4.5 stars — Dudes, this book was made for me. It was almost a perfect Lenore story, and I was just sucked right in and didn’t want to put it down.

Honestly, the ONLY thing preventing a full 5 stars was that I got annoyed with Ellie and the way she treated Gage sometimes. I know it came from a place of self-protection, and I got it a few times in the beginning, but there was a point where I was disappointed in her. She did the age old stereotypical female habit of wanting the guy to read her mind and give her what she wanted when she asked for the opposite.

Despite that, I actually really enjoyed Ellie. She was snarky and sassy — some of her one-liners back to Gage just had me laughing out loud. Even though she was cautious, she was hardworking. And despite being in a reality show whose goal is drama, she wasn’t too hard on the other girls…I wouldn’t have been happy about that.

In a weird way, Gage was the star for me — even though we generally got less POV time from him. But I honestly can’t believe how much Ms. Layne got me to feel for him. I cried for his secret hopes and dreams…and how incompatible that could be from his career dreams. He was cocky, yes, and arrogant…and some of that was a front, but some of it was just confidence. He made me laugh and he made me feel.

I really enjoyed the two of them together. From their hilarious banter, and secret meetings, to their tangible chemistry. Despite them both having moments where they lashed out at one another, they really did fit well. I wanted to see them find a way.

And even though I totally saw a lot of the ending coming, I was okay with that…especially because I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up.

Some crazy secondary characters, as expected, but some fun and delightful ones as well.

I don’t know. The ratings don’t necessarily reflect how perfect a book is, but how much I enjoyed myself reading it. And I mega enjoyed myself with this one.

RUNAWAY GROOM is the book I've been waiting my whole adult life for. As a major fan of the Bachelor, Lauren Layne, and falling in love, RUNAWAY GROOM is the book I've been meant to read for quite some time. Gage Barrett is the perfect, sexy, I'm-just-here-'cause-my-friend-made-me-be-here Bachelor. Gage's charisma is the perfect match for Ellie's beautiful, spunky, I'm-just-here-for-my-business-self. Their off-camera moments of friendship and romance are beautifully written and expertly executed. RUNAWAY GROOM is sassy, witty, and laugh-out-loud funny. This one's pure magic and a story I'll be reading again and again.

What a fun read with a great cast of characters, snarky banter that I loved, and lots of fabulous chemistry! The reality show aspect added another dimension to the story that was exciting. The drama was over the top with some of the cast and it felt like watching an episode of The Bachelor or Real Housewives. Highly recommend if you need a light, fun, and entertaining read!

Confession... I'm not a fan of the Bachelor or Bachelorette television shows. I tried watching it years ago, but I just never got into it. Now if it was more like Lauren Layne's Runaway Groom, I would be glued to the television every week. I freaking loved this book. It had everything I love about Lauren's books. Amazing and lovable characters. Witty banter that inevitably turns into sizzling foreplay. Undeniable chemistry. And the funniest friggin' background characters. I devoured it.

Ellie and Gage both have ulterior motives when it comes to being on the reality show. For Ellie, she hopes the exposure will help her struggling clothing line. Gage... Well, he lost a bet. As they get to know each other, however, they start to reveal their vulnerabilities. That's when I really started to fall for them. Here are two strong characters that only want one thing and that's to be loved. Like I said, amazing characters.

As with all of the other Lauren Layne books I've devoured, I loved Runaway Groom. I was up until all hours of the night laughing out loud. It was perfection.

This was such a fun read! It had just the right amount of snark, fantastic characters, and a wonderful HEA. It was super sweet and full of so much heart. Excellent read!

Ellie and Gage were awesome together. I loved their animosity, verbal sparring, chemistry, and their simmering sexual tension. I loved this crazy situation they were in and their attitudes about it. Seriously, so entertaining! I loved learning Ellie and Gage’s back stories, watching their guards come down as they get to know each other and open up more. I instantly liked Gage and enjoyed getting to know who he really was. He was sweet and sincere and I loved his more vulnerable moments. I really liked Ellie as well, strong willed and confident but holding herself back. I love how they were in denial of their feelings but kept coming back together. It was fun and sweet and was filled with so many great moments, I couldn’t stop smiling!

