Wow! Who knew Seraphina was keeping so many secrets?! And a Scottish husband! I enjoyed this from beginning to end. I wondered how these two would end up together and the process did not disappoint.

Iain MacInnes, Duke of Balgair, has spent the last thirteen years believing his wife is dead until he learns that she is very much alive and living under an assumed name on the Isle of Synne. He sets off with only one goal in mind, to bring his lying wife back to Scotland so he can expose her and get a divorce.

After being betrayed, Seraphina did what was necessary to keep herself and her sisters safe. She's still haunted by the events that shattered her world but she's made a happy life surrounded by loyal friends and a secret career as a writer. With Iain here, it's all at risk.

The attraction is still there but with so much hurt and betrayal between them, can they find a way back to each other?

Thank you so much to the author and Forever for this ARC to review.

I REALLY wanted to like this book. And I did, in some aspects. For one thing the idea of two characters who absolutely despise each other being in forced company as they seek a divorce was new and interesting. I also absolutely fell in love with Phineas aka Seraphina's pet parrot or, as Iain called him, "that damned pigeon". He stole the show nearly every time he was on the page. I also enjoyed the slow burn that was them falling back in love with one another.

What I didn't enjoy however was the stubbornness between these two (especially Seraphina, but I'll get to that more in a minute) and the overlooked potential to have this story really dig its heels in. Let's begin shall we?

It takes until almost the 50% mark for these two to finally open up to one another and talk about what happened in the past that turned them against one another. When this happened, I wanted her father to appear. I wanted him to meet them in the village. Or to meet Seraphina and threaten her with some other outlandish thing. But that never happened. In fact, it wasn't until Seraphina was on her way BACK from Scotland that she decided to stop and visit dear old dad for reasons that still aren't clear. I mean okay - she wanted to confront him about the fact she and her sisters were still alive and she wanted to rub his nose in the fact her husband was now a Duke, but that she had divorced him, but in my opinion, there would have been a whole new level had her father locked her in her room. Iain "storming the castle" as it were to rescue his former wife? GOLDEN. But sadly, I don't even think she tells him (or her sisters) about that visit.

What also killed this for me was the characters, Seraphina in particular. She seemed fixated on two things.

1. We're not the same people we were back then.
2. If society knew what I had done..... it would reflect badly/cause a scandal/etc.

No, they were not the same people that they were thirteen years ago, but there was nothing stopping them from starting over as the people they were at that moment. Also, Seraphina's whole reasoning for following through with the divorce was asinine. Who cares what she did in the past? Iain certainly didn't, but she never trusted him with the truth until after she took up more pages on why she had to leave him and how miserable she was without him.

From everything I saw as a reader Iain had a remote castle in Scotland as his "family seat" so who cares what people think of him in England? Iain had his beginning's as a GROOM in the stables at Seraphina's family home (where her father was an Earl). So you mean to tell me the ton would just welcome him with open arms despite that kind of humble start? But instead of taking any of that (or her supposed feelings, or you know, Iain begging for her to stay with him), Seraphina refused to stay married to him. Demanding instead to see it through, then walk away. Only to be constantly fixated on much she loved and missed him. So much so that she not only made a return trip to Scotland to tell him, but she ends up re-marrying him.

Honestly, as far as I'm concerned there was too much angst in areas that didn't need it, and not enough in the areas that did, and that sadly, took away from my enjoyment of this one.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

This is part of the series but can be read as a standalone.
Iain and Sersphina were star-crossed lovers.
They were very young when they fell I love and got married.
Both were separated under false circumstances and Iain believed seraphina betrayed him and died.
He becomes a Duke later and needs to marry but he receives a letter stating that his wife is alive.
Their story is full of heartbreak but has a happy ending.
Their chemistry was sizzling.

Hello, Christina Britton, I am so glad I found your books. This was good. The angst and heart ache that Seraphina and Iain went through as they found their way back together was fantastic. Knowing that the love they felt was stronger after all they'd been thru was sweet. And the ending was perfect.

These books had similar themes which are my favorite. The second chance romance after a betrayal. Though it's not the betrayal they think it is. Seraphina has been through so much to protect herself and her sisters. She is hiding and that's when her husband finds her.
Love that they both had it out about what happened all those years ago. They let it sit for a bit but they did end up talking it out. Iain sounded like a very sexy Scotsman. He had some secrets of his own and a great deal of pain. This gave me all the feels. Loved the friend group and the sisters.

The Duke’s All That is a second chance romance with a lot of heart. Seraphina and Iain fell in love at a young age, but were torn apart due to lies and manipulation not long after they were wed. Thirteen years later, Iain discovers that his long-lost wife is alive and well and is determined to secure a divorce from the woman who broke his heart. What he finds is a woman haunted by the past. Seraphina has survived much and has come out the stronger. She escaped the clutches of her evil father and made a life for herself and her sisters, one far different than the gilded cage they were raised in.

It was easy for me to like both Seraphina and Iain. Seraphina is a survivor and her strength and determination made me want to see her find peace and be able to let down her guard. Iain is a strong and handsome Scotman who has his own baggage he needs to come to terms with, but he has a good heart. Author Christina Britton shows how the young couple was torn apart but also doesn’t make their reunion easy on them. They have to confront their fears, their vulnerabilities, and risk opening their hearts. Seraphina in particular has walls that are high even with those she loves and it’s understandable why. I really liked watching her and Iain together as they learned who they are now, after everything they’ve been through.

The Duke’s All That is emotional and sweet at the same time (with a dash of humor and some surprisingly touching moments brought by Seraphina’s parrot). Britton made it easy to be swept up into the personal and romantic journeys of Iain and Seraphina. If you’re a fan of the Synneful Spinsters series you’ll enjoy brief glimpses of Seraphina’s fellow Oddments, but you can jump into this one as a standalone too. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to revisiting it.

I have really enjoyed every single book I’ve read by Britton, but I’m pretty sure this is my favorite one! It’s a different storyline, and quite a spin on the second chance trope.

I’ve really gotten back into regency romance - I about gave them up a decade ago when they were horribly formulaic and you could go from author to author and book to book and know exactly what you could expect. Britton’s books helped me love the genre again, because she doesn’t follow a set schedule and makes every single book so interesting, all her characters are unique and I just go into each novel knowing it’s going to be exciting and hard to put down.

Iain and Seraphina’s story is such a fantastic second chance, rags to riches, escape from terrible circumstances storyline - I was hooked from the fascination prologue during their honeymoon and straight through their intriguing tale of what happened in the intervening years apart, and the struggle to figure out how to make sure that the future is sorted out (such as their dash to Scotland to secure a divorce… so as a new Duke he is free to marry again). We also have the characters from Synne who we loved from the previous books of the series.

If you haven’t read Britton’s books yet, you’re completely missing out and this would be a great place to start (can definitely be read as a standalone). If you’re a fan - it’s my fave and I know you’ll love it as much as I do!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest feedback.

Christina Britton is one of my favourite historical romance authors, and I was excited to read this one!

This book was frustrating to me in the first half, I’ll be honest. It was all miscommunication and lack of communication, but I understand it was because of the hurt that they have been carrying for years and the lies that they believed.

I really enjoyed the slow reconciliation and building of trust, it made them coming back together seem more realistic. And Phineas’ comedic moments broke up the heavy mood that the book had at times.

I also really appreciated how Seraphina stuck to her morals in order to continue to take care of her sisters. The scene at the end was beautiful where she could see all she loved around her and they were pushing her to find happiness for herself.

If you’re a historical romance reader who loves a second chance romance, give this one a try!

A well-deserved second chance romance!

So much heartache separated Iain and Seraphina for so long, it's no wonder neither one could even imagine a reconciliation could be possible. It was a heartbreaking shame that the news that eventually reunited them had been delayed for so very long.

I loved how Iain's attention to detail led him to the answers he was seeking, even if the eventual truth brought to light all the lies that had kept them apart. Their slow buildup to recognizing their long-dormant feelings was exquisitely done, and the comedy provided by Seraphina's emotional-support parrot kept the story from being too weighed down by all they'd lost.

I love how Seraphina was finally able to gain some closure through a very cathartic showdown, but I was disappointed that the main villain essentially went unpunished. Still, that didn't stand in the way of a very satisfying HEA once all the secrets were brought to light.

The story was compelling from start to finish, and I enjoyed every part of it. It's an easy book to recommend for anyone who enjoys historical romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Christina Britton is that historical author who’s backlist I’ve been meaning to devour. Every time I get a copy of her new release, I enjoy them and then I keep forgetting to go back and read the books I’ve missed. The Duke’s All That might be my favorite of her books so far. It’s the last book of her Synneful Spinisters series and follows Seraphina, the bookstore owner. To the reader’s surprise, she’s married and to her surprise, her husband shows up on Synne. Iain, our hero, recently became a duke after growing up as a servant. And even more recently, he learns that the wife who he thought abandoned him and then died is actually alive. Seraphina’s father worked to separate his daughter and her lower class husband, and in doing so, inflicted such trauma that Seraphina and her sisters later ran away. Seraphina’s past is rough to read. When Iain comes back into her life and demands a divorce, he and Seraphina, and her parrot, embark on a road trip to Scotland. On the way they fight their passion for each other and face the deceptions that kept them apart. This book made me cry and pulled me in right away. It was an emotional journey and I couldn’t put the book down!

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy, and held my interest. I would have liked it to have included more description of the Isle of Synne and the various characters there who have been in other books in the series. This can be read as a standalone story, though it is part of the Synneful Spinsters series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

One fateful night two young lovers Seraphina and Iain, wed and vowed to stay together forever. What they thought was a one-hour separation until they were reunited turned into thirteen long years. Now Seraphina is living under an assumed name protecting her two younger sisters from their father. She loves owing her own business and she is happy with her life and her friends. Everything seems wonderful until Iain, now Duke of Balgair shows up on her remote island and vows to divorce the wife he once loved and find out why she fled and never returned. The question is, who betrayed who? Can Seraphina and Iain trust each other enough to uncover the lies and betrayal they both faced?

ChristinaBritton brings us another fabulous tale in the Synneful Spinsters series. I loved Seraphina and Iain’s characters, so full of whit and humour. The banter between them just makes you laugh and the chemistry between them is undeniable. And I can not forget the unforgettable Phineas, Seraphina’s parrot who brings much delight to the story with his antics. Although characters from the other books do make an appearance in this novel, it can be read as a stand-alone book, but trust me you will want to sit back and read the whole series, it is fabulous. Thanks so much to Forever Publishing, Christina Britton and Netgalley for my advanced readers copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily. A perfect series to curl up with.

I fell in love with Christina Britton's writing while reading her first Isle of Synne book, A Good Duke is Hard to Find, four years ago. Since then, each successive book set on Synne has only reinforced that initial reaction. Her newest, The Duke's All That, just may be my favorite of the whole bunch.

Seraphina and Iain checked all my happy romance reader buttons with their enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, road romance. I love a story that pushes all my emotional buttons and this one certainly did that. There's yearning, angst, retribution, character growth, complicated family dynamics, steamy desire, and the love and support of a steadfast community of women...a couple dukes...and one salty parrot, with a Scottish brogue, who is the source of much humor but also a window to past emotional turmoil.

The Duke's All That is a tumultuous, deeply emotional, sometimes humorous, and thoroughly satisfying reawakening of love that's going straight to my keeper shelf where I have no doubt I'll be visiting it again. Though characters from earlier books appear in this one, readers new to Britton could absolutely enjoy this as a standalone.

*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley.
Fair and unbiased opinion.

The Duke's All That is the third book in Christina Britton's Synneful Spinsters series. I have read all of the other books in the series but you would be fine reading this as a standalone. Iain is the newly minted Duke of Balgair. He believed his wife to be dead for the last thirteen years. It's time for him to begin searching for a new wife, when he gets word that his wife is alive and living with a new identity on the Isle of Synne. His plan is to drag her back to Scotland in order to obtain a divorce and expose her for being a liar.

I loved the uniqueness of the story and how it begins from Iain's perspective. This book is a second chance romance that begins with the hero and heroine already being married. There is a lot of miscommunication that takes place since there was a time jump of 13 years. I really enjoyed this one as much as the first book in the series (the second, not so much.) A road trip romance is always a good thing in my book; plus there's an entertaining pet parrot.

Thank you to NetGalley, Christina Britton, and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalley #christinabritton #TheDukesAllThat #ForeverGrandCentralPublishing #SynnefulSpinsters

I just felt kind of eh about this one. Even though it started off great and the premise was intriguing, after awhile, I just couldn't stick with it. I will probably come back to this one when I'm feeling a little differently, but for now, it is a soft DNF.

The Duke's All That is a heart-wrenching regency romance that is third in a series bet can be read as a standalone. Young lovers Seraphina and Iain are torn apart by her father's schemes and lies. When Iain, now Duke of Balgair, learns his wife is actually alive, he tracks her down to ask for a divorce. Seraphina has suffered greatly in the last 13 years doing whatever necessary to protect her sisters.

I loved this book! Seraphina is such a strong woman to have survived the events of her past. Former stable lad Iain has had his own baggage to deal with but remains a strong, kind man. Despite their feelings for each other being rekindled and the truth coming out, Seraphina believes a future for them is too late.

The story had one of my favorite tropes second chance plus a Scottish hero, a road trip and a talking parrot. I also enjoyed the displays of loyalty to Seraphina by her friends and sisters. This was such an amazing story of love lost and found. Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

I love every bit of this series. Iain and Seraphina’s story is a bit heavier, as they’ve both had some dark moments in their past, especially Seraphina. But they’re so strong, together and apart, that I never doubted they would make the world they wanted and deserved, whether or not they stayed married.

Second chance romance isn’t my favorite trope, but this worked so well. I think because of the circumstances of their separation, which I won’t spoil, but it did mean there were no flashbacks to an unhappy, rocky marriage.

I would have loved to see more of the Isle of Synne and Seraphina’s sisters and friends. In previous books, the location was almost a character in and of itself. But aside from that, this is Seraphina’s starting turn and her strength and determination will capture your heart.

Scotland - 1808

Seraphine and Iain MacInnes are wed. She was used to wealth and having worked in her father’s stables, he knows he cannot provide that easy life for her. She wants to say one last goodbye to her sisters, Elspeth and Millicent, as she worries about leaving them. But she does not return to Iain.

Scotland - 1821

Iain MacInnes, Duke of Balgair, has just learned that his wife and her two sisters did not die in a carriage accident as was reported by their father years ago. They are now living under assumed names. Seraphine Athwart is working as the head proprietress of the Quayside Circulating Library on the Isle of Synne. She is also a secret author, S. L. Keys, writer of gothic romances. Her faithful companion is Phineas, a parrot whom she adores.

When Iain confronts her, she is shocked. He tells her that he wants a divorce and she must accompany him to Scotland to prove she is alive so the divorce can be granted. Fighting against it, she finally agrees and they head out.

The trip is filled with them learning more about one another and things that happened to them in the passing years. Could their disdain for one another, become an attraction?

I read the first two books in there series but when I started reading this one, I was confused as it seemed I had missed something. The explanation of the past only comes out as the book goes along which is rather confusing and limits the compassion one has for the heroine.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In this latest, we learn about Seraphina’s surprising backstory as her long lost husband of 13 years shows up to haul her back to Scotland so they can ask a court for a divorce. Iain and Seraphina have each had massive changes in fortune and circumstance since they last saw each other, and both of them think their relationship ended for different reasons. It’s a poignant second chance romance with moments of hilarity brought by Seraphina’s pet parrot, Phineas. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend!

3.5 stars for this historical romance. To note: this is a second-chance romance that starts on the MCs' wedding night. Then the action flashes forward thirteen full years. There's a lot of miscommunication, as one might imagine, about what broke the two up. There's also a lot of thinking around what happened in the past (e.g., the MMC is now a duke [not a spoiler, read the title of the book] but we don't find out why he was raised as a neglected child in poverty until much later in life; the FMC has nightmares about what happened in her past, but it's not until beyond the 75% mark that we find out what happened). Look, these just aren't my favorite elements to include in a book. You might be into them, in which case this is the book for you. Because other than that, the book is a straightforward road trip romance. It's a quick read.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.