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McKellan's Run
Years ago, Violet Beckett made the mistake of falling for the wrong McKellan brother, and both she and her younger sister, Lily, paid the price. Eight years later, fate has brought Violet and her daughter, Holly, back to the house Violet grew up in. As soon as Violet runs into James "Mac" McKellan, she wonders if she should run all the way back to the city. But something about the look in his eyes makes her want to linger. Can she trust him, can she trust herself, or will she be burned again? James McKellan has had a soft spot for Violet Beckett for longer than he can remember. It almost killed him to watch his brother woo her, use her, and finally lose her. From their very first encounter he's hooked. But how can he convince her that not all McKellans are the same? McKellan's Run is an entertaining love story that takes us into the hearts of two very special people who deserve a second chance.
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 12, 2016
Three and a half stars. Set in Australia, this tells the story of Violet Beckett. When young Violet fell in love with Jason McKellan. She ends up being thrown out of home by her grandfather who was caring for her and her sister Lily after the death of their parents and later his wife. Violet ends up in the city, a single mother to Holly. She is also helping her younger sister through school after she left home to live with Violet. As the years pass, between her and Lily working and caring for Holly, they survive though it not always easy.
When she is left the house in her home town of Violet Falls, Violet decides this may be a better option for her and Holly. She decides there is no reason she can’t run her event planning business from there. When she returns to Violet Falls, named after an ancestor who died there, she never dreamt she would end up being asked to plan the rush wedding of Jason McKellan and his fiancé Celine. Desperate for money, she undertakes the job despite some misgivings. It doesn’t take long before she runs into Charlie ‘Mac’ McKellan, Jason’s younger brother and he evokes more than friendly feelings in her. But trust does not come easily to Violet.
I liked the setting and the main characters, Violet and Mac. Sarah McKellan, mother to Jason and Mac was a sweetie. The child Holly I found to be not quite believable. She struck me as a little too perfect. But that might be just me. I enjoyed the story and had a couple of ideas where things might be headed with the self-centred and manipulative Celine. Thankfully I was wrong. The plot holds together well. I’m not much of a romance reader and got a bit impatient with some scenes and the on again off again relationship. I also got tired of the use of the f word. Those few quibbles aside it was a good read.
When she is left the house in her home town of Violet Falls, Violet decides this may be a better option for her and Holly. She decides there is no reason she can’t run her event planning business from there. When she returns to Violet Falls, named after an ancestor who died there, she never dreamt she would end up being asked to plan the rush wedding of Jason McKellan and his fiancé Celine. Desperate for money, she undertakes the job despite some misgivings. It doesn’t take long before she runs into Charlie ‘Mac’ McKellan, Jason’s younger brother and he evokes more than friendly feelings in her. But trust does not come easily to Violet.
I liked the setting and the main characters, Violet and Mac. Sarah McKellan, mother to Jason and Mac was a sweetie. The child Holly I found to be not quite believable. She struck me as a little too perfect. But that might be just me. I enjoyed the story and had a couple of ideas where things might be headed with the self-centred and manipulative Celine. Thankfully I was wrong. The plot holds together well. I’m not much of a romance reader and got a bit impatient with some scenes and the on again off again relationship. I also got tired of the use of the f word. Those few quibbles aside it was a good read.
June 14, 2015
I spotted this book on the shelves at a lovely bookshop while on a mini-break in the country town of Busselton, in south west Australia. What a perfect place to see it! Nicole Hurley-Moore is an accomplished romance writer who has turned her hand here to rural romance with ease. I just love the name Violet for the heroine (and that her daughter's middle name is Eliza!) and the Violet Falls setting and the historical descriptions are so evocative (the extra wide streets). I've now downloaded her historical romance 'Dancing on Air' and have my eye on her Misrule books too ...
Wonderful.
Wonderful.
May 16, 2015
Loved this story.. didnt want to put it down, so read it within a day and night...
August 4, 2015
I started this book thinking it was going to be a predictable fall in love but take a long time story. I was wrong. This book had a great storyline, although I sometimes got frustrated with the main female character. I found it very descriptive so could imagine what the countryside looked like and how each house looked. Was a great book for my imagination to create pictures. I loved how the clash of city bred people had troubles mixing into a rural life, was described so well. The ending was what you'd expected all the way through this book, which was fine because it finished with a bang, not just airy fairy.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for this book that I won during one of their competitions.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for this book that I won during one of their competitions.
September 2, 2015
I totally loved this book couldnt get to the end quick enough to find out what happens! It was a good story line about Violet and her daughter returning to Violets home town. she had to face her past and in doing so became involved in organising a wedding and falling in love with Mac. A great ending and outcome for Violet and her daughter Holly.
May 27, 2015
Totally awesome!
June 4, 2017
Pretty certain I have read this one although don't have the book on my shelf. Violet returns home and into the lives of the McKellen family. While helping organise her teenage romances wedding she finds herself connecting to the other brother. Mac loves the land, his family and Violet, even instantly loving the daughter she had eight years ago with his brother. Brotherly love this novel is not, scheming gold digger of a girlfriend and the warm family who accept everyone all in one.
June 28, 2017
I read Hartley's Grange before this book not knowing they were connected so i was a little disappointed knowing all the main points of the story before i started really getting into it. Having said that i still enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and will have to re-read Hartley's Grange again for closure!
October 23, 2017
The first book that I read by this Author. I enjoyed reading till the end.
Loved the small town setting and histories of the family. A very entertaining romantic love story . It had an happy ending which most readers will wish for. Loved it and looking forward to read more books by Author Nicole Hurley -Moore.
Loved the small town setting and histories of the family. A very entertaining romantic love story . It had an happy ending which most readers will wish for. Loved it and looking forward to read more books by Author Nicole Hurley -Moore.
September 25, 2021
It was a good read, but I would have liked seeing more interaction between Mac and Violet's daughter, Holly. Perhaps even her calling him Daddy would have been a nice addition. Also, at no point was she formally acknowledged or introduced to the McKellan family as being Jason's daughter.
May 7, 2017
Another nice easy to read book. I really enjoyed the story. The story & characters were realistic & believable.
December 15, 2017
This was a quick, satisfying read which held my attention from start to finish.
June 3, 2018
Loved it reading this book for the second time round.
June 12, 2018
Another great read which, once I got so far through I couldn't put down until I had found out the outcome. A must read if you love country romance!
December 30, 2018
Good read
June 30, 2019
Great light read. Will be reading more from this author.
September 21, 2015
The death of her Grandfather, brings Violet back to her hometown after an 8 year absence. Violet returns home a single mother to daughter Holly and is hoping the move home will signal a fresh start. It does not long before her new event planning business thrusts her in the arms of two men from her past, the McKellan brothers. It soon becomes clear to Violet that she must make peace with her past and take a chance on a second shot at love to truly settle back into life at home.
McKellan’s Run is the first book I have read by author Nicole Hurley-Moore who has transitioned from being a successful romance novelist to Australian rural romance writer. I enjoy discovering new authors to my preferred reading genre and Nicole Hurley Moore is no exception. Hurley-Moore manages to provide to reader with a good balance of romance, heat and rural life. The main characters or lovers in McKellan’s Run, Violet and Mac, experience a fairly emotional road to happiness. Hurley Moore adds in some interesting complications to their relationship with the use of secondary characters and a wedding which Violet is planning. In terms of the characters featured in McKellan’s Run I clicked immediately with Violet. I found myself admiring her strength as a single mum. Mac, the male love interest, is a gentle soul and swoon worthy hero. Their story is complicated but at the same romantic. I can see that Nicole Hurley Moore is passionate about her landscape, this shines through in her descriptions of life on McKellan’s Run. I also enjoyed reading about how McKellan’s run has been in Mac, the male protagonist’s family for generations and the strong sense of belonging the land holds for the McKellan family.
A heart warming read, McKellan’s Run is about giving love a second chance, set against the appealing Australian farming landscape. It is another great addition to the Australian rural romance genre.
McKellan’s Run is the first book I have read by author Nicole Hurley-Moore who has transitioned from being a successful romance novelist to Australian rural romance writer. I enjoy discovering new authors to my preferred reading genre and Nicole Hurley Moore is no exception. Hurley-Moore manages to provide to reader with a good balance of romance, heat and rural life. The main characters or lovers in McKellan’s Run, Violet and Mac, experience a fairly emotional road to happiness. Hurley Moore adds in some interesting complications to their relationship with the use of secondary characters and a wedding which Violet is planning. In terms of the characters featured in McKellan’s Run I clicked immediately with Violet. I found myself admiring her strength as a single mum. Mac, the male love interest, is a gentle soul and swoon worthy hero. Their story is complicated but at the same romantic. I can see that Nicole Hurley Moore is passionate about her landscape, this shines through in her descriptions of life on McKellan’s Run. I also enjoyed reading about how McKellan’s run has been in Mac, the male protagonist’s family for generations and the strong sense of belonging the land holds for the McKellan family.
A heart warming read, McKellan’s Run is about giving love a second chance, set against the appealing Australian farming landscape. It is another great addition to the Australian rural romance genre.
November 28, 2015
Violet Beckett and the McKellan brothers have a history. Violet used to be the girlfriend of one of the McKellan brothers and their relationship didn't end well. She and her sister left Violet Falls in a hurry back then, but now Violet is back in town again together with her daughter Holly. She's inherited a house and she plans on making it a great home for Holly. She's a successful event organizer from the city and fortunately there's plenty of work for her in the town as well.
