I didn't like this one as much as I wanted to, but it was still good. I think it was mostly the setting that I didn't like so much, and I felt like it could have been a bit longer. Other than that, I'm still very much enjoying Layne's writing! ( )

The craziness of reality TV meets the beauty of small town living and creates some delicious down home scandal. Ready to Run doesn't take itself too seriously. Lauren Layne has concocted a bushel of joy with her usual sassy style and ingenious characters. A groom on the run, a woman in hot pursuit and a small town full of matchmaking citizens lead to some crazy antics. Lucky Hollow is dangerous to the heart but pure magic for the soul.
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This romance was just charming! I am not usually too eager to read wedding themed books but I like Lauren Layne's writing enough that I knew I had to read this one. This was a really fun premise with most of the wedding talk being about a groom who had a history of leaving his brides at the alter. Throw in a reality show wanting to capitalize on that and and you have a great set up. This was just a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed every page of it.

Jordan comes to Lucky Hollow with one thing on her mind. She is determined to secure Luke Elliott, the hunky local firefighter, for a new TV show. Luke has left 3 brides standing at the alter and seems to be the perfect choice for the new reality TV show. There is only one problem. Luke isn't interested. At all. Jordan refuses to give up too quickly so she settles in for an extended stay in the small town of Lucky Hollow.

Luke is an all around good guy. He works for the local fire department and has a great group of friends. He is not at all interested in the attention he is getting in regards to possibly staring in a new reality show. He has had 3 relationships end poorly but he has moved on with his life. The entire town seems to want him to sign on for the show and they have all become friends with Jordan.

I really enjoyed Jordan and Luke as a couple. They started out as adversaries because of the TV show before giving into their attraction to each other. Even when they were arguing with each other, they had some great chemistry. They seemed to be really good together anytime they shared a scene. They both had some painful events in their past that were heartbreaking.

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This was a really fun story filled with wonderful characters. It was one of those story that leaves you with a big grin on your face by the time you get to the last page. I can't wait to read more of this new series soon!

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley. ( )

Jordan is on the trail of the star for the new reality show, Jilted. Luke Elliott is the perfect "runaway groom" since he is known as the guy that left 3 women at the alter. Luke isn't answering her phone calls or emails but she knows she can get him to agree to the program in person. She's determined to be in & back to New York in no time. Then she meets firefighter Luke.

Luke Elliott can't believe they can't take no for an answer. The fact that he ignored the calls & emails should have told them he wasn't interested. Now his friends are getting involved. They keep trying to set him up with Jordan. He isn't interested in a city girl, even though their chemistry is off the charts. Why won't she go away?

Lauren Layne has taken a tired subject, reality dating shows, & given it a fresh spin. I love her light hearted take on love & relationships. The characters are realistic & you find yourself rooting for their HEA. The interactions between Luke & his friends made me smile, giggle & laugh out loud! Simon is a hoot! He adds such color & flair to the story. I love this book! ( )

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Jordan works for a reality TV production company, whose latest idea is for a show featuring a likeable, decent guy who has repeatedly left women at the altar, but who is now ready to marry one of the carefully chosen candidates (yes, really). Jordan and Simon (the company lawyer, a character for whom the author apparently decided being gay was enough of a personality – I did not believe for one moment that he was a lawyer, for example) travel to a small town in Montana so Jordan can persuade Luke to star in the show. Luke has apparently jilted three brides at the altar, but has no interest at all in appearing on television. Jordan decides to rent a house in the town so she can devote more time to persuading him.

There was so much about this set up that staggered me:

1. We are supposed to accept as our heroine some one prepared to exploit people in this way (I am not a fan of reality TV!)? Luke is “stubborn as hell” because he won’t participate? Or is he rather normal? Or sane?
2. This is really a viable idea? Why would a likeable, decent man repeatedly jilt women on their wedding days?
3. A production company would really pour as much money and effort as this into persuading one particular candidate to participate?

Then there were things along the way that grated on me:

1. The overuse of the word “adorable”.
2. The idea that small town and big city people are two distinct tribes with different cultures and morals; small town people being the ones who eat meat, dress badly, never wear stilettoes and know nothing about skincare or hair products. Small towns also seem to consist of a cohesive friendship unit with one mind on things like “what is best for Luke”.
3. The way we always have to know what Jordan is wearing (and on one occasion, details of the make up she has applied).
4. Jordan basically stalks Luke, won’t take no for an answer, inserts herself into his friendship group – is this acceptable?

But… things did pick up towards the end and I thought the final few chapters wrapped things up nicely. Jordan’s backstory was not the one I was expecting and made the HEA more believable. The true stories behind each of Luke’s failed engagements were revealed gradually and I found them convincing.

I struggled though the first half, but was enjoying it by the end. ( )