Runaway Bride meets Father of the Bride in this new, steamy romantic comedy from bestselling author, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, that will have you laughing and swooning all the way down the aisle… Dixie Dorothea Winston cannot get married.After leaving three grooms at the altar, she fled her small-town infamy for the big city, hiding her past in plain sight: Winston Weddings by Thea Winston – because … past in plain sight: Winston Weddings by Thea Winston – because those who can’t wed, plan.
Now, she’s the most sought-after wedding planner in Manhattan. Though she’s handled many bridezillas and momsters, Thea’s never dealt with a man like Oliver Kingsley – the father of the bride.
Wealthy. Demanding. Divorced. Oliver’s determined to give his daughter the perfect wedding with Thea’s help. But the fiery, gorgeous businesswoman isn’t what he expected – and neither is the attraction between them.
From cake tastings to dress fittings, Oliver’s daughter misses one event after another, giving Thea more time with the brooding billionaire than she bargained for. And it’s not long before the lines begin to blur around the roles they’re supposed to play.
But Thea knows too-well how this works… First comes love, then comes marriage.
She needs to keep her heart in check because when it comes to walking down the aisle herself, the only thing she’s ready to do is run…
Ready to Run is a complete standalone novel in the Love, Unexpected Collection.
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Rebecca Sharp nailed this new release in the most glamorous way.
Ready To Run was a fantastic love story that showed us, once again, how fear can makes us forget about the future.
“Sometimes mistakes only look like they set us back, when really they are putting us back on the right track.”
Thea is the representation of all girls who are growing up and try to find themselves in a world where expectations are more import than what we really want for our lives. It seems like love and marriage are not in the cards for her until she meets Oliver, a successful and handsome, billionaire, in the most unconventional way (I’m still cracking up because of it lol). Soon, Thea will find out if it’s time to face the demons of her past or keep running like her live depends on it.
I honestly think Rebecca did an excellent job, giving a well-defined personality to Thea. I saw an empowered woman in her. Someone who made a name of her own despite not having her Happy-Ever-After. Sometimes fear hold us back and no matter how old you are or how successful you can be, if you don’t make peace with your mistakes, you definitely won’t be able to move forward. Thankfully, for Thea, a wakeup call was just around the corner or let’s just say, something pink had A LOT to do with that transformation lol.
“This is forever”
Oliver was a magnificent character. He was capable of building an empire from scratch but he was also a devoted father that wanted the best for his daughter. A daughter that also has to learn to find her own happiness, which lead us to Oliver and Thea that have to plan the perfect wedding for her but the end result will definitely surprise everyone involve.
I adored Oliver, even when he was in full, dominating and demanding mode, he was a man that did everything in his power to get what he wanted, especially if he wanted Thea. But he also learns that money can’t buy everything. Not even forgiveness.
Oliver protects what he loves and his undeniable love for Thea is palpable from the beginning, making this story more appealing for the readers.
As usual, Rebecca Sharp delivers a story that resonates with strong life messages that encourages us to keep searching for happiness no matter how painful the path can be.
Nothing that is worth fighting for is easy or simple. That’s what I’ve learned with Ready To Run.
I’m very pleased with this RomCom and also happy that the author was inspired by her favorite country songs. Music is a vital part of this storyline.
Now I will be the first to admit, I am not a big country music fan. That being said I was so glad that I push that feeling aside when I was given the opportunity to read this story!
This is a fresh, fun take on a country song! (And I actually kinda like the song too!)
This is the story of Thea (Dixie) and Oliver.
Thea is a powerhouse of her own making! She is at the top of her career as a wedding planner. I loved reading her back story on how she became to be the person she was. It was a tragic back story, but it made me admire this character all the more. To be bombarded and “thrown under the bus” by the people that she should have absolute trust in have made her into the person she has become.
Oliver is the absolute king of his kingdom. Unfortunately, that also makes him a bit of an autocrat. But when he meets Thea, he sees a whole new world of possibilities and a future.
I loved the tenaciousness of Oliver, I loved the spunkiness of Thea.
This story is full of humor, heart and heat! I couldn’t put it down until the very end and then I was sad to see it over! Get your hands on this!!
My first of this author, a pleasant introduction. I like the fact that this series of which this book is part of, is based on a couple of country songs. Sweet story of unexpected love. Feel good!
I loved this book! It was a quick, light, fun read. I had been reading a lot of dark books and this was exactly the story I needed to reset. Oliver and Thea were perfect for each other. The plot was fast-paced and kept me engaged and glued to my Kindle. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.
Ready to Run by the super talented Dr. Rebecca Sharp had me in stitches as I traversed the emotional rollercoaster ride of a journey that this story took me on, and I loved every single second of it!
Thea and Oliver? The vibes these two emitted from their very first interaction had me hooked!
Thea is fierce, strong, independent, and has steel armor surrounding a gooey center. She’s taken the adage of those who can’t do teach and applied it to her wedding planning business, becoming the best of the best, thinking she’s got it all, until she runs into the father of her latest bride client. And from there you know the story is going to get better and better!
Oliver is a go getter with model good looks that doesn’t understand how no can ever be an answer to a question. He’s confident, sure of himself, and also is completely unfamiliar with anything close to the game of hearts. He is business focused, and thrown completely off guard by his attraction to Thea, the wedding planner he’s hired for his daughter’s wedding.
Jillian is too sweet and I loved seeing her grow as the story continued, and I want her to have her HEA! And I wanted more time with Manny!
This story made my heart smile, and I loved its message of loving yourself and how it can help you find true happiness! So if you’re looking for a romantic escape set in the Big Apple wish some fantastic characters and a beautiful story, look no further!
P. S. Can someone please take me dancing at the Wonderland themed jazz club?!
Great read! Loved this book, Thea and Oliver’s chemistry was hot!
“Sometimes mistakes only look like they set us back, when really they are putting us back on the right track.”
Ready to Run by Rebecca Sharp is an emotional (my heart broke for Thea during the prologue), sweet, sexy, laugh-out-loud romance; the perfect escape during this quarantine/self-isolation/social distancing time; and it left me with a smile.
I absolutely loved Thea and Oliver! Thea inspired me with her strength, courage, and determination to remain true to herself. And Oliver—**swoon**—was perfect in his imperfectness. Hard, broody, yet sweet and gentle. He was bossy and used to getting his own way, and I loved his surprise when Thea stood her ground.
***Favorite Excerpts***
“First, you throw dicks at me,” I accused with a low, gravelly voice, ignoring her small squeak of protest as I yanked her closer to me. “Now, you shove cake in my face.”
.
.
.
“Oliver,” I grumbled. “You’re scaring Prince—my cat. This is his domain.” A smile crept over my lips as the hard chest I was curled against grumbled his displeasure.
“Not anymore,” he mumbled.
My eyes darted up to his closed ones. I wondered if he meant for right now or for…longer.
“You can’t just take his kingdom from him.”
A low hum rumbled under my ear. “Not his kingdom. More like a colony,” he drawled. “And you should remind Prince Hairy what happens when the British try to take control of an American’s colony…”
I snorted. “Are you starting a revolution in my bed, Mr. Kingsley?”
“If that’s what it takes to keep me in it.”
.
.
.
Low-angst, low drama, no cheating, standalone romance
This was such great story. I enjoyed reading this story so much. It was a great and funny, cute read. I love the chemistry between Thea and Oliver. It was so wonderful seeing them falling in love with each other. It was a light, sweet romance and entertained to read. It was great crafted story about how to overcome fears, when the right guy come into your life.
4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Support Group
Up All Night With Books Blog
Whoop!! our next installment in Dr. Rebeccas Sharp, Country Love series that are all standalones but all have to do with a song. Ready to Run is inspired by the song, Ready to Run by The Dixie Chicks and it is brilliant. There is just something about this story that just pulled you in and had me laughing out loud.
This story is one of those that you breeze right on through. Light, fun, laugh out loud, minimal drama.
Thea a/k/a Dixie just can’t get with the whole marriage thing. After leaving three different men at the alter, Dixie takes things into her own hands and leaving town and her family.
Years later after becoming the most sought after Wedding planner, Thea has a street run-in with Oliver. (OMG that scene is hysterical). Turns out Oliver is the father of the bride that she just took on as a client.
But when things in one life start to fall apart, things in others’ life start changing. Walls begin tumbling down. and when Thea is ready to run again. things won’t be so black and white.
Easy to read, Fun to ready, and I can’t wait to see what next!!
Ready to Run is such a fun read! I loved how Thea and Oliver met on the sidewalk! I was literally laughing out loud! I could totally relate to Thea and her fear of relationships. The characters were very likable and I loved the story line. This is the first book I’ve read by Rebecca Sharp and I was not disappointed!
Ready to Run is the first book of Rebecca Sharp’s that I have read and I must say that I really enjoyed it! This Rom-Com made me laugh. I was giggling through most of the book. This is about Dixie Dorothea Winston small town girl who has left 3 grooms at the altar. Not that they were her fault. She has now moved to New York and has reinvented herself as Thea. She has also become the most sought after wedding planner in the city. Oliver is one of the wealthiest bachelors in Manhattan who wants to make his daughter Jillian’s dream wedding come true, in 4 weeks. The way Oliver and Thea meet is just hilarious. The things that they went through funny and the characters were amusing. The witty dialog kept me hooked.
Another awesome book. This is the story of Thea (Dixie) and Oliver.
Thea has been known as the runaway bride in her hometown. Now living in New York Thea is a really good wedding planner. One day Olivier shows up at her office for her to plan his daughter’s wedding. But they soon to realize that they had already met before.
If you’re looking for a laugh out loud romcom look no further! This one should be you’re next read!
This is a standalone in the Country Love Collection. Next book is Fastest Girl in Town: A Standalone Romantic Suspense, and releases on March 26. Tequila: A Second Chance Romance, is part of this collection and is available now. All books are in Kindle Unlimited. All books Can be read in any order and each one is based off a country song.
I received an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily giving my honest review, and I plan to buy this book when it becomes available.
This book is fun and romantic. What I would call a clean your palate type of story. The ones that you need to feel settled, good and lighthearted. You can’t go wrong with a hot, dominant, honest, insistent, won’t stop until I get what I want amazing dad like Oliver. He is a control freak with a melt where you are standing stare and a delicious grin. Too bad for him that Thea makes him work for it. Good for us because her strong as steel backbone and can’t control me attitude makes for good entertainment.
Dixie Dorthea Winston is well known in her hometown for leaving grooms at the alter and even though she had a valid reason every time it didn’t matter to anyone else, including her own mother, so she left town. Now 8 years Thea is an extremely busy wedding planner who is helping brides get the wedding of their dreams.
Oliver Kingsley wants to hire Thea to plan his daughter’s, Jillian, wedding but he wants her married in 4 weeks before she leaves the country to got to school. Money is no problem and he will spend whatever it takes to give Jillian the dream wedding she wants.
Yet as Jillian continue to miss appointments it forces Oliver and Thea to be together more and more and the chemistry between the two is intense! Will Thea allow herself to fall for the father of the bride or will she continue to run?
This was a great book filled with so many laughs and a few serious moments along the way!
I loved Thea and I was definitely on her side about running from each of those weddings! I did understand why her mom was a little mad but Thea’s happiness was way more important than anything else! I thought it was totally ironic that she ended up being one of the best wedding planners around!
Oliver was a little overbearing and controlling but as the book went on I really liked all of the changes in him. Yet one thing he really seemed to miss was how Jillian felt through everything. That being said I liked his perseverance when it came to how he felt about Thea!
The chemistry between Thea and Oliver was through the roof but Thea didn’t want to get involved with a client’s father or go anywhere close to a serious relationship after everything she had been through in her own past.
I liked Jillian and I knew that everything was not really what she wanted right from the beginning as she wasn’t always there. I think Thea could identify with Jillian but she needed Jillian to be open with her and realize that she wasn’t going to judge her and had made her own mistakes in the past.
You knew at some point things would be revealed and I was so mad at how things were revealed and who got involved. I was so mad at Oliver with how he reacted towards Jillian after he learned the truth about Thea’s past. I was so proud of Thea for sticking up for herself and then Oliver realizing how big of a mistake he made!!
I loved how Oliver attempted to prove to Thea that he made a huge mistake and wanted a second chance! His actions were definitely swoon worthy!!
Epilogue was perfect!!
Take a serial runaway bride and a stoic billionaire businessman, both of whom are extremely stubborn and headstrong with what they believe is right, mix that with a heavy hand of sexual tension and chemistry and you have Ready to Run. I loved this book so much! There is so much between Oliver and Thea from the very beginning that I knew right of the bat how amazing the book was going to be. There is a bit of angst throughout as Thea struggles with her blooming feelings for Oliver, but there is more love and laughs. These two are great, I laughed a few times at the crazy things that they seem to get themselves into. A RomCom story to the max! Ready to Run is one you don’t want to pass up!!
-Mackenzie
Dixie Dorothea Winston just can’t make it down the aisle, let alone to the altar! Three times she has tried and failed. She hasn’t been able to go through with any of her marriages because her grooms-to-be were losers, abusers or simply too young. She runs to Manhattan where she becomes Thea Winston, the premier wedding planner in the city. Oliver Kingston is the city’s most eligible billionaire and he and Thea meet when she drops an entire bag of toys for a bachelorette party right in front of him. After an introduction like that, things are bound to get a little crazy. He hires her on the spot to be the wedding planner for his daughter Jillian’s wedding. To keep it private and out of the tabloids, he tells her to get it all done in four weeks. One month to plan an entire wedding and in the Plaza, of all places. Only the most opulent and expensive setting will do for his daughter’s special day. Jillian and Thea work together well until Jill starts to feel sick and is unable to make it to some of the appointments. Something is just not right with her. Oliver accompanies Thea as they do the taste test with cake and pick out flowers, all the while growing closer than they should. They have serious, sweet and hilarious times until the secret that Thea has carried with her is exposed. Just as she declared her love for Oliver and Oliver knew she was his forever, someone from her past spilled the beans. Everything can’t be lost, can it? With his daughter’s help, Oliver is going to have to go overboard in order to show his love to get his Thea back. A delightful story that is uniquely crafted with characters that are unforgettable!
Loving this series and these cover graphics!!
This is a fun series to read! These books are complete standalones – no interconnecting characters, but are tied to country songs loved by the author. Such a fun concept.
This one did bring some tears, but lots of laughs and feels as well. Thea has escaped her past of choosing the wrong men to marry…that’s the bottom line…not the fact that she doesn’t realize it until her wedding day (in all its forms). Oliver is scrumptious, successful, very alpha, and tries to be a loving father.
Their initial meeting had me giggling, but what transpired became so much more. I really enjoyed this story and felt that it had lots of depth to allow the characters to grow.
Some highlights:
“And I was starting to wonder just how many of my brain cells he’d paid off to hold the majority of the real estate in my mind.”
“So then, you know what it means when I tell you that I know what this is…This is forever.” SWOON!!
“I wasn’t running from him. I just was no longer running to him. And the difference between the two was a broken heart.” Tears!
You won’t be disappointed with this series. Very enjoyable reads!!
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
LOVED!!! I couldn’t put down the book. Thea & Oliver were absolutely hilarious and I had to see what happened next. The chemistry & the banter were what made the book! It was so enjoyable! 5 stars!
4.5 Stars
Runaway Bride meets Father of the Bride meets The Wedding Planner in this sweet and charming romantic comedy by Rebecca Sharp.
Dixie Dorothea Winston has had her fair share of failed relationships, which in turn became failed engagements. After the third time, which was so not the charm of not making it to the altar; Thea’s had enough and leaves her small town of Chicktown, Alabama—and never looked back. Years later, she’s become a renowned wedding planner. Just because she can’t get it right in love doesn’t mean she can’t give the brides she works with the wedding of their dreams. And she’ll stop at nothing to do so, even putting her feelings aside when she starts falling for her clients’ father.
Oliver Kingsley is King of his kingdom. Powerful, wealthy, demanding—and always gets what he wants no matter the expense. And when he wants to give his daughter the ultimate wedding, he hires the woman who can do just that, Thea. But he never thought what feelings Thea would stir in him or how no matter the amount of time spent with her—it still wouldn’t be enough.
Thea and Oliver’s first encounter was one for the books. I was in hysterics with tears in my eyes from laughing so much. From there on it just got better and better with these two. Their attraction was undeniable and their chemistry was fire. They both complimented each other and were so good together. Their banter was great and I loved Thea’s spunk and Oliver’s tenacity. They put the biggest smile on my face and I just adored them.
Ready to Run was such a feel good read. Filled with humor, steam, and heart. Get ready to fall for Thea and Oliver and get swept away in their story.
Loved this Dixie Chicks inspired Story!
After Dixie’s disastrous near misses at the altar of marriage, we’re introduced to her successful vocation in the most hilarious of ways. As a successful and sought-after wedding planner, she’s moving confidently down a Manhattan Street carrying a bag of hen night party favours when the heel of her shoe catches in a sidewalk crack and she goes @rse-over-kite into the most devastatingly sexy man that she’s seen for quite some time. And drops those party favours all over the ground. Pink phallus shaped adult toys line the ground, and to make matters worse, one even starts buzzing!!!
This man, Oliver Kingston, CEO of King Capital Development, wants to engage the most sought-after wedding planner in Manhattan and is surprised to find the stunning lady who threw her pink phallus collection at him is none other than she who is sought after. His daughter is getting married, and having Thea Winston organise a wedding is about as important as the wedding itself.
I loved Thea and Oliver. I loved Rebecca Sharp’s writing. In fact, I loved everything about this book and hit it in one sitting. Told in my favourite dual POV, the chemistry surrounding our main characters was off the charts hot, and with each significant movement forward in their not-relationship, I had to fan myself harder. From the dance in the jazz club through to my favourite moments, their first kiss, Ms. Sharp’s writing is descriptive where she likens the beat and the atmosphere of the club to the chemistry between them.
Not only was their first kiss incendiary, but holy hell, the first time they had sex was off the charts hot as hell!!! My tablet was on FIRE, and if I were in a public setting, I’d be screening my facial features for sure!
What we can’t forget is that it’s Oliver’s daughter getting married, and Thea is the wedding planner, so maybe they’re getting ahead of themselves. Inspired by the Dixie Chick’s song, Ready To Run, this story is as fun as the music vid of the song it’s named after. 5 Stars!