Well that was just fun, I haven't giggled that much from a book in quite awhile. Sexy, oh so much banter and barbs, and the conflict wasn't some giant contrived thing. I appreciated the freedom the female characters found and took for themselves and loved we even had an LGBTQ character.

To Have and to Hoax author Martha Waters returns with To Love and to Loathe.

Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham, is the second son who inherited the title at a young age from a brother who died in a foolish carriage race.
Diana, Lady Templeton, is a widow who married an older, titled, moneyed man to escape being a burden to her guardians and is enjoying the freedoms society allows to widows.

Through years of teasing, bantering and needling they have built a wall between them. They both wear masks calculated to keep others at a distance and from asking more from them than they are willing to give.

At a ball, Diana bets Jeremy that he will be married within the year or she will pay him 100 pounds.
Shortly after the wager is made, a former paramour tells Jeremy that he didn’t set her world on fire in the bedroom, so he decides he needs someone to give him an honest critique. He knows Diana will tell him the brutal truth.
Diane thinks his request for a brief liaison will help her win the bet. It will also get the word out that she is open to starting an affair, which is something she has been thinking about for some time.

What better place to start all this but at Jeremy’s annual house party. I love a good house party trope!

All the characters from the last book are at the house party, including Emily and Julian along with my favorite couple West and Sophia. A new character, the Dowager Marchioness, reminds me of Julia Quinn’s Lady Danbury.

Diana and Jeremy enjoy the challenge of besting one another. But their close proximity allows them to let their guards down in intimate moments and they being to really talk, not just banter.

It is interesting that Jeremy realizes that because he is a titled man, he hasn’t had to work that hard to get and keep female attention. He comes to know that he never really tried that hard.

There were times that maybe the scheming and plotting became too much with another house guest, but her backstory was interesting. Something I thought was too diverting actually became interesting.

If you like the intelligent plotting, dimensional characters and the wit of Evie Dunmore and Eloisa James, you will enjoy Martha Waters.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It begins at a ball with eighteen-year-old Diana on the hunt for a rich husband and trading barbs with Jeremy, the Marquess of Willingham, her brother’s friend. She is thoroughly unlikeable and takes joy when she realizes her cutting remarks have hurt him. Jeremy himself is a man-whore, having slept with just about every woman in their social sphere. Forward five years. She’d found the wealthy husband who conveniently expired leaving her money, a town house, and servants to attend her every whim. This was all explained in about a paragraph. Another ball, she reconnects with Jeremy and now a house party. The bet in the plot isn’t very important. Many side characters are brought forth with a short sketch of their backstory for upcoming books I’m sure. I went from two stars to three because by the end insecurities they both suffered were explained to support their face to the world making them somewhat more likable.

I could not get into this book at all. It seemed to be a lot of talking and the plot wasn't moving forward. The characters didnt seem to have that much chemistry and honestly I just found it tedious to read. DNF.

I'd say 4.5 stars, because whilst it's very good, it is not truly great.

Like Waters' previous [book:To Have and to Hoax|52210045], the second in the series is a knowing take on historical romance. Lady Diana Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham, are classic frenemies-to-lovers. Both hide their real selves from the <i>ton</i>--Diana is an accomplished painter aware of how gender limits her options and Jeremy is both honorable and angry despite his devil-may-care attitude and rakehell ways--but they slowly reveal themselves to each other. When they finally fall in love, it seems natural. They belong to the same friend group, knew each other as children and each is the others' favorite sparring partner. In short, they suit.

It's notable that Jeremy and Diana begin an affair because Jeremy is afraid he's not the lover he thought he was. In several frank and funny scenes, Diana confirms that he has much to learn, building toward a believable climax (pun intended).

So much about the book is quite good. Waters is building a world that, while familiar, is just a little bit skewed. Names are indicative of character--Diana's snotty and judgmental ladies maid is Toogood--and the house party setting is familiar, along with games of hide-and-seek and charades. They picnic and kiss in the garden. The attitudes, however, are firmly 21st C. All the women are feminist (and Waters avoids the "you're not like other girls" praise so many romance reading feminists despise), and all are interested in and relatively knowledgeable about sex. The men are the most enlightened Regency rakes ever, recognizing and chafing against the social rules that keep women from being treated as equals. And the friends (both male and female) take care of each other. Even Lady Helen, a potential rival for Jeremy's affections, is kind and clever rather than the harpy she seems, and her courage about love inspires Diana to take her own chances. I enjoyed Waters' winking but affectionate send up of Regency romance tropes.

I liked this book more than [book:To Have and to Hoax|52210045]. It avoids the ridiculous machinations of that plot but retains the humor and modern attitudes (though those who like their Regency to look like Austen's time instead of ours may be disappointed). There is clearly a series on its way--both Emily, a spinster friend and Diana's brother have stories to tell--and I'll be reading them all.

I was in a game of tug- of-war with this book the entire time I read it. At times it was 2-stars, and others I'd think it was winning me back with 4. The problem always came back to the two main characters, Diana and Jeremy, and their rather abysmal chemistry together. Some of that is due to the framing of the rivals to lovers, you are only told in passing the events that cause these constant disagreements and then thrown right into their flitatious exchange without real resolution or even tension to hold onto. As a fan of historical romance novels, the first hill to climb is making me feel the emotions of the room without spoon-feeding them to me. But then you'd switch viewpoints and wind up with some unexpected character observation that was well written and intriguing. However, it was never enough to keep me from crashing back into frustration at the somewhat lost potential.

This book was just okay for me. It is a very slow burn which doesn't really fit the setup of the plot very well. Diana is a widow and Jeremy a rake. They have had sparks since before her marriage, but she needed a husband with money and Jeremy wasn't it. Now they decide to have a brief affair (because Jeremy's had some bad reviews, which... okay) at a houseparty. Of course, they finally admit they're in love and all ends well.
There were some strange elements to this. Jeremy's lack of finesse in the bedroom seemed difficult to write- for internal story reasons because he's a rake and for practical, reader reasons because he has to be good in our scenes, so that was kind of weird. Diana being so fixated on finding a wife for Jeremy was odd.
The characterizations felt a little forced, with problems and insecurities that seemed introduced randomly for character depth rather than organically drawn.
The pacing was strange overall, like it was so drawn out and then wrapped up abruptly.
All that said, the dialogue was funny, the situations were entertaining, it was okay.

This is cure to my bleeding soul and dark, sulking mood! It’s not chicken soup but it’s definitely quite lovely, refreshing, brightening vaccine to rejuvenate me! All we need is now to read this kind of sweet, swoon, smart, entertaining books to energize us, putting genuine smile to our faces, motivating us to get through our moody, grumpy natures ( grumpy already became my first name after surviving through 2020 and I’m counting my days to get rid of that bitch! )

A brief introduction to the story: Widowed Lady Templeton cannot help her nonstop banters with Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham. He always knows how to push her buttons which results with more fiery arguments, throwing meaningful insults, sizzling growing intimacy. Both of their reputations at the stake. They’re already infamous among English high society. Considering they’re living in the 19th century, they have less freedom and live under more pressure of their inner circle!

Jeremy’s grandmother wants him elope in one year but Jeremy already lost his confidence at unfortunate attempt with her mistress who relentlessly criticizes his skills on bed. He needs some practice, actually he needs someone who can be straightforward, telling him the ugly truth about his sexual talent. That should be only Lady Templeton who can be honest to his face!

So he suggests her with offer ( frenemies with benefits kind of valuable one) which could help with both of their love life problems. He offers her no strings attached- very tempting encounter to test his skills. And in return when the gossip wheels start spinning, Lady Templeton could signal the charming gentlemen her openness to take a lover.

It starts like a game they both win till their hearts, souls and minds are at stake!
There are some unexpected twists that truly surprise you and some unnecessary angst boils your blood.

So far I enjoyed both of the characters. Their nonstop, laugh out loud bickering, pant melting chemistry in bed, their intimacy stole my heart. I can honestly say I loved this book more than the first installment and I highly recommend the readers who need urgent recovery from darkening moods. This book checked all the boxes for my ideal historical romance and enjoyable romcom criterions!
So I proudly recommend this book to all die-hard romance fans!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this review copy of this lovely book in exchange my honest opinions. This is cure to my bleeding soul and dark, sulking mood! It’s not chicken soup but it’s definitely quite lovely, refreshing, brightening vaccine to rejuvenate me! All we need is now to read this kind of sweet, swoon, smart, entertaining books to energize us, putting genuine smile to our faces, motivating us to get through our moody, grumpy natures ( grumpy already became my first name after surviving through 2020 and I’m counting my days to get rid of that bitch! )

A brief introduction to the story: Widowed Lady Templeton cannot help her nonstop banters with Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham. He always knows how to push her buttons which results with more fiery arguments, throwing meaningful insults, sizzling growing intimacy. Both of their reputations at the stake. They’re already infamous among English high society. Considering they’re living in the 19th century, they have less freedom and live under more pressure of their inner circle!

Jeremy’s grandmother wants him elope in one year but Jeremy already lost his confidence at unfortunate attempt with her mistress who relentlessly criticizes his skills on bed. He needs some practice, actually he needs someone who can be straightforward, telling him the ugly truth about his sexual talent. That should be only Lady Templeton who can be honest to his face!

So he suggests her with offer ( frenemies with benefits kind of valuable one) which could help with both of their love life problems. He offers her no strings attached- very tempting encounter to test his skills. And in return when the gossip wheels start spinning, Lady Templeton could signal the charming gentlemen her openness to take a lover.

It starts like a game they both win till their hearts, souls and minds are at stake!
There are some unexpected twists that truly surprise you and some unnecessary angst boils your blood.

So far I enjoyed both of the characters. Their nonstop, laugh out loud bickering, pant melting chemistry in bed, their intimacy stole my heart. I can honestly say I loved this book more than the first installment and I highly recommend the readers who need urgent recovery from darkening moods. This book checked all the boxes for my ideal historical romance and enjoyable romcom criterions!
So I proudly recommend this book to all die-hard romance fans!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this review copy of this lovely book in exchange my honest opinions.

Wow! I fell hard for To Love and To Loathe. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. The setting, time period, characters— everything! It was witty, charming, sexy and hilarious. Diana and Jason were wonderful protagonists and their romance was the slow burn I didn’t know I needed. Their chemistry is off the wall. On a side note, I really appreciated being able to hear the leading male’s thoughts. I’m a sucker for alternating perspectives. Confession: I did not read the 1st installment in the series but it i didn’t realize that Loathe was a sequel until afterwards, so now I’m going back for more and reading Hoax! It will cure my book hangover :)

I really didn’t want this one to end. It was perfection.

I don't know about y'all, but between the pandemic and the upcoming U.S. election, I just can't emotionally handle anything other than romance novels that make me feel a bit emo. And lucky for me, Martha Waters' upcoming release To Love and to Loathe is cuuuuute and easily satisfies my never-ending quest for tension-filled enemies-to-lovers stories.

I thoroughly enjoyed Martha Waters' debut novel To Have and to Hoax (such excellent dialogue!), and I feel like To Love and to Loathe really built on that momentum. This novel was crisper and cleaner, and both Diana and Jeremy were such wonderfully complex characters with truly complicated struggles. Their agitation and banter was just so well done, and this book also had a few fun twists I didn't see coming. I've! got! the! feels!

There was touch of slightly absurd messiness with some of the inevitable conflicts towards the end of the book, but overall, this one was a fun ride. I can't wait to see what Martha Waters publishes next. (PLEASE TELL ME THAT IT'S EMILY AND BELFRY, DEAR GOD.)

I couldn't get through the author's previous book, but this one was just what I needed to escape into today! I'd give it 3.5 stars but am rounding up because it's 2020, and would recommend to fans of Lisa Kleypas or Julia Quinn, and anyone who likes fun, banter-y historical romance with appealing protagonists.