Runaway Roadtrip

by Kelly Kay

400 square feet. Five years of wanting. Zero escape routes.

I ran from my wedding and crashed out in my brother's best friend's RV. Worst hiding spot ever.

Now Ben Pierce and I are stuck together, 400 square feet of forced proximity, five years of unresolved tension, and absolutely zero chance of keeping our hands to ourselves. And the one bed situation isn’t helping things.

The plan: Just one more day before we go our separate ways.

The problem: I'm falling for the grumpiest, most infuriating man I've ever known. The same man who told me I'd be happy five years ago. The one I've been trying to forget ever since.

Ben's headed to California to take care of his family. I'm headed home to face my wedding disaster. We can't be together, not when I just left another man at the altar, not when my brother would lose his mind, not when Ben's building a life I'm not part of.

But every mile makes it harder to remember why we're fighting this. Every late-night conversation. Every accidental touch. Every moment he looks at me like I'm exactly enough.

I spent my whole life being perfect. Maybe it's time to be happy instead.

Runaway bride meets road trip romance meets the one that got away. Buckle up.

Wildflower Brides is a hilarious new romcom series from Kelly Kay
Four women who are about to bloom whereever they want and the men who never saw them coming.

Sometimes the best love stories start when you stop being who everyone expects and start being yourself.

A romantic comedy series starter bantery, steamy, with a small-town girl gang and a HEA guaranteed.

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

I used to create "dreams" with my best friend growing up. We'd each pick a boy we liked, then we'd write down a meet-cute that always ended with a happily ever after.

Now I get to dream every day, although it's a little steamier these days. And I've discovered I can and will write anywhere I can. Keep tuned to Instagram to see all the times I fit in a sentence or two.

I'm a writer, married to a writer, mother of a creative dynamo of a nine-year-old boy and currently a little sleepy. I'm a klutz and goofball and love lipstick as much as my Chuck Taylors.

Good things in the world: pepperoni pizza, Flair pens*, wine, coffee, laughing with my friends until my stomach hurts, a musician at the top of their game, getting lost somewhere I've never been, matinee movies on a weekday, the Chicago Cubs, a fresh new notebook full of possibilities, bourbon on a cold night, Fantasy Football, witty men, walking through the local zoo in the rain and that moment when a character clicks in and begins to write their own adventure. I'm just the pen.

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This book was SUCH a fun chaotic rom-com in the best possible way 😭💛

Courtney and Ben had amazing chemistry from the start, and their banter genuinely kept me smiling the entire time. Between the road trip chaos, awkward situations, emotional moments, and all the ridiculous shenanigans, this story was just ridiculously entertaining from beginning to end.

I also loved that underneath all the humor there was a really heartfelt message about figuring out who you are outside of everyone else’s expectations. Both Courtney and Ben are so used to being what other people need them to be that somewhere along the way they stop asking themselves what they actually want.

Watching them slowly rediscover themselves while falling back into each other’s orbit made the romance feel really meaningful underneath all the comedy.

And the friend group??? Absolutely loved them. The girls felt supportive, chaotic, loyal, and genuinely believable in a way that made the story even more fun.

✨ what to expect ✨
🚐 Road trip romance
💞 Second chance romance
😂 Rom-com chaos
🏡 Small-town vibes
💬 Elite banter
💛 Found family friendships
✨ Self-discovery journey

This book was funny, sweet, heartfelt, and completely addictive. Definitely one of those romances that would make the PERFECT comfort read 🤍

[Booksnliftsdiary · Rating 5 out of 5]

#AdvancedReaderCopy
Title: Runaway Roadtrip: Wildflower Brides (Book 2)
Author: Kelly Kay
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Pages: 399

Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)

“Love should be a loud shout, a song that never ends, heart flutters, a warmth in your soul that’s always there, and a full fucking lungful of breath that you can’t wait to share with that person. Love should be a field of wildflowers not a curated bouquet. Mine slips from my fingers.”

Courtney running away from her wedding was chaotic enough, but ending up trapped in a tiny RV with her brother’s best friend made it even worse (or maybe better). Ben has been in her life forever: her first crush and the one person she could never quite forget, but years of bad timing and hidden feelings kept them apart. Now, between late-night talks, accidental touches, and endless miles on the road, the tension they’ve ignored for years becomes impossible to escape.

Ben is the ultimate grumpy-but-secretly-soft guy, and Courtney slowly stops living for everyone else and finally chooses herself for once. The mix of humor, emotion, friendship, and romance is romcom perfection. What I really loved is how the story doesn’t treat love as something clean or easy - it’s messy, complicated, and sometimes painful, but it still focuses on accountability, growth, and choosing to make things right instead of running from the consequences. Swifties will absolutely love this one too, with Taylor Swift references and song mentions sprinkled throughout from multiple albums, making it feel like the whole romance is set to her music. Overall, this is the ultimate small-town romcom with brother’s best friend, grumpy x sunshine, one bed, road trip chaos, and all the heartfelt moments that make it impossible to put down.

A big thanks to Love Notes PR and Kelly Kay for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

Releasing 05/19/2026 on Amazon, KU and paperback.

[Kimberly S45 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Love Notes for this ARC😊

Runaway Roadtrip! What a fantastic story humorous, smart, and sassy. 5+ ⭐️

Courtney is about to wed Kirk -like literally in the dress ready to go, but so not into it. She’s always doing what others want her to do not necessarily what she wants out of life.

So she runs—to the nearest RV which happens to belong to Ben her brothers bf and a childhood friend of herself.

Ben is a bit grumpy in a good way, he’s basically loved Courtney all his life and when he finds her in his “Class A Motorcoach” the adventure begins.

Such a fun story the Target scene alone had me putting my kindle down (in the best way) and ball out laughing!!!😂

They both go on a great journey and discover who they truly want to be!


What to expect:
🥰 Brother's Best Friend
💍 Runaway Bride
⛅️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🧡 Friends to Lovers
💞 Close Proximity
🏡 Small Town
🚘 Roadtrip

Thanks again for the ArC and happy release to Kelly Kay

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful

Kelly Kay can channel human emotions perfectly. Reading the prequel, you get how Courtney has her back up against the wall with all the demands of Kirk and the approaching wedding. Running was the only thing that made sense. And hiding out in Ben's RV was definitely fate. The road trip was great, but watching Courtney and Ben face their reality was even better. The book tugs at your heart strings, makes you laugh, makes you cry...it does it all. Highly recommend. 10/10.

[♡Angelique♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Ben and Courtney's adventure! As sad as I was to see Courtney potentially having to marry a dbag, I'm glad her getting stuck in a Class A Motorcoach bathroom lead her back to the love of her life.

I enjoyed the small moments Ben and Courtney shared driving around and my heart broke each time Ben thought to leave Courtney behind. The final night they had together and when she is swept away made my heart hurt for them.

Im excited to read the next stories in this series!

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Love Notes PR. I devoured this book! It’s the perfect romcom with a few Taylor Swift mentions, which I loved. I really enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. I especially enjoyed Courtney’s personal journey throughout the story. Her and Ben are one of my favorite couples.

[Lindsey Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book and a really sweet couple. I love a childhood friends story where they finally succumb to the feelings they’ve been harboring for years. I also loved all the Taylor Swift tie in!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I liked Ben and Courtney. I liked the fun of the road trip. I liked the way it let them reconnect and let their feelings grow. The stops were fun and I loved what they do with the dress. Overall it was a good book.

[Jamie]

Thank you to LoveNotes PR for the opportunity to read this as an arc!

DNFing on May 16th, 50 pages in (11%).

Unfortunately, I found this too clunky. A lot of the sentences were abrupt. And it felt like there was no chemistry this early on between the main pairing.

[Dimitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway Roadtrip 🚐
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Kelly Kay for trusting me with this ARC!🤍
Running away from my own wedding,the last thing that I expected to happen was to crash out in my brother's best friend 's RV. But life is crazy,and here I am a runaway bride touring the land with the grumpiest man that is known to earth,and oh god, why am I falling for him?
Runaway Roadrip , is an amazing novel about choosing yourself, to be happy and literally live in your own terms for the first time in this goddamn life.Personally,I instantly loved the trope (I have not read many runaway bride themed,but maybe this is the time),mostly because it combined funny and more deep elements,while building a slow burn romance that belong to the main characters only
As a story,it flew by and I promise the beautiful landscapes will leave you stunned ,as the hot man we have to deal with.
Ben is not just a guy,is our girl's lord and savior,while he is the one to remind her that she HAS to live for her own.Personally,the aspect of his character that I loved the most was his calm energy and that stability he gave.I know really opposite of what you expect me to say, due the nature of their relationship,but if you look at it for a second,that man ensured her that she has someone,and as the story continued he did that through his romantic interest and with the safety that she felt through him.Courtney, on the other side was more chaotic while always doing what is is told,I loved her character development and how she literally found her own inner strength and courage to not especially look every other person in the eye and be her real self,but she was finally okay with the girl ,who had inside her that wanted to experience life, to fall in love , to have good s*x , and be with the MAN she wants.
Lastly,I want us to pay attention to the writing skills,because Kay ,not only such an AMAZING book,but the twist that she did in the epilogue,that literally leads us to her next story had stunned and saying that someone cooked,ate and served here!
As you understand,we have an incredible,funny,easy to read rom-com that is perfect for the sunny days in the pool in which you want a good laugh and a love story worth giggling your feet for
Out In May,19th 👰🏻‍♀️
4⭐

[Jimena Alvarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

firstly, i want to thank LoveNotes PR and Kelly Kay for the opportunity to read this ARC!

getting into the book, Runaway Bride is most definitely a romantic comedy that made me laugh every single step of the book. Ben and Courtney have a lot of chemistry and i loved how each other made the other feel seen when they most needed it.

the book starts with Courtney running away from her wedding with help from her sister and best friends (i laughed so hard with ginny and her having padding to fall down the stairs) and an accidental car lock out makes her dive headfirst into Ben’s RV. Ben, who is her brother’s best friend and her first crush. Ben, who has been in love with her for a long time and left her wedding early to avoid seeing her marrying someone else. so, some might call it fate when she falls asleep drunk in the bathroom and he accidentally kidnaps her (also laughed so hard during the target scene). a few hundred miles later and they realize they can’t keep their feelings buried and decide to be together, despite all the reasons they have not to be.

their story was charming, funny and romantic. i think we see Ben and Courtney together in a way that we don’t usually see couples in books, but i still think Ben’s story fell a little flat when paired with Courtney’s. her character development was incredible to see when you take into consideration how she was basically manipulated by her ex fiancé and his mom, probably for the whole time they were together. i loved how Ben brought out the best in her personality, how he paid attention to her needs and took care of her in a non overbearing way. on the other hand, Ben’s story was a bit underwhelming in comparison, and the martyr act because he was an oops baby and feels responsible for everything and everyone around him was a bit tiring, considering no one from his family was putting that pressure on him.

now, the book as a whole needs to go through a lot of editing, it’s definitely not ready for publication. the writing at first feels a bit clunky, like the writer wanted to get it over with just to get to the part when she had Courtney and Ben interacting together. after that, the writing started flowing much easier.

overall, i give the story 4.5 stars, but because of the writing and lack of editing, i can’t give it more than 3 stars. hopefully it’ll be better edited once it’s officially published.

[Ayesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runaway Road trip by Kelly Kay is a book filled with adventure, romance, healing and growth. It shows how an unexpected road trip can change your entire life. The narration , plot , setting and dialogues were amazing and there were certain humourous scenes where I couldn't stop laughing. It was also emotional at times and as the story progresses one can see the depth in the characters personalities and can empathize with them.

The character of Courtney was written in a beautiful manner. Her struggles were relatable and I did like how Ben made her feel seen and heard. The Runaway bride on an unplanned road trip with brother's best friend - what an amazing combination. The adventures she had with Ben and explored each and every thing about herself and the relationships around her was amazing to read. I loved her character progression a lot.

The Character of Ben as a selfless person with the need to be perfect was written in a realistic manner. The relationship he had with his grandparents was emotional part for me and how Courtney helped him choose himself first and guided him throughout the journey was just perfect.

The chemistry and romance was just extraordinary. They were irresistible and I loved reading each and every scene of them.The setting of RV was described in a detailed manner where the main leads did spend their whole journey and was a crucial part of this whole story.

