Having recently watched and very much enjoyed the Netflix series Bridgerton, I felt transported! Though this book is The Regency Vows #2, I hadn't read #1 and am sure it makes no matter.

The setting--"... a man and woman who never agree on anything—until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp. The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham agree on a wager: "Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds." To add spice to the story--"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." There are more people involved--Diana's friends and auspiciously Lady Helen [who figures prominently], Jeremy's friends [including her brother], his formidable grandmother Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, and others.

This was definitely a fast, easy read. And fun. And predictable--save--no spoiler from me--one item in the mix that I did not anticipate.

Two of the servants' names were amusing: Snuffgrove {Jeremy's valet] and Toogood {Diana's maid]!

New words: curricle, vingt-et-un, ratafia, addlepated {used frequently].

One disconnect for me--the book is primarily set in 1817. Nearly 2/3 in to the book, "You rang? Jeremy asked..." I know it's petty, but there were no telephones at the time and the expression just seemed so totally out of place that it threw me off. [It was asked of Diana, so not ringing a bell for a servant.]

This was basically a cat and mouse play--with much banter on steroids. And like those two critters--much [too much] toying. In the end, I felt the inevitable was becoming tiresome. Further, near the end, some of the prose turned me off it was so overly dramatic/overwroughtcringeworthy. Don't get me wrong--I did enjoy the read especially as it was mixed in after a few very serious tomes. And, there were some humorous moments. BUT, I found the repetition was wearing on me.

For much of the book I thought 3.5. But in the end, 3 stars. As promoted--a "romp." If you know that going into it, will will enjoy the ride.

To Love and to Loathe is a refreshing take on an enemies-to-lovers romance, using a contemporary lens to discuss nineteenth-century social mores. I knew I would enjoy the book after the main character boldly stated, "don't be absurd... the last thing I ever intend to do is something as unutterably foolish as to fall in love" (SURE, JAN) but I didn't realize that I would also absolutely heart-eyes emoji love it. Martha Waters created such enjoyable characters and such a lovely narrative voice—"a well-tied cravat IS nothing to take lightly"!!!!—with prose seeped in deliciously worded barbs and quips. I'm not usually a big historical fiction reader, but this novel saw that gif of Darcy foolishly proposing to Elizabeth in a gazebo drenched with rain and then expanded that look of UNBRIDLED LUST on his face and made it into a novel. Oh, and she also added sex. 4.5/5 stars

Advance copy received in exchange for an honest review.

To Love and to Loathe is a perfect read for fans of historical romance and the enemies to lovers trope. Neither of these are particularly my thing, but I thought the premise of this book sounded rather intriguing and I've been enjoying romance reads more and more lately. Overall this was a quick read with moments of laughter and romance, but I struggled to get into the plot and really connect with and cheer for the characters. They felt a bit too shallow for me. I did enjoy the witty back and forth banter, but ultimately was not invested enough in either of the characters to love this romance. I feel I'll be in the minority here and would encourage others who love these tropes or time periods to read this as it will likely be a big win for the,.

Diana and Jeremy, who have spent most of their lives arguing and flirting with each other, find themselves in a situation where their mutual interests align. The verbal sparring and bravado mask, for each of them, deep pain about their pasts. Can these two find what they need, with each other?

To Love and to Loathe is a delightful regency romance that has enough tropes, steam, and witty dialogue to keep you intrigued. For me, I appreciated how this book upended some of the tropes, with a fiercely independent and smart heroine, who finds an equal in a partner. I read this book not because I was looking for something light and fun, and while it certainly hit those notes, it wasn't without feminist leanings and some emotional depth. If you like regency romance, but want something a little different, this one is for you.

Considering that I felt lukewarm over the last book, To Have and to Hoax, this was a delightful book.

Diana, a bored widow, has had a flirtation/argument with Jeremy since they were children. One day an ex-lover questions his skills in bed, and he goes to Diana to seek confirmation. She says that she can enter a physical relationship without seeking marriage, but this is a romance.

Diana and Jeremy are hilarious. They bicker all the time in a way that makes you feel like you're watching a tennis match. Considering the book's premise is that they become lovers, most of their time is spent talking. There are many healthy conversations regarding sex.

Keeping my fingers crossed there will be more in this series because the side characters are equally as much fun, and it would be nice to see their own stories.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

I loved this regency romance that felt like a contemporary romance set in the 1800s. I adored the couple in the first book To Have and To Hoax so I had to know what happened with them in the second. This is a humorous and adorable series that I want more of!

