3.0 (1 rating)
Running on Empty: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Road Trip to Love)
It probably goes without saying that snuggling a black cat while wearing a white satin Vera Wang wedding dress is a terrible idea. But who knew it could lead to so much trouble?
Horror writer Paul Arken may be the best thing to happen to the genre since Stephen King, but he has a secret: he’s suffering from a mean case of writer’s block. When his agent suggests he take a cross-country road trip to look for inspiration, he jumps at the opportunity.
But he never expected to find a runaway bride hiding in his camper or to become the subject of a nationwide manhunt. One thing’s for sure: he’s feeling inspired to write again. But will he have to write his next book from behind bars?
The Road Trip to Love sweet romcom series features smart-as-a-whip heroines and swoon-worthy heroes as they navigate the speed bumps, u-turns, and detours that propel them toward a destination they never expected: love.
Horror writer Paul Arken may be the best thing to happen to the genre since Stephen King, but he has a secret: he’s suffering from a mean case of writer’s block. When his agent suggests he take a cross-country road trip to look for inspiration, he jumps at the opportunity.
But he never expected to find a runaway bride hiding in his camper or to become the subject of a nationwide manhunt. One thing’s for sure: he’s feeling inspired to write again. But will he have to write his next book from behind bars?
The Road Trip to Love sweet romcom series features smart-as-a-whip heroines and swoon-worthy heroes as they navigate the speed bumps, u-turns, and detours that propel them toward a destination they never expected: love.
Published: March 20, 2023
Pages: 106
ISBN: 9798387703393
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Available in: Paperback
Reader Reviews
3.0
1 rating
Liz M.
Apr 26, 2026
The premise is undeniably fun: a brooding horror writer with writer’s block and a mysterious runaway bride crossing paths in the most unexpected way—inside a camper van. Add in a Vera Wang dress, a black cat, and a nationwide manhunt, and you’ve got the ingredients for a high-stakes romcom with a splash of chaos.
Paul Arken is a compelling lead, and his dry humor paired with mounting exasperation makes for some laugh-out-loud moments. The runaway bride, though initially intriguing, sometimes veers into cliché territory, and the chemistry between the two protagonists feels uneven in places—flaring up, then cooling off without much explanation.
The road trip format lends itself to a series of entertaining mishaps and eccentric side characters, but the pacing stutters, especially in the middle. Some scenes feel overly drawn out, while others that could have used more emotional depth are rushed. The ending ties things up with a tidy bow, which may feel too convenient for readers wanting more nuance.
Paul Arken is a compelling lead, and his dry humor paired with mounting exasperation makes for some laugh-out-loud moments. The runaway bride, though initially intriguing, sometimes veers into cliché territory, and the chemistry between the two protagonists feels uneven in places—flaring up, then cooling off without much explanation.
The road trip format lends itself to a series of entertaining mishaps and eccentric side characters, but the pacing stutters, especially in the middle. Some scenes feel overly drawn out, while others that could have used more emotional depth are rushed. The ending ties things up with a tidy bow, which may feel too convenient for readers wanting more nuance.