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.

I loved the quirkiness of the two main characters and the story of their first meeting. I loved how unconventional their start was and that they both knew they had to pursue more (even if they denied it time and time again), no matter how badly timed, or how damn awkward they felt, they had a connection that couldn't be ignored. Surprisingly enough, the insta-attraction storyline in this book did not bother me since it was done really well. I could really feel why the characters felt the way they did. The chemistry and connection between Ellie and Gage was very palpable. I really didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Very lovely book.

So good.
This is my first book by Lauren Layne.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Part of a series:  I Do, I Don't
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading more from this author.

"Which is the real Gage Barrett: the silver-tongued charmer out to fall in love for the sake of ratings, or the guy in the cleaning closet whose avocado eyes hinted at dark secrets?"

Oh, how I have been waiting to get my hands on this book! After falling in love with Ready to Run, I couldn't wait to get to get my hands on the next book in this fun I do, I don't Series. And I gotta tell you, Runaway Groom does not disappoint. 

Runaway Groom is smart and quick witted. The story-line is entertaining and is a really fun take on reality tv. The characters were a ton of fun and easy to connect with. I loved the instant chemistry between Gage and Ellie. I couldn't get enough of their interactions and I really wanted to find out who the true Gage was. 

I loved the reality tv aspect of Runaway Groom. I loved the cattiness and couldn't wait to see how these ladies would go after the man they wanted. I loved the realness of it and the tension of all the emotions that came into play. This book was a total guilty pleasure for me and I couldn't help but get lost in the characters and their story.

Runway Groom is the perfect example as to why I enjoy Lauren Layne's writing so much. Her stories are unique and fun and always give the best happily ever after! For me, Runaway Groom was fun, and flirty with just the right amount of drama, angst and romance. It was a great guilty pleasure without being over the top. And a romance that sweeps you off your feet and leaves you with a smile on your face...

Another great book by LL! I am a huge fan and this book was just as good as all her other ones! Like always I started this book and couldn't put it down. The way LL writes it just pulls you in and she makes it feel so real!

This book is about Gage Barrett who is a famous actor and Ellie Wright who is a small business owner. THey are on a show called Jilted which is similar to the Bachelor. Gage is doing the show because he lost a bet with his friend. Ellie is doing it because she wants to promote her high-end/designer t-shirt business.

Ellie really can't stand Gage or the shows premiise. However Gage likes Ellie automatically because of her "zero effs" personality. Ellie is very real and doesn't fawn all over Gage like all the other contestants.

As the show goes on Ellie keeps getting advanced to the next round. Ellie even makes a deal with Gage to send her home. Gage doesn't though because one of Ellie's room mates comes up with a plan to hurt herself to spend with Gage. Ellie tells him this so he sends her home. As the book progressss Ellie keeps telling him things she has learned about the other contestants.

This is a very good book. It's sweet, funny and not predictable in my opinion. This is a dual POV book, sexy scenes and sweet romance.

I received a free book for an honest review.

Gage is an actor who is known in Hollywood for more than just his films, the Killboy series, yeah those. Gage is a Hollywood playboy who finds himself starring in Jilted, a bachelor-finds-bride reality TV show.

Ellie’s one of the 25 women sent to Maui as a potential bride for the groom. She’s there because she’s got a business she wants to promote, what better way to do that than via a television show in which she can wear her products, a t-shirt that’s actually designed for women.

They wind up in a closet. The closet, in which we meet two witty, sweet, sexy characters who trade the funniest and tenderest of dialog, and also have some sweet sexy times.

This is a funny-tender read, the type of book that’s easy to fall into, and makes you want to turn the pages. I always look forward to a new Lauren Layne book, and this is no exception. Fantastic. Light, easy, but tender and thoughtful read. Highly recommended.

I love this series. It was different than the previous one, as it is in first person. I am not a first person fan, but I did, however, like this one. The story was well written and the characters very developed. Loved the true side of Gage and the depth of his character, Ellie was perfect in every way for him.

Another sleepless night because I got a new Lauren Layne book yesterday!
Runaway Groom, the latest installment in Lauren' Layne's newest series deals with a hollywood action star trying to find "true Love' on the set of a reality tv show and the reluctant owner of a start up t-shirt business looking for a little free promo and NOT love.
Gage Barrett's rep as a hot actor and ladies man who's left 2 women at the altar, make him the perfect season one groom-to-be for Jilted. He has a bevy of beautiful ladies to choose from, and when he does choose a winner, his contract states he has to marry her On air.
Ellie Wright was duped into appearing on the show by her business partner who told it her would be great free publicity for their new t-shirt company. All Ellie has to do is stick around long enough for tvland to see her wearing their new concept t-shirt and then she can get herself booted off the show. The last thing she wants to do is parade around with a bunch of starry-eyed bimbos looking for a husband in the shallow and conceited Gage Barrett,
But once she meets Gage and sees behind his movie star image to the real guy behind the curtain, she's conflicted about leaving the show.
Packed with her usual snarky, dead-on, and snappy dialogue and enough sexual heat to sizzle, Layne's latest is another winner. I read it in one sitting ( like I always do a Layne book) and smiled until the end!
5 stars from me. I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley for an honest opinion.

Lauren Layne's books are a delight to read. She mixes plot, humor and romance effortlessly. We always buy her for our library.

Runaway Groom is such a cute read. I love the whole reality show aspect. If you are the fan of shows like the Bachelor then you will love reading this book. I couldn't put this one down. It was a really effortless read. The chemistry between Gage and Ellie was so refreshing. I love how Ellie wasn't afraid to tell Gage how it was. Lauren Layne is defiantly a got to one click author in my book. I can't wait to read more from her. I can't believe I haven't read any of Laurens work before. Runaway Groom is an amazing read.

After reading Ready to Run, the first book in the I Do, I Don't series, I was really looking forward to Runaway Groom. Lauren Layne's books are always full of humor and romance and perfect to read when you need an escape.

Gage is a Hollywood heartthrob who lost a bet and ends up the 'runaway groom' on Jilted, a Bachelor-esque reality show. There he meets Ellie who, unlike all the other contestants, wants to be sent home ASAP. Their friendship and chemistry are great as they get to know each other better.

After Ready to Run focused on trying to get a contestant for the show it was a nice change to see Jilted in action. I loved the elimination chapters as they were done in a cute way.

Ellie and Gage's story will not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Loveswept for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I liked the cover. I had no idea that this was number 2 in a series. It totally reads as a stand alone. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I rate it a 4.5. It was fun and fast paced with a few twists. It made me laugh. I think most romance readers would like it.

Every time I start a book by Ms Laune, I know it will one: be entertaining and immediately draw me in, and two: I'll be amazed at her writing genius. She never disappoints in delivering exceptional stories that grab you from page one, wishing the story had no ending...I always find myself becoming totally invested in her characters, wishing their stories would continue, they jump off the page with such realism that it's difficult to think of them as part of an author's imagination.

In Runaway Groom, even though you to knew how the story was likely to how end, how the author gets you there is totally engaging and will pull at your heartstrings. Several times I found myself holding my breath waiting to see how the outcome I desired was going to happen. Nothing is predictable when Ms Layne's leads you through her stories...there's surely always a surprise or two to keep you turning the pages.

In true Lauren Layne fashion, the dialog was smart and engaging, changing direction when least expected. The banter between Gage and Ellie wickedly hysterical, yet at the same time creating heartwarming moments between the two of them that you almost wish they could be real individuals who fell in love.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the series so far, glad I came into it from the beginning, and look forward to the next installment...I'm guaranteed to be emotionally invested as I've been with each story.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.