The Trouble with Runaway Brides

Lake Starlight #3

by Piper Rayne

I should not still be hung up on my high school girlfriend.

I’m a billionaire, with a penthouse in New York City, a private plane, and was recently crowned one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors.

She’s engaged to my rival. A real prick of a guy whose family is about as famous as mine. So, pictures of the happy couple are plastered everywhere, and it’s driving me insane.

The last time I spoke to her was my freshman year of college, and I never imagined I’d bump into her at a crowded restaurant in the busiest city in the world. But fate had other plans, and when I innocently suggest that the press wouldn’t bother with her wedding plans if she held it in our small Alaskan town where we grew up, I had no idea she’d take me seriously.

Now, I find myself helping her plan the wedding at my dad’s luxury resort while the town’s gossip app follows our every move, afraid that their golden boy will get his heart broken twice by the same girl.

But that’s impossible because she stole my heart when we were fifteen, and never gave it back.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Audiobook, Second Chance Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2023

About the author

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling author duo. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us... We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

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Our Books: We do things in 3’s. Three best friends. Three hot heroes. Three HEA’s.

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Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Series ~ Lake Starlight #3
Others in the series ~ The Problem with Second Chances #1, The Issue with Bad Boy Roommates #2
Publication date ~ August 8, 2023
Page Count ~ 264
Audio length ~7 hours 13 minutes
Narrators ~ Aiden Snow, Emily Woo Zeller
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ high school sweethearts, close proximity, enemies-to-lovers, runaway bride, flashbacks, small town, will they or won't they, slow burn, no cheating, second chance, some steamage

Lance & Kenzie were high school sweethearts, but made a decision to break up before they left for college. Now it's 8 years later and Kenzie is set to marry Lance's nemesis, and a real douche canoe, Will, and somehow Lance ends up being their wedding planner.

The tension was so high when these two were near each other. Although weird that Lance was planning her wedding it was cute that he obviously knew way more about Kenzie than her tool of a fiance did....that should of told her something right there. I actually liked Lance more than Kenzie for that reason...among others.
We have the miscommunication from college that I could do without, but I didn't find what happened to be too bad, I mean it wasn't great, but there could have been something worse.
This was a slow burn and I kinda wish it wasn't. Although the story is about their journey back to each other it took longer than I would have liked, but when they finally got themselves figured out I love that they were all in. I just hate that so much time was wasted, but at least they're only in their mid 20's.

Overall, not my favorite of the series, but well written and still a great story. Yes a standalone, but Brinley and Van from book 2, and, cousin, Easton, all play huge parts in the story, so you might as well start at the beginning. I still need to go back and read the whole Bailey and Greene series myself, I really wish I had read those before this series.

*Thanks to the authors and Valentine PR for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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[Piper Rayne]

I should not still be hung up on my high school girlfriend.

The Trouble with Runaway Brides by Piper Rayne is LIVE!

Grab your copy today!
https://books2read.com/ttwrb

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3tLyI4U

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is quickly becoming one of my faves and since I read book 1 I grab the next release as soon as I can!

Lance and Kenzie’s story is a tough one because you want to jump into the pages and tell them to get to together! I do love that we got a vulnerable hero. You don’t usually see that but Lance is different and I loved him so much!

Kenzie is equally as amazing. She’s rough around the edges at first and your unsure but once you get the full picture you can see why lance loved her so deeply!

There are twists and turns in this book and I absolutely love great grandma Dori! This series is brilliant!

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧

Okay, so first, let me just say this cover is #winning! The emotion that is pouring out of this couple is so in tune with this story that I could stare at it for hours and not get bored. I really love it when a cover matches a story so perfectly. *happy sigh* Well done ladies and models!

Now, about this story … Kenzie & Lance’s journey is emotionally driven, as it should be, because of their past. It’s also a slow burn, as it should be, because of their past and present circumstances. There are lighter comedic relief moments here and there because if you’ve read this series from the beginning, you’d expect them from not just the townspeople in general, but that’s just how Piper Rayne writes … emotional but not angst driven; me favorite! The entire story is one giant heartfelt #swoonfest which was absolute perfection for Lance & Kenzie as individuals and as a couple. It’s impossible to experience this story without a giant smile on your face! #betme

I wouldn’t go as far as saying you have to read this series in order, but there’s a connection between the stories that you’d be missing out on if you didn’t. It’s a very fine tether, but it’s important to the emotional essence of the series. That’s all I’m saying on that. Do with that information what you will :)

I experienced this story via audiobook and even tho it was my first time listening to Emily Woo Zeller, it took her less than zero time to hook me with her narration. That’s rare for me with a first-time narrator so she gets mad props for it! I’ve listened to countless audiobooks narrated by Aiden Snow, and he is one of my favorite narrators, so I had high expectations and he delivered! These two made an already good story spectacular for me! Well done!

