Runaway Groomsman – Megan Quinn

Genre: Romance
Publisher: Montlake
Pages: 463
Release Date: October 11, 2022

Hollywood screenwriter Sawyer Castle knows a good love story when he sees it. But when it comes to real life romance, he’s a mess. That’s how he finds himself standing at the altar…as his ex-girlfriend ties the knot with his very famous best friend. The pressure, the resentment, the media coverage—it’s all too much—and before he knows exactly what he’s doing, he’s making a run for it, leaving a shocked congregation and flashing cameras in his wake.

Needing to lie low amid the media fallout, Sawyer lands in the charming town of Canoodle, California, where he crosses paths with Fallon Long, who runs the Canoodle Cove Cabins, a family-owned business and Sawyer’s new short-term residence. Overwhelmed with renovations and her long list of responsibilities, Fallon is struggling to make ends meet while attempting to bring the cabins back to their original glory. So when Sawyer arrives, she is grateful for the income, but immediately writes him off as just another vapid Hollywood hack, until he begins to prove her wrong at every turn.

As Fallon comes closer to saving the family business, an undeniable bond forms between her and the handsome screenwriter. But the pressures of her family obligations and Sawyer’s notoriety might prove to be too much for anyone to handle. Could Canoodle be the setting for a new romance—or is true love just a Hollywood cliché?

<

Runaway Groomsman started off well, but faltered in the final half of the novel.

Runaway Groomsman follows Sawyer as he’s a groomsman in his ex and best friend’s wedding. He can only take so much because he snaps and leaves the wedding mid-ceremony causing quite the drama. He finds himself in a small town staying in a rental cabin being managed and renovated by Fallon and her grandfather.

For those with triggers for cheating, Fallon is in a relationship at the beginning of the novel with Peter. 

Sawyer is easily the best aspect of the novel. He’s an incredibly likable, sweet, and honest love interest. His past and the reason he’s in the small town was interesting and comedic. 

Fallon’s dedication to her grandfather and the rental cabins is admirable, but a little one-dimensional. 

I was enjoying how cute and truly beautiful the story was until around the 60% mark. When Sawyer and Fallon eventually admit they have feelings for each other it started to feel juvenile. There’s a moment when Sawyer and Fallon hold hands then Fallon tells her friend, Jaz, about it as if they had spent a salacious night together. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. 

Jaz was straight up annoying. She was over the top, judgemental, and plain rude at times. Every time she was on the page, I couldn’t wait for her to leave. If Jaz gets a companion sequel, I certainly won’t be reading it.

For those looking for a spice rating, Runaway Groomsman is a solid 1 on 5 on the spice scale.

Overall, Runaway Groomsman had the potential to be a standout romance but fell flat in its execution and quickly lost my attention.

***I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

<

Will you be reading the Runaway Groomsman?