Cute book, for lovers of Pride and Prejudice (and modern updates). It's sweet, but smart enough to keep you entertained, like mental bubblegum.

If you enjoyed Martha Water's debut, 'To Have and To Hoax', you will be similarly satisfied with her second in the series, 'To Love and to Loathe'.

This victorian-romance-but-make-it-fun novel centers around the widow Lady Templeton (AKA Diana AKA Violet's friend from book one) and Lord Willingham (AKA Jeremy AKA Audley's friend from book one). The bulk of the story takes place at Willingham's country estate during a 2 week long house party with a bunch of their friends & assorted gentry. The whole cast of characters from book one is back at it here. This is a classic enemies to lovers trope goldmine.

To Love and To Loathe makes me wish I was lounging around a country estate, drinking brandy, hanging out with my friends, and having lots of questionably thought out sex on random furniture with a rich and handsome member of English nobility. So, yeah... would recommend.

This was a follow up to To Have and To Hoax. The premise was not really my favorite storyline personally but the characters were interesting and had some depth that was fun to see play out. There was very little language but quite a bit of steam and innuendo. I preferred the first novel but I'm curious for the third installment hinted at.

I received an advance copy of this book courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

To Love and to Loathe is the second book in a frothy Regency-era romance series by Martha Waters. Though I enjoyed the first book in this series (“To Have and to Hoax”), I felt much more invested in the story and characters of this second book. Diana and Jeremy were introduced on a surface-level in the first novel, but Waters really fleshed them out in this installment and I found myself rooting for them despite some typical frustrating character quirks. There were wonderful discussions of consent, women’s autonomy and independence, and grief, which all managed to not seem anachronistic despite being more “modern” ideas. The chemistry and dialogue between Diana and Jeremy was delightful and made this a fun, speedy read for me.

Although you don’t need to read "To Have and to Hoax" prior to this book, I’d recommend it in order to lay the foundation for Diana and Jeremy and get some background info on the other characters in the series.

Good modern take on a regency romance. The romantic leads were interesting and their chemistry was believable. The sattelite characters were great as well. I enjoyed this one.

Okay so I’m first going to state that everyone who loves historical romance will like this book. Those who do please read the book and ignore my review.
I used to love historical romance but I can safely state that I’m not a big fan of it anymore. The problem was that the story was tedious at times. It took me a long time to finish. I was so happy to be done. I feel bad stating that but it’s true. Sorry to the author! The main character of Diana grated on my nerves. I thought she was a horrible character and therefore I couldn’t enjoy the story. What really bothered me was when she gossiped about someone else to her friends when she had no right to do and could potentially cause serious damage if exposed to the society. In the end Diana didn’t really change for me to start liking her. Overall, if you like historical romance you will love this book. Sadly, I didn’t.

I received the ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for my honest review and opinion.

This was a cute story, but I am starting to think the historical romance genre isn't for me. I didn't like the way the characters talk, which I know fits the time period. I also don't like all the Lady and Lord. It was a cute story if you like this genre, but I think I will pass from now on.

To Love and to Loathe follows widow Diana, Lady Templeton and rake Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham in their journey of life long friends to flirtatious bickering which eventually evolves into a hilarious wager to assist each other in their bedroom skills which we all know what that leads to...

I'm usually not the biggest friend's to love trope person but this book definitely made me want to read more of these two! Author Martha Waters delivered with the bickering and bantering, turned flirtation and absolutely did not disappoint! 

There's also just the right amount of steam in this book where given the plot I almost expected it to be over the top, but it wasn't! The steam level played perfectly into the narrative and was so well done. 

However, my absolute favorite part of this book has to be the ending. It might be one of my favorite endings in a romance novel. I don't want to give too much away, but if you love a cute, swoony ending, this book does it to perfection!

Diana, Lady Templeton is a widow, but she is strong-headed and precocious. She sassy and never apologises for asking what she wants. Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham is charmingly famous for his flirtatious affairs. He is a likeable character one can never say no to *wink wink*. One night at a Regency Era Ball, Diana and Jeremy go head-to-head and make a bet that if Jeremy gets married within a year Diana will have to forfeit a 100 pounds. Later, Jeremy comes to Diana with a rather untraditional proposition. Diana gets furious at first, but she accepts for her own reasons. What happens is this one year is the story.

Would you believe if I say this is my first Historical Romance and I loved it? It was everything one would want in a contemporary romance + extra fittings of London Royals. I am totally swooned. Martha Waters has developed a witty, giddy and feel-good romance novel with Jeremy and Diana. They are friends and enemies, they are frenemies and their relationship turns to love. Some parts may feel progressive, especially Diana, but its a fiction so enjoy it rather than picking on it! Jane Austen with a feminist touch.

After reading this, I realised this is a series, but the characters are different in each book I guess. It didn’t hinder my reading, but I’m definitely getting the first book - To Have and to Hoax.

Thank you Atria Books & Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is an excellent example of the enemies to lovers trope with some twists. There is an abundance of chemistry and sexual tension between the hero and heroine, but there is also a deeper side that is authentic and adds to the romance. 4.5 stars

This was a cute read.
I hadn't read To Have and to Hoax so the beginning was a little difficult to follow with all of the characters. There were references to that book so I'd highly recommend you read it first.

The premise of the story was great, however I didn't feel like there was a the witty banter I was promised. I wanted to laugh and feel the tension between the two, but it was very muted.
I also felt that many scenes dragged on and I skipped a lot of the characters internally babbling.

While the two characters had known each other for 6 years - the insta-love was a little quick. [The fact that they had sex twice and then realized they loved each other was a little quick.

I loved so much about this book! I loved Diana’s unapologetically strong character. She knows what she wants and goes after it. Even when those wants change, she’s open to making her thoughts and opinions known. I also loved her banter-filled frenemies-to-lovers romance with Jeremy. They clearly fought because they were so much alike, but you could feel the slow burn as they started falling for one another. This was also a fun change from the genre because so many characters fall in insta-love. With these two it felt like more insta-attraction that grew into something more when they truly got to know one another.

Obviously, this is a less traditional historical romance because the perspectives of the characters were decidedly contemporary and progressive, which I was totally fine with. It places this book firmly among similar works by Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas and Tessa Dare, which we could always use more of. Historical romance with a contemporary feminist bent.

I have not read the first in this series, To Have and To Hoax, but it didn’t impact my reading of this book…although I’m definitely planning to go back and read it now. I will definitely be looking for more from Martha Waters going forward.

Sidenote: I prefer this cover art to what was used for To Have and To Hoax. It feels more fun, while the other feels more staid.

This reminded me somewhat of Jane Austen’s Emma mixed with some Evie Dunmore. It was a sort of enemies/friends to lovers trope with some steam mixed in. It was an easy read but I didn’t quite connect with the main character, Diana, too much. In Emma, I felt like Emma meant well with her matchmaking but in this book, Diana seemed to have a more mean spirited approach. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

This book was well written and extremely witty. Unfortunately, it failed to hold my attention through much of the book. The story focused on a romp over a long weekend and though it was certainly steamy and salacious the pace was rather slow. A dialog heavy novel but with likeable and enjoyable characters. Lady Templeton was a wonderfully precocious and strong female lead who I very much enjoyed paired with the self-proclaimed Bachelor, the Marquess of Willingham. For lovers of the regency era romance, I would recommend.

This book offers a delightful experience to readers that can absolutely be categorized as an escapist read! This funny, sparkling, hilarious, sizzling romantic experience is sure to entertain and intrigue your inner romantic cravings! I found myself giggling aloud, entertained by the hilarious twists, and lightheartedness that this book develops. This book is cleverly written and such a perfect read for fans of a plethora of romantic comedy tropes. The plot of enemies to lovers is always entertaining and this book is no exception. Whether you were introduced to these characters in To Have and To Hoax makes no difference. This can absolutely be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone story. I cannot recommend this enough and want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this thoroughly enjoyable reading experience!

What REALLY happened at those fortnight-long house parties of the British nobility in the Georgian era? This seems more like it . . . sneaky acts in corners, late-night bedrooms visits, wagers to make the parties and horseback rides and parlor games more interesting. To Love and to Loathe is Jane Austen at a bachelorette party - all the drama but lots of sexy fun!

To Love and to Loathe is a funny, sparkly, and totally escapist read.

The premise is fresh and clever, the dialogue is sizzling, and there are a few plot twists along the way that I didn't see coming.

I think it would have been nice to read To Have and to Hoax first, but it's also totally enjoyable as a standalone.

Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey. I love forward to reading more by Martha Waters.

This was delightful. I thought it would be a sexy version of Pride & Prejudice, but it had its own charms. I haven’t read To Have and To Hoax, but I look forward to that and other books by Ms. Waters.

I read the first book in this series, so when the publisher sent me this one I figured why not. It was kind of anachronistic and at times boring, but it was pleasant enough and quick reading. I’d give it a shot between reads.