3.5 Stars
I was happy to receive this book as an ARC for a review! The beautiful cover was the thing that immediately drew my attention. This is the second in the series, but I had no problems following the story even having not read the first book. This book follows Jeremy, devilishly handsome Marquess, and Diana a young widow. I would definitely count this as enemies to lovers trope, but I will say even from the beginning there was some subtle flirting from these two.
The setting, the characters, the witty banter; I loved so many things about this book.
The primary chunk of this story takes place at a holiday party at the Marquess' country home, there are a lot of other house guests, picnics, horse rides, and a lot of other really beautifully described scenery. I have to say this was one of my favorite parts, I could almost see myself there!
The characters were great, I do think that Jeremey was more fleshed out than Diana, and tbh at times I could not relate to her she felt a bit too cold and detached. But the other side characters were great, you got enough of them to get a glimpse of them but not enough to distract from the main characters.
The banter between the two MCs was truly the best part, I found myself laughing aloud at what they were saying; both of them really played well off each other and it didn't feel overly mean. Just the perfect strike of sarcasm.

I found that the two things I didn't love, was one, that the pacing and romance aspects felt a bit slow; not a ton of action but there were some really swoon-worthy parts so I'll forgive it for that.
The second part was that I just did not like how Diana <spoiler>found out about Lady Helen (being a lesbian) and then immediately went to her friends to out her, even knowing what it could cost her</spoiler> For me that part just felt super unnecessary, she could have come to the same conclusions with an inner monologue or something; I had far more respect for Jeremy who kept it completely hidden.

Loved it! These two felt more relatable than Violet & Aubley from To Have & To Hoax.Will definitely be recommending to romance readers. I hope we get Emily & Belfry next!

In To Love and to Loathe, Diana and Jeremy have known (and bickered with) each other for a long time. Diana, a widow, loves the freedom of her position but bets the rakish Jeremy that he'll be married within a year. Shortly after that Jeremy asks Diana if she'll embark on an affair with him after his most recent mistress complains about his (lack of) skills. (As an aside, I really liked that Jeremy wasn't automatically amazing in bed - that's such a tired historical romance thing.) Of course their affair quickly becomes complicated by feelings. This was a fun, engaging book and I read it really quickly. That being said, I did have some issues with it that hampered my enjoyment. One is that this is a series, and while it works as a standalone there is a lot in it about Diana's friend group that is clearly set up for the next book, or a reference to the first. I also grew tired of Diana's antics, and this is where the book lost me, especially as I reflect on it. While I liked Diana's nemesis Lady Helen, Diana gives no thought to her feelings (or her as a person) on multiple occasions, just because she doesn't like her. I thought the wager would mean Diana was constantly introducing Jeremy to new potential fiancees and that it would be funny, but it was really just her throwing Lady Helen at him. Though Diana gives a lot of thought to her own previous desperation to get married, she never considers that Helen might have motives (or even an interior life) of her own. And then when she's entrusted with a secret about Lady Helen she immediately turns around and tells her two best friends and Jeremy. It was hard to sympathize with Diana and I kept fearing something terrible would happen to Helen. Helen ultimately is just used as a narrative tool for Diana to realize she should take a "risk" on Jeremy; she deserved a lot better and it was upsetting.

We have a widow who's marriage bed was unmoving and a rake who wants some advice after receiving some not so high praise. Our two characters are known to spar at any event so why not work create an arrangement that helps them both with no strings attached. what could go wrong?
Things I loved about this story is that it does have some great funny moments. I laughed out loud a few times. We have a hero who takes criticism when it comes to his bedroom skills. I do not think I have ever read a historical romance where our rake is not a skilled lover and that was refreshing,. I liked Jeremy's real feelings about becoming the heir. Truly a great fun historical romance that wasn't too heavy on the details so to make it overwhelming for those that are not use to the genre.
I think miscommunication is a hard trope to pull off but this one did an admirable job. There were moments I was eye rolling but overall it felt like something that could happen with these two characters.
I understood the need to introduce more of Emily's story for the next book but some parts we are in the dark (understandably) but, I wanted to get back to Diana and Jeremy. The setting felt small with only being at the house party, and I did want more verbal sparing out in the open with others watching. Diana felt too stuffy at moments, I truly disliked her in "To Have and To Hoax" but I am sure it can be apart of her character and I liked her more here.
Overall if you liked "To Have and to Hoax" then you will enjoy "To Love and to Loathe" it is funny, sweet, and positive in the best ways. Historical romance is a fun genre that Martha Waters succeeds at.

