feel like they hit the romance reading jackpot with this one! From the moment I cracked the cover on this one I found myself becoming attached to these wonderfully crafted characters, there was so much to love about them, from the banter they shared, to their secret meetings in the closet, I just couldn't get enough of them. They will pull you into their wild little TV adventure and have you flipping the pages like a madwomen to see if they can finally get it together and salvage something out of this unique situation they have found themselves in... and boy what a ride it is!! I highly recommend you get your hands of this one, Ms. Layne's characters are certain to steal your heart and have you laughing throughout!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.
I love this story, enjoy reading about Ellie and Gage. They have a refreshing storyline with a rocky beginning and a HEA!
I recommend this book.

This book was exactly what I was looking for!!! Although I think I say that everytime I pick up a Lauren Layne book.

This story was so much fun to read and was such a feel good romance. The storyline was entertaining and the characters were so lovable!!!

If you are a fan of reality TV, especially The Bachelor, then you need to read this story. It is based off that show, but Lauren puts her own spin on it to make it her own. Plus I loved how she gave us an insider/behind the scenes look into what might happen on a show like this.

The Runaway Groom is the second novel in her I Do, I Don’t series. It is a complete standalone novel and is told in Dual POV. This book is in no way connected to the first book in this series, so they don’t have to be read in order. But I will say you will want to read this series. I have LOVED both of these books and would 100% recommend them to everyone. I think everyone will fall in love with this story. I think this is actually my favorite series of Lauren’s to date.

This story is based around the TV show Jilted and the runaway groom is famous actor Gage Barrett. He was placed on this show because he lost a bet with his best friend. The premise of the show is that he is to marry the woman he chooses in the end. Ellie is one of the woman vying for his attention, but she has no intention of making it to the end. She only agreed to apply for the show to help promote her new business. What neither of the expect is the feelings that overcome them when they get together. I absolutely loved Gage and Ellie together. Although there first meeting wasn’t conventional and they denied their attraction time and time again. Their banter and closet rendezvouses were what kept me interested to see what would happen.

I loved how well this story was written. Lauren books always make me feel good and leave a huge smile on my face!!! I thought this story flowed perfectly and the pace was spot on. I loved how Lauren kept us guessing how everything would turn out until the very end. made me want to turn the pages faster to see who Gage will choose ;)

So if you are looking for the movie star romance that is based in the world of reality TV, then you don’t want to miss this GEM!!! If Lauren Layne is a new author to you, this would be the perfect series/books to start this wonderful journey into her writing!!!

This book was perfect!
It gave me all the feels <3 <3

Lauren Layne once again hits the jackpot with “Runaway groom”.
Just think that I read the book in 3 hours, and instead of studying I just lost myself completely in the story of Ellie and Gage <3

First of all, I need to say that I loved Gage and Ellie. Both of them were perfectly depicted, at 360°. They were two persons with quite different life goals and life styles, but when your true love calls, what you have to do? Accept it, find a solution and live happily ever after.

The concept behind this book was great, really interesting and so much fun to read! Ellie is one of the 20 contestant in this reality show, where the goal is to capture the attention of Gage (The runaway groom) and bring him to the altar.
For sure Ellie wasn’t keen on playing the part, meaning that she had no intention to stay on the show, but only wanted to get home!
But for one reason or another, she was forced stay and play along….

I loved Ellie and Gage as a couple from the first time they met, and fell in love more and more reading about their stolen and forbidden meetings, and stolen looks too…

The attraction between them grew day by day, and the way the story ended was perfect.

The parts about the ceremony days and the following messages were hilarious and awesome! I had so much fun reading them! Even more the last exchanges between Ellie and Gage… top!

And last but not least, OMG, the other contestants were out of the world crazy! Well, except for Paisley and Brooklyn, but the others... They were the perfect women to make a reality show interesting:)

So yeah, we can say that I loved this book. Lauren Layne has a writing style that just catches my attention and keeps it until I finish the book. I think she could make even a grocery store list interesting for me :P
I’m kidding, but yes, everyone, read this book, and fall in love with Ellie, Gage and the amazing Lauren Layne.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Gage is a reluctant bachelor on a reality TV show and Ellie a reluctant participant in the show. Of course, their chemistry is off the charts and the situations they are put in are hilarious. Combine that with the behavior of the other women on the show and you have a fun romance read!

