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blackkbh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’ve been so enjoying plodding through Sarah MacLean’s backlist and reading every one of her books. This was the third book in the Rules of Scoundrels series, and it was the story of Temple, the biggest of the four owners of the Fallen Angel and well-regarded for being the winningest bareknuckle boxer in all of London as well as the Killer Duke, assumed to have murdered his father’s sixteen-year-old bride-to-be on the eve of their wedding twelve years before the beginning of this novel.
For years, Temple has been avoiding fighting with Mara’s brother in the ring, anxious that he may actually have to assume guilt for a crime he can’t remember committing (but also isn’t certain he didn’t). When Mara—the bride herself—appears on the street outside Temple’s flat in the middle of the night, begging to wager with Temple in order to absolve her brother’s debts, Temple’s world is thrown off-axis. Despite being drugged by Mara (for a second time), he becomes desperate to see her, leaning in to twinning emotions of anger and desire. The pair come up with a deal in which Mara will reveal herself to be alive and redeem the Duke in the eyes of London while he will subsidize her financially throughout the process, ensuring the continued viability of her orphanage.
The development of feelings throughout the novel was tense and exciting in all the best ways, and as Sarah MacLean always does well, the side characters really make this story shine (I LOVED the reveal in the epilogue—even though I knew it was coming—and I thought Rosalyn Landor narrated it perfectly.) Bourne rocked the angry best friend role, protecting Temple from Mara’s antics and his suspicion that she was certain to betray him again, and Chase’s protectiveness was even more fun than her meddling in previous books.
On the other hand, though, the physical development was a bit strange. From the outset, Mara and Temple were not only fiercely attracted to each other but acting on that attraction. As another reviewer put it: Why are you kissing?? Indeed, the makeout sessions were steamy and fun, but they didn’t really align with the plot or further the plot, which was odd. Nonetheless, this was fun and sometimes made me laugh out loud, and I just love this series and this author!
For years, Temple has been avoiding fighting with Mara’s brother in the ring, anxious that he may actually have to assume guilt for a crime he can’t remember committing (but also isn’t certain he didn’t). When Mara—the bride herself—appears on the street outside Temple’s flat in the middle of the night, begging to wager with Temple in order to absolve her brother’s debts, Temple’s world is thrown off-axis. Despite being drugged by Mara (for a second time), he becomes desperate to see her, leaning in to twinning emotions of anger and desire. The pair come up with a deal in which Mara will reveal herself to be alive and redeem the Duke in the eyes of London while he will subsidize her financially throughout the process, ensuring the continued viability of her orphanage.
The development of feelings throughout the novel was tense and exciting in all the best ways, and as Sarah MacLean always does well, the side characters really make this story shine (I LOVED the reveal in the epilogue—even though I knew it was coming—and I thought Rosalyn Landor narrated it perfectly.) Bourne rocked the angry best friend role, protecting Temple from Mara’s antics and his suspicion that she was certain to betray him again, and Chase’s protectiveness was even more fun than her meddling in previous books.
On the other hand, though, the physical development was a bit strange. From the outset, Mara and Temple were not only fiercely attracted to each other but acting on that attraction. As another reviewer put it: Why are you kissing?? Indeed, the makeout sessions were steamy and fun, but they didn’t really align with the plot or further the plot, which was odd. Nonetheless, this was fun and sometimes made me laugh out loud, and I just love this series and this author!
brunelladonmc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a 3.75 only because the parts I enjoyed I ate uppppp but the parts I didn’t really bothered me. I understand drama for the sake of drama but some of this conflict really felt dragged out like I would’ve rather a third act danger element rather than the same conflict being brought up time and time again. That being said, ahoooga I looooove Temple with my whole heart and the tension??? Ohh yeah baby.
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Justice for Mara! This is clearly a divisive MacLean, and there are moments I was genuinely stressed that we might make a misstep in a very risky storyline, but I should have trusted. The backstory is harsh for our female main character - she leaves the male main character with the blame for her supposed murder (for a decade), and, tangentially, drugs him... twice. We see these kinds of redemption arcs a lot in historical romance, but almost always for a male main character. To position a female main character as the architect of her own escape, as the one to take advantage of an innocent bystander (a la St. Vincent in It Happens One Autumn), is a risky subversion for the sub-genre actually. There is one element of this backstory that was particularly tough for me - his lack of memory of the night and her unwillingness to divulge - and this may be (understandably!) very triggering for some readers.
That said, MacLean is navigating a lot of power imbalance - he is the progeny of a Duke and a landed aristocrat, no matter his reputation, and he is physically capable of (and notorious for) intimidation and harm (which is important to note when we consider their reunion). She was forced into marriage at 16 to a man three times her age, has significant childhood trauma, and is forced to rebuild her life with no advantages of station, wealth, gender, etc.
Ultimately, MacLean pulls off the character arcs I needed to make this one work, and it will be one of my more memorable of her backlist, I know. It also has the most stunning epilogue to ever epilogue and has given me one of the most satisfying moments I have ever had while reading. This is a series that absolutely MUST be read in order!
That said, MacLean is navigating a lot of power imbalance - he is the progeny of a Duke and a landed aristocrat, no matter his reputation, and he is physically capable of (and notorious for) intimidation and harm (which is important to note when we consider their reunion). She was forced into marriage at 16 to a man three times her age, has significant childhood trauma, and is forced to rebuild her life with no advantages of station, wealth, gender, etc.
Ultimately, MacLean pulls off the character arcs I needed to make this one work, and it will be one of my more memorable of her backlist, I know. It also has the most stunning epilogue to ever epilogue and has given me one of the most satisfying moments I have ever had while reading. This is a series that absolutely MUST be read in order!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault
note on sexual assault: attempted sexual assault of the FMC depicted on page (MMC saves her from attack by strangers)jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Justice for Mara. She was SIXTEEN!! Plus Temple had amazing friends and tons of cash to keep him safe while Mara spent more than a decade protecting children, keeping herself alive, and taking care of her jerk of a brother. Plus her apologies and grand gestures (and his) are perfect.
raquel_rqlh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ssp91's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katyanaish's review
4.0
Well, surprisingly enough... I enjoyed it. The first 20% was tough for me, because I seriously disliked the heroine. I'm not sure how MacLean turned that around - I can't point to any one defining moment - but she did. I liked her. I liked them together.
Not my favorite MacLean book - I don't know why she had to be so hard to like in the beginning - but still a great read.
Not my favorite MacLean book - I don't know why she had to be so hard to like in the beginning - but still a great read.
jazzisnaps's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0