In conclusion (lol) the cover is #winning, the story is #winning and the narrators are #winning which makes The Trouble With Runaway Brides a hat trick hidden in a trifecta so you should go do the thing immediately! #trust

[Tpagirl Loves Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Trouble with Runaway Brides was the third book in the Lake Starlight series by the authors Piper Rayne. The series was the second generation from the Bailey’s series but can be read as a stand alone series.

Lance Whitmore was the son of Brooklyn and Wyatt Whitmore (Advice from a Jilted Bride, original series). He was a billionaire through his father and grandfather’s hotels. He was also the most eligible bachelor in Manhattan, spending half his time in NY and the other half in his Alaska hometown.

Kenzie Gavino was engaged to Lance’s rival. Lance was old money, her fiancé was new money. But money didn’t matter to Kenzie, she wanted love. She thought she found it in high school with Lance until he broke her heart . Of course Lance says the same thing, until Kenzie broke his heart. They are distant friends but don’t really keep up even though they both live in Manhattan. And then only months prior to her wedding, Lance runs into Kenzie and somehow she decides to take wedding to Lake Starlight and the story begins.

I really loved both characters and loved them together. And it was a wonderful and emotional second Chance theme. I also loved the Bailey Cousin triplets of Lance, Easton and Brinley. Add Kenzie in the mix back in high school and they were all best friends…until they weren’t. There were a couple areas I wanted fleshed a little more, but all in all, it was great and I read it all in one sitting. Lance’s cousin Palmer is up next in The Drawback of Single Dads.

[brazenandbookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Valentine PR and Piper Rayne for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was really excited for this book after all the sneak peeks we got at Lance and Kenzie in the last book. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t jive for me as much as I hoped it would. Kenzie was just not my favorite FMC. I really felt like she was kind of selfish and woe-is-me when she made her own decisions that led to where she was. The author’s not at the end explained where the authors were coming from with her development, but it just didn’t hit right for me (although I know others may enjoy her!). Also, Lance and Kenzie didn’t even get together until almost 70% into the book. While I appreciated the tension and the build-up, it felt like reading a romance book about people that weren’t even together. However, this was a really easy and bingeable read, and the plot flowed easily.

[…..]

I hate triangles. I’ve hated Kingston story and I’m pretty sure that I will hates this one.

[Halle Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars ⭐️

Tbh everyone in this story bothered me and I was mostly bored.

[Jasmine | Filthylittlereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙯𝙞𝙚. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨.”

A beautiful second chance from my dynamic duo! I couldn’t wait for Lance and Kenzie’s story. It was everything I thought it’d be and more. There was more light and truth shed on things that were questionable. Though they both denied it, the pining oozed from both sides. We had flashbacks and event retellings but this book allowed us to watch two people who truly never stopped loving each other fall again and I absolutely loved it. What made my heart weep the happiest of tears is still experiencing meddling genius and awesomeness that is Grandma Dori. I love how she’s still leaving her mark. There was a rebuilding of not only the romantic relationship between Lance and Kenzie but the bond of friendship between Kenzie and Brinley. The Trouble with Runaway Brides was a slow burn tinged with emotion, filled with laughs, smiles and gave you all the feels from A to Z.

The audio is a definite do not miss! Emily Woo Zeller and Aiden Snow were just fan freaking tastic. Aiden with that deep, beautiful bass was the perfect complement to Emily’s delightful warmth exuded.

[Melissa, Book Boyfriend and Husband Make Three · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust this duo and leave your preconceived notions behind.

The Trouble with Runaway Brides was second chance, small town, runaway bride, tension-filled slow-burn PERFECTION.

I feel like I say this more often than not, but this duo seems to outdo themselves with every release. There was just something about Lance and Kenzie that made them stand out among others. Every emotion bled through the pages with a mind-boggling level of intensity, and it was clear that the years they were apart did nothing to extinguish the burning chemistry they shared.