This is my third Lauren Layne book and has cemented her in my must read list and I need to go back and read all of her other books! I loved the first book in the series, Ready to Run, and I jumped at the chance to review Runaway Groom. Runaway Groom was just as good as Ready to Run and you don't need to have read Ready to Run to jump into this one.

I loved both main characters and their little quirks. The story sort of reminded me of How to Lose a Bachelor by Anna Banks which I also loved. It had the same type of humor, snappy dialog and a hero and heroine that you will come to love. I don't want to go into too much more and give away any spoilers but trust me you will want to buy this book ASAP! If you haven't picked up a Lauren Layne book before stop everything and go do that right now!

Ah! I adore 'LL so much. Her writing is magnificent. This story was so fun! This book is unique and sure to keep readers entertained for hours and yet, still have readers think about the book for months. Fantastic job!

I was not quite sure what to expect from the Runaway Groom. It turned out to be so much better than I thought it would. Assuming that anyone who chose to read this book has watched at least one episode of The Bachelor, you know that at least some of the drama and several of the actors are there for their ‘fifteen minutes.’ Lauren Layne delivers a good behind the scenes view of a bachelor style show. I laughed through most of it as Ellie keeps asking Gage to send her home. Ellie’s business partner signed her up for the show to advertise their t-shirts. So, instead of dressing as the other contestants, Ellie consistently wears her t-shirt brand.

Gage is a movie star whose girlfriend married his brother. They are happily married and now have a child. Gage has yet to get over the betrayal. Plus, he has been, basically, at the alter with two other women when those weddings were called off. Layne, again, does a great job of helping us see Gage is a feeling, human being, not just a movie star. She allows the relationship to build genuinely and slowly between Ellie and Gage. This does happen in a short window due to the show, but you can see them grow to respect and care about each other quickly.

Runaway Groom has the great, typical witty conversation present in Layne books. As I laughed through a good portion of it as Ellie trying to be sent home, but ended up helping Gage stay out of trouble by getting rid of other contestants who were not there for good reasons. She just cannot stop herself from protecting Gage. The road to their HEA is not typical. This is the perfect book to pick up as Layne delivers in what is a great weekend read.

*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Whenever I am approved for a Lauren Layne review copy, I always drop what I am doing that day and immediately sit down to read it. I loved Runaway Groom, the latest entry in Layne's I Do, I Don't series. Gage lost a bet and ended up on Jilted, a fictional version of The Bachelor. Ellie finds herself as a contestant on the show after her business partner convinces her it's an excellent marketing opportunity. Hijinks ensue as Ellie tries to navigate the crazy contestants and get sent home, while Gage tries to keep her on the show for his own sanity, and because they are falling for each other.

I read this book in a few hours while on a work trip. I really enjoyed Ellie and Gage as characters, and found myself chuckling at the antics of the various contestants. As always, I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

*** I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review ***

4.5 stars

Guys, this book just checked all my light-n-easy-romance boxes. I wish you could see me grinning!

<b>"'Your eyes look like guacamole,' I whisper...</b>

Ellie and Super Famous Gage unwillingly end up as contestants on a Bachelor-style show. Gage kinda develops a thing for Ellie, but she doesn't trust it because of the cameras and the fact that Gage is an actor. They have the most adorable chemistry - aggravating one another and pushing each other's buttons in a charming way. Add the drama with the other contestants plus Ellie and Gage's insecurities and you get a fun read.

<b>"'It's a wonder they don't just set up a tent in the front yard, dress us in something sparkly, and have us walk around in a slow circle to creepy circus music.'"</b>

I felt like Ellie and Gage's relationship-barriers were reasonable. Plus Gage was smooth and cute, and Ellie was a damn pistol. The book was kinda short - which was perfect. Ms Layne didn't feel the need to throw in anything stupid or unnecessary. Y'all, I couldn't put this one down.

<b>"But here's the thing about learning from other people's mistakes: you miss out on the chance to make some mistakes of your own. And sometimes you get so busy dodging the potential mistakes that you miss the potential magic."<b>

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4.5 stars!
I love, love, love Lauren Layne's books! LOVE them! This was another cute and quirky story that made me laugh and shout with glee over characters, that I would love to see on a movie ! I am not a fan of reality tv, but this book made me love the characters so much, that I would watch this show!

I LOVED this book! I mean, I love every Lauren Layne book, but this one is of my faves from her. Funny, sexy, sweet, and I couldn't put it down! Gage is about as swoony as they come!

4.5 Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner Stars
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
Qualifying Statement For Me...Lauren Layne is Back!!! Full Throttle in this entry for her I Do, I Don't Series. I am talking the Layne who made you want her next entry to all of her series back. The fun banter back, the sexy times back and all the other smart, put together moments she knows how to do.

Now you could say to me, what the hell are you talking about ... Lauren Layne has never gone away... and that may be true as she writes consistently entertaining books...but For Me, this was a strong clear cut reminder of why she is an auto pick and how I fell so completely for her work. In this story she has taken the universal love of watching The Bachelor mixed it with all the behind the scenes cray cray and tied it up in a bow of easy to love goodness.

The premise of this reality TV show, Jilted, is to have a guy who has left women at the alter...have him pick between 20 or more women who want to get married and then actually Marry one of them at the end of the show.

Yup, Marry... Not Just Propose...

And who is the guy they roped into doing this... Not a pretend Millionaire who needs the ego gratification...Or some guy who has more money than anyone knows what to do with...and just as little personality...

Nope... These shrewd reality producers hit the Motherlode...They got the one and only Gage Barrett! Yes, movie star, hunk hunk of burning love...body to match and rep to go with it.

You see Gage made the fatal error of betting while drunk with his best friend...and once the bet was lost... He was going to be damned if he didn't live up to his obligation....because Gage hated the fact that people thought of him as someone who wouldn't...

All those stories of him leaving women at the alter... they are technically true... but none of the facts that have been published are...And deep down, Gage has been carrying a romantic betrayal...one that hits very close to home for years... and he is tired of being seen as the just the playboy movie star lightweight...All body and brawn without deep feelings about anything...

So Gage stayed committed to doing this ridiculous show and that is how he ends up with his personal make up person making sure he looks good for the first meets. They take him to the spot where each of these women are going to see him for the first time and they only have 2 minutes to make a first impression.

Gage is going to need lots of DRINKS...

So is Ellie Wright. How she got talked into do this show, she will never know... Well... Yes she does ... because Ellie and her business partner of High Tee, the women's plain white T-shirt that lays wonderfully across a woman's chest... not too tight or baggy, made out of the finest cotton... needs exposure to the masses... and in their own alcohol induced planning, Ellie agreed to submit the application never thinking she would actually be picked.

Now she is and she is determined to do the quick meet and greet... get the company's name out there and then happily be eliminated.

Ah, not so fast... Because that is not how a Layne story goes...Gage and Ellie have their TV meet and from that moment...IT IS ON.

Banter, looks, agreements, kisses...and oh so much more...All of it done with fantastic moments of cut throat with humor and just this side of pain/heart... Who is the real Gage... What are these feelings both Ellie and Gage are having... and when were the lines crossed..Reality show or real...

This read fast and I did not want to put it down. I confess to not watching the infamous TV show for quite sometime... so things that may seem predictable did not bother me at all...because I knew what this was based on. Were there things that never would have been hidden in Real Reality TV... sure... But I was fine giving Layne license to use these tools... it made for great reading.

The Gage we experience is truly yummy. His heart is big; he is vulnerable and figures out what is needed. Ellie was an understandable person... she was driven, wanted success on her own...and leery of romance, as it hadn't been the best for her. We get both of their thoughts in real time by each POV.

I am enamored with this series... and cannot wait to see what happens next...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Oh, This is Going to be Fun...
Banter- Check
Catty Contestants- Double Check
Surprise Feelings- Oh, For Sure!!!
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
Aug 10, 2017
So who wouldn't want to be in Maui...
Beautiful Waters, Lots of free drinks..
And 19 Women who want to be with him...

Well, maybe only 18...
Because one of these women can't believe she got herself into this...

Yes, it was supposed to be good for her business...
But Damn... This guy isn't what she thought and now...
She may be interested in the....

Runaway Groom (I Do, I Don't #2) - January 30th 2018

Ready to Run (I Do, I Don't, #1) by Lauren Layne Ready to Run (I Do, I Don't, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I love this series, the Bachelor type story keeps my interest. The humor of Runaway Groom, is so frequent that my husband started shaking his head and smiling every time I snorted or laughed out loud.