Tamsin Palmer, the widowed Duchess of Clevesly, craves to be accepted by the ton. She is accustomed to being snubbed because of her common blood. Tamsin learns that her late husband has assigned a co-guardian for their young son. The handsome German count is overbearing and vexing; however, Tamsin cannot ignore the chemistry between them. Is a relationship possible for them? Will Tamsin give up her newfound freedom for Christian?

Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, travels to London to fulfill an obligation to his late cousin. He promises his royal uncle to find a suitable wife while there. Christian never expected to encounter a woman quite like Tamsin. She is all wrong for him. However, Christian cannot stop the growing attraction between them. Will family responsibility force him to give Tamsin up? What will Christian give up so he can have her in his life?

I admire Tamsin’s ethics. She yearns to be accepted by the ton. However, there are some aspects of their lifestyle that Tamsin will not follow. What I adore the most about Tamsin is how she goes head-to-head with Christian. he is done allowing men dictate her life. Tamsin willingly stands up to Christian when his overbearing views clashes with her, especially about the raising of her son.

It took me a while to warm up to Christian (but I eventually did!). He thought his way was the best, and only, way. That annoyed me. I know Christian meant well. What I love the most about Christian is how he disliked witnessing the English nobility ostracizing Tamsin. He understood the stress and pressure that put on a person, having witnessed it before with his mother.

THE DUCHESS TAKES IT ALL is a standalone historical romance by Michelle McLean. This book does loosely tie in with FOUR WEDDINGS AND A DUKE. The characters from that novel make frequent appearances throughout this story. It is not necessary to read FWaAD before this one. However, it is a fun and delightful read.

I like how the author chose a German aristocrat. It is not commonly used as French or Russian. I am not too familiar with German nobility. And since I have German in my ancestry, that angle made it more fun and interesting for me.

This was a quick and easy read. although the first half was a bit slower. I enjoyed the banter between Tamsin and Christian, and the group of friends were my absolute favorite parts of the whole book. I really enjoyed that Tamsin was not only a widow but also a single mom, that's not something that pops up frequently in regency era romance.

And, I want a second book with Conrad and his princess!

Thank to NetGalley, the publisher and author for giving early access. My thoughts are my own.

I loved this story. Tamsin is a widow with a young son who is the new Duke of Clevesly after the death of Tamsin’s husband. Christian, Count of Rauchberg, was named co-guardian of Tamsin’s young son, James, and feels that it is his duty to guide Tamsin since she was born a commoner and not raised a noble. This doesn’t sit well with Tamsin and it is fun reading her different ways of vexing Christian. Eventually the two settle their differences and fall in love; however, it isn’t smooth sailing for them.

Thank you to the author Michelle McLean, publishers Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE DUCHESS TAKES IT ALL. All views are mine.

The woman would be his undoing. p146

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. This cast of characters is fun. None of them react to things as I would expect, so they are very entertaining!

2. I really love Tamsin. She's perfectly complicated! She absently placed another bite of pheasant in her mouth, dragging her teeth slightly along the fork as she did so. “The pheasant is wonderful,” Lord Rauchberg said to her, though Tamsin caught his slight cringe , and she hastily removed the fork from her mouth. The headmistress at her finishing school would be so ashamed. p33

3. I actually love how the conventions of the time – like the fact a public kiss could destroy a woman's reputation – raise the stakes in this love story. It's sort of thrilling to see the two main characters find their vibe despite all the pressures set against them both.

4. This book is a masterclass in how sexy a well-written kiss can be!

5. I love the second chance romance story for both these main characters!

6. “It is only my father,” she said. “And I promise, he will be cordial. He has no reason not to be.” She nearly stopped with that but could not pass up the opportunity to tease him a bit. “Unless you plan on informing him that you wished you had climbed out of my bed this morning instead of your own—” “Good gracious, woman!” he said, properly scandalized. p178 I love emotional foreplay!

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. The "dialect" doesn't work for me. The German shows up in only superficial contexts, and there is never more than a word or two at a time. The dialect might help set the stage, but it's too distracting.

