I’ve been a fan of Lauren’s for years. She writes laugh out loud stories. And there were certainly moments in this book that were funny. It just fell a bit short for me. I’m not opposed to insta-love stories, but this one was just a bit too insta.

I would really have loved some more character development for Hope. While I realize romance books are fiction and meant to be an escape, there should be some semblance of believability. The events that lead up to Hope and Ben meeting are believable, but the speed at which everything else happens is not. I can’t get into too much detail without giving away spoilers. I just would have loved a more in depth story about Hope’s journey of finding herself and healing on her own.

Ben I really did like as a character. he’s flawed, but has a good heart.

This wasn’t a bad book, I just felt like it could have been better. If you like super spicy and really fast insta-love, you’ll likely enjoy this fast paced read.

I have some mixed feelings on this book. Overall, it was just ok for me.

I liked Ben and the fact that when it came to Hope and her situation he was, as she tells him, unflappable. He’s a gentleman toward her, encouraging and supportive of her self-discovery and growth. His career and backstory was unique and interesting as well.

I’m not sure how I felt about Hope though. I appreciated her coming into her own and realizing how small she had been making herself, but I didn’t love the way she handled things with her fiancé-turned-ex. I’m all for a runaway bride story when the groom is a horrible man, but in this case it seemed more like he was just immature and became a jerk after being left at the altar, which, fair. It was like trying to make it seem like he’d been a villain in hiding for their whole relationship, when really they were just young and grew apart. Hope was immature in her own right with the way she handled things.

This wasn’t a bad book, I just didn’t love it. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Lauren Landish for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok so this one was interesting - I enjoyed the book but can also acknowledge that Hope leaving her fiancé at the alter and running away is a shitty thing to do. But you know…denial, panic, terrible vows, etc make people do wild things.

This book was really good at describing the emotions and issues with the way the relationship evolved. It made it easier to understand her behavior and how over Ray she was.

However, I wish the timeline was a little longer. I understand Hope and Ben had an intense week or two but it was love too quick for my liking.

Open door.
Stranger to friend to lover.
Caretaking.
Rebound.
I’ll protect you.

🤍Book review 🤍

I Do With You
by Lauren Landish


I Do With You is a charming and uplifting romance that had me hooked from the first page. Hope Barlowe, a runaway bride, breaks free from a life she no longer feels sure about and meets Ben Taylor, a rugged, tattooed musician who’s just as unexpected as her bold choice to run. Their connection feels real and electric, with Hope’s journey of self-discovery blending seamlessly into the romance.
The story is full of heartfelt moments, humor, and steamy scenes that make Hope and Ben’s chemistry undeniable. Watching Hope realize that happiness isn’t a checklist but a choice was both inspiring and relatable. I loved how Maple Creek’s residents added to the story’s charm and tension, making it feel like a true small-town romance.
This is a great romance with a mix of humor, heart, and a strong message about following your own path.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

This book had me hooked from the beginning. The way the two main characters met was not traditional and she literally fell into his path after running away from her ex fiancé. These characters were so lovable and you can’t help but root for them. The tension in the beginning of the book was *chefs kiss*. It had me wanting more from Hope & Ben. I loved that Ben never pressured Hope for more till she was ready but was there for all her character growth. I did not necessarily love the inevitable third act breakup but it made sense. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an escape from real life. It’s a quick, easy, and faced paced read.

I absolutely adored this book! Hope runs into Ben, literally, while running from her wedding. Seeing the two of them overcome their own issues to be their best selves in order to be together was so good! Ben is one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read this year. Hope seeing that she’s worth more than what she’s believed all this time was so good to see. Loved the family dynamics and the quirky side town characters.

I’ve read many Lauren Landish books and I was excited to see “I Do With You” available for review on NetGalley because it’s been a while since I’ve read her work and the blurb definitely got me interested. Who doesn’t love the runaway bride trope?! This did not disappoint me in any way – I so enjoyed experiencing Hope’s journey of finding her voice and her own personal development throughout this read. She was a breath of fresh air and I loved it. And I especially enjoyed the way Ben stood by and watched Hope grow and flourish without stepping in and taking over. In my opinion, this book was not your usual runaway bride–it was much more than that and so very gratifying. It appears to be part of the Maple Creek Series as it is named Maple Creek #1, but I have a feeling these books will be standalones with some crossover characters. That being said, I can’t wait for more! I’m grateful to have been given an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

When Hope leaves her high school sweetheart at the altar and makes a mad dash for the woods, she (literally) runs into Ben, an anonymous rockstar on a vacation of solitude. They help each other explore who they are as individuals and fall in love along the way.

This book had Gilmore Girls all over it, in a really good way. I enjoyed going along with Hope as she realized that she mattered as an individual outside of her relationship with the town "golden boy" and that she started to realize that she was able to speak up for herself because she was deserving. Ben's chapters were beautifully written, with lyrics as insight to where his emotions are at. Ben falling in love with Hope was the most believable part of the story for me, whereas I felt like Hope's trajectory into a relationship with Ben was way too fast. The bulk of the story happens over 1-2 weeks and I felt like her being in a relationship with Ben so quickly, even if it was her "choice", did her own growth a disservice.

The story started out so, so strong and I think Ben's character was extremely developed. Much like the timeline, the further we get into the book, the more I feel like we start to rise closer to skimming the surface of what is actually going on.

All of that being said, it was an enjoyable read and a great palatte cleanser from bulkier reads. I will likely read the next installment, and I believe that if you like Landish, you'll love this book.

DNF - I could not read any more of this. The writing was way too corny and immature for me and once I saw that the MMC was in a metal band (chapter 2), I said “no more.” Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the arc.

Lauren Landish has gone and done it again. This book is the first in her new series “Maple Creek” and I thought she did an incredible job with it. Ben and Hopes story is entertaining, romantic, sweet and so much fun to read. Hope runs out on her wedding and literally runs into Ben. As the story develops from there you will become very invested in the outcome. Ben and Hope have so much chemistry together. Will the two of them be able to make a go of it or will her past come back and pull her back in? I highly recommend this book. Thanks NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

The insta-love was a little too "insta" for me and I couldn't get past that throughout the entire story. That, and the idea that anyone, never mind a young woman, would place her trust in a complete stranger so much so that she spends the night alone with him in a remote setting??? Who on Earth thinks that's a good idea?! Yes it's fiction, but come on. Couldn't get past that either. I wanted to DNF this so many times in the first half of the book. It did get better, and I loved Ben's character and his growth, and the almost-DNF was brought up to 3 stars, but I also can't see myself recommending this one.

Hope is a vow away from a lakeside wedding to her high school sweetheart. Next, check off her follow-up two kids, a dog, a home, and a happy ever after. But suddenly, ever after seems like a very long time. Instead of saying I do, Hope thinks I can’t and bolts for the woods—right into the unpredictable life of a handsome tattooed hiker. Days into a three-week getaway, struggling musician Ben is in search of inspiration. He never thought he’d find a bride stumbling through the bramble. Right away her sweet baby blues, confounding dilemma, and spirited independence strike a chord. Ben has found his muse, and he’s falling fast. Hope is finding something just as important—herself. Soon enough Hope and Ben have all of Maple Creek talking—and divided. Where do they go from here? If Hope has learned anything, it’s that happiness is more than a checklist, and dreams can change in a heartbeat.

I Do With You was a delightful and easy read. I flew through it in a day or two. The story of Hope and Ben is entertaining and very swoon worthy. It's hilarious, full of drama and chemistry.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't love this one. Overall it felt very surface level and I wasn't rooting for the characters or the romance

I think a lot of people will like this one, but it didn’t work for me completely. Although I liked the way it started out, I actually ended up feeling bad for the ex. His high school sweetheart left him at the altar in front of the whole town. Also, it seemed more like she had a midlife crisis than fell into true love. It was just too instant. She was literally in bed with another guy after just running out on her wedding?

I felt she was a little immature throughout the book. And to be honest, I think I realized the “leaving someone at the altar” thing isn’t for me. It made me not like the FMC. Or maybe I just didn’t fully like her personality in general. But to me, no matter what the person has done, I feel like it should be solved before that moment of being at the altar.

I also didn’t really like Ben completely.. idk I feel like this one just fell short for me due to my own personal feelings about right vs wrong. It wasn’t horrible, but it just wasn’t anything I am screaming “you guys gotta read this” about.

I think that a lot of people will enjoy this one, because it is a story of new beginnings and going after what you want your life to look like.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book definitely took a while to get through. I almost dnf’d multiple times but in the end the story was very sweet. I did like that the main character stood up for herself and felt empowered!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC copy!

I don’t have much to say about this book but can confirm that it is such a comforting read. I love that Hope gets a chance to really think about what she wants in her life and Ben is such an adorable book boyfriend with his stage fright and songwriting. The vibes are on point and it’s such a quick read.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Sweet story with a fun premise- Hope has an epiphany that she can't marry her fiance and runs away, meeting Ben, who is hiding away. I adored that he was a heavy metal star who usually hides under a mountain of make up. What a great set up. The insta-love aspect was a bit unbelievable and I have to admit, I was hoping for a little more character growth from both of them, so the insta-love, plenty of steam story lost me a little. That said, there were laughs, a fun look into the small town, and a preview of the characters to come. Overall, a fast read of a good start to the series. Thanks to NetGalley for an early read.

Okay if you enjoy the hallmark cookie cutter romances, this one is for you. I have never read a runaway bride trope, and that + the mixture of her lifestyle verses his was an extra perk. His band honestly reminded me a bit of Sleep Token because of the mask and body paint, never having their identity released type of thing. MMC is super protective, but also super sweet. FMC is a people pleaser who plans everything down to the t and is working on learning how to choose herself for once. Strong characters within the entire book, whether that means you strongly dislike or strongly love the character, just strong characters lol.

A second chance in life to find your forever love.

Hope Barlowe is about to get married but can’t shake the hollow feeling and premonition that she is about to make the biggest mistake of her life. She lets the pressure of family and town expectations dictate her unwillingness to walk down the aisle but when her future husband reads his vows she can’t deny her mistake any longer and runs like her life depended on it.

Ben Taylor is just having a forced break from life and work in the middle of nowhere when a runaway bride stumbled and almost run him over. He might just be part of a scary movie or he might just be hit by a lucky strike. We’ll see.

This was a sweet and entertaining romanced story painted with small town struggles, the importance of family support and power abuse by members of the law.

Thanks NetGalley, Lauren Landish and the publisher Montlake for allowing me to read this ARC. This ia my voluntary and honest review.