This was a cute story, but I am starting to think the historical romance genre isn't for me. I didn't like the way the characters talk, which I know fits the time period. I also don't like all the Lady and Lord. It was a cute story if you like this genre, but I think I will pass from now on.

To Love and to Loathe follows widow Diana, Lady Templeton and rake Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham in their journey of life long friends to flirtatious bickering which eventually evolves into a hilarious wager to assist each other in their bedroom skills which we all know what that leads to...

I'm usually not the biggest friend's to love trope person but this book definitely made me want to read more of these two! Author Martha Waters delivered with the bickering and bantering, turned flirtation and absolutely did not disappoint! 

There's also just the right amount of steam in this book where given the plot I almost expected it to be over the top, but it wasn't! The steam level played perfectly into the narrative and was so well done. 

However, my absolute favorite part of this book has to be the ending. It might be one of my favorite endings in a romance novel. I don't want to give too much away, but if you love a cute, swoony ending, this book does it to perfection!

Diana, Lady Templeton is a widow, but she is strong-headed and precocious. She sassy and never apologises for asking what she wants. Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham is charmingly famous for his flirtatious affairs. He is a likeable character one can never say no to *wink wink*. One night at a Regency Era Ball, Diana and Jeremy go head-to-head and make a bet that if Jeremy gets married within a year Diana will have to forfeit a 100 pounds. Later, Jeremy comes to Diana with a rather untraditional proposition. Diana gets furious at first, but she accepts for her own reasons. What happens is this one year is the story.

Would you believe if I say this is my first Historical Romance and I loved it? It was everything one would want in a contemporary romance + extra fittings of London Royals. I am totally swooned. Martha Waters has developed a witty, giddy and feel-good romance novel with Jeremy and Diana. They are friends and enemies, they are frenemies and their relationship turns to love. Some parts may feel progressive, especially Diana, but its a fiction so enjoy it rather than picking on it! Jane Austen with a feminist touch.

After reading this, I realised this is a series, but the characters are different in each book I guess. It didn’t hinder my reading, but I’m definitely getting the first book - To Have and to Hoax.

Thank you Atria Books & Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is an excellent example of the enemies to lovers trope with some twists. There is an abundance of chemistry and sexual tension between the hero and heroine, but there is also a deeper side that is authentic and adds to the romance. 4.5 stars

This was a cute read.
I hadn't read To Have and to Hoax so the beginning was a little difficult to follow with all of the characters. There were references to that book so I'd highly recommend you read it first.

The premise of the story was great, however I didn't feel like there was a the witty banter I was promised. I wanted to laugh and feel the tension between the two, but it was very muted.
I also felt that many scenes dragged on and I skipped a lot of the characters internally babbling.

While the two characters had known each other for 6 years - the insta-love was a little quick. [The fact that they had sex twice and then realized they loved each other was a little quick.

This was just what I needed to help get me out of my reading funk. It was a great mix of regency era with modern romantic ideals. I have been stressed and been having a difficult time getting into a book but I loved this one, it was such a fun read. The characters actually talk to each other instead of letting misunderstandings last for chapters. The verbally spar with each other all the time, which is something I am fond of in romance books. Both Jeremy and Diana were relatable characters and it was a delight to see them finally realize their feelings for each other.

If you are looking for a fun, happy and just a little steamy romance book I highly recommend this one. I now need to track down the first book and read that one as well, once I didn't realize this was the second book in a series. Good thing for me you didn't need to have read the first to enjoy this one.

I loved so much about this book! I loved Diana’s unapologetically strong character. She knows what she wants and goes after it. Even when those wants change, she’s open to making her thoughts and opinions known. I also loved her banter-filled frenemies-to-lovers romance with Jeremy. They clearly fought because they were so much alike, but you could feel the slow burn as they started falling for one another. This was also a fun change from the genre because so many characters fall in insta-love. With these two it felt like more insta-attraction that grew into something more when they truly got to know one another.

Obviously, this is a less traditional historical romance because the perspectives of the characters were decidedly contemporary and progressive, which I was totally fine with. It places this book firmly among similar works by Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas and Tessa Dare, which we could always use more of. Historical romance with a contemporary feminist bent.

I have not read the first in this series, To Have and To Hoax, but it didn’t impact my reading of this book…although I’m definitely planning to go back and read it now. I will definitely be looking for more from Martha Waters going forward.

Sidenote: I prefer this cover art to what was used for To Have and To Hoax. It feels more fun, while the other feels more staid.

