Oof. I thought this was going to be just another romance that I didn’t love but I didn’t hate and was maybe a victim of my pandemic brain. At the 78% mark, Waters turned it around to an “I cannot recommend this book at all.”

Right up top I’m going to address my main issue. Waters has a side character who is revealed to be a lesbian and then the main character immediately tells her friends after swearing them to silence. And then she does it again! The best way to keep something secret is to not tell anyone. Don’t out gay people in situations where that knowledge puts them in danger. I understand she’s using the subplot to brake Diana out of her cowardice, but that made it worse in my opinion. I was already gritting my teeth at other elements of the subplot, but this was a big no for me. I don’t think a secret gay relationship should be a plot device for the straights to figure out their feelings. I hated almost everything about this subplot.

Aside from that rather large issue, it took me over four months to read this book. My inability to focus is partly a byproduct of the pandemic. To Love and to Loathe should be my catnip – Diana and Jeremy agree to have a discreet affair at a house party so that Jeremy can get an honest assessment of his sexual technique. I love the “we’re just having sex, oh no we caught feelings” trope and it’s even better when the sex pact involves sex lessons. Furthermore, Waters switches it so that the rake is the one receiving the sex lessons. I wanted to love this. There are so many great possibilities in this scenario. The best parts of the story are when Jeremy and Diana are making out or having sex. And I don’t mean because of the descriptions of the physical activity, but that’s when they are the most emotionally intimate. Sadly, Waters doesn’t include many of these scenes. For a book about a sex pact it is remarkably tame.

My other complaint is that the characters spend so much time on musings and asides that I felt disconnected from the heart of the story. To quote Emperor Joseph II, there were simply too many notes. I get that this is a romantic comedy of manners and masks, but it didn’t work for me.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC of this book. Small disclaimer, I read the first book in this series after seeing and hearing good reviews, but I didn't *love* it. I wanted to read this one, because I felt the first one was mostly suffering First-bookitis... Trying to introduce too many people and sequels at one time.

While I do enjoy the writing and silly situations as much as the next person, this didn't happen to work for me at this time. Maybe if it had been a little shorter. There were a lot of repetative dialogue and scenarios.

I personally do not have a lot of time or patience for men in general most days. Diana, our heroine, is much the same. She has a snarky comment for every occasion. It's funny at first but gets a little worn. There is a certain condescension and self-righteousness about her that grates on me as the book goes on.

Jeremy is a more likeable character, but I found his choices lacking reason. For example, he's a notorious rake and generally regarded as frivolous, but it's a mask he's carefully constructed for REASONS. None of which can be found, hinted at at or understood in any way. Until the second to last chapter by which time I was kinda over it.

The side plots developing into their own books are thankfully less in this book, but they are simmering in the background. West and Sophie are my favs, and I would be up for reading their story.

I think the cover is cute and really tells you this is fluff read.

#ToLoveAndToLoathe #NetGalley

***Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Martha Waters. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***

Lady Diana Templeton enjoys her independence thanks to an advantageous marriage that left her widowed soon after. Marquess Jeremy Willingham is being pressured by his grandmother to marry and sire an heir. Diana and Jeremy make a wager about it. Jeremy enjoys his no-strings lifestyle, at least he used to before his last lover questioned his skills in the bedroom. He wants a second opinion. He propositions Diana, knowing she’ll be honest and straightforward. It doesn’t hurt that there has always been an undercurrent of tension between them. He hopes it will translate to passion between the sheets, and maybe he’ll get her out of his system.

I thought this book had a great setup, and I’m a big fan of enemies-to-lovers stories, but this one was just middle-of-the-road for me. There was so much potential between Diana and Jeremy, but too many side characters and side plots got in the way. I didn’t care about the wager concerning whether Jeremy would marry or not. I didn’t care about many of the side characters. I honestly found myself bored at one point. It took longer than I would have liked for our pair to get together, and then the realization of love between the MCs felt too sudden. The balance was off for me. Lastly, I didn’t care for how Lady Helen’s story was handled.

I DNF'd this book, but I want to stress that it is me - not the book. I didn't realize it was historical romance, or I wouldn't have downloaded it. Historical romance is not a genre I am interested in at all. I do encourage fans of the genre to pick up this book, despite this review.

Lady Diana Templeton and Jeremy, the Marquess of Willingham, have been at each other's throats for most of their lives. They are well-known in society for their verbal sparring matches (and flirtations), and each takes pride in being able to one-up the other. During one such argument, Diana challenges the rakish Jeremy to find a wife within a year or she'll forfeit a hundred pounds. Thinking she has this bet in the bag, Diana is thrown for a loop when Jeremy approaches her with a very different proposition.

Jeremy has always had a way with the ladies. He's never been shy about his bedroom activities, but after his latest partner implied he wasn't as talented as he thought, he seeks out the one person he knows will always be brutally honest: Lady Diana. As the pair are about to spend time at a house party, he suggests that they use this opportunity to test his prowess in the bedroom. She can give him an honest critique of his abilities, and the gossip they'll churn up will show to other gentlemen that the widowed Diana is interested in taking up a lover. Believing this will be the perfect way to ensure she wins their bet, Diana agrees but quickly learns that it's not only money on the line but her heart as well.

I really enjoyed To Have and to Hoax, so I jumped at the chance to read this and it was just as fun. Waters has such a way of making slightly messy/petty characters so entertaining and investing. I'm always a sucker for a hate-to-love romance, so I was completely hooked on Diana and Jeremy from the very first page. Their bickering was delightful and you could feel the tension between them increasing with every teasing comment. There were so many times I found myself smiling or laughing at their antics. Though I will admit, Diana did get on my nerves slightly at times just due to her scheming/manipulations. There were also some moments where I found the writing to be a bit repetitive, but not enough to diminish my enjoyment. Overall, this was a solid follow-up and I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

"To Love and To Loathe" by Martha Waters
A page-turner Regency-Era romance that is a pure joy to read. Diana and Jeremy two souls who seem to have the world at their feet. And then the story begins. If you like sweet romance stories, I am quite sure you will enjoy your time within this story. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.

To Love and to Loathe has a great setup and I thought I would really enjoy it, but it does some things I find irritating and it very poorly handles the existence of a queer side character, including the heroine privately outing them to people SHE finds trustworthy without the consent of the person in question. Outing someone to your friends, especially in a time when things were incredibly dangerous for queer people is NOT okay and I'm not sure how this made it through the editing process.

The heroine is a widow who is determined to maintain her freedom and financial independence, but is interested in casual affairs though she's not sure how to show she's "open for business" so to speak. The hero is her childhood friend and a notorious rake, but after ending things with his last mistress who gave him a bad review of his bedroom skills, he's seeking affirmation that he's as good as he thinks he is before moving on to a new mistress. And so they decide to conduct a brief affair during a house party for both their sakes. Not realizing they have actual feelings simmering beneath the surface.

The setup for this is fantastic and I thought I would love it, but I ended up finding the characters and their actual romance a bit lackluster, wasn't convinced the ending made sense given the personality and concerns of the heroine, and really disliked everything surrounding the treatment of this queer side character. I think the author was trying to say something about how LGBT people found ways to exist during that time, but it was very poorly handled. Others will likely enjoy this more than I did, but ultimately I just couldn't get on board with several elements of it. I received an advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! To Love and to Loathe was a largely predictable yet exceptionally enjoyable read. I was immediately drawn in by the story and especially by the character of Diana. There was not as much conflict as I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised by a few developments throughout the book. As in her first book, Martha Waters’s characters are extremely lovable and the banter is sharp and ever-flowing. I also really appreciated the feminism and sex-positivity infused throughout. I would definitely recommend To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe and am looking forward to reading whatever Martha Waters writes next.

To Love and To Loathe is a regency romance (the second in a series) by Martha Waters, who is a UNC alumna. It stars Lady Diana Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess Willingham, primarily at the latter’s country house party.