Kenzie hasn’t been back to Alaska since she left for college, not because the small town in Alaska didn’t hold a special place in her heart, but because the good memories were flooded with heartbreak. I really adored her character; she was the perfect balance of sweet and sassy. I loved how, along the way, she seemed to find pieces of herself that had been buried over the years. She really flourished as she made her way back to Lake Starlight and became surrounded by the love and support that came with it.

Lance is my top hot nerd book boyfriend of the year. He was swoony, alpha perfection. He also had the growly thing down… because, well, his first love was marrying the enemy. My heart belongs to Lance. He quickly took the top-three Piper Rayne book boyfriend spot. I loved the way he saw the little things that mattered to Kenzie. So often, it seems that those are the things that truly show you how much someone cares—the things that make you love that not many would notice.

It was so clear that neither Lance nor Kenzie would have ever found true happiness in anyone else’s arms. Even when their words are wrought with anger, the underlying tension between them makes it clear that the years apart didn’t even remotely put a damper on the burning passion they shared. No matter how much they tried to deny it, ignore it, and attempt to downplay it, there was no chance of the two of them not finding their happily ever after in one another’s arms.


When it comes to the Bailey and Greene families, it’s safe to say my heart is invested before I ever read the first word of the next-gen books. Lance and Kenzie’s story wasn’t just enthralling; my emotions were at the mercy of the words on the pages. It was perfectly balanced with the pain from the past and the uber-hot tension leading up to their happily ever after. There were moments that my heart physically ached due to the heartbreak in their past, but the only tears I shed were from the overwhelming amount of love that is such a huge element to every story set in these Alaskan small towns.

The Trouble with Runaway Brides was the escape from reality that soothed your soul. A sensationally enchanting blend of SEARING chemistry, a swoony hero, a sweet and sassy heroine, laugh-out-loud banter, emotions woven throughout every page, and this duo’s most tension-filled slow burn to date. The love this family carries for one another has a way of making you feel like you’re one of them.

I love that when I open a book from this duo, not only will my mind be offered an escape from reality, but my heart will be overflowing with love long after I reach the end. Any story from this duo is guaranteed to be magic.

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[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 - Kenzie and Lance we high school sweethearts, but Lance broke it off when they ended up at different colleges. Heartbroken Kenzie never returned to their Alaskan hometown and built up her life in New York. When she met her fiance, she didn't know about the rivalry between him and her ex. The readers realize early that Will, the fiance, is not the man for her, but it takes her a long time to trust, realize and understand she still loves Lance.

This was a slow-burn book that you could feel the pain and passion between Kenzie and Lance. These two do not get together until at least 80% through the book, but we know from early on that these two were going to end up together. Once they realize (and admit) their feelings for each other the chemistry and spice is there.

One thing I want to be clear with is that there is no cheating in this book. Lance and Kenzie have a deep history and we are told this history through flashbacks. We grow to understand the hurt that both felt and emotions they still feel about each other and the situation that happened many years ago. They have so many unresolved issues, but when they finally take the chance to talk (or more yell) about it, the air becomes cleared and they have to decide if their hearts are worth risking in this second chance.

I felt what both Kenzie and Lance were going through, having empathy for both of them. This was such a heartfelt story and Piper Rayne did a great job telling it. If you like second chance romances that are slow burns, this is the book for you! Thank you to Valentine PR for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book here is why Piper Rayne is one of my all time favorite authors. In one book you can get so many different feelings. I laughed, I cried, at times I wanted to punch Kenzie and most definitely Will. The way this story played out was perfect. Even when I was getting frustrated that Kenzie was still with Will, I knew it was exactly how it needed to play out.

Kenzie and Lance have quite the history. If you have read the Bailey’s then you have seen some parts of their childhood. We find out a lot more of what went down between Kenzie, Lance and Easton and also how Brinley felt. We experience the pain from the past as well as pain from the current situation but also add in some seggsual tension and a lot of unresolved feelings to balance it out. We didn’t just get to see Kenzie and Lance find their way back to each other but we also saw Kenzie and Brinley work things out. Kenzie was not liked when she first returned to Lake Starlight to plan her wedding. Especially from Buzz Wheel, but Brinley was also reluctant to welcome her back but their heart to heart brought me to tears.

Kenzie is a perfect mix of the 3 S’s: strong, sweet, sassy. She might take a lot of hate for staying with the other guy as long as she did but I still loved her character and I understood her reasoning. New York Kenzie was different than Lake Starlight Kenzie and you will see how that changes her. My man Lance had me in tears often because I felt his pain. When it came to Kenzie, he was insecure because he was the smart nerdy type vs the hot jock that his cousin was. He is the kind of guy who will notice all the small but important things. I love the way Kenzie proves her love to him and makes him feel wanted.

