(3.5 stars)

As enjoyable as the back-and-forth banter and scathing remarks between Diana and Jeremy were, this book sure took its sweet time getting to the affair that was promised in the synopsis. The wager was funny and added another layer to the plot, particularly Diana's scheming, but it was annoying how much time was spent on this when it was so obvious that Diana and Jeremy would end up together. (It's a romance novel after all...) It was two-thirds of the way through the book before they moved much beyond a kiss, so if you get annoyed with super slow-burn romances, this one might not be for you.

The number of pages that focused on Lady Helen was also a bit much... She ended up being a more complex character than initially portrayed, but I still would have liked more of the focus to be on the relationship between Diana and Jeremy. Thankfully, many of the scenes featuring Diana throwing Lady Helen at Jeremy were really funny!

The supporting characters in this series are wonderful! The little quips from Violet were hilarious, and I often found myself rereading whole scenes that featured her (and James) saying and doing ridiculous things. The dowager marchioness was a welcome addition to the cast as well. She and Diana had some interesting conversations, with the one about appreciating cheekbones being particularly funny. The friendship Diana shares with Violet and Emily was lovely. I'm intrigued to find out more about the romance brewing between Emily and Julian. (Their book has to be next!)

ARC provided through NetGalley and Atria Books! I was so excited to request this one as I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Diana and Jeremy in Waters' first book, To Have and To Hoax. This story follows the two as Diana makes a wager that Jeremy will not marry within the year... while Jeremy also asks Diana to help him critique some skills best suited for marriage. Simmering tension, subtle angst, a lot of sweetness, and mild meddling from the whole Regency Vows cast ensue! I enjoyed how this couple reflected on their shared history and how that not only impacted their banter, but their understanding of one another. Plus, I'm a sucker for the "brother's best friend" trope.

This book also has a some background LGBT representation which I felt was handled interestingly for the period.

This book was just what I needed during such horrendous times. This rom-com book focuses on the two perspectives of Jeremy and Diana, also known as the Marquess of Willingham and Lady Templeton respectively. The pair seem to make the most of trying to get the better of the other, while seemingly ignoring the growing feelings that exist between the two. "To Love and to Loathe" provided a wonderful balance of romance AND comedy, as I found myself laughing frequently. There were some elements of the story that makes me curious about more sequels to come (*cough* I'd love to learn more about Lady Helen, Lady Emily, and Penvale *cough*). Some parts were a little slow for my taste. I could also see the ending from a mile away, but I still greatly enjoyed it.

I received a copy of this book to review for my my honest opinion from NetGalley

To Love and to Loathe was such a cute story! I enjoyed it very much and I can’t wait to see if she writes a third book to follow the other characters.

Diana was not your normal Lady, when she became of age her goal was to marry a man of higher breed and wealthy.

She grew up with an older brother and his friends along with Violet and Emily who was a little younger then the other two girls. Her brother had a friend named Jeremy. Diana and Jeremy were like oil and vinegar.

One night they make a bet of sorts. One hundred pounds if Jeremy marries in one year. Jeremy was a marquess born to high society. He was interested in women, drinks and doing his own thing. Marrying was far from his mind.

A summer party at his house proves to both Diana and Jeremy that the bickering and flirtatious acts were more then just that. I loved this whole story and the characters. Easy light read.

This was an enjoyable title. A reader doesn't have to have read the first in the series to get into this installment. The characters are well drawn and the banter between the characters is enjoyable. I can't wait to read more from the author in this series. I think Lady Emily needs the spotlight next. Patrons should enjoy this one, especially if they enjoyed the first in the series.

The banter between Diana and Jeremy in the beginning hooked me. But then it seemed to drag and I found myself skimming the pages. There is a lot of storyline exploring other characters that while probably needed for future books it felt too much for me. I wanted more Diana and Jeremy. I also felt that for a woman who was nervous about taking a lover after only one perfunctory time with her late husband, Diana proved to be far more knowledgeable than I had thought based on earlier chapters. All in all it was a cute story.

Overall Rating: 4.5 (Rounding up to 5)

The perfect read if you are looking for something after reading Bridgeton! Dare I say...It may be....even better.

Going to into To Love and To Loathe, I was completely unsure what to expect. I did not realize it was a second in the series, nonetheless it did not matter. I was completely consumed from page 1 and read it in two days.

Martha Waters brings you in the world of regency London high society where you get introduced to the young beautiful widowed Lady Diana Templeton and the handsome Jeremy the Marquess of Willingham.

Diana and Jeremy have known each other since childhood, but as they grew to adulthood they increasingly enjoy getting under each other’s skin. Starting with a marriage bet and indecent proposal (and no not of marriage) both of these characters continue their love/hate relationship and bring it to a whole other level.

Needless to say, I loved this book. I have always been a complete sucker for a haters to lovers romance but this was one was even better than most. Both Jeremy & Diana were funny and charming, I loved that it felt like you were reading a modern romance set in the past, it gave it a unique and fun twist.

I absolutely loved this book and can not recommend it enough. So, if your itching for a good regency romance after reading Bridgerton - I would run not walk to get a copy of this!

Thank you to Net Gallery & to Atria Books/ Simon & Schuster for the eARC for an honest review.
To Love and to Loathe will be released April 6th. 2021!

Diana and Jeremy have known each other for ages, as Jeremy is Diana’s older brother’s friend. They razz each other constantly, and when Jeremy semi-seriously proposes to Diana, she laughs and goes on to marry a wealthier (and older) man. A couple years down the line, Diana is a wealthy widow. She makes a bet with Jeremy that he will marry within the next year, or she owes him 100 pounds. Shortly after that, Jeremy makes Diana another proposition—to keep each other… ahem… company at his upcoming house party, in part to soothe his wounded pride after his last mistress disparaged his prowess in the bedroom and also because he’s been just a li’l bit in love with her. Diana thinks this house party would be an opportune moment to try to find Jeremy a bride and also practice her wiley widow ways.

I was just meh about this book. I don’t know if it would have helped for me to have read the first in the series, but I felt like I could follow along pretty well. I enjoyed the frenemy-to-lovers tension between Jeremy and Diana, but I kinda wanted their scenes to be a little spicier. It was cute, but not my favorite historical of late!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the free ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Having not read the first in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A bit slow at times, the connection of enemies (or at least antagonizers) to lovers was touching. The community of characters was well built and grown.

I'm a sucker for a regency romance, and this one hit a lot of good notes -- female friendships, slow burn romance, hate(ish)-to-love, etc. The banter was good (if a little self-congratulatory) and the characters were moderately interesting, but not interesting enough to warrant the near-constant “lost in thought” moments in which they found themselves. Neither Diana nor Jeremy could make it through a conversation without slipping into an internal soliloquy about their backstory or their feelings or their motivations – none of which were that compelling – and it was, in a word, exhausting. I could’ve overlooked this if I’d gotten some of the steam I was led to believe I was getting, but alas, ‘twas not to be.

I LOVED this. I haven't read this author before but coming straight off a Bridgerton obsession and craving anything Regency era, this was exactly what I was looking for. I loved that the main couple had a history, I loved that it all took place within a week or 2 at a house party. What a fun read! I'm really looking forward to going back and picking up the first book in the series.

While I liked this more than the first one in the series, it still took me a while to really get into it and care about the circumstances of the characters. I'd say this author is a good additional purchase for public libraries' collections currently experiencing the "Bridgerton boom!"

THIS BOOK. I had such high expectations from book one, and they were all fullfilled. in fact, this one was better than To Have and to Hoax and I was so happy about it. The chemistry between Jeremy and Diana was there in book one, and IT WAS DONE SO WELL in this book. The beginning scene where they dance together? perfect. the best. I was obsessed.

The relationship between Diana and Jeremy was written so well, with them literally being perfect for each other. the way they got to know each other as well as draw on past experiences and shared memories was done perfectly, allowing us to get an in-depth feel for their relationship. and THEIR BANTER. I live for it.

Another thing that really made this book a five star read for me was how well the author set the scene (I would die to live in Jeremy's house please) and the way she wrote in the characters from book one. In the scenes when all their friends were together I was literally hysterical; especially after seeing violet and audley again.

AND EMILY AND JULIAN. If I dont get their book immediately im going to die. there was so much tension between them and for what. the way im so invested is not even funny. also west. and. sophie. hello. how am i supposed to live in peace not knowing what's going to happen?

all in all, the characters in this series are some of my favorites ever, and I can't wait to see what else is coming!

I really enjoyed to Have and to Hoax, but this one was even better. Possibly because I am eternally a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

Jeremy and Diana had so much chemistry (hidden under poking and teasing at one another) that their interactions were a lot of fun to read. I loved seeing them banter and tease and bait one another mercilessly, while also connecting in private and realizing that there was more to each of them than the carefully crafted lazy personas they showed the world. I found myself laughing over and over again at their ridiculousness.

Lady Helen was truly inspired, and I loved Jeremy's grandmother. All of my favorite regency romances have a sarcastic, matchmaking grandma or great aunt involved, it seems.

One thing I really liked about this book was how even Jeremy and Diana's closest friends sometimes couldn't see beneath their masks, when it was so easy for Jeremy to see the real Diana and vice versa as they continued their liaison.

Also I am greatly looking forward to Lady Emily's book. I assume that will be the next one, (unless it's Sophie and West which would be just as good really) and I can't wait. Really curious about Diana's brother, though. His entire group of friends is pairing up, but so far I haven't seen a whiff of a partner for him. Curious...

*Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for providing an e-arc for review.

Full review runs at Shelf Awareness in their trade newsletter 1 month prior to release and in the reader newsletter around release date.

Summary line: To Love and to Loathe, Martha Waters' second historical romance, is a delightful enemies-to-lovers escape filled with banter and humor perfect for readers looking to laugh and swoon in equal measure.

3.5
Diana and Jeremy. They love to spar with words like they can't stand each other. They make a wager when Jeremy is told of his lackluster skills in the bedroom. But can they compete this wager and not fall for each other? They will be tested as they spend a country party together at Jeremy's estate.

I enjoyed the story and had fun with it but it wasn't at good as the first one to me. I read think Diana was not as fun a heroine as Violet was. I did laugh a few times out loud at this, but again not as much as the first.

I liked that this was a Regency era romance with the feel of a more modern rom com. I loved the banter between these two! I hadn't read the first book, but enjoyed this one on its own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked The Love Proof. The initial romance is very sweet and the science-y parts about time and love were thought provoking.

ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley release date 2/9/2021.

I absolutely loved To Have and to Hoax, so when I saw the sequel I had to request it immediately. Though it focuses on background characters introduced in the first book, Audley and Violet still make appearances throughout this one so you are given a snippet of their happily ever after.
This one focuses on Jeremy, the Marquess of Willingham and Lady Diana Templeton. While they seemingly loathe each other, they decide to strike a deal in which they become lovers for their own different advantages. Of course, once this happens there arises certain complications that they didn’t expect - but everyone else seems unsurprised by.
While I enjoyed this one, for me it lacked a lot of the fun banter and tension that the first book had. It seemed to take forever to get to the point where they finally actually became lovers, and then even longer for them to realize their feelings for each other. And rather than that being fun, it just felt one note and predictable.
Still, it was an enjoyable read, especially for February and as I’ve been on a bit of a regency romance kick.

I didn't read the first in this series but this worked well as a standalone story. It was a great frienemies to lovers, romantic comedy/historical fiction so it covered all of my favorites! The banter back and forth between Jeremy and Diana sometimes gets to be a bit much but for the most part it's entertaining.