Tamsin, the widowed Duchess of Clevesly, who is raising her young son James, is dreading meeting his co-guardian, Christian August, the Count of Rauchberg. Lord Rauchberg is coming to England to ensure that little James’s inheritance is in order and while he is in England is uncle has also charged him with finding a spouse. Tamsin is not eager for input from anyone else about how to raise her son and she also has a secret hobby that she doesn’t want anyone else knowing. Christian, is duty bound to look after young James’s inheritance and takes his guardian role seriously. As Tamsin and Christian interact with each other, they both pick up on the attraction that is growing between them. Tamsin is determined to never marry again and Lord Rauchberg cannot marry Tamsin because the laws of his country won’t allow him to marry someone of a lower class than he has. The Duchess Takes it all is fast moving story where the main characters have to reveal their weaknesses to each other and rely on their love to blaze a new path so they can be together. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Amara and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a charming and well written love story. The characters are complex, interesting, and strong-willed. Thir witty and humorous banter was delightful and very entertaining. I enjoyed how, despite society expectations of the ton and other hierarchy, a beautiful romance begins, and true love prevails over all obstacles. The ending was lovely. I highly recommend reading!

I had read and enjoyed a few of this author's other titles so I went into this one without reading the synopsis.

I liked Tamsin and Christian well enough. They're both loyal and good people who value their friends. I liked the animosity that started their relationship and how it organically morphed into something more. Of course, it was fun seeing the previous characters.

Plot wise, it was okay. There's a lot of inner monologue and several sentences or passages that felt repetitive. The story was a slow meandering without any real tension and that kept me from really being captivated on how it played out.

Overall, I did keep reading because the characters were easy to root for.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

A widowed duchess in possession of a fortune must be in want of a husband...or is she? It’s a battle of wills in this delightfully clever, enemies-to-lovers romance that’s perfect for fans of Tessa Dare and Beverly Watts.
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Love an enemies to lovers situation. Tamsin (love that name) is a widow with a 2 year old and her guardian has a lot of ideas on how she should be living and raising her son a future duke. He’s handsome but very overbearing and constantly says the wrong thing to her. Love how she was originally a merchant’s daughter before she married the late Duke. Society is not letting her forget though. He is looking for a wife but he needs someone from the gentry.

The Dutchess Takes It All is an enemies to lovers romance set in the Regency period. Tamsin, the widowed Duchess of Clevesly, is the daughter of a wealthy tradesman. A fact society won't let her forget. Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, is her son's co-guardian and guardian over her late husband's estate. To say, Tamsin and Christian are not on the same page is putting it mildly.

The first half of the book revolves around a battle of wills as Tamsin tries to maintain some little control over her and her son's lives. She's also trying her best to be accepted by London society. Christian comes off as arrogant at first, but gradually the reader sees him as a man torn by duty and obligation.

Tamsin and Christian fight against their attraction and when they finally decide to give in, they find themselves trapped by very strict and unforgiving marriage laws. Themes of duty, societal rules and classism were woven into the story. There was also a great cast of secondary characters. I can always count on this author for a fast-paced read filled with banter and wit.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

I love nothing more than a widow in a historical romance; she has control of her monies, she gets to keep her title, and she is free to live as she’d like without being under the control of a man. This is exactly how we meet Tamsin, Duchess of Clevesly at the beginning of the book. The one exception is that she is the daughter of a merchant and not originally part of the royal class. It is because of this that her late husband’s cousin Christian, Count of Rauchberg has been assigned as a co-guardian to James, Tamsin’s two year old son and future Duke. As can be imagined, Tamsin and Christian butt heads at every pass whether it is on how to rear James or where to reside while Christian looks at the books. But with each annoyance they give each other, it seems attraction flares hotter and hotter. So the question is, what would you be willing to give up for a chance at true love?

I enjoyed the banter between Christian and Tamsin and found their stubbornness fun to read as they infuriated each other. I imagine they reacted towards each other in the way anyone would who feels that their “duty” is being usurped! I also liked Tamsin’s anonymous drawings and how it enabled her to share her mixed feelings towards the Royal class under a hidden identity. I did think there were a few parts that got a little repetitive (the characters even complained to each other that they were getting into the same arguments), and perhaps maybe the novel could have been slightly shorter because of this. I felt completely surprised that Tamsin didn’t realize Christian was in line to the throne behind his uncle. It seemed clear to me that he was, so when she realizes it and seems shocked, I wanted to flip back and make sure I didn’t miss something.

