Ah man, I really wanted to like this one, it had potential and the first book was so good. Similarly to the one before it though, I felt like writing decisions were made because it was convenient to move along the plot rather than because it made any sort of sense. And there were also enormous caverns in the character and morals of the main couple (discussed in spoiler). I'm willing to allow for many unrealistic scenarios in a story, (handsome pirate captains, kidnappings, dukes falling for peasants, etc.) but once added, you need to make extra sure that there are lots of more realistic aspects to the story to ground it, and that the unlikely things play by the same rules that govern reality. Otherwise it becomes preposterous and laughable! We start out already dealing with the fallout of a Duke's death under suspicion of murder, then shortly into this book Hunter adds a character with a mysterious traumatic past, then the female protagonist takes a giant accusation on hearsay from a ridiculously untrustworthy source (who got their assumption from a few words mumbled in a fever dream!) as fact, then the male protagonist comes up with the 100% solid plan that to avoid marriage to this woman he should basically start seducing her and she will be so aghast at his forwardness that she'll refuse him. And then, even when that plan is repeatedly shown to be horrible, he keeps doubling down on it. The female lead is also supposed to be very loyal to her cousin, but let me tell you, if I were convinced that someone defiled my cousin as a young woman, I would *definitely not* let the f***er seduce me! And then, when she finally presses her cousin for answers, (*after* she's already married to the guy! AND after the solution that makes infinitely more sense has already been presented!), she forces her cousin to relive her trauma because she suddenly NEEDS answers. But, luckily, being forced to do something horrible against your will is apparently the cure for rape victims, so her cousin is now on the mend! Ugh. And the male protagonist, not only marries the woman without telling her his blackmailed arrangement with her uncle, (even when she specifically asks why he's proposing), but then has the absolute GALL to blame her for the arrangement later! And take out his anger on her person! And again, even if an introduction to rough sex might have appealed to you under normal circumstances, having a husband who comes to you furious because he's blaming you for his problems, and says he's going to take what use he can from you (because that's all you're good for I guess), and who you've known for *maybe* a couple weeks, AND who you believe raped your cousin!, would not allow you to feel safe enough to trust the person exerting power over you and enjoy it! UGH! So much terribleness and aspects that do not make sense in any world! The writing is decent beyond these lapses in the author's judgement. ( )

With the accusation of fratricide hanging over him, Lance is laying low. So, when the opportunity to clear his name comes with the condition of marrying a penniless woman, he decides to do so. This conclusion to the trilogy wraps up the dead brother storyline but seemed more stilted than the others. I especially couldn't warm to Lance and thought that Marianne got the poor end of the deal even if she did become a duchess. ( )

Lance is going crazy away from London but he spies some fun through the trees in the form of a neighbor's niece. Marianne hears the rumors but does not believe them. Both are determined to find out the truth.

After a slow start, Lance and Marianne become less predictable. The neighbor makes a bargain with the Duke for Marianne's hand. She does not want to fulfill the bargain after her uncle tells her his tale of the Duke but her choice is taken away by the uncle. I liked them especially Marianne. Lance was predictable but he did finally solve the murder so he could finally be with Marianne without a noose over his head.

The story was believable. I could not believe how reticent Lance was to when trying to find the murderer. He treated most people with kid gloves during his investigation. I liked how Marianne had his back. I also liked how Lance's thoughts and feelings were woven through the story. I loved when his brothers were able to get back at him for his less than stellar comments of their courtships.

While Marianne is outspoken and the Duke outrageous, they give us their HEA. ( )