Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne Blog Tour

For one charming playboy, getting cast on a Bachelor-esque reality TV show is the shock of a lifetime—until he finds love where he least expects it. And now the chase is on!

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.

The I Do, I Don’t novels each have their own enchanting HEAs, and can be read in any order

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Gage Barrett is a lady’s man and why wouldn't he be? He is a Hollywood actor with big movies under his belt, so everyone knows who he is. And they all know he is a runaway groom of at least two altars. So how does he end up on the reality show Jilted? With 20 women wanting to be his new bride, well 19 of them anyway and contestant number 20 acts as if she would rather be anywhere but here.

Contestant number 20 would be Ellie Wright and she can't believe she let her BFF and business partner sign her up to be on this show. But it was a good idea, to get the name of their business out to the world. Ellie and her BFF own an internet t-shirt company for women called High Tee. And what better way to advertise than for Ellie to walk around the set of Jilted wearing one of their tees.

While Ellie tries to talk Gage into sending her home, he wants to keep her around and he will think of any excuse to keep her. So, with a few stolen moments, a few well-timed eliminations, and Ellie finds herself wanting to stay more than she wants to go home.

Will Ellie find that Gage is more than a playboy? Can Gage get Ellie to stay until the end? Will Ellie and Gage find the happily ever after they both deserve?

I found this story to be fun, flirty, exciting, sexy, and even heartbreaking at times, but I loved it. And I can't wait for the next one, Just Run with It. I hope you love it too.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆
I absolutely loved both the main characters, Ellie and Gage, they’re fantastic and so perfect together! This is a fast-paced book, I wouldn’t call it original, as it did feel quite familiar, it was still a good read and I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series next.

Gage 0% wants to participate in the TV show Jilted, but he signed his life over when he lost a bet to his friends and the contract he’s since signed is iron-clad. Though Gage is a sexy actor who could have his pick of any woman, from the very start of this book it’s known that he’s so much more. Ellie wants to participate in the show about as much as Gage, but Ellie’s best friend and business partner forces her on the show as advertisement for their t-shirt company. Ellie had planned to have a short-lived time on the show, get in – get her shirt noticed – get out. Once Ellie and Gage run into one another in a supply closet off-set, a friendship is forged, and Ellie becomes a spy of sorts for Gage. While feeding “insider” information about the whack-a-doodle women on the show to Gage, he and Ellie forge a friendship that quickly becomes more and booting Ellie off the show becomes the last thing Gage wants to do.

I love the ending – it wasn’t what I expected, and the author manages to keep us in suspense all the way to the end. I love that in a book! The only part I didn’t love about this book was that it’s so familiar to another book I read by a different author, it took me a bit to get past that, but once I did this is a great read!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in the series, and I enjoyed the first, but this is even better.

I am not a fan of TV reality shows, but reading about the machinations behind one is incredibly entertaining, and does make far better reading than viewing! Ms. Layne has definitely mastered the art of getting under the fake to give us a fabulous read. From the descriptions of the crazy contestants, to the demands of the producers, we have the scene set perfectly for some undercover romance.

Obviously you should read the book to get the story, and I have no intention of spoiling it for you – but rest assured that it is a fun, flirty, and sexy read, with a great twist or three thrown in, and the perfect ending.

Escapism at its best, thank you, Ms. Layne.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is mindless, frothy fun and a perfect romantic escape. It’s the story of an unexpected romance between two reluctant reality TV contestants. It was a surprisingly self-aware read with some interesting social commentary that I wasn’t expecting.

The premise is implausible, most of the characters are predictable caricatures but I did enjoy both Gage and Ellie.

I didn’t enjoy the way the story reinforces negative female stereotypes. Almost all of the female contestants are described as predatory, crazy, vapid, and mean. But this isn’t a story to take too seriously. It is a fun and sometimes silly book – a light and easy read.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have read several of Lauren Layne's series, including Ready to Run, book #1 in the I Do, I Don't series. Also, these books can be read as a standalone if you'd rather start with book #2. I am not gonna lie, I happen to actually enjoy watching ABC's The Bachelor on TV, which is great because Runaway Groom kind of reads like The Bachelor with its own spin. So, if you happen to also be a fan of The Bachelor TV show, this book will have no trouble winning you over the way it won me. Layne is a great author and I have yet to read a book by her that I didn't enjoy.

Gage Barrett has gotten himself a bit of a playboy reputation in Hollywood and left two ladies at the altar, which makes him the perfect candidate for the new TV show Jilted. But, he's got zero interest in being the new star for the reality TV show Jilted, until a bet lands him there. Now, he's stuck at a Hawaiian resort with 19 female contestants competing for his heart.

Ellie Wright somehow let her roommate talk her into going on the show in order to help promote their new high-end t-shirt company. Her business is struggling a bit and could really use the publicity. Plus, she's certain she won't make it past the first round. However, Gage isn't the shallow Hollywood playboy she thought he was and lines between real life and camera life start to blur.

I have slowly become a rather big fan of Lauren Layne and she always delivers. Layne easily keeps you engaged and turning the page. Plus, her characters always have a way of charming you. I love how independent Ellie's character is, with a little bit of sass too. If you love a good happily ever after and reality TV love story turned book, then I think Layne will win you over with Runaway Groom the way she won me.

**** 4.5 STARS for Lauren Layne's Runaway Groom. ****

Also Available in the I Do, I Don’t Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Ready to Run post.

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.

Connect with Lauren

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Runaway Groom (I Do, I Don't #2) by Lauren Layne to read and review for this blog tour.