2. The plotpoint about the rude servants just doesn't seem likely. Servants *need* their jobs, they wouldn't threaten their own employment by being publicly rude to their boss's wife. Also, the idea that servants are snobby about a nouveau riche mistress, because she is not high born, is again preposterous. Servants don't get to be snobby. The need their work.

3. There's a lot of the characters "drinking in" of each other. This phrase needs to be varied up a bit.

4. Miscommunication trope in the last 20% of the story is a no go.

Rating: 👰‍♂️👰‍♂️👰‍♂️.5 /5 marriage contracts
Recommend? Yes
Finished: Oct 1 '24
Format: Digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 romance
👑 Europe, regency period
🚪 open door romance
👠 strong fmc
🗣 miscommunication trope
🐕 golden retriever mmc

This story was about Tasmin, a widowed duchess and Christian, the Count of Rauchberg. Christian August was tasked with overseeing Tasmins home and son James, James would be the next Duke so Christian was there, to be sure the child would inherit an solvent dukedom. Tasmin was her own woman and would not be led around by anyone. When Christian demanded that they return to the country from London, Tasmin was quite upset since she had lots of friends and business in London. She was always trying to help the less fortunate. She was not well bred enough for the ton and they did not include her in anything for this reason. She was just a duchess by marriage and no one let her forget it. When Christian has them return to the country Tasmin tries everything to get him to return. This is where the hilarity ensues. I couldn’t help laughing at the things Tasmin tried to get Christian to agree to go back to London. Of course, they fall in love. There is a lot of detail about why they cannot marry. Christian is a prince in his country and set to inherit his uncle’s kingdom. They try to overcome all the obstacles in their way so they can have their own happy ever after. This book was interesting but I thought there too much detail about why they could not marry. All in all though it was an enjoyable read. I would like to thank Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

THE DUCHESS TAKES IT ALL was an entertaining read filled with witty banter, sassy shenanigans and searing hot chemistry! I loved Tamsin and Christian individually and together they were everything I find enjoyable in a book couple. She is charismatic and funny, loving and caring. He is steadfast and dependable, charming and loyal. They brought out the best in each other and became better versions of themselves when they came together. I truly enjoyed this one and am giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

The Duchess Takes it All is a lovely read, embracing love, freedom, agency, and hope. Along with some delightful laughs and breath-taking angst along the way!

Recently widowed Tamsin's newly received freedom is at sudden risk when her departed husband's cousin, Christian, comes to reside with her temporarily, as he becomes co-guardian of her toddler son and arranges to help oversee her estates. Christian comes for duty, but soon enough it's for an entirely different reason he stays.

I greatly enjoyed the entire arc of Tasmin and Christian's relationship-- from the biting banter to the softening resolve in partnership that gave way to something all the greater. Their relationship encompassed all the facets one desires in romance: sweetness, spice, emotional bonding, physical lust, and, something not as commonly found: excellent communication.

Tamsin's agency is one she greatly cherishes and fears a potential new marriage could see it dissolved, to see her have no voice in raising her own son, in attending to her goals such as helping charities, in handling her own wealth. Tamsin is shunned from the ton, and underestimated at every turn. Then Christian arrives as does something unexpected: he sees her. He sees her fear, her desires, and her secrets-- and he embraces every part of her. And suddenly a future she feared becomes one of...what if? What if she could have it all? Or is sacrifice and consequence at stake?

The resolve to all this is brilliantly crafted. As is the way the couple communicate with one another.
The final act sees this bloom all the greater. I feared we'd step into an area of miscommunication, instead all cards are left on the table as the couple navigate if there is a future forward. There is hope, there is angst, and above all: there is reason. Yet, for as pragmatic as their communication evolves, Michelle McLean allows for idyllic grand romantic gestures. And there is such a gorgeous one in the final act! The stuff of dreams!

Overall, I had the most pleasant time reading this one-- and I am keeping my fingers crossed a certain pairing brought together in the end receive a book of their own! This is my first Michelle McLean book and I'm instantly a fan!

