Thanks to Montake Publishing, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book - I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am among the multitudes of rabid fans of Meghan Quinn and I can honestly say, this is the best I have read so far,
Get ready for the slooooooow burn people - it had me white-knuckling the whole way through the book. In usual Quinn style, the other characters, even the most cantankerous ones, steal your heart and make you want to sit down and share a bottle with them, or a pastry, or both.
The author also shines a light in the difficulties families experience when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, and the confusion and hopelessness that the patient feels as well. It's heartbreakingly real but so well-written that it makes those of us who have experienced this in our lives feel understood.
I honestly don't know how she does it but I mightily hope she continues. Another stellar read from a truly talented author.

I really think there should have been a content warning for Alzheimer’s but there was not.

This is an extremely SLOW BURN and it was WAY TOO LONG. (It was 460 pages and it could have been way shorter) The FMC has a boyfriend for over 50% of the book and the main characters spend very minimal time together during the first 30% of the book.

If you are familiar with this authors books, you may know that most of her stories are very steamy. This is not one of those books. There is only one sex scene and it does not take place until 85% in.

I liked Jaz, I thought she was funny and a really interesting character but she really pissed me off towards the end with the tire slashing.

The 3rd act breakup was completely unnecessary and the way Sawyer acted was totally out of character and made no sense for his character at all and happened during a time when Sully’s health was in question and he should have been the main priority.

I was actually upset that this book even had a 3rd act breakup, not every book has one and I felt like it took long enough for these characters to get together that it really pissed me off.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the epilogue was really cute but I really wanted it to be shorter.

Rating 3.5/5

This was a solid slow-burn romance. The characters were beautifully written, especially the side characters who almost stole the show with their realness. It did bother me a bit how long the female main character stayed in the original relationship and it felt like borderline cheating, which was wild considering the main plot line of this book. However, I thought that that relationship was handled well in the end, which is a breath of fresh air from many other similar book’s ex’s plots. The last 30% of this book really sold me along with the beautiful way in which the grief and difficulty of seeing a loved one struggle with Alzheimer’s was handled.

This was sadly not my favorite book by Meghan. I was missing a little on the romantic end.

My favorite part about the book was the relationship between the hero and the heroine’s grandpa.
I thought Alzheimer’s was dealt with a ton of care and I really appreciated it.

The setting of the book was also enjoyable.

This was truly a slow burn book with a penchant for the supporting cast.

Sawyer, the hero, was a sweetheart with the patience of Job. Fallon, the heroine, well I am not sure how I ever felt about her.

The story was cute. Made me laugh but still I felt I was missing something. But because she is Meghan Quinn I still found it 4**** worthy.

[Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]

//ENGLISH REVIEW//
I usually have a great time reading Meghan Quinn's books, she has a gift for natural people and dialogues but sadly I couldn't see any of those things in this book. It was plain, boring and unnecessarily complicated at the end. On top of that, both MC felt like teenegers, not grown people.
I will keep reading Meghan's books but this one was a disappoinment for me.

---------
//SPANISH REVIEW//
Me entretetiene bastante Meghan Quinn porque tiene la habilidad de hacer sonar muy naturales a sus personajes y tener un humor muy efectivo pero este libro ha sido una castaña pilonga en la que no he encontrado nada de lo que me gusta de ella. Y eso que el punto de partida era medianamente gracioso, con un padrino haciendo la peineta a los novios en su boda y saliendo por patas de ella, pero su periplo por el pueblito encantador y su relación con la protagonista han ido de mal en peor.
Realmente le iba a dar una estrella más pero la parte final termina de cargarse el libro alargándolo y liando cosas sin sentido. Requetemñé.

DNF Details: How far did I get? 200 pages, which is less than halfway through this beefy 450-page book (and that’s part of the problem).

Why did I stop? It’s S-L-O-W going, and the heroine still has a nice-guy boyfriend (who isn’t the hero) at the time I stopped reading. This couple went on one blind date awhile back, and it was so terrible that the heroine cringed the moment she saw the hero again… and he didn’t even recognize her! The heroine wrote off the hero romantically because (A) he was awful on their date, and (B) she’s already got a boyfriend who is nice, a doctor, and in love with her. So romantic thoughts have literally only crossed her mind a time or two in the 200 pages I’ve read, and she’s still kissing/willing to sleep with the boyfriend. I’m a slow burn lover who can survive on tiny romantic breadcrumbs, but even I was struggling with this scenario. It’s definitely got women’s fiction vibes as much as romance ones – with only infrequent interactions between the characters – and I’m just bored.

