This book is the second in a series and I didn't love the first one so I was a bit wary when picking this one up. One thing I did note when reading the first book is how much I loved Diana as a supporting character and I loved her even more as the main one. She has no interest in following society's expectations of her, except when it's to her own benefit.
I really enjoyed the banter between Diana and Jeremy and found their chemistry to really come through at every page. I also thought it was great that while there were some things that flashed back to the first book, this could really be read as a standalone. This book also really had some great supporting characters with their own side stories that helped to keep the book interesting. One thing I'm not a huge fan of in books is poor communication and while the main characters did struggle with this a little bit, I found that the resolution came quickly enough that it didn't grow frustrating for the reader.

Diana and Jeremy are infamous for their non-stop bickering that has plagued the ton for many years. One of these arguments turns into a wager: If Jeremy is wed within a year, he must pay Diana one hundred pounds. Shortly after, Diana attends an extended party at Jeremy's country home. During this stay, she is shocked when he approaches her with a proposition: a brief affair between the two of them so that Jeremy can have an honest critique of his bedroom skills and the widowed Diana can have the gossip she needs to show other men she is interested in having a lover. Diana has convinced herself that she can accept his proposal and lead him to find a wife so that she can win their wager, but when feelings start to develop between the two, she may not be able to have it all.

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Water is a cute quick read that will leave you wanting to read stories from the supporting characters. Would recommend for those who love The Bridgeton series.

Thank you, Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

Really loved these two - Diana and Jeremy were both fully human in all their frailties. That they both come to understand themselves and each other through the path (meandering though it may) they traveled made for a delicious story. Much better in my opinion than the prior book of this series which was quite tedious in the petty and stubborn action of Audely and Violet. Read this one if you have to choose.

This book was fairly mediocre. I'll give it that the characters felt distinct from each other, with their own "that doesn't really make sense" motivations. It reads like a bawdy Bridgerton without me caring for any of the characters.

I don’t read nearly as much historical romance as I used to, but after only one book, Waters has become a must-read author for me. As I read that aforementioned one book, I had a feeling about the romantic pairing for the next book, and I was pleased to see it come to life in this book.

I love that so many tropes are flipped upside down. Usually, romantic leads are preternaturally good at sex, so it’s a nice change of pace to find one who… isn’t. And it’s even better that he’s willing to admit that he could use some pointers in the love department. Progress is wonderful!

Diana is such a fun heroine. Her “work” with Jeremy is supposed to be strictly a business arrangement, but when she arrives at the house party, she loses the plot almost immediately. Heroines who fall in love after declaring that they will never ever fall in love are among my favorites. I don’t know if that’s a real trope, but if it’s not, it should be.

The characters here are so richly developed, so it’s fun to see them interacting with each other, even when they’re not doing anything particularly interesting. They turn the mundane into something exciting. The banter is so topnotch, and I found myself smiling throughout the book at the insults volleyed back and forth.
I would absolutely recommend To Love and to Loathe. This book functions well as a standalone, but starting with To Have and to Hoax is a solid decision that will make you even more excited about reading this one. I am so thrilled with this new age of historical romances, and I’m already eagerly awaiting Waters’ next book.

I received an ARC of this book from Atria/NetGalley

An UN-romantic romance.

Jeremy was an unrepentant rake, and although Diana was a widow, her sexual experience was such that the was basically a virgin.

The proposal he made to her based on an off-hand comment by a jilted lover was flimsy. And the reasoning she used to accept, to get "experience", or to "get it out of their system" was so not romantic.

Their interactions were not emotional, and mostly contrived from Diana's perspective and steeped in practicality. Until, of course, she got snared I her own trap at the very end.

Diana is meant to be an independent woman in a time when women's worth was measured by their husband's, but she came off way too conniving and unemotional. Until the last like 10% of the book.

There were so many other things the author focused on about the ton society that I was not interested in. I just wanted the romance, which was a sloooow burn.

The end was sweet, but Diana was trying so hard to be a "general" and manipulating others that I just didn't get to feel the swoon factor during the rest of the book. But I'm a sucker for angsty and emotional romance, so that may be why I didn't enjoy this one as much as I was hoping.

I feel like I could call this episode two of a Bridgerton series. This book continues along right after To Have and To Hoax left off. We following Diana and Jeremy as they navigate their often times volatile relationship. There has been a bet between the two and neither one is willing to lose. Throughout the book, we see how their relationship unfolds. One can't help but not root for them both to pull their heads out and see what is right in front of them. I enjoyed the book, but it took me quite a bit to get through. I wasn't completely engaged through the first half of the book. It did pick up at the end, therefore I give it 3.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC.

Enjoyable read for fans of regency rom coms. While I was not a fan of the first book in this series, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I enjoyed the banter between Diana and Jeremy and found their characters to be much more likable. I also enjoyed the timeline and how the start of this book overlapped with part of first book.

I read this before realizing that there was another in the series. It definitely works well as a stand alone. After reading, I purchased the first one.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it entertaining and steamy with big Bridgerton vibes.

I received an e-arc but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My new favorite regency romance author! Waters writes with sparkle - a playfulness that I don't see in all regency romances. Her characters are fully formed, not at all trite, and absolutely hilarious!

Marth Waters has written a very exciting and funny story that will have you laughing until you cry. How can a bet turn one widow and one gentleman into the funny charismatic characters that we long to read more about? Well, I guess you will have to read it also. I couldn’t put this one down and while I prefer mysteries, this one is at the top of my list for rom coms. Note: there are very steamy parts inside that are definitely for a more mature audience. I love the characters and how well developed and easily noticeable they become. I loved this book and give it 4 stars ⭐️ out of 5.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

In the sequel to To Have and To Hoax, Diana and Jeremy make a bet that Jeremy will take a wife in the year or Diana owns him 100 pounds. The bet turns into a deal - they agree to have a no-strings-attached affair. The bickering between Diana and Jeremy alone is worth the read! I’d highly recommend you read this whole series - I can’t wait for the third book!

Thanks to @NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC!

I read this book without reading the first one in the series and it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Diana and Jeremy have known each other for years, and they always seem to drive the other crazy. When they both are looking for something, Jeremy needs help, and Diana is hoping to start up an affair, they come to an agreement. What follows is days of bickering, plotting, and a relationship that blossoms into more.

I was looking forward to reading this one but felt like it was kind of anticlimactic. I enjoyed both Diana and Jeremy's character, but wish that there was more to the story. I like Diana's independence, and how she sticks up for herself and I thought the banter between the two characters was really cute. TI felt like we got to know a little bit about both of them, and their history but not enough and their relationship itself felt a little lackluster.his doesn't mean I won't be interested in reading more by this author, but I was hoping for more from this story.

This was. fun read that gave me major Bridgerton vibes! I'm always a fan of "enemies to lovers" and this was a fun play on that. There were a few moments where the characters did things that were wildly aggravating and seemed to only be done to move plot along and create conflict but otherwise I enjoyed this fun and light read!

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Such a cute and witty story! I enjoyed the playful banter between characters, and how thought out the storyline was. The romance was steamy, but it felt like the perfect mix of everything you’d expect and need in a rom-com.

I wasn't immediately drawn in to this book and found myself forcing to pick it up. I ended up DNF-ing aroudn 25%. I did not realize there was a prequel to this, and that could be part of my issue! I hope to come back.

Finally got around to read #toloveandtoloathe from @netgalley published like 2 months ago 🙊
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Summary: The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy’s country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition.

After his latest mistress unfavorably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party—Jeremy can receive an honest critique.

Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy’s marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they’re focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts.
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Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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My thoughts: it was definitely a fun read but slightly too steamy. I wish it built on their romance more rather than all the bedroom stuff. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton this will be right up your alley! It’s the second book in the series, I never read the first one but I don’t think I needed to to like the characters! Jeremy was fabulous, a very fun read overall. Thank you @atriabooks and @netgalley for the free copy of this lovely!

Parts of this book were cute but parts were kinda boring to me. For me this one was hard to get involved in and I found myself easily distracted. The plot also felt rather predictable to me. I knew that the two main characters would end up together from the beginning. The characters overall were rather unremarkable and felt like tons of other characters I've read from that time period. I did give it three stars because at times the snark and humor did make me laugh.

There’s something about regency novels and me because I have loved them for so long. I’m glad people are finally realizing how great they are and enjoying them. This book was another winner that I bought instantly after I finished it.

***I received an ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for my honest review.***

Calling all Bridgerton fans! If you need something to fill the void after either finishing the series I’m paperback or binge-watching on Netflix, this is the book for you!

Although I loved the characters and the idea of this plot, it did feel a little “done before” hence the 2 star rating. It’s still worth the read, however, if you are suffering from a Bridgerton hangover. I also had not read the first book in this series so it’s possible I didn’t feel as connected to this book as I should have.