It’s taken me a while to get my head around this enough to be able to write this because I really wasn’t sure what to say about this. The premise is sort of fine - as far as the modern historical goes - but some of the execution leaves a lot to be desired and there’s one particular part of the denouement/resolution which really, really annoyed me and I don’t know why the author felt it was ok to do at all and also isn’t properly tied up. Not cool and not great all around.

After reading the first book this month I had to grab the second one and get stuck in.. from start to finish I loved this. I really hope there is a number 3 in the making!

2.5* rounded up to 3*

To Love and To Loathe is the second of the Regency Vows series by Martha Waters, and the first for me by this author. I think this can be read as a standalone, although fans of the first book will be pleased to see the main characters feature here!

Briefly, this story follows Diana, Lady Templeton who is a young widow and her frenemy Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham who make a wager that Jeremy will be married within a year. A few days later, having received some less than stellar feedback, Jeremy suggests a friends with benefits situation. This sounded like it would be great fun and I was really looking forward to reading this!

However, I very much had mixed feelings on this book and ultimately I was left disappointed. Whilst giving off a historical rom-com vibe, I don’t think the book was wholly successful in this and I thought it was trying too hard to be a historical rom-com. The pacing of this book was off and I found it a struggle to get through the first 50/60% of the book at all. It was also a very slow burn, which was surprising considering the plot.

I also didn’t really like Diana at all, which generally isn’t an issue for me to enjoy a book. However, whilst I understood why she was quite mercenary and presented herself as she did, she reveals a side character’s large secret to her friends which was so unnecessary and awful which firmly made me dislike Diana and ultimately have no interest in her story. This really is a shame though, as I liked Jeremy and how his grief and anger were explored.

Although I have been quite critical, this isn’t a bad book and I would certainly try another book by this author. Other than Diana revealing the secret, I did enjoy the latter part of the story and how it flowed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Widowed Diana, the Lady Templeton, finds herself in need of a change, she strikes a wager with Jeremy (Marquess of Willingham) that he'll be married within the year. With Jeremy suggesting something completely different for his side of the deal, a friends-with-benefits situation! Lasting the duration of a house party he is hosting at one of his many estates. Diana really doesn't want to lose the wager, she agrees to the arrangement. Unbeknownst to the two of them, their connection is far stronger than the measly wager that threatens to drive a wedge between them. One for fans of Bridgerton and period dramas.

I simply inhaled this book! Diana and Jeremy had my heart from the start; their sparring, their fears, their chemistry. A brilliant sequel to To Have or to Hoax, Waters has a knack for digging deep with her characters and I’m totally here for it! Looking forward to the next one.

Diana and Jeremy have known each other for a long time and are well known in society for their bickering. They enter into a bet that will either see Jeremey married within the year or £100 richer. With an upcoming house party, Diana will do everything she can to guide Jeremey towards the eligible women at the party.

This book started out well. I liked the writing and the characters. I also liked the plot and the setting. If you liked the Bridgerton series I think you will like this book. The writing style was really enjoyable and there were some humorous moments. I did find that I lost interest in the middle portion of the book and I thought that the story was moving too slowly.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I will be checking out more from the author in the future.

To Love and to Loathe is the second book in a series but reads perfectly fine as a standalone. It's fun, full of heart, makes you laugh and is full of characters that you will become attached to and come to love. If you love regency books this one to read.

To love and loath
By Martha Waters
Pub date April 6 2021

I love this book just a lovely read with beautiful writing.. This is book two in the series. And this book will make you smile. The characters were amazing with great chemistry you love. The book has plenty of humour and fun. The cover so pretty.

BOOK REVIEW: To Love and to Loathe by @marthabwaters

3.5 stars
Smut level: 3.5/5

After reading the first book in this series "To Have and to Hoax", I was looking forward to reading this story as I found the lead characters Diana and Jeremy really interesting! To Love and to Loathe was as much fun as I was expecting!

The storyline follows Diana, a young widow with feminist views and a sharp tongue alongside Jeremy, a young bachelor that has a reputation for having many lovers and on the surface doesn't care for very much. In the first book we find out that Diana put forward a bet that Jeremy would get married within a year, which he accepted. The best thing about this book is the banter between the two characters. It is full of wit and intelligence which had me smiling throughout. Their rivals to lovers storyline is thoroughly entertaining and I loved how their relationship and personalities changed over time.
The story is a lot of fun but like the first book, I found it at times to be filled with some monotonous passages which I would have preferred to be left out. Although I really enjoyed it, I found the story to be lacking in depth and in my opinion what was there wasn't explored enough. The writing was good and I loved getting to know all of the side characters even more as well.
There are a few smutty scenes that were well done and just enough to add a sexy element without being too much for the era.

If you are looking for a fun easy read with some decent smut and nothing heavy, then this is definitely the series for you!

Please note that I was #gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy set in the high society of lords and ladies. The book that is going to take the romance genre and book community by storm this summer. Pride and Prejudice meets 10 things I hate about you and is surely to scratch the itch that Bridgerton has left behind for all historical romance readers.

Walters has created two immediately lovable characters, and delightful side characters, that sweep you off your feet and into high society without noticing. Diana is logical and sharp witted, making her perspective understandable whilst not falling into the raging independent feminist trope that some historical romance authors think their female protagonists must adhere to to not be taken as a drab woman. Jeremy Willingham on the other hand, this devilish rake will have women falling over themselves and soon be amongst romance protagonists that will rival the tight-lipped and emotionally unintelligent of that of Darcy himself.

This is my first time reading a book in this genre and I must admit I have had a wonderful time with it, having read the book in less than 24 hours, I just could not put it down! I will definitely be looking for more from this author as her pacing, humour and littering of racy content has made this book a definite 5 star read! I'm sure that the book community will raving about this book in no time.

This was the second book in the series which starts with to Have and to Hoax. The book does refer to the previous story but it doesn't impact it at all. This means that you don't have to have read the previous book in order to understand what is going on.
Diana and Jeremy have known each other for a while. In fact, since her first season when he offered to marry her in jest. Since then Diana has been married, widowed and grown as a person. Jeremy may have inherited his fortune but he still lacks other skills.
According to his latest mistress, those skills include those in the bedroom so Jeremy turns to Diana to help him rectify that.
During a house party the two come together to ease the simmering chemistry. Meanwhile, the Dowager Marchioness is trying to marry Jeremy off. Something Diana thinks is hilarious and is eager to help with.
This leads to hijinks, mayhem and lots of sarcastic banter.
I enjoyed the relationship between the two leads, they had enough chemistry to be believable without all of the overly effusive young love shenanigans.
While the plot was quite simple it was executed wonderfully and led to a very enjoyable read.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed the first book in the series and now To love and to Loathe is quite a fun game of “catch me if you can” type.
There are so many moments when I laughed out loud at their antics and how they both worked up on the story overall.
I can’t say that I got closed to any of them but it was an enjoyable experience all in all.
I do love a great historical romance and this one has a more unique and unusual plot as the heroine is a widow and therefore the book might not be for everyone’s taste.

Do you love Bridgerton? Do you love a Regency Rom-Com? Then this could be for you. Just superb. This is the second in the series but could be read as a standalone. I will be making sure I read the first, To Have and To Hoax. A light hearted, delightful regency love story which was so much fun. I had the cast of Bridgerton in my head throughout. Full of scheming, bickering and chemistry. Couldn't stop smiling and laughing. Can't wait to read more.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Eternal for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To Love and to Loathe is the second book in The Regency Vows series and is the story of Jeremy and Diana. I was looking forward to reading this because it sounded like a fun and sexy read with plenty of humour and whilst in parts it did offer these, the book as a whole didn't really strike a chord with me and I couldn’t finish it.

The thing that stood out most for me was how unlikeable Diana is as a main character. Whilst I get that the author has made a conscious effort to move away from a classic regency heroine, Diana comes across as immature and self centred with very little thought about the impact of her words and actions on others around her. She lacked emotional depth and her reasons for being the way she is and doing what she does felt flat. Jeremy wasn't unlikeable as a hero but at the same time, he didn't stand out for me either.

I did enjoy some of the banter between the characters and the dialogue is definitely witty and sharp.

I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was really witty, engaging and full of verve.

Diana is widowed and enjoying the freedom this affords in her life, and Jeremy is her brothers friend. These two have a long standing friction, creating wonderfully barbed banter and a delicious frisson between them. There were lots of ups and downs, and will they and won't they moments throughout this story, but I found it to be largely upbeat (with a few serious moments), fun, funny and the characters engaging, entertaining and likeable.

The author has created a lovely world that is historical, but feels modern. Characters that are charming, warm and fiesty. The ensemble characters really added to the story and I hope to read more about those characters in other books.

This is book two in a series, but is a complete stand-alone story, so you wouldn't need to read the first story to enjoy this one, told in dual pov. I highly recommend for readers who enjoy historical romance fiction.

There was nothing wrong with this book, really I just didn't enjoy it. I wasn't overly sold on the book prior to this but thought I'd give it a go as I enjoyed the way it written but I just found this boring and didn't connect with any of the characters.
Again, I like the writing style but, unfortunately, the storyline fell flat. 2 stars.

I'm really enjoying this series of regency comedies from Martha Waters and thankfully there's enough friends and relatives to provide heroes and heroines for several more yet. This book belongs to Diana, best friend of Violet, the last book's protagonist, a happy and wealthy widow and her brother's best friend Jeremy Lord Willingham (British readers have to suspend a certain amount of disbelief with American regencies because heroes are often named after the hapless dads in 1970s sitcoms, as in this case. There are lots of Colins as well, occasionally a Brian, all perfectly good names but not usually considered heroic.).
Diana and her brother were raised as barely tolerated poor relations. Diana, intelligent and sharp witted, is also keenly aware of the low status even the wealthiest and most connected woman has in society and so decides young that she will marry for money and that the most desirable status a woman can have is widowhood. She achieves both her aims and now in her early twenties is a content wealthy widow. She has no intention of giving up her independence but would like the odd lover. The problem is that accomplished flirt that she is, she is very inexperienced sexually due to her late husband's lack of interest in that part of marriage and Diana doesn't like to be at a disadvantage. Enter her old friend and antagonist the Marquess of Willingham, rake and man about town, smarting after his most recent lover dissed his lovemaking skills. He wants a woman to critique him honestly and she wants some experience. And there's that old disturbing awareness between them. Of course they should have a discreet affair.
Jeremy's house party provides the perfect opportunity to spend time together and we are instantly plunged into a comedy of manners including a knowing Dowager, a lot of prying best friends and a suspicious brother. It's a lot of fun, although deeper topics are touched on including consent, women's status and the question of how honest can a woman be when one word from a man can destroy her life. Diana is delighful and if Jeremy's conflict is a little unconvincing his desire to listen and learn is endearing.
Funny and sexy, To Love and to Loathe is an entertaining romp. I look forward to the next.

Martha Waters is back on the scene with To Love and to Loathe, the second installment in her Regency Vows series, and I am really excited to see this book hit shelves.

To Love and to Loathe is a delicious mix of some of my favourite tropes and I was delighted to see how the initial premise of "a bad performance review turns flirtatious frenemies into lovers who wager against each other on the odds of marriage to another" was developed. To hear me tell it, I know I make it sound a bit convoluted… but trust me, it's such fun!

Diana and Jeremy are the protagonists of this story, and having just recently read To Have and to Hoax, the first book in the series, I just knew I was going to love them. They were only secondary characters then, but their personalities just seemed to jump off the page from the first moment we met them. Especially Diana, to whom I related immensely.

The couple's chemistry is undeniable straight away and keeps you on the edge of your seat, expectantly anticipating the moment they will finally give in to their true feelings. However, what I appreciated the most when it came to their storyline was the intimacy between them, how they were able to be vulnerable with each other, and how well the author weaved in those scenes while still maintaining their sharp banter and quick witted bickering.

I would also like to point out how much I enjoyed the social commentary the author was able to include in this story without it ever feeling forced or out of place. Themes of heteronormativity and misogyny were discussed in a way that felt very pertinent and refreshing to see in a historical romance. Another strong point in this book was how communicative the couple was about pleasure, and how they were open to learn from each other.

Overall, I really enjoyed To Love and to Loathe and would recommend it to any fan of historical romance that might be looking for a new, unique voice in the genre.

I would like to thank @headlineeternal and @netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley.co.uk for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

“To Love and to Loathe” by Martha Waters is a lighthearted regency era rom-com.

It’s about Lady Diana Templeton, a young widow, and Jeremy, the Marquess of Willingham, who is her brother’s best friend. The pair have known each other for years, and whenever they meet they are either bickering or flirting. While Diana enjoys her relative freedom within society due to her status as a widow, Jeremy is pressured by everyone around him to find a wife soon so he can sire an heir. This leads them to a wager: Diana bets that Jeremy will marry within a year – and she is prepared to hurry things along by playing matchmaker for him and the rather shrill Lady Helen, who seems very keen.
Meanwhile Jeremy proposes a very different sort of deal. Ever since his latest mistress critiqued his performance in the bedchamber, his confidence has taken a blow, so he suggests that he and Diana have an affair at the upcoming house party at his country estate – with Diana offering a few pointers in regard of his skills. And Diana could use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover.

So, all in all, friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-matchmakers-to-lovers at a country house party with a lot of mutual attraction but an equal amount of pride – what could go wrong?

I liked the set up of this and had an enjoyable time reading it. The banter between the two MCs was funny and I liked their dynamic. I did feel like the book had some lengths though.

[mild spoilers ahead] I didn’t like how Diana betrayed someone’s trust, and while I appreciated the LGBT representation (quite unusual for a historical romance) in general, I felt like that the characters’ reaction to that revelation might have been very open for the Regency era, but treating it as a sort of exotic saucy bit of gossip read a bit weird for a book written now. And I felt like men were often called stupid.

This story is book 2 in the series of standalones and I was able to understand everything perfectly well without having read book 1. But what happened there was mentioned a lot – a bit too often for me, and if I’m correct about what book 3 is going to be about, I feel like this one spoiled a lot of it already.

Overall 3/5

I don’t really know where to begin. I’ve been a romance reader, reader for years and have a king I’ve for regency novels. Unfortunately this just wasn’t for me.

From the moment we start the book we are at a ball, one of the most engaging and energetic settings in a regency romance and I just wasn’t interested for some reason. It felt as if I’d entered the story half way through and just couldn’t get into it.

I persevered for about 40% but in the end I just gave up. I’d be willing to read this author again as I can tell she has skill and is trying to accomplish a funny and stylish book but it just fell flat for me.