Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .

Ellie can’t believe she let her best friend talk her into exchanging her dignity for a glorified bikini contest. Still, she could use the exposure—her business is struggling—and she’ll probably be one of the first to get eliminated anyway. But Gage isn’t the shallow jerk Ellie anticipated—and he’s in no rush to send her home. As stolen kisses turn into secret trysts, she finds herself losing track of what’s real and what’s for the camera. With the wedding finale looming, this runaway groom is tempting Ellie to start believing in storybook endings.

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

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.

Initial Thoughts
I loved this book! Really loved it! I am not a fan of The Bachelor or any of those kind of shows so I went into the book with a few doubts. Lauren Layne more than pulled it off. Ellie and Gage were wonderful characters that I wanted to see have the chance to make each other happy. I had a big ole grin on my face the whole time I was reading this one and my pulse may have been bumped up a notch a time or two. 

Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is book #2, in the I Do, I Don't series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this fab series in order.

Ellie goes against everything she wants, when she auditions for a reality show to help promote her business. Gage is conned into being the star of the reality show. Neither want to be there. Now they both are glad they came.

This series just keeps getting better! This book has a little something for everyone. Want heat? Got it. Competition, and to learn what petty business woman can get up to with one another? Got it. Passion? Got it. Laugh out loud humor? Got it. Sparks that fly off the page? Got it. This series should be called Romance 101. I just very literally loved it and eagerly turned each page.


***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.

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Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband.

 

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career. She signed with her agent in 2012, and her first book was published in summer of 2013. Since then, she's written over two dozen books, hitting the USA TODAY, New York Times, iBooks, and Amazon bestseller lists.

 

 

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This is book #2, in the I Do, I Don't series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  For reader understanding and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this fab series in order.

Ellie goes against everything she wants, when she auditions for a reality show to help promote her business.  Gage is conned into being the star of the reality show.  Neither want to be there.  Now they both are glad they came.

This series just keeps getting better!  This book has a little something for everyone.  Want heat?  Got it.  Competition, and to learn what petty business woman can get up to with one another?  Got it.  Passion?  Got it.  Laugh out loud humor?  Got it.  Sparks that fly off the page?  Got it.  This series should be called Romance 101.  I just very literally loved it and eagerly turned each page.  I give this story a 5/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.

Gage's perfect life is about to become a complication he doesn't need, yet can't live without. What began as a drunken bet has become a life changing moment for two people who never saw it coming. Runaway Groom is romantic comedy at the highest level. Not only is it an over the top look at love, but it's a temptation that must be experienced. Lauren Layne has created a guilty pleasure. Tears of joy and laughter are a constant with this crazily heartwarming romance.