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Always the Bridesmaid #2
Always on the Run
My sister is marrying my ex-boyfriend.
When is an acceptable time to start day-drinking?
Jamie has tried for years to be in complete control of her life. She has to-do lists, calendars and plans to keep her life running smoothly. The thing is, life isn’t quite going along with her agenda: she was fired from her job as a charter bus driver (for something that was SO not her fault), her ex-boyfriend just popped the question to her older and perfect sister, and her eccentric great aunt keeps fixing her up with stuck-up rich boys. For all the plans she makes, Jamie may come to realize it’s the moments in life that she never saw coming that are the ones to write down.
When is an acceptable time to start day-drinking?
Jamie has tried for years to be in complete control of her life. She has to-do lists, calendars and plans to keep her life running smoothly. The thing is, life isn’t quite going along with her agenda: she was fired from her job as a charter bus driver (for something that was SO not her fault), her ex-boyfriend just popped the question to her older and perfect sister, and her eccentric great aunt keeps fixing her up with stuck-up rich boys. For all the plans she makes, Jamie may come to realize it’s the moments in life that she never saw coming that are the ones to write down.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2013
40 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 12, 2013
Oh how I love discovering books like this one, it was one of those freebies from Amazon, but what a gem I tell you. Lots of laughs and witty writing, yes this was my type of book. The story is about Jamie, and her sister just got engaged to her ex boyfriend, it's been a couple of years since they broke up, and even thought the relationship wasn't too serious, it's still wrong to date and even more so to want to marry your sister's ex, period. Turns out the two sisters live together so Jamie has to experience every day the smooches, the sex noises and everything else in between, also her sister wants her to be the maid of honor and plan the whole wedding, really? Somebody just shut Jamie now, please... I loved Jamie's character she was a total maniac, always making lists, she lives out of her planner, she organizes everything in her life, her drawers, her CDs, her jewelry, total OCD about every detail of her life, if its not in her planner, simply is not happening. So her family is worried about her and the obsessive way she is conducting her life, and so her crazy aunt is always setting her up on the most terrible blind dates. One of the dates turn out is this gorgeous guy Calvin AKA Cal, he is so dreamy!!! and is also running away from relationships. So Cal and Jamie decide to fake date, and it's hilarious!!! I really enjoyed the humor and the writing style in this novel, it was so fresh and easy. This was one those happy and hilarious reads that it's perfect to make you feel young and giddy. And in the world we live today any time a book makes feel those things it's a five star for me... So go ahead and read a little * wink wink.
May 6, 2013
Two-haiku review:
She's tired of blind dates
Him too--they start fake dating
Then get serious
Lighthearted and fun
With enough depth to intrigue
Just a few errors
She's tired of blind dates
Him too--they start fake dating
Then get serious
Lighthearted and fun
With enough depth to intrigue
Just a few errors
December 11, 2018
Jamie is always the bridesmaid, and, worst yet, she will be one to her sister in her ex’s wedding. Yikes!
I’d hate to be a bridesmaid. Weddings aren’t really my thing.
A contract to “fake date” is in the works, which I felt was kind of stupid and lame. Quite frankly I feel like it’s been done before.
Story has some biting wit here and there, but it wasn’t very compelling, even though I can totally relate to her “high” on the run. But what was up with the cover image? The woman looked like a bag lady trying to train-hop. It didn't really seem to match the light-hearted tone of the story.
I’d hate to be a bridesmaid. Weddings aren’t really my thing.
A contract to “fake date” is in the works, which I felt was kind of stupid and lame. Quite frankly I feel like it’s been done before.
Story has some biting wit here and there, but it wasn’t very compelling, even though I can totally relate to her “high” on the run. But what was up with the cover image? The woman looked like a bag lady trying to train-hop. It didn't really seem to match the light-hearted tone of the story.
July 2, 2017
Wow I felt for Jamie all the way through this book. She was always trying to be strong and prove she was fine, aunt Milly kicked her butt into gear though and I thought her and gramps were awesome ! I love Cal he is so down to earth and makes the perfect other half for Jamie, he tames her 'crazy' and they are perfect for each other <3
November 6, 2017
Going back through my Kindle library and exploring some of the freebies that I picked up ages ago... This was a fast read that was amusing at times, but nothing particularly memorable. Lots of f-bombs (frankly it detracted from the dialog). Sex but no long, graphic passages.