I feel like this review is all over the place but that’s just because I felt too darn much! If you love second chances then this one's for you. Even with the years spent apart, their love and passion for each other never faded. But it is more than just a love story between our two main characters. The way the family and friends all play a part was so intriguing.

[Shan ~A~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lance Whitmore & Kenzie Gavino

Lance and Kenzie were high school sweethearts, until it was decided, by Lance, that they should break up while in college. His plan was that they would get back together once they were done.

Things did not go to plan.

Now years later Kenzie is engaged and planning her wedding. After years of not seeing each other, she and Lance run into one another, and he mentions Lake Starlight for her possible wedding destination.

Her reception after going back to Lake Starlight was mixed, as you can imagine when a lot of the people living there are related to her ex, and they blame her for hurting him. Then add to the fact that they are forced together to plan her wedding to someone else.

They obviously still have feelings for one another, but I really like that the focus wasn't solely on their relationship, but Kenzie's relationships with their entire high school friend group which includes Lance's cousins Brinley and Easton.

Overall, I liked the entire story, including the fact that we finally found out what happened in the past after it had been alluded to in the pervious book and this one, but I wish that Will had been portrayed differently. In the way that it was it made it too easy for her to go back to Lance. I would have liked to have seen her with a good guy to show that she really had moved on but have her feeling for Lance be so strong they were hard to fight.

[ReadaholicDeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another standalone in this series that grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept it throughout. I was looking forward to Lance’s story after the previous book. This was more than I expected. It was so much more than the usual romance.

The tension of the slow burn in this one was spectacular. You could feel their chemistry but also the pain of their past. The story focuses on the characters as individuals and their deep history. The two don’t reunite until late in the book.

I enjoyed the forced proximity of the two planning her wedding, to his college rival, which added to the tension and really showed Logan’s character and how much his break-up with Kenzie impacted his life.

This second chance romance was everything you expect when it comes to “it’s always been you”. There is no cheating and a very slow burn that kept me in a state of anticipation for what was going to happen next.

I listened to the audiobook and loved the duet narration. The narrators pulled me in and brought to life all the emotions and feelings of both the characters and the story.

[Shannon Mayhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why yes I am writing back to back reviews because as soon as I finished the second book I dove right into the 3rd!

So, you know Lance who was mentioned in the last 2 books. Kenzie was mentioned when Brinley’s story was told. Now we get to see Lance and Kenzies story unfold. Right off the bat it’s obvious that Kenzie’s fiancé is a butthead. Through a crazy turn of events Lance, who hasn’t spoken to Kenzie in years and is still heartbroken for her, ends up helping plan her wedding.

We see their story jump a little from the past to the present. We learn what happened between them and that they both still harbor deep feelings for each other. I can’t wait to see how Grandma Doris cabin helps the next couple!

[Sarah~Book Obsession Confessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS
This is a very slow burn romance, I got to know Kenzie and Lance as they spend time together planning her wedding to his rival. (there is no cheating between the main characters.)
They used to be a couple, they were high school sweethearts who were very in love, but decisions were made when college time came around that broke them up.
Kenzie is back in their small hometown in Alaska to plan her dream wedding and she’s not welcomed by many.
At first she was a bit frustrating to me, I felt she was making ridiculous decisions, but as the story went on I understood why, I understood her and I really liked her.
Lance is an extremely likable guy, he’s caught in this uncomfortable situation with an ex that he still isn’t over.
Their interactions are filled with hurt and tension. As they spend more time together it becomes clear neither has found happiness in love.
The emotional and sexual tension ramp up the longer they spend time together. I wanted to tell Kenzie to dump her fiancé and grab Lance ASAP.
The story was emotion filled, it has great lighter moments with secondary characters from the series.
I love the small town and the meddling friends and family. It’s a cute and entertaining aspect to the story and series.
Lance does many unexpectedly sweet, altruistic things for Kenzie that are super swoony. He’s a sexy alpha with a big heart.
It’s such an emotional and enjoyable story. It has such a warm, heartfelt vibe to the whole story and series. It’s a special world the authors have created in small town Alaska.
The characters are fantastic and the ending was perfect.
I recommend reading this series in order. A main character from each book are all cousins and they appear in each book. You get a chance to get a peek at the characters and it makes me even more invested with each book.
There’s a a little something connecting all of the cousins that’s such a special, lovely touch. I love this book and series so much!

