What do you think?
Rate this book
Kellington #4
Never Run From Love
Another Kellington brother finds love in the fourth book of Maureen Driscoll’s Regency romance series.
When Hal Kellington sees a respectable reform worker with the stockings of a courtesan, he’s intrigued. When his friend wagers he cannot kiss the chit, he’s challenged. And when he gets to know the spirited American, he realizes the stakes are higher than he could possibly imagine.
Since arriving in England to live with her uncle and aunt, Melanie Sutton has been working to help London prostitutes start new lives in America. When they begin disappearing, she accepts the help of a notorious rake to track them down. But she soon discovers that resisting temptation is much easier preached than practiced.
NEVER RUN FROM LOVE contains explicit language and adult situations. The earlier books in the series were NEVER WAGER AGAINST LOVE (Book 3), NEVER MISS A CHANCE (Book 2) and NEVER A MISTRESS, NO LONGER A MAID (Book 1), which USA TODAY’S HAPPY EVER AFTER blog called “enjoyable, suspenseful and satisfying.”
When Hal Kellington sees a respectable reform worker with the stockings of a courtesan, he’s intrigued. When his friend wagers he cannot kiss the chit, he’s challenged. And when he gets to know the spirited American, he realizes the stakes are higher than he could possibly imagine.
Since arriving in England to live with her uncle and aunt, Melanie Sutton has been working to help London prostitutes start new lives in America. When they begin disappearing, she accepts the help of a notorious rake to track them down. But she soon discovers that resisting temptation is much easier preached than practiced.
NEVER RUN FROM LOVE contains explicit language and adult situations. The earlier books in the series were NEVER WAGER AGAINST LOVE (Book 3), NEVER MISS A CHANCE (Book 2) and NEVER A MISTRESS, NO LONGER A MAID (Book 1), which USA TODAY’S HAPPY EVER AFTER blog called “enjoyable, suspenseful and satisfying.”
322 pages, ebook
First published October 10, 2012
176 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Driscoll
29 books192 followersMaureen Driscoll is an Emmy-nominated writer/producer in Hollywood, whose writing credits include "MADtv," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and Nickelodeon's "BrainSurge."
Maureen's latest project is a serialized novel, Fracked, available on Amazon's Vella platform. The paranormal romance is about what happens when fracking opens up a portal to hell and the only people able to save the Earth are the residents of an over-55 community.
She has two Regency romance series about the Kellington and Emerson families, and a series set in the early Victoria era about the residents of Jasmine Cottage. She is also the author of the Remington Mansion time-travel/cozy mystery trilogy and a contemporary romance series about the wealthy Carmichael family in Los Angeles.
She loves hearing from her readers at Maureen Driscoll Author on Facebook, as well as on Twitter @MaureenDriscoll. Her blog, MaureenDriscollRomance.Wordpress.com, is top secret because she never ever updates it.
She is very grateful to Mayhem Cover Creations for the book covers.
Maureen's latest project is a serialized novel, Fracked, available on Amazon's Vella platform. The paranormal romance is about what happens when fracking opens up a portal to hell and the only people able to save the Earth are the residents of an over-55 community.
She has two Regency romance series about the Kellington and Emerson families, and a series set in the early Victoria era about the residents of Jasmine Cottage. She is also the author of the Remington Mansion time-travel/cozy mystery trilogy and a contemporary romance series about the wealthy Carmichael family in Los Angeles.
She loves hearing from her readers at Maureen Driscoll Author on Facebook, as well as on Twitter @MaureenDriscoll. Her blog, MaureenDriscollRomance.Wordpress.com, is top secret because she never ever updates it.
She is very grateful to Mayhem Cover Creations for the book covers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 6, 2019
Never Run From Love grips you from beginning to end. The H/H Hal and Mel are a wonderful couple. The story is exciting and fast paced. This is the story of American Heiress Mel and the Youngest Brother of the Duke of Lynwood Hal. Mel is involved with helping prostitutes get to American to start a new life. When the prostitutes start to disappear Mel an Hal try to discover the villains. Their is also a blackmail plot going on in the story. You will easily figure out who the villains probably are but it doesn't deter from and exciting read of really finding out the who and what of the story. Hal and Mel have a very Hot Sexy and Sensually well written romance and relationship. Their are other exciting sexy, sensual romances going on in the story. A Must read in the Kellington series. Now I am off to read Never Deny Your Heart the Duke Lynwood "Liam's" and Rosalind's story!! I have been itching to read this one. I hope the story is as good as the build up of for these two!!
January 19, 2018
Awhile back I was approached by Maureen Driscoll to read her first self-published Historical regency novel, and as most of you know by now, I have great admiration for self-published authors [which is not to say that any of the other authors are lacking in my admiration], so I jumped at a chance to do it.
Her first book, `Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid' was the one that totally hooked me on the Kellington family and after reading the subsequent `Never Miss a Chance' [the second Kellington book], and `Never Wager against Love' [the third one], I wondered what she had in store for Hal, the youngest brother. Well, I wonder no more!
Hal is one of those rake's that's more a scoundrel who hides his pain and heartbreak behind a façade of the charmers smile, a healthy sexual appetite and a copious amount of drink, not necessarily in that order. His family loves him and every one of them would do anything to help him, yet they do realize that Hal himself would have to want their help in order for his life to take another turn.
None of them, including Hal himself, would even dream about that `the turn' would walk into his life by way of a very smart, witty and most forward thinking young woman by the name of Melanie Sutton.
Mel was orphaned at ten and went to live with her maternal aunt, but when that aunt passed away nine years later, her uncle, the Earl of Heffner and his wife were happy to take her in and introduce her to English Society. Mel, a free thinking American and Quaker educated, wasn't so much impressed with the ton and she was restless until she met a reformer by the name of Mrs. Seton. This woman, albeit a bit harsh and at times full of herself, gave our heroine some purpose in life and made her life worthwhile. She never dreamt that she would meet someone like Hal and against all odds, help him find his.
Ms. Driscoll starts off this tale with a scene of Hal and his friend Francis in a brothel...and multiple partners! Holy cow! Get yourself a fan!
As all her other books, Ms. Driscoll gives her all in giving us another tale of happily-ever-after. I truly admired the character of Mel, but I just couldn't help but fall in love with Hal. I am such a sucker for the fallen angels!
If you haven't yet read Ms. Driscoll's books, you are missing on a wonderful family dynamic she created with Kellingtons, and I am waiting with abated breath for Liam's story as it promises to be one of those heartbreaking love stories I adore.
ARC provided by the author
Her first book, `Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid' was the one that totally hooked me on the Kellington family and after reading the subsequent `Never Miss a Chance' [the second Kellington book], and `Never Wager against Love' [the third one], I wondered what she had in store for Hal, the youngest brother. Well, I wonder no more!
Hal is one of those rake's that's more a scoundrel who hides his pain and heartbreak behind a façade of the charmers smile, a healthy sexual appetite and a copious amount of drink, not necessarily in that order. His family loves him and every one of them would do anything to help him, yet they do realize that Hal himself would have to want their help in order for his life to take another turn.
None of them, including Hal himself, would even dream about that `the turn' would walk into his life by way of a very smart, witty and most forward thinking young woman by the name of Melanie Sutton.
Mel was orphaned at ten and went to live with her maternal aunt, but when that aunt passed away nine years later, her uncle, the Earl of Heffner and his wife were happy to take her in and introduce her to English Society. Mel, a free thinking American and Quaker educated, wasn't so much impressed with the ton and she was restless until she met a reformer by the name of Mrs. Seton. This woman, albeit a bit harsh and at times full of herself, gave our heroine some purpose in life and made her life worthwhile. She never dreamt that she would meet someone like Hal and against all odds, help him find his.
Ms. Driscoll starts off this tale with a scene of Hal and his friend Francis in a brothel...and multiple partners! Holy cow! Get yourself a fan!
As all her other books, Ms. Driscoll gives her all in giving us another tale of happily-ever-after. I truly admired the character of Mel, but I just couldn't help but fall in love with Hal. I am such a sucker for the fallen angels!
If you haven't yet read Ms. Driscoll's books, you are missing on a wonderful family dynamic she created with Kellingtons, and I am waiting with abated breath for Liam's story as it promises to be one of those heartbreaking love stories I adore.
ARC provided by the author
April 25, 2013
Sometimes a character just speaks to you. For 3 books, Lord Henry, Hal to family and friends, sat in the background, debauching and joking his way through life. I quietly ignored him, thinking to quickly read his book to get to the next… the one I really wanted to read. Then I started Hal’s book and found myself in love with a fictional character within one short chapter.
Hal is the youngest of the Kellington brothers, 4 boys and a girl in the family, all named for Kings and a Queen of England. His oldest brother, known to the family as Liam, is the Duke of Lynwood, and had been since his 19th year when their parents died. This passing was devastating to the family, but Hal took it the hardest. He was now happily going through life, gambling, drinking and whoring with his good friend Charles Francis. One fateful day he happened to see a young woman protesting at a gaming hell. She was adjusting her boot and he saw her stocking… her embroidered stocking.