I am a fan of the enemies to lovers trope, so I was very excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with Jeremy or Diane. The author did a good job of explaining why Diane chose an arranged marriage to wealthy lord. She wanted to live a comfortable life and not be a burden on her family. She also didn't take Jeremy's first proposal seriously because of his rakish reputation. It was after she became a widow that the whole story goes to pieces. Their actions toward each other just didn't make sense with their personalities. None of it matched up and I just couldn't get invested in the book. Thank you #NetGalley for my copy.

To Love and to Loathe is the second book in the Regency Vows series but was good as a stand-alone. It was an enemy to lover’s rom com with main characters that create sparks with their witty banter. They are the epitome of a love-hate relationships. The tension filled banter is intense and overshadows their attraction to one another.
Widowed Lady Diana Templeton and Jeremy Overington, the Marquess of Willingham, were known to dislike each other. A wager that Jeremy will marry within the year or pay Diana, is a wager that Diana thinks she is sure to win. So, she’s shocked when Jeremy approaches her to have a short affair at his house party to critique his bedroom skills. They both go into the affair wanting it to be a short-term fling to help themselves with their own goals. But as they spend more time together, they start to realize that they actually enjoy spending time together. They begin to open up to each other and see the truth of each other.
I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be a perfect book to add lightness to this strange time of the epidemic.
I received an ARC and am willingly leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was the perfect rom-com I needed in my life. I loved the wittiness and the Jane Austen fell to this book. I definitely need more books in my life like this one.

I struggled with book 1 in this new series (I have book 1 only 3 stars), and so I was a little worried this would also fall flat with me. But I’m so glad I was wrong! The synopsis sounded perfect to me - frenemies to lovers no strings attached hook up? YES! 😍 And it was everything I was craving! The witty banter, the innuendo, the sexual tension! They were all perfect. It also was steamier in general which was something I wanted more of in book one. I absolutely adored this one, and I cannot wait for the next one! (Please tell me we are getting more! I need Emily’s story. And Penvale’s!!)

I didn't love the high schoolish antics of these characters but I did enjoy their arc to happiness. I think Martha Waters has a great way of showing her characters growing and maturing so they, eventually, deserve each other.

So, I really enjoyed this. I didn't read the first Regency Vows book, so this was my first book by Martha Waters. Diana was a confident delight. Jeremey was your typical misunderstood rake. And honestly, the entire plot of this book felt like a regency bodice ripper meets a YA summer camp tale of gossip and hookups and outdoor adventures. And a bet, of course. I did feel like the pacing went a little wonky near the back two-thirds of the book. Perhaps Diana and Jeremy didn't have enough time together for the finale to seem as urgent? It was still a light and enjoyable read.

This book was right up my alley. I love me some enemies-to-lovers banter and this book delivered. The teasing, witty banter, and sexual tension made this book sexy and passionate, but also heartwarming when the characters finally do realize they are in love and perfect for each other. I have not read the first book in this series, but will definitely be going back and doing so. Definitely check this book out!

I loved the characters but it did drag in the second half quite a bit. At first I was in love with the chemistry but there were definitely too many interruptions and incidents to allow them to finish their deal that i got bored with it by the time it actually arrived. still cute, still will recommend to readers who are quite reading to dive into regency romance.

When I finished “To Have and to Hoax” by Martha Waters, I hoped I would see more of Lady Diana and Jeremy in the future! I was delighted to find them the subjects of the sequel! “To Love and to Loathe” follows them and their group of friends (many of whom will be familiar to readers of “To Have and to Hoax”) at a fortnight long house party in the country where feelings and relationships take many turns! This book is charmingly fun, and different from the usual regency romantic story. I was surprised at the twists, and the characters are lovable, yet have flaws like the rest of us, I hope to follow these characters in future Martha Waters books!

Lady Diana Templeton is on a mission: do everything in her power to ensure that the Marquess of Willingham marries within the next year. If she succeeds, she will be one hundred pounds the richer. If she fails, then she’ll still have twelve months to torture her brother’s friend with every eligible miss she can find.

Meanwhile, Jeremy, consummate rake and the Marquess of Willingham, has other things on his mind. Most pressing is a recent complaint from a paramour. To reclaim his peace of mind, Jeremy must turn to the one woman he can trust not to sugarcoat the truth: Lady Diana Templeton.

I appreciate the close relationships between the main group of friends in this series. Both the men and the women have people they can talk to and confide in who will tell them when a scheme is completely crazy, but still be supportive.

You do not need to read the first book in the series (To Have and to Hoax) to enjoy this one. That being said, I actually enjoyed James and Violet’s story more than Diana and Jeremy’s. Also, you learn more about some of the minor characters in the first book and that knowledge makes it easier to understand some of the actions of those characters in this book.