A new series from Lauren Layne all about a reality dating show with runaway grooms at the center? Count me in. Check out our review of the first I Do, I Don’t book, Ready to Run.

About ‘Ready to Run’

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.

‘Ready to Run’ book review

Opening a new Lauren Layne book is like meeting a new friend. The friendly, colorful appearance draws you into the excitement, and the second you dig a little deeper you discover an incredible world of emotions and love that is impossible to resist. There’s something comforting about cracking open a new Lauren Layne story and knowing you are in for a fun romp, and this time with brand new characters in a brand new world.

After enjoying the hell out of the Wedding Belles and Walk of Shame over the past year, it’s lovely to add Ready to Run to the pile. Jordan and Luke have instant sparks, even if they are more the I’d-like-to-burn-you kind rather than the please-rip-my-shirt-off kind. However, as Luke begins to see the woman beneath the TV producer veneer, he learns that she has a lot more to offer than a starring role on a new reality dating show.

Jordan is every bit the kind of Manhattanite we’ve come to expect from Lauren Layne, but with a distinctive twist that makes her so different from the ladies she’s written before. Seeing what is at the heart of Jordan Carpenter shows you just how badly she needs Luke Elliott and his small town in her life.

Luke Elliott is the small town fireman we all wish would swoop in and sweep us off our feet. He is wholesome and sincere despite all the rumors surrounding his three failed trips to the altar. While a superficial read might scream ‘player’ at the top of its lungs, a few pokes and prods at Luke’s cover story show that facade is nothing but a smokescreen to protect a battered heart.

Lauren Layne has managed to cook up another story full of heart and challenges and struggles that we all know or face in one way or another throughout our lifetimes. Seeing her characters take those struggles and turn them into deep, true connections to another human being encourages us all to keep striving for truth and authenticity in our lives. Be strong, bold, and courageous like Jordan and Luke.

I’ve never met a Lauren Layne story that I didn’t like, and that has definitely not changed with Ready to Run. There is so much left to discover with this new set of characters, and I can’t wait to get back to this world when Runaway Groom comes out in January 2018.

Ready to Run is available now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Don’t forget to add it on Goodreads, too!