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.