2.5! ⭐️ This book was alright but it just didn’t work for me unfortunately.

While I appreciated the character growth of Hope and Ben, I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Their relationship felt too much like “insta-love” to me, which made it hard to believe in their connection.

One of the biggest challenges I had with the story was how quickly Hope moved on from her long-term fiancé to Ben. I understand that Ben was meant to be different and bring something new to her life, but the speed at which their relationship developed gave me a sense of whiplash. It felt unrealistic for someone to shift so quickly from a years-long relationship to falling for someone they’d just met.

I can see potential in the rest of the series. The glimpses of future couples were interesting, and I’d be interested in seeing how their stories develop. While this particular story wasn’t for me, I think fans of fast-paced romances with lots of drama might enjoy it more.

Overall, I Do With You wasn’t my favorite, but I’m curious to see where the Maple Creek series goes next.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Montlake and the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read.it was exactly as expected and kept me reading for more. I believe many will really enjoy this one I felt like it was a classic romance book, though it did tell a little unrealistic considering how quickly she moved on.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It had everything I love in a great romance: cozy small town vibes, tension, humour, and heat. I highly recommend.

Hope and Ben were the perfect main characters. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their banter too.
Hope was strong, determined, and interesting, I was definitely team Hope from the first page.

This is the first book I've read from Lauren, but it definitely won't be the last. I look forward to reading the next installment in the Maple Creek series. I really hope it's Joy and Sean's story. 🤞
I definitely picked up on a vibe there.

4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Montlake, and Lauren Landish for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book of the Maple Creek series and also my first by this author. It is a delightful, lighthearted romance that will take you on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and love. Hope is moments away from marrying her high school sweetheart in a beautiful lakeside ceremony—until she panics and bolts into the woods, abandoning her wedding and her carefully planned future. There, she crosses paths with Ben, a charming and rugged musician on a three-week solo retreat.
The chemistry between Hope and Ben is immediate and electric, fueled by their contrasting personalities and the shared spark of a budding, albeit unconventional, romance. With his tattoos and laid-back demeanor, Ben is an intriguing contrast to the somewhat lost and confused Hope, who is grappling with the weight of her seemingly perfect but stifling life plans. Although they undoubtedly have an instant attraction, their connection also stems from Ben helping Hope rediscover who she truly is outside the pressures of societal expectations.
The characters are well-developed and the dialogue between them was sharp and witty. The story was full of heart, while also deftly balancing humor with emotional depth. An enjoyable read that will leave you with a smile on your face long after turning the last page.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This one sounds really good and started off well but it went a bit too insta lovey for my liking which put me off.

I DO WITH YOU is the first instalment in Lauren Landish’s contemporary, adult MAPLE CREEK erotic, romance series. This is Dental hygienist Hope Barlowe, and musician Ben Taylor’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hope and Ben) I DO WITH YOU follows in the wake of the wedding that never was. Hope Barlowe was struggling in the weeks before saying her ‘I do’s’ but never expected to turn around at the altar, running into the woods beside the lake. Enter Ben Taylor, a struggling musician, hoping to find his muse, a man with secrets that will threaten his future with our story line heroine. Staying clear of her ex-fiance means having to face the people of Maple Creek, a town of busybodies and law enforcement all connected to the man Hope pushed away. As Ben and Hope begin a dance around one another, someone else is about to destroy the small bit of happiness for our story line couple.

The world building focuses on the building romance as Hope battles with the townsfolk of Maple Creek but Hope has supporters, many of whom believe she should have walked away years before. Ben Taylor has a secret, a secret he is not allowed to reveal, a secret that is about to push Hope out of his life.

The relationship between Ben and Hope is one of immediate attraction but meeting Hope within minutes of her disappearance from the lakeside wedding means Ben will become the focus of those struggling with what happened and why. Falling for Hope was easy but breaking her heart was not what he wanted to do. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters including Hope’s extended family: sister Joy, brother Shephard, and their parents; Hope’s ex fiancé Roy Laurier, and Ben’s childhood friend Sean.

I DO WITH YOU is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and jealousy, family and friendships, relationships and love The premise is inviting and imaginative; the characters are quirky and animated; the romance is sensitive and seductive.



THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/i-do-with-you-maple-creek-1-by-lauren-landish-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6641579988


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2697739717

Hope thought that she was happy with the life she was living until she finds herself about to marry the man she fell in love with as a teenager and realized that she wanted more. Not about to go through with what could be the most misguided decision of her life she escapes and finds solace and support with Ben, a man she has never met before, in the woods.

Ben has a difficult past and is trying to create the life he wants as a musician but that isn’t unfolding the way he would like. Needing to get some clarity he decides to put some distance between himself and the situation but what he didn’t expect was to meet a woman who was not only facing some life changing decisions of her own but would change his life as well.

Hope and Ben both thought they knew what they wanted out of life, but they are about to realize how wrong they are. A few challenges, a swoony romance and witty banter is only made better by the entertaining performance of the narrators.

OMG, where do I even begin? This book had me hooked from the very first page, and trust me, it’s a slow burn that’s so worth the wait.

Hope Barlowe is about to marry her high school sweetheart and check off all the “life goals” — but, plot twist — she freaks out, bolts into the woods, and runs straight into Ben Taylor, a hot, tattooed, bearded musician just looking for some inspiration. I mean, can we say “fate”??

The chemistry between Hope and Ben is off the charts!

Hope is this sweet, small-town girl who thought she had it all figured out, but when she realizes her forever might not be all it’s cracked up to be, she runs away—right into a life-changing adventure. Ben, on the other hand, is dealing with his own stuff, but when their worlds collide, sparks fly. It’s emotional, swoon-worthy, and so steamy.

I loved how the story isn’t just about romance—it’s about Hope finding herself, breaking free from expectations, and learning that happiness is more than just a checklist. The narration by Stella Hunter and Ryan West? Spot on. They totally brought Hope and Ben to life. Whether you’re reading it or listening to the audiobook, you won’t want to miss this one.

Honestly, I Do With You is a perfect start to the Maple Creek series. I can't wait to see what else Lauren Landish has in store! Highly recommend it if you're into a heartwarming, feel-good, slow-burn romance with a ton of heart.

Runaway Bride stumbles into her very own meet cute. What Hope thought was going to be her perfect day turned into the her finally accepting it was everyone else's perfect. She finally has the courage to make a decision which is soley for herself. She just chose to do it on her way to the alter. She meets someone who she never thought she would consider as the perfect match. Even bettter is that she has no idea who Ben is. Ben is taking a break from his very public life. He needs a break to decide what the next part of his life will look like, he did not realize his break from life would result in meeting a woman who would be exactly what he needed to bring his life back together.

I really do with them.
I can't wait to see this book in bookstores around my country so I can buy them.

Thanks to the publisher and the author for giving me a review copy.
My review is my personal and honest thoughts.

Thanks!

very cute i loved the characters and the cover of this book. i do plan on reading more from this author eventually

This Runaway Bride story is one to definitely keep you on your toes!

When Small Town girl, Hope Barlowe finds herself on the cusp of of her wedding to her high school sweetheart... who happens to be the sheriff's son - things don't feel as they should - and she bolts!

Her life has been composed of plans, and checklists. Suddenly she finds herself not sure if the plan laid before her is the right one.

Enter Benjamin Taylor - Struggling wild child musician who has led a very different life from our FMC. With a need to clear his head so he can finally focus on writing new music again - he finds himself in our small town setting... and directly in the path of our runaway bride!

If you loved the Runaway Bride movie from the 90's - you will love this one!

I think this may have been my first Lauren Landish book and I had a fun time reading it! Great banter and chemistry. I loved Hope’s family’s dynamics and hope to see more of them in future books.

Thank you net galley for the ARC of this book! I was a little late reading it than I had anticipated.

Hope is a girl with a set life plan, to get married to her long-time boyfriend and live happily ever after. The first part of the book really got you hooked in as within the first 50 pages she leaves her fiance at the alter, runs into the woods, and meets a handsome guy named Ben. However, from there it just seemed too unrealistic.

I will say that I was happy she decided to leave her relationship before she got married. However, she left one relationship to instantly fall in love with another man she just met. I prefer more of a build-up/slow burn when it comes to romance. The romance felt forced to me to the point that I just didn't know if I even liked them together.

Overall, I enjoyed this book at times, but I wouldn't say it was a "must read" for me. I do appreciate a girl going after what she wants even though it brought some chaos with her town and family in the process.

Thank you again net galley for the copy!

Hope Barlowe was a run-away bride!
Oh my gosh, this book started with a bang!
First, special thank you to Montlake via Netgalley and Lauren Landish for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.
So, I said it, we have a runaway bride and she left her long time fiancée at the altar. Our main character panicked, self-reasoning did not do any good and the best thing to do is run. Met Ben in the woods and this meet cute sparked so much chemistry that it was inevitable for the relationship to happen. I honestly love all the fast-paced romance this book has but I am having trouble on reconciling the fact that the whirl wind relationship seems to be effective. But that is a me thing. This is enjoyable and light and pleasant to read all the way through!

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the advanced reader copy.

The premise of this novel sounded fizzy and fun but the opening lost me almost immediately. I didn't understand why the main character was intending to marry her high school sweetheart when there was nothing redeemable about him. I couldn't stick with this one.

Hope is a runaway bride. She had really good reasons to be a runaway bride and it’s how she meets Ben. He is staying in Maple Creek to get away from work and to try to figure out how to fix what is broken with his best friend. He certainly wasn’t planning on rescuing a runaway bride who needs a place to stay while she figures out her next step. And neither one of them expect to fall in love! She’s a hot mess. He has one very big secret that he’s afraid to share. Can they go from surprise roommates to last love?

Hope is a very upbeat person. The author did a good job explaining why Hope ran from her wedding and how it wasn’t a sudden decision. I felt so bad for Hope as she tried to navigate the small town gossip fest and the way her nosy neighbors couldn’t stop butting in. Hope is a really strong person who owns her decisions. I really like that. Ben is an interesting character. On the surface he is a tattooed, muscled tough guy but he is also a sweet man who wants to help Hope to regain her footing. Hope’s family is used by the author to show how trustworthy Ben is as compared to Hope’s ex-fiance. Ben writes song lyrics throughout the book and I think they are some of the best that I have seen woven into a story. They were a great addition. I don’t want to give away one of the big secrets about Ben, but the author included some fun things about him (like his job) to make him more interesting and nuanced. And at the end he shows how very smart he is when he challenges his boss. It’s pretty great. Speaking of Hope’s ex-fiance, Roy, that man needs an attitude adjustment. He’s not a mean guy but he is totally clueless. There isn’t a scary bad guy in the book just a self-important sheriff.

This is a small town, opposites attract, runaway bride love story. There are some fun twists and turns. This book made me smile (yes, a woman in a wedding gown running through the forest to escape her dream wedding is pretty funny). I recommend this book and I will read more from this author in the future.

What a fun and sweet love story that neither saw coming. When Hope runs from her supposed dream wedding and comes head on with Ben she finds what she thought she wanted in life wasn't what she wanted at all. Ben is fun and the whole Maple Creek vide is inviting.

Unfortunately I’ve decided to DNF @ 67%. I just don’t feel connected to the characters or storyline to continue and it’s a relatively short book but I feel like it’s been dragging for me. The premise of the book sounded really good which is why I requested it but I just don’t think it was for me.

I really love a runaway bride and this one did not disappoint. I thought it was going to be a fun campy romcom, it was so much more. The emotional depth of both MCs made them feel like real life people. Enjoyed reading.