I have enjoyed the other books in Martha Waters' "The Regency Vows" series, so I was excited to see that she has another book out! "To Swoon and to Spar" continues in the same time period and social circle of her previous books, and it was fun to see the beloved characters from previous books. This particular book centers around Viscount Penvale and his new wife, Jane. In order to reclaim his former home, Penvale must also marry the woman who lives in it. But Jane is not as plain or boring as her name might sound. Rather, she's smart, spirited, and striking. While she loves the home, she doesn't love sharing it -- especially with a man! So she and her staff work on convincing Penvale that it's haunted. But what will happen once Jane realizes that she actually is starting to feel some affection for Penvale? And will her plan backfire?

It was so nice to be back in this world of Waters' making, and I enjoyed the fun camaraderie between Penvale and Jane. They had some sweet chemistry and it was enjoyable to "see" them fall for each other. I wish we could have had a little more of a conclusion to the storyline but it was otherwise such a fun book to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Fun and atmospheric in a way that worked within this gothic spoof. I have to say it was a little slow though. Could’ve been even wackier, and that would’ve suited me fine. Still, these characters felt realistic and toned down for a romantic comedy. Often times the characters are extremely high-maintenance. I’ll continue to read this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for allowing me to read the eARC of To Swoon and to Spar in exchange for my honest review.

I found To Swoon and to Spar delightful from the beginning. This is the first book from Martha Waters that i have read and I can see why so many people enjoy her books.

The marriage of convenience trope is one of my favorites when it comes to romance so I was very excited to dive into this world. The banter between Jane and Pervale was delightful and it only got better as the characters began to understand one another. There were several moments during the book where I had a smile on my face while watching the two lovers poke and prod at each other only to end up unable to resist their charms. The haunting of the estate is a quirky plot device that made sense to the story and added depth to Jane's character.

This was a lighthearted, entertaining read that kept me engaged until the very end.

I loved this book—both faux gothic novel and romance all in one. My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard!

To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters

Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle. And so he’s thrilled when his uncle announces that he is ready to sell but with one major caveat—Penvale must marry his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer.

When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds him cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate. There, Jane enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: to stage a haunting so that Penvale will return to London, leaving her to do as she pleases at Trethwick Abbey. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband’s company all that much.

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Thank you NetGalley for an ARC! This is my first book in the Regency Vows series and I loved it! Waters writes amazing banter and I literally AM Jane. All she wants is to read all day in a beautiful castle? Mood.

4⭐️

Martha Waters excels at lighthearted romance with a heaping of (alleged) hauntings in her latest regency novel.

To Swoon and To Spar begins by introducing us to the prospect of a quick union of convenience between Penvale and Jane, two MCs that, on paper, have little in common — except for their shared adoration of Trethwick Abbey, Penvale’s childhood home. And that home is actively haunted by terrifying ghosts — who are really no more than the clever tricks of Jane, a woman stuck in a patriarchal society that doesn’t allow for her to make her own choices, forcing her to take matters into her own hands to create the life she really wants.

To Swoon and to Spar is a quick, easy read. I was drawn in by the premise — who doesn’t love a staged haunting to beat a deeply inequitable system — and I got somewhat invested in the slow-burn between Jane and Penvale.

Full disclosure, a regency romance isn’t my go-to genre of choice — and I didn’t read the predecessors in this series — but still found this enjoyable enough to recommend.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Martha Waters: there's a fake haunting in this book
Me: give it to me immediately.

Each installment in this series brings me literally so much delight, including this one. It's full of Martha's trademark wit, humor, and tenderness - these two characters are so careful and kind to one another once they figure each other out, and it's such a joy to watch them work through what it means to be married to one another. And this book is <i>funny</i>, too. I was cackling the whole time! Martha's voice is so clearly her own, and each book is a more entertaining farce than the last one.

My only wish for this book would be that these two got their acts together a little earlier: Martha writes more slow-burn, low-steam romances, but I wouldn't have minded another kiss or two earlier. Still, I loved this book from start to finish, and I am truly salivating at the thought of FINALLY (finally, finally) seeing West and Sophie get their happy ending.

I've really enjoyed all the books in this series. Martha Waters is a must-read author for me now. I look forward to more of her books and will purchase her books for my library.

An utterly witty and fun story. To Swoon and To Spar, is the perfect book for fans of Bridgerton! With a mysterious haunted house, laugh out laugh banter, and the sweetest romance. Waters does an excellent job, at crafting the perfect read for all year round. I loved every second of it and genuinely could not put it down. Please to say that I am and forever more, a Martha Waters Fan.