Thank you NetGalley for a free e-copy of To Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters in exchange for an honest review.

This historical rom com was fun and light, and an easy, quick read. I enjoyed the banter between Diana and Jeremy; they had great chemistry. I’m not usually a big fan of the enemies to lovers trope, but it felt believable between these two. That said, I wish there was more to the plot. I loved the first 25% and the last 25%, but I often felt a little underwhelmed in between.

I would still give this author another try, as I really liked the writing and humor.

Loved this quick wit and romance of the second book in the Regency Vows series. Definitely no sophomore slump in this one. Diana and Jeremy are great characters who are too stubborn to follow their hearts until they really have no control anymore.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I've haven't read this author, but the book blurb made this book sound like a fun HR. It's been a while since I tried a new author. I would describe this book as a historical rom-com story set primarily at a two week house party hosted by the Hero. I personally did not like this book as much as I was hoping I would. It was entertaining enough and I can see shades of Jane Austin in the witty banter between the Hero and the Heroine. The whole plot hinges on how these two, neither of whom want to fall in love, fall in love.

Diana, Lady Templeton, is a 23 year old widow and loves the freedom that state affords her. She selected her husband at 18 based on several requirements and love wasn't one of them. She was fortunate that he died after only two years of marriage. His money has allowed her to live as she choses.

Jeremy, Marquees of Willingham, is the second son who wasn't supposed to inherit. His parents had a typical ton marriage and he has no desire for any of that. He has known Diana since she was a child and they have matched wits in an ongoing, sharp-tongued, bantering flirtation for years.

A wager is made by Diana that Jeremy will wed within one year. Jeremy has a different proposition for Diana and since neither likes to lose, the game will be played out at a house party at Elderwild, Jeremy's country estate. With one hundred pounds on the line, as well as bragging rights, may the best man or woman win.

The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham have been at each others' throats since Jeremy's school days. But beneath their ceaseless banter, something more is brewing.

Diana is keen to let the ton know that she's done with her obligatory mourning and ready for an affair, and Jeremy receives some less-than-complimentary reviews of his bedroom skills. They find the perfect solution in agreeing to conduct a brief fling to send the message that Diana is on the market, and to rehabilitate Jeremy's reputation as a Casanova. What they don't see coming, of course, is accidentally falling in love amid the antics of a country house party and under the eye of Jeremy's scheming grandmother.

Martha Waters is at her finest in delivering two flawed but loveable characters, and she will have you rooting for them all the way. She surrounds them with a cast of friends and foes that are authentic but oh so recognizable in modern relationships. Exactly the kind of steamy fun I was hoping for!

My biggest issue with this book (besides the slow plot) was an LGBTQ+ character having to out themselves to the main character because she wouldn't shut up and then the same main character goes around telling all her friends. What the hell. I loved that there was representation and all the characters were accepting of them but still, what gives you the right to go around telling people when they are not out publicly!? I was furious and it took away from my enjoyment of the book itself.

This book is adorable and was such a delight to read. This past year has been hard for all and reading a story with romance, humor, dynamic characters, and a storyline that flew by. The banter between Diana and Jeremy was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Martha Waters writing style is one of my favorites when it comes to a romance story. You know you will get your happy ending and the journey there is such a fun time and you love every minute of it. The story is both character and plot driven and neither get boring or drag on, I was engaged throughout the entire book.

Not only are the characters, romance, and story great, there is such much awareness throughout the story. Typically historical/regency romances will stick to the norms of this time and not point out how wrong the patriarchal systems of those times were but this points them out and discusses them.

This was such a fun read, even without reading the first book in the series. Which I will definitely be picking up soon!

I thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series a year ago. In fact, the first book was a birthday gift to myself and I had a blast reading it. I would argue the second in this series is even better. It improves in almost all areas to make an all-around, lovely historical romance that brought a smile more than once. I just finished reading it and I already miss it!

The first, To Have and To Hoax, was fun but definitely had a few flaws. Pacing was a bit of a struggle in the first one. Situations would just drag on for a bit too long. Pacing is not an issue here! I might argue that a bit of the humor is lost (but just a bit!) in this one, but the pacing is perfect and the characters (such a strength in the first) are just as wonderful here.

This works well as a standalone novel too. You do not need to read the first to understand the second. In fact, it might be fun to start here as this novel is the stronger of the two. The romance is lovely and the characters are fun. The writing of Martha Waters is so tongue-in-cheek that you cannot help but be amused.

This title was just released and if you are looking for some binge reads, pick up both of these novels! I don't think you will regret it.

Many thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review. I honestly loved this!

Brief Synopsis: Widowed Diana and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are known for their quick-witted banter at the gatherings of English high society. After years of bickering and bantering, they find themselves proposing a wager: Jeremy will receive an honest critique of his bedroom performance and Diana can gossip to signal to other men she’s interested in taking a lover.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this Regency-era romance. This romance is fairly light, with an emphasis on the witty banter between Diana and Jeremy, which serves as the foundation for the shift of their relationship from bickering and humorous to romantic and real. The conversations around sex and female pleasure were insightful and ensured their sexual romps were enjoyable for both parties. Diana can be self-serving but equally self-sabotaging and Jeremy’s feelings of inferiority around his expectations for himself are debilitating and preventative of him forging his own path. Waters, however, redeems both characters in a way that feels authentic – she allows each character to reckon with their individual hindrances while also embracing their shortcomings and moving through them together.

My major qualm with this book, which knocked it down a star, was when a character confided something in Diana and asked Diana not to tell anyone. Diana went and told the consequential information to other women and Jeremy. It felt pretty grimy and left me annoyed with Diana.

Highly recommend this book for fans of Bridgerton and The Heiress Gets A Duke.

This is an entertaining historical romance with an enemies to lovers trope. It's a fun setting and touches on a lot of problems at the time (marriage as a business transaction, power imbalance between the sexes, inheritance laws, etc). If you're a romance reader, it's a great way to break into the regency/historical time period but still have it be contemporary feeling and an accessible read.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the electronic advanced readers copy.

The premise of this book was fun but I felt that there just wasn't enough plot to sustain it. The banter was almost too much and there was a lot of inner monologue and not nearly enough actual dialogue. I found myself skimming a lot.

To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters is book 2 of the Regency Vows series, and just like book 1 (To Have and to Hoax), I simply adored it! It is full of snark, humor, romance, and just enough steam to get you going. I usually don't read historical romance, but this is a series I love coming back to, and I really liked the way Waters brought back characters we have already had the pleasure of meeting in the first book. I am such a huge fan of the way this author writes, and even though I tend to read this series slower than I normally read, I still love every minute of it. I snickered and laughed out loud more times than I can count, and I loved our lead characters, Diana and Jeremy. The book is told from both of their perspectives and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I do want to say a quick word about the audiobook since I decided to check that out for the last part of the book. Anais Inara Chase & Joel Froomkin narrate it and I thought it was so fantastically done. They were the perfect narrators for Diana and Jeremy and even though I always love when there is more than one narrator, I especially loved it for To Love and to Loathe. I think the audio is a great option if you like listening to books, and I can tell you that you definitely won't be disappointed by Chase and Froomkin. This is such a refreshing series and I always love the banter between all of the characters. Diana is one of my favorites by far, and I was so happy to get her story through this book. If you like romcoms in any form, I highly recommend both of the books in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Martha Waters is one of the most talented writers of the last 10 years. Her writing is endearing but also whippersnapper-smart and hilarious- that’s not a common combination. I’ve got to admit, there are few historical romances that have made me laugh out loud, but she manages it several times here. Her banter is absolutely the cream of the crop, and other authors should be taking notes.

I must say, I appreciate that Waters has taken a modern approach to historical romance. If you loved Bridgerton and furiously read all of the Bridgerton novels while waiting for news of a second season, you might have enjoyed them but felt that some plot lines/ characters/ episodes felt a little jarring. Well, Waters certainly handles things with thought and care, including looking at heteronormative biases and the double standards that women faced at the time. It isn’t preachy in any way, but the book lands for me because of her awareness.

If you are a fan of Bridgerton, historical romance, or simply enjoyable books, you need to pick up To Love and To Loathe immediately! (While it is the second in the series, I would say you could read it without having read the first. However, go back and read To Have and To Hoax…)

I love a good enemies to lovers story. Diana and Jeremy were always bantering and at odds over pretty much everything. When he propositions her with what he believes will be a mutually beneficial arrangement for them both, Diana can't help but agree with him.

We originally met these two characters in To Have and to Hoax. They are good friends with Violet and James. In that book, you see them frequently sparring with one another. In this book, we actually get some of their history before that time. We learn who they were as children and young adults. We understand more about Diana in her first season and Jeremy when he had to assume his brother's responsibilities after his death. You also get the sense that there may have always been a simmering attraction bubbling under the surface between these two.

Even though there were a few times where the storyline felt like it was somewhat dragging for me, I still found it quite enjoyable. I truly hope Ms. Waters will give us several more books in this series. I'd love to read Emily's story and also that of West and Sophia.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I am so glad that I actually enjoyed reading To Love and to Loathe. I am usually picky about historical romance books that I often don't like a lot of. Diana and Jeremy have always bickered with each other that makes you wonder when you're going to admit your feelings for each other. But you know that it's never simple when you have become friends/enemies for so long, it's harder to admit your feelings especially when it comes about the heart. Good thing, life throws you a curveball anywhere you go especially in Diana and Jeremy's case. And you are going to love how Diana and Jeremy fall in love with each other without realizing it.

'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 of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover.

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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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

To Love and To Loathe is the second book in The Regency Vows series by Martha Waters and is a light and humorous historical romance.

I really enjoyed the humorous tone to this book and the frequent banter between characters is what really made the story for me. And I would have honestly loved the book, but Diana really got in the way for me and brought my enjoyment down. All the characters were so lovely, but Diana was just so self-serving and manipulative that I just couldn't find it in me to like her character. There is a background story that is meant to explain why she behaves so coldly, but she too actively works against those around her that she didn't feel redeemed to me or like she underwent any real growth. I think Jeremy deserved better. But having said that, I still found her amusing at times.

The previous book in the series, To Have and To Hoax, drove me crazy because the entire conflict of the book could have been resolved with even the tiniest bit of conversation between the main characters and was dragged out far too long. But thank goodness that wasn't an issue here and I really loved that this book pokes fun at that issue in the first book.

I did quite enjoy this book and Diana's characeter just brought it down for me. I plan to continue with the series, I assume we'll see Emily's story next. I really enjoy the light and humorous tone Martha Waters uses, I will be reading more from this author.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing an ARC of Martha Waters' To Love and To Loathe with me. This is my honest review.

To Love and To Loathe is an unconventional Regency romance but that’s what I most enjoyed about it. Lady Diana Templeton is a young widow and happy in her freedom but is unable to deny her attraction to the rakish Jeremy the Marquess of Willingham. Since inheriting the title after his brother’s death, Jeremy has worked hard to cultivate his reputation as a shallow rogue but after receiving some poor feedback on his performance in the bedroom, he seeks out the assistance of the one person he knows will be honest with him. Diana agrees that she could use more sexual experience so they come to an agreement. The arrangement is simple: for the length of Jeremy’s gathering at his house, they will be sexual partners and then go their separate ways but of course, this is a romance novel and things are never that simple.

I found the book to witty and delightful and with a not inconsiderable amount of steam. Jeremy and Diana were prone to scathing banter and yet they were so well suited and I loved how Waters balanced that with their sexual tension. The arrangement that Diana and Jeremy made added a fun flair to the book in that it shifted the question to not being Will They or Won't They as they agree fairly early on that they will, but whether or not they will realize they could be more than that. I loved the extra drama and fun that added to the book. It may take them a while to actually get the job done but then you get to watch them figure the rest out and it’s a joy of a journey. Their exchanges were so charged and so good and very much the best part of the book. I can sometimes grow weary of a relationship built on bantering as sometimes it's not executed well enough to show any kind of fondness between them but there was just enough heart and matter that I could see and root for the potential of more. That is very difficult to pull off so I was pleased to see it here. I also enjoyed some of the side drama, no spoilers but there was a particular twist to a side character that I didn't see coming that added a lovely extra layer and dimension to the book.
A spunky and irreverent regency read that didn't take itself too seriously, To Love and To Loathe will likely find fans from those who enjoyed Bridgerton and those who maybe wanted more steam from Jane Austen. This was not one of those Proper and Repressed Regency stories. These folks are snarky and horny drama llamas and I loved that about them. Full of ridiculous and dramatic characters and some silly names, To Love and To Loathe was a wild ride and a fun time.
I have featured this book and review on my Instagram @findangoh today 4/6/2020. Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for granting me early access to this book!

To Love and to Loathe is the second installment in the Regency Vows series. Diana, the Lady of Templeton is a widow and she is propositioned by her childhood frenemy Jeremy, the Marquess of Willingham. He wants her to help with his performance in the bedroom and in turn, Diana will benefit from being seen on the market again. Also, toss in a bet in which Diana wagers that Jeremy will marry within the year or she will lose 100 pounds.

This book was such a fun read! We get hilarious bickering and wonderful characters. I enjoyed seeing Audley and Violet again as well as the rest of the gang. I'm thoroughly excited to continue the series because we get to learn about the side characters. There are many more hint drops about future couples. I cannot wait!

Such a cute read with delightful banter and sexual tension! A feel-good fast-paced story that'll brighten your mood. A definite recommend!

I hadn't read the previous book in the series, but found this to be a perfect regency-era romance! Full of banter, houses in the countryside of England, and some steamy romance. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and historical romance, I ate this up. The characters were fun but also had great depth.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Atria Books for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute enemies to lovers/regency book. I really liked the banter between Diana and Jeremy. It really added comedy to the story and just made it more. I think banter can make or break a story and their banter made it enjoyable. I liked how they both know how they feel for each other and try to hide it.

The reason for my 3 rating is that there are a couple things that Diana did that I didn't care for. For one she was given some information in confidence and asked not to share it and did with her friends. She ended up telling Jeremy as well - which he already knew- but I just thought it was "gossipy" and just out of character for a female lead. The other thing I thought was pretty rotten was her trying to trap Jeremy into marrying another woman to win a bet. The woman was pretty awful and knowing they would not be a good match she continued to try to get them together.

All in all it is a good romance, lighthearted, and humorous and just what I needed to relax with. It's fast paced and flows very well.

To Love and to Loathe really sums up the enemies to lovers that happens in this book. There is some really good banter between the two of these and the arrangement made between the two of them quite interesting. However, it was also very standard enemies to lovers without any major surprises. It was a pretty quick, easy read and I think many will enjoy it.