There was a great cast of characters as well. Some of the women were really out there which ramped up the drama adding to the entertainment value. The writing was fantastic. It was light, fun, and easy, moving along at a good pace keeping me excited for what was going to come next. It was just super enjoyable and made me extremely happy. And that ending, wow! I knew there was going to be an HEA yet I was totally stressed out, on the edge of my seat, waiting for it to happen.

This was so great and I had a blast reading it. If you need entertaining and fun this is the perfect read!

A fun story about an actor Gage Barrett, who has twice walked away from the altar which is explained. He is having drinks with an acquaintance in Vegas and after having too many he agrees to a bet and loses. He is now tied to a new show which his so called friend, acquaintance just happens to be producing. Titled runaway groom. During the first round in which there are cut downs before the show moves to Maui, he is actually attracted to a women named Ellie. She was put in for the show by her friend and business partner in order to wear their new shirts on T.V. wanting nothing to do with mister actor Gage Barrett. Besides who can actually fall in love with someone like that with all of these cameras around and other people. He also must be fake because he is an actor and all they do he act. Once they arrive on Maui and the more time she spends with Gage she is seeing something that she does not want to believe is real, he must be acting. She is also wondering why he keeps her when all she wants is to be sent home. But their time together comes to an end and she is feeling like she wants more time, she also now months later wants to know who he picks at the end. That and how the story ends is both a surprise. A very good story and I really liked the two main characters. Overall a good book.

What’s it About? A drunken bet lands Gage Barrett on the reality show Jilted which is basically a Bachelor type show except it takes a runaway groom and tries to match him up with one of nineteen eager wannabe brides. He doesn’t want to be there but when he meets contestant Ellie Wright he starts rethinking his role on the show. Meanwhile Ellie can’t believe her best friend managed to talk her into being on the show. She’s all set to hate Gage on principal but the more she gets to know him, the more she can’t resist him. And the longer Ellie stays on the show, the more confused she becomes about which Gage is the real one. The playboy or the romantic?



Overall reaction to the story? I shouldn’t enjoy this series as much as I am. A series that revolves around a show kind of like The Bachelor? I despise that show and yet Lauren Layne has crafted a witty, charming, and fun series around a fictional show called Jilted. The first book in the series was such a winner and while this one is a good one, I had one thing that I to nitpick about and that did take away from my reading experience.

Gage has absolutely nothing in common with the epic D-bags that are always on The Bachelor, he’s genuine, he’s charming, he’s intelligent, a bit broody, and he’s unprepared for Ellie. I liked him right away. He’s not perfect but he isn’t a poser looking to score with a group of attractive but not very bright women. He lost a bet and while it was a stupid bet, he honors it anyway. He doesn’t take advantage of anyone, huge points for him, and what I found humorous is that Gage kind of treats his experience on the show like Survivor. He just wants to make it out of the experience in one piece and preferably unmarried. The best thing about Gage though was his surprising vulnerability. I say surprising because it seems like every rich hero is arrogant, and has an ego the size of Everest. Gage is a really good looking guy, he’s famous, he’s rich, and he can have any woman he wants, yet he’s afraid to let anyone in because of it. If he was so inclined to fall in love, he wants the woman to want him for who he is, not what he is.

Enter Ellie. Gage’s celebrity status is a huge mark against him. She doesn’t want to deal with all the women throwing themselves at his feet, or the assumed ego he has. I loved how willing she was to score publicity for her t-shirt company. She’s definitely a hard worker and while she also had some vulnerabilities when it came to romance, she didn’t let that drive her actions. She said what was on her mind and if you didn’t like it, tough. I love truly snarky heroines who can throw some snark at the hero when it calls for it, and that’s definitely what Ellie does. She doesn’t set out to deliberately attract Gage, that’s just who she is. I loved that she didn’t fit in with all those bat crap crazy “contestants” aka candidates for psychiatric evaluation.

The romance between these two characters had to take place in secret because while the show is about Gage getting to know all the contestants, he wasn’t stupid, he knew they were nuts. He was intrigued by Ellie and I loved how the author handled that without making their sneaking around seem sleazy. Their interactions ranged from casual, to personal, to seriously sexy and all of it helped build a convincing romance that just charmed the heck out of me. The chemistry and flow of Gage and Ellie’s relationship turned Runaway Groom into a romance and took me away from the whole “But it’s a Bachelor-type-show” mind set. Which is VERY difficult to do.

