this checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah. Love me some of this.

When I started reading this book I did not realize it was the third in the series. Honestly, I quite liked it, I've found at times when authors say their novels can be read as stand-alone but are part of the series, you need to have read the ones before to really understand what is going on. And while I believe it might have given a bit more background, I thought the novel did an excellent job of tying the past novels together without making me feel as though I had no idea what was happening in the one I was reading.

Marriage of convenience trope, I think how the author went about creating this scenario was a bit clouded. The whole a sterling reputation is what saved a tarnished one had me questioning it a bit. Especially given how that time period was, I loved the characters. Their banter, at times, had me laughing out loud, or with a smile on my face.

I loved seeing Emily, who was so used to placating and staying in line, doing whatever it was her family needed of her even if she did not want to come out of her shell and become her own. Falling into her own person, growing from someone who held their tongue and opinions to being confident enough to speak them aloud even when it wouldn't fall into what her family wanted. I think she leveled out Julian nicely and made him realize that some things, like family, weren't something to turn a nose to just because they didn't agree with you.

Overall, this was a very cute and easy read. I'd recommend it to friends who are looking for a light-hearted read with a dash of spice.

I'm not sure if I'll read the others in this series but I also can't say I won't.

Love love loved this book! It's my second favorite in the series and Martha Waters is a literal romance genius! No one does historical romance like Martha.

Alas, I'm going to keep this review short. Unfortunately. this one was not for me. I have read the previous two by Martha Waters and was extremely excited for this read, but it left me a bit unfulfilled. I do love seeing and hearing about the previous lovebirds from her other novels and I always enjoy the events they attend. Martha Waters was my introduction to regency romance and since then, I've read a lot more. I think my tastes have just shifted. Bottom line, if you're a recency afficionado, this may not be your favorite, but I still enjoyed reading it.

I’m a big fan of regency era romances and I enjoyed the first two books in this series so I was really looking forward to reading book 3. I’ve liked Emily and Julian from the earlier books so I was happy to see them get their own book. Emily and Julian decide to enter into a marriage of convenience. Julian needs Emily’s golden reputation and Emily needs Julian’s help paying her father’s gambling debts. The banter between them was pure gold, especially on their wedding night when a stray kitten throws a bit of a wrench in their evening plans. I was laughing out loud basically during every scene that featured Cecil Lucifer Beelzebub and Julian. There were so many comedic moments in this book and there were also some very heartwarming moments as well. Julian had a bit of a strained relationship with his father because of the theater he owns. His father never approved. But with Emily’s help, his father comes around to support Julian and it really just hit me in the feels. This book was basically everything I hoped it would be. There were a few slow moments but overall, I loved it and definitely recommend it.
4.5 Stars

The third book in Martha Waters delightful trilogy covers everything from gender issues to family. Lady Emily and Lord Julian enter into a marriage of convenience so she can escape her family's stifling grip and Lord Julian can bring an air of respectable to his theatre. Of course, love ruins everything, along with a spunky kitten and Lady Emily's friends who have already been spotlighted in their own books.

Waters is back at it again with a humorous romance... this time with Emily and Julian. While this is not my absolute favorite book in the series... it took a little bit for me to gain interest in the story, but I still was able to enjoy the elements of the book. Everything goes well when you conspire to marry, right? We'll see. I would recommend this book to those who love historical fiction and/or rom-coms.

I have put off writing this review because of my love of Martha Waters, her writing, and her previous two books. Obviously, I didn't love this book. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just didn't find any chemistry between Emily and Julian. I also found myself not really caring about their relationship at all or what happened in it. The heat in this book is sorely lacking compared to the first two of the series. I think there was maybe one sex scene, which was not what I had expected. The main characters lacked development and both were incredibly boring. It was incredibly painful to get through this book, which was not my experience with the previous two in the series. I so wish I had loved this book, but maybe it was just not for me. That being said, give it a try if you loved her other books, maybe you'll love it!

I know that Martha Waters has expressed that she wrote this book during quarantine and COVID. She expressed that she had a lot of trouble with writing it. I don't love her any less for this book and look forward to more of the series to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the above opinions are my own.

Sweet, cute & historical romance at its finest! To Marry and To Meddle is the cute 3rd installment in the Regency Vows series. This story is about Emily and Julian. A marriage of convenience. She’s withstood scandal and he’s trying to avoid more. Julian and Emily's chemistry was pure magic. It starts off as friends with benefits and their witty banter had me smiling the whole time. Fun banter, silly antics, an overall delightful read!


Thank you to Net Galley and Artria Books for an ARC of the book.

Read if you like: marriage of convenience.
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Emily and Julian decide to wed to help each other out; Emily so she doesn't have to continue to be courted by the man blackmailing her father, and Julian so he can make his theatre more respectable. But as they get to know each other, they worry that their feelings will get in the way of their plans.
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I loved Emily as the main character. She is kind and sweet and learned that her opinions do matter. I also loved how Julian encouraged her to be herself.
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CW: sexual harassment, blackmailing, sexual content.

Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of To Marry and to Meddle! I love all of the books in The Regency Vows series, so I was very excited to read Emily and Julian’s story, and it for sure did not disappoint! To Marry and to Meddle came out on April 5th, so make sure you go grab it today.

To Marry and To Meddle 5/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

The “sweet, sexy, and utterly fun” (Emily Henry, author of The People We Meet on Vacation) Regency Vows series continues with a witty, charming, and joyful novel following a seasoned debutante and a rakish theater owner as they navigate a complicated marriage of convenience.

Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six seasons now and should have long settled into a suitable marriage. However, due to her father’s large debts, her only suitor is the persistent and odious owner of her father’s favorite gambling house. Meanwhile, Lord Julian Belfry, the second son of a marquess, has scandalized society as an actor and owner of a theater—the kind of establishment where men take their mistresses, but not their wives. When their lives intersect at a house party, Lord Julian hatches a plan to benefit them both.

With a marriage of convenience, Emily will use her society connections to promote the theater to a more respectable clientele and Julian will take her out from under the shadows of her father’s unsavory associates. But they soon realize they have very different plans for their marriage—Julian wants Emily to remain a society wife, while Emily discovers an interest in the theater. But when a fleeing actress, murderous kitten, and meddlesome friends enter the fray, Emily and Julian will have to confront the fact that their marriage of convenience comes with rather inconvenient feelings.

With “an arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice that rivals the best of the Regency authors” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another fresh romantic comedy that for fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore.

I loved To Marry and to Meddle so much! It was such a cute and fun read. I had been super excited to read Julian and Emily’s story (because let’s be real, I loved them so much in the earlier books), but I didn’t realize how great this book was going to be until I actually got into it. The whole marriage of convenience thing/making Julian’s theater seem higher class because of Emily and using Julian’s money to pay off Emily’s father’s debts and get her out of the clutches of his debtor was great- it was definitely something that was hinted to in earlier books, but I loved seeing how Martha Waters did it. I loved watching Emily and Julian slowly get to know each other better and slowly fall in love with each other, fighting it each step of the way because they agreed that they wouldn’t. In terms of plot and pacing, I really liked both. I was never bored, nor did I feel as though things were moving too fast. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more by Martha Waters! Make sure y’all go out and pick up To Marry and to Meddle today!

I loved the first two books in the series, which I accidentally read out of order. This might be my favorite of the series. I liked Emily’s character in the other two books, so I’m so happy that she got her own story. She is so sweet and gentle, and I loved seeing her grow into a woman. Julian was also a very enjoyable character. I loved their chemistry and couldn’t put this down.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Much like the first two books in this series, To Merry and to Meddle is a delightful mix of light-hearted humor and romance. Both the innocent (yet surprisingly fiery) Emily and her roguish husband-of-convenience Julian were very likable, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching as their relationship changed from a simple agreement to something far deeper. The funny and entirely entertaining To Merry and to Meddle is the perfect Regency escape where all problems are neatly tied up and solved to everyone's satisfaction by the final chapter.

This book was absolutely delightful! 4/5 murderous kittens.

This is the third book in Martha's Regency Vows series. One of the reasons I really like this series (and also why I think Martha's books get compared to Evie Dunmores' League of Extraordinary Women series) is because we're following the same set of female friends throughout each book, getting to know each one of them one by one, and then revisiting them later on. I read book 2 in the series (Diana's story) and was pleased to hear Lady Emily's story (marriage of convenience trope) in this one.