I just have to say: I wish we could bring back the idea of a two-week party. Let’s do more of that post-quarantine.

Unfortunately, this fell flat for me, and I gave it 2.5 stars. Part of me is wondering: Do I just strongly dislike regency romances, if they don’t feature a Bridgerton? Possibly.

WHAT I LIKED
- In principle, I love regency romances – I love the time period, I love the complications, I love the clothes. So, I love To Love and To Loathe for that reason, because it stays true to what I expect from regency romances.
- A two-week country house party! Yes, give me all of the chaos that ensues at a country house party.
- The storyline involving Lady Helen has a very satisfying resolution, and I hope we get to hear her story later on.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
- It was so obvious that Diana and Jeremy were attracted to each other, but they constantly felt the need to repeat: But we can’t stand each other! They said it so often, I can’t imagine why they never felt like it was too much.
- Speaking of repetitions: Diana specifically says not once but twice that she’d never been compared to a horse before. And she tells people not once but a hundred times that she can’t stand Jeremy. This sort of repetitious chatter is prevalent throughout, and while I get that sometimes it’s intended to show how dull conversation can be in “polite society,” sometimes, I need the Cliff Notes version.

This book had a lot of potential, and I wanted to like it. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a hit for me.

This book was fun and I greatly enjoyed the banter between Diana and Jeremy. But, there is so much focus on backstory and side characters that I felt myself getting bored. I definitely prefer books that are character focused, so this was not my cup of tea. Additionally, while it is marketed as a historical romance, there are many moments in both dialogue and context that could be placed in contemporary settings. All in all, it was a quick read, I just wish there was something more to it.

This was a super fun followup to one of my favorite books of 2020! Diana and Jeremy are both such dynamic characters, and their chemistry is enemies-to-lovers perfection. I love the way Waters writes flirting and banter, and how she embraces historical romance tropes while giving them her own fresh spin. I'm so looking forward to her next book -- something about Lady Emily, maybe? But regardless, will be recommending this one enthusiastically!

This was a fun regency romp with sass. I hadn’t read the first book in the series (To Have and to Hoax) but found that I didn’t need it to fully enjoy this one. Love with a side of snark is definitely my type of book and this one provided plenty of both.

I couldn't wait for the this sequel! To Have and to Hoax was such a fun romance and To Love and to Loathe did not disappoint! Martha Waters is such a joy to read!.

3.5 stars.
There's nothing spectacular or horrible about this one. Just an average, predictable yet enjoyable, Regency romance. I do appreciate diana's spunk though!

To Love and To Loathe is the second installment in Marsha Waters The Regency Vows series. The first book, To Have and To Hoax, is a second chance save-the-marriage romance. To Love and To Loathe is all about enemies to lovers though! I really liked this book- the main characters had such clever banter, there was a ton of sexual tension and the slow burn was timed just right, and all of the characters had such depth. The side characters really elevated the story for me. So many authors just put them in as placeholders or as a means to establish something about the main characters but they really stood out without being overpowering in this work. I had a smile on my face the whole time while reading. I definitely recommend this series for any historical romance or enemies to lovers fans! Perfect for people who like Evie Dunmore’s A League of Extraordinary Women series.
Synopsis: Diana is a widow and Jeremey is her older brother’s best friend and an absolute rake. They have enjoyed their playful arguments at every social gathering for the past few years but when Diana bets Jeremy he will be married within the year things take a very different turn. While Diana tries to find an eligible bachelorette to set Jeremy up with he comes to her with an alternative proposition: they will be lovers for a holiday together. What starts out as a seemingly mutually beneficial arrangement turns into something neither of them expected or want… right? Full of hilarious encounters and beautiful depictions of the countryside- this is a must read!

While I continue to enjoy Martha Water's writing this book did not have some of the sparkle of her first book. I love a good enemies to lovers story but or some reason this one did not move me. It lacked the tension that keeps me hooked and seemed a bit overly long. It was a nice read and a good escape but not one that will stick with me. Even still I am looking forward to book three in the series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

I enjoyed this so so much! I love the playful and flirty banter between Jeremy Diana. Whenever both of them are in the same room, more often than not, it's bound to be a funny scene. Seeing Diana with Violet and Emily is also fun because of how much they gossip with each other. It's kinda like being in high school, just not in high school, lmao --and I don't mean that in a bad way. It's not annoying gossip. Only reason it's not 5 stars is because the ending felt a bit abrupt . :)

Fun and refreshing—reading this story was a delight.

Widowed Lady Diana Templeton is propositioned by her long-time acquaintance Jeremy Willingham, who is a Marquess. The two have had a relationship full of sharp barbs and bickering over the years, so it is no surprise when they decide to make a wager that notoriously single Jeremy will (or will not) be married by the end of the year. Shortly after the bet is made, a concerned Jeremy approaches Diana to make an entirely different type of agreement, and the two embark on a fortnight of learning about one another.

I found this book to be a refreshing take on regency era romance. The characters and plot had a decidedly more contemporary feel to their thoughts and beliefs. There was still the typical marriage plotting that you expect in novels about this time period, but it certainly included a racier side to the plotting than I have read before. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and the witty banter everyone engaged in through the book. I have not read the first book in this series, but I definitely would. I also wouldn’t be surprised if another book is in the works featuring Diana’s friend, Emily!

This was an easy read. The plot was not complex—it was a predictable enemies to lover trope—but it was a nice break for me in between some “heavier” reads. It’s definitely worth the read if you are intrigued by the description!

***Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC of To Love and To Loathe in exchange for my honest review.

I read this author’s first book in the series (To Have and To Hoax) last spring and liked it, so when I saw this second book was releasing I knew I wanted to read it! And I ended up enjoying this one even more than the first. We have a widowed heroine, flirty banter, heroine’s brother’s best-friend is the hero, a house party, getting rained in and a game of hide-and-seek heating up, a bet, and all the banter!

Diana married a Viscount old enough to be her father when she was just 18-years-old & became a widow a couple years later. Being a widow for the past few years, she has enjoyed the independence she is now able to have as a woman of her time. Diana finds herself making a bet with her brother’s best-friend, Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham, one afternoon that he will be married within the year or he has to pay her one hundred pounds. Diana & Jeremy have always had a slightly flirty, banter-filled relationship with verbal sparring matches. Jeremy takes her up on the bet but arrives at her home a few days later to add a proposition of his own... After ending things with a latest paramour, Jeremy was informed he isn’t as skilled as he might think and he asks for Diana’s help to prove he can please a lady.

I thought this read was super fun, I loved how much banter there was between Jeremy & Diana and how they always tried to one-up one another. I liked seeing Diana take charge of her sexual pleasure during their times together and schooling Jeremy on what did or didn’t work for her. I thought it was fun that the majority of the story takes place at a house party & I just really enjoyed this read.

Thank you to the publisher (Atria Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me an advance copy of this book for review!

I love a Regency romance, and it’s been a while since I’ve read a good one. It’s also been a while since I’ve stayed up into the early hours reading a book that left me grinning. To Love and To Loathe by Martha Waters was exactly what I needed. I loved the banter, the enemies to lovers arc, the sex positivity, the LGBTQ+ rep, the just-right-for-me open door romance, and the way that no one was raped, ruined, or bereft in the making of this plot (as is often the case with historical romance.) I loved the Clueless vibes (no surprise, as Clueless is based on Emma, a Regency romance 🤣) and I could not stop picturing the dowager marchioness as Lady Danbury from the Bridgerton adaptation. I haven’t picked up the first book, To Have and To Hoax yet, but it isn’t necessary to read the books in order. Like Jasmine Guillory’s Wedding Date series, these books exist in the same world and have character overlap, but focus on different couples. I adored Diana and Jeremy’s journey and I’m definitely looking forward to reading To Have and To Hoax to get a glimpse of them (and get to hang out again in their world for a bit!)