| Title | : | How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days (Runaway Brides) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1948342855 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781948342858 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 102 |
| Publication | : | First published April 5, 2015 |
After an impulsive courthouse wedding with one of baseball’s rising stars, landscaper Melanie Webb wonders if she’s fallen victim to lust at first sight. She hardly knows Grady Hollis, the Atlanta outfielder who swooped into her Florida hometown and charmed the socks—and more!—right off her. She couldn’t resist when he proposed under the stars right on the outfield she’d worked so hard to maintain. But when the aftermath means moving to Atlanta and following him around the country for his eight-month a year travel schedule, she gets cold feet.
But Grady has never been a man to give up on a dream and Melanie is everything he ever hoped for in a woman. He knows if only he can convince her to come along for the ride, he’ll convince her that their forever can be something special… and sizzling too. The road trip brings them both deeper understanding, surprise revelations and a love every bit as fiery as the passion.
How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days (Runaway Brides) Reviews
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How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock is a 2015 Tule publication.
Grady and Melanie decide to marry after a very brief whirlwind romance. Grady is a star baseball player in town for spring training, and Melanie is still working on building her dreams, while working for her father.
But, Melanie is no stranger to the life of a baseball player, so only minutes after saying “ I do”, Melanie panics and flees the scene telling Grady he deserved better. But, Grady didn't become a star athlete without having a little mental toughness, so he goes after his new bride. As the couple spend the next few days together, Melanie is determined to convince Grady the marriage should be annulled and he is equally determined to prove to Melanie the marriage could work, even if it's against all odds.
This is the first book in a new series by these wonderful authors. The story is short, but really cute, with an adorable puppy putting the cherry on top. Grady is just the best, I really liked him, but it's Melanie that has to learn how to trust no matter how scary that might be, or face losing the best thing she's ever known. In the end, I was really proud of Melanie was thrilled she got her HEA! -
Amazon freebie I picked up because of the cover and title. Short novella that was enjoyable but had more content than I expected.
Content: mild language, sex scene, innuendo -
This book packs quite a bit in for the length of it. I really liked Grady even if he did seem a bit too good to be true and well mostly I just wanted to smack Melanie.
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not as cute as I expected, but well enough to entertain.
the characters seems not developed to make me believe in their story. but this is a short novel so the pace is quicker to catch the readers attention. -
A good quick fun read
This was a quick fun easy to read story. I loved the characters And the back story. Fans of quick romances with HEA endings will enjoy this one. -
3.5 stars rounded up. Cute, short and sweet. Heroine a bit annoying til she "sees the light".
The quotes below show why I adored the hero.
Being with her made him feel—maybe for the first time ever—like he didn’t have the weight of the world’s expectations sitting on his chest every second of every day. With her, he could have fun. Not only did he love her something fierce, he wasn’t sure he could face the regular season without her in his life.
He knew they were right for each other. Knew it with a bone-deep certainty. Maybe his baseball career had fast-forwarded his dating life because he’d been with enough women to know beyond any doubt—quirky, free-spirited Melanie Webb was it for him. No more trials needed. She was The One.
“In that case, thank you for loving me more than my paycheck.”
How did you know I liked all of those things you ordered for dinner?”
“Easy.” ..“You debate out loud what you want to eat when you’re looking at a menu,” he informed her. “So I know the kinds of things you choose, plus the runners-up.” She couldn’t recall meeting anyone who’d observed her so closely.
“Are you sure, Mel?” he said between kisses. “I don’t want you regretting this. We don’t need any more regrets.” He didn’t want to rush this. Wouldn’t let her think he’d ignored her concerns. But the chemistry between them was a vivid, hot, sexual need that wouldn’t go away if they ignored it.
“I’m unsure about many things. But about this?” She nodded, the movement swift. Jerky. “I am one hundred percent certain I want you. Now.” She flattened herself against him, her full breasts robbing him of his last shred of sense.
“You’ve always felt right to me.” He whispered it to himself as much as her. “Exactly right.”
There was a hushed, awed quality to lovemaking that had never been there before. She felt it in the way he moved against her. In the way he looked at her. It was because it was their first time together as a married couple. And he treated her with a level of reverence that she couldn’t afford to think about right now.
“You know how I knew you liked peonies?” he asked.
“I didn’t even know I liked peonies.” She lowered her nose to the delicate petals and sniffed. “But they smell amazing.”
“They’re planted at the ballpark. That first night we danced in the rain in the dark, we were close to them. You said something smelled good and I asked the landscaper about them the next day. Peonies, he told me.”
“I’m not sure this will make sense to you, but nobody ever put me first before. I didn’t believe it was real because I didn’t know what that felt like. So, no. I don’t think it would have been any different. I still wouldn’t have trusted what we had was real.” He’d asked for honesty and he’d gotten it, so he couldn’t complain when it hurt like hell. She wouldn’t have given him her heart no matter what he did. Maybe that should have made him feel better, but it burned a hole straight through him and left him raw. Empty. -
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
This was such a fun and enjoyable story. It tells the story of Grady and Melanie who after ten weeks of knowing each other get married, but Melanie gets cold feet. Then starts a sort of challenge were Grady tried to convince Melanie that what they have is real, while Melanie tried to convince him that he doesn't know her and they are better apart. At first I wasn't really sure of where this story went and if I would enjoy it, but it wonderfully written and it was enjoyable to see them trying to figure out their relationship and what to do next. Also while this novella is relatively short, the pace was done right. We do get a snapshot of their lives, but we still learn a lot about these characters and get a good idea of how those past 10 weeks have been and even learned things about their past and what they want from their future.
Grady was an amazing character, he was fighting for their relationship and is showing Melanie what they have, while also respecting her need for some distance. he was the perfect gentlemen and there are these little touches that really shows he cares, like with the peonies. Then there is Michelle, I have to admit I wanted to shake some sense in her at times, she has this wonderful man and she wants to divorce, while it was obvious they were right together. On the other hand I think the situation just caught up on her, which is understandable. She always has been happy and light around Grady and isn't sure if he can deal with her other side. Then she has some family issues and she never mentioned any of that and now she's panicking about it.
This book is full of sweet and fun scenes and even some hot ones. There is no doubt they have chemistry, but there's also much more. And even though the story was short we learn so much about these two characters. I especially loved the scene at the pet store and the little puppy was a fun addition and necessary for them to realize some things. There's also a scene towards the end that was really well done where Melanie stands up for what she wants and finally figures out her stand on things.
To conclude: this was a fun and sweet story. I really felt the romance and thought these two were great for each other, they just have to realize it themselves as well. I loved how Grady fought for their marriage, while Melanie had her doubts. Add in an adorable puppy and some sweet and hot scenes and this was a fun read. Looking forward to the rest of this series! -
The first in a new series by the author duet of Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock is a quick-reading novella, which manages to pack in a whirlwind romance, instant affection, a slow realization and a touch of drama from the past. Grady and Melanie have known one another for a very short while, and this is essentially the story of confidence facing off against insecurities.
Grady is a baseball player who not only wants to be married, but is certain that Melanie is the woman for him. Steady, fairly constant and wholly supportive, he knows what Melanie doesn’t – he’s good for her and she for him. On the other hand, Melanie’s past traumas and family issues with alcohol and broken promises, and she doesn’t believe that anyone can or will make a promise that sticks.
Together the dynamic between the two is clever, with small reveals of past history and insecurities as Grady struggles to convince Melanie to take a chance, a big huge whopping chance on him and the surety of his love and affection.
Cute, quick reading and well- paced, the characters arrived with solid development and voices, and their interactions felt real and plausible. A wonderful introduction to a series about reluctant brides, who can resist the romantic pull of a whirlwind, meant to be sort of story?
I received an eBook copy of the title from the publisher via Tasty Book Tours for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. -
What is that old saying' Married in hast, repent in leisure".. But that was not the case with the groom. He wanted to be married, but once the 'I Do'S' were done, the bride hot footed out of the court house in a panic.
Melanie was all of a sudden in a panic not knowing if she could really be what Grady, who was a rising star of baseball, needed in a wife. She wanted the white picket fence, the kids and a dog. But was that really what Grady wanted. She didn't really know him and she felt he really didn't know her wants and needs. So Grady finds his bride and does his best to convince Melanie that they have what it takes to make a family. It's a mad trip of self discovery for both of them, but if it leads to a happy ending, then Grady is all in.
I loved this short novella which introduces us to a new series by two wonderful writers. It gives us a glance at what will be more wonderful stories about love, baseball and that HEA ending.... -
How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock
Melanie Webb has cold feet. But waited until after the wedding to run.
Grady Hollis is in love and doesn't understand what made his new wife run off. He has three days to follow her and convince her they are meant to be together.
A cute novella that sets up the Runaway Bride series. Fun and romantic.
"Melanie’s playful spirit and easygoing demeanor were like breathing fresh air. Being with her made him feel—maybe for the first time ever—like he didn’t have the weight of the world’s expectations sitting on his chest every second of every day. With her, he could have fun. Not only did he love her something fierce, he wasn’t sure he could face the regular season without her in his life."
Excerpt from How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days. -
As a reviewer who is writing a review on a genre that I have never read before it is very difficult to comment on the tropes of the genre, as a whole. However I will comment how i felt about how they fitted into this story.
The main plot of the story was that a young successful baseball star falls in love with a local girl, while he is down south for spring training, which seems plausible, however the next part stretches the imagination a bit too far.
They decide to get married but the local girl thinks this is all a joke, but buys a wedding dress anyway, goes to the court house, goes through with the wedding and then decides to run away.
Now we have the slightly creepy bit because the local girl does not have a very good sense of navigation, the baseball player puts an app on her phone so that he can help her with directions, which he uses to find her.
The remainder of the book is the baseball player trying to prove that the marriage is real.
Having said all that the story did soom how work and this was because of the relationship between the couple who are
Melanie Webb, she is the local girl who in addition to not being sure she has fallen in love, rather than in lust. Is portrayed as someone who wants to leave the small town where she grew up but does not know what she wants as well as being trapped in the town because she feels she can not leave because of issues with her own family.
Grady Hollis is a young successful baseball player, from a goal centred family, (his brother is a golfer on the PGA tour), who knows what he wants.
You do not get to know much more about them and very little about any other character they either meet or connected to,
Having said that what the reader needs to know to enjoy the book is either told or implied.
In addition the book is short and could be read in an afternoon, the story is very well edited with no fluff in what could be termed in a derogatory way a bit of fluff.
This makes How to Lose A Groom In 10 Days a compact and well written read, -
How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days (Runaway Brides Book 1)
The love story of Melanie and Grady. Melanie is a part time everything girl. Grady is a major league baseball player. They spend 10 week to gather and he ask her to marry him. They abet marry and she run away after the wedding ceremony. Grady goes after her. Can they made their marry work? Great story. -
How to Lose a Groom...
This was a surprisingly cute, relatable and enjoyable book. I found myself wondering how I would have behaved in the same situation. I do recommend this book. It would be great reading for the beach or trip. -
Trouble in Paradise
An enjoyable quick read with serious and quirky characters. There is never a dull moment. This is an excellent author to follow. -
2.5 stars
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It was a good read.
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🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/20/2022)! 🎁
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***ARC given by author & Tasty Book Tours***
ARA’S NOTE:
The Booksnake Etc. took part in the release day blitz of these two books, and I knew that I had to read them too. Contemporary romance is right up in my alley, and the story line for How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days was pretty intriguing. Can't wait to share my review with you.
SYNOPSIS:
He thought their love was a grand slam, until his bride calls foul.
After an impulsive courthouse wedding with one of baseballs rising stars, Melanie Webb wonders if shes fallen victim to lust at first sight. She hardly knows Grady Hollis, the Atlanta outfielder who swooped into her Florida hometown and charmed the socksand more!right off her. She couldnt resist when he proposed under the stars right on the outfield. But when the aftermath means moving to Atlanta and following him around the country for his eight-month a year travel schedule, she gets cold feet.
But Grady has never been a man to give up on a dream and Melanie is everything he ever hoped for in a woman. He knows if only he can persuade her to come along for the ride, hell convince her that their forever can be something special with a love every bit as fiery as the passion.
CHARACTER BACKGROUND:
Grady Hollis grew up in a competitive household. He was always pushed to do better and never really experienced being carefree. He's passionate, persistent, and loving. He wants to do everything to make his marriage work out, because unlike his bride, he knows they're meant to be.
Melanie Webb is a neurotic woman who branded herself "temp-job queen". She grew up in a household where love wasn't a faniliar emotion, and it caused her to believe that what she have with Grant will eventually fall apart.
REVIEW:
This is a short book, about 60 pages (give or take) on my reader. I did not expect it to be that short, so I initially thought that the story would be rushed. It wasn't. It was very well-written. The details were clear and described aptly, there's effortless humor, and the chemistry was believable. Grant is the perfect man! Like, I-would-gladly-give-up-a-limb-to-be-with-him perfect. I imagine him being a guy who would remain quiet when pissed but wouldn't gloat when proven right. He's also not afraid to use Google. Oohhhh! A man not afraid to ask. What a revelation.
His perfection is crazy that I hated Melanie more and more with each page that I finish. I mean, come on! How thick do you have to be to realize that this man will do everything to make you happy, and would readily give up his life rather than hurt you?! Melanie was so neurotic that she ended up pissing me off. You seriously have to be a she-devil if you would willingly hurt someone as in love and obsessed with you as Grant. *sigh*
SUMMARY:
But all's well that ends well, and they live happily-ever-after. At least that's what I assume. I give How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days 4 stars, no thanks to Melanie *glare*. It's a good short read that I'm glad I signed up for. -
I liked the Runaway Brides series after reading “The Wedding Audition.” After reading “How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days,” I adore it. This novella captured the attention of this Atlanta baseball fan (while watching a televised game no less) and captivated. I almost missed that awesome double play I was so entrenched.
Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock really know how to weave baseball into their Melanie and Grady’s story. And who could resist Grady? Is he not adorable, the perfect guy?
Have to hand it to Mann and Rock. The authors know how to write a “runaway bride” without being a total clique. I thoroughly enjoyed how mixed up and real Mel comes off. She’s hilarious, annoying, tugs the heartstrings and a few times invoked a few bless her heart for the Queen of Temp Jobs.
The descriptions are so vivid. For instance, hyperventilating in a the too tight wedding dress while getting hitched.
"the tea-length bridal gown worked like a Chinese finger trap. With a ruffle at the hem. The more she tried to drag air into her lungs, the tighter the dress became. The ruffle teased her legs with hints of freedom, of breaking free. If she didn’t get out of the tiny courthouse “Wedding Room” soon, she’d die of tulle-related asphyxiation."
I giggled at the sight she must have appear and felt strangled in that moment all at the same time. And felt for poor Grady while thinking, well maybe it was time, and eating up Mann/Rock’s use of baseball to illustrate his POV.
"Everything else in Grady Hollis’s life had come easily enough ...
"He’d made every team he’d ever tried out for. Impressed scouts with his skills defensively as much as with his bat. So maybe this moment was the universe’s way of reminding him to stay humble. Because it sure as hell was humiliating to watch his bride speed away from him like a base runner trying to avoid the tag."
He’s confident but humble enough to know he’s lead a blessed existence, even if he worked for it, without being too self deprecating. He also knows its finite, appreciate it while you’re at the top, but ready to face whatever tomorrow and that other future bring head-on.
Grady knows who he is and what he wants.
The dysfunction of her past stymies Melanie’s ability to see how The Queen of Temp Jobs and hot baseball player can possibly make a go of it, find a common ground. Grady shows Melanie over the course of a few days (essentially their honeymoon weekend) that they fit better than a ball and glove, that custom bat. Bobby Cox and the Braves through the 90s and 200s. Together, they’re All Stars. It’s clear she figures out they’re on the same team when Melanie, like Grady, starts thinking in baseball terms.
"The time for small ball and a safe at-bat was long gone. She was down to her last out."
She gets it and signs on for the long-haul.
Can’t wait for book 2!
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Check out my full review on
Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days is a prequel novella in the Runaway Brides series by Catherine Mann and Joanne Rock. When I read the first book, The Wedding Audition, I had no clue that a prequel had been released previously. So, I simply had to read it because I wouldn't have been able to live with myself had I missed a book in the series. I'm already feeling a bit disappointed with myself since I've no read the books out of order. I know, I know. I'm an anal retentive non-anonymous bookaholic. Le sigh. C'est la vie.
This was a quick but entertaining read and the creative twist to it was that the courtship part between Melanie and Grady wasn't really tackled. We go straight into the wedding ceremony and get to see how different Melanie and Grady are reacting to what's happening. The interesting thing is that it's the bride who appears to be apprehensive and having second thoughts while the groom is blissfully happy and ready to start this new phase of their lives. I was able to appreciate how original the story was all throughout.
Grady was an appealing lead male character, one with his values intact. He knew what he wanted and was willing to both go after and fight for it. What really had me grinning like silly was how he was with Polly the pup. Such sweetness! ^.^ Melanie's doubts and insecurities were somewhat understandable, though I seriously wanted to smack her for not voicing them out with Grady early on. Dogs in love stories are always a bonus and Polly was a definite plus. I'm giving How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days four stars. ♥ -
3.5 stars
How to Lose a Groom in 10 Days is the first book the Runaway Brides series.
Melanie Webb married Grady Hollis, a rising baseball star, after knowing him for a very short time and during the ceremony at the court house she is having second thoughts and as soon as the ceremony is over she run away from Grady and she has no plans to stay married.
Grady knows in his heart that Melanie is the perfect woman for him and he's not willing to give her up without a fight so using a cell phone App he tracks her down and he's trying to convince her that their marriage can last and that his prposal was serious and that he know they can have a hay life together.
I really enjoyed reading about the hero Grady, I thought he was a great hero, he really loved Melanie and he felt like they belong together. I wasn't a huge fan of Melanie, I couldn't really understand why she thought Grady wasn't serious about them getting married and why she felt like they can't be together for real.
I could understand how her parents dysfunctional marriage made her afraid of having a meaningful relationship but I just couldn't understand why she never told Grady about her family and why she didn't believe he truly loves her and wants to be with her.
I did enjoy reading about the road trip Grady and Melanie took together and how they were learning new things about one another. I just wish the book was a bit longer so I could truly believe that Melanie believes in her marriage and is willing to make it work. -
I loved this novella! It had a great opening line, which immediately pulled me right into the story. The heroine is both likable and relatable. Readers will be drawn to Melanie because she’s so utterly human and endearing, fallible but holding a lot of heart, a lot of goodness. Even if she doesn't particularly think so.
From the very first scene, readers will get swept up in Melanie’s growing doubts and increasing panic at having married Grady so soon after meeting him. They will be further drawn in by Grady’s confusion and determination to get Melanie to talk to him. To get her to give them a real chance. A real future.
This story had everything I love to read in a romance. Excellent characterization with the perfect amount of detail to take readers on a journey with the characters, drawing them in and making them care about what happens to Melanie and Grady. Readers will root for these leads from the start and continue rooting for them throughout this fantastic novella. Each scene is written so flawlessly that I could picture all the moments between Melanie and Grady, which is one of my favorite things about reading books by great authors. I love getting so swept up in a story that the real world kind of falls away for a while. That’s how I know I've found a true gem. -
Melanie Webb and Grady Hollis have enjoyed a whirlwind romance while Grady was in town for Spring Training. When Grady proposes, Melanie accepts, thinking that despite her feelings, he will never go through with it. After the ceremony at the courthouse, a panicked Melanie runs for the hills, leaving Grady to chase after her.
The last thing Grady expected was to spend his wedding night trying to find his bride. Now he has 3 days before he leaves for Atlanta to convince Melanie that they can make their marriage work, while she is trying to convince him he is better off without her.
Melanie grew up in a dysfunctional family and knows all about disappointment, so she truly expected Grady to be another one of them, never expecting that someone like him could be happy with her. Grady, on the other hand, has never been more sure of anything, and despite what Melanie believes, he knows her better than she thinks.
A very cute, fun short story that introduces the Runaway Brides series. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Melanie was a real person, and Grady was a genuinely good guy. It was fun to watch them grow as a couple and I look forward to more stories in the series. -
Can't help but admire Grady, with his patience, kindness, determination, and love towards Melanie, when she takes off from the courthouse wedding, running for her life. His set off with dedication to show her that their love is true, they have a real future together, that they can make it. And he only has just a couple of days to accomplish this before the season starts.
Melanie has grown up in a dysfunctional home of alcoholism and broken dreams. She can't believe she would deserve a dream come true, someone who would put her first, love her, and willing to make a life with her. Until Grady showed her the truth about his feelings.
Hectic, stressful, a lustful couple of days follows, where anyone's relationship would have been put into a test, not to mention Grady and Melanie's. Does Grady have enough time, and patience, to convince Melanie, before it's too late?
It is a sweet, adorable story. The heartache and panic are palpable, but so are the love, caring, acceptance, and passion for each other. Lovely novella, that gives a different point of view into the 'fast and furious' happily ever after
~ Four Spoons -
I received a copy of this book from Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review and as part of this book's blog tour promotions.
This novella is a fun and easy read that I finished in just a couple of hours or so. It was about a heroine who had second thoughts about her marriage to the hero just minutes after they were married. The heroine thought that the hero was too good for her and that they wanted very different things in life. The hero, however, did not give up on the heroine even after she tried pushing him away many times.
It was a funny story because the romance was supposed to be a whirlwind love affair, so the heroine was still in a state of disbelief over her relationship with the hero, much less her marriage to him. I liked the hero better tha the heroine because he was clearly the more mature one in the relationship, contrary to how the heroine thought he was.
I liked the ending of the book, with the heroine being the one who made the grand gesture and proved how much she loved the hero, since she was the one who had doubts from the very beginning. I wish there was a scene where they had a bigger wedding because I believe every heroine deserves that. -
How To Lose a Groom in 10 Days is a fast paced, easy to read novella. A complete story, it also provides a nice glimpse of what might come in the next book (The Wedding Audition).
After a whirlwind courtship, Melanie is sure Grady will back out of their courthouse wedding. She is sure she's not cut out for him or his life. Grady sees things differently though...and he really is in love with Melanie. Melanie is so confused, it's hard to know how things will end up in How To Lose a Groom in 10 Days. It was an interesting ride with Melanie and Grady...as she tries to convince him they are too different and he tries to convince her they are meant to be. I really liked Grady. His feelings are obvious, he's honest, and determined! Melanie grew on me as I got to know her. At first I found her maddening but her character really grew and evolved in this short novella.
A well paced, fast read with a marriage that might or might not be, I'd recommend How To Lose A Groom in 10 Days to romance readers looking for fun, steam, and hope! -
Can you know if it’s forever in less time than baseball’s spring training?
Melanie Webb and Grady Hollis were in a whirlwind courtship to say the least. They couldn’t have been more different from one another. Melanie was the queen of temp jobs, but only because she had to rush off a lot to take care of her parents. Grady was a big shot baseball player with his career growing every season. Yet somehow these two come together and shhhhh get married? Now Melanie has three days to prove to Grady he doesn’t want to be with her and Grady has three days to prove her wrong. The question of course is who will come out batting a thousand?
This is a great quick example of Ms. Mann and Ms. Rock’s writing styles, AKA fantastic! Yes it is a novella which means that things aren’t as developed as they could be, but the story is fast paced and well written allowing the reader to connect with Melanie and Grady on a basic level. There’s not a lot of heat to be found but there are two really big hearts calling out for understanding. Pick this up for a quick bout of love added to your life.