October 21, 2017
Very cute!
Two commitment phobes who commit to a fake relationship get roped into the real thing. The family dynamics in this story will have you laughing. Loved it.
Two commitment phobes who commit to a fake relationship get roped into the real thing. The family dynamics in this story will have you laughing. Loved it.
August 24, 2023
This author truly understands her characters, such life. I laughed, sniffled, fell in love, got angry, laughed some more. Be prepared for a wild ride.
February 16, 2015
Jamie has always been a planner, a list girl but what happens when all her perfect and careful planning starts to unravel. First, she ends up getting fired from her job as a tour bus driver , though in her defense it wasn't her fault that the two old people hitchikers she picked up turned out to be criminals looking for an easy target which Jamie had supposedly painted on her back and secondly - her ex-boyfriend dumped her for her younger sister and now they are getting married and last but not least, they want Jamie to be the Maid of Honor and help plan the wedding and last but not least, her eccentric aunty keeps trying to set her up with the rich sons of those she meets at her country club as apparently , she will reach spinster level in a few years if she hasn't found anyone yet. What will happen though , when the latest person her aunt sets her up with happens to actually be down-to-earth and a genuine nice guy who doesn't flaunt the fact that his family have a lot of money ? Enter Cal - he was left at the altar and now keeps being set-up on blind dates , eager for this to stop - Jamie and Cal decide to create a fake relationship to keep both families off their backs. What will happen though when the fake relationship starts to attract real feelings ? Are they both still playing the game or do they both want more ? When things normally get a bit hard for Jamie, she flees - will she flee from Cal or will she realise that sometimes plans and rules were meant to be broken and that often it isn't a bad thing ? The other thing that I liked about this book, was that it turns out that Cal and Jamie's family have history dating back years which is highlighted throughout the book. Always on the Run is the perfect read for all those females who have had their plans ruined, siblings dating exes and being set-up on those annoying blind dates - some good and mostly bad.
February 15, 2017
This was the first book by this author for me. It was a sweet, funny read. I liked both characters and Jamie's lists were pretty funny. The "contract" they made together was hilarious and I couldn't wait to see how it all fell apart. I think the book lacked a little depth and I was hoping for a little sexy time with them. Overall, a good read.
May 15, 2014
I've read both of the books in this series and while I really like the fun airy easiness to them I don't like how they end so abruptly. There needs to be an epilogue or at least another chapter. One minute they are hugging, kissing, and making up and then BAM it's over.
What I liked:
The hero and heroine of this book were both likable and definitely complemented each other. The family closeness aspect is always a plus, I just love that close knit dynamic. I love stories about weddings, wedding planners, event planners all of those things are just so much fun to read about and hear some of the clients crazy demands.
What I didn't like:
I didn't like just how similar it was to the movie 27 dresses. Yes there were a lot of differences but there was still a bit of familiarity that I couldn't ignore. For example the sister marrying someone that the other sister was either romantically involved with or wanted to be, the sister being "flighty" and a "free spirit", the fake date or friend turning into a real relationship, etc. And I didn't like how everyone made fun of or poked at Jamie's anxieties and neuroses, yes family can make fun playfully but this never felt really playful and she was always uncomfortable. Especially when they would do some low blows like comparing her to her mother that walked out on her family.
But overall I think that this was a very light and fun book and I hope there are more books in this series to come.
What I liked:
The hero and heroine of this book were both likable and definitely complemented each other. The family closeness aspect is always a plus, I just love that close knit dynamic. I love stories about weddings, wedding planners, event planners all of those things are just so much fun to read about and hear some of the clients crazy demands.
What I didn't like:
I didn't like just how similar it was to the movie 27 dresses. Yes there were a lot of differences but there was still a bit of familiarity that I couldn't ignore. For example the sister marrying someone that the other sister was either romantically involved with or wanted to be, the sister being "flighty" and a "free spirit", the fake date or friend turning into a real relationship, etc. And I didn't like how everyone made fun of or poked at Jamie's anxieties and neuroses, yes family can make fun playfully but this never felt really playful and she was always uncomfortable. Especially when they would do some low blows like comparing her to her mother that walked out on her family.
But overall I think that this was a very light and fun book and I hope there are more books in this series to come.
September 18, 2014
I started this book weeks ago and dropped it because it was trying to be funny and wasn't.
Last night I was in a bit of a book funk and this was about the only thing I could bear to read - so I finished it.
Jamie is a mass of insecurities and neuroses. Her friends and family are, quite frankly, more than half the problem. Her sister is engaged to Jamie's ex-boyfriend and expects Jamie to plan the wedding. Oh and they share an apartment so Jamie gets to hear her sister and her ex having sex - nice.
Jamie's mum walked out on them and her father has always favoured her sister so Jamie has compensated by being hyper organised, planning everything (ie taking control of her life in the only way she can).
In order to get her family off her back Jamie enters into a fake relationship with a guy her complete opposite. So we all know how that ends.
There was a lot of unsolicited psycho-babble from Jamie's friends and family which never really went anywhere. I wanted Jamie to tell each and every one of them to eff off and die but that never happened.
In fact that was the problem with this book, nothing really happened. It was trying to be a funny mad-cap romance but wasn't funny - in fact some of it was quite sad - yet the 'issues' identified didn't even get an after-school special resolution.
Can't see me getting any of the others in the series - even if they are free.
Last night I was in a bit of a book funk and this was about the only thing I could bear to read - so I finished it.
Jamie is a mass of insecurities and neuroses. Her friends and family are, quite frankly, more than half the problem. Her sister is engaged to Jamie's ex-boyfriend and expects Jamie to plan the wedding. Oh and they share an apartment so Jamie gets to hear her sister and her ex having sex - nice.
Jamie's mum walked out on them and her father has always favoured her sister so Jamie has compensated by being hyper organised, planning everything (ie taking control of her life in the only way she can).
In order to get her family off her back Jamie enters into a fake relationship with a guy her complete opposite. So we all know how that ends.
There was a lot of unsolicited psycho-babble from Jamie's friends and family which never really went anywhere. I wanted Jamie to tell each and every one of them to eff off and die but that never happened.
In fact that was the problem with this book, nothing really happened. It was trying to be a funny mad-cap romance but wasn't funny - in fact some of it was quite sad - yet the 'issues' identified didn't even get an after-school special resolution.
Can't see me getting any of the others in the series - even if they are free.
April 25, 2014
Free , Fun and fast...triple whammy!! Found this one cleaning out my library and really thought it was sweet. Cal and Jamie make a contract to "fake date" so their friends and family stop nagging them to find that special someone.
Jamie is a habitual organizer to the point of obsession. She has notes and lists ( some very funny) for everything. Her plans keep getting in the way of her happiness. A very wise friend gave her this advise >>> " Plans get cancelled, plans change and all that's accomplished is you getting angry and upset. But you can always dream. Dreams don't get cancelled. They may change or you may change, but dreams are something you can always hold tight to your heart" >>>> truer words have never been said!! Jamie needed to hear those words ..it just took her awhile longer to put them to use.
Cal is a carefree and has had his share of craziness in his life that he is dealing with. He thought he didn't want another relationship but then he met Jamie and he had to learn to trust again. As expected feelings get involved and in this case so do their crazy families.
This book is short and easy to read and kept me smiling. Go for it.
Jamie is a habitual organizer to the point of obsession. She has notes and lists ( some very funny) for everything. Her plans keep getting in the way of her happiness. A very wise friend gave her this advise >>> " Plans get cancelled, plans change and all that's accomplished is you getting angry and upset. But you can always dream. Dreams don't get cancelled. They may change or you may change, but dreams are something you can always hold tight to your heart" >>>> truer words have never been said!! Jamie needed to hear those words ..it just took her awhile longer to put them to use.
Cal is a carefree and has had his share of craziness in his life that he is dealing with. He thought he didn't want another relationship but then he met Jamie and he had to learn to trust again. As expected feelings get involved and in this case so do their crazy families.
This book is short and easy to read and kept me smiling. Go for it.
