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: 💔

This story sucks you in from the opening in 1808 and holds you prisoner through the main body thirteen years later. I have been anticipating the enigmatic Seraphina’s story since the beginning of the series, and it was worth the wait. Of all of the Oddments (the name a group of friends bestowed upon themselves), Seraphina was the one who seemed to hold the deepest, darkest secrets. Turns out that was true. Finally, we learn all of Seraphina’s secrets – and goodness – there are some doozies in there. After you learn of all she endured, you’ll wonder at the strong, resilient woman she became. However, I believe that strength and resilience was already a part of her makeup or she would never have been able to endure and overcome all she did.

Lady Seraphina Trew, daughter of the Earl of Farrow, had the temerity to fall in love with, and secretly marry, a boy who worked in her father’s stables, Iain MacInnes. Seraphina never cared about the difference in their status – she just loved Iain beyond measure – until he betrayed her. Not only did that break her heart and soul, it cost her thirteen years of terror, hiding, doing unspeakable things, and protecting her sisters to her own personal detriment.

Iain MacInnes loved Seraphina Trew beyond measure – until she betrayed him in a most unconscionable way. Somehow, he’d always known that she couldn’t really love him because he was so far beneath her. Iain couldn’t punish Seraphina for that betrayal, he still loved her – always would – but he could take revenge on the pompous aristocrats of her class. And he did – over and over – he outmaneuvered them at cards and any other way he could and amassed their estates and a fortune to boot. Iain became a very wealthy man.

Seraphina, now known as Seraphina Athwart, has a comfortable life on the Isle of Synne. She and her two sisters own the Quayside Circulating Library where they are finally settled and happy. Until a very bitter Iain shows up looking for a divorce from her. She has no choice but to go with him to Scotland for the divorce.

Iain, now the Duke of Balgair, has recently learned that his dead wife is not dead at all. Bitter pain and resentment drive him to look for her for over a year until he finally finds her. He’ll drag her back to Scotland to prove she is alive – and to get the divorce he wants.

Goodness – what a read! Seraphina has intrigued me since the first book and Iain, WOW! Just WOW. I adored them as a couple and I loved seeing them open up during that road trip and discover what really happened to them all those years ago. I love Iain’s compassion and caring and his ready acceptance that he still loved Seraphina and wanted her to continue as his wife. What I didn’t love was that Seraphina held on to her determination to have the divorce and be done with Iain for much too long. What I would have rather seen was her continuing as his wife and the two of them exacting revenge on her father. That didn’t happen! After all he cost them, after all of the cruelty, he didn’t really get any punishment at all. Anyway, I still loved the book, but I didn’t give it 5-stars because I hated to see her father walk away totally unscathed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

I have enjoyed all the Isle of Synne books and this is no exception. In this case, we have much more of a road trip (fair enough - eventually there are simply too many dukes on one island). I'm not a fan of second chance romances so this book start with a knock from my perspective.

Seraphina and Iain are both likeable characters and I believe they love each other. There was a lot of backstory that could have been explored, but I think that would have been a much darker book so I understand why there is a lot glossed over. It does mean this is just a light fun read.

One thing about historical romances is that I'm gonna roll through them so fast. I think I read this one within 24 hours-it's not too long, has a fun storyline (the third in a series too, so I was already well acquainted with the world), and takes place over a short amount of time, so it felt fast no matter what!

Long story short, The Duke's All That is a second chance historical romance with a stubborn red-headed bookshop owner and a stubborn Scottish man, both of whom thinks the other betrayed them right after they got married 13 years ago. There's a road trip, there's only one room at the inn, there's a foul-mouthed parrot, and there's miscommunication (which I usually detest, but this one was different, especially since the miscommunication was from the get-go.) Could I have used the two lovers to actually speak their feelings a little faster? Sure. But see above, they are stub.born.

All in all, quite liked it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the e-ARC!

DNF at 37%. I don’t hate the concept of this, but I really wish there was more context (or at least a hint) for why a seemingly happy couple’s marriage would break up early on, and she would go to such intense lengths to disappear. I just don’t feel the potential for investment in them falling back in love when I don’t “get” their history and have a reason to root for them.

Tropes: 2nd chance romance; MC seeking a divorce; MFC with a shadowy past
Steam level: 2-3
Part of a series: Yes, but it would work OK as a standalone.

3.5 stars rounded up because I appreciate that the author brought some darker elements into play here, including the topic of divorce, which usually doesn't take center stage in Regencies due to the challenges of getting a divorce at the time (of course Scotland's laws were more lenient). I enjoyed the return of previous characters in this series, the writing was solid, and the MC's did have chemistry. They're both likable, although I liked Iain more by the end (more on that below). The physical relationship is a slow burn with some tasteful steam, nothing OTT. (I find the cover absolutely beautiful, BTW.)

What kept this from a strong 4-5 stars for me:
--Need more bonding time for the MC's in the first half. A lot of time is spent with Seraphina's friends at the expense of time with Iain, and I felt like the emotional connection could have been stronger. I've had this issue with a lot of HR's recently, though, so it's maybe just personal taste.
--The Big Miscommunication(s) and a bit of repetitive internal monologue-ing. I'm just not big on conflicts that could have been easily solved through discussion. Let's move forward, people!
--The Third Act angst due to a decision Seraphina makes. I'm not big on martyrs and this plotpoint took a bit of the enjoyment out of the HEA for me.

Overall: this would probably fall in the middle of the books in this series for me, ratings-wise. I think the author tried a few new things here, introducing some darker elements, but it ends up being a bit trope-y by the end.
Still, this is a solidy written HR, and you might like it if you're more into some of the elements I mentioned than I am.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. This book is set to be published February 6.

Great second chance romance with the care and emotional depth that is Brittons hallmark. I love the isle of sinne and am always so happy to return to it, so this series is great. Seraphina was lovely and believable and her romance was tentative and heartfelt in the best ways,

Returning to the Isle of Synne is always a treat. This is the third in the Synneful Spinsters series and the second series the author has taken place on the isle. This one especially can be read on it’s own as much of the story takes place on a road trip to Scotland and there is plenty of recapping. I’ve read and enjoyed the books from both series.

Seraphina owns the Quayside Circulating Library at a seaside resort town on the Isle of Synne. She has kept quiet about her past from her good friends. And even her younger sisters who she supports do not know all of the things that she has done to provide for them. She is happy with her life and is stunned when her past catches up to her. Iain MacInnes has tracked down Seraphina after learning she wasn’t dead as he believed. Thirteen years ago he worked in her fathers stables and they fell in love and eloped. Her father tricked both of them into believing the other gave up on them. He has come to get a divorce from her. And he doesn’t share that he is now the Duke of Balgair.

This is a sweet, second chance romance. I’ve enjoyed Seraphina as a side character in the previous books and was happy to see her get her romance. Her pet parrot came off more annoying than funny but it did add some filler while the pair make their way to Scotland to take care of the legalities. I enjoy Britton’s easy writing style and this hits midrange for steaminess. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

I enjoyed this book so much, and I highly recommend it for fans of historical slow burn love stories, Scottish MMCs, and second chance romances.

Iain and Seraphina's story begins like an ending: two forbidden lovers exchanging vows and consummating their marriage in secret before absconding together for a new life. Except before they can get on the road, Seraphina turns back to say farewell to her sisters, changing her life and Iain's forever.

The story skips ahead 13 years, where Iain lives as a Duke with his newly discovered cousin and grandmother, still feeling very much alone. When he receives word that his wife, who he had heard had died following their separation, was actually alive, he sets off to discover where she's hiding.

Seraphina and her sisters live a quiet life on the isle of Synne, where they run a circulating library and Seraphina writes a serial under the pen name S. L Key. She is reserved and rather guarded even with her closest friends, but she lives as happily as she imagines she can. When Iain walks back into her life demanding a divorce, he threatens to unravel the safety that she has established for herself and her sisters, so she agrees to travel with him to Scotland to legally divorce him.

This is a story of forbidden love undone, of young lovers separated by lies and manipulation, and of a young woman who loves fiercely and will do absolutely anything to protect her sisters.

Although the story is told from two points of view, in terms of character growth it dominantly feels like Seraphina's story. She grows so much from the beginning to end, learning to open up and depend on the people she loves. It's a lovely story filled with slow burn romantic tension, just enough spice, and a satisfying ending.

After thirteen years apart, Iain learns that his duchess is still alive. Seraphina created a new life to keep herself and her sisters safe. Despite their painful past, the attraction between them still smolders. Haunted by hurt and betrayal, can Iain and Seraphina fall in love again?

This story is intense and emotional, with likable characters and secrets hanging between them. Even after the truth comes to light, the habit of distrust is difficult to overcome. I enjoyed how strong and determined Iain and Seraphina are.

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

The Dukes All That is book three in the Synneful Spinsters series.

Iain MacInnes and Lady Seraphina were once young and madly in love when they married without her father’s permission. Thirteen years, several manipulations and traumatic events later Iain finds himself a Duke and not widowed like he’d been told for over tens years and Seraphina finally has a life and is safe with her sisters on the idyllic Isle of Synne in northeast England. When Iain finds Seraphina, he convinces her to go to Edinburgh with him so he can prove she’s alive and be granted a divorce. On their roadtrip they learn how they were both wronged but can rekindling the shared attraction and care they have for one another be enough to begin again now that they are different people with different wants in life?

This was a new to me author and had no trouble jumping in mid-series. While I could tell that a whole world has been created, I felt I was brought straight into that world reading of Iain and Seraphina. I enjoyed this second chance roadtrip romance and appreciated having MC that were older (39 & 32) with life experiences, even if they were more bad than good. I enjoyed the tension and the back and forth between the MC. There was a lot of feelings and trauma for each to sort through that wasn’t easily brushed off. It had me feeling for each of the MC, what they each endured and missed in the intervening years. The parrot companion brought comedic relief and kept the story from being too heavy.

There are three encounters that was mid steam.

Net Galley and Forever publishing provided an advanced ecopy of this book.

Young and in love, Seraphina and Iain married in secret and planned a life together, far from her controlling father. But when they are each led to think that they other betrayed their love, they spend the next thirteen years thinking the worst of one another. Now, having recently acquired a dukedom and learning that Seraphina - who he believed to have been dead for years - is alive and well on the Isle of Synne, Iain makes plans to find her and secure a divorce so he can finally move on. Seraphina has made good life for herself and her sisters on Synne, running the circulating library and surrounded by friends who know nothing of what she has been through to get where she is now. With each of them believing the other is to blame for their long separation, neither is pleased to find the attraction between them is still alive and well. But forced proximity can work wonders on a broken heart...

Britton's style of writing is so reminiscent of an older style of historical romances, full of angst and broken hearts and misunderstandings. However, she also does a nice job of bringing in more modern sensibilities to balance the more serious style. I've enjoyed the Synnefull Spinsters series as well as the original Isle of Synne books, and continue to enjoy watching favorite characters get their own happy endings. Seraphina has been a mystery for so long that it is a relief to finally learn her backstory and see her find happiness, and Phineas is a favorite secondary character. While some of the aspects of Seraphina and Iain's story feels unrealistic, realism isn't really why we read romance, is it? I would have liked Seraphina in particular to have experienced less trauma, but it does help explain why she is who she is and reveal her strength. The chemistry between her and Iain is steamy and a bit torturtured, but the sweetness that reemerges feels earned and authentic. Overall a solid read.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Duke's All That in exchange for an honest review.

I just loved this one so much! This book is so heartwarming, and definitely filled with fun and entertaining moments but it also explores deeper themes such as self-identity, and the courage to chase one’s dreams. This balance between heartwarming and thought-provoking elements makes the book a well-rounded and satisfying read.

When Ian finds out the wife he thought died is alive and well, he decides to track her down and get a divorce. Seraphina has been running and hiding along with her two sisters for years, and when confronted by her betraying husband she reluctantly agrees to travel back to London and grant him the divorce. They must spend days and days stuck together in a cramped carriage, then gasp! One of the inns only has one room! What are they do to but share.. Even if Ian is sleeping on the floor.. at least to start.. I think that while they had been steadily chatting, growing closer, and slowly revealing some of the things that had gone on in their lives while they had been apart, this scene really helps Ian understand that he didn't know what happened with Seraphina all those years ago and that he may have been wrong about her. Or rather right in how he felt when he married her. Seraphina does take a lot of time to let Ian in and tell him about all she experienced while they were apart. But you could always feel the chemistry and romantic tension between them, and I loved seeing it build until they realized they were it for each other.

This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions for these two, and I am so happy they get to have their happily ever after! I can't wait to see what Christina Britton is going to write next!

I love the Synneful Sisters series so far and I was a big fan of Iain and Seraphina and I was rooting for them the whole time. The second chance romance was a delight and their journey back to Scotland was so enjoyable. I thought Seraphina was a little stubborn at times and wish she would have given over to her feelings sooner than later. I really liked Iain and I knew this man was in it for the long haul. I loved the different settings and the continuation of the female friendships. Overall I really enjoyed this one. Thank you to Forever publishing for sending me an e-ARC to read and review!

Seraphina is living in the Isle of Synne with her two sisters running the circulating library on the island. She’s got a mysterious past and a bit defensive and skittish. Turns out she was married many years ago, betrayed by her love, sent to an asylum, and then ran away with her sisters to protect them from their father. Her security is disrupted when her long-lost husband Iain shows up on the Isle to demand a divorce from Seraphina. He believes that he was betrayed by her all those years ago, then believed she was dead, and only just learned that she was alive. And now that he’s a duke, he’ll need to marry again in the future and need to be free and clear to do so. He doesn’t tell Seraphina that he’s a duke, just in case she has aspirations of being a duchess, but they do set off on a road trip to get that divorce. Along the way, they do actually start to talk to each other about what went wrong all those years ago and realize that they were both told lies by her father. He’s interested in making the marriage real, but she refuses and wants to go back to her quiet life with her sisters. It’s all a huge mess, made worse by the fact that Iain is still secretly a duke.