A rogue ruined . . .
He is the Killer Duke, accused of murdering Mara Lowe on the eve of her wedding. With no memory of that fateful night, Temple has reigned over the darkest of London’s corners for twelve years, wealthy and powerful, but beyond redemption. Until one night, Mara resurfaces, offering the one thing he’s dreamed of . . . absolution.
A lady returned . . .
Mara planned never to return to the world from which she’d run, but when her brother falls deep into debt at Temple’s exclusive casino, she has no choice but to offer Temple a trade that ends in her returning to society and proving to the world what only she knows...that he is no killer.
A scandal revealed . . .
It’s a fine trade, until Temple realizes that the lady—and her past—are more than they seem. It will take every bit of his strength to resist the pull of this mysterious, maddening woman who seems willing to risk everything for honor . . . and to keep from putting himself on the line for love.
Review: I'd like to start the review by saying I'm a fan of Sarah MacLean. I read and enjoyed her Numbers series released prior to this series. I also enjoyed the first two books in the current series so when this book was released, I bought it without a second thought. (The previous books I'd borrowed from the library.)
I loved Temple. I felt his guilt, his pain at the thought of killing someone and not being able to remember what happened that fateful night. In spite of what happened to him, he retained his ability to care for others, his sense of humor, and his ability to love and love fiercely.
I liked Mara, sometimes. I liked that she opened a home for the bastard sons of the aristocracy. I liked that she felt responsible for her brother because she left him to deal with the aftermath of her supposed death. I loved that she had a pet piglet named Lavender. Unfortunately there were things she did that made it hard to see her as a sympathetic character or sometimes to even like her.
I enjoyed the book, but...
I had a hard time suspending disbelief that Temple was thought to be a killer just because he woke up in a bloody bed belonging to Mara but there was no body. Didn't anyone wonder or ask what happened to it? If he was truly believed to be a killer why wasn't he brought to justice?
I also felt Mara could have been more forthcoming with Temple. She wants to trade her anonymity for her brother's gambling debt but she seems to enjoy holding the past that Temple can't remember over him. It's obvious he felt a great deal of guilt over killing her even if he couldn't remember doing it and she seems to jab him with that guilt whenever she gets the chance. When he asks her if certain things happened that night, she either evades the questions or gives half truths instead of just telling him what happened. If she feels terrible about what she did to him, why does she hold the truth hostage and use it against the person she's trying to make amends to?
Despite the above, I would recommend the book but have to say the first two books in the series are much better. I also plan on reading the Chase's story which is the next book in the series.
Rating: 4 Stars
He is the Killer Duke, accused of murdering Mara Lowe on the eve of her wedding. With no memory of that fateful night, Temple has reigned over the darkest of London’s corners for twelve years, wealthy and powerful, but beyond redemption. Until one night, Mara resurfaces, offering the one thing he’s dreamed of . . . absolution.
A lady returned . . .
Mara planned never to return to the world from which she’d run, but when her brother falls deep into debt at Temple’s exclusive casino, she has no choice but to offer Temple a trade that ends in her returning to society and proving to the world what only she knows...that he is no killer.
A scandal revealed . . .
It’s a fine trade, until Temple realizes that the lady—and her past—are more than they seem. It will take every bit of his strength to resist the pull of this mysterious, maddening woman who seems willing to risk everything for honor . . . and to keep from putting himself on the line for love.
Review: I'd like to start the review by saying I'm a fan of Sarah MacLean. I read and enjoyed her Numbers series released prior to this series. I also enjoyed the first two books in the current series so when this book was released, I bought it without a second thought. (The previous books I'd borrowed from the library.)
I loved Temple. I felt his guilt, his pain at the thought of killing someone and not being able to remember what happened that fateful night. In spite of what happened to him, he retained his ability to care for others, his sense of humor, and his ability to love and love fiercely.
I liked Mara, sometimes. I liked that she opened a home for the bastard sons of the aristocracy. I liked that she felt responsible for her brother because she left him to deal with the aftermath of her supposed death. I loved that she had a pet piglet named Lavender. Unfortunately there were things she did that made it hard to see her as a sympathetic character or sometimes to even like her.
I enjoyed the book, but...
I had a hard time suspending disbelief that Temple was thought to be a killer just because he woke up in a bloody bed belonging to Mara but there was no body. Didn't anyone wonder or ask what happened to it? If he was truly believed to be a killer why wasn't he brought to justice?
I also felt Mara could have been more forthcoming with Temple. She wants to trade her anonymity for her brother's gambling debt but she seems to enjoy holding the past that Temple can't remember over him. It's obvious he felt a great deal of guilt over killing her even if he couldn't remember doing it and she seems to jab him with that guilt whenever she gets the chance. When he asks her if certain things happened that night, she either evades the questions or gives half truths instead of just telling him what happened. If she feels terrible about what she did to him, why does she hold the truth hostage and use it against the person she's trying to make amends to?
Despite the above, I would recommend the book but have to say the first two books in the series are much better. I also plan on reading the Chase's story which is the next book in the series.
Rating: 4 Stars
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