Runaway Groom

Wedding Fever #3

by Fiona Lowe

Book three of Wedding Fever

Amy Sagar's life is in ruins. Fired from her fast-track job and dumped by her double-crossing boyfriend, she retreats to Whitetail, Wisconsin, to lick her wounds and regroup. Meeting an impossible, sexy Australian isn't part of her strategy for getting back on track.

Ben Armytage is running away. After being left at the altar and publicly humiliated, he's taking his vintage motorcycle on an extended road trip from Argentina to Alaska. Having his journey interrupted by a breakdown and sharing a house with a curvy, redheaded lawyer in a town obsessed with weddings was never on his itinerary.

Though being stuck in a luxury log cabin isn't really a hardship, living together with their broken hearts isn't easy. When the attraction between Amy and Ben proves unstoppable, they'll both begin rethinking their plans…

For more weddings in Whitetail, check out Saved by the Bride and Picture Perfect Wedding, available now!

99,000 words

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, M F Romance

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2013

About the author

Multi published, Fiona is very excited about her 2026 release, The Drowning a novel about a family, a holiday house and a dead body. Previously published with Berkley and currently with Harper Collins Australia, (HQ Fiction) Fiona's been the recipient of a RITA and two RuBY awards. Families and communities intrigue her and she loves creating characters you could meet on the street and enjoys putting them in unique situations where morals and values can blur and she begs the reader to ask themselves, 'What would you do?'
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Reviews

[Fiona Lowe]

Dear Reader,
I’m thrilled to bring you this updated edition of Runaway Groom, the final book in the Wedding Fever trilogy.
Amy Sagar’s life is in ruins. Fired from her fast-track job and dumped by her double-crossing boyfriend, she retreats to Whitetail, Wisconsin, to lick her wounds and regroup. Meeting an impossible, sexy Australian isn’t part of her strategy for getting back on track.
Ben Armytage is running away. After being left at the altar and publicly humiliated, he’s taking his vintage motorcycle on an extended road trip from Argentina to Alaska. Having his journey interrupted by a breakdown and sharing a house with a curvy, redheaded lawyer in a town obsessed with weddings was never on his itinerary.
Though being stuck in a luxury log cabin isn’t really a hardship, living together with their broken hearts isn’t easy. When the attraction between Amy and Ben proves unstoppable, they’ll both begin rethinking their plans...
Although I’m not writing straight romance fiction these days, the same humor and romantic elements are found in my recent women’s fiction novels, despite the more serious undertones. I like to think my wedding books are more of a romp!
As a side bar, since I researched and wrote these books, I have enjoyed the hands-on experience of being a huge part of my eldest son’s garden wedding. We had to deal with a gum tree flattening the marquee two days before the wedding! But that’s another story for another book.
Happy Reading!
Fiona x

[Katherine 黄爱芬 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Sagar sedang melarikan diri setelah dipecat dari pekerjaannya. Selain itu hubungan asmaranya amburadul dgn dikhianati oleh kolega dan sekretaris yg sudah dia anggap teman baiknya. Ben Armytage sudah bertualang di benua Amerika sejak ditinggalkan di altar, lebih tepatnya Ben baru mengetahui seksualitas pasangannya di menit-menit krusial. Dari sini saya bisa mengerti bhw bukanlah seksualitas yg berbeda yg dibenci orang, tetapi manipulasi dan pembohongan pd pasangannya lah yg bisa membuat seseorang sakit hati dan sulit maklum.

Amy dan Ben bertemu di Whitetail dgn kondisi yg kocak. Amy memukul Ben hingga bahunya bergeser dan tidak bisa digunakan selama sebulan. Dan dlm kurun waktu tsb, Amy dan Ben saling mengenal satu sama lain. Walau mereka tidak membuka hati satu sama lain, mereka nyaman dgn hubungan tanpa komitmen ini. Hingga saatnya mereka berpisah.

Amy adalah tipe heroine yg kurang percaya diri pdhl dirinya adalah pengacara. Amy juga agak polos dlm hubungan percintaan apalagi setelah dikhianati dgn parah. Jadilah Amy tipe kaku dlm percintaan dan senang menunda-nunda kabar buruk. Sebenarnya Ben adalah tipe yg mirip dgn Amy, dia tidak melihat tanda-tanda kelainan dari calon pengantinnya dan sesudah "dibohongi" di depan altar, gak heran Ben juga ketakutan dgn momok spt kata "Aku mencintaimu" yg dilontarkan oleh Amy. Masing-masing pihak punya kelebihan dan kekurangannya, Amy dan Ben cukup sinergi walaupun perbedaan mereka juga bisa menyulitkan satu sama lain.

Penutup seri Wedding Fever ini lumayan bagus. Saya suka Amy akhirnya bisa menghadapi ketakutannya. Tapi saya kurang puas dgn Ben yg cepat dimaafkan. Seandainya Amy bisa lebih menyiksa Ben, tentu lebih seru. Recommended seri ini buat penyuka Adult Romance.

[Nas Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

RUNAWAY GROOM is a January 2014 release by Carina Press by award-winning author Fiona Lowe.

Amy ran away from a broken relationship and betrayal to Whitetail. And comes in contact with Ben from Australia. A loner, it seemed. He was travelling on his motorbike. After a minor accident Amy and Ben are forced to stay together. Can these two broken hearts mesh and meld together?

For Ben is also running away after being jilted at the altar by his fiancée. They have definite chemistry and give in to their passions, but would it lead to long term?

RUNAWAY GROOM is emotionally satisfying romance. It is fun, witty with fast-paced dialogue. Author Fiona Lowe always writes spell-binding romances and this was no exception.

Highly recommended!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2014/01/23/...

I’ve really enjoyed Lowe’s wedding books in the past, but have to admit I was a little bummed we hadn’t met the hero or heroine before the release of this book. This is the third book in her latest wedding series, and one of my favorite aspects of series is getting to see recurring characters, it was a bit sad for me to come in not knowing either Amy or Ben.

Amy’s life is not turning out how she expected. She was fired from her dream job, dumped by her boyfriend, and runs off to hide at the cabin vacation home of her youth. She didn’t plan on having to share her vacation home with a sexy Australian, but since she was the main reason he couldn’t leave, she also couldn’t complain.

Ben is running from a past he is desperate to forget. Having his bike break down in the middle of nowhere with a town that is nonstop weddings, isn’t his ideal situation. But Ben makes the best of it, and spending his time with Amy is turning out better than he could ever hope for.

But despite the fact that Ben and Amy are enjoying each other more than their old lives, in order to move forward, they both have to face the past. And that might be more than either of them is ready to do, even for each other.

I was pretty anxious to see what the story was with Amy’s job, why she was fired, why her boyfriend left, and why she was so upset about it all. As more and more of the story unfolded, I felt so bad for her! That poor women went through so much crap at the hands of her jerk of an ex, it was obvious to see that he really beat down her self esteem and self worth. But watching Amy get the chance to build it back up and grow even more amazing was fun to see.

I liked Ben, but thought that maybe he was reacting a little melodramatic given the dent to his ego. I thought his backstory wasn’t as traumatizing and dramatic as his actions implied, and because of it I felt like I had a harder time connecting to his character. Even though he redeemed his character, I had a hard time liking him up to the very end. Although he was fun and did a good job at bringing Amy back out of her shell, his character really just didn’t work for me. I don’t know if I just thought he was too emo or what, but I struggled.

That being said, I always enjoy the way that Lowe creates such a strong secondary romance in her books. We got a special treat with two secondary romances here, first Al and Ella, the older couple that Ben starts to think of as parental figures both get a second chance at love, and I thought they were super cute together. I also liked the story with Melissa and Scott. All three couples had very different relationship journeys, and they balanced out well.

