Member Reviews
I have to preface this by saying I don't read a lot of historical or regency period books, so I can't say much on the accuracy of the setting. I did learn that a fortnight is actually a two week period of time which was interesting. There was a lot of words I had to look up as I was period language.
I did enjoy the banter between Diana and Jeremy, from their dislike of each other comes a wager for him to marry or lose 100 pounds (money not weight). However, the rake that Jeremy is he is thrown out by his mistress and in her haste she insults his bedroom skills. He decides to get an honest opinion from Diana, by of course getting instructions from her.
I found it interesting the conversation regarding wealthy men with nobility and their lack of attention to others need and wondered if that was really true of the time period.
There was also the business of lady Helen who kept throwing herself at Jeremy in desperation. There is a lot surrounding this and I don't want to give anything away. It was exhausting at times but it worked out well.
Overall, this book was a tad too long, and the shenanigans got to be a little too much. They really just needed to be more honest with each other regarding their feelings, and Diana got a little childish in the end which was annoying. It was a decent read though and if you enjoy historical/Regency romance you may enjoy this even more.
I listened to this audiobook and while the narrators' English accents were pretty heavy, I absolutely loved this story! I love the historical/romcom mash up and this it's such a fun, lighthearted read. The two main characters do prank each other throughout the entire book, and while it might come off as immature, I think as long as you know going in and keep the "light-hearted" perception with this book it's a fun easy read.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the plot kept me engaged throughout. I ended up liking this book so much that I put it in my to-buy list so I can read it again.
So when I requested this book I didnt realize there was another book before this in the series. But since its about differnt people you don't need to read the 1st book to read this one. The original couple is in this book but just side characters.
I've been on a historical romance kick for most of this year so far. It was a cute story. Its a friends/enemies to lovers story. But to me it was kinda odd. You know they weren't really enemies from theb1st chapter just had a thought in there head of what they wanted or thought they deserved from life.
You also knew they were going to be a match. It wasn't my favorite I got bored a little over half way. But I wanted to see how it ended (I knew how it would end just how the author decided to to get there)
There wasn't a lot of will they won't they you just knew and it wasn't anything special. I just didn't like the format of the story.
Its not a bad story just kinda there. I dont feel the need to read book 1 and probably won't feel the need to read more in this series if there's more.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this review copy in exchange my honest opinions
There is really no plot.. at all. I like a good romance but this didn't have much going on for it. Mostly inner monologues with nothing happening.
This one was a bit too much of a slow burn for me personally. Took a long time for me to really get into.
This was a cute one. I like the idea of the story but it fell short for me.
You’ll like this if you enjoy steamy historical fiction.
✨ Book Review ✨
To love and to loathe by Martha Waters
What I liked about this book...
•A it’s a historical rom-com with fancy high-society characters - need I say more?! As a fan of Bridgerton, Pride & Prejudice, etc etc I felt like this was right up my alley!
•Easy reading - this is definitely the kind of book that you can easily jump into and pick up anytime/anywhere.
What I didn’t love...
•It was quite slow moving... I felt like the story unfolded slowly and I was often ready for more to happen!
•I felt that some background into the characters was missing. I liked the characters (loved the strong female lead!) but felt a tad disconnected.
Ultimately this one was good, but not great for me! I had high hopes and it just didn’t quite get there.
So sweet and romantic. On the heels of the successful Bridgerton, this regency era enemies to lovers era fills that void perfectly. It's Christina Lauren meets Jane Austen and so so fun and light and enjoyable.
I loved to Have and to Hoax so I jumped at the chance to read this book and I loved it!
To Love and To Loathe was exactly what I hoped it would be- funny, entertaining, and a great romance. It does not follow the same formula as the last book which makes it all the more enjoyable as something fresh and new.
But don’t worry, you will see some of your favorite characters from the last book. I love the characters and I love the book all the more because of that.
I hope that there are more books in this series so I can read them all!
For those of us that need a little bit of romance to satisfy our Regency cravings, Martha Waters has the perfect cure to indulge and satisfy.
What starts out as a game, then a dare, the widowed Lady Templeton cannot help herself with Jeremy, the Marquess of Willingham, most especially when Jeremy asks for help to save his reputation.
I enjoyed the witty and cheeky banter, flirtations, and their sizzling chemistry. Diana and Jeremy got more than what they bargained for in this wonderful English high society wagers and proposition your hearts will swoon over.
I really enjoyed this one and read well as a stand alone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the dialogue between the two main characters sparkled at all times. I am definitely going to read the first installment in this series.
I was honored to receive a complimentary copy of this in exchange for my honest review.
While this is the second book in the series it stood alone just fine (though I may go back and find book one now) I don't always love regency era romances, but this one was light and easy enough to read and made complete sense in the modern days.
What I liked were the storyline and the setting. While I don't always love Regency-era novels, this one was easy enough to read and still made sense in the current times.
What I didn't love were the characters. I was annoyed by Diana, and as much as I wanted to fall in love with Jeremy there just wasn't anything about him that made me swoon which is a must for me to get immersed in a romance.
Overall it's a good, not great book. Certainly check it out if you're a fan of a fast, historical romance.
🎉 Happy Publication Day 🎉 I loved to Have and to Hoax so I jumped at the chance to read this book and I loved it!
To Love and To Loathe was exactly what I hoped it would be- funny, entertaining, and a great romance. It does not follow the same formula as the last book which makes it all the more enjoyable as something fresh and new.
But don’t worry, you will see some of your favorite characters from the last book. I love the characters and I love the book all the more because of that.
It's official. I am complete and utter trash for any romance set in the 19th century. Set in 1901? Go home, I do not want you.
At 23, Diana is a widow with her older husband's money and freedom. Now that she has that, she has no interest in remarrying, but who is to say she can't meddle in other people's lives? She and Jeremy, her brother's friend and a notoriously commitment-allergic lothario around the Ton, make a wager. Diana will win 100 pounds if Jeremy weds within the year. But Jeremy has a proposal of his own. After receiving less than favourable feedback from his last lover, Jeremy suggests he and Diana carry on an affair to the benefit of them both. She will critic his performance and send him forth with renewed confidence while she will put out the impression that she is looking for a lover of her own. Naturally, nothing quite goes to plan, and what follows is a funny, romantic, and absolutely delightful read.
Jeremy and Diana have some of the best chemistry I've read in quite some time. I don't know why, but I adore reading characters who quarrel each time they interact. They verbally spar and try to wound with each sentence, but there is so much obvious affection between the two that it's instead the sweetest teasing. It's downright funny too. I laughed out loud several times, especially at Diana as she schemes to get Jeremy into the clutches of an all too eager and eligible lady.
I loved every minute of this and couldn't put it down, but I'm rating it four point five. And my only qualm with the book is that, given the premise and the summary, I expected there would be a few more steamy scenes in the bedroom itself. There are a lot of great kissing scenes, but Jeremy apparently doesn't need help with that. The deed itself is done once, and in being told from Jeremy's POV, it felt very lacklustre. Considering Diana is the one who has very little experience, I was very disappointed to not get more from her POV.
I will be the first to admit that romances set in this time period lack diversity in both race and LGBTQIA+ representation. I've seen this book comped to Bridgerton, and I would love for historical romances to go the way the Netflix adaptation went and throw out the white-washed version of history continues to persist. Have that diversity without making a big deal out of it with a South East Asian love interest, a Black viscount and Latinx duchess. This book does get bonus points for having a lesbian story thread.
Needless to say, I've already placed my order for the Waters debut and I can't wait to read it! Also, I'm really hoping there will be a third following Emily because I need more!
I love this book! It was so happy and fun and fizzy. A total delight. I've recommended it to friends and I will probably reread it.
Loved this one!! I enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was so excited to continue following the women in this series! I am newer to Regency romances, but this is one of my top ones I have read! This was super quick to read, and I never wanted this story to end!
I enjoyed this historical romance but wished they would have recognized their love for one another sooner. The end felt a bit rushed.
3.5 STARS
I had fun reading the first three fourths of this book. I kept going back to try to finish. It was hard. I have been extra moody and picky lately. I like the friendships in this book. I like the kind of enemies to lovers. The part I enjoyed was very good.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
This one was SO fun! Totally saw the Shakespearean vibes in this one. Made me laugh but didn’t know it was part of a series. Could probably read this as a stand-alone though.