For those that like their books spicy, this one hits around the 75% and although it’s open door, I would’ve loved to have a few more scenes between them or have their first time together be even longer. Once the switch is flipped, Tamsin and Christian are all in and I was glad to see how they’re happy ever after resolved with just the right amount of compromise. I received an early copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟.5 (rounded up)
Steam: 🪭.5

Tamsin is a widowed duchess. She should be at the top of the Ton, but her common birth keeps the hoity-toities from accepting her. She's set on doing everything as perfectly as possible to earn their trust, even if it means hiding her true self. In the meantime, she's content with her friends, her son, and the freedom her title and wealth afford her. Until her departed husband's cousin arrives to co-parent her son and drive her to distraction. Never mind that she's doing the same to him. Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, is set on performing his duties and doing everything as the laws and traditions of his homeland demand. And that does not include falling in love with the insufferable woman who becomes a bigger temptation every time he's in her presence.

It's a great enemies-to-lovers romance that has some pretty high stakes for the couple to overcome. The way that McLean shows the dichotomy of wanting to be a part of high society while still disagreeing with what it takes to be there makes for some very interesting reading. It's not just about the romance, it's about the hypocrisy and breaking the cycle of honor-bound sacrifice.

My one complaint is that I wish that there was more exploration of how the other couple in the story comes about because it feels insanely rushed, but maybe that's to come in another novel? I do demand getting to read Christian's brother's story because I see potential there.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for the wonderful romance read!

Tamsin and Christian are meant to be together as you will see early in this fun loving story. The characters are a hoot. There is wit, great banter, capers galore and just plain fun. Uniquely written in a time when you don't see many books that are so light hearted and entertaining without undo drama. My first time with this author and I'm so delighted that I have had the opportunity. I will keep following her just so I can sit and laugh.

Tamsin does not need a German count...

Tamsin rose to the rank of duchess. Now widowed, she gets an unwanted co-guardian for her son.
Christian is very overbearing, arrogant and annoying. I was down for Tamsin's pranks as he was so stuck up.
I really liked Tamsin but Christian not so much.
3.5

BOOK: THE DUCHESS TAKES IT ALL
AUTHOR: MICHELLE MCLEAN
PUB DATE: NOVEMBER 2024
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REVIEW- 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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First of all, Christian was an insufferable grouch in the beginning. Going on and on about being noble and honorable while he never listened to Tasmin and what she wanted for her son. Thankfully, he had a character development he sorely needed and I started to like him better. Christian was a member of a count and Heir to s throne of a small country, but I didn't really feel this. I wished there had been more about his throne and stuff related.
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Tasmin was a delightful character and I had no problem liking her. She was an amazing mother and a philanthropist. She was a little lonely because she was rejected by the ton because she was a merchant's daughter. But she still had her own little circle of loyal friends. I admire her work as Anonymous Bartholomew, she drew caricatures that showed the hypocrisy of the nobles.
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I liked the relationship between Tasmin and Christian although I felt it happened too fast, but it was still okay. This book was not really spicy, but that had nothing on their chemistry. Christian's uncle did have some misgivings wbout their relationship, but Christian dealt with that. He and Tasmin were able to get the HEA they wanted.
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This book was really good and read it in half a day. You should definitely try it
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Recently widowed Tamsin has discovered a way to bring attention to the injustices between classes. It is complex and she is thrown for a loop with the arrival of Germanic guardian for her toddler son – now a duke. There’s romance and intrigue. The cultures are not so different among nobles of Britain and Europe. Both our heroine and hero find this frustrating. The Glossary of German Words and Phrases in appreciated.

I loved all the books written by this author so far, but I really didn’t get into this one. Christian really starts with the wrong foot and doesn’t seem to change much during the book. Yes, he falls in love, but it felt a little too sudden and unexpected to me, so maybe the plot lacked a little of built-up in this direction. I also didn’t care for all the repetition about Tamsin wanting to be accepted in Society and Christian having to do his duty (and for what reason? To atone to the alleged sins of his parents and siblings?) The HEA is of course there, but it felt unsatisfactory and strangely complicated and too easy at the same time. But of course I’ll read whatever else this author will write in the future, because I still loved her writing style very much.

Recently widowed Lady Tasmin Palmer has been given a "manager" of sorts by her late husband. When he arrives at the family home, she doesn't like him from the start. As time progresses and she pulls out of half-mourning, they forge a friendly relationship, that then grows into more.

I loved reading about the city versus country life. How isolated Tasmin felt in the country, but in the city she could at least try to reach out and befriend some of the ton. I did not like how Christian came in so upper-handedly, but it makes sense, given the time period.

I will recommend this book to regency romance lovers.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

Tamsin Palmer is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. She is now the widowed Duchess of Clevesly. She has every thing she could want, wealth, a title, and estate. Her toddler son is now the Duke of Clevesly. However, because of her common birth, she is not accepted by the Ton. Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, is the cousin of her late husband and is now co-guardian of the young duke. Christian is determined to be in charge, of everything. Tamsin is just as determined to thwart him. He annoys her; she vexes him. This is a well-written, fun slow-burn romance filled with delightful characters. There are some serious complications in their future together. Christian’s duty to his uncle and family may prevent their being able to wed. An enjoyable story with a happy ending (or two).
I received a special copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

Enthralling story from start to finish!

Complex politics and social hurdles are no match for the sizzling chemistry between Christian and Tamsin. With hints of The Taming of the Shrew and Pride and Prejudice, this captivating romance hits all the right notes and carries the reader along an enchanting journey with a beautiful HEA.

Christian starts off exceedingly overbearing, yet compassionate. His high-handed ways were ingrained in him since birth, a stark contrast to Tamsin's upbringing among the merchant class. This class distinction keeps them apart for quite a while, until Christian realizes that he simply cannot control himself around her and he is forced to face the dilemma that his high-ranking birth has created. But Tamsin is not so easily convinced - after a far less than satisfactory marriage, she is determined to maintain her hard-won independence.

Add in a fake relationship that, refreshingly, is not with the MMC, foreshadowing that is in bright, vivid technicolor, a delicate balancing act between hating and respecting each other, and a like-father-like-son family history that begs to be repeated, this fascinating story kept me glued to my ereader until the very satisfying end.

I loved this Regency romp and can highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Widowed duchess Tamsin and her infuriatingly attractive co-guardian Christian clash over the raising of her son. Their animosity masks a growing attraction that threatens to consume them both.

I admired how Tamsin handled the difficulties she faced in as a result of Christian’s dictates about how to raise her son. It was refreshing to see Christian learn and grown through his relationship with Tamsin.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Tasmin and Christin, though I think I like them better as Duchess and the Count was an excellent period piece and slow burn. The tension and denial they both experienced was beautiful to read and oh so frustrating too. It was a case of wanting to shake them both because neither one was truly being honest. But that’s likely why I loved it so much and will be looking for more by this author.

An Outsider in Society
This story features a newly widowed Duchess of Clevesly, Tamsin Palmer, who is the daughter of a merchant. She has a toddler whom she adores, her deceased husband not so much. Being an outcast in high society is not easy, and to make matters harder, her husband had appointed a co-guardian for the son, the German Count of Rauchberg Christian august. The story of the two of them is interesting and well written, a little slow in the middle, but an enjoyable book. Michelle McLean does a great job of giving the details of both London society and German city-states political stresses. The characters were written mostly in the time period the story is set in, and the author did a wonderful job of keeping Tasmin within the constraints of the period. I have read other books by her that were set in the American West and enjoyed them also. Ms. McLean does a thorough job of detailing the environment that surrounds her characters. I’m looking forward to reading more books that she has written.
I received an ARC of the book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Loved the characters. The laws of marriage of the ton are crazy. Tamsin is a Duchess, but she looked down on because she isn't of noble blood. She only married into aristocracy. Now she is a widow with a young son, and she still is not accepted by the ton. When her son's other guardian shows up, she is sure that it will not be good. Christian has very definite ideas how Tamsin's son should be raised, and she clashes with him on every point. All they do is argue. He is stubborn and arrogant. Christian just wants to honor his cousin's wishes, not make Tamsin mad. But that is all he seems to do. Arguing with Tamsin is one of his favorite things to do. Once they get to know each other, they realize there is more there, but Tamsin isn't even out of mourning yet and she is already looked down on by the ton. They are seen together everywhere and the gossip flies. Christian is thinking that he would like to marry Tamsin, but he has to get permission from his uncle, and he is sure that permission will not be given. What do they do? Can they flaunt convention and marry anyway?