He has always wanted family and she didn’t care for titles and wealth. Their young love was true and pure but a betrayal and cruel manipulation tore them asunder, by time and distance. Her experience is most harrowing and heartrending you will feel your heart breaking for her. But you also cant help but admire her strength, courage and resilience. The question now is, thirteen years later, do their hearts still know each other?

I love the support from friends and siblings in this lovely tale but the Mexican parrot that speaks in Scottish Brogue steals the show!

The past catches unaware!

The third in this delightful series has all that’s required of circumstances leading to a rekindled romance.
When Lady Seraphina Trew is faced with the man who betrayed her and left her thirteen years ago, she’s panicked and frozen
When Iain McInnes discovers against his will that he’s a Duke, and that he needs to marry, there’s one problem. He’s already married to Seraphina. She betrayed him thirteen years ago and left him to travel as she’d always wanted.
Only she hadn’t. Seraphina had rescued her sisters from their wicked father and fled, doing anything and everything to keep them safe, finally building a business and making a home on the Isle of Synne.
Now here’s Seraphina’s past confronting her and demanding she travel to Scotland to seek a divorce.
After all this would be what they both wanted, wouldn’t it?
A delightful second chance romance with something of the gothic thrown in.

A Forever ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

There’s something about a second chance and marriage in trouble story that I adore so much and this book definitely delivered. Britton will not be an author that is in my reading rotation regularly now!

This was a heart-wrenching second chance romance. Newlyweds Seraphina and Iain were cruelly separated shortly after their wedding. Years later, they reunited, solely for the purpose of obtaining a divorce. During their entire separation, both of them labored under the misconceptions that were created by Seraphina's evil father. As luck would have it, the carriage ride to Edinburgh is a long one, requiring many overnight stops along the way.
This novel is part of the Isle of Synne series. Considering that much of this story takes place away from the island, it can work as a standalone. The only complaint that I have is a very small one. The third act breakup was emotional torture. Even Phineas, the comical parrot, was depressed. The couple's separation was an inevitability, because it was needed to clear the air for the much-deserved HEA. Even though I was going to run out of tissues, I found this book impossible to put down. I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This continues the story of the spinsters of the Isle of Synne, and in the third story, we are given the story of Seraphina and her past, and it is so very sad, angsty, and emotionally entangled.

Thank goodness for the comedy relief of the potty-mouthed with a Scottish brogue parrot, Phineas.

The story starts in Scotland, 1808, when a young Lady Seraphina, the eldest daughter of an English Earl, has defied him and eloped with the young man she was friends with, then fell in love with, Iain MacInnes. Iain is an orphan who was recently working as a groom in the Earl's stables, but because he caught the eye of Seraphina, he was let go. The Earl has more ambitious plans for Seraphina than for her to wed so beneath her status. But in defiance of her father, Seraphina elopes with Iain, and they have so much love and hope for the future together...

But something obviously goes very awry shortly after. In the present day, over a dozen years after the couples marriage, Iain has made huge climbs in the world and is now wealthy the Duke of Balgair. But obviously, something has happened to separate him and Seraphina.

The two lovers were torn apart soon after their marriage by the schemes and manipulations of the devious and controlling Earl. Iain was under the impression that he, believing that he was a poor commoner, was ultimately not good enough for Seraphina and she had returned to her father who gave her the life she wanted, that Iain was unable to give her. Then he believed that she had died in a carriage accident. In the present day, Iain finds out otherwise when a long-belated letter from an old friend from the Earl's household arrives to inform him that his wife is still alive.

But the wounds from his heartbreak are deep and bitter, and Iain and his remaining relatives are aware of his need to marry and continue the dukedom. However, he is unable to do so if his wife is still alive and so he starts a quest to find the wife who betrayed and left him.

Seraphina, as we know, has been living on Synne with her two younger sisters for years. Her past is a great secret, even from her own sisters. She believes that Iain had betrayed her to her father for payment, when her father found and captured her, making her suffer and trying to break her spirit so she would fall in line with his plans to marry her for his social and political gain. He likewise has the same plans for her two younger sisters. However, knowing just how far her father would go, when she can, she steals her sisters away and lives on the run from him for years. The three of them lived like vagabonds, on the run, in fear of capture for years, before finding safety on Synne. Seraphina is deeply scarred by her past, and still suffers nightmares and fears, and refuses to speak to her sisters of her experiences, wanting to protect them from her past, even as they grew to womenhood. But she is strong and smart, and has built them a home and a business, running the Quayside circulating library and shop, and as the secret author of a popular serial, under the pseudonym S.L Keys.

Her past collides with her present when Iain tracks her down because of her stories. Believing that Seraphina had left him because he was unable to give her the life she had left behind, he hides his wealth and title, and threatens to unravel her secrets, and her safe life for herself and her sisters on Synne, by exposing her past, unless she travels with him to Scotland to dissolve their marriage.

Seraphina is left no choice but to agree, and she (and the foul mouthed fowl that is Phineas) are forced to travel alone with Iain for the long journey away from Synne, to Edinburgh. During that long journey, they are forced to confront the past, and their still deep feelings for each other, and learn the truth about their separation and how they were each played against each other by her father. We come to learn just how much Seraphina suffered at his hands and then what she suffered and sacrificed in order to get her sisters away and care for them, while on the run, proving just how resilient and strong she was.

Unfortunately, Seraphina, when she discovers that Iain is still keeping secrets from her, and how much she has changed from the wealthy pampered aristocrat she was, feels that there is no future for her an Iain, now that he is a part of the Society that she has turned her back on, and despite their new closeness and rediscovered feelings for each other, lets him go, so she can return to Synne and the life she made there.

But not before she has a final confrontation with her evil manipulative father, who lied about her and her sisters death, after ruining her life.

I loved the angsty story line and the long held feelings of Iain and Seraphina - the heights of young love, passion, happiness, the depths of betrayal and heartbreak, and long held bitterness and resentment. Then the ups and downs as they rediscover each other, and work to resolve those past hurts - this story is an emotional roller coaster and like a good cathartic cry. I loved how strong and resilient Seraphina was - even though she took far too much on her own shoulders and kept too many secrets deep down, and did not realize that until the end of her journey. I love that she was given the chance to confront her demons in the form of confronting her father, and coming out the winner; after all the emotional turmoil of her journey with Iain, she needed a win to save her and bolster her confidence and self respect, and I was so happy she got that. Iain had carried so much hurt, not just from Seraphina's supposed betrayal, but also from his childhood. Their journey was healing, not just of their past together, but also of just their pasts in general - a figurative journey out of their past emotional burdens about their families as well as their relationship with each other, in a literal journey. It was fitting that they both, in the end, opened up and unburdened themselves to their families to let go of the hurts and open themselves up to new, hopefully healthier and happier chapters in their relationships. Especially as they ultimately ended their relationship together.

But don't worry... there are ultimately HEAs in the end.

4.5 stars out of 5 - I just wish the abusive father, the Earl, had more of a comeuppance and suffered more for his evil doings. And again, thank goodness for the levity that Phineas provided, because the emotional burdens of Iain and Seraphina was very draining at times.

At the very least, it would have been satisfying, for me anyways, if Phineas pooped on his head or something.

I have really enjoyed this series but this one is my favorite of the bunch! If you are looking for an angsty read, this is your book. I didn't realize how much I love a marriage in trouble trope but here we are, another one that has pulled me in from the first page and held my interest until the last page. Britton's characters are always likeable but also very believable. Her stories are interesting and well thought out. I need to read more of her work.

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #TheDukesAllThat in exchange for an honest review.

Iain MacInnes, Duke of Balgair, is shocked to receive a tattered letter telling him his wife was alive. For 13 years, Iain believed his wife had abandoned him for her dream of traveling; at least, that's what her father told him. He was devastated because he thought they had a love for the ages. Now, he needs to find her so he can divorce her, and his search leads him to the Isle of Synne.

Seraphina has been to hell and back, but she finally feels safe and has made a good life for herself and two younger sisters on the Isle of Synne, far away from her cruel and controlling father. She never told anyone about her marriage to Iain as it was wrapped up in heartache, believing that he took money from her father to disappear. When Iain shows up at her bookstore demanding she return to Scotland with him so he can obtain a divorce, she has no choice but to travel with him. Along the way, many secrets and misconceptions about each other are revealed and old feelings start to resurface. Unfortunately for Seraphina, she believes she's too damaged to ever be the wife of a duke.

This was an intriguing story, and, of course, that parrot played a starring role in the book. That was quite amusing. I found some of Seraphina's reasoning didn't make any sense and she was making poor decisions. Iain on the other hand, was clear in his feelings. The dark past that Seraphina suffered through is hinted at throughout the book and it was clear that it was all orchestrated by her cruel father. I was disappointed that her father did not seem to get any comeuppance for his cruelty, and that felt wrong. Thus, the book is rated 4 stars instead of 5.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I love a good second chance romance and this was just that! The description caught my attention and once I really got sucked into Seraphina and Iain's story, I couldn't put it down. There's found family (literally and figuratively), close proximity (gotta love it when there's only one bed at the inn!), and lots of swoon-worthy declarations. If you love a story that has a history but doesn't bog you down with dual timelines, this historical romance is for you!

Christina saved the best for last...

Damn! I was excited to read this book, but I had no idea how engrossing it would be.
Seraphina and Iain eloped when they were teenagers, but mere hours later, were irrevokably separated and hated each other ever since. That was thirteen years ago. Ian thought Seraphina was dead, now a duke, he seeks her out for a divorce poste haste.

Seraphina had to endure terrible things in order to survive and to secret her two younger sisters away from their villian father. She had to resort to doing unthinkable things and had a year of unspeakable things done to her. She wins hands down in the tortured history game. Iain had it easy. Cake for Iain. Yet, he was the one irrationally mad at Seraphina. Seraphina had every right to be furious at Iain.

I loved this series and it ends super strong. Very emotional and angsty. Tropes - friends to lovers, to enemies, to lovers. Road trip. Forced proximity. Totally satisfying.
Christina left nothing on the table.
Highly recommend.
Purchased.

A delightfully entertaining read from start to finish! I love a marriage in trouble narrative and Christina Britton delivered.

“Seraphina,” he said, his voice gruff, almost a caress on her feverish skin, “I will have you any way I can, for as long as you will allow me, and be thankful for it.” Their tongues tangled, breaths mingling, lips in concert, as if this single kiss could help them each reclaim their souls.
God how I love this line from Ms Britton’s newest addition to her Synne series. The Duke’s All That is a 2nd chance love story between one of my favorite “Oddments” Seraphina and her childhood best friend and 1-day husband Iain. They were cruelly lied to and separated by Seraphina‘s father since he did not approve of a marriage between his stable boy and daughter. The story picks up 13 years later when Iain, now a Duke, finds out Seraphina is alive and he seeks her out for a divorce. Both have gone through a lot in the last 13 years, but Seraphina tragic tale has at least brought her to the Isle of Synne. Where her and her sisters have lived a relatively happy life for quite a while now while owning the subscription library and being accepted into the small island society. Iain finding her and showing up throws a bit of terror and upheaval into Seraphina’s life as she never told any one of her marriage to him. And now Iain insists she travel back to Scotland with him to prove to the divorce court that she is still alive. This in essence is a road trip story as they travel back to Scotland and discover all the cruel lies they were both told by her father and begin to realize that neither of them ever stopped loving one another. Throw in a “emotional comfort “ foul-mouth parrot for a few laughs and you get another great love story by Ms. Britton.
I’ve loved both of the “Synne” series so much and I will be sorry to see it end with this final book. I’m hoping maybe to see some novella’s about the final “Oddments”…. maybe? And the cover art on this book is fabulous!
Thank you to Christina for a wonderful book and series and thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

This is a wonderful, second chance, road trip romance. It is beautifully written with lots of emotions and a funny foul-mouthed parrot that adds a bit of humor to the story.
Iain and Seraphina were secretly married thirteen years ago when they were young and were separated and lied to by her evil father the earl.
Iain is now a duke and looks for Seraphina so he can get a divorce and remarry.
The interaction between Iain and Seraphina as their secrets came out was interesting.
There were many twists and turns in the story that make for a very entertaining read.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and these are my honest opinions.

The Duke’s All That by Christina Britton is book three in her Synneful Spinsters series, but could easily be read as a standalone novel..

Christina Britton is one of my favourite historical romance authors, so I jumped at the opportunity to review another of her books when it popped up on NetGalley, and The Duke’s All That did not disappoint.

Seraphina Athwart has been in hiding with her sisters for the past thirteen years, and is believed to be dead. When her husband Iain MacInnes, Duke of Balgair, finds out that she is alive he is furious, believing she deserted him, and is determined to divorce her.

This second chance love story was heartbreaking at times, but also filled with the warmth of friendship and loyalty. I loved seeing Seraphina and Iain find their happy ending.

I also loved Seraphina’s pet parrot, Phineas. Hereally stole the show, as many animal characters tend to do.

I missed book one in this series so I need to go back and read it, and I’ll be watching for any new books by Ms. Britton.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

\\\\\ 4.5 \\\\\

READ IF YOU LIKE:
Second chance romance
Only one bed
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity (on the road!)
Scottish man
Strong friendship / family relationships
Fun pet sidekick

MY REVIEW:
When the book started I had my doubts cause, hear me out, I'm not the biggest fan of second chances and I couldn't really understand how our main characters could be so naive as to believe that the other didn't love them and would just leave like that, but I went with it and continue reading. And my gosh, as Britton slowly gave information as to what went on and how it could have all happened, it all started making sense. And I found myself understanding and getting heartbroken with them and hoping for their happy ending.

Even though our characters still care about each other deep down, you get all this tension and enemies vibes throughout the book, thanks to their history together and it is always so enjoyable for me. Especially in a forced proximity setting. Their chemistry was tangible and called for lots of amazing moments between the two. Not gonna lie, the "when you're here i don't have nightmares" trope is one of my favourites. I live for it.

I just so freakin' loved Iain, he was kinda grumpy, but still cared, he was tall, imposing, but still felt safe and comforting. I mean, the way he noticed how Seraphina reacted to certain things and he was so cautious to not trigger her after, even without her opening up to him yet. How he let her choose to talk when she was ready and would have still accepted her with all her secrets. And the way he spoke, giving her Gaelic nicknames and all, he was truly perfect. I'm such a sucker for Scots honestly, the way they speak, even just written, I swoon instantly. So yeah, without a doubt, Iain MacInnes made it to my list of book boyfriends.

Oh, and let's not forget about a favourite character: Phineas! He was such a fun add to this story, truly enjoyed having him around. The relationship between Iain and the bird was so amusing! And he was so aware of Seraphina's feelings, I love bonds like that with pets.

The ending was perfect. Family and friends caring that much about our heroine made me so emotional (and also made me think of HIMYM with their interventions hahaha) I just loved it. And then... when our MCs were finally reunited, it couldn't get better thant that how it all happened. I loved, loved, loved it!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

The Duke’s All That is the final book in the Synneful Spinsters series is Seraphina and Iain’s love story. Their story starts when they were young and just got married. And then we jump 13 years to Seraphina living a peaceful life on the Isle of Synne. Iain, now the Duke of Balgair, thought Seraphina was dead all this time. He heads to Synne to take her back to Scotland for a divorce.

Oh my heart with these two. So much angst over what happened to cause their separation and both of them believing a different version of events, what happened during the past 13 years, and their journey back to each other. There are some lighter moments with her foul mouth parrot and we get to see what the rest of the Oddments are up to. And even though this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. Read this if you enjoy:

Second Chance Romance
Secretly Married
Road Trip
Only one bed
Open door romance

Seraphina has worked hard to provide a safe life for herself and her sisters on the Isle of Synne. She's been to hell and back, keeping the trauma of her past carefully guarded. But one day one of her ghosts arrives in the flesh, and what gorgeous flesh it is! Iain is her husband, and until recently, believed her long dead. They embark on a road trip with the goal of obtaining a proper divorce. The only problem is, the feelings they once felt come roaring back, which has them questioning everything they thought they wanted. Is this a second chance at romance, or are they done for good?

I love this series. It was wonderful to learn about the selfless and brave Seraphina, and so rewarding to see her get her happily ever after. Iain is a heart-stopping hero: kind, caring, strong, and looks good in a kilt! I really enjoyed the suspense of watching their feelings simmer until they finally bubbled over! I thought the author did a good job of hinting and explaining Seraphina's past trauma without it becoming too dark or graphic. We still have a sense of what happened and how it affected her, ultimately coloring all of her interactions not just with Iain, but with everyone she's close to.

As the story progressed, I found myself frequently scratching my head over Seraphina's choices. It felt like some of the conflict was unnecessary. My assumption is that the author was excited for the big resolution at the end, which was fun, but felt anti-climactic to me in the wake of all of the waffling that had been done up to that point. And while I have praised the fact that the trauma was glossed over, I felt like there should have been a bit more explained, due to the fact that there had been so much hinted at over time. It seemed that the murkiness surrounding Seraphina's past was still rather...murky.

Despite the fact that this latest installment of the Synneful Spinsters series wasn't my favorite, I'm eager to visit the Isle once again and see more of The Oddments find love! Christina Britton is still an historical romance queen, and her writing is beautiful!

I'd like to thank Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Iain MacInnes, the newest Duke of Balgair, has lived believing his wife dead for the past 13 years ― only to be informed that she is in fact alive. Setting off to find the one woman he has ever loved, who he believes has betrayed him, Iain will stop at nothing to find her so he can divorce her.

