Ready to Run
I Do I Don't • Book One
🔥 Steamy
A NYC-based TV producer heads to a small town in Montana to recruit a notorious runaway groom for her reality TV show, and learns that small-town life and the man she’s after are far more compelling than she was prepared for.
Ready to Run
Jordan & Luke
🔥 Steamy
Trope: Small-Town, Fish Out of Water, Firefighter Hero
I Do I Don't | Book One
“Quintessential Lauren Layne goodness—a sassy, feel-good and entertaining love story infused with laughter, sizzling chemistry and heartfelt romance.”—USA Today
🏆
Apple Book of the Year
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.
about the story
if you're wondering...
Is this book for me?
I TRY TO BE AS UPFRONT AS POSSIBLE ABOUT EACH OF MY BOOKS. EVERYONE HAS UNIQUE PREFERENCES!
Most of my books are set in NYC, but inspired by a cross-country roadtrip, I set this one in a Montana small town.
This book is written in third-person, with alternating POV. Some people only like first-person. You've been warned!
This one has a full-cast of characters, with a bunch of fun, small-town vibes.
This is slow-burn—neither Jordan or Luke is looking for love, and they resist it hard.
🔥 This book is steamy with explicit sex scenes.
Firefighter hero, anyone?
reviews & praise
“Quintessential Lauren Layne goodness—a sassy, feel-good and entertaining love story infused with laughter, sizzling chemistry and heartfelt romance.”—USA Today
“Ready to Run is as sweet, sassy, and adorable as every Lauren Layne romance, and I’m head over heels!” —Sarah Robinson, bestselling author of the Kavanagh Legends series
“Ready to Run is trademark Lauren Layne: a smart heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, and more flirty, sexy banter than you can shake a cowboy boot at. Loved it!” —Kate Meader, USA Today bestselling author of the Hot in Chicago series
“Layne gives a nod to Runaway Bride and The Bachelor with this clever romance set in Lucky Hollow, Montana. . . . Luke’s secrets create just enough suspense, the revelations are smooth, and the characters and setting are delightful.” —Publishers Weekly
“Ready to Run is the literary equivalent of the perfect after-work cocktail: [it’s] comforting, a little surprising, and injects the night with joy. I loved it, y’all.” —All About Romance
“Lauren Layne’s new series is everything I could want in a contemporary romance.” —Heroes and Heartbreakers
“A new series from Lauren Layne all about a reality dating show with runaway grooms at the center? Count me in.” —Hypable
“Cute, funny, sweet and sexy, and low on angst, Ready to Run totally hits the mark.” —Girl Plus Books
“You can always count on Lauren Layne to deliver a well-written and heartfelt romance between two very different people. . . . It’s lighthearted and fun but with enough emotional heft to make it thoroughly satisfying.” —Dirty Girl Romance
“Ready to Run was absolutely adorable and so much fun!” —Star-Crossed Book Blog
“Ready to Run was once again LL at her finest. She keeps publishing these romances that keep topping the last on my favorite reads lists!” —Obsessive Book Nerd
“I enjoyed the premise of Ready to Run and the surprisingly nuanced and complex story behind the story. Ms. Layne has a definite knack for creating complicated and endearing characters who are flawed yet ever-so enticing, and I just adored Luke. I also appreciated the storyline being well balanced between the heart squeezes and humor.” —Books and Bindings
“Ready to Run is a cute, spunky, and fun small-town romantic comedy that will make you grin and laugh at the witty and effortless banter, swoon at the sexual tension, and maybe even tear up at certain events in the story. It had a wonderful pace and a slow burn I enjoyed immensely.” —Of Pens and Pages
“Obviously, I had a fantastic time reading Ready to Run. It was exactly what I love in a contemporary romance, and it started out the I Do, I Don’t series in the best way possible. Bravo, Lauren Layne! I can’t wait to read the next book!” —A Novel Glimpse
An Apple Best Book of the Year
Excerpt
She turned back, gestured between the two booths. “You need to kiss the girl, Luke. The entire town knows it.”
He ground his teeth to keep from telling Vicky that he had kissed the girl.
Thoroughly.
Wanted to do it again.
Badly.
For the Reality-TV Fans
I Do I Don't
One of my more underrated series if I do say so myself 😉 Apple named Ready to Run a best book of the Year, and Runaway Groom is the only one of my books that I read sometimes just for fun...as a reader!
"romantic comedy at its finest."
❗️This series is not available as a paperback or print version. Penguin Random House controls the print rights, and has declined to make a paperback available for my readers.
These books are connected in theme, but have no overlapping characters. No need to read in order!
🔥 steamy