Melanie Sutton is every debauchers nightmare! Well, unless she accidently shows her well turned ankle, then, she is a certain debauchers dream!
http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2012/1...
Hal is the youngest of the Kellington brothers, 4 boys and a girl in the family, all named for Kings and a Queen of England. His oldest brother, known to the family as Liam, is the Duke of Lynwood, and had been since his 19th year when their parents died. This passing was devastating to the family, but Hal took it the hardest. He was now happily going through life, gambling, drinking and whoring with his good friend Charles Francis. One fateful day he happened to see a young woman protesting at a gaming hell. She was adjusting her boot and he saw her stocking… her embroidered stocking.
Melanie Sutton is every debauchers nightmare! Well, unless she accidently shows her well turned ankle, then, she is a certain debauchers dream!
http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2012/1...
Read
November 5, 2012Sometimes a character just speaks to you. For 3 books, Lord Henry, Hal to family and friends, sat in the background, debauching and joking his way through life. I quietly ignored him, thinking to quickly read his book to get to the next… the one I really wanted to read. Then I started Hal’s book and found myself in love with a fictional character within one short chapter.
Hal is the youngest of the Kellington brothers, 4 boys and a girl in the family, all named for Kings and a Queen of England. His oldest brother, known to the family as Liam, is the Duke of Lynwood, and had been since his 19th year when their parents died. This passing was devastating to the family, but Hal took it the hardest. He was now happily going through life, gambling, drinking and whoring with his good friend Charles Francis. One fateful day he happened to see a young woman protesting at a gaming hell. She was adjusting her boot and he saw her stocking… her embroidered stocking.
For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...
Hal is the youngest of the Kellington brothers, 4 boys and a girl in the family, all named for Kings and a Queen of England. His oldest brother, known to the family as Liam, is the Duke of Lynwood, and had been since his 19th year when their parents died. This passing was devastating to the family, but Hal took it the hardest. He was now happily going through life, gambling, drinking and whoring with his good friend Charles Francis. One fateful day he happened to see a young woman protesting at a gaming hell. She was adjusting her boot and he saw her stocking… her embroidered stocking.
For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...
October 19, 2012
There are series out there that involve a family and some are just ok, but the Kellington's are fabulous. Once again Maureen Driscoll takes us into the wonderful, loving, charismatic family of Kellington's. Lord Henry's story is a must! Hal and Mel are wonderful! Great plot/mystery!
***AND Liam's story can't come out fast enough!!***
***AND Liam's story can't come out fast enough!!***
October 18, 2012
OOh. This book will take your breath away! Must read now!
March 22, 2019
Wonderful
This was a very entertaining book to read. I loved the family's and the love but the mysteries really kept me going. A great book!!
This was a very entertaining book to read. I loved the family's and the love but the mysteries really kept me going. A great book!!
March 11, 2021
Confusing P!ot
This book has a confusing storyline. It goes back and forth from couple to couple in a most exasperating manner.
I gave it three stars because of that fact.
This book has a confusing storyline. It goes back and forth from couple to couple in a most exasperating manner.
I gave it three stars because of that fact.
September 25, 2016
Too much about Hal's history of being with prostitutes. Too much written about the house of prostitution. There were multiple story lines going on in this book and it was confusing for me. There was a chapter about Hal's brother Liam that seemed to be put in the book by mistake. It was an okay read, but not my favorite of the Kellington stories.
October 27, 2013
My favorite of the series so far. Great story arc. Love, love, love Hal and Melanie - their chemistry was off the charts. But, as always, the best part is the witty banter which Ms Driscoll writes with perfection. Onto Liam's story!
May 21, 2015
A wonderful story
Sit back you are in for a treat. No i will not tell you about the book. I will read your review. Now for Liam story I hope Maureen has wrote it since this is my first book by her. So sit back and enjoy. Me. D From New York City.
Sit back you are in for a treat. No i will not tell you about the book. I will read your review. Now for Liam story I hope Maureen has wrote it since this is my first book by her. So sit back and enjoy. Me. D From New York City.
January 8, 2013
I love this series!
January 24, 2019
Never Run From Love is the fourth book in the Kellington series. Set in London 1822.
We meet the Kellington family whose parents named them after four kings and one queen of England. William Kellington, the Duke of Lynwood, is every inch the powerful aristocrat. Dedicated to his three brothers and only sister - Edward, Arthur, Henry, and Elizabeth - Lynwood has been the head of the family since the death of their parents from sudden fever more than a decade earlier in 1809. At nineteen, William took on ducal responsibilities and the care of his younger siblings.
Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid: 4- stars (Edward known as Ned)
Never Miss a Chance: 3- stars (Elizabeth known as Lizzie)
Never Wager Against Love: 3 stars (Arthur)
Never Run From Love: 4 stars (Henry known as Hal)
Hal Kellington is the sibling in this family’s series that I really liked in all previous stories - he’s charmingly naughty. An irredeemable Rake. I was glad to finally read his book.
Lord Henry Kellington is the youngest brother in the family, and the one with the most debauched reputation. He is one of those rakes who hides his pain behind the facade of a charming demeanour, a healthy sexual appetite, and a copious amount of drink. Hal is lost in a frivolous world of pleasure, showing few signs that he is ready to grow into adulthood and marry, until the day he spies an embroidered stocking on the leg of a young lady adjusting her boot, who is part of a protesting reformers group outside of a gaming hell.
Miss Melanie Sutton, the American niece of an earl, has recently arrived in London from Philadelphia to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin Mary. Orphaned at the age of ten, Mel finds fulfilment in her reform work, continuing to partner with the American Quakers in relocating women of ill-repute back to Philadelphia for the chance to start a new life away from prostitution.
Venturing into the brothels and the seedier side of Regency London, this story earned the erotica label more convincingly than the previous Kellington stories. The attraction between Hal and Mel was believable, and their sexy times were intense.
This historical romance is my favourite of the series so far, however I am hoping for a strong Kellington finish where Liam’s story will better Hal’s.
This book had at least ten typos in it which seems to be a persisting problem with each book in this series.
I highly recommend this book.
We meet the Kellington family whose parents named them after four kings and one queen of England. William Kellington, the Duke of Lynwood, is every inch the powerful aristocrat. Dedicated to his three brothers and only sister - Edward, Arthur, Henry, and Elizabeth - Lynwood has been the head of the family since the death of their parents from sudden fever more than a decade earlier in 1809. At nineteen, William took on ducal responsibilities and the care of his younger siblings.
Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid: 4- stars (Edward known as Ned)
Never Miss a Chance: 3- stars (Elizabeth known as Lizzie)
Never Wager Against Love: 3 stars (Arthur)
Never Run From Love: 4 stars (Henry known as Hal)
Hal Kellington is the sibling in this family’s series that I really liked in all previous stories - he’s charmingly naughty. An irredeemable Rake. I was glad to finally read his book.
Lord Henry Kellington is the youngest brother in the family, and the one with the most debauched reputation. He is one of those rakes who hides his pain behind the facade of a charming demeanour, a healthy sexual appetite, and a copious amount of drink. Hal is lost in a frivolous world of pleasure, showing few signs that he is ready to grow into adulthood and marry, until the day he spies an embroidered stocking on the leg of a young lady adjusting her boot, who is part of a protesting reformers group outside of a gaming hell.
Miss Melanie Sutton, the American niece of an earl, has recently arrived in London from Philadelphia to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin Mary. Orphaned at the age of ten, Mel finds fulfilment in her reform work, continuing to partner with the American Quakers in relocating women of ill-repute back to Philadelphia for the chance to start a new life away from prostitution.
Venturing into the brothels and the seedier side of Regency London, this story earned the erotica label more convincingly than the previous Kellington stories. The attraction between Hal and Mel was believable, and their sexy times were intense.
This historical romance is my favourite of the series so far, however I am hoping for a strong Kellington finish where Liam’s story will better Hal’s.
This book had at least ten typos in it which seems to be a persisting problem with each book in this series.
I highly recommend this book.
June 29, 2017
Cliched and predictable. I read this novel because the characters sounded intriguing, though previous books in this series have been predictable and unbelievably cliched. The women, knowing full well that murderers and/or kidnappers are hunting them, do the exact opposite of what they should. Ridiculous. No person could be that stupid. The sex scenes are grossly disproportionate to the length of the novel and do nothing to further there plot.
This novel was exactly the same as the previous ones in that respect. Ultimately, I read (and often skimmed) only to get the basic outline of the plot twists and "whodunnit" revelations. So glad this book was available through KU and that I didn't pay for it individually.
This novel was exactly the same as the previous ones in that respect. Ultimately, I read (and often skimmed) only to get the basic outline of the plot twists and "whodunnit" revelations. So glad this book was available through KU and that I didn't pay for it individually.
July 9, 2024
great read!
Love the series! Great story! The side characters and romances were a plus. I’m so impressed with this author. Start at beginning,books should be read in order. Time for a new glass of wine and another book. Now let’s find the duke a little happiness and I’ll find some chocolate somewhere too. Sometimes happiness is starting a new book and knowing you have some cold wine and chocolate maybe a date with a duke! Happy reading!
Love the series! Great story! The side characters and romances were a plus. I’m so impressed with this author. Start at beginning,books should be read in order. Time for a new glass of wine and another book. Now let’s find the duke a little happiness and I’ll find some chocolate somewhere too. Sometimes happiness is starting a new book and knowing you have some cold wine and chocolate maybe a date with a duke! Happy reading!
August 2, 2021
Hal and melanie
Wonderful book and well written. this story has a lot of intrigue and mystery and keeps you on your toes as who the villains actually is. it will keep countering the the pages to find out. Would have like to seen an an extended epilogue to find out little more where Hal and Mel went and how life was for them Would highly recommend this author and series.
Wonderful book and well written. this story has a lot of intrigue and mystery and keeps you on your toes as who the villains actually is. it will keep countering the the pages to find out. Would have like to seen an an extended epilogue to find out little more where Hal and Mel went and how life was for them Would highly recommend this author and series.
October 17, 2021
Loved Hal and Melanie’s story. Both of them have been hurting for years since each of their parents died years ago. Melanie turned her passion into helping people and Hal turned his hurt into vice of drinking, gambling and whoring.
But when these two meet will they be able to heal each other. A wonderful story with intrigue, danger, missing prostitutes, blackmail and so much more.
But when these two meet will they be able to heal each other. A wonderful story with intrigue, danger, missing prostitutes, blackmail and so much more.
December 30, 2016
Weak, borderline trashy...
I'm not a fan of ambling story lines or voyeuristic sex. While the story showed glimmers of promise from time to time, they were frequently overwhelmed by the plodding, often wandering story line. This was just not my cup of tea.
I'm not a fan of ambling story lines or voyeuristic sex. While the story showed glimmers of promise from time to time, they were frequently overwhelmed by the plodding, often wandering story line. This was just not my cup of tea.
June 16, 2019
This one was a real mystery
Though I find the authors use of the same sexual encounters with each of her couples before they wed rather tedious repetitive i did enjoy the true intrigue in the plot in the book
Though I find the authors use of the same sexual encounters with each of her couples before they wed rather tedious repetitive i did enjoy the true intrigue in the plot in the book
March 10, 2020
Another great romance story
I enjoyed this book book and it was exciting and sad at times but I am almost 81 now but I always remember my Daddy telling me there were more white slaves than black. He was born about 1896 and was almost in slavery at a young age.
I enjoyed this book book and it was exciting and sad at times but I am almost 81 now but I always remember my Daddy telling me there were more white slaves than black. He was born about 1896 and was almost in slavery at a young age.
January 19, 2021
Good story
I enjoyed the story but it was, in my opinion, unnecessarily sexually explicit and I cannot believe that ladies of the time would have behaved in this way. The story would have been just as good without the explicit sex scenes.
I enjoyed the story but it was, in my opinion, unnecessarily sexually explicit and I cannot believe that ladies of the time would have behaved in this way. The story would have been just as good without the explicit sex scenes.
November 30, 2017
As with all of Maureen's books , I loved this one.
February 29, 2020
Intense read
A lot of action and complicated scenarios between men and women but all gets worked out with some happy e er after romances
A lot of action and complicated scenarios between men and women but all gets worked out with some happy e er after romances
April 1, 2020
Series started out strong but each nook disappointed me more and more with predictable characters and story lines. Although at least this one had an adventure moment
August 26, 2021
Could not get into this one at all.
June 29, 2022
Never Run From Love (Wellington Book 4)
The love Henry (Hal) and Melanie. Hal is a will known rank and he has find me make his match. Melanie is the niece of a earl from America. She want to help the women of the night to start a new life about some of them are disappearing. Has Hall fall for a woman who is into white slavery? Great story.
The love Henry (Hal) and Melanie. Hal is a will known rank and he has find me make his match. Melanie is the niece of a earl from America. She want to help the women of the night to start a new life about some of them are disappearing. Has Hall fall for a woman who is into white slavery? Great story.
June 17, 2024
Love familiar characters and how much truer to life the setting is. On to the last brother.
December 19, 2021
Good but the H needed a slap on the back of the head at some points.
January 29, 2021
I have enjoyed this series and I have one more to go. This story marries off the eldest and last of the Kellington kids and Driscoll has done a fine job of making me love this family.
October 13, 2016
Never Run from Love
This was a pleasant read. I have read the previous books in the series and enjoyed catching up with all of the characters. I would recommend this as a good beach read.
This was a pleasant read. I have read the previous books in the series and enjoyed catching up with all of the characters. I would recommend this as a good beach read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews