I enjoyed the first book in this series, "To Have and to Hoax" quite a bit and was excited for the chance to read this sequel. I especially like the character, Diana, in the first book and this book elevates her to the starring roll. This story was very cute and the main characters were a lot of fun, but it slightly missed the mark for me. However, I believe that may have more to do with me and what else I was reading at the time. Too many quality regency romances with mouthy, independent leading ladies! This series is a great escape with wonderful humor and a convincing romance. Great for fans of Bridgerton and/or Evie Dunmore's League of Extraordinary Women.

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.

After binge watching Bridgerton, I was really interested in reading a regency romance. Enemies to lovers has got to be my favourite trope! I loved the witty banter between the characters, the sexual tension and also the way the author gave the book a modern twist.

somehow I missed that this was a historical fiction romance otherwise I probably wouldnt have picked it up. not my fave

This is book 2 in the Regency Vows series. Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are well known throughout the Ton for their bickering, though some might call it flirting. So, when Jeremy's mistress lets him know that he is not very good in the sack he decides to ask the only person he feels will be truly honest with him. He feels it is a win-win situation for both of them. They can sleep with each other, she can give him a critique of his skills, and then she can use their affair as a signal that she is open to offers from other gentlemen. As all romance readers know...a well made plan is really just a plan that is set to go awry.

Their plan goes awry in major fashion as they both begin to develop feelings for each other. Their shenanigans make for an enjoyable read. This is a cheeky take on the average historical romance that readers are sure to enjoy.

Another engaging and funny historical romance. Diana and Jeremy have excellent banter and chemistry; as a widow, her studied insouciance and social status makes a good match for a rake like him. Slightly absurd, very fun.

Read this in a day by the pool. It dove right in which had me a bit confused at the start, but then I realized this is actually second in a series so the world building had already been done in the first. After a bit though I caught on, so I think it’s fine to read them out of order. It’s very much a Bridgerton feel, but I do love the trope of let’s fool around with no feelings (oops we’ve caught feelings) lol. It was fun, and I’ve got the first one on hold at the library now!

To Love and To Loathe is such a fun house party romance read! I love a regency romance with a widow as the main character because she can be so much more free and can get away with so much more! Diana is a great main character - she is no longer in mourning for her late husband and is ready to get back on the marriage market. After a lukewarm start to the season she heads to Jeremy’s (a Marquess) home for a house party.

Diana and Jeremy had flirted in the past but Diana turned down his proposal in favor of someone with more money. So we watch them argue and flirt throughout the house party and grow closer together.

This one just read really slow for me. I liked all the characters. But there wasn’t much going on beyond their story line until the very end.. it was… odd. I had to do this one on audio to make it through. The first time I set it down when reading the ebook. This one was just ok for me.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for my copy of this book!

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5

Really wanted to love this one, but had a hard time getting into it. Maybe this just isn't the romance genre for me?

Fun enemies-to-lovers romance! Loved twisting the trope of the rake and the flirt who don't have that much experience and need each other to improve in the bedroom.

A fun historical fiction book featuring a fabulous enemies to lovers storyline. I loved the previous book To Have And To Hoax and was very excited for this sequel. I was not disappointed! It is a wonderful sequel but can easily be read as a stand alone book.
The main characters and support characters are very well conceived and the storyline keeps the reader interested from beginning to end. The banter between Diana and Jeremy is fantastic, their relationship is witty and passionate. Even when they are manipulating each other you can feel the overwhelming attraction they have for each other. But the big question is will they let the other one know their true feelings.
I highly recommend this feel good story! I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

There were moments where this was charming and funny, though sadly for the most part is was a bit too much telling instead of showing and slow paced. The banter between Diana and Jeremy wasn’t always smooth and swoonworthy, and often times I got caught up trying to follow along what was really happening.

The premise of their enemies to lovers trope didn’t feel very compelling and the emotional stakes never quite got there. While this is a breezy, light-hearted read, it wasn’t as compelling as I hoped it would be.

To Love and To Loathe

Unfortunately I just couldn’t nottt get into this one.
I started listening to it in audio and I just felt like there was way to much going on and not enough character development to get me hooked! It was a DNF for me unfortunately!

This was adorable. I'm not normally a fan of regency era or historical fiction, but I must admit this one hit the mark. A perfect blend of feminism and a realistic portrayal of the past blended with romance and snark. I wouldn't particularly classify this as enemies to lovers, as the two were never truly enemies. But the sass and back and forth between them was on point. Definitely an enjoyable read.

When i found out this book was part of a series I almost squealed with delight. Give me historial romance and I am there! The cover is so fun, and I love the fact that it didn't have to read in order. Sign me up! I read this book is one day flat.

I love when the female character has a strong will in a society known with strong willed men. The banter and word play in this book was so fun and cute. I laughed, I blushed and absolutely fell head over heels for Jeremy and Diana. I had to go down to the bookstore to buy To Have and To Hoax.

Thank you netgalley and atria books for the copy in exchange for an honest review

Martha Waters’ sophomore novel brings back some of our favorite characters from To Have And To Hoax. Lady Diana Templeton is a widow with high standing. She decides it time for her to have some agency and live her own life. She does this by entering a mutually beneficial scheme with the Marquess of Willingham, Jeremy, a longtime bachelor and notorious rake. As their relationship changes so does their hearts despite both parties wishing to maintain the status quo.

was a fun interesting story of romance between two people in the regency era
for those who have previously enjoyed regency romances and enemies to lover romances
this will be a sure-fire hit

sadly this book as just helped me confirm that regency romances arent really my thing. i had a good time tho

I absolutely adored this regency rom-com by Martha Waters. We revisit the town she introduced in To Have and to Hoax, and I loved these characters even more! The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham have been long time friends who fiercely bicker, and also flirt with each other! One evening Diana sets a wager that he will marry within a year, or she will pay him a large sum. In private, he approaches her with a counter-proposal, Throughout the year of their wager, they become closer and closer, at the expense of their hearts.

Martha Waters is a great up and coming romance author to watch for- her books feature strong, intelligent women with quick wits who are quick to find creative ways around societal restrictions. I enjoyed "To Love and to Loathe" so much that I immediately read "To Have and To Hoax" and am waiting impatiently for "To Marry and to Meddle."

I liked this better than book one which rarely happens. But I really appreciated that the heroine was a widow that valued her independence. I felt like that acknowledged and lent depth to Waters' character portrayal.

The banter was sweet, and the hero seemed evolved well throughout the book.

I loved the dynamic between the friends. I know they were there in the first book, but for some reason I felt like the chemistry of the friends was more believable this time.

Well done for a sophomore novel.

I really enjoyed this one. I liked the characters dialogue. I think that might have been my favorite parts of the book. Both Diana and Jeremys remarks and wittiness made for a comedic read at times.

It’s a typical enemies to lovers book and I don’t think it disappointed.