This book was absolutely delightful! I loved TO HAVE AND TO HOAX, but I think I loved this one even more. I could easily read 500 pages of Martha Waters banter.

I didn't realize this was the second book in a series and after a couple chapters the characters seemd very familiar. I then headed to Goodreads only to find out I had read book one (and loved it). After solving that little mystery I was able to dive in and I'm happy to report I enjoyed this book as much as the first.

What I loved about this book:

1. These great characters and great plot make this book an absolute must read. I'm a huge fan of Regency romcoms and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Lady Templeton and the Marquess of Willingham were such an enjoyable couple to read about. While it initially seems they can't stand each other (which creates such amazing tension), Jeremy's proposition of a brief fling to ensure he's as good as he thinks in the sack is definitely intriguing to Diana who wants a bit more experience in that department. While they put an expiration date on their filing, neither of them expected to develop feelings. The only problem is neither of them want to admit they're developing feelings.

2. The witty banter in this enemies to lovers romance was one of my favorite parts of this book. Anytime there is an amazing frenemies with benefits situation, sign me up!

3. This book is full of amazing and well developed secondary characters that leave me hopeful for many more installments in this series. I desperately need an Emily/Belfry book, but I'll read anything the author writes next.

After reading both of Waters books, sign me up for anything and everything she writes in the future. Her historical romances are full of witty banter, sizzling sexual tension, and amazing plots that are sure to suck you in. If you haven't read either, I highly encourage to get started ASAP!

What a fun follow-up to To Have and to Hoax. I really enjoy the way the author continues to subvert the classic romance novel tropes. And to throw in an LGBTQ subplot that is also a long game in avoiding the whole marriage mart was so, so delightful. Looking forward to more titles from this author. Hoping for West and Sophie's story next....

Okay, I have read a lot of Regency-era books and romances in the past but it's been a while. Maybe a year or so. This one sounded really fun – enemies to lovers, and based on the cover I expected it to be more of a rom-com than a romance.

Light spoilers ahead.

The premise was solid, but I found the execution a little bland. Widowed Diana seeks out a lover to indicate to other men that she's open for courting, while Jeremy pursues Diana because he had been given feedback about his bedroom skills and needs to work. A perfectly zany premise, but one that went too sappy and serious too fast. I think part of it is that they knew each other because of Jeremy's friendship with Diana's brother, but it just didn't have the pacing or emotional resonance I was looking for in a Regency read.

This book was good. This book was fun. But I’m not entirely sure this book was good fun.

Following a witty widow, Diana, try to navigate the romantic and sexual tension between her and an old friend, Jeremy, seemed like the absolutely perfect plot set up. Their banter was my absolute favorite part of To Love and To Loathe! Seeing the development of their relationship from both character’s point of view was enlightening.

However, I found everything in between the banter a little lacking. The lengthened descriptions left me counting the pages until the action resumed. I wanted more oomph from each of them — the small moments they shared left me craving something more that I never truly got.

I can’t complain too much about this book since I did stay up until 3 a.m. to finish it. I could have put it down had it really dulled me. I kept telling myself I put it down when I felt like they’d hit the plot climax. It unfortunately was only 2 chapters before the end, and thus the resolution was also a little lacking. I’ve realized this is because there was absolutely no other plot besides the fact that these two needed to get together.

This is strictly a romance book, if you do not expect any other substantial plot you may enjoy it immensely.

I loved the witty repartee between the main characters! The chemistry was off the charts for these two! Definitely recommended to any romance reader not just historical romance readers. My only negative was the ending was too rushed fir my taste and some of the ending seemed out of character for me. Please read this amazing book! I’ll definitely be reading more from this wonderful author.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC to review.

This was an incredibly delightful book and I’m glad it was my first foray into historical romance. I loved how spicy the book was despite never having to use any jargon typical to contemporary smut. Diana and Jeremy were hilarious and sympathetic at the same time and their chemistry was off the charts from page one. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this into the wee hours of the night and I think the dialogue has worked its way into my every day speech patterns already.

2020 has been such a wild year that I have been gravitating more and more towards romance books. I don't know what it is but I feel like I need all of the feel good stories that I can get. Thank you to Atria Books and the author for giving me a chance to read To Love and to Loathe. I would like to start off this review by saying that I read this one before reading To Have and to Hoax; although I think reading To Have and to Hoax would enrich the reading experience of To Love and to Loathe, I don't think that reading that one first is absolutely necessary to read the second one, so they can both be read as standalones. In To Love and to Loathe, we have the widowed Diana and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham, who have wagered a bet. If Jeremy doesn't get married within a year, Diana will give up one-hunded pounds. These are characters whose bicker will literally have you laughing out loud. Martha Waters puts her humor and wit in these characters that you can't help but be entertained by them as you are reading the story. I'm not always a fan of historical romances, but I do feel that this one had the perfect mix of both history and romance that allows the reader to be swept up in the world that Waters creates in this novel. I will be posting a feature and review on my IG page @readingmama_reviews a little closer to its pub date!

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

If you’re looking for a Blair&Chuck-like dynamic where you can enjoy the characters without worrying about the objectively terrible things they’ve done, To Love and To Loathe is the perfect book. Recently-widowed Diana always saw marriage as a way to liberate herself from the pressures of the Victorian society. She becomes a viscountess and once her husband dies, she realizes she loves her freedom. So, instead of finding another husband, she vows to never settle down and flirts around. Jeremy, on the other hand, is your regular rake and of course, he is acting like he doesn’t have a heart. There’s a lot of chemistry between the characters and sometimes the plotline gets maybe too contemporary but what’s a better way to escape 2020 than reading a story that takes place in the 1820s? Also, this is to Dorota fans out there: THERE IS A DOROTA IN THIS STORY. Her name is TooGood, and as you can imagine, she is too good. (I struggle with Goodreads’ scoring system so I’ll give it a 4 but this book is 100% a 3.75.)

Excellent Book 2! I enjoyed the characters immensely, mainly because they weren't the most likeable people in the beginning. Their natures were, IMO, more self-serving and unapologetic and it was a lot of fun watching them fall for each other against their wills. What cracked me up was the blunt assessment of the hero's sexual prowess that almost sent him packing with his tail between his legs! A fun read all around.

I'm not typically a historical romance fan but oh my goodness, I LOVED "To Love and to Loathe." The enemies to lovers trope is by far my favorite and the tension between Diana and Jeremy was just delicious and I devoured every single word. It was sweet, sexy, and funny all at the same time and I would highly recommend it to any romance lover and I can't wait to see what else Martha Waters has in store!

⭐️ 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄 ⭐️ @marthabwaters follow up to TO HAVE AND TO HOAX is a similarly fun regency romance romp (how’s that for alliteration?) taking place in the same universe - this time with childhood frenemies Diana and Jeremy. Diana is a young widow finally enjoying the social and financial freedom widowhood allows a woman of title and fortune, and Jeremy is a seemingly feckless eternal bachelor,
resentful of the title (and responsibility) his older brother’s death has afforded him. Diana wants to win her bet that Jeremy will wed within a year, and Jeremy wants Diana to help him get his mojo back after a jilted lover disparaged his bedroom performance. Their “relationship” is supposed to be transactional and nothing more, but what if it becomes something more anyway? I enjoyed TO HAVE AND TO HOAX quite a bit, but I might have liked TO LOVE AND TO LOATHE even more - and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for this advance review copy; all opinions are my own.

Everything I liked about To Have and to Hoax was even stronger in To Love and to Loathe. Sharp banter, dynamic characters, fast-paced and deliciously domestic setting. There's something cozy about Ms. Waters' writing--while she keeps the narrative moving and engages you with the plot, you know you can rest easy in her hands, that happily ever after is coming, with plenty of laughs along the way along with the satisfying journey through both main characters' growth toward their realization of their true-love-feelings.

I'll also say how deeply I appreciated the self-awareness infused in the dialogue--be that about the privilege of heteronormative relationships, the unfairness of patriarchal norms, the despicable misogynist laws that wiped away a woman's autonomy, finances, and independence. Historical romances often gloss over this, and I really valued seeing it included.

19th century England is possibly my favorite time period/setting to read about and I'm so excited that I can add this one to my list of favorites for the year! The setting paired with a hate to love romance made for such a great read for me. I loved the characters and the plot and I honestly just had all the feels after picking this one up. One of my favorite things about the book was the dynamic and chemistry between Diana and Jeremy. They spent so much time just trying to convince themselves they actually hate the each other when the tension and romantic connection between them was so evident.
This book had wit, banter, engaging characters and a historical setting that is always so immersive.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Atria books and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I was excited to get the opportunity to read the next book in this series by Martha Waters. I like to change up my reading habits by dabbling in a bit of historical romance. This story is about Diana and Jeremy. If you read To Have and to Hoax, then you have met them. And don't worry, Violet and Audley make appearances in this as well.

Diana has always felt a burden since her parents died. Her goal was to marry wealthy. Her first season, she had a list of potential suitors and settled on Viscount Templeton. Since he was older, it was a short marriage. 5 years later she is out and about and loving her independence. But there is something about her brother's life long friend, Jeremy Overington, Marquess of Willingham, that riles her up. There is always an undercurrent of attraction but his playboy ways always has Diana dismissing him as a possible suitor,

Jeremy is definitely more than meets the eye. And while he enjoys his dalliances, he's never been one to want to settle down; even if he half joked with Diana during her first season. Now Diana has made him a bet, that she could find him a match and that he will be married within a year. But Jeremy has a side bargain for Diana.

But hijinks ensue during a fortnight party at Jeremy's country estate. So will Diana and Jeremy realize they are a match? Definitely one click to find out.

To Love and to Loathe was remarkably light and fun. Our cast of characters is thus:

Diana, Lady Templeton: widow to her much older husband, pragmatic, sharp wit, and can’t stop bickering with Jeremy
Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham: rake (that’s a manwhore to you historical romance noobs), doing his best to live an easy life with no expectations, and does his best to push Diana’s buttons

Here’s where I was surprised: when Jeremy’s latest mistress criticizes his skills in the bedchamber, he proposes a “frenemies with benefits” situation with Diana. Not your typical historical romance plot. Diana is widowed and has been single since her marriage, but this faux relationship with Jeremy could get the rumor mills going and gain her some naked action, and thus, they agree to a short term, no strings attached relationship.

I am starting to get really bored of the manwhore trope, and yet it didn’t seem to bother me as much in To Love and to Loathe. Likely because we didn’t meet many of his previous ladies, so I could bury my head in the sand about his varied sexual history. Side note: in Regency England, when you are constantly going to house parties with the same people, wouldn’t that just be so uncomfortable? To know your husband or partner has had sex with half the women in the room? ICK.

But I digress.

To Love and to Loathe was funny and lighthearted, without being too emotionally shallow. There were some interesting and deeper themes discussed that were complex. The banter between Diana and Jeremy was definitely smile inducing and the side characters all added to the general feel to the story without overpowering the leads.

I’m hoping for more from this author. Perhaps one starring Emily and Julian, hmmmmm?!?

Diana and Jeremy know each other when both are young. She is on the marriage mart and already knows that her best hope at a bright future is going to be a brilliant match. Therefore, she has little interest in Jeremy who is a fine enough gentleman but he is often drunk and doesn't seem to be building the family coffers.
Five years later, Lady Templeton is now widowed and is a good friend of Jeremy. In fact, they are well-known for making a series of bets with each other. Their latest wager is that Jeremy will be married within a year. It is somewhat hobbled by the fact that Jeremy, though known to have hopped into the beds of most of the married women of the ton, is now doubting his own prowess based on comments from his last mistress... er, lover. While he could have broken it off with her in a better manner (while still in bed with her after making love), he still wonders if she is telling the truth. Jeremy thinks they could have some mutual gain by embarking on an affair. He can find out the truth of his skill in bed and Diana can let other men know that she is accepting lovers. A house party at Jeremy's seems the perfect place to begin an affair and to get Jeremy set up with the perfect woman... Lady Helen.
However, this is a romance so not all goes as expected.
Diana was delightful. She knew (for the most part) what she wanted in life and she went for it. Jeremy was also built out really well and I enjoyed seeing them go from friends to lovers. So much that I might even check out Waters' first book which I didn't think I'd enjoy but I'm curious about the characters.
I really hope that we get a story with Emily and her beau, Julian Belfry.

Four stars
This book come out April 6th
ARC kindly provided by Atria Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Martha Waters’s ‘To Love and to Loathe’ is a bright and witty romantic romp through regency England. Fans of classics like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and/or contemporary historical romances like Waters’s ‘To Have and to Hoax’ or Evie Dunmore’s ‘Bringing Down the Duke’ will be swept up in the witty dialogue and the delightful stubbornness of two protagonists who have an extremely difficult time mining the depths of their feelings.

Diana always knew that she’d need to marry for money. Orphaned as a child and raised on the good graces of her aunt and uncle, she finds her match, only to be widowed shortly thereafter. Jeremy never wanted to be the Marquess of Willingham, but after his brother’s death, the title is thrust upon him. Whenever Diana and Jeremy are in a room together? Sparks fly. Their banter is legendary, and their irritation with each other obvious… but after a marriage wager and an (in)decent proposal, they’ll find there’s a thin line between irritation and affection.

I’m not an immersive reader of historical romances, but I found ‘To Love and to Loathe’ delightful. There’s witty banter, low stakes miscommunication, and hijinks galore. To anyone who is looking for a lighthearted, entertaining read, this just might fit the bill. I appreciated how Waters injects an acknowledgement of the inequities of the day and an empowering depiction of her female characters. I also enjoyed how both protagonists are so similar and thus can see the other for who they truly are. And I loved the way that both the hero and the heroine are kind of smacked in the face with their true feelings.

All told, this will be a novel I will revisit for all of its mischievous antics and its delightful character development. If this story doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what will.


Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for supplying me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I should probably start by saying it's not the book, it's me. I know too much about the period to be able to sink into vaguely regency-ish romances, especially when the banter really isn't witty but all about sex. This was an experiment to dip back into Regency romances after dropping them some years ago.

I think the reader who will enjoy this romance most will be those who want plenty of bedroom action, don't mind (or are new to) the formula, because this is very formulaic, and who don't know anything about the period and won't mind all the errors in language, custom, and historical detail--or who don't care about that stuff.

I enjoyed the female characters, and would love to see something by this author in a modern setting, where the historical errors won't trip up the story.