I loved the nickname of Courtney ' Strawberry face' given by Ben. It was just adorable 😍 And I did learn a new word from Courtney which is 'Grumgry' it was hilarious 😂. Ben as a grumpy and at the same time caring was such an amazing combination.

My favorite scene from the book was when Ben went to Target to shop essentials for Courtney. It was hilarious 😂 and that whole scene was just unforgettable.

Overall I did enjoy this story a lot and would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys story with self discovery, healing, growth and is ready to take a road trip with the characters 😊

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best rom-coms I’ve read this year.

From the very beginning, I was completely entertained and found myself smiling through so many scenes. Kelly Kay created a story that perfectly balanced humor, chemistry, heart, and emotional growth.

Courtney and Ben were such a fun couple to follow. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, but what really sold me was the banter between them. Every conversation felt natural and effortless, and their history together added another layer to the romance that kept me invested in their journey.

The forced proximity of being stuck together in an RV created so many great moments, especially when years of unresolved feelings began surfacing. The tension between them was wonderful, and I loved watching them slowly figure out what they truly meant to one another.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the friend group. They didn’t disappoint at all. They brought so much humor, support, and personality to the story and made the world feel even more real and enjoyable.

Beyond the romance, I loved the message about choosing happiness and being true to yourself instead of living according to everyone else’s expectations. It gave the story emotional depth while still keeping the fun rom-com energy that made it such an enjoyable read.

If you’re looking for a romance filled with banter, chemistry, forced proximity, road trip adventures, and a friend group you’ll wish you could join, I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

✨ Tropes:
💍 Runaway Bride
🚐 Road Trip Romance
🛏️ One Bed
👫 Brother’s Best Friend
🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️ The One That Got Away
😤 Grumpy MMC
😂 Romantic Comedy

⭐️ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5

Thank you to Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely in love with this couple!! If you've enjoyed the prequel to this series, you know Courtney is facing a crisis. Her life is not where she imagined it would be, and she makes an impulsive decision to run from her wedding.

Who she happens to run away with is not a surprise, as these two have denied their deep-seeded love for each other for years, but their road trip is full of the very best emotional growth and healing (both personal and together), and I was engaged from the first chapter to the last. The steamy chemistry blossoms during their close proximity journey, and the challenge of turning this into a forever situation is fun to follow.

This is full of hysterical banter and adorable emotions surrounding the history of this friendship. I felt like I was watching this play out like a movie in my head, and I love when that happens! Connecting with this storyline was easy and I never wanted it to end! Be prepared to laugh a lot, and feel the emotions surrounding Ben's background and losses.
This storyline kept me flipping pages, and I was done quicker than I expected, so plan your time.

I cannot WAIT for more of this found family storyline and highly recommend grabbing this one!

Fortunate to have received an ARC (thank you) I happily leave my thoughts.

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really loved the plot of this book. It was so wholesome and heartwarming to watch Courtney realize how much she had lost herself to everyone else's wants and become a shell of her trueself, only to find herself again with the support of Ben ❤️ It was soo obvious these two loved each other the whole time, but "couldn't" be together because of her brother and their family being Ben's found family, and so heartbreaking to see them both just wanting the pure joy they get from each other while also trying so hard not to cross the line for everyone else's sake.

I loved how Courtney left behind pieces of the dress as she left parts of her past behind and grew into her true self. Such a clever idea! And my heart broke for Ben being ignored by his parents his whole life and not really having a "place" to be his true self... except when he was with Courtney😭

I did read an advanced copy and I have to say there were a lot of punctuation/grammar errors, and multiple places where there were extra words or missing words that was quite distracting while I was reading. However, being an advanced copy I can't say for sure how many of these were or were not corrected in the final version.

Thank you so much to Love Notes PR and the author for allowing me to read and review! I loved seeing these two take their journey, emotionally, mentally, and quite literally physically.

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brand new series from Kelly - Wildflower Brides Book 1 is a standalone with interconnected characters following 4 best girlfriends in finding the one. We start off with Courtney, who actually found her one (Ben) many moons ago, when they were juts little kids. Ben is Courtney's brothers best friend and they've been in each other lives since forever. He's her first crush, but at 28, she's about to walk down the aisle to another man.
Ben, Ben, Ben - what were you thinking?! He's his own worst enemy when it came to his feelings for Courtney, and trust me, those feeling were strong and solid, and when the opportunity presented itself to help Courtney out - he almost missed out!! Hilarious antics and banter in their RV, love a good roadtrip, nothing like a bit of forced proximity to brings those hidden feelings to the surface. Slow burn to start, but when they eventually gave in, they couldn't keep their hands off each other.
Exciting new series and can't wait to read more.

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for a second chance romance especially one with all kinds of shenanigans and the author delivered on this perfectly. This book is a riot from start to finish. I loved all the banter between the characters. And there were so many times that I was just cracking up. This was like the best rom-com small town romance read. Courtney and Ben are just two incredible characters. Then of course you have the girl gang and I really liked this group because they're the kind of friends you'd want in your corner. I liked how this came across as relatable and believable. I mean I could just see something like this totally going off the rails in real life, a situation like what's in this narrative. I don't have the words to describe it you're just going to have to get a copy of this to find out for yourself. And one more thing I loved the nickname for the FMC, it fit her perfectly. I cannot not recommend this book more than enough. You seriously don't want to miss out on this new series it hits the ground running. A huge thanks to the author for a copy of this. All opinions are my own freely expressed.

[Extraspicybooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runaway Road Trip by Kelly Kay
Wildflower Brides Book 1

I have never laughed so hard reading a book ever. Kelly Kay’s sense of humour is unmatched and needs to win awards🥇The banter and the witty snark between not only the MCs but the friend group, I can’t even describe how funny it was.
After settling on a man she knows deep down she doesn’t love Courtney finally realizes it. Mass chaos ensues when she turns runaway bride, hides, gets trapped and then passes out in her brothers best friend’s RV.
Ben, said brothers best friend had to get out of that wedding as fast as he could. He reuses to watch the woman he secretly loves be someone else’s. Until he realizes after hours of traveling she’s actually in his RV bathroom, stuck, in her wedding dress no less.
The absolute mess that follows these 2 is nothing short of hilarious chaos and the best spicy banter EVER.
Courtney and Ben are both sweet disasters. Both just goin through it, but the way they both work through the mess is so endearing. I cannot recommend this book and it’s happy brilliance enough! Im so beyond excited for the rest of these girls book 😁🥰

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll start off by saying that I read the prequel, Surprise Bride, before I dove into Runaway Roadtrip and felt like I got a lot more context for Courtney and Ben's history and what made their chemistry feel grounded from the beginning. It also made Courtney's family dynamics - especially with Kirk and the rest of her family - clearer. Without that background, I think some of those relationships might feel a bit underdeveloped or confusing.

Runaway Roadtrip was exactly what I thought it would be - a hilarious tale of Courtney and Ben as they reconnect and navigate old tensions while literally being stuck on the road together. The pacing is quick, and the story leans more cozy than complex - which is why I read this book in one sitting.

I enjoyed the story overall but felt like the characters could have been given a little more emotional depth. Some of the emotional moments felt rushed and a few of the conflicts resolved a little too quickly. But MAN did I laugh... A LOT!!!!

This was a fun, quick read with super likeable characters and I can't wait to read the next installment.

Thank you to Kelly Kay for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kortney Liston · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍓👰😆

Kelly Kay I have a feeling if you ever met Meghan Quinn you’d be best friends! This book was hilarious! Thank you for letting me read this as an ARC!

Courtney’s personality is literally mine! The only difference is my name is spelt with a K and no U! But everything else I’m literally here for. And the whole Taylor vibe is completely my jam. You guys my son says Taylor Swift is his girlfriend! We LOVE Taylor!

I was laughing so hard when she locked herself in the trailers bathroom. Wait… sorry ‘The Class A Motorcoach’s’ bathroom.

Just her being drunk, the dress, the door getting stuck, passing out only to wake up three hours later to said ‘Class A Motorcoach’ now on the road.

Her and Ben’s banter was hilarious and their flirting is entertaining. If I could have gotten away with reading it in one sitting I totally would have.

To learn more about Red Vines, Strawberry Face ☺️ 🍓 and if she gets to see Ben’s no-no spot … you gotta read the book!

For now I’ll leave you with five ⭐️’s and a great book recommendation! Great job Kelly!

#bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #booktok #momswhoread

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Courtney makes a sharp exit from her own wedding, getting stuck in the RV (ahem, Class A motorhome) of the one man she cannot ever have is definitely not part of the hastily-constructed plan. Yet it turns out to be the perfect move for two people who have spent their lives trying to be what others want them to be, because over the course of several 'just one more day's, they learn how to live for themselves. Ben and Courtney's travels, discoveries (both of the tourist and self-realisation variety) and inescapable attraction to each other are depicted with all the humour, chaos, messy emotions and heart that you'd expect from this author. Romance-wise it's a slow burn - with tension heightened by the close quarters of their vehicle, the banter that can only come from two people with a lot of history, and Ben's infuriating inability to get out of his own way - but it builds to the most glorious 'screw it' moment and then rockets along to an utterly satisfying conclusion. It's a rollicking start to a new series and I can't wait to see what (and who) comes next.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3/5 ⭐️

The book starts off with Courtney’s wedding day - she’s getting ready to walk down the aisle but is having a crisis. Second guessing and deep thinking about the wedding and who she’s marrying. Kirk, her fiancé, is - to put it simply - god awful, unromantic and has planned the wedding himself with his mother. Introduces Ben, her brother’s best-friend, and in love with Courtney.

The RV trip starts, and their romantic feelings come forward and here lies the rest of the book! It would make a good beach read or summer read.

It wasn’t my usual cup of tea, but for people who love this genre I think would enjoy! The writing is good and keeps you interested throughout the book with a lot happening. The bra shopping part is HILARIOUS.

I didn’t like the nickname he has for her, I don’t think it’s particularly endearing. Through the first half I just got friends vibes I didn’t feel the strong feelings between them, especially as they had known each other for years and had a past together. Their banter was good mostly and the ending was good!
HEA 🫶🏼🖤

[🐾Padfoot L.C · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: First I would like to thank the author and love notes pr for entrusting me with an ARC of the Runaway Roadtrip.

From the moment I saw the book on the listing for up coming ARCs there was just something about it that spoke to me and made me unbelievably excited to send in an application for an ARC. This story went beyond my expectations with two very rib tickling experiences for our main protagonist that were unforgettable on this roadtrip away from reality. But you’ll just have to add to your TBR to read these moments. While yes there is humor Kelly also spoke out on the importance of being self sufficient and not letting anyone determine who you are or who you’re destined to be. Courtney lost her shine but with the help of her brother’s best friend she’s quickly reminded of who she used to be. Even if she’s a disaster or feels that way she’s a beautiful one and the person she grows into during this exciting roadtrip is everything that a person could hope to find on a path to self discovery.

[Jonathan Van Crumpet · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels in one strawberry flavored package

This book is like a big smooshy hug. I do love me a bit of second chance romance, and this book delivers. Ben is just adorable and just the right side of damaged, while Courtney blossoms with each new stop on their RV (sorry, motorcoach) adventure.

I loved the beautifully described scenery and settings, from the historic towns down to, the minutiae of traveling and the gas station snacks.

I also loved the dialogue, which is so realistic, I felt I was right along with my new friends on their journey., singing along to Taylor and falling deeper every day.

And I adored the way the book embraces the idea of being present in the moment, whether it be sampling the GOAT of hotdogs, doing interesting things with melted wax, or defending your wheeled fortress from the local wildlife. We could all do with being a bit more Courtney.

Go read this happy book, your soul will thank you (thank you very much).

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun times
I really enjoyed this runaway bride story and was so glad I had read the Prequel The Surprise Bride beforehand.
This made the back story of Ben and Courtney’s relationship so much better knowing just what they meant to each other as they grew up.
After running out on her wedding to a man that never saw or allowed her to be herself, Courtney ends up going on an RV adventure with Ben.
I loved the fun, the reflection along the way and the journey they went on together.
How both yearned for each other but it just was never their time.
However, when it was their time, their attraction was palpable and hot with many spicy scenes.
With serious tones, laugh out loud moments and some amazing characters this story was a joy to read.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading other stories in this series.
Thank you to Kelly Kay and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read this book.
4.5 Stars ⭐️
3 🌶️

[Liberty Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, heartfelt, forced‑proximity romance that delivers exactly what I wanted: banter, longing, and two people who’ve been circling each other for years finally stuck in 400 square feet with nowhere to hide.

I loved the setup... a runaway bride choosing herself for the first time, and the grumpy, quietly loyal best friend who’s been holding a torch for her since forever. Their chemistry is instant but layered, full of old hurts, vulnerability, and that delicious “we shouldn’t… but we absolutely will” tension. Ben is a swiony book boyfriend who falls first, and the heroine’s journey from obligation to authenticity gives the story real emotional weight.

The RV road trip adds chaos and charm, and the Wildflower Brides friendships bring warmth without stealing focus. It’s bantery, a little steamy, and ultimately about choosing the life and the love that actually fits. A cozy, satisfying read with a guaranteed smile at the end.

4.5 stars

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book perfectly captures the thrill of ditching a toxic relationship for the one person who truly gets you. Courtney realizes on her wedding day that she is settling for a man who ignores her opinions. She flees the altar and accidentally crashes into the getaway RV of Ben, her brother’s best friend and her lifelong crush. Ben, a total "green flag," was literally driving away because he couldn't stand to watch her marry the wrong guy.
The magic of this story lies in the forced proximity. Stuck together in the RV, Courtney sheds the stifling expectations of her ex and gets back to her true, authentic self. Ben finally stops hiding behind the "bro code" (which they only broke once, five years ago) and steps up to admit his feelings. A highly satisfying, swoon-worthy romance about reclaiming your identity and finally uniting with the person you were always meant to be with.
Tropes:
Runaway Bride, Brother's Best Friend, Forced Proximity

[Marivel (marislitcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheers to Kelly for the humor Runaway Roadtrip brought into my life. Ben and Courtney's story was the perfect blend of funny and sweet, and reinforced my dream of buying or renting an RV and hitting the road.

Both Ben and Courtney were loveable characters, and I loved their grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Courtney had a lot of growth during the roadtrip and running away from her wedding was the first step in taking back her power. She was such a sweet mess. Ben was a total caregiver and I loved the way he took care of Courtney without being overbearing. To his own detriment, he felt the need to "fix" everything and it was great how the roadtrip was an eye opening experience for him.

I enjoyed the banter between Ben and Courtney, and all the humorous situations they found themselves in while roadtripping.

Runaway Roadtrip wasn't just a brother's best friend "so she's off-limits" romance. It's a story about mutual pining, finding yourself again, and taking a chance on love that's seemed forbidden. Ben and Courtney's road to HEA was fun and bumpy (pun intended).

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is well written, and I can understand how one can be swept away into things under the pressure to please and the overwhelming speed of other people's decision-making. Have you ever found yourself dumfounded by too many surprises? And suddenly, at the last minute, you crash under the "what was I thinking" come to Jesus moment?
Well, it happened to Courtney, and her story is a lesson in reacting to other people's control freak tendencies and peer pressure, and not let things go too far. Jilting someone at the altar is a very serious no, even for a douche like Kirk.

The writing is as good as ever, so I enjoyed the story, and Ben is absolutely my favorite, followed by Ginny. I got a lot more context for Courtney and Ben's history and Courtney's family dynamics by reading the prequel, so I recommend that.

[Jenn Ann H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was IMMEDIATELY in love with Courtney's friend group at the start of this book and just knew that there were only good things in store from there. This was such a chaoticly fun rom-com from start to end!

There was sass, there was banter, there was a sweet underlying theme, and the entire thing was wrapped up in an awkward roadtrip that panned out pretty perfectly if you ask me. I thought Courtney and Ben had amazing chemistry from the start and I could see this book playing out in such a realistic way. I loved how both of our characters were slowly discovering who they were again and that they could lean on each other.

Make sure you read the dedication on this one too!! It was just as good as the rest of the book!
Thank you Love Notes PR for the gifted e-arc! All opinions are my own.