I enjoyed this- there's a lot of deep emotion in this one. Some of the previous books have been silly, and there's silliness here too. But this one is more sweet, tender, and meaningful. I like Jane, and Penvale is a lot more fleshed out here. It's a solid book and a good read.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review!*

If you enjoy Bridgerton-esque historical romances with a sliver of paranormal activity, this book is for you. Despite the slow pace of the story, I really enjoyed it. I also usually prefer when character development is more in-depth, but the author's writing kept me engaged.

After Vicount Penvale decides to marry Jane in order to regain ownership of the Trethwick Abbey Estate, both of them agree that since their marriage is purely a business transaction, they will carry on with life per usual. Jane, however, decides to “haunt” the estate and try to scare Penvale back to London so she can have the property all to herself. We love an unhinged queen who will do whatever it takes to protect her peace. We’re talking staff members hiding in the stairwells to scream at night, running through the hallways in ghost-like attire, and more.

Over time, Jane and Penvale begin to develop affection for each other, which complicates Jane’s plan and their future together. You’ll have to check out the book to see what happens!

This is a perfect book to pick up for a day at the beach. I’m excited to read the other books in this series. (You don't need to read them in order.)

3.5 stars ⭐️

Overall, it is a cute story that had its own charm which I genuinely enjoyed, but its not one that I will be revisiting.

I absolutely adore Martha Waters' writing and this series! While To Swoon and to Spar isn't my favorite in the series, it was a fun marriage of convenience romance, complete with a haunted house and plenty of hijinks.

Penvale is trying to buy his childhood estate from his uncle. The only way? Marrying his uncle's ward, Jane, who is as cold as they come. But as the pair investigate the haunted house they now live in, the forced proximity they share can only have one outcome...true love.

This slow burn was so fun! I loved watching Penvale and Jane fall in love. The pair shares so many fun and tender moments. It was sweet seeing how Jane slowly softens throughout the book as she spends time with Penvale. I loved all their interactions, especially the time they spent in the library together.

The audiobook is great, narrated by Anais Inara Chase and Joel Froomkin. However I enjoyed Chase's narration over Froomkin's. Running just over 9 hours, it's a quick listen and I binged it in a day.

Viscount Penvale has made buying back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle his sole purpose in life. When opportunity finally presents itself after years of waiting, the only caveat is that he must marry his uncles ward, Jane Spencer. A marriage of convenience for them both becomes less convenient when it appears as if Trethwich Abbey is haunted.

Another splendid love story from Martha Waters! This was a slow burn love story, and I enjoyed the nods to Jane Eyre (but less questionable in the ending). I really enjoyed Jane as a character and this had LOTS of funny moments.

Thank you Atria Books and #NetGalley for the arc!

This was very fun! I am a fan of this series and I've liked all the books so far, and this one didn't disappoint. I really liked the fake haunted house concept and the begrudging acceptance to friends to lovers arc. Both characters were lonely in their own way, which gave them a lot in common once they opened up to each other. I'm looking forward to the last book in this series because it's been a lot of fun!

Read if you like: marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers
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I am loving this series by Martha Waters. Each book is so fun with loveable characters, witty banter, and a bit of steam!
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Perceval is told he will get his family estate back if he marries his uncle's ward, Jane. They both agree to the scheme, but when they reach the Abbey, it would seem that it is haunted. The two have to investigate the source of the haunting and it was so fun to read them on this adventure. The chemistry between Jane and Perceval was believable and I liked the development of their relationship!

Another great entry in the Regency Vow series. I have enjoyed that each book focuses on a couple in the friend group. Violet and Audley are still my favorite but Penvale and Jane are a close 2nd.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for an e-galley of To Swoon and to Spar.

I was thrilled to finally get my hands on Penvale's story, and Waters did not disappoint. I loved this story from start to finish.

Penvale has had a singular goal since he was 10 - buy back his family's estate. Jane has had a sole focus for the last 5 years - not let a man dictate her life. What happens when the two cross paths? Both Jane and Penvale realize the other is a means to an end - Jane to her life of not being controlled by a man, and Penvale, a way to finally purchase back the estate in Cornwall.

Enter a haunted house (or is it?), a relationship that begins to grow, and ultimately, a couple that reconciles their similar but differing goals.

