Oh Sarah MacLean what happened? :( I really don't know how to go about rating this one. I feel like I need to break it down because of my half-crazed ranting status updates which seemed to scare readers off. Was this a favorite? Hhhhell NO. But MacLean still managed to weave a beautifully complicated story with hardships, angst and love intertwined. Repetitive in some areas as usual yes but still angsty and slow burning. 
 Temple 
 ...*sigh* Oh Temple 
 My lovely brooding sexy giant. 
 This summed him up perfectly: 
 "Gentle. 
 It was strange that the word seemed to so suddenly define this man who was known to much of London as a brutal force, all unyielding muscle and indestructible bone. 
 But with her, he was somehow hard angles and soft touch." 
 I grew very attached to this character since the last book. He seduced me so quickly and had me 
 with that towering build and dem muscles. He demanded I read his book. I mean after finding out he's a bare-knuckle prize fighter? Come on. Was this the story I wanted for him per say? No. But he managed to find someone who loved him for him completely and irrevocably and put him first and wanted to protect him. I definitely can't complain about that. 
 As Mara kept reminding him and readers... 
 and I couldn't agree more. *sigh* 
 Mara Lowe 
 I made it no secret I wanted to scratch this woman's eyes out a good 50% of this book. Like BITCH I CAN'T STAND YOU hate. I was seething and couldn't wait to gleefully come on here and rip this character apart and rant with a handful of 'how could youuu! to MacLean for doing this to my Temple. But something happened half way in. In typical MacLean fashion she managed to deftly give this character more dimension, growth, redemption and a heap full of introspection and self-recrimination and I found myself not being able to hate Mara any longer. I'm never looking for perfect characters and Mara is a pretty flawed one with a sordid back story. She's kind of an anti-heroine at the start but works her way into a redeemable position. She may not be my favorite MacLean heroine and I don't think I can ever say I love her but her sincerity and honesty saved her. Just barely. I like to give characters second chances no matter how much they piss me off, if they have the decency to show remorse and self awareness of what they did then that shows depth and heart. Mara goes above and beyond righting the wrongs she did to Temple. And nobody coerces her or forces her to do it either. I want to make that clear. Something happens that has her reevaluating everything and makes her wake up to what she truly did. After that moment, she puts him first and wants only his happiness no matter the cost. The lengths she goes to to achieve that in the second act endeared me to her. She has a spine of steel and doesn't let anyone get in the way of what she wants. So brava to SM for doing the impossible. I still chafe at what she did to Temple and the history they share but the humility and strength and selflessness cannot go unchecked. Say what you will about SM's repetitive prose, she really knows how to put her characters through their paces. The slow gradual build up is what is so electric and addictive when reading MacLean's writing. 
 The reason I struggle to give this a higher rating is the lack of sexy times and tender moments. Shallow of me maybe but this author is usually a master at pulling at reader's heart strings and making us sweat to get to the climactic 'coming together' if you will. The slow burn is what makes it so good. It was glorious and sexy when it happened but a little late and short. The playful sensual moments overall were very brief and sprinkled lightly. It's a layer that's needed to cement the growing tension and chemistry between the pair. I wanted more. There was only one full love scene which surprised me the most. I'm not one who counts the number of sex scenes I take quality over quantity any day of the week but this is Temple we are talking about. Temple is a very raw, earthy sensual brute male who is no prude when it comes to sexual delights. So can you blame me if I was feeling a little bereft in that department? I mean compared to Cross's story which had steam rising off the pages *fans self* this was tame in comparison. I just felt overall this was missing that special something that was so prominent in Michael and Cross's books. 
 And I liked the little crossover that happened here. The masquerade ball took place at the Duke of Leighton's house. The very Simon and Juliana from Eleven Scandals to start to Win a Duke's Heart. My favs from that trilogy. Nice little nod to her other series. Cute. ;) 
 All in all decent character development and redemption of a heroine who at first seemed unredeemable--not an easy feat. Take it how you will. If you are a Temple fan, I say give it a try but be warned--it's not easy read, you need patience. If you are new to MacLean's work I'd suggest starting this series from the beginning. This isn't MacLean's best, but nice effort. And also, the title of the book? Unbelievably OFF THE MARK and wth? Who is punishing who? Who needs to be punished in this MacLean?? Certainly not Temple. He's the victim in this, NOT Mara. I don't generally pay attention to titles because they can be very tongue and cheek and not always accurate but this one really threw me for a loop since it alludes to the fact that the hero is one who needs to be saved and redeemed for his wrong doings. Not even close. 
 And as for Chase... 
 He's who?! Brilliant sneaky twist author! Heh very clever ;) He's my least favorite character so let's see if MacLean can change my mind.