If you enjoy addicting banter, heartfelt conversation, and a slow burn romance that ensures both the physical and emotional bonds are forged in precious manner, be sure to pick up The Duchess Takes it All!

So happy I read this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

This book was a really lovely fast paced regency romance with all the Bridgerton ,and to show my age here, Gainsborough Picture vibes.
At first I was a little concerned that there would be a lot of 'tell not show' going on with the inner monologue but this did not last long.
I gleefully read with a giant smile on my face, the battle of wills and banter between the main characters was delightful. Also a big thank you for the epilogue, I always appreciate more story.
I will definitely be checking out more books by this author, they could well be my go-to palate cleanser reads.

The Duchess takes it all by Michelle Mclean is perfect for a sweet historical romance reader.

Christian
✅ Count / co guardian to a widowed duchess and her son
✅ Need to marry


Tamsin
✅ A widowed duchess with a son
✅ Anonymous artist
✅ No plan to remarry

I really enjoyed reading the book since the storyline are very interesting.
A little bit of banter between Tamsin and Christian gives the enemy to lover vibes.
Tamsin's creative ideas in ridding Christian from the countryside estate brings out a lot of comedy scenes and it is just so funny.
This makes the book are just easy to read and such a page turner.
However, the conflict and issues between Tamsin and Christian later on bring tears to my eyes.
A lot of sacrifices and decisions had to make for each other sake.
The suprises at the end of the book guarantee to bring you a smile and a happily ever after vibe which leave your heart feel content.

✅ A lot of bantering
✅ Angst
✅ Suspense
✅ High sexual tension
✅ Plenty of spicy scenes explicit and intense ( fav: the wall scene🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥)
✅ Dirty talking ( the duchess was the first one to initiate the dirty talking🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥)
Category: book with spice

I'll absolutely need to read the next book by Michelle McLean and hopefully it is about Conrad.

The Duchess Takes It All was an enjoyable quick-paced historical romance about a recently widowed duchess who is struggling to fit in with society. She also has to deal with a man from her husband's family who was sent to manage her son and the estate.

Full of shenanigans, heartfelt moments, and witty banter. Tamsin is a character with depth and a secret talent. Christian, is a man who has to make choices based on what is expected of him. The two often butt heads, but it's clear to those around them that there's chemistry. It was a fast read that I devoured. Thanks, Entangled Publishing and Michelle McLean for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Duchess Takes it All is a delightful, faced paced rom com about a widowed duchess who doesn’t fit in with the ton and man who has been sent to help her manage her estates and son.

This book has amazing banter and a great romance. Tamsin is such a well written character. She’s opinionated and doesn’t fit in. She’s playful and loves causing problems for Christian, her late husbands relative.

Reading about Tamsin and Christian interacting was so delightful! They’re both just as stubborn as the other so it made for some great banter and good chemistry.

This was a beautifully done historical romance novel, it had that feel that I was expecting from the description and genre. I thought the characters had that feel that they should and that the romance was realistically done. Michelle McLean has a strong style for the genre and glad I got to read this.

The Duchess Takes It All by Michelle McLean is the story of Tamsin who is trying to find her place among the ton while navigating the freedoms of being a widowed Duchess. She has her own title, income, diversions, and is the sole caregiver to a baby Duke. Then comes Christian, the Count of Rauchberg, her departed husband’s cousin, who has been given the duty of seeing to the estates and is now co-guardian of Tamsin’s son. You can only imagine how well this news is received by Tamsin and once she meets the Count the hijinks ensue! She does everything she can to try and off-put the Count, but his stubbornness matches hers and they find worthy adversaries in one another.

My favorite part of this book, by far, was the banter between Tamsin and Christian. They are perfectly matched in conversation, humor, wit, and compassion. The writing between the two was incredibly enjoyable and flowed seamlessly. There was one plot point I wish would have been developed more, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a regency romance filled with witty banter and the hope of a happily ever after. Thank you NetGalley and Estranged Publishing, LLC for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.