The book is well written and also very funny. The story was compelling, as were the 2 MCs, and I always appreciate seeing the perspectives of both people in the relationship. Julian definitely gives off Anthony Bridgerton vibes (for all the Julia Quinn fans).

I'm putting book 1 of the Regency Vows series on my TBR and I'll check out book 4 when it comes out in 2023.

Thank you to Atria Books for sending me an ARC of this novel on NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

I used to think of Regency romances as pompous, proper Lords and Ladies walking in gardens and having high tea. But Martha Waters has changed my mind! This series is full of funny, charming, and sassy characters.

In 𝐓𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞, Lord Julian Belfry finds he needs assistance in repairing his relationship with his estranged father. But first, he needs to improve the reputation of the theatre that he owns - the same theatre that was the wedge between him and his father.

Enter Emily Turner; at 23, she is beautiful but has not had one suitor, save for the unsavory Mr. Cartham, who has put Emily’s family in a predicament.
Julian sees that marrying Emily could greatly benefit both of them. Emily agrees; she can’t wait to be out from under her overbearing parents.

I enjoyed this marriage of convenience romance because from the beginning, Julian and Emily liked each; they just weren’t in love. But as you can assume, their relationship develops and grows, and I appreciated how they respected one another. And if they can survive through Cecil (the demon cat), I think they will be fine! The dialogue is playful and even adorable at times. And it was great to have the characters from the previous books make an appearance. Whether you enjoy this period or not, this is just a cute romance.

Thank you to @atriabooks for a gifted ebook.

Lady Emily and Lord Julian have come to an arrangement. He needs a wife to help his theater appear more legitimate in the eyes of society, she needs to escape the strain of living under her parent’s thumb.

So they decided on a quick wedding whilst staying with friends in the country. But when they get back to London, Julian realizes he might not want the perfect wife and Emily might just want to explore her freedom by finding her backbone.

Adorable and charming, this historical romance novel is perfect for our books like Bridgerton book list.

I really enjoyed this installment in The Regency Vows series. Emily and Julian are definitely more of a slower burn. They establish a friendship of sorts before agreeing to a marriage of convenience and they spend a lot of time coming to terms with how they want to live their lives and how to free themselves from the desire to please their parents. Though this story had its moments of steam, it was definitely more on the sweet end of romance. Less of the angst of James and Violet and less of the overwhelming physical attraction and verbal sparring between Diana and Jeremy. Don’t get me wrong there is a good amount of funny quips back and forth. Emily and Julian’s relationship feels more solid to me because they were friends first. Though I liked that the book was quick and short, it almost felt a little too quick. I think it could have been a teensy bit longer with a little bit more cute interactions between them before we got the declarations. But that’s just personal opinion. Overall, it was a really fun romance and I’m excited to read the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed this series from Martha Waters! It is a historical romcom BUT reads super modern and fun! The supporting cast are so good and add so much to the story! I could read sequels as long as Martha wants to right them!

Thank you to Atria Books for providing an eARC for review.

Quick unedited thoughts

I'll rate it 3.5 stars. For me the third book is my least favorite. I see that my fellow Goodreads readers found it to be their most favorite. I enjoyed Emily and Julian's story, but felt the wrap up of what ailed Julian and propelled him to marry Emily wrapped up to quickly and neatly. The scenes that brought back Diana were always the best and Violet too. I realized that they are the reasons why I enjoyed the previous books better. Emily just isn't a strong enough character.

Emily did show growth/independence in the story and Julian found worth. Julian was trying to win the approval of the ton to be seen as valuable in his father's eyes. His prolonged stubbornness kept him apart from his family.

I enjoyed listening to the SCRIBD audio and following along with the ARC from the publisher.

5 stars = Outstanding!

This book was a perfect fit for me - fake-ish relationship (marriage of convenience), sassy and funny, romantic, with characters I really enjoyed. There was enough conflict to move things forward but never so much that I felt stressed while I was reading. This was lovely! I would buy this and re-read it.