One thing I didn’t totally love about this book was the way that Ben messed up their relationship. He came across as extremely selfish to me, and although he eventually realized where and how he went wrong, I needed Amy to make him beg a bit more. Instead, she welcomed him back in with open arms, after she laid it all out on the line for him, and then had to go through a really hard struggle without someone to stand by her side. I needed more groveling, and was a little upset to see Amy give in so easily.

All in all I really enjoyed the third book in the Wedding Fever series. I do adore the town of Whitetail and their devotion to the wedding business. I think Lowe does a wonderful job of really giving more storyline and life to the secondary characters, and getting to see multiple couples fall in love is always a plus. However, I struggled with the main hero and heroine in this.
I give Runaway Groom a B-

[Roz ~ My Written Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read this and my other reviews at My Written Romance.

4.5 / 5

Yesterday was the release day for Runaway Groom, the third in Fiona Lowe's wonderful Wedding Fever trilogy. I've made no secret in the past as to how much I have enjoyed the first two books. So when Fiona gave me the chance to review book number three (which is of course Runaway Groom), I couldn't have said yes fast enough!

Neither Amy or Ben expected to find themselves in Whitetail, WI - if their life plans had worked out, Amy would still be a high-flying attorney and Ben would be happily settling into married life back in Australia. However, as I am sure you all can testify, things don't always work out the way you expect them to.

Their paths converge in a most spectacular case of mistaken identity, which leaves Ben with a dislocated shoulder and Amy as his temporary carer. Thrown together when all either wanted was to be alone, an unexpected attraction begins to build. The connection between these two is just gorgeous - there's always something so lovely seeing two people find love when it's least expected.

I loved Amy and Ben as a couple, but even more, I adored them as characters. Amy is strong and unwilling to just lie down & let her problems stop her from embracing life - I love this kind of heroine, and I adore that she wasn't a stick-thin plastic princess either (yay for the curvy girl!). Ben...he just brought to mind a lot of guys I know - typical Aussie guy with an easygoing demeanour and an adventurous streak. But I've got to say thank you, Fiona, for making Ben someone who is not immune to his feelings. He may not have always broadcast his problems from the mountaintop, but he didn't deny the effect the past has had on him.

As with the other two in this series, you get a glimpse into the lives of the people of the town. The romances, the wedding fun, town shenanigans - I love catching up with the fun folk of Whitetail. I know that this appears to be the end of the Wedding Fever trilogy, but I really hope this is not the last we see of them.

I think what I have enjoyed so much about these books is the sense of humour and fun, and the setting. I said in my original review for Saved by the Bride about Whitetail "Fiona Lowe, you have created a couple, and a town, that you just can't help but cheer for." - I'm still cheering for Whitetail, and for Amy and Ben!

Note: I was provided with an advance reader copy by the author, Fiona Lowe in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runaway Groom is Fiona Lowe’s final installment in the Wedding Fever trilogy, except I hope she and the publisher change their mind. This book is my favorite in the trilogy and I want to see more of this town and these characters.

The Wedding Fever trilogy is exactly what I look for in a contemporary small town romance. LIkeable characters, small town setting where the characters know each other, and humor without the saccharine sweetness that plagues a few too many books in this genre.

What I loved most about this book (and others in the trilogy) is how true to life the challenges that the characters face feel, but there’s still that happy ending. I’ll admit as a red haired lawyer who grew up in Wisconsin I can relate on many levels to the heroine, but so much of the story and what the character go through will ring true even if you can’t pick out Wisconsin on a map.

Amy, our heroine, has lived her life weighed down by what she thought her family expected of her. Her sisters were the pretty ones. She was the smart one, the successful one, the one who’d break through that glass ceiling and succeed. She doesn’t have the same experience with men as her sister, and misplaced trust in a guy leads to her entire world crashing down around her.

Ben, our hero, is an Aussie so sexy you keep hoping he’ll spring off the pages and into your world. Yet he’s running away from his own demons, a run that’s waylaid when Amy mistakes him for an intruder and delays his departure from Whitetail Wisconsin.

As the story progresses, they discover the secrets they're hiding are holding them back from happiness and love. But, oh, what a lovely journey.

What I really liked about this book is that the author doesn’t make it easy on either one of them. They make mistakes, they say and do stupid things to each other - like we all do. Heck Ben realizes he’s a dickhead and admits it! Yet they both find the strength, within themselves, to get beyond it. In too many stories, the woman saves the man or vice-versa - yet here, both Amy and Ben find their own inner strength while recognizing the love they feel for the other.

A great read.

(rated on my five star romance scale)

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the first two books in the Wedding Fever Series which I loved and Book 3 in Fiona Lowe's Wedding Fever Series does not disappoint. During the local heatwave I started reading it at 1am (big mistake) with the misguided thought to 'just read til I fall asleep'... well I finished it at 6am - good thing I'm still on holidays!

Just when you thought there was no one left in the town to marry off in comes Amy Sagar, who's fond memories of summers in Whitetail, Wisconsin decides to get in her car and drive when her high-flying life as a Lawyer in Chicago gets pulled from underneath her by her double-crossing ex. While Amy was expecting a old log cabin she ends up in something much nicer - only to be interrupted by Aussie 'intruder' Ben Armytage who is on a road trip of his own having fled Australia after being left at the alter.
What begins as a case of crossed wires and dislocated shoulders slowly simmers into something more but the path of love never seems to run smooth... especially when your well-meaning parents decide to drop in.

Ben & Amy's story is intertwined with those of the locals of Whitetail Weddings that Wow including single dress shop owner Melissa who decided that she isn't going to end up with the heartache of her sister and is only going to let a man into her life who meets her strict criteria. But will totally unsuitable Scott slip past that list???

And what of the lovely old neighbourly widowers Ella & Al? Can they find happiness again?

This book has plenty of laughs, love and lots of heart, not to mention a wedding or two complete with last minute dress nightmares and accidental pregnancies changing wedding deadlines. I hope this is not the end for the Wedding Fever Series because I'd love to know what happens next.

I also love that a special local (Geelong, Australia) charity Kids Plus Foundation got a mention in this book.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Wedding Fever title, Amy Sagar, corporate lawyer, flees to Whitetail to hide out in a currently-empty upscale vacation property to lick her professional wounds after the man her junior in the company manages to kick her out with threats of making public their affair. He also takes over management of the charity Amy started, further wounding her psyche.

But she isn't the only one given a key to that particular vacation castle. Aussie engineer Ben Armytage is also fleeing the humiliation of being left at the church. Why his fiancee does so remains a mystery until deep in the story. Suffice it to say, his manhood has been seriously threatened, he's still smarting, and being stuck in a town that advertises itself as a wedding destination adds salt to his particular psychic wounds. Unfortunately, when Amy attacks and injures his shoulder, he can't get back on his vintage motorcycle and beat feet out of there, which means they're stuck together, something neither appreciates.

What follows is a gradual understanding of each other's hurts, along with evolving couplehood of two other pairs as a kind of bonus. But when one of Amy's recipients of a needed wheelchair is denied that assist, her fears turn to anger and she returns to the scene of the corporate crime. Can she find the courage to set things right and find herself another job, especially after Ben leaves? Reading this book is a lot like riding a motorcycle--with plenty of bumps along the way to make the ride memorable, if a little scary. Hang onto your helmet!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a advance copy from Carina Press on NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. "Runaway Groom" is the third book in the Wedding Fever series by Fiona Lowe. This is a excellent follow up to "Saved by the Bride" and "Picture Perfect Wedding".

Teaser from the book... 'Amy Sagar's life is in ruins. Fired from her fast-track job and dumped by her double-crossing boyfriend, she retreats to Whitetail, Wisconsin, to lick her wounds and regroup. Meeting an impossible, sexy Australian isn't part of her strategy for getting back on track.

Ben Armytage is running away. After being left at the altar and publicly humiliated, he's taking his vintage motorcycle on an extended road trip from Argentina to Alaska. Having his journey interrupted by a breakdown and sharing a house with a curvy, redheaded lawyer in a town obsessed with weddings was never on his itinerary.

Though being stuck in a luxury log cabin isn't really a hardship, living together with their broken hearts isn't easy. When the attraction between Amy and Ben proves unstoppable, they'll both begin rethinking their plans…'

I absolutely loved "Runaway Groom". Fiona writes a wonderful romance. I love all the characters and Whitetail is definitely filled with some characters! The story hooked me from the beginning and I was sad when it was over. I hope we'll get to read more about all the residents of Whitetail in the future. Highly recommend the entire Wedding Fever series by Fiona Lowe to all romance lovers!

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. Runaway Groom is book three in the Wedding Fever series.

Runaway Groom is the tale of Amy and Ben both suffering from broken hearts and bruised spirits who not only find themselves in Whitetail surrounded by wedding blissfulness but also stuck together in a rustic home. Neither wanted to be around another person but as always sometimes fate steps in to change your life.

First I have to say that I loved Ben from moment one. His personality shined even though he was trying to hide himself as he got over his past. It's not always easy to write a male character whose emotions are so easily felt but Fiona Lowe did wonderful with Ben.
Ben was charismatic from the moment he and Amy "collided". The hospital scene had me flat out giggling as I pictured it happening.

Amy was tough. She had an absolute backbone which commanded respect from the start, she may have been down but she was not going to be beaten even if she didn't know her own strength. I love a strong heroine.


Fiona Lowe always has a way of mixing comedy with a sweet, hot, romance, Runaway Groom was no exception. There was a wonderful balance between the romance building between Amy and Ben and their own personal battles. It was a wonderful addition to the series.

[Yazmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Runaway Groom by Fiona Lowe, Amy Sagar has just been fired from her job and was dumped by her boyfriend. So she decides to go hide at the cabin vacation home of her youth. What she didn’t plan was to accidentally attack and dislocate a motorcyclist’s shoulder and end up having to share her vacation home with him.

Ben Armytage is running from a past he is trying to forget, mainly he wants to forget being left in the altar and being publicly humiliated. In order to begin forgetting he plans to take a road trip from Argentina to Alaska. So having his motorcycle break down and having to spent time in a wedding town is definitely not something he wants, even if he will be sharing a house with a gorgeous redhead.

Learning what Amy went through just makes you want to cry. Her ex did quite a number on her and destroyed her self-esteem and self-worth. So watching her begin to build her life again is great fun to see. Ben is also brokenhearted and did suffer some humiliation after what he went through, but it wasn’t as bad as what Amy went through.

The teasing and flirting between Amy and Ben is fun to see. Even though they wanted to remain distant and not acknowledge the chemistry between them, true love will grow regardless.

If you want a fun and sweet read, don’t miss Runaway Groom by Fiona Lowe.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Wedding Fever series. It takes you back to Whitetail WI. This book can be read as a stand alone.
Amy and Ben collide in same luxury log cabin with bruised and broken hearts from previous relationships. The town welcomes them in with open hearts. Amy evens helps with sewing of wedding dresses. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow into the romance. It was great to catch up with residents of Whitetail. I am hoping for more tales from this town.
I received this book from the author for an honest review. Highly recommend.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

MORE @ http://melenasreviews.wordpress.com???

Runaway Groom is filled with so much besides just love and romance. There is a chance for two people so bent into running away find that sometimes you just need to stop running. Fiona Lowe did a great job in showing us Ben’s pain and the humiliation of Amy’s life yet love them for not just cowering away. The passion may not have been really hot but the love between them is sweet.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Fiona Lowe's Wedding Fever Trilogy. This third book Runaway Groom was so good...three great love stories in one! I love her characters and the town of Whitetail, Wisconsin. I hope there is more to come!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review:

http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-run...

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this series and I really don't know why it took me so long to get to this one! I absolutely adored it!

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Wedding Fever (Carina)

[Kerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aussie hero falls in love with a fuller figured American woman in a town dedicated to weddings... happy sigh - loved it!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review pending.