This was a cute and pretty enjoyable book. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was cute, fun and funny. Not my favorite book but still a great and quick easy read.

A fantastic read -- I thought the characters were well-developed and I adored their dynamic/chemistry. Probably my favorite of the series!

This regency romance is just what I needed! The banter was spot on and the slow burn was fantastic!! Martha had me at marriage of convenience! Jane took a little before I liked her but I did end up enjoying her and Penvale! I didn't realize this was a series when I requested it. I feel like you can read it as a standalone. There were a few characters that I'm guessing are from the previous books. This was a fun little read!!

Thank you Marth, Netgalley, and Atria Books for my review e-copy!

To Swoon and to Spar is the fourth novel in the Regency Vows series. As each novel features a new couple, the stories could be read as standalones; however, the couples do crossover and the timelines are continuous, so it could also be read as a series. This story follows Viscount Penvale who is ready to have his beloved Trethwick Abbey in Cornwall, but there is a catch. His uncle will only agree is Penvale gets married, and he selects his ward, Jane Spencer. The two enter a marriage of convenience, but Jane would rather be left alone with her books. Thus begins a tale where the two are at odds, including a haunting, where they are also forced to get to know the other.

Both Jane and Penvale has a fondness for the estate, so it was nice to see their sides of why they wanted to be there and their connections. The house was a great way to tie the characters together as it helped act as a tie-in to their marriage of convenience. Their relationship was a very slow burn. Jane is shy yet still rude at times, so her character took a bit to get used to. Sometimes it came across as if she was inconsistent, so I believe it is just something in the writing rather than with the character herself. She was, still, a great example of an introvert as she was a great contrast for more outgoing Penvale. I liked that Penvale tried to see Jane’s side rather than forcing Jane to automatically conform to Penvale’s side. There is a lot more to their romance and interactions, but I leave that up to the reader to find out instead of me spoiling everything.

Penvale’s sister, and main protagonist from the second novel, Diana, plays a secondary role in this story. She is very protective of Penvale and therefore is wary of Jane. I greatly enjoyed her in her own story and even as a secondary character in books one and three, however, she was a bit much in this story. For the series itself, I loved the other three novels, so it is difficult not to compare them. I felt this one was the weakest of the four in terms of plot and chemistry, but it was still a fun and enjoyable story. There are still other characters that still need their own story, so I look forward to reading more in this series in the future! Overall, I love Waters’s writing and the series as a whole. I greatly look forward to reading more from Waters in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Atria Books, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

1818

Peter Bourne, 29, and seventh Viscount Penvale took up his title at age 10 upon the death of his father. At the time, the coffers needed money so the family home, Trethwick Abbey in Cornwall was sold to his uncle whom his father had despised. Now, years later, his uncle is willing to sell the Abbey to Penvale if he will agree to marry his ward, Jane Spencer, 21.

Penvale’s sister, Diana, 5 years younger than him is now happily married to Jeremy the Marquess of Willingham. They are both skeptical of Jane and wonder if Penvale will be happy.

Jane has lived at the Abbey for several years now and loves it. She hates London and wants to stay only at Trethwick. Upon meeting Jane Penvale, he finds her an attractive woman but quite prickly. Jane’s idea is to hopefully make Penvale think the Abbey is haunted and have him return to London so she can live at the Abbey in peace. She has been working with some of the staff to scare her uncle which is why he has agreed to sell it to Penvale.

After a short engagement, they are wed and head to Trethwick. Soon, Jane and the people helping her begin their litany of screams, bumps, etc. trying to scare Penvale. However, he doesn’t believe in ghosts but does investigate things. In the meantime, their marriage is still chilly because Jane is cold.

I really wanted to like this book but even in the end, I could not bring myself to like Jane. She’s just plain weird. A clever plot but It just didn’t do it for me.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a fun and FUNNY Regency romance that might just be my new favorite in the series! I loved that this was a dual POV, strangers to lovers marriage of convenience that featured two prickly/socially awkward, lonely people who find solace and love where neither was expecting.

Set in Cornwall, this book had fake hauntings, crazy seagulls, cameos from past characters and some delicious steam! Great on audio narrated by Anais Inara Chase and Joel Froomkin. If you aren't a big historical romance fan, this series is definitely a standout and worth giving a try. Perfect for fans of authors like Elizabeth Everett, India Holton or Evie Dunmore.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I received an ARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

To Swoon and to Spar is a new twist on the marriage of convenience. It's How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Ghosthunter Edition. Jane is fed up of having her life decided for her by odious men, and she so she sets up a series of events and pretends that a ghost is haunting the country home at the center of the story. It's a slow burn of a book with a lot of time spent on the "hauntings." It's definitely not insta-love between Jane and Penvale, but I found their relationship to be believable. In regards to the events that lead up to the marriage of convenience, I don't think I buy it. However, I think it's really difficult to make a marriage of convenience believable. 9 times out of 10 the machinations that lead to it don't hold water. If I had a spicy scale to rate romance novels on with 5 being a Carolina Reaper and 1 being a bell pepper, To Swoon and to Spar would get a rating of 2 like a poblano pepper. Which is fine, I rather have less bodice ripping than awkward bodice ripping any day.

I was entertained but I don't think To Swoon and to Spar will having lasting power in my memory. But I found the premise novel and the characters likeable enough. I'd give it 3.5 stars rounded up.

For years, Viscount Penvale's sole focus was to buy Trethwick Abbey, his family's country home. When his uncle announces that he is finally willing to part with the estate, Penvale is beyond excited. However, there is a catch. He will only sell the estate to Penvale if he marries his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer. After meeting, it is clear that this is not love at first sight. Yet, Penvale wants the Abbey, and Jane wants to live at the Abbey far away from the business of London, so they agree to marry.
I was a little nervous that I would be lost by not reading the previous books in this companion series, but I found that I could follow along easily.

This was my first Martha Waters book, and it certainly won't be my last. I heard that Waters' humor was fantastic, and I see why. I laughed a lot. The banter was hilarious. This is a slow burn and a clean romance in terms of spice. So, if you prefer a faster pace and a bit more loving, this may not work for you.

I thought Waters' take on the Gothic novel was a clever way to tell this story. There is even a haunting. The ghostly aspects were ridiculous but fun to read.

I liked both characters, but Jane shines here. She is feisty, yet shy and nervous. I loved her dialogue and felt she stayed true to her character throughout the story.

I read along with the audio, and I do have to say that I did not care for the voice actor for Penvale. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I found him off putting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The fourth installment in the Regency Vows series didn't disappoint. I was curious to see how Penvale's story would unfold after enjoying his appearances in the first three books. Penvale, who is known for working toward getting his family's home back from a nefarious uncle, finally gets his chance to attain his goal. His uncle's visit marks a shift -- the uncle is ready to sell, but on one condition: Penvale must marry Jane, his uncle's ward. Jane is equally spirited as Penvale's sister Diana, and stumbles in social situations because her bluntness often surprises people.

Jane, however, has come used to living in Penvale's family home and would rather not deal with him, despite the allure of a marriage of convenience. After weighing their interests, Penvale and Jane decide to wed. Soon, however, Penvale realizes why his uncle was ready to sell -- the house is haunted! Waters crafts a pitch-perfect romance around a haunted house (that maybe isn't so haunted...). Jane and Penvale's banter is endearing, authentic, and swoon-worthy.

I flew through this romance. It's the perfect spring read, particularly as we await Charlotte's premiere on Netflix. Bridgerton fans will love this one. I also recommend it to fans of Harper St. George or Evie Dunmore. It has a bit less spice, but the spice is there.

I’ve been so lucky to be able to read ARCs of every book in the Regency Vowels Series. This has been such a fun series with lots of banter, humor, and likable characters.
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🌀marriage of convenience
🌀opposites attract
🌀forced proximity
🌀one bed
🌀a not so haunted house
🌀slow burn
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This series is great and honestly I don’t want it to end.
Thank you netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book!