September 25, 2014
Life has not been going well for Jamie. She lost her job driving a tour bus and has had to move back home to Kentucky, where she works for her aunt's bridal shop. Her great aunt keeps setting her up on blind dates with eligible (read wealthy) young men, who are horrible. Now Jamie's putting her organizational skills to use planning her sister's wedding... to her ex-boyfriend. That's right, Jamie is apparently a masochist, but she sees a way out of some of the pain she's suffering. When the latest blind date Cal ends up being a nice guy who is also tired of his family's setups, they decided to make a contract. They will fake date each other and they solemnly swear to not get feelings for each other. Can you see where this is going?
I probably wouldn't have picked this book on my own, but I got it as a free ebook from Amazon, and it was pretty fun. There were some painful moments of repetition in the writing style, which are common in this genre, and not so surprising in the work of a new author like Bowling, but I do think her work shows potential. There were several moments that had me laughing out loud. Enjoy the karaoke scene!
I probably wouldn't have picked this book on my own, but I got it as a free ebook from Amazon, and it was pretty fun. There were some painful moments of repetition in the writing style, which are common in this genre, and not so surprising in the work of a new author like Bowling, but I do think her work shows potential. There were several moments that had me laughing out loud. Enjoy the karaoke scene!
September 11, 2013
I have to admit: I enjoy a good rom-com, beach read, fluff, whatever you want to call it. While I enjoy most other genres of books there is something about a nice, fluffy book that just makes me smile. This book did that. I could relate to Jaime. I live for organization. I like to make lists and my closet looks like a retail store because everything is in a specific order. I also can relate to Jaime that being organized in everything else makes up for the fact that you can't control your life. For that she's a runner, another topic that I can more than relate to.
She's a woman trying to figure out what she wants out of life, out of love while also having to watch as her sister marries her ex (A point that is made every other page just in case you miss it) The love story, while predictable, is also fun to read because the writing doesn't stray.
She's a woman trying to figure out what she wants out of life, out of love while also having to watch as her sister marries her ex (A point that is made every other page just in case you miss it) The love story, while predictable, is also fun to read because the writing doesn't stray.
June 20, 2017
As with Crystal's book Always the Last to Know, I loved Always on the Run. Her witty writing had me smiling,and laughing time after time, and it was difficult to put it down because I just wanted to see how it was going to end.
Even though Always on the Run is not meant to be a continuation of Jess and Riley's story from Always the Last to Know, it was great to know what Jess and Riley have been up to, while getting to know more characters in the family and growing to love them just as much as I love Jess and Riley.
Crystal has another hit on her hands with Always on The Run!! She makes the characters funny and so real that it's easy to envision each scene happening as you read it!!
Can't wait to see what Crystal writes next!!!
Even though Always on the Run is not meant to be a continuation of Jess and Riley's story from Always the Last to Know, it was great to know what Jess and Riley have been up to, while getting to know more characters in the family and growing to love them just as much as I love Jess and Riley.
Crystal has another hit on her hands with Always on The Run!! She makes the characters funny and so real that it's easy to envision each scene happening as you read it!!
Can't wait to see what Crystal writes next!!!
May 5, 2013
Super cute book! One of my recent, more enjoyable reads. Picked this up on amazon for free last Friday and quickly finished it in a day. Enjoyed everything about the book. Writing style was easy on the eyes and kept the story interesting. My favorite part is the playful, witty banter. Being able to get me to laugh out loud during a book is a hard thing to do. I caught myself giggling out loud on multiple occasions. Would definitely pick up one of her books in the future, even if it wasn't free. :) It was really awesome to read a book about a girl with issues that doesn't bring you down. Definitely one to pick up.
January 19, 2014
Very sweet, quirky, and fun. There was one chapter that had editing issues, but if you can look past that you'll really enjoy this book.
Jamie's life is a complete mess, which is is considering she's practically OCD. Everything has its place, and she lives life through her planner and lists. Her sister is marrying her ex, and she's the maid of honor... on top of that, every one is trying to fix her up to take her mind off of it. The last blind date she goes on, she decides to go out on a whim - they make a contract to be a fake couple to get everyone of their backs. You can't plan everything, though....
Jamie's life is a complete mess, which is is considering she's practically OCD. Everything has its place, and she lives life through her planner and lists. Her sister is marrying her ex, and she's the maid of honor... on top of that, every one is trying to fix her up to take her mind off of it. The last blind date she goes on, she decides to go out on a whim - they make a contract to be a fake couple to get everyone of their backs. You can't plan everything, though....
Want to read
January 27, 2015My sister is marrying my ex-boyfriend.
When is an acceptable time to start day-drinking?
Jamie has tried for years to be in complete control of her life. She has to-do lists, calendars and plans to keep her life running smoothly. The thing is, life isn’t quite going along with her agenda: she was fired from her job as a charter bus driver (for something that was SO not her fault), her ex-boyfriend just popped the question to her older and perfect sister, and her eccentric great aunt keeps fixing her up with stuck-up rich boys. For all the plans she makes, Jamie may come to realize it’s the moments in life that she never saw coming that are the ones to write down.
When is an acceptable time to start day-drinking?
Jamie has tried for years to be in complete control of her life. She has to-do lists, calendars and plans to keep her life running smoothly. The thing is, life isn’t quite going along with her agenda: she was fired from her job as a charter bus driver (for something that was SO not her fault), her ex-boyfriend just popped the question to her older and perfect sister, and her eccentric great aunt keeps fixing her up with stuck-up rich boys. For all the plans she makes, Jamie may come to realize it’s the moments in life that she never saw coming that are the ones to write down.
June 19, 2013
It's been a while since I read the book 1 in this "series" but I remembered well enough the gist of that story.... This one was way more funny to me, which was really good. I seriously LOL'd more than a few times.
My only complaint is that at the end you want SO MUCH more to the story, but only cause I'm greedy. It was wrapped up nicely in a sweet, happy little bow.
My only complaint is that at the end you want SO MUCH more to the story, but only cause I'm greedy. It was wrapped up nicely in a sweet, happy little bow.
July 12, 2013
3.5
What do you do when your sister ends up engaged to your ex boyfriend? Why, you get yourself a fake boyfriend and offer to plan her wedding.
Always On The Run is a cute predictable rom com filled with laughter and crazy antics as two commitment wary people struggle to find their way to their happily ever after.
What do you do when your sister ends up engaged to your ex boyfriend? Why, you get yourself a fake boyfriend and offer to plan her wedding.
Always On The Run is a cute predictable rom com filled with laughter and crazy antics as two commitment wary people struggle to find their way to their happily ever after.
June 24, 2014
Jamie is super funny... Her quirkiness made me laugh throughout this book... and that Cal!!! I wish this book was longer... Great read highly recommended it!!! This book is funny, has romance, loss, and lots of love...
May 2, 2013
Smart, witty, funny, crude in all the right places. I sailed through this one in an afternoon, laughing aloud and enjoying it thoroughly. Minus one star for several glaring errors that any proofreader (never mind editor) should have caught. Will read more from this author.
February 24, 2014
This was my second book to read in the series and I very much enjoyed it! The story is more or less of a young girl who's lost in life and runningaway from her problems. She meets a guy and he changes it all. A good read for sure!
May 29, 2013
They start off as "faking dating"
They tell each other that once the lines start being crossed, it's over.
So of course, they end up crossing the line. And fall in love.
Typical cheesy romance story.
They tell each other that once the lines start being crossed, it's over.
So of course, they end up crossing the line. And fall in love.
Typical cheesy romance story.
May 8, 2013
I really liked this one. The writing was funny and witty, the bubling romance just so and the characters, though some of them infuriating, were well written and interesting.
I don't think I've read such a feel-good book for a while!
I don't think I've read such a feel-good book for a while!
May 29, 2013
So Jamie's ex-boyfriend is marrying her sister. What does she do but get a fake boyfriend... that she also ends up falling in love with. It's a quick read with parts that made me laugh and made me want to cry. Great book!
April 16, 2014
I really liked this story. Jamie's strong and opinionated and like her giving spirit but i love a stubborn nature. This book was a LOT more enjoyable than i expected. The book for me was all about Jams and she is an incredible reason to love the book.
June 7, 2014
I loved this book!!! I was lucky and I discovered it - by free - on Amazon. I'm so happy I bought it! I'm so happy than I just bought the second book ( the first one the series) without even reading the plot!
January 27, 2013
Book 2 was not nearly as enjoyable to me as book one. I loved the sarcasm and wit of book one but this book fell short there for me...
Want to read
May 2, 2013Amazon Freebie 5/1/13
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews