What do you get when a viscount and a country miss agree to get married after knowing each other for approximately three hours? A whirlwind regency romance with *not* so haunted houses, begrudgingly shared interests and genuinely loveable main characters. 🖤

THOUGHTS:
- Even though the characters are a bit older than your traditional coming-of-age tale, I still feel like this story had some of those elements because the main characters were so inexperienced in romantic matters! It was sweet to see them experience growing a healthy relationship piece by piece without any insta-love.
- Jane is such an awesome heroine! I really enjoyed her blunt commentary, and each time, she shocked her companions by skirting around social 'niceties'. Many of them made me smile because I, too, like to speak forthrightly!! She also loves to read - which we all know makes any bookish gal's heart happy! 🥰

FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Penvale." Jane's voice had slid into outright exasperation. "Do you see how much time I spend reading? Don't you think I would find something else to do if the books weren't about something interesting?" -- THIS. I giggled so much when I read this. Yes... there are plenty of books to read that don't involve smut.. but the ones that do? I feel totally shameless about indulging in a little brain candy! lol, I'm married to a man that doesn't like to read.. *gasps and places hand over heart like the Southern gal that I am*, and it's so hard to explain to him why I read so much. The world of books is full of wondrous things. 😉

NOTES:
- 🌶🌶/5: Truly, this was a fun one to read because it's so unlike other regency romances in some of the scenes!!!
- Tropes: Foes to lovers, One bed, marriage of convenience,
- Quick read - a little over 30 pages
- Totally random, but I really appreciate when characters aren't described as traditionally the most beautiful doe-eyed folks in the room. Not listing an FMC with perfectly coiled blonde ringlets and blue eyes, or an FMC with black hair and broody dark eyes.. lol we need a little of the other phenotypes too! 😂

**Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for this advance reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. - SLR 🖤

To Swoon and to Spar follows Viscount Penvale and Jane, his wife, as she tried to make him move out by pretending the estate they just moved in is haunted.

I found Jane to be inconsistent, with her being described as shy but in reality she was quite rude & blunt. I have no idea how Penvale saw past that & managed to fall in love with her. I also had issues with how she was described. She was said to be "not pretty" and has "violet" eyes. I get saying this once but I felt like the author wanted to remind us all the time that she has "violet" eyes.

Penvale seems like a nice man with a good heart, no complaints.

Overall, it kind of fell flat for me and I didn't see the chemistry between the characters. I am interested in Diana and her story so I might pick that book up.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ever since his childhood home was sold to his odious uncle over his objections, Viscount Penvale has been scheming to buy it back. Now after years of refusing to entertain his increasingly well funded offers, his uncle has agreed to sell, with one teeny little requirement: Penvale must marry his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer. Jane and Penvale immediately dislike each other. He finds her rude and headstrong, she finds him cold and snobby, yet both also see in each other a way to get what they want most and so agree to a marriage in name only. But once they return to Cornwall, Jane and Penvale slowly start to reevaluate what they thought they knew about each other. And when the mysterious haunting that drove Penvale’s uncle and Jane’s guardian away from the home resumes, its only a matter of time before Penvale and Jane are drawn even closer together as they work to solve the mystery of what–or who–is behind the ghostly sounds.

This book has absolutely everything I’ve come to expect in a Martha Waters novel. First there is the almost comical premise–in this case a fake haunting amid a marriage of convenience. Then there is the top notch banter, which is both distinctive (Penvale and Jane’s banter feels nothing like Jeremy and Diana’s, for instance) and delightfully familiar. Finally there are the shenanigans, which truly get more unhinged in every novel that really should not work but thanks to Waters’ impeccable sense of comedic timing and warmth always do. As excellent and fun as this book is–and I truly do recommend it wholeheartedly–I would have liked to see Jane and Penvale’s physical connection develop a little more prior to the finale (which has a very sweet not-so-big-but-still-really-meaningful gesture. I also wish it had been just a trifle longer--I wanted more time with Penvale and Jane and more time with their wonderful expanding group of friends! But that just might be me being selfish with this little book world I’ve come to love dearly. All in all, this is the perfect book to save for a dreary day when you are ready to have your spirits lifted (get it? It's a haunting joke!)

