I just adore this author and her historical romances! This was such a sweet spicy read! I loved the story and characters so much! Read it was too fast! Just adored all of it! Highly recommend to historical girlies!

I received an advanced reader's copy of The Duchess Takes It All by Michelle McLean.

I found Tamsin to be an intriguing character. On the one hand she desperately wants to be accepted by Society; on the other she is engaging in actions that if she were discovered would get her ostracized. She is cautious with what she doing but the risk of exposure is still there. Christian is a rule follower and opposite of Tamsin. I thought the external obstacle keeping Tamsin and Christian from being together was not trivial and added great conflict to the story. The conflicts required each of them to make sacrifices in order to be together and really showed their love for each other.

This was an enjoyable read with intriguing characters.

A Regency romp full of wit, pranks, and slow burn sparks. This story is a delightful enemies to lovers historical romance.. i loved the banter between Tamsin and Christian which was razor sharp and often hilarious. A good read with a healthy dose of mischief.
Many thanks to Entangled and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Widowed with a young child, the appointed guardian of the estate comes to visit. After butting heads they fell in love. Was not my normal type of read but i really enjoyed the banter and the storyline of the book. Thank you Entangled for the ARC.

'The Duchess Takes It All' is charming, featuring a well-drawn heroine, a stuffy duke who learns to loosen up, and a romance that ultimately delivers.

While the setup is fun and the chemistry is strong, the pacing lags in the middle, and I did find myself drifting in and out.

The ending does tie everything up nicely, and it's enjoyable, but it's not my favourite of McLean's books.

Thank you @entangled_publishing @michellemcleanbooks @tlcbooktours for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love a good regency romance novel, and Michelle McLean is one of my favorite regency romance authors, as she delivers books with strong female main characters and intriguing plots. I’ enjoyed the witty banter and close proximity in this one!

This book is a delicious mix of wit, passion, and heart. Tamsin Palmer, the newly widowed Duchess of Clevesly, is one of the most refreshing heroines I’ve read in a while—bold, resourceful, and fiercely protective of her young son. Her lower birth makes her an outcast among the ton, but that doesn't stop her from ruling her estate with determination...or from matching wits with the infuriatingly uptight Count of Rauchberg.
Enter Christian August—duty-bound, rigid, and wholly unprepared for a co-guardian like Tamsin. What begins as mutual irritation quickly turns into a game of one-upmanship filled with sharp banter, clever pranks (goats, shirt sabotage, and more!), and an undeniable simmering tension. Their chemistry leaps off the page, evolving from enemies to something far deeper, and far more dangerous to their carefully guarded hearts.
The emotional depth beneath the playful premise was mesmerizing —grief, identity, and the challenge of balancing duty with desire are all explored with care. And the romance was steamy, satisfying, and utterly swoon-worthy. A perfect blend of charm, humor, and slow-burn romance that leaves you smiling long after the last page.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a solid historical romance that just didn't really work for me. It's an interesting look at how little power women had in the 19th century. The heroine Tamsin is a widowed duchess who's not accepted in society because of her nonaristocratic origins, and although she's the young duke's mother, her husband appointed a male co-guardian. That co-guardian, a stuffy German count, has arrived in London and has a lot of ideas about how to raise the toddler, most of which conflict with Tamsin's plans.

The stuffy German count hero didn't work for me, and that meant I never really bought into the romance.

I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Michelle McLean never disappoints! She has become a must-read author for me. She always does a fantastic job creating chemistry and tension between the main
characters. The humor and witty banter are always brilliant. I really love how sassy her female characters are. Overall, this was simply delightful!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

'The Duchess Takes it All' is sweet and a perfectly serviceable romance. Our main character Tamsin, the duchess, has a lot of spark and practicality to her and it's to see her have to pair that with falling in love. I didn't much care for the male lead, he was fine but was hardheaded to the point of stupidity. Still, all told, it was a perfectly enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Duchess Takes it All is a story about Tamsin, a recent widow, and Christian, a German royal who has been sent to help her with her responsibilities as the co-guardian of the now two year old duke. From their first encounter, they frequently butt heads, but it eventually turns to more. Societal standards and royal rules definitely try to get in the way, however.

I enjoyed Tamsin's friends and side venture and would have loved to see more of both. The relationship felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to see more development, but I enjoyed the beginning and ending of this story.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the ARC

The Duchess Takes it All is a fun historical romance. It has a fantastic cast with witty and distinctive characters. I really liked that our FMC had a little son because it made the romance and guardianship that much more heartfelt. The time period was clearly well researched and I appreciated how the author followed the conventions of the time. The characters were fleshed out and I enjoyed the plot and the humor. The romance was great! Enemies to lovers but sweet.