This reminded me somewhat of Jane Austen’s Emma mixed with some Evie Dunmore. It was a sort of enemies/friends to lovers trope with some steam mixed in. It was an easy read but I didn’t quite connect with the main character, Diana, too much. In Emma, I felt like Emma meant well with her matchmaking but in this book, Diana seemed to have a more mean spirited approach. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

This book was well written and extremely witty. Unfortunately, it failed to hold my attention through much of the book. The story focused on a romp over a long weekend and though it was certainly steamy and salacious the pace was rather slow. A dialog heavy novel but with likeable and enjoyable characters. Lady Templeton was a wonderfully precocious and strong female lead who I very much enjoyed paired with the self-proclaimed Bachelor, the Marquess of Willingham. For lovers of the regency era romance, I would recommend.

This book offers a delightful experience to readers that can absolutely be categorized as an escapist read! This funny, sparkling, hilarious, sizzling romantic experience is sure to entertain and intrigue your inner romantic cravings! I found myself giggling aloud, entertained by the hilarious twists, and lightheartedness that this book develops. This book is cleverly written and such a perfect read for fans of a plethora of romantic comedy tropes. The plot of enemies to lovers is always entertaining and this book is no exception. Whether you were introduced to these characters in To Have and To Hoax makes no difference. This can absolutely be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone story. I cannot recommend this enough and want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this thoroughly enjoyable reading experience!

What REALLY happened at those fortnight-long house parties of the British nobility in the Georgian era? This seems more like it . . . sneaky acts in corners, late-night bedrooms visits, wagers to make the parties and horseback rides and parlor games more interesting. To Love and to Loathe is Jane Austen at a bachelorette party - all the drama but lots of sexy fun!

To Love and to Loathe is a funny, sparkly, and totally escapist read.

The premise is fresh and clever, the dialogue is sizzling, and there are a few plot twists along the way that I didn't see coming.

I think it would have been nice to read To Have and to Hoax first, but it's also totally enjoyable as a standalone.

Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey. I love forward to reading more by Martha Waters.

This was delightful. I thought it would be a sexy version of Pride & Prejudice, but it had its own charms. I haven’t read To Have and To Hoax, but I look forward to that and other books by Ms. Waters.

I read the first book in this series, so when the publisher sent me this one I figured why not. It was kind of anachronistic and at times boring, but it was pleasant enough and quick reading. I’d give it a shot between reads.

I loved this so much! Simply put: Diana and Jeremy's romance was steamy, well-developed, AND entertaining!

Though this book technically falls under a historical romance header, there's also a contemporary sensibility about it that makes it feel fresh. Fun. Familiar. Hell, even a little risqué. And I cannot get over how well it all works.

Inside, there's a mishmash of period/romcom tropes with a twist. There are situations so ribald I had to clap a hand over my mouth to swallow back my giggles. There's ribbing as well as revelation, expectation as well as surprise. And there's an ensemble of wonderful characters around the main pairing who add to the plot tapestry: like The Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, who is admired and feared almost in equal measure. Like Lady Helen, a desperate husband hunter who may be more than she seems. Like Violet, James, Emily, Penvale, and Belfry, many of whom still have their own stories to tell. (Or so I'm hoping!)

My only complaint is that the story was over too soon. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Waters in the future.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book- it's a romance with two similar people who are dealing with their own pain and connect despite previous misconceptions about each other. It's a great read with a quick pace and believable, fun supporting characters. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something distracting and fun, especially fans of snappy dialogue.

I have to admit, I was unfamiliar with Martha Waters’ previous book, nor had I heard of “To Love and to Loathe”. Upon reading the description, I was not sure what to expect, but had my preconceived thoughts set on a boringly long ‘romp in the hay’ (I’ve always wanted to say that). Imagine my surprise, and happiness to claim, that I was totally wrong about this funny, quirky and entertaining book. Diana and Jeremy are a delightful couple-in-waiting, and their antics are fun, funny and a sheer joy to watch unfold. I will now go back and read Ms. Waters first book and anxiously await her third, if we are lucky enough to receive a third. Thank you for the advanced copy, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A wager on the table is all it takes for this enemies to lovers tale.
Lighthearted, characters well-rounded and plot easy to follow.
It is a follow-up to To Have and To Hoax (which I did not read) , but you can absolutely read this as a stand alone. I was not lost at all.

To Love and to Loath is such a fun read! Diana and Jeremy have such great banter, which, honestly, is what I look for in any romance, and that banter never lets up. And there was even LGBTQ+ rep! In a Regency Era historical romance! Honestly, my only complaint was that I felt there were occasionally too many references to Violet and Audley and the first book in the series, but I suppose that's to be expected since they were right there at the house party as well. Besides that, I found To Love and to Loath to be an absolute delight!