Runaway Groom is the second book in the I Do, I Don’t series which is already 2 for 2 in wins. I have high hopes for the next book because Layne does a great job of taking a reality show setting and turning it from Eww to Aww.

I will say that there was one thing that caught me off guard was that Layne switched from third person in the first book, to first person in Runaway Groom. I’m REALLY not a fan of first person because I feel it deprives me as a reader of a lot of the sensory experiences that are left out when a story is told in first person. I’m only seeing things through the eyes of the character which as you know can be subjective. I prefer to watch things unfold rather than be tossed into one character’s head for the ride. That was really the one thing I wasn’t crazy about. I felt I got more out of the first book than this one. As charming as Gage and Ellie could be, I DON’T want to be in their heads like that and after experiencing the first book in third person, having this one be in first was kind of a letdown.

Click It or Skip It? Click It. Even if you hate The Bachelor click it. I promise you the main characters are not bottom of the barrel type personalities. But it is told in first person and well, I think the experience suffered a bit because of it.

Lauren Layne has made me fall in love with reality tv-or at the very least, her version of it. Runaway Groom is sweet, fun, and sexy-all things I've come to expect from this author. Once I started reading I didn't want to put my kindle down and when I finished? My face hurt from smiling so much. This book further proves why Lauren Layne is a one click author for me.

I'm not a fan of reality tv. There. I said it. But this book made reality tv seem a bit fun. The concept of the show used in this book isn't like any I've read before and I truly enjoyed the fresh spin on this.

Ellie, our heroine, is incredibly likeable. She's smart, strong and sweet. This is a character that I would absolutely go meet for coffee or to binge watch a tv show with. I liked that she wasn't willing to change who she was to become who she thought Gage would need her to be. Her growth in the book was fun to see.

Gage was oh so swoon worthy! Definitely one of my favorite Layne Book boyfriends. He was sexy and sweet, but it was his vulnerability that got to me. He just wants someone to see HIM, to want HIM. He's a stand up guy-and it's fun watching him show that to Ellie.

These two have quite the journey together. Neither wants to be where they are in the beginning but they form quite a little friendship. They have chemistry and great banter, sure. But underlying all that? They like each other, they genuinely like each other as people, not just as show contestants or as love interests. That's what had me rooting for them. I believed in them as a couple. Their banter definitely had me smiling and their sexy times? Well, I mentioned he was swoon worthy right? Be prepared to swoon.

The supporting characters in this book had me laughing and cringing. I'm not sure how the author came up with some of the contestants on the show but I have to admit I enjoyed them. I didn't expect to like many of them-I thought I would feel disloyal to Ellie-but I didn't. They were a great balance and addition to our hero and heroine.

The writing here was tight, sharp and fun. The pacing was great-my only issue was that I didn't want the book to end. If reality tv was like this book I would try to watch some (ok, I probably wouldn't-I'd read another book) but this was fun. I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait to see what this author comes up with next. I highly recommend this title.

discovered Lauren Layne last year and it was one of the best reading discoveries of the year. I picked up Walk of Shame on a whim and it ended up being one of my top favorite books of the 2017. So, when I got the opportunity to review Runaway Groom, which takes place on a Bachelor-esque reality dating show, I didn't hesitate for a second.

Gage Barrett, after losing a bet with his friend, is the next runaway groom to find love on Jilted. Twenty women will be vying for his attention in the hopes that at the end of the show one of them will be able to get him to say "I do" and become his wife. While Gage definitely fits the label of runaway groom, having left two women at the altar already, this is absolutely THE LAST THING that he wants to be doing right now. Except, that starts to change when one of the women doesn't have hearts in her eyes when she looks at him and it seems like she would rather be anywhere else than stuck on a Hawaiian resort.

I loved that both Gage and Ellie were against being on Jilted. It flipped the script a little  and brought some originality to the story which I really appreciated. But it was the banter between Gage and Ellie that stole the show for me. Ellie's resistance to Gage at the beginning and the flirty jabs they would throw at one another were hilariously entertaining. The sparks were there from the start but it was the friendship that grew between them over the course of the show that elevated their relationship that much more for me.

Gage was such a sweetheart! Yes, he has this reputation as a ladies' man being this famous actor and all, but Gage as a person is more than just a pretty face. Despite his charms and cocky remarks, a past heartbreak still haunts him. But as his feelings grow for Ellie, Gage hopes that she will be able to look past his Hollywood status and all the glamour that comes with it. I was rooting for him the entire time even when Ellie was being a little reluctant. Ellie's resistance and wariness was warranted at first but over time it got to be a little old. Ellie is a strong-minded, independent woman who stays true to herself on the show, using any opportunity to get exposure for her business but I think at a certain point it was working against especially once her feelings for Gage became more and more apparent.

The direction of how the story unfolds was also something I really enjoyed because it was not what I had anticipated. We got see a good portion of the filming of Jilted and the behind-the-scenes antics with the girls which was so much fun. There was a nice mix of cattiness and craziness from the other contestants in regards to the lengths they would go to get Gage's attention. But the second half of the book took an interesting turn, breaking up a little of the predictability for me which lead to a wonderful ending.

Overall, Runaway Groom was a ton of fun and everything I was hoping for from a Lauren Layne book. If you like The Bachelor or any shows like that, then you will love this book!

Ok I don't like the show The Bachelor or any of the offshoots. I just don't. This book is based off a Bachelor-type show except this one is featuring a Runaway Groom - hence the title...

Gage is less than thrilled to being the "bachelor" on this reality show, but a bet is a bet and he's going to do this show - much as he doesn't want to. He'd rather not be a spectacle on tv and have all these women "fighting" for him.

Ellie is only a contestant on this show for one reason and it's NOT to land herself the runaway groom - even if he is a gorgeous movie star. So she's trying to do whatever she can to get sent home. Except Gage is finding Ellie useful and keeps her around.

For someone who doesn't like The Bachelor and those type of shows, this was a very enjoyable read!

Review by Sandi for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author or publisher to give an honest review of this book.

I give this one 4.5 tiaras:



I liked this book and read it quickly. Overall, this book was a good and quick read. I enjoyed the chemistry between Ellie and Gage.

I thought that the book was a very cute love story and the fact that neither of them can decide what they really want out of a relationship was very intriguing.

I will say that the whole on TV marry a billionaire and bachelor thing was kind of easy to figure out. I honestly didn’t think that I would like it but I did and you really do feel for the Ellie. She’s had a hard life and so has Gage. Their insecurities about life, love, and what goes with it seems to counteract what they really want themselves.

Gage is an iconic actor who is beautiful, sexy, wanted by women all over and makes a bet with a friend because he thinks that he can’t lose. He’s wrong—he ends up having to go on a new TV show with a contract that has him “The Runaway Groom” ending up marrying one of the ladies at the end of the show.

Ellie is signed up for the show by her best friend and partner to try to get their business of T-shirts on the map. She doesn’t think that love is possible and that it definitely isn’t possible in 2-4 weeks. She begs Gage to let her off the show the first night that they have a ceremony to let someone go home.

The Chemistry is obvious but they just cannot admit it. If you like love stories, The Bachelor, or I Want to Marry a Billionaire this book is for you.

Happy Reading!

Review by Leah for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

4 Stars!

This was a quick, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable read! Lauren knocked this one out of the park with an interesting storyline and characters that the reader likes and roots for. Imagine The Bachelor, but with a twist. Instead of whittling the eligible women on the show down to one and proposing, this bachelor is expected to actually marry the woman last standing at the end of the season. But hey, no pressure, right? All he has to do is fall in love while on national television in about eight is so weeks; no problem.

The main characters in this story, Gage and Ellie, are both likable and down to earth with dreams, pasts and all the foibles that make up a person. Gage is a hot, and I mean HOT, actor that is definitely going places, but is currently stuck on this show and surrounded by some...interesting...women. He's not alone in his misery though, as Ellie, entrepreneur and business owner, is also stuck on the show. I loved their interactions and most of the time had a smile on my face and a laugh in my heart as I read the book. Once again, Layne wrote strong characters that weren't too afraid to show their softer side when needed. I love how she included their conversations throughout the book and got quite a few laughs as they progressed. His was a great second book in her "I do, I don't" series. Enjoy!

It’s pure magic when the sassy, sophisticated Lauren Layne takes on the world of reality dating shows in her second book in her “I Do, I Don’t” series, The Runaway Groom. “Jilted” is a show that places a runaway groom in a glamorous location with a whole bunch of eager-to-get-married-minded women and let’s the mayhem ensue! Gage Barrett, ladies man and Hollywood heartthrob, finds himself as the lucky male contestant thanks to a lost bet. Ellie Wright tries out for the show to drum up publicity for her up-and-coming t-shirt company, never expecting to be in the running as a contestant. She plans on being low-key, get a couple of plugs in for her company, and get sent home. Ah, but that fickle finger of fate points Gage in Ellie’s direction and before one can yell “cut,” these two are having private chats in a cleaning closet and ignoring the sparks that are a-flying!

Goodness, this was one fun, witty read! I defy anyone to read this book without a smile on your face for most of it! Gage seems like your typical Tinseltown player, but once we get a glimpse inside his head, we find a shockingly nice guy. And Ellie is as real as it gets - a young woman looking for success in business since her love-life is, well, not successful. It’s her lack of artifice that appeals to Gage and makes her stand out from the preening females fighting for the chance at being “Cinderella.” You will laugh as Ellie becomes Gage’s spy amongst the contestants and enjoy Gage’s subsequent reasons for sending one home. And you will feel a tear or two well in your eyes when…….well, you just have to read the book to find out!

Another well-written and clean-plotted book from Ms. Layne with characters you cannot help but fall in love with and root for. Before you know it, you have hit the last page an you are feeling good. But as always, I am left craving the next LL book!

Lauren Lane is the queen of light-hearted romantic comedy. All her stories are sweet, fun, entertaining and guaranteed but a smile on my face. This one is no different. Gage has his heart broken in the worst way, the last thing he needs in his life is a new wife. After losing a bet to one of his buddies, Gage found himself in a sticky situation – a reality show where he will end up marry one of the contestant at the end Ellie’s business is struggling and she could use the exposure so she let her friend talked her into being one of said contestant. She figures with her smart mouth and feisty personality, she would be eliminated early. Ellie’s plan backfired because from the first moment Gage and Ellie met there were instant sparks, and the chemistry only grew the longer they spent time with each other. Being with a hottest man in Hollywood is not going to be easy, but when the stars are all aligned sometimes you just can’t ignore. Will Gage be able to convince Ellie that love is worth the risk?
I really love this book. What a fun, sexy, sweet romance. The whole book is about the relationship development between Gage and Ellie and the author did an amazing job with these two characters – great banters, amazing chemistry, sexual tension. Everything is just perfect from beginning until the end. Another hit from Lauren, well written. I was thoroughly entertained.

Anytime a book has the name Lauren Layne on it, you know your in for a real treat. Layne's books are always filled with romance, love and a good storyline and she does not disappoint this time. Layne is one of the best contemporary romance authors in the business and she does not disappoint with her latest release.

I loved Gage Barrett's character and I fell instantly in love with him. I mean who wouldn't love a man who is compassionate, sexy, smart and charming. When he meets the girl next door Ellie Wright, he is instantly drawn to her. However, Ellie is only on the show trying to get publicity for her t-shirt business .... When she actually starts to develop feelings for Gage, how does one compete against eighteen other ladies ...

If you ever wondered what it would be like on one of those reality tv. shows then this is the book for you. Layne dives into the inner workings of one of those trashy tv shows that everyone has to watch to see what happens. This was such a fun, great read and a definite addition to your To-Be-Read Shelf!

Runaway Groom was a fast-paced, full on romantic comedy with all the bells and whistles of a five-star novel!

LL has done it again— and I’m not surprised she has because Ready to Run, the first book in this series, was top notch fun.

Ellie and Gage were a perfect couple!

I go to this author every time I need a pick-me-up because I know that I’ll laugh from start to finish and root for a new, interesting couple, daydream about big grand gestures, and crave a new pair at the book’s end.

I was given an ARC of this book via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If you haven't read a Lauren Layne book, you don't know what you are missing. This was fun and sexy and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Gabe and Ellie, neither of which really wanted to be on Jilted, the reality dating/marriage show.

In case you are worried because it's book 2, have no fear. The reality tv show is what connects the books :)

So sad it's the end of the series! Need more Please!

I loved it. You just know it's going to be good with a happy ending that makes you smile. It did!

I loved the story it was quirky and funny.

I loved the characters.

Of course there were quite few ladies. But there wasn't much need to keep them straight as most didn't last long.

Especially because in the initial introduction they were each only allowed 2 min. and Ellie went over. Mainly because Gage was engaged in the moment. Which left Ellie in a bit of a bad position with the few other contestants that were 'mean girls.'

The main characters Ellie and Gage were charming.

You just end up rooting for them.

I won't spill any of the beans except early on Ellie tells Gage one of the girls has plans for an extreme method of getting his attention. At the same time Ellie tells him she wants to get sent home.

But Gage is too smitten and doesn't even realize it. Gage ask Ellie to spy for him and tell give him a heads up on the wierdo's. And there are a bunch!

The two begin texting and become friends. Which leads to a happy ending.

But before the happy ending there is a twist and surprise!

I enjoyed Runaway Groom so much I hated to see it end!

There is one bedroom scene that might make my granny blush.

There is a little language in the first few pages. Mainly because Gage doesn't want to be in the reality show and has a few words to say to his agent. Once he gets it off his chest everything quiets down.

I usually don't give star ratings here any more but this one deserves a rating. I wish I could give more but I'll have to leave it at 5 plus!

If you love romance. If you love romantic comedy you will not be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy from Lauren Layne.

**4.5 Stars**
I love everything that Lauren Layne gives to us. Runaway Groom was no different. there is something refreshing about Gage and Ellie. Their story was fun and full of laughter. Gage didn't want to do a bachelor type show, but somehow he lost a best and we were given an amazing story of two unlikely people who fell in love.
Ellie never thought she'd be competing to win a man's heart on national TV, let alone have it be Gage. But here she was, being number 21 thanks to her mom and best friend/business partner. I loved Ellie. She wasn't your typical female that one would picture going on a reality TV show. I think that's why I loved her even more. Gage wasn't what I was expecting either. He traits that made me think of a typical actor when picturing an actor, but I was pleasantly surprised at how wrong I was about him.
Gage and Ellie were refreshing. They were funny and they were just what I needed to get me out of my book funk. I can't wait for more from Lauren Layne.

I loved this book! I am really kind of surprised about that to be honest. I don't like television shows like The Bachelor at all. I think they are kind of dumb and cannot understand why anyone would subject themselves to participating in something like that. So why would I want to read a book based on the same kind of thing? It is simple - Lauren Layne wrote it so I want to read it. I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about it though. It actually turns out that this book is one of my favorites Lauren Layne books.

Gage and Ellie both end up on the reality show, Jilted. Gage is a famous actor that ends up on the show after losing a bet. He has left two women at the alter so he is the perfect man to fill the role for the show even if he is less than excited about it. Ellie wanted on the show so that she could promote her company. She hatched a plan with her friend and business partner that it would be good for business if she could wear the designer t-shirts that they sell. It turns out that Gage and Ellie seem to be the only two people that don't want to be on the show even though they are doing a pretty good job of faking it.

I loved Gage and Ellie together. They have such wonderful chemistry with each other and I really felt their connection. I loved how they interacted with each other and I think that the parts of the book that they were alone with each other were the only times either of them really showed their true selves. I really enjoyed getting the chance to be in each of their heads so that I could really see what they were feeling.

I had really wondered how a romance could be set on a reality show like this. It is not romantic to see the romantic interest spending time with other women. I liked that the relationship between Gage and Ellie happened when the cameras were off. Yes, there were a few situations that made things uncomfortable but I felt like both characters handled themselves well and it really helped them to realize what they were feeling for each other.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I read this book with a big grin on my face the entire time and there were a few scenes that really had my heart beating like crazy. I had a fantastic time watching Ellie and Gage find their happily ever after and look forward to more from Lauren Layne soon.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.