Ready to Run by Lauren Layne

The Bachelor meets The Runaway Bride in this addictive romance novel about a reality TV producer falling for her would-be star: a Montana heartthrob who wants nothing to do with the show.

Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: firefighter Luke Elliott, a known player who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. It’s not Manhattan, but at least the locals in Lucky Hollow seem friendly... except for Luke, who’s more intense—and way hotter—than the slick womanizer Jordan expected.

Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But before he can send her packing, Jordan’s everywhere: at his favorite bar, the county fair, even his exes’ book club. Annoyingly, everyone in Lucky Hollow seems to like her—and deep down, she’s starting to grow on him too. But the more he fights her constant pestering, the more Luke finds himself wishing that Jordan would kick off her high heels and make herself comfortable in his arms.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
This modern day twist on the runaway bride follows the story of a man who left three brides at the altar. Jordan is the TV producer who is bound and determined to find out why he’s ditched three women just minutes from saying “I do” and to get him to star in the next big thing Jilted, where they will try to find him the love of his life.

All Luke wants is to be left alone. He’s not proud of his past, of the way out of towners look at him, he just wants to put it behind him. When Jordan comes to town, he’s quick to shut her down and give her a firm “no” to all of her suggestions.

It was a nice premise, but it seemed that the story got bogged down at times and it made for a reading lag, at least for me. The sparks between Jordan and Luke are there, but it took some time to warm up and start smoldering.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

I found this was a sweet and funny read but fairly predictable and I just wasn’t sucked in – it actually took me a few days to finish this one and that’s pretty unusual for me. I had trouble getting into the story at the beginning.

Jordan is working on the “next big” reality TV show, she’s just missing one thing, a man who’s left a few brides at the altar and needs to find his one true love. Jordan discovers Luke Elliot, a small town fire fighter who, if rumors are to be believed, has left three brides at the altar. Jordan is determined to convince Luke to be a part of her show but Luke wants nothing to do with it, Jordan isn’t willing to take no for an answer and moves into town to do whatever it takes to convince Luke to do the show. Luke can’t stand Jordan… or so he says; really he can’t fight the crazy attraction he feels for her and the more time the two spend together, the more mutual that attraction becomes.

I love the interactions between Luke and Jordan, it’s hilarious how Jordan handles Luke’s stubbornness and Jordan’s reclamation with small-town life is entertaining as well. Jordan getting to the town and meeting Luke was a bit drawn out and I found the first few chapters of this book boring. Once Luke and Jordan get to know one another though, things heat up and I love the way the story ends. I would definitely be interested to read more from this series by Lauren Layne.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
The Bachelor meets The Runaway Bride is how you would explain this story, except it is the groom who does the running not the bride. And that is why Jordan Carpenter has come to small town Montana, for a new TV show idea and they want the runaway groom.

Jordan can't believe that Luke Elliott has ditched three women at the altar. She has to find out why and get him to agree to do the show, Jilted. But when she meets the strong-willed, bull-headed, hell-bent on saying no man, she has her hands full. But there is something about Luke that she is missing and she is going to find out the truth and what really happened with all three women.

Luke Elliott can't believe the TV lady is in his hometown and wanting him to do a show about his love life. And the worst parts of it. He thought ignoring her calls, emails, and messages would tell her he wasn't interested in doing the show, but no, she shows up anyway. And she is gorgeous in all her New York flare and those damn stiletto heels. All he has to do is keep telling her no and maybe she will leave, yeah right.

Will Luke give in to the idea of being on reality TV? Will the town push him to do it? Will Jordan see that he isn't really the bad guy she thinks he is? What happens when the sparks fly between Jordan and Luke, who will get burned?

This is a great story, I didn't want to put it down. It is funny, heartfelt, and heartbreaking at times. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Hope you enjoy it too.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆
I have yet to read a book by Lauren Layne that I haven't enjoyed and Ready to Run was no exception. This was exactly the fun and light hearted read I've come to love from Layne. I can't wait to read the rest of this series and anything else Layne writes because I'm convinced she's got the perfect recipe for writing these romance novels.

Jordan Carpenter is a TV producer in NYC for a new show called Jilted, which is essentially The Bachelor, but with runaway grooms. Jordan is certain she has found the perfect candidate to star in the show if she could get him to bother to respond to any of her emails or phone calls. Luke Elliot has zero interest in doing the show, but Jordan is sure she can convince him if only he'd give her a chance, which is how she ends up on a plane to Lucky Hollow, Montana – to win him over.

I really liked Jordan’s character, she was a successful independent woman with a witty personality and just the right amount of sass! Plus, who wouldn't be won over and swoon for sexy firefighter Luke Elliot? Ready to Run was a quick enjoyable read for any rom-com fan. A solid four-star read for Ready to Run by Lauren Layne.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
Ms. Layne has done it again – giving us a really fun, character full, and sexily romantic read! I am really looking forward to the future books in the series.

Jordan is a woman on a mission – sadly, her prey is genuinely not interested in being made famous, but he can't help but be attracted to her. As we witness Jordan getting to know the people of Lucky Hollow, and most especially the pursued Luke, we know that there is a yearning there that needs exploring. Their chemistry is not in doubt, but as it turns out both Luke and Jordan are hiding secrets that may affect their future even more than geography.

Engaging from the first page, I found it impossible to put it down until I had read to the end – thank goodness it was a Saturday!

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

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 lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL's ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Ready to Run (I Do, I Don't #1) by Lauren Layne to read and review.