I love this book!

Martha Waters' debut novel is a delight! Full of banter, heart, love, and friendship, the first book in the series really sets the stage for the subsequent books.

I think one of the elements required in a second-chance romance is that there is still a deep love that exists between the MCs, a feeling of hope, and a willingness to change elements in the relationship in order to be better partners in the future. This book has all of that, but also add on some best friends for both the FMC and MMC who scheme along with the couple, but also challenges each of them as to why they continue to hold onto the resentment. Everyone around Violet and James wants them to be happy and together.

A great regency romp for rom com lovers!

This was a quick fun read that I really didnt get too invested in. The characters were kind of annoying but the story was quick. i wouldnt recommend this book but it was somewhat cute.

It was Lady Violet Grey’s first Season in London, to be presented to the eligible bachelors to try to find a match. And it was not long at all before Lord Willingham escorted her to a secluded balcony. Violet was not stupid, but she was curious, so she agreed to go with him. They were interrupted by Lord James Audley, who berated Lord Willingham for bringing the respectable young lady so far from the crowd. Lord Willingham left them, and Violet found herself flirting with Lord James. She found it quite charming.

And then her mother interrupted them.

Lord James had no choice but to announce his intention to propose. It was the only way to save the lady’s reputation. Plus, he’d had more fun in the last ten minutes than he had the entire Season. So he married Violet, and their first year together was blissful, as marriage should be. And then they had an argument that led to four years of anger, resentment, and coldness.

In those dark years, Lord James had spent a great deal of time in the country, at the family stables. The stables had been a wedding gift from his father, and James was trying to make them successful. But when he gets bucked off of an angry horse, and one of his buddies writes a letter to Violet back at home, her concern for him is immediate and crushing. She prepares to head to the country house.

However, on her way there, while she is stopped to give the horses a rest, she encounters her husband and his friends as they were headed to London. She notices immediately that he is not in his death bed, as she had been led to believe, and is both greatly relieved and angry at his thoughtlessness. James was apologetic, as he had known that she had gotten a letter about his accident and he had not thought to send another one explaining that his injuries were not as bad as they had first thought. But that was not enough for Violet, who turned around and went back to London.

When James returns home, Violet decides to teach him a lesson by making him think that there is something wrong with her health. James suspects almost immediately that she is deceiving him, but he goes along with it. And as they spend time together, arguing and trying to sort out the truth from the lies, they both have to admit that they are quite enjoying spending time together again.

But James’s horse riding accident and Violet’s fake illness aside, there are still issues in the marriage that have kept them apart for four years. Will sorting out these latest lies help them to face the argument that had divided them all those years ago, or will it be what tears them apart forever?

To Have and To Hoax is a fun romance set in Regency England, with hints of Jane Austen and more than a little bit of screwball comedy. These characters clearly care deeply for each other but they also have a lot of pride and stubbornness, creating challenges to their relationship and many humorous moments.

I listened to To Have and To Hoax on audio book, and the two narrators added fun and texture to the story. Anais Inara Chase read the chapters told from Violet’s perspective, and Joel Froomkin read for Lord James. I especially enjoyed Chase’s performance of Violet, and I thought that they both did a good job in the conversations between James and Violet, no matter which perspective we were getting the conversation from.

I wanted to love this book, but I thought it was a little slow in places. The chemistry between Violet and James just burst off the page (and in my earbuds), but when they were apart, it felt like the scenes slowed down. Their friends and family were just as engaging as characters, so I struggled more to keep reading through those times. But when they were together, everything was electric and I didn’t want to stop listening. So it’s a little uneven, but overall it’s worth the ride.

Egalleys for To Have and To Hoax were provided by Atria Books through NetGalley, with many thanks, but I bought the audio book myself through Audible.

Finally started To Have and to Hoax this fall after having it in my shelf forever. This regency novel begins with two people discovered on a balcony which leads to marriage. Fast forward a few years, James and Violet are no longer on speaking terms. However, after a letter about a horse incident, violet rushes to James side only to discover it wasn’t as bad as expected. It begins a series of games between the couple as they slowly discover they might not hate each other but their love might be worth finally clearing the air about some miscommunications. If you like the regency era I would add this to your list. Now to find time to start the next one in the series considering I currently have 15 books on my shelves from the library borrowed from friends. 🫠

Also, it doesn’t hurt that Martha Waters, the author is a fellow Tar Heel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

Poor miscommunication between the characters. They were so immature. I really struggled to get through this one. Sorry, this just wasn't for me.

I didn't enjoy this story and feel it was lacking in character development. I feel the heroine of the story was lacking and could have been better written and if she were better written the story could have been improved. The plot line was also lacking and could use better development.

This novel has my least favorite plot device: lack of communication. While I loved seeing Violet and James renew their love and address their issues, the games made me want to scream. If you are a fan of Regency romance and the lack of communication trope, this is the perfect book.

Thank you Atria Books for providing an eARC for review.

Quick Thoughts

This book was so much fun. The protagonists banter was hilarious. Violet was no wilting flower. She's more akin to a spitfire. James had childhood issues that complicated his issues with Violet. The side characters moved the book along in the same way. I cant wait to start book two.

I listened to the audio on SCRIBD and read along with my ARC. The narration made the characters come alive. I really enjoyed the voice of the friend that's a cad. He beds women who are widowed and who are in loveless marriages.

This was a delightful story. The romance and steamy scenes were incredibly well written, in fact, the entire book was very well written! I adored the writing style and I'm eager to check out more by this author because of it.

I loved this hilarious read. Lady Violet Grey and her husband Lord James Audrey fell in love and got married in a whirlwind romance. Five years later, they barely speak because of “the Argument”. ⁣ When Lady Grey receives a letter that says her husband is unconscious after being thrown from a horse, she rushes to his side only to find him awake and drinking in a tavern. She decides to teach him a lesson. ⁣
⁣
The story is a quick-moving battle of wills that will have you simultaneously rooting for them and wanting to smack some sense into them. ⁣It’s perfect for fans of Jane Austen.

This book was an absolute delight. Serving up major Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton vibes, To Have and To Hoax is a loveable story about a married couple in early 1800s England who need to find their way back to one another after a major rift in their relationship four years ago. I appreciate that this book treated self-awareness, humility, and honesty as the keystones to a healthy marriage, and even walked us through the couple coming to new terms with those characteristics. I'll be thinking about this book for a while.

A fresh, fun, and a delightfully over the top take on the marriage in trouble trope. In To Have and To Hoax, Martha Waters adeptly navigates how relationships can go awry due to miscommunication and injects that foundational historical romance trope with madcap humor and delightfully ridiculous behaviors -- there's a perfect balance of heart and humor here, as even the admittedly petty pranks Violet and James play on each other never stray that far from the root of love they share. Delightful!

A smart, funny Regency romance. The sparring between James and Violet is entertaining and leads up to a satisfying conclusion. This will appeal to readers of historical romance and particularly to Bridgerton fans.

I will not be giving feedback on this book. I started it, and was not in the right mindset for reading it. When/if I do pick it up again, I will definitely leave a thoughtful review.

I was not able to get interested in this book and I did not finish it. The characters and the plot were not able to catch or keep my attention

I love a great regency romance and I was really looking forward to this one but it fell a little flat. I'm all for some miscommunication especially in a romance but the way these two couldn't get past their own issues and just talk drove me bonkers.

After reading such serious historical fiction as The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I was excited to receive a complimentary ARC of To Have and to Hoax, which was positioned as more of a comedic, romantic historical fiction story.

Unfortunately, despite my best efforts in reading the e-copy and listening further to an audiobook copy, I just couldn't fall in love with this story or its characters.

Two royal-types rushed into love, became bitter, estranged lovers and continue to try to burn each other while remembering (frankly shallow) reasons why they had originally loved (lusted over) each other in the first place.

My first DNF of the year.

This book was fun, witty and very entertaining. It was easy to read and I loved the characters. I think it’s safe to say that any Jane Austen-inspired regency romance is a hit in my books!

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters was fun, witty, and full of banter. I had a blast reading this story. The characters were adorable with irresistible chemistry. I loved the beginning when they first met. You could just feel their attraction, and that feeling never waned even through all their shenanigans. Each supporting characters had significant roles to play.. literally... even if they really didn't want to be a part of it. The game playing may have gone on a bit long. I wanted to yell at both Violet and James to talk it out, but I don't even care. It was so much fun. This book was just what I needed!

Fun and charming and organically amusing. A promising debut and an engaging romance with a fresh premise.

A genuinely good time. The extended “I know they know but s/he doesn’t know I know” conflict did wear a bit thin by the end but it was entertaining and often funny. A fun and fast read. ★★★★