Was I enjoying it initially? Yes, definitely. I’m a big fan of Meghan Quinn, but I tend to prefer her indie books over her traditionally published ones, and this has the least romance out of any of them yet. I was also loving that our hero was forced to come to the realization that he let a great girl get away, AND he has to watch her happy with someone else. I really expected the boyfriend to be out of the picture by now though, and it’s become an issue.

Would I finish this? I fully intended to, but then I kept starting new books and never coming back to this one. I’m exhausted just thinking about another 250 pages with this vibe. But I HAVE enjoyed a significant portion of it.

Who would I recommend this to? Women’s fiction lovers, small town romance fans – anyone willing to be very, very patient while our couple slowly gets their act together. And you’d have to be okay with the boyfriend scenario, though I wouldn’t call this a love triangle really.

Audio Note: I really enjoyed the audio! It’s dual narration, with two narrators whose voices were relaxing and easygoing. Perfect for the vibe of the book. The runtime is intimidatingly long, so it’s likely that it’ll take you two or three days to get through the whole thing. But it makes a great workday listen, as there’s been zero steam in the portion I’ve read – and I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon. This would make a good listen for an office environment. I do recommend the audio overall.

This was quite the slow burn and had a little less steam than I’m used to but it was still so good.

I adored Sawyer’a relationship with Sully. I personally couldn’t imagine being a best man at my ex best friends wedding to my ex girlfriend.

Jazlyn was so so funny. And Sully, who doesn’t love an old grumpy man?

I absolutely enjoyed this story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I held off reading this book because of how long it is, but I’m happy to report I was really delighted by it! It was still too long but the story really sucked me in and delivered a lot of swoon in the end.

Sawyer makes a huge splash when he snaps and walks out of the wedding of his ex-girlfriend and ex-best friend. He stops at the first dive bar outside of town and finds himself the next morning in Canoodle, CA on the property of some run down rental cabins. Fallon has her hands full managing the cabins and serving as her grandfather’s full time caregiver when her dads tell her that if the cabins don’t start bringing in more business, they’ll have to sell.

Sawyer and Fallon had great chemistry and banter. I loved that the book is written in first person, dual POV so we really get to see both of their experiences falling in love. Sawyer’s commentary on his situation as if it were a screen play added a little fun to the book and a wink to the audience. I didn’t love that Peter, Fallon’s boyfriend, sticks around so long in the story but I was happy with how that storyline wrapped up so Sawyer and Fallon could be together. The best part of the story is, hands down, Sully. The way Quinn writes Sully’s Alzheimer’s and it’s impact on him and everyone around him is really masterful. It’s equal parts heartbreaking, hilarious and delightful to see Sully interact with Sawyer throughout.

Thanks to Montlake for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Meghan Quinn is the queen of RomCom!! She writes like no other with the ability to pull on my heartstrings and crack me up in the same chapter.

This is a charming romcom about Sawyer, who’s a groomsman in the wedding of his ex girlfriend and his ex best friend. He’s a well known screenwriter, and when he leaves the wedding in the middle after an obscene gesture, he needs to get away where no one can find him.
He ends up in Canoodle, CA, staying at the Canoodle Cove Cabins, where owner Fallon is trying to remodel and reopen her family’s inn. She’s also the caregiver for her grandfather who’s got Alzheimer’s.
I really like how the romance develops between Sawyer and Fallon, it feels very true to life with the normal ups and downs. The book is funny and sweet. This is an enjoyable read, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well wasn’t this one of the most comforting books I have ever picked up.

Funny, heartwarming and character based, Runaway Groomsman is the perfect, easy read for a cold night in front of the fireplace.

I loved the relationship between Sawyer and Fallon that MQ created, it has to be a special relationship for me to completely connect to a slow burn, but the banter and pining had me from the get go.

It’s not often that I connect to the male love interest in a romance, but I loved Sawyer so much and just wanted the best for him, he truly did things just out of the kindness of his heart and it was beautiful to read.

I also loved how delicately Meghan Quinn wrote about Alzheimer’s, with a few funny moments, but without making fun of the disease in any way like I have read in another authors book, this was actually quite the opposite and actually taught readers about all of the heartbreaks the awful disease brings to both the person suffering, and their family’s lives.

I adored Meghan Quinn’s writing and have already bought A Not So Meet Cute, which i’ve heard is inspired by Pretty Woman, so I can not wait to get stuck in to that!

Read if you love:
💙 Small town romance
💙 Second chance romance
💙 Dual POV
💙 SLOW burn
💙 Love triangles
💙 Guy falls first
💙 Laugh out loud one liners
💙 Supportive friendships
💙 Comfort reads

(Thank you so much to Netgalley and Montlake for the EARC!)

I have only cried in a handful of Meghan’s books; well, Runaway Groomsman is now part of that handful. This story hit close to home for me; having had my mom-mom go through the debilitating disease of dementia.

Meghan wrote this book in a way that you, the reader, could become immersed in every character’s life.

Runaway Groomsman paperback will be added to my shelf and when I see Ms. Quinn in Philly in November, I will walk away with it signed.

Meghan always puts her own spin on regular tropes. This story felt like spending a summer at camp with all of your family's crazy friends and relatives. It gave me so many nostalgic feels.

This story takes quite a bit of time to get to the love story and there aren't many sexy times but I was honestly okay with that. The story was so good. The characters were really endearing. Sully had my heart though. You can learn so much wisdom from the older peeps I loved his relationship in the town and with all the guys.
Falcon's dads... perfection. And everyone needs a friend like Jas. There was also a bit of a surprise love triangle in there which I love.

If you like audiobooks, then this is a good choice. The narration was perfect.

This was such a sweet and funny slow burn romance. The beginning definitely draws you in and even though it’s a longer book, it’s enjoyable the entire time with a crazy best friend, banter, sarcasm, grumpy grandpa and the works.

I loved how Fallon and Sawyers friendship grew and then expanded. They were perfect for each other. Sawyer had me swooning at parts with how amazing he was.

Even though this one was cute, it still had the depth and struggle that make it a great read!

Meghan has done it again! Another hilarious, swoony, rom-com in the books. This book literally had me cracking up from start to finish! Sawyer && Fallon were just perfect for each other. THE SIDE CHARACTERS! There’s not a single one I didn’t love. Meghan came full circle in the epilogue && I absolutely loved it!

Sawyer, LORDY what a character. He’s the best man in every kind of way. All the small things he does without Fallon knowing has us all falling for him throughout the book. Fallon is a strong female character. Everything she takes on throughout the book is amazing! Even though both of the leads are amazing characters, my favorites have to be Jaz && Sully. Jaz is the best friend I think all of us secretly want && maybe wish we could be! Sully is Fallon’s grandpa && I firmly believe that everyone will love him in the book. Everything in this book is for him🖤

If you’re looking for a cute romance that will also have you laughing your a** off, this is the book for you!!

Meghan Quinn does it again!

RUNAWAY GROOMSMAN is funny, smart, sweet, and just a little steamy. So...ALL THE GOOD THINGS! But, you know, I wanted more sexy-times! When the author is Meghan Quinn I expect some serious steam!

Sawyer starts the book as a jilted, burnt out, mostly grumpy Hollywood screenwriter. Reading his slow transformation was seriously a joy. I loved his character arc!

And Fallon was such a great heroine! Hard working and loving and doing all she can to care for het grandfather and his legacy!

There is a past love story within this story that is so sweet and funny! And I love Fallon's grandfather. His character felt real and a vital part of the story, not just a writing prop.

RUNAWAY GROOMSMAN was a little slow in parts, but it's well worth adding to your TBR! You will love these characters and the their swoony HEA!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated PG-13 / Only 1 descriptive sex scene, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: Alzheimer's, cheating ex
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.

I completely devoured Runaway Groomsman in a day because it reads like a picture perfect rom com movie complete with swoon-worthy and tender moments filled with an amazing cast of characters set in a small town with the main characters overcoming life changing events to find their happily ever afters.

I really enjoyed the friendship that Fallon and Sawyer built before anything happened with them. It really solidified the foundation of their relationship and proved it was one equipped to go the distance. While I really liked Fallon and Sawyer’s relationship, I absolutely loved Sawyer’s relationship with Sully, Fallon’s grandfather. It was the prefect heartwarming friendship and hearing how Sully and his late wife fell in love was just the sweetest. And how can I forget Fallon’s best friend Jaz; I chuckled every time she called Sawyer by the nickname she bestowed upon him.

Rating 4.5 stars

Thank you @montlake and @netgalley for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5

• renovation romance
• dual POV
• charming small town setting

This was my first Meghan Quinn book and I loved it! The love triangle, the cute banter, all of the awesome characters... This is a pretty long book but the pacing is great. I enjoyed all of the other relationships like the Fallon/Jaz friendship, the Sawyer/Roarick brotherly love, and Sully is so grumpy and sweet 🥹. I'm also a sucker for a great epilogue! 🥰

🗣️ Thank you to @netgalley and Montlake/Amazon Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

I enjoyed this book pretty well….the writing was good enough to get mostly sucked into the story. I liked the two main characters and their chemistry, but did end up getting a little annoyed by the last minute miscommunication/makeup. At least it was resolved pretty quickly at the end. I also didn’t love that she was pregnant in the end, but at least it was saved for the epilogue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!