I guess I am used to a faster paced book. I had a very hard time getting into this book and even then found myself skimming over many parts. So sorry, I wanted to like it, but it definitely could be more condensed.

(2.5 stars) The humor of this book was charming, but the chemistry between the two leads was lacking and there were no real stakes or conflict.

To Swoon and To Spar is yet another fantastic romp by Martha Waters! Penvale meets his match in his new bride who only wishes to be alone in the house. Add in ghosts, crying noises, and late-night searches and you have quite an interesting premise. I have devoured all of Waters's other books in this series. Each one is better than the last. Her ability to pull in regency-era ideas and romance into one is pure genius. Any lover of Regency romance will find this an instant read.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC! ❤️

I read the first two books in this series and somehow missed the third - much to my dismay (but also joy, because I can go catch up!)

So, I like Jane Austen… but I LOVE Gothic tropes. So this was just a lot of fun. I wasn’t absolutely crazy about the final scene, nor did I find the final act (in general) very convincing. But the rest of the romance plot was so well done, it’s an overall 5 star read for me. I really liked the dynamic between the two leads - it’s kind of an enemies-to-lovers, but moreso a forced proximinity type deal. Got to love it.

Also. The spicy scene. This wasn’t getting less than 5 stars, I’ll leave it at that.

The “if you like Bridgerton, then you’ll like this” marking I read on my copy was accurate! I also think Waters is a great author for first time regency readers - maybe even moreso than Julia Quinn’s books (which are also great!).

This was also much better than the first two, for me personally! I liked those, but didn’t love them. That may be a trope preference, but I am now very excited to get my hands on the book I accidentally skipped, because this was so great!

Now going to anxiously await an ARC for West and Sophie…..

I have read all of Martha Waters' books, and this is my favorite. Such an entertaining premise with a delightful and unexpected heroine! I normally am not a big fan of "slow burn" romances, but I didn't even mind it here--in fact I liked it--given the setup and the context of the rest of the story. Really such a pleasure.

A good addition to this series. While it didn't quite have the laugh out loud moments the others in the series did, this one was still a good read. It was nice to see a different side of Penvale and get to know his character better.

In the latest in the series, Penvale finally has what he wants in his sights, his family's manor that was previously taken by a scheming uncle. The only thing in his way is the slight inconvenience of marrying his uncle's ward who he hasn't met before. It doesn't stop him and since Jane wants to keep living in the only home she's ever known, she agrees. She just needs to continue her quest that got the previous owner out. The consequences and confusion make the story. It's a must read!

Technically, I'd give this a 3.5 stars but bumping it up to 4 stars because of all the Jane Austen references, which I loved!

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a digital review copy of Martha Waters' latest book in her Regency Vows series. I first discovered Waters' books through NetGalley (with To Love and to Loathe), and it's been a pleasure reading and following these characters through this series. "To Swoon and to Spar" features Penvale, Diana's brother who's been set on gaining back the ancestral home (Trethwick Abbey) from his uncle, and finally has the opportunity to do so. With one catch - he must marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer. Jane is a fascinating heroine in that she's shy, in a way that comes off as incredibly prickly. I haven't read a character whose shyness isn't seen as a personality flaw or something that has to be "overcome", which is so refreshing to me, someone who is also shy.

The premise of the book, with Jane wanting to just have Trethwick Abbey all to herself without a pesky husband getting in the way, and resorting to staging pretend ghost hauntings (i.e. spooky thumping, items reappearing in weird places, loud shrieks at night, etc.) to get Penvale to leave, is a little contrived and silly, but not surprising for this series. We've already seen someone faking consumption to get back at her husband for a years-long mutual silent treatment, so pretend hauntings aren't all that weird. I found the story a little lackluster without the delightful shenanigans of Violet, Diana, and Emily (although we do see glimpses of them toward the end of the book), but I did enjoy the developing relationship of Penvale and Jane as they grew to understand each other. Overall, this was a cozy addition to the series and I'm looking forward to what's next from Martha Waters!

Such a unique book, I loved the plot and oh my god the characters we're so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

For fans of Bridgerton, this delightful romp follows a Viscount and his new wife, in name only, in their early marriage. Will they find their way to love?

Martha Waters continues to hone her craft to perfection with every new book she puts out. I have loved every book in this series and she has topped each previous book with an even better one without fail. To Swoon and to Spar is a lovely tribute to gothic literature in romcom format. I loved Penvale in all his regency himbo glory. Jane was a delight to read about. Through all her anxieties and shyness, she was a lovely romantic lead who carried the emotional arc of the story. I loved the slow release of the romance. Marriage of convenience to friends to lovers is now a favourite trope thanks to this book!

Martha Waters continues to hone her craft to perfection with every new book she puts out. I have loved every book in this series and she has topped each previous book with an even better one without fail. To Swoon and to Spar is a lovely tribute to gothic literature in romcom format. I loved Penvale in all his regency himbo glory. Jane was a delight to read about. Through all her anxieties and shyness, she was a lovely romantic lead who carried the emotional arc of the story. I loved the slow release of the romance. Marriage of convenience to friends to lovers is now a favourite trope thanks to this book!

I don’t know how many different ways I can say Martha Waters is an absolute delight, but she’s an absolute delight! This absolute romp of a romcom includes fake hauntings, her characteristic banter, and a heroine you can absolutely root for. She continues to improve with every novel (which is impressive given how stellar she’s been from the beginning). Do yourself a favor and add her to your “must read” list!

Martha Walters is back with another swoon worthy romance! This time we meet Penvale (introduced in earlier books in the series) and Jane. A marriage of convenience is tested when their home may haunted. I highly recommend for fans of Walters, and romance readers alike!

It's cute. Very Martha Waters. If you've read her others, you will enjoy this one. We are likely to purchase a couple copies as her others have travelled well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

Martha Waters has always been a hit or miss for me and surprise surprise! I unsurprisingly got nothing from this.

The storyline was dull with an ill paced plot that was essentially non-existent. Perhaps it was just me but I felt like I was reading the same paragraph over and over again—making it quite obvious the writing style left much to be desired. Then the biggest issue I came across were the main characters, Jane (intolerable) and Penvale (tolerable). They were terribly boring and poorly written. The lack of character traits that typically can draw readers in the storyline and the world that the author created were MIA. With that being said, I can't fail to mention the romance. Absolutely lackluster. Where was the chemistry? Where was the tension? Why were they such a boring AF couple?

Ugh. To put it bluntly—"To Swoon and to Spar" was an uneventful romance with one dimensional characters that would put you to sleep. I was really hoping for the swooning enemies to lovers banterful romance the synopsis made it out to be. But like I said—I got a whole lotta nada. 10/10 won't recommend it.

I keep saying I don’t like historical romance, and I am a liar!!! This book was so clever and swoony and just fabulous! Jane and Penvale had excellent banter and chemistry and I sped through this book.

5 stars!

I haven’t read a lot of historical romance, so i was excited to read this one and discover a new type of romance! It started out a little slow, but overall i think it was a cute romance with fun characters!
If you’ve read the first 3 books, I’m sure you’ll like this one.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest book review!

I have enjoyed the other books in Martha Waters' "The Regency Vows" series, so I was excited to see that she has another book out! "To Swoon and to Spar" continues in the same time period and social circle of her previous books, and it was fun to see the beloved characters from previous books. This particular book centers around Viscount Penvale and his new wife, Jane. In order to reclaim his former home, Penvale must also marry the woman who lives in it. But Jane is not as plain or boring as her name might sound. Rather, she's smart, spirited, and striking. While she loves the home, she doesn't love sharing it -- especially with a man! So she and her staff work on convincing Penvale that it's haunted. But what will happen once Jane realizes that she actually is starting to feel some affection for Penvale? And will her plan backfire?

It was so nice to be back in this world of Waters' making, and I enjoyed the fun camaraderie between Penvale and Jane. They had some sweet chemistry and it was enjoyable to "see" them fall for each other. I wish we could have had a little more of a conclusion to the storyline but it was otherwise such a fun book to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Fun and atmospheric in a way that worked within this gothic spoof. I have to say it was a little slow though. Could’ve been even wackier, and that would’ve suited me fine. Still, these characters felt realistic and toned down for a romantic comedy. Often times the characters are extremely high-maintenance. I’ll continue to read this series.