If you like historical romances, Michelle McLean is your girl. I always enjoy her characters and world building.

This story blends playful pranks, sharp banter, and a simmering romance that takes its time to unfold. Christian and Tamsin are refreshing, unconventional characters—he’s a German count navigating English society, and she’s a tradesman’s daughter with no ties to the ton. Their shared outsider status adds depth to their connection and sets the stage for an engaging dynamic.

While the premise is intriguing and the writing strong, the pacing felt sluggish, especially in the first three-quarters of the book. It wasn’t until the final stretch that the plot gained real momentum, leaving me wishing the earlier chapters carried the same energy. If you’re a fan of slow-build romances and unique characters, this might be worth picking up. Just be prepared for a leisurely start.

I was so disappointed by this book. It was very repetitive and boring. The relationship was not really built through the book. One has to believe that proximity is love. I would give it a 2.5*

#netgalley #TheDuchessTakesitAll

Tamsin Palmer, the recently widowed Duchess of Clevesly, seemingly has it all: wealth, a title, a grand estate, and her beloved toddler son. Yet, her life is far from easy. Ostracized by high society for her commoner roots as a jeweler's daughter, she faces an even greater challenge with the arrival of Christian August, the Count of Rauchberg. Tasked with co-guardianship of her son, Christian is determined to impose order upon Tamsin's chaotic life. Their initial clashes quickly turn into a battle of wits as Tamsin employs mischievous pranks to reclaim her autonomy, driving Christian to distraction with her fiery spirit and undeniable charm. As their arguments intensify, so does their longing for each other, culminating in a passionate connection that threatens to unravel their carefully constructed lives. Both Tamsin and Christian grapple with societal expectations and personal sacrifices, navigating a complex web of love, duty, and the longing for freedom. With humor, heart, and a touch of steam, The Duchess Takes It All offers a delightful enemies-to-lovers tale set against a richly woven historical backdrop.

This enchanting story captivates with its blend of humor, passion, and engaging characters. Readers will appreciate Tamsin's spirited determination and Christian's honorable yet exasperated demeanor as they navigate their tumultuous relationship. The witty banter and playful pranks create a delightful tension that keeps the pages turning. Moreover, the exploration of societal constraints intertwined with a heartfelt romance makes for a compelling read. With themes of personal sacrifice and the quest for happiness, this novel is a must-read for romance enthusiasts seeking a fresh and entertaining historical love story. I really loved the German words sprinkled throughout the story (there is a glossary in the back). I was really mad at the historical accuracy of how a woman didn’t outright have custody of her children (AGH!) and the unfairness of it. The story was thought provoking on many different levels. I really liked it and recommend it to fans of historical romance.

DNF. Found the characters and writing style a bit too artificial. Gave it a try. A widowed do good duchess and her husband’s cousin are main characters.

Six months a widow, Tamsin Palmer, the Duchess of Clevesly, must contend with her dead husband's cousin as co-guardian of her son and his holdings. Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, is in England for his cousin's wife and child and to find his own bride. Rebellious against his control of her son and herself, Tamsin isn't afraid to fight back. Christian accepts her pranks with humor and finds her rebellion stimulating. Is it any wonder their attraction is explosive? His commitment to his country as the heir and her determination to never marry again doesn't look like a happy ending. Laugh-out-loud at a desperate duchess and cry for one man's sacrifice.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Duchess Takes It All by Michelle McLean is entertaining and playful, filled with mischievous pranks and adventures, this story is rich with humor and passion that will leave you smiling and cheering along the way. Tamsin Palmer, the widowed Duchess of Clevesly and Christian August, Count of Rauchberg, a German count, counter with amusing banter, torn between family obligations that threaten their connections, and a slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance that is beautifully paced. Tamsin and Christian might seem to have it all, but underneath all that perfection are two very lonely souls struggling to find their footing in life. Not that they’re willing to show anyone, let alone the other, how much they hurt; despite having some very loyal friends.

With a German connection and complicated laws woven throughout, along with clashing wills between a mother and a guardian resulting in numerous amusing episodes, A more major conflict however, is between the couple in love vs. society and governing laws on marriages and treaties. Love finds a way makes for a most satisfying ending.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley # Entangled # TheDuchessTakesItAll