Ready to Run

**Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** Ready to Run is a great start to Lauren Layne's new I Do, I Don't series. The book is lighthearted, fun and the writing is great. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and I'm really glad I took the chance on this one! Television producer Jordan Carpenter and her colleagues feel like they have come up with what will be the next great reality show hit. A cross between The Bachelor and The Runaway Bride, they are ready to move forward with the concept, but first they have to find a lead. After reading an article about a fireman in Montana who has left not one, but three women at the alter, Jordan is certain they have found their guy. After reaching out several times via email and voicemail with no response with her co-worker Simon in tow, Jordan heads West to find the man in person. Luke Elliott has had a rough love life to say the least, but he's trying to put it all behind him and move on with his life. He's concentrating on his work at the firehouse, he's hanging out with is friends and enjoying what has become of his life. When Luke encounters the towns newest visitor, he quickly realizes this is the woman that has been trying to get in touch with him that he has been purposely ignoring. What he can't ignore when he comes face to face with Jordan is how unbelievably beautiful she is and how incredible she looks in those stiletto's she's always wearing. While Luke wants nothing to do with Jordan's offer, which he makes very clear to her, she keeps showing up everywhere he is. While they are in a small town, it seems like she's constantly in his face and he just wants to put everything behind him and move on, not be the subject of a national television show. Will Jordan be able to wear Luke down and get him to do the show or will she realize that there might be more to the story? I really enjoyed this book and as I said before it is a great start to the new series. I am really anxious to read the next book in the series based on the tease we got at the end of this one!

4.5 stars — OK, I will admit I’m NOT much of a reality TV fan. Usually they showcase the worst of humanity in my opinion, and trade ratings for abominable behavior. BUT, I have watched the Bachelor and Bachelorette a time or two (before I got tired of the antics), so I was curious how this book was going to play out. And I was worried for a few moments about how I would end up liking Jordan, but she won me over pretty quickly, and in general surprised me in good ways. Which is not to say she was a perfect heroine, not by any means. But she was solid. She had a good head on her shoulders, she had some things in her past that had shaped who she was now, and honestly? While I was already pretty sold on her, it really did help to get that deeper dive into her character. I appreciated that she was sassy, tenacious, bold…and extremely likable. Luke was a bit of a different animal. Yet again, learning about his past definitely helped me get past some of his more boneheaded moments, but I was a bit disappointed with him in the climax. And yet, he mostly turned it around for me. He was human, and he had some great friends to smack him when he needed it. Mostly, he was damaged, and that damage had made him wary. While the conflict made my heart ache more than once, I did actually like them together when they were letting themselves be with one another. They were fun, and sexy, and had great chemistry. This book had an AMAZING secondary character cast, it was the perfect small town read. From members of the town, to friends, to exes, to the hilarious Simon, to even Winston and Luna — they made a great book even better. I was surprised by all the emotions I felt in this one. I wasn’t expecting it, but it wasn’t out of place. All in all, it delivered what I always love from Ms. Layne’s books, and I have no idea why it took me so long to get to it.

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.