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.

Nobody enjoys a good gothic romance more than I do. I like a story that has atmosphere, that features a setting with drafty rooms and stately architecture and echoes that reverberate throughout foyer. I like the feeling of a sprawling estate with history, especially if it's eerie history. I'm here for the creaking of stairs, for the isolated quiet, for the moans after midnight, and for the blowing snowdrifts that wisp around a newly, but conveniently, married couple as they settle into their Cornwall estate, both of them thinking that nothing much in their lives will need to change.

As a result of that, I was excited to get early access to this book. I've been a fan of The Regency Vows series since it's inception and was looking forward to this Northanger Abbey meets Bridgerton foray into an English country manor with Penvale and Jane. However, while I again appreciated Water's cheeky and subversive style, which has been a hallmark of this series, and something I'm come to love and expect from it, I didn't love this one as much as I hoped I would. It wasn't my favorite.

Similar to Emily and Julian in To Marry and To Meddle, Penvale and Jane enter into a marriage of convenience.

For years, Penvale has been looking for a way to buy back his ancestral estate from his uncle. He's finally offered the opportunity to do so, but only if he agrees to marry Jane, his uncle's ward. Jane agrees to the match because Trethwick Abbey is the only home she's ever known and she doesn't want to leave it. However, she's not all that keen about being handed from one man to another, wanting her own freedom, her own independence, so she devises a plan to try and haunt her husband out of house and home so he'll return to London and she can be left alone. In peace.

Alas, Penvale is too poised and practical to be spooked with ease. And Jane, as she comes to spend more time with him, comes to find that she doesn't mind (might even like!) her husband's company.

So the question becomes: who's really haunting who here? What if it's love - not a ghost - that's lurking in the hidden staircase?

There wasn't anything inherently wrong or bad about this story. In fact, I liked that readers were in on the fake-haunting gag from the outset because it added a level of desperate absurdity to things, which was amusing. I also enjoyed being more removed from London. The Cornwall setting was blustery yet cozy, making me want to prop up by the fire with a warm blanket, some tea, and a pair of fuzzy socks as I read.

Where I struggled, I think, was connecting to Penvale and Jane as a couple. Their personalities didn't mesh well for me, with him being so serious, pragmatic, and deadpan all the time and her being so sharp and prickly. Though Jane was characterized as shy, I found her to come across as more hostile than anything, especially toward Diana. She could be downright rude. Almost mean at times. I did warm to her eventually, but there was a lack of lightness to her and their dynamic as a whole that I found wanting.

Probably my least favorite of the series so far. Still fun, though! Lots of cameos from other characters as well.

Here's hoping West and Sophie are next! 🤞🏻

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I love Martha Waters Regency Vows series and was excited to read the next installment. Once again, I enjoyed the writing and the lighthearted fun. I did miss the banter of the friend group a bit as this story took place outside of London so the friends weren’t all close at hand and the story was very focused on Penvale and Jane. Overall I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to fans of this series.

Many thanks to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was great! I couldn't put it down! The premise was fresh and new, which is hard for me to say as I read so much each year! Sometimes it feels as though I keep reading similar stories, but this was a so original!

I love this series by Martha Waters! It's nice catching up with the couples from past books! Can't wait for the next one!!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of TO SWOON AND TO SPAR by Martha Waters. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Waters's previous books, so it wasn't too surprising that I enjoyed this one as well. It did feel a little bit calmer, tamer than her other books—I got less caught up in it. But that's either the calmer personalities of the main characters or just my mood and expectations, I think. I will say that the personality of the female main character, Jane, was the closest representation to my own personality that I've ever read in a book before and I felt almost too seen. That was pretty cool. The Northanger Abbey-like antics, which hearkened back to the first book in this series with its farcical moments, were enjoyable. I also enjoyed the non-London setting, especially a particular scene in the ocean. I had a good time and I'm excited to hopefully, finally get the West and Sophie story next? Maybe I need to send Waters an email.

In order to regain ownership of his family home in Cornwall from his nasty uncle, Penvale must marry Jane, his uncle’s ward. Penvale is likable, friendly and easy going. His goal for many years was to return to his childhood home with its memories of a happier time with his family. Jane is shy and uncomfortable around strangers. She is obnoxious, irritating and cold supposedly in reaction to feeling awkward. In order to keep her sanctuary away from London and people, she agrees to the marriage. Without caring why Penvale wants to live far from his friends and sister, Jane comes up with a plan to drive Penvale back to London. Since her plan of frightening the nasty uncle with a haunted house was successful, it should work on Pervale. Thankfully Penvale is amused by his wife’s sharp personality or the book would have been unreadable.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the ARC.

To Swoon and to Spar is book four in The Regency Vows by Martha Waters and it is an utterly heartwarming and hilarious romp regency story.
This book is truly entertaining! I liked the chemistry and connection of Viscount and Jane.
I also loved supporting characters
Humorous and marvelously witty Martha Waters crafts another delightful romp for all historical romance fans.
This story was a very fun and flowed very smoothly. I loved all of the characters and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
I was entertained, impressed, and completely satisfied by this amazing new historical rom-com.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I love this series they are always so good. They are highly entertaining Regency Rom-Com. This book had me hooked from the very first page til the very end. I loved this!! Please keep this series going I so look forward to it.
I just reviewed To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters. #NetGalley
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An enemies-to-lovers story as two people are maneuvered into marriage in order to settle a land deal, which is a heck of a lot more realistic than most Regency fiction.

Its also hilarious as Jane uses the old fake-haunted-house ploy (i.e. that episode of the Brady Bunch when the kids dress up as ghosts to stop a house sale) in order to try and reclaim some agency in her life.

I loved how both characters grew throughout the book, learning they didn't know everything, and, to know one's surprise, fall adorably in love with each other.

Having now read all 4 of Martha Waters's books, I can now conclude with authority that her books are just...fine. They're fairly low heat (I would feel comfortable keeping these in my high school classroom library), which is not a problem. Everyone has different comfort levels with sexual content!
But, the lack of spice is not made up for anywhere else. The banter is witty, but it doesn't happen nearly enough. Waters's plots are always campy, but they don't lean into the absurdity enough ("commit to the bit," etc). Waters has potential, but I need to see her up the ante to be invested in reading her work further.

This was such a charming read and my new favorite from Martha Waters! It had great whimsical gothic vibes and a sweet slow burn romance.

Penvale has been on a mission to purchase his family home for most of his life. His uncle, who owns the house, finally agrees as long as Penvale will also marry his ward. Jane is tired of her life being controlled by men and decides to take matters into her own hands. She figures she can “haunt” her house and scare Penvale into returning to London and leaving her in peace. But as they get to know each other, is that really what she wants?

This book was so swoony! I loved Jane and Penvale’s slow burn relationship. I liked the pacing of them learning more about each other and falling slowly in love. Jane was such a great grumpy, introverted character. I loved how she grew throughout the book while maintaining her core self. Penvale was a wonderful hero and his journey to discovering that more than just the house matters was well done. If there was one thing I would offer, it would be to have more romance. This book was heavy on character development and house related antics, but the spicy scenes were short and glazed over.

This book really was so charming and fun. I didn’t want to put it down. Martha Waters did a wonderful job bringing these characters and this house to life. I have super high hopes for West and Sophie’s book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-book in exchange for my honest review!

To Swoon and To Spar, the fourth book in the Regency Vows series, focuses on Lord Peter Penvale, who lost his ancestral home when his parents died. For years he has been unsuccessfully trying to buy it back from his uncle, when to his surprise the uncle shows up in London offering to sell it, if Penvale marries his uncle's beautiful ward Jane. Marrying Jane seems a small price to pay to get his home back. Unbeknownst to Penvale, Jane drove the uncle to sell by making the estate seem haunted. With the help of the servants she continues the "haunting," hoping to send Penvale running back to London, but he is not so easily duped. As they get to know each other, their sparring gets to be more good natured, and they find themselves in love. But will they get out of their own ways to let the romance bloom? Characters from the previous Regency Vows books appear in this one as well, as they are Penvale's friends. This series is for mature readers, as there are steamy romantic moments.

3.5/5 stars!

To Swoon and to Spar is the fourth book in The Regency Vows series. While it could be read as a standalone, if you have read any of the earlier books in the series you will appreciate updates on some of the characters from the other books. This book focuses on Penvale and Jane’s story. It was a cute read and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication: April 11, 2023.

I would like to thank Atria Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I have read the first 3 volumes of this series, and am pleased to say that To Swoon and To Spar is a fine companion to the first 3. This is a darling series of books. The Regency Vows, as they are called, are a delightful ser of romances set in Regency England. They are not political, but more a comedy of manners. Each book is the story of a set of lovers, or would be lovers, and their path to happiness. They are well written and fun to read. The story of To Swoon and to Spar, is that of Penvale and Jane. We have seen Penvale the first 3 books.He is a friend to all and brother to Diana.He dearly wants to regain the family country estate, and is working to that end. He is trying to make enough money to buy the estate from his uncle. At the beginning of this book, the uncle makes him an offer- marry Jane, a ward of the uncle's and he can buy the house back. one small caveat, the house may be haunted. Jane, the uncles ward, also loves the country house and has been staging "hauntings" to get the uncle out so she can live there in quiet peace.She agrees to marry Penvale, but secretly decides to continue the "hauntings. The story line is a bit predictable, but less fun.It is a good fun book to read and enjoy-I look forward to the next volume.

This book is my favorite in the series by Martha Waters. While they are all charming and full of banter, I found the relationship between Penhaven and Jane the most realistic and admirable, Jane is shy, and the way she copes with that shyness is to snap and bite at people. She marries Penhaven because she wants to continue to live in the house that he's bought where she used to be a ward. The two don't marry for love, but what's lovely about the book is that they slowly become friends, and come to understand each other. The buildup is slow, and also really fun to watch unfold. The friend group that has now grown across this series of books has developed beautifully; they are funny, they scold each other, they support each other. I highly recommend this delightful book.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

In this fourth book of the "Regency Vows" series, we follow Penvale as he does whatever it takes to regain ownership of his family's ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey. Unbeknownst to him, that will include agreeing to marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer. When they first meet in London, neither has a good first impression of the other, though they do agree to a marriage of convenience with each other. As they return to Trethwick Abbey, Jane launches her plan to run Penvale from the house and to leave her alone - by staging a fake haunting. As their time together increases, Jane realizes, much to her surprise, that she actually enjoys spending time with Penvale. And Penvale subsequently realizes that what he understood as rudeness from Jane is actually her shyness around strangers.

Martha Waters continues to be one of my favorite Historical Romance writers based on the banter and chemistry she is able to create between characters. Her characters literally jump off the page and this book made me laugh out loud multiple times. And not just the main characters! Though certainly the focus is on Penvale and Jane, we still get to see the other members of the friend group and their banter with each other as well. I've never wanted to be part of a friend group more than I do this one.

This plot is ridiculous but in the BEST way. I love a marriage of convenience and you'd perhaps think that because the third book in this series is also a marriage of convenience that it may have some of the same tones but truly this book is so unique from the third. There is only one bed (swoon), a fake haunting, a delightful small town. The shenanigans are top notch and so so funny - just truly such a romp of a book.

The only ONLY thing I could say as a 'criticism' is that I would have really liked one more spicy scene to help move their relationship forward. The one full scene we did get, though? INCREDIBLE, up against-a-wall, deliciousness.

Overall this was the perfect continuation to this series and I truly CANNOT WAIT for West and Sophie's story. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for the eARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love historical romances so much. Every book is this series has just gotten better and better. This one involved a newly married couple (they met like once before getting married and it was so he could get his family house back) where the wife was faking their country house being haunted to scare away her husband and have him return to London but (spoiler) they fall in love. It was just very fun and cute and I loved it.