To Swoon and to Spar is everything you would expect by now from a Martha Waters historical: goofy hijinks (heroine attempts to scare hero away from ancestral home by making it seem like it is haunted) underlaid by deep character work that gives you all the feels. I would describe this book as an homage to Northanger Abbey, but instead of Catherine Morland you get Jane, who is prickly and obstinant and so in need of love it makes you want to reach through the pages to give her a hug. It's sunshine and grump at it's finest --a perfect spring/summer read.

To Swoon and to Spar was another very fun historical romance from Martha Waters. In this book we follow Jane and Penvale and their marriage of convenience turns into more? Throw in a cast of nosy friends, a haunted house and social anxiety makes for a fun use of the miscommunication trope! I really enjoyed Jane and Penvale's path to happiness and getting to see all the characters reactions and relationships. I look forward to reading Martha Waters' next book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

This was mixed for me, I've been waiting for Penvale's story for quite a while, and this didn't quite do it for me unfortunately, but was glad to see all the other friends back!

This whole series is built around the fact that men and women do ridiculous things to get each other's attention, and they often get so caught up in the games that they lose sight of what it is they were really trying to accomplish. Hijinks ensue, and then they both have to bend a little (and end up not not being that upset about doing it) because that's what you do for the people you love. While To Swoon and To Spar isn't my favorite about this group of characters, it's still a lot of fun.

Penvale has long hoped to buy back his ancestral family home, and his jerk of an uncle finally gives him the opportunity...as long as Penvale also agrees to a marriage of convenience with his ward, Jane. The two don't really get along all that well at first, but neither cares much since Penvale gets his house and Jane gets out of London (she has social anxiety and all the balls and gatherings in town are her worst nightmare). Jane enlists the staff to help make it look like the house is haunted, hoping to scare Penvale into leaving. But in the meantime, she's also starting to get to know him...and she doesn't actually dislike him as much as she thought. She might even love him. So when he does end up going back to London, did she get what she wanted or end up breaking her own heart?

I love all of these characters and how sarcastic they are while still pretending to be classy and genteel. They give each other so much shit but do it with love and humor, and I love every minute. Can't wait for the next one!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**

Alright, this was a whacky one, and I mean that as a compliment. I was belly-laughing my way through this latest title by Martha Waters, and I loved it. Was it what I would would consider a historical romance? Yes, but also no? Was it gothic? No, but also a little bit yes? I just know that I was having a good time as I was dragged along by these two crazy kids. I think it does a fairly good job of standing alone from the rest of the series, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes humor mixed in with their countryside historical romances.

A comforting regency read. This was my first Martha Waters and my first Regency Vows book. I do not suspect that my reading suffered from jumping into the series at number four.

Penvale makes a great artistocratic hero and I was somehow left wanting more from him. This book is banter filled and has a great setting.
Jane and all her misguided attempts to make the haunting believable really saved this book for me. I did not love it so much for the romance plot, but for the humor that arrises from the haunting.
I love that Jane's idea to run Penvale off is a ghost! That is a woman after my own heart.
I wanted to love this way more than I did, but I enjoyed having read it and it was a real mood lifter.

Thanks to Atria books and NetGalley for my ARC.

Such a fun read! So swoony and full of fun! With the marriage of convenience, it's just great vibes. Pretending that your house is haunted so your husband leaves... LOVE IT!!

I received “To Swoon and To Spar” as an advanced reader copy from #netgalley. This is my third attempt at reading a Martha Waters’ novels. The former books “To Have and To Hoax” and “To Love and To Loath” were good but not captivating. I ended up skipping her third book “To Marry and To Meddle” because I had thought I had given up on her books. However, I can say that Martha Waters’ novels get better as she goes! “To Swoon and To Spar” was lovely, hilarious, and swoon worthy. I loved the golden retriever-esq character of Penvale, a complete opposite of what a Viscount would except to be. And then the slightly severe, awkward, and clever love interest Jane Spencer.

Normally, I would never encourage a reader to skip books a part of sister series, however I would say Matha Waters’ fourth novel is by far my favorite. (3.75 stars)

Such a lovely historical romance that will keep your interest from the very first meet cute to the hea.

First off, thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC (I hoped to get to it much sooner). I have become a devoted fan to this series, and this one is by far my favorite; had I lived in this era, I would've been a Jane. I love the gothic vibe, hidden staircases, and love of novels, but still encompassing the Martha Waters humor. I would agree with some home unlikely it could seem for these two to actually fall in love given their circumstantial marriage, but I'm here for it.

As always - such a readable book from MW. I enjoyed the setting and the ghost pranks. I wish there was a bit more tension between the MCs but I felt there was a natural progression into affection and appreciated that.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.