[Alegra Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t like how Kenzie was willing to go through anything to deny her feelings for Lance. Like girl , stand tf up lol. I’ll always listen to a Piper Rayne series though.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, the authors were right when they said that not everyone was going to like Kenzie. Although she kind of redeemed herself in the end I really felt bad for Lance. I also thought since Brin was in the previous book in the series that Easton would be next, but I guess not.
I did enjoy this book and I would recommend it to everyone.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Lance and Kenzie's story. They were childhood sweethearts who dated and fell in love early in high school. They decide to go to different colleges and something really stupid happens and they break up. I was expecting a much worse transgression to break up something as strong as the love they had for each other.

I found this story to be cute and I really liked both Lance and Kenzie, separately and together. Although the "runaway bride" piece of this book has not been done by the authors -- the basic storyline has been done so many times that it was kind of exhausting. Childhood sweethearts that were "so in love" yet let something really stupid stop them from staying together. And then they miss out on YEARS of life together. I feel like I've read this exact storyline so many times, including by these authors.

Despite that, I just love being back in Lake Starlight and getting all the cameos from past couples in the Bailey series. We even get some mentions of Sunrise Bay that were fun to read (from the Greene Series). I love how Grandma Dori lives on in this series. I'm sad to be leaving Lake Starlight again but at the end.. there was a thread left open for possibly more second gen books?!?!?

[Meryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet in it's own special way.

Read as an ARC and bought the book. I've had a soft spot for Lance all along and loved reading his story. It took a while to warm up to Kenzie, but the further I got into the book the more I understood who she was.

This story has lots of loving family and friends who support you through the ups and downs life throws at you.

[Karen Henley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just missed the mark for me.

**semi-spoilers**
I was excited about this book and learning the story behind what happened between Kenzie, Lance, and Easton. The story fell flat with me and seemed extremely silly, maybe because I’m older but really she had a little crush on Easton before she and Lance started dating in high school and shared one kiss with Easton at a point while they were broken up. I don’t know, just seemed a little silly to have caused such strife. I thought there would be something a little deeper. Also, lance had such dislike of her fiancé but we don’t really know why. There were a few other things I wasn’t crazy about, but they are just issues I don’t like to read about.
I want to say I would recommend this book, but honestly I wonder if I’d skipped this one would I have missed much.

[Bergströms Bookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I’ve read and loved most of PR’s very extensive library of books. I’m a fan, trust me! I love their writing style and the entire Piper Rayne-iverse (all the interconnected book series and standalones). It’s the way they manage to get just the right blend of all things romcom, then adding just enough steam and dirty talk to create utter perfection.
So… I’m startled to admit I just don’t get this book. The FMC is horrible and 80% in I was still expecting something to change my mind and start rooting for her. But nope. Not having any of it. The chemistry is off and both MCs behaviour is both juvenile and plain stupid.
It was agonising to push through those last 10 chapters and made me cringe at the über cutesy stuff I had to endure . Ugh.
Please let the new spinoff football books be back to the usually enjoyable standard. #charactersthatmademecringe

[Nicole (literary_nics) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Trouble with Runaway Brides is the kind of small-town, second-chance romance that should have been my catnip, billionaire hero, unresolved teenage love, all the pining, but it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. 3 stars, cute and easy to binge, but missing some of the emotional heft I wanted.

We’ve got Lance, Mr. Manhattan Billionaire himself, living the penthouse, private jet, tabloid-famous life. On paper, he’s got it all, but in reality? He’s still hopelessly hung up on Kenzie, the girl who stole his heart when they were fifteen and apparently never gave it back. And Kenzie? She’s engaged to his smug rival from college, because why make this simple?

When he bumps into her in a packed NYC restaurant after years of radio silence, it feels like fate (or maybe the universe trying to test his sanity). And when he offhandedly jokes that she should ditch the paparazzi and get married back in their tiny Alaskan hometown…well, she actually says yes.

Cue the setup: him helping plan her wedding at his dad’s luxury resort while the whole town speculates about whether he’s about to get his heart stomped on again.

I really enjoyed the tension early on, the familiarity, the shared history, the little moments when it was obvious neither of them had ever really moved on. The setup was gold. But once we got into why they fell apart? I’ll be honest, it was hard to buy into.

Lance had already broken up with her when she and his cousin shared one very drunken, grief-fueled kiss because they were homesick. And while he apparently forgave his cousin without too much fuss, he couldn’t forgive Kenzie. The double standard felt a little flimsy, and I struggled to root for the big reunion when it didn’t feel fully unpacked.

