No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
Series: The Rules of Scoundrels #3
Author: Sarah MacLean
Published November 26th 2013 by Piatkus

Goodreads Synopsis
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 . . . even true love.
Goodreads

Review
In the third book of the The Rules of Scoundrels series, Temple has faced the stigma of being known as the Killer Duke for over a decade, and as his life is getting back on track, the girl he was accused of murdering turns up, very much alive, and very much a woman. Now the Duke of Lamont, Temple was young when he was invited to another one of his father's weddings, this time to 16 year old heiress, Mara Lowe. Mara very much did not want to marry the ageing duke, and planned, with her brother, for Temple to be drugged, and placed in her bed, with a little blood, to suggest that she was ruined, and the wedding wouldn't go ahead. Well, more than a little blood was left, and it's presumed she was murdered, especially as she was never seen since. Now that she's returned, to help her brother again, Temple wants revenge, and will use whatever he can to make it known that Mara is very much alive. But, as he formulates his plan, he starts to fall for Mara, and can he go through with his vengeance, after all?

I felt so sorry for Temple in this book. His live was irrecoverably changed by the events 12 years ago, and he adopted the persona of Temple, and as a fighter. He can't remember a thing from that night, and when Mara returns, it's perfectly understandable that he wants to make her suffer. I'll admit, I didn't warm to Mara immediately. Even if she hadn't wanted for Temple to be accused of murder, she was going to cry rape, and that's unforgivable, really. I felt like the two of them had a strange sort of relationship, as in they shouldn't work, but they did. Mara never fully redeems herself, I'd say, but she improves on further reading, and Temple finally deserved his happy ending. Her work with the boys home, and seeing how Temple turned into a big softy was lovely. As much as I enjoyed this, it still wasn't my favourite, but I'm really looking forward to Chase's story!

Dates Read:
December 17-19, 2020

Rating
4 Stars