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Apparently It's Love #2
The Wrong Exit Strategy
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26Blurb coming soon
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
About the author
Laura Ashley Gallagher
11 books281 followersLaura Ashley was born and raised in Ireland, where she spent a large part of her childhood and teenage years studying music. Drawn to people’s stories and a lifelong storyteller, she went on to study journalism. Laura Ashley specializes in crafting stories with heaps of romance and maybe even a few tears. When she is not writing, she is spending time and having fun with her husband and young son.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 16, 2026
I absolutely love this author’s writing. Her books are the perfect palate cleanser when you’ve been immersed in dark romance and fantasy for a while—which, if you’re anything like me, happens often.
So when this ARC landed in my inbox, I downloaded it immediately and devoured it in less than 24 hours.
This story follows Piper and Griffin in a beautifully written brother’s best friend romance.
Piper is set to marry her fiancé of three years, but on the day of the wedding, she realizes she can’t go through with it. With the support of her family—who have seen how much she’s changed during that relationship—she makes the brave decision to run. Griffin, her brother’s best friend and someone who’s always cared deeply for her, is the one who helps her escape.
What begins as a two-week break from reality quickly becomes something far more meaningful.
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn’t rely on the typical “I’ve secretly loved you forever” trope. Yes, Piper had a teenage crush on Griffin at sixteen (which, let’s be honest, is basically a rite of passage when you have an older brother), but by the time this story begins, they are two adults who know each other well and genuinely want the best for one another.
As they spend time away from their everyday responsibilities, they begin to see that their connection might be something more.
Piper’s previous relationship was emotionally manipulative, filled with subtle gaslighting that left her doubting herself. I really appreciated that Griffin doesn’t “fix” her. Instead, he supports her as she starts to rediscover who she is. He loves her enough to help her heal, even if that means letting her go.
That made their relationship feel authentic, mature, and incredibly moving.
This is a true slow burn, with the spice not arriving until around the 60% mark. But it never feels like it’s dragging. The pacing is beautifully done, and when the romance does turn steamy, it feels natural and well-earned.
The chemistry is wonderful, the emotional development is strong, and the story is both heartwarming and satisfying.
You don’t need to have read Piper’s sister’s book first. Some familiar characters appear, but this works perfectly well as a standalone.
Overall, this was a fantastic read, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys:
• Brother’s best friend romance
• Slow burn
• Runaway bride
• Emotional healing
• Supportive hero
So when this ARC landed in my inbox, I downloaded it immediately and devoured it in less than 24 hours.
This story follows Piper and Griffin in a beautifully written brother’s best friend romance.
Piper is set to marry her fiancé of three years, but on the day of the wedding, she realizes she can’t go through with it. With the support of her family—who have seen how much she’s changed during that relationship—she makes the brave decision to run. Griffin, her brother’s best friend and someone who’s always cared deeply for her, is the one who helps her escape.
What begins as a two-week break from reality quickly becomes something far more meaningful.
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn’t rely on the typical “I’ve secretly loved you forever” trope. Yes, Piper had a teenage crush on Griffin at sixteen (which, let’s be honest, is basically a rite of passage when you have an older brother), but by the time this story begins, they are two adults who know each other well and genuinely want the best for one another.
As they spend time away from their everyday responsibilities, they begin to see that their connection might be something more.
Piper’s previous relationship was emotionally manipulative, filled with subtle gaslighting that left her doubting herself. I really appreciated that Griffin doesn’t “fix” her. Instead, he supports her as she starts to rediscover who she is. He loves her enough to help her heal, even if that means letting her go.
That made their relationship feel authentic, mature, and incredibly moving.
This is a true slow burn, with the spice not arriving until around the 60% mark. But it never feels like it’s dragging. The pacing is beautifully done, and when the romance does turn steamy, it feels natural and well-earned.
The chemistry is wonderful, the emotional development is strong, and the story is both heartwarming and satisfying.
You don’t need to have read Piper’s sister’s book first. Some familiar characters appear, but this works perfectly well as a standalone.
Overall, this was a fantastic read, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys:
• Brother’s best friend romance
• Slow burn
• Runaway bride
• Emotional healing
• Supportive hero
May 17, 2026
"The things that break and get back up
-are the ones worth holding onto."
What more could you want than a run away bride who runs right into her brothers best friends get away car This book has all the tropes, perfectly executed.
🚗Road trip
🚗Brothers best friend
🚗Friends to lovers
🚗Slow burn
🚗Forced proximity
As normal @authorlauraashleygallagher tackles some really heavy topics with the sensitivity they deserve without making the book feel too dark. If you love your romances on the spicy side this book is perfect for you, I'm already looking forward to the 3rd book in this series.
"Hunger floods through me so quickly that my knees almost buckle. She makes a sound, and it stirs something primal from the depths of my spine. My hands find her waist, then her hips, then her back, pulling her in close. Too close and not close enough."
📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Piper Callahan is a “good girl.” A world-class violinist, she’s spent her life smoothing over the cracks in her family and, more recently, molding herself into the perfect accessory for her controlling fiancé. But on the eve of her wedding, her unwavering composure begins to crumble. Facing a future that feels more like a prison sentence than a partnership, Piper makes a choice that no one expected: she runs.
Waiting at the bottom of the church steps is Griffin Hayes—her brother’s best friend and the man who has been her self-appointed protector since they were children. Griffin is a man of logic and steel, an engineer who likes things that make sense. He knows Piper is making a mess, but he also knows she’s finally breathing.
As they trade the wedding aisle for the open road of the California coast, Piper must confront the years she spent shrinking herself to fit someone else's mold. Between cheap motels, roadside diners, and the quiet intimacy of Griffin’s black Camaro, the lines between old friends and something more begin to blur.
But the road eventually ends, and the life Piper left behind is waiting for her back home. Now, she must decide if she has the courage to build a life on her own terms, and if the man who helped her escape is the one she wants to stay for.
-are the ones worth holding onto."
What more could you want than a run away bride who runs right into her brothers best friends get away car This book has all the tropes, perfectly executed.
🚗Road trip
🚗Brothers best friend
🚗Friends to lovers
🚗Slow burn
🚗Forced proximity
As normal @authorlauraashleygallagher tackles some really heavy topics with the sensitivity they deserve without making the book feel too dark. If you love your romances on the spicy side this book is perfect for you, I'm already looking forward to the 3rd book in this series.
"Hunger floods through me so quickly that my knees almost buckle. She makes a sound, and it stirs something primal from the depths of my spine. My hands find her waist, then her hips, then her back, pulling her in close. Too close and not close enough."
📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Piper Callahan is a “good girl.” A world-class violinist, she’s spent her life smoothing over the cracks in her family and, more recently, molding herself into the perfect accessory for her controlling fiancé. But on the eve of her wedding, her unwavering composure begins to crumble. Facing a future that feels more like a prison sentence than a partnership, Piper makes a choice that no one expected: she runs.
Waiting at the bottom of the church steps is Griffin Hayes—her brother’s best friend and the man who has been her self-appointed protector since they were children. Griffin is a man of logic and steel, an engineer who likes things that make sense. He knows Piper is making a mess, but he also knows she’s finally breathing.
As they trade the wedding aisle for the open road of the California coast, Piper must confront the years she spent shrinking herself to fit someone else's mold. Between cheap motels, roadside diners, and the quiet intimacy of Griffin’s black Camaro, the lines between old friends and something more begin to blur.
But the road eventually ends, and the life Piper left behind is waiting for her back home. Now, she must decide if she has the courage to build a life on her own terms, and if the man who helped her escape is the one she wants to stay for.
May 20, 2026
Arc Review.
“You are a fucking force in this world. Don’t ever let anyone take that away from you again.”
Some books hit you right in the feels and reading Piper’s story is one of those emotional reads that hits hard, especially as a women who knows what it’s like to loose themselves inside of a relationship.
A runaway bride and her brother’s best friend take an impromptu two week road trip to escape reality, after Piper Leaves her gaslighting Fiancé at the alter and Griffin her brother’s best friend is driving the getaway car.
What you get:
🐧 Brother’s best friend
🐧 Road Trip Romance
🐧 Protective MMC
🐧 Emotional Healing
🐧 Friends to Lovers
🐧 Close Proximity
I love that this isn’t a typical brother’s best friend storyline where the main characters have secretly pinned for each other for years. The relationship is built on mutual respect and an emotional connection that is discovered after from spending time together in close proximity. Knowing each other for practically their whole lives is just icing on the cake.
My heart ached for Piper and her realization of how she slowly lost who she was without even noticing until it was almost too late. Watching her emotional healing journey and remembering who she once was and finding love and joy again in her world was beautiful to read.
Griffen a structural Engineer allows Piper the space needed to breath while being there and keeping her standing up straight to she doesn’t fall. He is protective, patient, understanding and most importantly lets her be herself.
“Yeah, There she is….”
Laura has away of approaching heavy topics with dignity and respect without making her stories dark. Adding in the perfect amount of humour to lighten the mood.
“You’re a territorial little thing, aren’t you?” She looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes and dark lashes. “Careful, I’ll start peeing on you.”
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 🌶️🌶️
“You are a fucking force in this world. Don’t ever let anyone take that away from you again.”
Some books hit you right in the feels and reading Piper’s story is one of those emotional reads that hits hard, especially as a women who knows what it’s like to loose themselves inside of a relationship.
A runaway bride and her brother’s best friend take an impromptu two week road trip to escape reality, after Piper Leaves her gaslighting Fiancé at the alter and Griffin her brother’s best friend is driving the getaway car.
What you get:
🐧 Brother’s best friend
🐧 Road Trip Romance
🐧 Protective MMC
🐧 Emotional Healing
🐧 Friends to Lovers
🐧 Close Proximity
I love that this isn’t a typical brother’s best friend storyline where the main characters have secretly pinned for each other for years. The relationship is built on mutual respect and an emotional connection that is discovered after from spending time together in close proximity. Knowing each other for practically their whole lives is just icing on the cake.
My heart ached for Piper and her realization of how she slowly lost who she was without even noticing until it was almost too late. Watching her emotional healing journey and remembering who she once was and finding love and joy again in her world was beautiful to read.
Griffen a structural Engineer allows Piper the space needed to breath while being there and keeping her standing up straight to she doesn’t fall. He is protective, patient, understanding and most importantly lets her be herself.
“Yeah, There she is….”
Laura has away of approaching heavy topics with dignity and respect without making her stories dark. Adding in the perfect amount of humour to lighten the mood.
“You’re a territorial little thing, aren’t you?” She looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes and dark lashes. “Careful, I’ll start peeing on you.”
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 🌶️🌶️
May 17, 2026
ARC Review:
🌶️4 ⭐️: 5
Piper Callahan is on her way to being a world famous Violinist. That is until she lets the “love of her life” emotionally abuse and control her for the last 3 years. On the day of their wedding her father says “if you want to run, RUN!” Griffin Hayes is Piper’s older brother’s best friend. Her life long crush and hero in disguise. He promised her he’d be her get away driver at her rehearsal dinner, little did he know that is exactly what would happen. The two of them end up taking a two week vacation all over the coast before having to face reality. What was supposed to be an escape turned into big feelings between the two that she’s not ready to face. In Griffin fashion, he promised he would wait for her until she was ready. Piper takes her time figuring everything out but one piece was missing… Griffin Hayes.
Preorder now to see what happens between these two and watch Piper find herself again 💕
🌶️4 ⭐️: 5
Piper Callahan is on her way to being a world famous Violinist. That is until she lets the “love of her life” emotionally abuse and control her for the last 3 years. On the day of their wedding her father says “if you want to run, RUN!” Griffin Hayes is Piper’s older brother’s best friend. Her life long crush and hero in disguise. He promised her he’d be her get away driver at her rehearsal dinner, little did he know that is exactly what would happen. The two of them end up taking a two week vacation all over the coast before having to face reality. What was supposed to be an escape turned into big feelings between the two that she’s not ready to face. In Griffin fashion, he promised he would wait for her until she was ready. Piper takes her time figuring everything out but one piece was missing… Griffin Hayes.
Preorder now to see what happens between these two and watch Piper find herself again 💕
May 19, 2026
Thank you Laura Ashley Gallagher for providing me with this e-arc!
I love Gallagher’s work. Her writing is fun and light hearted but not afraid to pack an emotional punch.
While Exit Strategy is set in the same world as some of Gallagher’s other works, this reads as a stand alone.
In this installment, we follow runaway bride, Piper, as she learns what it means to heal and reclaim her identity. Her and her getaway driver from the church, Griffin, who also happens to be her brother’s best friend, embark on a two week roadtrip full of quirks, feet kicking giggles, and swoon worthy romance.
The only reason this isn’t a 5 star book for me is because it didn’t grab me quite as much as some of Gallagher’s other works. Either way, I’m excited to see what she has in store for us next.
I love Gallagher’s work. Her writing is fun and light hearted but not afraid to pack an emotional punch.
While Exit Strategy is set in the same world as some of Gallagher’s other works, this reads as a stand alone.
In this installment, we follow runaway bride, Piper, as she learns what it means to heal and reclaim her identity. Her and her getaway driver from the church, Griffin, who also happens to be her brother’s best friend, embark on a two week roadtrip full of quirks, feet kicking giggles, and swoon worthy romance.
The only reason this isn’t a 5 star book for me is because it didn’t grab me quite as much as some of Gallagher’s other works. Either way, I’m excited to see what she has in store for us next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Laura Ashley Gallagher for the ARC of the Wrong Exit Strategy! I completed this read in a day, I just couldn’t put it down.
Absolutely love anything by Laura. She always makes you fall in love with her characters and she did not disappoint with this one. If you are interested in slow burn, brother best friend, Runaway bride and a Protective MMC this is the read for you! Piper and Griffins’ story unfolds over a road trip after Piper runs away from her wedding and the chemistry between the two is heartwarming.
Absolutely love anything by Laura. She always makes you fall in love with her characters and she did not disappoint with this one. If you are interested in slow burn, brother best friend, Runaway bride and a Protective MMC this is the read for you! Piper and Griffins’ story unfolds over a road trip after Piper runs away from her wedding and the chemistry between the two is heartwarming.
May 18, 2026
Received as an ARC from the author.
I really enjoyed this story of Piper finding herself again. It was fun, but also was quite realistic in many ways. I could see how different people could connect to this story in many different levels.
I loved the authors writing and pacing throughout the book. I genuinely felt like I understood what Piper and Griffin were thinking and feeling throughout the whole story.
Looking forward to more!
I really enjoyed this story of Piper finding herself again. It was fun, but also was quite realistic in many ways. I could see how different people could connect to this story in many different levels.
I loved the authors writing and pacing throughout the book. I genuinely felt like I understood what Piper and Griffin were thinking and feeling throughout the whole story.
Looking forward to more!
Review of advance copy
4.5 stars I received this book as an ARC. I loved this lighthearted read, I breezes through it in 2 days because I did not want to put it down. I love Piper's character... like so many of us she loses herself in the course of a relationship... but watching her find herself again was so good! And of course Griffin, the strong and steady in her life that gives her the space to fly.
May 16, 2026
I was so excited to get this ARC!
The characters are real, raw, and relatable. Her story writing keeps you wanting more. I couldn’t this one down, finish in less than 24 hrs! If Laura Ashley Gallagher writes it, I’m going for it!
The characters are real, raw, and relatable. Her story writing keeps you wanting more. I couldn’t this one down, finish in less than 24 hrs! If Laura Ashley Gallagher writes it, I’m going for it!
May 17, 2026
INCREDIBLE. Piper and Griffins chemistry speaks for itself. We love a man that knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to let his lady be HERSELF and nothing less. “IM STILL WAITING BABY” wrecked me. Laura is the queen of romance and I’ll read anything/everything she writes. 🥹🩷
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews