I have a lot of complex feelings about this book. Some of it was absolutely amazing but some of it seemed unnecessary or lackluster, so sticking with a mid range 3 stars. I absolutely love Sawyer. He and Sully are by far the best part of this book. Sure, he starts off as a bit of a hot mess but who wouldn’t when forced to be the best man at the wedding of your ex and your former best friend that she cheated on you with?

So for some of the amazing things. As I mentioned, I love Sawyer and Sully and their relationship. It was so endearing how Sawyer saw the sign in the resort lobby that sully had Alzheimer’s and immediately went with the flow when Sully accuses him of breaking a bench and fixes it. Their friendship and Sawyer’s love and care for making sully feel a part of everything while keeping him safe was by far my favorite part of the book.

Now for something that I really did not like nor felt was even necessary to the plot. Why did Peter ever have to exist? Not going to lie, I hate when books start off with one of the MCs in a relationship. I don’t like cheating or rebounds so this trope really turns me off. And in this case, it seemed like just something extra thrown on to prolong them getting together. The book had plenty of other options to create a climactic rift for the MCs to overcome. Which leads me to another thing, said rift seems like Meghan just threw every possible potential rift available together. It was chaotic and lacking in depth when so much of the rest of the book is full of heart and realness. Once again, this book would be much better if Peter didn’t exist.

So yeah, my thoughts are conflicted. I really enjoyed many aspects of Runaway Groomsman but was also incredibly put off or annoyed by others. It’s a complicated book, much like many of its characters, and could’ve been an amazing book but settles for ok.

Thanks NetGalley and Montlake for the arc! I do love Meghan Quinn even if this one isn’t one of my favorites of hers.

A heartfelt romantic comedy about new beginnings and finding the romanticized happily ever after in the most unlikely of places. A beautiful book. Insanely romantic and utterly convincing. A bitter-sweet pang in my heart.

I usually love Meghan Quinn books but this one missed the mark for me. It was to much of a slow burn and I didn’t connect with the MCs and really disliked that they didn’t meet until around 40% through.

2/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for a honest review.

Runaway Groomsman, Meghan Quinn

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, General fiction ( adult. )

I loved the sound of this and to begin, fireworks big time, with Sawyers brilliant departure from the wedding! Sadly for me that was the best of the book....

I loved Sawyer, felt I really got to know him and could feel how determined he was about Fallon, just wishing she was single. Fallon though, she was sweet, cute, almost sickly to be honest. She didn't seem to have a bad bone, and no-one is that good all the while. Her best friend is almost the opposite, bad through and through, in a good way ;-) and much more fun, though at times she was just too OTT.
The boyfriend, I'm not sure why he was there, except to round out the “love triangle” angle but for me it didn't work. I didn't feel anything between him and Fallon, and his presence meant the romance couldn't develop.
I loved Sully and the way his illness was treated, thumbs up for some real life unpleasant illnesses. Not that any are pleasant, but some are more “writable” than others.
Overall its a sweet story, very gentle slow burn romance, more of a gentle smoulder than burn I guess, given nothing happens til well into second half of book. It was just a little too light, sweet, low drama for me. A good read if you want a story to relax with and like gentle romance, but I need that bit extra.

Stars: Three, a bit too sweet and slow for me.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

I'm realizing that with a force as strong as an attacking army invading enemy territory as she cocks her head to the side and lights up my world with the simplest of smiles. A smile so small that if I wasn't paying attention, I might have missed the shift of her lips. But it's there, and hell, it's sweet...I feel the grip of that smile tighten around my chest, constricting, causing my pulse to pick up, my lungs to work harder."

This is my 5th Meghan Quinn book and it did NOT disappoint. Such a sweet, heart squeezing time! I was sucked into the little town antics and the slow-build love story between Fallon and Sawyer.

Sawyer is a groomsman on the run after abruptly leaving the wedding between his ex-girlfriend (who cheated on him) and his best friend (the man that his ex-girlfriend cheated on Sawyer with). Sawyer stumbles into a bar in Canoodle, CA in his powder blue suit where he meets Fallon and Jas.

Nothings says "good first impression" like having to be drunkenly dragged into a cabin rental site that Fallon owns. Funny thing is, this bar encounter is Fallon's SECOND impression of Sawyer...she recalls a terrible blind date that Sawyer has no memory of.

If you're into small towns, storylines regarding remodeling/saving a business, a tire-slashing best friend, a grumpy grandfather, or into a romance-movie screenwriter that could build you a bench if you asked for it, you're in for a treat with this Meghan Quinn read!

RATING: 4.75 out of 5

Thank you to Meghan Quinn, Montlake, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book!! I loved both the individual characters and them together, which is one of my favourite things in books. Both Fallon and Sawyer develop as characters, realising their worth and working hard to get to where they wanted to be in life was amazing.

Sawyer was such a sweet love interest, i loved his character. Him being a writer and channelling that in his everyday life and his relationship with Fallon was so sweet. Him dealing with Fallon's grandpa was one of my favourite things in this book because we really see what type of character he is!

The only reason this book wasn't five stars for me, was the slight miscommunication towards the end :(

I love small town romance books but was a little disappointed with this one. While I did love a lot of things about it and loved Sully's storyline there was just something lacking. It was a slow burn but maybe too much? Also, reading this genre I expect language in the books but this one was a bit over the top. I definitely don't need to read that many swear words for the point to be made? It was an ok read just not something I would read again in the future.

"Sometimes, when you think you've hit rock bottom, what you've really hit is the foundation for the next chapter in your life. This is my next chapter, and I'm still excited to see what it takes me."

I would like to thank Montlake Publishing for sending me an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Runaway Groomsman will be out in stores on October 11, 2022.

Runaway Groomsman is another slowburn romantic comedy from the author featuring a disgruntled and hurt best man named Sawyer who made a splash by creating a scene at his ex girlfriend and bestfriend's wedding and finds himself escaping to a small quaint town wherein he meets the local innkeeper, Fallon.

I actually expected a lot from this book, because I am a fan of the author's previous works, such as Boss Man Bridegroom. There was still the right amount of fun and sass that I would often find in her books, but there was a lot more depth and yearning in this one compared to the ones I've read. This is definitely something for those who enjoy slowburn romances, and while I appreciate slowburn from time to time, it was a bit dragging for me.

The characters were quirky and highly amusing, but Sawyer really stood out the most, in my opinion. While I also liked Fallon and both of them together, Sawyer was the one who stole the entire show and you could really tell how fleshed out his character is. Compared to Sawyer, she was a bit bland and one note. But aside from that minor detail, everyone else was a delight.

This was just a fun and easy read, and something everyone else might enjoy - probably even more.

See Library Journal review that will be forthcoming. I'm not sure when it will be posted, but I have submitted it to my editor.

I really loved this book! I really enjoyed how the characters were friends first before dating. I thought the book was lighthearted and fun, and really enjoyed the chemistry between the two characters. Jaz was definitely my favorite character, the banter between her and Sawyer was super funny. Highly recommend this book for a fun and light read!

After getting his heart broken and then being invited to the wedding, Sawyer makes a grand exit from the ceremony. Once he leaves, he drives to Canoodle, California in need of a break. When he gets there he meets Fallon, who owns the Cabins in town and also went on a date with (that he doesn’t remember). This story is about them navigating a friendship that slowly turns into more.

Wowwww this book was so good. The banter between Sawyer and Fallon and even her best friend Jaz, was amazing. They kept me laughing the entire time, I also definitely cried once too. The way Sawyer cared about her and the things that were important to her was everything I couldn’t get enough. But, if you don’t love slow burns, this might not be for you. I loved seeing them establish a friendship and then a relationship.

Overall, I loved this book I cannot wait to read more Meaghan Quinn books!

Thank you, NetGalley and Meghan Quinn for an advanced reader's copy of this book!!!

Right off the bat, I was so excited about this book when it was announced. I’m a sucker for the second chance romance trope. The fact that this is set in a small town just enticed me even more.
I really loved Fallon and Sawyer story so much, it was sweet, hopeful , romantic and very inspiring .
Runaway Groomsman is gripping. I felt the characters vulnerability and their passion!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, steamy, sweet - the perfect pick-me-up book! Sawyer Castle is a rom-com screenwriter whose actress ex-girlfriend dumped him for her co-star, who happens to be his best friend. To keep the publicity positive, Sawyer agrees to be the best man at the wedding. But, when the bride starts spouting over-the-top revisionist history vows, he just can't take it anymore. He makes a dramatic exit from the church, complete with double middle fingers and a lost shoe, Cinderella-style.

He makes it to the small town of Canoodle, California. There, he gets stupid drunk and has to be all but carried to a cabin in a resort run by Fallon Long. Fallon, an emergency room nurse by training, has left her life in Palm Springs to take care of her grandfather, who's stricken with Alzheimer's' His dream is to revitalize the resort and she is determined to make it happen, all while keeping him out of trouble.

Fallon's best friend Jaz is a little over-the-top, with her switchblade and penchant for slashing tires. But, she redeems herself, so I'll forgive her.

All in all, a fun light read - with a town called Canoodle, how could it be anything else!?

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review!

A Five-star read everyone needs to read. I adore this author and always love their way with words, but this story has juts blown me away, not simply because the runaway groomsman and his lone blue shoe ran their way into more than just the one heart. I simply adored how this author brought Sully to life, and showed us the many facets of dementia, how it can be the most difficult thing a family can go through, but it also has moments of the most beautiful heart-warming tenderness and how they need to have a light shone on them to help overcome the darkness. Everything about this story made me smile, even the stupid wedding couple.

Read this book in one day.
Once you start you just want to read more and more.

For me I think this book would be a TicTok made me buy it as its a fun, romantic easy read.
I would happily read this book again or look into the Author more.

This author is one to add to your TBH list.

this book just wasn't memorable for me.
I think I was expecting something very different than what I was gave. I was really hooked in at the beginning, but then it just started to drag, and I found myself not really caring about the characters or story.
I didn't like some of the plot lines, like Fallons boyfriend, or the drama in the last bit. I didn't like how rushed it felt toward the end either.
I think this had really high chances of being great, but ultimately just let me down.

This is not my favorite Meghan Quinn. I have read everything she has published in the last 5 or so years and I will keep auto reading, but I would recommend others in place of this one. This is very small town, hallmark and maybe would work for those who are a fan.

4.5 Loved all of the characters especially Sully. Had dual PoV with the 2nd chance trope and a lot of banter. Sully and Grandma Joan's story was so cute as well!

3.5 ⭐
Thank you NetGalley for the arc provided in exchange of a review.

First of all I LOVED the beginning. Ive been reading a lot of books lately where i get angry at some character for not getting angry enough at people who deserve it, so seeing our main character start by snapping at everyone and just leaving was really satisfying to me, even if it was a bit too much and he ended up suffering consequences.

I also loved Sully's storyline, it was the best part of the book to me.

What I didn't like was Fallon's boyfriend storyline. Even though I liked how he wasn't that cliche asshole boyfriend of the beginning of the story, I still think their romance took too long and got to a point where Fallon was starting to be really unfair to him. But at least it ended in a satisfying way to me.
And even though I can't say anything really wrong about the main couple I still wish I could have been more attached to them than I was. I think I missed more chemistry.

Overall the book was a fun, heartwarming and quick read that I'm always in need for. Just expected a little more.

Settle in to read an awesome book!

With hints of The Notebook storyline, this is a heartfelt love story of two people who once had a disastrous blind date, only to find each other again at a dilapidated lodge of cabins that our heroine, Fallon, is trying to restore in honor of her grandfather and his love for his wife who passed away. With grandpa suffering from Alzheimer's, we see glimmers of the man he once was and his journey to finding love with his wife. Sawyer, our hero, unwittingly joins the project by taking direction from Fallon's grandfather and finds himself again through labor, love and friendship.

This is definitely a romcom but with a lot of serious dialogue and character building. Most of the jokes are funny, some embarrassing and some make you shake your head, but it's not just jokes with a hint of story. It's an amazing story with hints of jokes. I absolutely could not put it down.