This series is an absolute comfort to me. Though the plots are slightly predictable and the characters similar to ones we've seen before, it does not stop me from shutting out my world to enter into that of the protagonists'. To Swoon and to Spar is addicting like many romance books; the slow burn keeping the reading hooked. Unlike many romance books, however, I find the series to be quite well-written. Additionally, the Regency setting makes them topical. 4/5 for an easy and relaxing read.

I liked this one, Jane and Penvale were not your typical characters and the storyline was a bit unique. But for me it didn’t have the spark. It seemed to take awhile to get where it was going. Overall a cute story, but just average for me.

This book was so much fun! I could barely put it down. The shenanigans that Jane gets up to are over the top. There is a “haunted house” and an enjoyable enemies to lovers romance. At least on one of their parts. Arranged marriage that turns out to be just what they both need, a story as old as time… kidding! But, it was actually very cute to watch the growth of both of these characters. Two people who didn’t have much use for marriage learning it can be a lot of fun!

I love this series of books….I’ve read them all and look forward to the next chapters… they are light hearted regency romances with wonderfully fun characters and situations and the characters are overlapping in all the books.

This was another fan regency romance that I think will appeal to fans of the genre. It reads a lot like the other Waters' books so if you liked those, you'll likely be a fan of this one as well.

deleting my dating apps bc i want to meet someone the old fashioned way (gaslighting my arranged marriage husband into thinking his abbey is haunted so he'll leave)

This was an odd book, though I did enjoy it. The paving was strange & it often fluctuated in who believed the haunting s were real & who did not. A fun & light historical romance, though!

I enjoyed this- there's a lot of deep emotion in this one. Some of the previous books have been silly, and there's silliness here too. But this one is more sweet, tender, and meaningful. I like Jane, and Penvale is a lot more fleshed out here. It's a solid book and a good read.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review!*

If you enjoy Bridgerton-esque historical romances with a sliver of paranormal activity, this book is for you. Despite the slow pace of the story, I really enjoyed it. I also usually prefer when character development is more in-depth, but the author's writing kept me engaged.

After Vicount Penvale decides to marry Jane in order to regain ownership of the Trethwick Abbey Estate, both of them agree that since their marriage is purely a business transaction, they will carry on with life per usual. Jane, however, decides to “haunt” the estate and try to scare Penvale back to London so she can have the property all to herself. We love an unhinged queen who will do whatever it takes to protect her peace. We’re talking staff members hiding in the stairwells to scream at night, running through the hallways in ghost-like attire, and more.

Over time, Jane and Penvale begin to develop affection for each other, which complicates Jane’s plan and their future together. You’ll have to check out the book to see what happens!

This is a perfect book to pick up for a day at the beach. I’m excited to read the other books in this series. (You don't need to read them in order.)

3.5 stars ⭐️

This was a cute and easy read. Jane and Penvale's interactions were charming and funny. I especially loved the ghost antics throughout the story. To Swoon and to Spar is part of a series of interconnected standalones. I haven't read much of the others but, this one was pretty good.

Overall, this was a fun historical romance but, nothing about it really stood out to me that made it amazing. It was a good book but, not one that stood out to me. The setting sounded hauntingly beautiful (ha get it, haunting) but that might be what stood out to me the most in the story.

Jane was almost too hostile for me to enjoy and Penvale seemed too cold. While the characters weren't bad, I had a harder time connecting to them than I do with characters in other stories.

If you like pranks, spooky atmospheres, and the marriage of convenience trope, then this might be a good book for you to check out.

Happy Reading!
-Bookish Bay

All thoughts and opinions expressed in the above review are my own. Thank you to Martha Waters and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's release date.

Overall, it is a cute story that had its own charm which I genuinely enjoyed, but its not one that I will be revisiting.

I absolutely adore Martha Waters' writing and this series! While To Swoon and to Spar isn't my favorite in the series, it was a fun marriage of convenience romance, complete with a haunted house and plenty of hijinks.

Penvale is trying to buy his childhood estate from his uncle. The only way? Marrying his uncle's ward, Jane, who is as cold as they come. But as the pair investigate the haunted house they now live in, the forced proximity they share can only have one outcome...true love.

This slow burn was so fun! I loved watching Penvale and Jane fall in love. The pair shares so many fun and tender moments. It was sweet seeing how Jane slowly softens throughout the book as she spends time with Penvale. I loved all their interactions, especially the time they spent in the library together.

The audiobook is great, narrated by Anais Inara Chase and Joel Froomkin. However I enjoyed Chase's narration over Froomkin's. Running just over 9 hours, it's a quick listen and I binged it in a day.

Viscount Penvale has made buying back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle his sole purpose in life. When opportunity finally presents itself after years of waiting, the only caveat is that he must marry his uncles ward, Jane Spencer. A marriage of convenience for them both becomes less convenient when it appears as if Trethwich Abbey is haunted.

Another splendid love story from Martha Waters! This was a slow burn love story, and I enjoyed the nods to Jane Eyre (but less questionable in the ending). I really enjoyed Jane as a character and this had LOTS of funny moments.

Thank you Atria Books and #NetGalley for the arc!

This was very fun! I am a fan of this series and I've liked all the books so far, and this one didn't disappoint. I really liked the fake haunted house concept and the begrudging acceptance to friends to lovers arc. Both characters were lonely in their own way, which gave them a lot in common once they opened up to each other. I'm looking forward to the last book in this series because it's been a lot of fun!

Read if you like: marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers
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I am loving this series by Martha Waters. Each book is so fun with loveable characters, witty banter, and a bit of steam!
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Perceval is told he will get his family estate back if he marries his uncle's ward, Jane. They both agree to the scheme, but when they reach the Abbey, it would seem that it is haunted. The two have to investigate the source of the haunting and it was so fun to read them on this adventure. The chemistry between Jane and Perceval was believable and I liked the development of their relationship!

Another great entry in the Regency Vow series. I have enjoyed that each book focuses on a couple in the friend group. Violet and Audley are still my favorite but Penvale and Jane are a close 2nd.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an e-galley of To Swoon and to Spar.

I was thrilled to finally get my hands on Penvale's story, and Waters did not disappoint. I loved this story from start to finish.

Penvale has had a singular goal since he was 10 - buy back his family's estate. Jane has had a sole focus for the last 5 years - not let a man dictate her life. What happens when the two cross paths? Both Jane and Penvale realize the other is a means to an end - Jane to her life of not being controlled by a man, and Penvale, a way to finally purchase back the estate in Cornwall.

Enter a haunted house (or is it?), a relationship that begins to grow, and ultimately, a couple that reconciles their similar but differing goals.

To Swoon and to Spar is everything you would expect by now from a Martha Waters historical: goofy hijinks (heroine attempts to scare hero away from ancestral home by making it seem like it is haunted) underlaid by deep character work that gives you all the feels. I would describe this book as an homage to Northanger Abbey, but instead of Catherine Morland you get Jane, who is prickly and obstinant and so in need of love it makes you want to reach through the pages to give her a hug. It's sunshine and grump at it's finest --a perfect spring/summer read.

To Swoon and to Spar was another very fun historical romance from Martha Waters. In this book we follow Jane and Penvale and their marriage of convenience turns into more? Throw in a cast of nosy friends, a haunted house and social anxiety makes for a fun use of the miscommunication trope! I really enjoyed Jane and Penvale's path to happiness and getting to see all the characters reactions and relationships. I look forward to reading Martha Waters' next book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

This was mixed for me, I've been waiting for Penvale's story for quite a while, and this didn't quite do it for me unfortunately, but was glad to see all the other friends back!