The Runaway Bride

3.75 stars
I liked the way it was written, and the characters are going to be memorable for sure. The story would make an excellent Hallmark movie and definitely provides plenty of feel-good quiet love. Bernadette's character arc in particular is engaging...from pampered, almost “royal” bride to a desperate woman running from the corruption she sees, with an instinctive horror. It instantly raises the question—how'd she manage not to lose the conscience these people lack so much?

Things get even more interesting when her classic Rolls breaks down in the small town where her mostly-forgotten aunt lives (the aunt who also had a conscience and ran away from the life of privilege and power and corruption a generation ago). The garage owner, Liam, is glad to help her out...this disheveled, desperate lost bride. But pretty quickly the tables turn, and she's the one helping Liam with his new son, his estranged wife's legacy to him at her death—the darling two-year-old Ike, product of the wife's affair.

I will say that some of the themes could be a bit adult (cheating spouses, illegitimate children), but in the end the book is clean, except for one instance of a “minor” swear. (Which was totally dispensable, but...oh well.) It's evident that Liam and Bernadette have a pure relationship, though there are some pretty good kisses. I especially liked that it wasn't squishy-sensual. Yes, he's handsome and she's pretty, but they aren't ogling each other in gross ways, if you get my drift. :)

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.