Mac McKellan used to be Violet's best friend. He wanted them to be more, but his older brother was the lucky one who was Violet's boyfriend. He's happy she's back and glad he has the chance to get to know her again. He liked her back then and he likes her now, but he isn't sure he has a chance with Violet. Especially not after what his brother did to her...
Mac owns McKellan's Run and he's good at what he does, he's dedicated to the farm that has been in his family for generations and wants to make it the best it can be. He knows his heart and lives with passion. I liked that a lot, it makes him a great main character. I also loved reading about Violet. She never gives up, she's unbelievably strong and she takes good care of the people she loves. They are the ideal main characters and they made me enjoy this story very much.
McKellan's run is an ideal setting for a romantic story. I loved the small town and the family histories. Violet Falls is a wonderful place to read about. I loved the atmosphere and read most of this story with a smile on my face. I read it in one sitting, because I didn't want to put it down before I knew if Violet and Mac would get there happy ending. If you're looking for a great romantic story that will lift your spirits McKellan's Run is definitely the right book for you.
Mac McKellan used to be Violet's best friend. He wanted them to be more, but his older brother was the lucky one who was Violet's boyfriend. He's happy she's back and glad he has the chance to get to know her again. He liked her back then and he likes her now, but he isn't sure he has a chance with Violet. Especially not after what his brother did to her...
Mac owns McKellan's Run and he's good at what he does, he's dedicated to the farm that has been in his family for generations and wants to make it the best it can be. He knows his heart and lives with passion. I liked that a lot, it makes him a great main character. I also loved reading about Violet. She never gives up, she's unbelievably strong and she takes good care of the people she loves. They are the ideal main characters and they made me enjoy this story very much.
McKellan's run is an ideal setting for a romantic story. I loved the small town and the family histories. Violet Falls is a wonderful place to read about. I loved the atmosphere and read most of this story with a smile on my face. I read it in one sitting, because I didn't want to put it down before I knew if Violet and Mac would get there happy ending. If you're looking for a great romantic story that will lift your spirits McKellan's Run is definitely the right book for you.
October 2, 2015
Thank you Nicole Hurley-Moore for a great read. I enjoyed the building of the relationship between Mac and Violet, how Violet had to overcome her fears from her past to be able to love and trust again. Holly was such a sweet cute little girl, she gave me a few giggles at little things she did, reminded me of my girls when they were little. Jason had to learn from his past and he realised that just because you had good money and a good job if you aren't truly happy then life isn't happy. A great book that reminds us that no matter what the past has dealt us we can move on, learn from it, be happy and at peace with our lives.
May 15, 2015
I receive this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways. It was a little slow at the beginning but built up quite nicely to reveal a twist towards the end. The characters are very believable and although there is a very definite love story, it does not detract from the story of Violet's past. Violet is strong and a grew role model for women. I really like this book and will seek out more from Nicole Hurley - Moore. 8/10.
July 8, 2016
Please!!! This book was so simplistic it was bordering on ridiculous and far fetched. 5 minutes this chick has met up with the brother of an ex, they are kissing and madly in love. He of course is a muscled up hunk which must be told to us in every third paragraph. Had so much potential
June 26, 2015
Sure and easy read.... Enjoyed it!!!
September 3, 2016
so many plot holes and bad editing
April 18, 2017
Nicole Hurley Moore - Shes Fresh. Shes a great writer, and to be honest, with the explosion of rural romance in recent years "freshness" is hard to find. So look her up.
Onto the book.
Oh these characters! I see myself as Violet. A single mum with a sad past and a dream to fulfil. Working for myself and just getting on with life and child raising.
But then theres Mac. And to be honest, everyone needs a Mac.
Mac is like the Nick Ryan (for mcleods fans) of the story. The less successful of his brothers who has been in love with the small town girl his whole life.
And the thing about Mac is, reading this book, you can really feel his emotions...his longing and his love, his loyalty to his family, and his dedication to the land.
And that is definetly a credit to the author.
To convey such characters in such a way that you are pulled into a story, rather than being half aware the characters arent real when reading, has got to be one tough gig.
But its done, and its done well. Do yourself a favour and have a read.
Onto the book.
Oh these characters! I see myself as Violet. A single mum with a sad past and a dream to fulfil. Working for myself and just getting on with life and child raising.
But then theres Mac. And to be honest, everyone needs a Mac.
Mac is like the Nick Ryan (for mcleods fans) of the story. The less successful of his brothers who has been in love with the small town girl his whole life.
And the thing about Mac is, reading this book, you can really feel his emotions...his longing and his love, his loyalty to his family, and his dedication to the land.
And that is definetly a credit to the author.
To convey such characters in such a way that you are pulled into a story, rather than being half aware the characters arent real when reading, has got to be one tough gig.
But its done, and its done well. Do yourself a favour and have a read.
May 1, 2017
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews