Wrapping up the Regency Vows series with a second chance romance that had been hinted at in previous books was the perfect ending. The characters were fun, quick, witty, and charming. This was the best way to spend a snow day. I hate that the series is over, but look forward to reading anything else Martha Waters may write in the future. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

"To Woo and to Wed" by Martha Waters is a delightful second-chance romance set in the Regency era.

West is such a sweetheart. He added an extra touch of tenderness to the love story that really sweetened the romance. I resonated heavily with Sophie and her complex feelings towards following what she loves while also attempting to ensure that everyone around her is happy. Her conflicting emotions between sacrifice and her own happiness brought depth to her character and the story in general.

The characters in this story are wonderfully crafted, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. West and Sophie's friends were a delight and added so much joy and humor to the story.

While "To Woo and to Wed" adheres to the conventions of the Regency romance genre, Waters infuses it with her unique voice. In multiple scenarios, she touched on more modern sensibilities regarding women and their rights. All of the husbands in the story were extremely respectful and in awe of their wives. The addition of these extra details enhanced the story in a very positive way.

Overall, I would really recommend this story for lovers of the regency romance genre or anyone wishing to explore this genre more.

Rating: 3.5

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Martha Waters for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vibes: second chance, fake dating, gentle pain, and what ifs

Heat Index: 5/10

Years ago, West and Sophie were on the brink of an engagement. But a curricle accident killed West's friend and rendered him insensible with a fever--and when he came back to consciousness, Sophie was married to another man. Now, West has an ultimatum from his father hanging overhead, while a widowed Sophie's sister refuses to get engaged until Sophie has found happiness for herself. The solution? Fake a reunion. At least for now.

When I read Martha Waters's first Regency Vows book, To Have and to Hoax, it was very clear to me that the hero's older brother, West, was the real man of the hour. And I can't resist a second chance romance, especially when the heroine--gasp!--actually sees people between her dead husband and the hero. This was a softer kind of second chance, big on the character focus and less so on the plot. This results in a very talky, quiet book, though it comes with no small amount of humor and wit. I can't say I was bowled over by it, but I know it will more than satisfy Martha Waters's fans, and if you're looking for a gentle book to curl up with during Love Month, I think this will fit the bill.

Quick Takes:

--I have to note... In To Have and to Hoax, it's mentioned that West can't have children as a result of his accident. I was honestly really intrigued by this. What did it mean? Was it the fever, with the doctor telling him it had boiled his balls and rendered him incapable of producing sperm? Was it an injury in the accident? Did he... lose something?

I wasn't against any of these things. I feel like we don't have enough romance novels wherein one or both of the characters experiences real physical sexual dysfunction. And I get why. But, you know--people experience that, and people can still have enjoyable sex. There are workarounds, and I'd kinda like to... see more of that?

However, I wasn't disappointed with the followup, because like... This isn't a spoiler for this novel, as it's like, a known thing pretty much immediately. But West did in fact lie to his dad and tell him he couldn't have kids, simply so that his father would focus on West's younger brother producing an heir and allow West to live mope-ily ever after with no pressure to get married. (Part of the plot impetus here is that West's dad finds out he was full of shit, and is now HEAVILY pressuring West to marry and have kids. Chop chop, your dick works, GET A MOVE ON.)

This did not feel like a cop-out, because it's simply so outlandishly petty and dramatic that it made me like West... so much. He was so angry at life, so pissed at his dad, so heartbroken over Sophie, that he literally faked infertility (and maybe impotence?). What a champ. Truly a "if I can't have her, I don't want anyone" move, but in such a RIDICULOUS way that... Dude. I would. And it contrasts to the rest of his character, which is kind of smooth and gentlemanly and intellectual. Like, this makes him seem a bit WACKY. If anything, I think the book could've used a bit more wackiness.

--Similarly, Waters did some interesting stuff with Sophie. Like, she's introduced in the series having an affair with another (prominent!) guy. She isn't put behind glass because she's West's one true love. Honestly, you don't see enough of that in not only historical romance but romance in general. West and Sophie were on the outs! They had no obligation to each other.

This book also had a discussion about infertility and being childfree that is... not often seen in any romances, again, let alone historicals. That was super refreshing.

--Like I mentioned, this is a very talky book. And it's full of supporting character action from previous heroes and heroines. In some ways, this was cute and fun and I think hardcore fans of the series will love that. However, as someone who liked To Have and to Hoax and (uncharacteristically for me) skipped to this one... It was a little much.

I think there's a fine line between having previous couples as supporting characters--which is often natural and feels right--and feeling like they're propping up the new people, or taking attention away from them. They took up a lot of time that could have been spent on West and Sophie alone, and that felt odd, especially since this was clearly such an anticipated couple that Waters was building to even in the first book (and I love that build, even though I did just read the first book before this one).

--I also was a little dubious on West's father being, once again, such a big conflict-starter in this book when he was just that in the first book. Like, yeah, the heroes are brothers. It makes sense in real life that he would be consistently shitty. But this is a book. We needed more variety.

--West and Sophie do have a very emotional connection. They talk a lot, they get deep. It feels very much like a relationship between two people who know each other on a bone deep level, even if they aren't totally familiar with each other's lives these days.

But... it is very dialogue and conversation heavy. I felt we needed a little more than that. A bit more passion, a bit more--well! Bigness. (That's not shade towards West. He seemed plenty big in all the ways he needed to be.)

--As a heads up, West does use a cane as a result of his accident before and resulting chronic pain and mobility issues. It's not a big thing, but I did appreciate it.

The Sex:

Martha Waters writes a nice, romantic sex scene that is what I would call low-mid-heat. There are a few, and they aren't super explicit, but they're definitely sexy. I'm not mad at 'em, but I do think we could've used a bit more passion between West and Sophie.

While I wasn't quite as invigorated by this book as I think I could have been based on the premise, it was a well-written, romantic read. And like I said--if you're a big fan of Martha Waters, you'll be super into it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To Woo and to Wed the fifth and final book of the Regency Vows series finally delivers the story we’ve all been waiting for! Sophie and West are filled with silent longing and secretly kept love for one another. I enjoyed the fake engagement turned ridiculous scheming that ensued in this steamy second chance romance. As much as I didn’t want this series to end, I am so happy to see these two get their happily ever after, well done Martha Waters.

Thank you to the Atria and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The novel "To Woo and to Wed" follows the life of Lady Sophie Fritzwilliam Bridewell, formerly Wexham, the eldest of five sisters. Sophie has always been responsible for her younger sisters, so she married Lord Bridewell seven years ago, even though she was deeply in love with West, Marquess of Weston.

Although she had feelings for West, Sophie avoided him after a brief encounter following her husband's death. However, a year ago, she became involved in her friend Violet's schemes. Violet pretends to be ill to win back her husband in "To Have and to Hoax," where Violet's husband, James, is West's brother. Now, Sophie's sister Alex is urging her to remarry and find happiness, which leads Sophie to turn to the one person she believes is unattainable — West. She proposes an unusual arrangement: a fake engagement.

"To Woo and to Wed" is the final installment of Martha Waters's Regency Vows series. I have been waiting for this story since reading "To Have and to Hoax." Walters sprinkled the breadcrumbs of this romance throughout the other books, and I am so happy that we are finally getting their story! Unlike other books in this series, this one is more sombre in tone, given the back story to the main characters, Sophie and West. The book has flashback chapters to give readers insight into the couple.

I was overwhelmingly excited to be chosen for an advanced copy of this book, and I cannot wait for a hard copy to complete my collection. Thanks to Martha Waters, NetGalley, and Atria Books for the gifted ARC.

This, the final installment of Waters's Regency Vows series, finally gives readers closure on Sophie and West. Because there is so much backstory and so much tragedy/angst associated with their story, the tone of this one is less farcical than those that came before, but it still gives readers the humor that the series is known for. And there is even a fake engagement! Waters handles the need to explain Sophie and West's history with well-placed flashback chapters that help explain exactly what happened between them over the past seven years to have led them to the current state of affairs. The flashbacks fit well into the overall story and do an excellent job of setting the stage without having to either frontload everything or have the characters explain everything in lengthy exposition. And though their story is definitely the most tragic of the series, it doesn't stay that way. Readers will get the humor, spice, and warm fuzzies from Sophie and West that they have come to expect from Waters, as well as a dose of modern sensibilities. It is also SO refreshing to have a historical romance - or any romance! - where the heroine doesn't really want kids and that hero is also sort of meh about it! Thank you, Martha Waters, for not giving us a "the right man will make you want babies" story!
Though I am sad to see this series end, it ends on a great note. I cannot wait to see what stories Waters tells us next!

Thank you so much to Atria Books and Martha Waters for my eARC copy of this novel via NetGalley.

Sophie (Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell's) history with West (the marquess of Weston) is nothing short of tumultuous. Having been near engagement at the time of West's catastrophic racing accident many years ago, they now find themselves in a fake-engagement that is meant to be advantageous to both parties. Can they look past the clear longing they feel for each other and get through their ruse unscathed?

I am so so sad this series is over! I read my first Regency Vows title (To Marry and to Meddle) over a year ago, not knowing it was a part of a set, so I started from the beginning and gobbled them up within a week. That being said, I was overwhelmingly excited to be chosen for an advanced copy.

I could always feel the tension Waters was building between West and Sophie, so I knew their redemption arc was coming, but I had no idea I would love it as much as I do. There's nothing like a man overcome with years of unrequited love with a woman who secretly has felt the same all along. There was laughter, drama, spice, and so much more in this book. I'd recommend this novel, as well as any of the others in this series to anyone who loves their romance with a touch of comedy and wit thrown in. I feel Waters did a great job of building up Sophie and West's personalities over time, while also still including those of the characters we all know and love from the other stories.

Guarantee that over the years this book, and this series, will be something I pick up over and over again when I'm in the mood for a story that just makes me happy.

Sophie has looked out for her four younger sisters all her life. Her marriage gave them better prospects, and her widowhood has given her freedom. Sophie is appalled to discover her widowed sister Alex won’t marry her new love because she is worried Sophie will be alone. The solution? Sophie needs a fake engagement so Alex will marry. The relationship her sisters will believe would be with West, the man she almost married seven years previously. West has his reasons for agreeing, thwarting his father being foremost. But will they convince their families and friends - or themselves?

This fifth and final in the Regency Vows series is a fun take on the fake-betrothal trope as well as a satisfying wrap up to the series. Flashbacks gradually reveal past encounters between Sophie and Alex. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the sisters and the surprises Waters adds to the plot. Hand this to fans of Virginia Heath’s Wallflowers series and those who like how Mary Balogh twines together the lives of friends. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ArC. All opinions expressed are my own.

In the final book of The Regency Vows series, West and Sophie give us a delightful fake engagement/second chance romance. Years ago West and Sophie were almost engaged until West's disapproving father and a tragic accident put an end to their romance. Now Sophie is a widow and in need of a fake engagement to encourage her sister to move ahead with her own wedding. West seems like the perfect person to help perpetrate the ruse. Filled with all the wonderful characters and couples from the first four books in the series, To Woo and To Wed felt like spending time with friends. West's controlling father was the perfect person to hate in the book as he continued to try to control West's life. Sophie and West have a lovely connection and there interactions with each other are sweet and entertaining.

I loved the entire historical romance series that Martha Waters created and can't wait to see what she writes next.

The highly anticipated end to the Regency Vows series, our last couple Sophie and West's story, and the big explanation of why they had tension with each other throughout the series. From Book 1 we knew about Sophie and West being a previous item, but we did not know their back story. We also knew that Sophie was a widow and had slept with another character before he got married. Lastly, we knew West had a tragic accident that left his leg marred and he walked with a cane. All was revealed in this book and their story left me crying and then joyous at the end. It was such a moving story from both sides, Sophie dealing with being an older sister and West dealing with survivor guilt. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

To Woo and to Wed is the final installment of The Regency Vows series by Martha Waters and if you haven't started this series, I encourage you to check them out. They have great characters and stories that will keep you turning the pages.

This book's main characters are Sophie (Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell) and West (Marquess of Weston) and we have seen bits of them throughout the prior stories but now we get to dive deeper into theirs. Lately, they have been crossing paths more often (due to their friend circle), but it's important to know that they were nearly engaged years ago. But due to West's curricle accident and his father's meddling, things went sideways and Sophie ended up marrying Bridewell.

As the story kicks off, Sophie is now a widow and she is not at all interested in a romance but when her also widowed sister Alexandra mentions her interest in a gentleman, she realizes Alexandra won't move forward with an engagement until Sophie also settles down again. With that in mind, Sophie approaches West with a proposition. Announce an engagement with her and once Alexandra is married, they will break things off. When West agrees to this and decides to take it as an opportunity to win Sophie over, things start to heat up.

I thought this was a great conclusion to the series. In addition to Sophie and West, we get to see the characters of the other books again and I always love seeing how things are going. Sophie goes through some growth in this book and has to determine what she is willing to fight for and she also has to come to terms with the fact that she is not the person solely responsible for making sure her sisters are happy.

If you're looking for a great series to start, grab this one and if you've already read some (or all) of the other books, definitely grab this one as you won't want to miss out on these character's stories. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for new stuff from Waters in the future.

Its so hard to say goodbye!!!!!!!! I fell in love with these characters, since book one, was a little disappointed I missed a book but then its like I didn’t miss anything at all. We get a second chance romance, fake engagement trope, West and Sophie's story and OMG can I love West!!!!!! They both fell in love 7 years ago, and Sophie being the amazing older sister had to protect her sisters first and foremost and I didn’t hate her for it. But 7 years later she gives West a proposition, to yet again help one of her sisters, but little does she know that West had other plans.

I love how we go back and forth between the years they have been apart, leading up to when they finally get together and West is just utter perfection when he wants to get his girl back! The ending?!! EPIC!!!!! How they came together to go against the very person who kept them apart??? Made me so damn proud of West. I was rooting for these two throughout the book I looked pathetic. Lol

Lets not forget Sophie's family, they are so funny, her mom especially, and I cant leave out the chemistry between these two!! . This book was a great ending to the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this novel. I have really enjoyed this series and was so glad to have the opportunity to receive an ARC for the ending. Seeing the love story of Sophie and West and everything they experienced with his father and her choices to try and protect him was lovely. Waters's signature wit was in full force and I adored this. I am so glad everyone was able to receive a happy ending and we got to spend more time with our favorite couples. 4.5 stars.

3.5 stars - I'm so sad this series is ending! But this was a worthy finale, considering we've been waiting for these 2 to get together for the last 4 books. This was a bit too angsty for my tastes (I'm not a huge fan of 2nd chance romance) and I think the flashbacks really undercut the pacing of the story. However, the banter was still bantering, the fake engagement was fun, and I really liked where Sophie & West ended up.

Looking forward to whatever comes next from Martha Waters!

🌻The 5th and final book of the Regency Vows series. I'm sure many have been begging Martha or patiently waiting for West and Sophie's story, and you will be able to read it February 6th!! A perfect love story for Valentine'sDay. This book has all the same characters we have come to know and love. The frustration I felt with Sophie being a bit hard-headed in this book was softened with all the funny banter and friendships. I think this series is better read in order so as not to spoil the previous books.

🌻Read this if you like:
Regency romance
Second chance troupe
Good supporting characters you know well
Witty conversations
Books in a series

A fitting end to a wonderful regency series and Persuasion inspired to boot!!

The Marquess of Weston and Lady Sophie Bridewell have quite the past. First they were almost engaged, then Sophie somehow ended up married to one of his friends shortly after a tragic accident, and now, years later they’ve been seen quite frequently in each other’s company! Can we finally see a happily ever after for these deserving characters??!

We’ve all been waiting for Wes and Sophie’s story and it was a doozy! The story takes its time revealing just how slow the burn of their romance truly was, taking us down little twists and turns of their longing. A truly satisfying finale. A fake engagement, a mysterious past, meddling family and friends…. There’s not a better recipes for a dash of regency romance to last.

What I liked:
-The past revealing itself
-Quick paced dialogue
-Plot Twist

What I didn’t Like:
- too much meddling from the friend group even though it’s West. (My own preference though)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

To Woo and To Wed will hit our shelves February 6,2024!
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars --- usually when the breadcrumbs of two characters have been tastefully sprinkled across the first four books of the series, the long anticipated novel of their romance ends up being a disappointment. I am so happy to say that was NOT the case for our dear Sophie and West, whose tortured interactions have been taunting me throughout the remainder of this series and leaving me dying for the full story.

Seven years ago, Sophie and West had a love match. They were practically engaged and already envisioning their life together, until West's father, the horrid Duke, and a tragic curricle accident intervened. West was stunned when he finally recovered from his accident to learn that not only had Sophie not visited him -- she had taken the month he was incapacitated to marry someone else. Tragically, her husband died four years ago leaving her an available widow, and yet there is a bridge of hurt between them that neither can seem to cross. But that is because he never had the full story for why Sophie did what she did -- until now.

Sophie is the eldest of five daughters and carries all the emotional baggage that comes with caring about her charismatic sisters. All she wants is for them to each be happily married, even if it comes at the cost of her own happiness. So when her widowed sister indicates she would like to remarry but won't do so until her sister is also happily remarried, Sophie launches a faux-engagement with the one person crazy enough to listen to her proposal -- West.

Their group is surprised but elated to see their friends finally admit they still love each other. But of course they can smell a scheme a mile away and will continue to pour on the outrageous hijinxs until Sophie and West admit their engagement is a sham but their feelings aren't. All the while, West realizes this is the perfect opportunity to do what he has been unsuccessfully trying to do since Sophie was widowed -- convince her to marry him.

Sophie's family adds some lovely and vibrant characters to this group that already has a lot of big personalities. I love the way that Martha has kept us in the loop with each of these couples as the series has continued -- not in a way that outshines the main characters but really shows how much this group of friends loves one another. And of course, there is no shortage of antics and plotting and goading involved.

The relationship between Sophie and West was worth the wait -- and I loved how modern and real it felt as they navigated their feelings and their hopes for the future. I love when regency characters break the mold and Sophie and West have certainly done that. I am so sad to see this series go because the books just keep getting better, but it concluded brilliantly and I cannot wait to be the first person in line for whatever project Martha Waters gives us next!!

"To Woo and to Wed: A Novel" by Martha Waters is a delightful and witty exploration of romance and societal expectations set against the backdrop of the Regency era. The book stands out for its engaging storytelling, humorous tone, and the author's adept portrayal of complex characters navigating the intricacies of love and social norms.

One commendable aspect of the novel is Martha Waters's ability to capture the essence of the Regency era with authenticity and charm. The book immerses readers in a world of ballrooms, societal expectations, and clever banter, reminiscent of classic romance novels. The historical setting is vividly portrayed, providing a delightful escape for fans of the genre.

Waters's writing style is both witty and engaging, infusing the narrative with humor and clever dialogue. The characters are well-drawn, each with their own quirks and vulnerabilities, adding depth to the romantic dynamics. The author's exploration of societal expectations and the characters' attempts to navigate love and propriety adds a layer of thematic richness to the story.

However, some readers may find the plot to be formulaic, adhering to familiar tropes of the genre. While the novel embraces the conventions of Regency romance, those seeking a more unconventional narrative may find the storyline predictable.

In conclusion, "To Woo and to Wed" is a charming Regency romance novel that successfully captures the spirit of the era. Martha Waters's engaging storytelling and witty prose make the book an enjoyable read for fans of historical romance. While the plot may follow familiar patterns, the delightful characters and the humorous exploration of societal expectations contribute to the novel's appeal as an entertaining and heartwarming story.

What an epic conclusion to The Regency Vows series!

This love story between Sophie and West was years in the making. He's been besotted with her since the day he met her, only his father had other plans for his love life which didn't include Sophie. The sacrifices each faced shaped them for now, and their moment.

This story had the perfect balance of witty banter and angst for a second-chance romance. The flashbacks to their chance encounters through the years also sets the stage for honest conversations and revelations about love. This group of friends, the romances and hi-jinx will forever hold a place in my heart.

This whole series is worth a re-read!

Thank you, Atria Books

Another amazing book in this series. This gives brigerton vibes. I was recommended this by the top upcoming books through NetGalley. I loved it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley