27 Runaway Bride Romance Books That’ll Sweep You Off Your (Probably Bare) Feet

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If I’m being totally honest with you, there’s nothing I love more than hunting down a book based on a trope. I’m always in the mood for something different. 

So when I accidentally stumbled across this super cute historical romance novel about a girl who’s about to get married just to save her family – and then the male lead shows up from America to stop the marriage because he was supposed to be the groom – I realized I had completely forgotten one of my all-time favorite tropes: The Runaway Bride.

In this trope, the female lead usually waits until the very last minute – like literally on her way to the altar or the morning of the wedding – before deciding she can’t go through with it. 

Sometimes it’s nerves, sometimes it’s a shocking revelation, and other times it’s just the realization that this isn’t the future she wants. And honestly? I was hooked.

After that, I completely abandoned my TBR (temporarily) and flew through more than a dozen runaway bride romance novels. 

That’s when I remembered how much I adore this chaotic, emotional, and often hilarious storyline. 

So, of course, I had to put together a list of the ones I’ve read, loved, and will forever recommend, because they’re just that good.

Runaway Girl by Tessa Bailey

Naomi was supposed to marry the perfect man, but staring out that church window and locking eyes with someone new changes everything. 

She runs straight into a new life and into Jason’s world. 

He’s a broody, tattooed special forces diver who needs help coaching his sister for a pageant. Naomi needs freedom. 

What neither of them expected? How hard they’d fall. 

I loved how sultry and heart-thudding this was. I couldn’t stop rooting for Naomi as she finally chose herself. 

And Jason? Whew, that man is pure yum with a soft heart underneath all that muscle. Their chemistry is fire. 

If you want a love story that feels like a steamy summer breeze full of heart, Runaway Girl is it.

Loose End by Melissa Ivers

Imagine discovering your fiancé is cheating with his best man. On your wedding day. 

June does what many of us only dream of: she ditches the wedding, grabs a drink, and ends up in a stranger’s bed. 

Ryan is charming, built like a Greek god, and wildly irresistible. It’s just one night or so she thinks.

I laughed, gasped, and cheered for June the whole way. Her sass and strength? Love. And Ryan? Oh, he delivers on every promise. 

This book is spicy, fast, and totally addictive. I can’t wait to read the full follow-up, Tight End.

If you love books where things get messy fast and sexy even faster, this one is a must-read.

Mr. Swoony by Piper Rayne

Eloise never planned to run from her wedding, but one night with swoony hockey player Conor changes everything. 

It starts innocently: a bachelorette party, stargazing, and a peek at her forgotten bucket list. 

Suddenly, she’s wondering if her fiancé is really the one. By the time Conor crashes her wedding, it’s clear: this story is all about second chances and unexpected soulmates. 

I adored how sweet and slow their love built. Conor is a literal dreamboat. And Eloise is so relatable. 

This one made me swoon for real, and the roommate twist is chef’s kiss. 

If you want something heartfelt, a little messy, and totally romantic, Mr. Swoony is calling your name.

Rockaway Bride by Pippa Grant

Dax kidnaps his enemy’s bride in a wild act of revenge, but Willow, the adorable preschool teacher, isn’t having it. 

Instead of being the victim, she takes over, creating a hilarious, spark-filled adventure that had me giggling nonstop. 

Her bucket list is outrageous. And their chemistry is off the charts. I loved how fun and unpredictable this was – it’s not your typical runaway bride story. 

Willow is a little chaotic, a lot lovable, and Dax? Secretly soft beneath his rock star edge. 

Their road trip is full of surprises, laughter, and sweet little moments that melted my heart. 

Everything but You by Harlow James

Forrest never forgot Shauna – his high school sweetheart who walked away years ago. 

When they reconnect in Vegas, just before her wedding, everything comes rushing back. 

Then she disappears again. But six weeks later, she returns no ring in sight. 

I found myself totally swept up in this second-chance romance. 

Their love feels real – raw, a little painful, and so worth fighting for. 

Forrest is so gentle and determined, and Shauna’s inner struggle felt honest and deep. This one tugged at my heart in all the right ways. 

If you believe love deserves more than just timing, and sometimes life gives you a second shot, Everything but You will make you believe again.

Hooking Up by Helena Hunting

Amalie’s wedding goes down in flames – literally over the speakers at the reception. 

Humiliated and angry, she flees straight into Lexington’s arms. He’s hot, patient, and so not interested in being anyone’s revenge. 

But fate (and an island getaway) have other plans. 

I was hooked from the first scandalous chapter.

This story is wild, hilarious, and full of chemistry you can feel. 

Lex is such a gem – supportive, respectful, and did I mention hot? 

Amalie’s journey from heartbreak to healing felt so satisfying. 

This book is honestly perfect if you love laugh-out-loud moments, steamy scenes, and a heroine finding her strength again.

Fixing to Be Mine by Lyra Parish

Stormy runs away from her fancy city wedding and crashes into Colt’s small-town world. 

He doesn’t ask questions – just hands her a key. 

Slowly, she turns his house into a home and his life into something tender and beautiful. This book felt like a warm hug. 

I adored Colt’s soft cowboy heart and how naturally he loved her even when she thought she’d leave. 

The way Stormy finds peace in simplicity really touched me. It’s sweet, spicy, and full of Southern charm. 

If you like cozy small-town romances with found family, lovable characters, and an unexpected forever, Fixing to Be Mine is such a lovely read.

I Do With You by Lauren Landish

Hope is this close to her happily ever after when her heart whispers, nope. 

She runs from her perfect wedding straight into Ben, a sweet, scruffy musician on a solo retreat. 

What follows is a heartwarming, funny, and freeing romance about finding yourself before falling in love. 

Hope’s journey felt so real to me. I loved how Ben never pressured her – he just saw her for who she was. 

Their banter is adorable, and their connection? Pure magic. 

I Do With You made me feel all warm inside.

Runaway Bride and Prejudice by Emma St. Clair

Van doesn’t do feelings and definitely not brides. 

But when he catches the groom cheating on the coach’s daughter, he does what any decent guy would do: blow up the wedding. 

Now, he’s stuck on a road trip with a runaway bride and feelings he never meant to have. 

I loved the banter, the chaos, and how totally soft Van became under it all. 

This book is hilarious, sweet, and surprisingly emotional. 

Their slow-burn connection made my heart ache in the best way. 

If you like hot hockey players, snarky dialogue, and love stories with heart and humor, Runaway Bride and Prejudice is a win.

This Much Is True by Adriana Locke

Pop star Laina Kelley ditches her wedding and flees to the one place she feels safe – her ex’s house. 

Luke is the rugged farrier who once had her heart, and now might just hold it again. 

I couldn’t stop smiling through this one. It’s second-chance romance done so right. The barn scenes? Adorable. Their tension? Sizzling. 

But what I loved most was how they slowly rediscovered each other.

Luke is swoony and steady, and Laina’s growth felt so empowering. This book gave me all the butterflies. 

If you’re into stories about going home, facing old wounds, and falling in love with the right person at the right time, This Much Is True is truly beautiful.

Let me know in the comment section below if you’re planning to give any of these runaway bride romance novels a spin and don’t forget to share which ones you end up loving. 

You can check out even more romance book recommendations in the related post below, but to make it even easier, I’ve put together this tag that includes all the romance book lists, reviews, and new releases I’ve written this year.