Seraphina, has lived under an assumed name, with the knowledge that it is the only way to keep her and her sister's safe after the night she found out the truth about the man she had loved & secretely married in her youth. Yet, when Iain shows up on the Isle of Synne, Seraphina will stop at nothing to keep her sister's safe as well as the life they created, so she leaves with Iain to prove to the courts she is in fact alive so they can divorce and separate forever.

Yet as they travel, and the truth about what happened in their past becomes apparent, the two find that the love they had for one another so long ago, is still there. And for Seraphina whose past is filled with so much pain for what she had to do to survive, she is unsure Iain could truly love the woman she has become.

Yet again I placed my heart in Christina Britton's hands and she assured me that although the story was going to crush it a little, it would be worth it in the end. Was it? Yes. Did I cry during the last chapter? Yes. Yes I did. Is Iain MacInnes my latest book husband? He very much is.

Christina Britton has a way of writing a heartbreakingly beautiful story filled with characters who have often experienced a lot of strife, but find themselves on the road to fixing themselves not at the hands of another, but with that other standing beside them. This series has never been a 'they fixed me', but 'I figured out how to begin healing myself with them by my side' which makes the HEA at the ends all the more heartwarming. And she manages to balance all of this healing and past heartbreak with moments of hilarity through the characters within the story. Particularly Seraphina's parrot (or as Iain likes to call him 'the pigeon') Phineas, who in his own way is a character whose past has shaped his need to not only be healed but help be a source of comfort for Seraphina. A mouthy protective parrot with a Scottish accent is hands down one of my favourite side kick pets in a story I have read.

Iain is EVERYTHING! That closed off heart broken, rough around the edges, grumpy Scot. When he notices that Seraphina has been through a lot of horrors, but won't tell him, he alters his interactions with her in ways that he know will not be triggering and provides himself as a barrier of support if she will have him. Which leads to one of my favourite tropes/sub tropes: the no nightmares when sleeping with the the MC.

Seraphina was a FMC which I found a lot in common with in a number of ways. A character who is both strong and fractured at the same time. One who only wants to protect those around her, even if it is at the cost of her own healing and heart. I can only hope that one day I can find the courage to start my own healing process, which is why I am always thankful for characters like Seraphina because she may be fictional, but she is still a role model.

I honestly could go on and on about how much I loved this novel.

So if you like second chance, road trip, hidden identity, MMC pining/he falls first (AGAIN), he calls her endearments in Gallic and the best pet sidekick ever, definitely give The Duke's All That a read!

This story is filled with betrayal, heartbreak, and so much longing. Serephina is living the quiet life she has always wanted, working in a library and secretly penning novels in secret on the isle of Synne with her sisters. Things are going well for her until her husband unexpectedly shows up demanding she declare to the world she is not dead anymore so they can divorce and he can move on with her life. Iain’s request will involve Serephina being in danger of the past catching up to her and put her and her sisters lives jn danger, but if she doesn’t go she stands to lose what she has built. During their journey both are faced to confront what happened in the past, and the fact that all is not what it seemed. This was a beautiful second chance romance, with a delightful foul mouthed parrot with a Scottish brogue. There is a note at the beginning of the story about trigger warnings, please do check that out to make sure that this book is a safe one for you to read. Another great story by Christina Britton. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

This is an emotional and heartwarming slow burn historical romance, I enjoyed the story. Ian and Seraphina are interesting characters, and although I would have liked a little more of the backstory, I liked the plot, the growth of the characters, especially Seraphina's, and the slow burn romance.

If you're a fan of second chance historical romance, this one is perfect for you.

The Duke IS all that... But how about Seraphina? This book is definitely a departure in tone from the other books in the series or really any of the ones I have read from Christina Britton. Seraphina is a complex and broken character that has been resilient in ensuring the safety of herself and her sister from her scheming father. Part of that had to do with being betrayed by her husband of a few hours but also her childhood love. It was definitely a tragic story of separation in terms of second chance romances (not the grovel kind). This book was definitely more about Seraphina 's journey and growth rather than Iain's. There were many points where I was frustrated with her character and she was delving into unlikable for me. I think having the secondary characters around really helped to warm her up again because it was frustrating how she was with Iain and her own situation. Both sides though had a lot of healing to do on their own with their families and it was great to see that secondary storyline unfold. I feel like with all the feelings that Seraphina had when it came time for a lot of the reveal it didn't feel as shocking or sad... But maybe it wasn't supposed to. That being said, I was a fan of the grand gesture in the end... It was a great use of a plot device.
Steam: 🔥
Heart Flutters: 💔