I loved this book. One of the best Regency era books I have read. I liked that Jane was not the normal "different" girl. She isn't known for being the kindest, or funniest, or other common trope characteristics. She is shy and blunt, but yes also witty and intelligent. The development of her and Penvale's relationship is perfectly done. If one likes Bridgeton, they too would love this book. I personally have not read other books of this series, but this worked equally as well as a standalone book too. A fun read through and through.

This book got me hooked on the whole Regency vows series. Book #4 in the series deals with Penvale, brother to Diana who we saw earlier in the series, getting back his ancestral home but there's a catch! His uncle will sell him the home if he marries his uncles ward Jane Spencer. Penvale will do anything to get back home, but once he's home he discovers that there may be a ghost in his home. While the two agree on a fake marriage, it gives way to real feelings, and Jane and Penvale begin to wonder if maybe there is more to their feelings. A really cute little historical romance read.

I received and ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really hard for me to read because I initially HATED the heroine. I didn't appreciate her plan to force a man from his home so that she could have it for herself. As time went by I liked her more. And I greatly appreciated that she decided to go after him. All in all this book was fine. I enjoyed the read but probably wouldn't reread at any point.

4.5 stars rounded up

This is a fantastically funny book. I laughed out loud numerous times when Jane used her sharp tongue against Penvale. I related to Jane in her shyness. I enjoyed the book immensely and was sad when it was over. A very enjoyable read. I need to read the first two books of the series.

Oh how I love this series!! This may have been my favorite yet! Although, I do have to admit I think I have said that every time. It’s hard not to love these lovable characters! The time period might be different but I love that Martha Waters makes them so relatable. I also loved the ghost aspect of this one. Jane was really sweet and I felt for her and rooted for her.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This series has been such a joy to read. I loved the slow burn between Penvale & Jane. There wss great depth to both of their characters & I loved seeing how they each dealt with problems both individually & together. I also LOVED all the humor. I really find the mix of humor with the Regency setting to be such a breath of fresh air.

Martha Waters is back with another riot! I’ve enjoyed the regency vows series so much and could not wait for this story. It did not disappoint! Waters usual humor is in full swing here and her wit is unmatched. Jane and Penvale are real, multidimensional characters that you find yourself falling in love with and their story is funny, heartfelt, and sexy.

Martha Waters hits another one out of the park with To Swoon and to Spar. Penvale and Jane's story was fun from beginning to end and all our favorites are back again for another jaunt back in time.

Peter - Penvale - is a viscount without a proper home. His family home that he's tried to secure back from his uncle has remained largely out of his grasp for decades when he's finally approached with an offer: the home in exchange for 10% more money and a marriage proposal to a ward. There's just one hitch - directly following the marriage, Penvale is told that his beloved house is haunted.

Jane has no desire to be married, but she has even less desire to leave Trethwick Abbey, so if spooking one man out at the expensive of a marriage of convenience then so be it. How hard could it possibly be to scare her husband away too? Oh yes, reader by day, ghost by night, Jane fancies herself the little trickster and is only too happy to do so to achieve her own happy ending. There's just one problem - Penvale is actually a thoroughly nice gentleman who loves his home? Now conflicted, Jane has to decide if learning to share her life with Penvale is worth the risk, or risk living isolated in the countryside forever.

Martha Waters captivated me from the moment I started her series with Audley and Violet. Introducing Jane to give Penvale his own story was a welcome sight and even more fun to see where Jeremy and Diana and Belfry and Emily are now. Even more exciting is the knowledge that we're going to get West and Sophie next. Growing up loving historical romance books, these new version with less spice and more updated fun has been refreshing and allows the genre to gain new readers that may not have read them otherwise. Another highly encouraged read for your bookshelf this year.

This was really fun! A bit of a swapped Northanger Abbey vibe to it, but only just a tad. Not my favorite Martha Waters, but still really solid.

This series is one of my favorite historical romance series. Each book is so fun and has such interesting and fun characters. I loved the romance in this one which felt so realistic and compelling.