This week's review is
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished: The Third Rule of Scoundrels by Sarah MacLean. (This is the third book in the Rules of Scoundrels series.)
Blurb:
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