Also, the whole rivalry with her fiancé felt oddly thin, Lance kept insisting he hated the guy, but aside from the vague family feud and some college tension, I never really understood why. It felt more like convenient conflict than something truly personal.

That said, there were still plenty of sweet moments, Lance quietly showing how much he cared, Kenzie wrestling with what she actually wanted, the nosy Baileys hovering like it was their full-time job. And the small-town Alaska backdrop always gives me that cozy, escape-read feeling.

If I’m being a little picky (and I am), I just wanted more emotional depth, more honesty, more real reckoning with why they fell apart in the first place and what it would take to really move forward.

If you’re into:
✨ Billionaire heroes who never stopped loving her
✨ Second-chance romance with a big messy past
✨ Small-town gossip mills working overtime
✨ Weddings that should probably be called off

Then The Trouble with Runaway Brides will still give you a fun escape for a weekend.

3 stars, sweet, tropey, and easy to binge, but missing the deeper emotional punch that would have made me fall in love right alongside them. If you love the Lake Starlight crew, you’ll still enjoy tagging along for the ride.

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book right here is why I love Piper Rayne so much!!! Ok so this is kinda a first for these ladies they have never written a runaway bride before. And they nailed it!!! But we did get a little preview of Lance an Kenzie's story in the previous book and let me tell you, DO NOT go off of that!!! Because I thought I knew what was going to happen or what might play out and I had no clue. Now I knew my girls would keep it classy and they did. And of course as soon as you get to know Lance you will understand he is a complete gentleman. Even tho he is fighting his feelings the entire time. And Kenzie I mean I don't think I have not liked a main female character of PR's so much before!!! But the more I got to know her the more I felt guilty about my feelings. Pretty much just like the entire town of Lake Starlight did. I mean we all do stupid things when we are young anyway right?! And this book takes us on Lance and Kenzie discovery of finding their love so young but making so many life discoveries and decisions and mistakes but eventually fate or life or whatever you want to call it lead them back to each other. And they learn that you have to work and talk to be together. This is such a beautiful story. Even tho some parts are so heartbreaking. But there are some parts that had me laughing so hard I thought I would pee myself!! And then the chemistry!! But as usual for Piper Rayne that ending!! I mean lord help me that ending!!! These ladies sure do love to make my heart go through every emotion known to man and then leave me desperate for the next book!! They are lucky I love them so much!!! Almost as much as I do these books!!! If you haven't read these books...like WHAT are you wanting for??!!! 5 start is no where near enough for any of them. They are fantastic reads!!! I highly highly recommend all of them!!! ~ By Tina


I absolutely have loved the Lake Starlight series, and once again Piper Rayne hasn’t disappointed me!! First impression of Lance was that he’s a player, but he’s the exact opposite. He has his heart set on Kenzie who is unfortunately engaged so he will not commit. Kenzie is that girl that can’t see what’s right in front of her until it’s almost too late! I so wanted to jump into the book to tell her to wake up & realize Lance is who she should be marrying! I mean he honestly is that swoon worthy hero who knows more about her than he fiancé. I love the twists & turns in this series, and the meddling grandma’s!!- Elizabeth

[lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read! I immensely enjoyed that. And cried a bit.


With runaway bride + second change there’s always a risk of the authors making a character cheat on the other. Mentally or physically.
But you needn’t worry - Piper Rayne executed that trope so well. The portrayal of the characters is done amazing and the story is so well told.
And no cheating.

You get a „finding your back to the roots“-romance with this book. Childhood love, that never went away. Growing and finally overcoming old feuds with each other. Rekindling friendships.

We follow Kenzie on her wedding planning journey for her wedding to Will. And on the other side Lance, who’s accidentally got himself the job of their kinda wedding planner and also is still in love with her.

They both never got over the other and Piper Rayne tell the story of them getting closer again and realizing what they lost, when they broke up. I really liked the way the plot developed. It’s constantly progressive. None of the typical yes-no-yes-no-maybe-situation. They both, over the weeks they spend together busy with wedding preparations, find back to each other. And yes this is a slow burn, you don’t get spice until the very end (obviously, considering the tropes and I said no cheating).

I laughed, cried a bit and wanted to strangle the characters several times.

And I also loved, that even after they got back together it wasn’t all sunshine, like it sometimes is the case with second change. They broke up and get back together, never addressing why the initial break-up happened. Kenzie and Lance still faced some struggles in the beginning, needing to gain back their trust in each other and letting go of the past.


I just wished the story would have been longer and we spend more time seeing them actively get closer again. Since this book is relatively short, the pace naturally is of the faster nature too. I think 50-100 pages more would have allowed the story to unfold a bit more organic.


Overall a really enjoyable read! I devoured this in a few hours in the middle of the night, because once I started I didn’t wanna stop anymore.
Recommendation for all my small town second chance fans, that are searching for a quick fast paced book with lots of romance and beautiful friendships!!


3.75🌟

[Toni Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is every new book my favorite?

There’s always been something about Lance that drew me in. I don’t know if it was his quiet demeanor when compared to Easton or his drive to achieve all the things. There’s usually something really deep, profound, and dare I say a little sexy to those quiet ones. But Lance’s heart is his true treasure. He has loved and lost, but his dedication to make the dreams of everyone around him come true is his major draw. And his ability to be vulnerable yet still be a beacon is so admirable.

Kenzie has had a hard go in the close friend department ever since the dreaded events that surrounded her, Lance, & Easton. She’s found success in a career of podcasting and she’s found a man she feels that she loves enough to marry. But sometimes, her strong suit is not standing up for herself…especially when it comes to her steamroller of a fiancé, Will.

I loved how Kenzie & Lance were forced together enough to where they found their way back to the true happiness only they could provide each other. In truth, their love never really faded in all their time apart. I loved how Kenzie & Brinley were able to mend their fences, and even Easton was able to find peace in their friendship again. The addition of Blake & Geoff was a little bit of comedic relief & flat out honesty that was needed.

There’s soooooo much history in so many aspects of this story. There’s history between Lance & Will, history between their parents, history between Kenzie & Brinley, Kenzie & Easton, & most of all Kenzie & Lance. Then you bring in Kenzie & Lance’s parents, & there’s even more connections to awe over. How it all played out, how every aspect was explored, & how every person was impacted was a fine web of laughter, tears, swoons, & just flat out heart eyes. I love how Piper Rayne always takes me on the most enjoyable emotional rollercoaster.

Audiobook Review:
Aiden Snow’a narration was as spectacular as always. I love his voice, it just draws me in & holds me captive. This was my first listen narrated by Emily Woo Zeller. She took Kenzie’s character & owned it! Her distinction between all of the different female characters was so well done.

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Audiobook Review**

Ever since the teaser from the last book, I have been dying for Lance and Kenzie’s story. I knew there was more to them than what was on the surface. “The Trouble with Runaway Brides” is a sweet, emotional and slow burn second chance romance that I listened to in one sitting.

Kenzie left Lake Starlight years ago to go to college and hasn’t been back since. She’s now living in NYC and is engaged. She’s been planning her wedding but not everything has felt right. Kenzie has also spent years avoiding her first love, Lance Whitmore. Lance has also been living in NYC and when the two have a chance meeting, unresolved issues are still there. Kenzie decides she wants to have her wedding back home in Alaska where she can confront her past and hopefully move on.

Let me first start with, there is no cheating in this book. Kenzie and Lance have a deep past, being friends their whole lives and then moving on to being a couple. Despite being apart for years, that bond will always be there and it resurfaces when they see each other again. But a situation from the past that hurt both of them is still fresh in their minds. Kenzie held a lot of regret and stress from all those years on her shoulders. Lance also had some of that stress that he was dealing with and they had so many unresolved issues between them. Both had pride and once they took the time to talk to each other, everything changed. Kenzie might have been engaged but her and her fiance hadn’t really been a couple in a long time. Kenzie and Lance had an incredible slow burn tension and I was waiting for them to get their act together. The ending was sweet and the perfect wrap up for them.

Aiden Snow and Emily Woo Zeller were amazing as Lance and Kenzie. I loved listening to this story in duet and it brought the story alive. Aiden is always great with his growly and protective voice. Emily brought all of the emotions that Kenzie had to life perfectly.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes the person who finds you will surprise you and it ends up being the best surprise of your life."

The Trouble With Runaway Brides was a fantastic, second chance romance full of emotion and slow burn tension. I’ve enjoyed every story in this series, but this is my favorite. I was completely engrossed in Kenzie and Lance’s story from the first page to the last.

“I know every one of your smiles, and the one you reserve for him isn’t the same one that reaches your eyes. It isn’t the one that lights up your face. Last night, those smiles were true happiness each and every time.”

Lance and Kenzie were high school sweethearts but college and a betrayal separated them. When Kenzie returns to their hometown for her wedding to Lance’s nemesis and they are forced to work together, will the old sparks that have never died reignite?

“It just always felt right with him. That’s the only way I can explain it.”

Both Kenzie and Lance were in denial about their real feelings and had buried them underneath non-communication and heartache. Moving on wasn’t easy for either of them. They were both scared of putting themselves out there and being hurt again, but the love that they felt for each other was palpable and hard to deny once they were in other’s orbit.

“I’ve been yours since I was fifteen and I’ll be yours for as long as you’ll have me.”

I loved the snarky banter that disguised hurt feelings and the delicious, slow burn tension in this emotional second chance romance. The chemistry between Lance and Kenzie oozes off the pages during every encounter, but their past informs their present and it’s difficult to overcome the pain of the past. I loved watching their feelings reemerge and the way the story played out was absolute perfection.

I both listened and read this title and the audiobook is narrated in duet by Aiden Snow and Emily Woo Zeller. Duet audio are my favorite and really bring the story to life for me. These two are great as Lance and Kenzie and every emotion that each character feels is felt in their voices.

“It’s always been you, Kenzie. Always.”

The Trouble With Runaway Brides is full of complicated emotions and angst combined with heart, humor and heat. I absolutely loved this story and I’m excited for the next book in this fun series.

[Booklover Judy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three in the series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Kenzie and Lance finally get their HEA once they remember how much they love each other and Kenzie runs away from her wedding. They were high school sweethearts. When they run into each other again eight years later, Kenzie is planning her wedding to Lance’s nemesis.
I adored Lance. He is a kind and compassionate hero who never stopped loving Kenzie despite his heartache. I love his relationship with his cousins, especially Brinley and Easton. I adore his relationship with his parents. And I really appreciate how clueless he is when it comes to Kenzie returning to Lake Starlight for her wedding. He has no idea his heart was leading his mouth.
Kenzie has worked hard to get over her own heartbreak and move on. When she met her fiancé, she never realized the connection between him and Lance. Readers soon discover all the ways that Will is not the man for Kenzie, but it takes her a while to get there and realize that too. She is honest with her friends and vulnerable in ways she did not expect to be when she returns to town. I learned to understand her and like her, especially once she is honest with herself about her feelings.
This book doesn’t have Kenzie running away from her engagement until near the end of the book. Readers see her relationship with her fiancé, her reemerging feelings for Lance, and the past of her relationship with Lance told through flashbacks. (They were incredibly sweet as teens.) Once they return to each other as adults, there is all the steam you expect from Piper Rayne. Just know that it is all in the final 25%. The rest of the book readers experience the complicated feelings and yearnings they experience while she is engaged and they right the wrongs in their past. Despite their yearnings, there is absolutely no cheating in this book, which I really appreciated. This was an excellent addition to the series, and I can’t wait for the next book to come.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.

[Tina Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book right here is why I love Piper Rayne so much!!! Ok so this is kinda a first for these ladies they have never written a runaway bride before. And they nailed it!!! But we did get a little preview of Lance an Kenzie's story in the previous book and let me tell you, DO NOT go off of that!!! Because I thought I knew what was going to happen or what might play out and I had no clue. Now I knew my girls would keep it classy and they did. And of course as soon as you get to know Lance you will understand he is a complete gentleman. Even tho he is fighting his feelings the entire time. And Kenzie I mean I don't think I have not liked a main female character of PR's so much before!!! But the more I got to know her the more I felt guilty about my feelings. Pretty much just like the entire town of Lake Starlight did. I mean we all do stupid things when we are young anyway right?! And this book takes us on Lance and Kenzie discovery of finding their love so young but making so many life discoveries and decisions and mistakes but eventually fate or life or whatever you want to call it lead them back to each other. And they learn that you have to work and talk to be together.  This is such a beautiful story. Even tho some parts are so heartbreaking.  But there are some parts that had me laughing so hard I thought I would pee myself!! And then the chemistry!! But as usual for Piper Rayne that ending!! I mean lord help me that ending!!! These ladies sure do love to make my heart go through every emotion known to man and then leave me desperate for the next book!! They are lucky I love them so much!!! Almost as much as I do these books!!! If you haven't read these books...like WHAT are you wanting for??!!! 5 start is no where near enough for any of them. They are fantastic reads!!! I highly highly recommend all of them!!!