This was an entertaining, well-written Regency romance, It was fun, steamy and clever. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

If you’ve been reading the full Regency Vows series, you may have been anticipating a love story between West and Sophie since that first book. Indeed, James Audley’s older brother has some well-established history with Sophie, and readers could see the sparks between them as they were thrown together over the last four books. At long last, these two lovebirds get a second chance… via a fake engagement!

Before even starting To Woo and to Wed, I felt like I knew West and Sophie, at least a bit. Here, their personalities get to blossom more fully. Who knew how protective and bold Sophie was? And I loved getting to see little glimpses of humor in West, even if he only shows it around Sophie. In some ways, my expectations may have grown too high over the previous books. I was looking for a bit more chemistry, some extra heightened passion. Even so, the love story here is a delight and full of heart.

One of my favorite things about To Woo and to Wed is the frequent callbacks to earlier moments between Sophie and West. We get a fuller look at what went down seven years ago: the way West’s father cruelly prevented their engagement, the state of mind West was in when he got into the curricle accident that killed his best friend and left him injured, the messy aftermath of it all. We also get to see the rare interactions West and Sophie had in the years since then, even as recently as the previous summer at Jeremey’s house party.

In addition to West and Sophie’s unconventional path back to each other, there is also an emphasis on family. Indeed, a significant reason for their breakup before was a threat to Sophie’s younger sisters, and her reason for a fake engagement is, again, in support of one of her sisters. Sophie is very close with her whole family, sometimes going too far in trying to protect them. West, too, has had a great deal of weight on his shoulders, as he’s set to inherit the dukedom from his manipulative father. Even his relationship with his younger brother James is only just finally healing. West and Sophie are so similar in some ways, even if their outer personalities come off as quite distinct.

Seeing the whole cast of previous couples is also a treat, especially in the epilogue! I just love seeing them all together, happy and growing their families and finally content with one another.

To Woo and to Wed is a fine ending to a series that has been great fun, full of silliness and humor, but also filled with warmth and wit. I loved seeing the full spectrum of West and Sophie’s relationship, from where it started seven years earlier to how they finally got their happily ever after in the end.

The Regency Vows series may be over, but I look forward to reading more from Martha Waters, whatever form that may take.

Thanks to @atriabooks for an advance copy of To Woo and To Wed by Martha Waters, out TODAY! 🎉

The start of the new semester has been wild and while I’ve slightly fallen down on the job of reminding you how much I love this series, I’m here on the pub day of the FINAL BOOK to say: Hi. If you love friend groups and silliness and romance then what are you waiting for?!

To Woo and To Wed was my first read of the year and one I’ve looked forward to (Sophie and West!!!!) and dreaded (the finale of a beloved series) in equal measure.

This is second chance romance done right, with incredible MUTUAL PINING, beautiful found family, and grief, chronic pain, and child free representation.

Martha Waters has written a cast of characters that I hold so close to my heart, and this felt like the perfect conclusion. I already know I’ll be returning to these stories again.

I'm kind of in shock that I have officially finished The Regency Vows series. I remember reading To Have and To Hoax years ago and having it really be my gateway into the historical romance genre - and what a way to start! Now, years later, I have finally read West and Sophie's story, a story I have been actually begging for since it was initially hinted at.

It's been such a fun ride, getting to meet all these lovely couples and be a part of their love stories. Book ending the series with the two brothers was very smart and this was such a fitting end to a beloved series. Waters has just gotten better and better and her trademark wit is all over this book while also maintaining the magic of what makes a historical romance really shine.

Sophie and West have a love story that travels over seven years and it was such a treat to be able to get so many flashbacks - seeing them fall in love over multiple timelines even if one doesn't end as happily as the other. They have such chemistry on the page together, their banter and tension was a delight. West is so deliciously tortured. There is a lot going on in this book which makes sense as this love story is as tragic as it is lovely and unpacking all of it is a bit of an intense process but ultimately we are left with a lovely and satisfying conclusion to a story that began years ago.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

𝐓𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐝
𝐁𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐀𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟐.𝟔.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐻𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝑃𝑢𝑏 𝐷𝑎𝑦!

I enjoyed this series, and this was a satisfying close. But I will miss all the shenanigans of this friend group and their witty banter.

This book circles back around to Sophie - seven years after the first book - if I’m correct. Sophie is now a widow and content, but her sisters are worried she is lonely. Plus, her sister won’t marry until Sophie remarries - enter The Marquess of Weston or West.

Sophie and West had a relationship years ago, but it was curtailed by West’s horrible accident and his meddling father. To satisfy Sophie’s sisters and the rules of society, Sophie and West agree to “fake” an engagement. This time, Sophie is prepared to stand up to West’s father.

I was thankful that the author gave us flashbacks of Sophie and West’s original relationship and all that had transpired. I had forgotten quite a bit; it also helped set the tone for their fake but second-chance romance.

What I love about Waters’ writing is the sassy banter, the humor, the great friendships, and the swoony romances. I admit that I found this book slightly more serious than the others. But I highly recommend this series for romance readers.

Thank you @Atriabooks for the gifted digital ARC.

I have absolutely loved this series and I’m so sad that it’s over! I found this one frustrating but a lovely way to wrap up the series!
West has been one of my favorite characters throughout this series and I was so excited to read his story. He has been a calm steady presence throughout the books and everyone has been waiting for his turn!
I found Sophie quite frustrating in this book. She was annoying with her sisters (hate the miscommunication) and frustrating in her treatment of West.
West saves this book in my opinion. It was fun, I enjoyed the banter and it was a lovely way to wrap up the series.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! I’d give it 3.75 stars!

Phew! Finally we get West and Sophie's story! This one misses 5 stars because I spent most of the book muttering "Won't you two just have an honest discussion." The lack of openness on Sophie's part was adequately motivated by her circumstances, though. I was glad that Sophie and West had their happy ending, and I enjoyed the OTT nature of the ending, with all of the friends' stories wrapping up satisfyingly.

I can heartily recommend this series to lovers of Regency Romance.

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

Always a great fun read from Martha Waters, we have her books at the store. She is an author I recommend to people getting ready to fly somewhere for vacation.

Exactly who is manipulating whom? To Woo and to Wed is a fun story where, of course, there is lots of maneuvering going on behind the scenes. West and Sophie were in love. As happened in England among their caste during regency times, they are separated but the forces that caused that were not clear to Sophie so for years she's hated West. West planned to marry Sophie but his powerful father had other plans, especially after West was seriously wounded.

Sophie always puts her sisters front in her life. She'll do anything to ensure their happiness so when Alexandra indicates who won't marry the love of her life because she won't leave Sophie alone, Sophie devises a plan to make Alexandra believe she is marrying West so her sister will wed. Easy since she has no feeling for West, right?

Being a romance novel you can guess what comes next. It's a fun tale of two people meant for each other working their way, unknowingly, through past hurts and current issues to find they really are each other's one and only.

The story has enough going on to be interesting, well-written characters and was just a very pleasant way to spend a few hours.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Waters does it again! I INHALED this book!! A great ending to an amazing series. All lovers of the Regency Vows series have longingly awaited Sophie and West's romance as it has been hinted at over the last four books, and it does not disappoint. Waters has hit most tropes with these five romances and a fake wedding was not what I expected to be Sophie and West's, but I adored it all the same. The ending, where all of the former characters in the series meet up, was perfect and had me cheering for all of them. To Woo and to Wed was a fantastic composite of all that came before it, and I will be sad to leave these characters. However, I'm excited to see what Martha Waters has in store for us readers next!

This was a great continuation of the series that I really enjoyed. I am really glad that the characters got a second chance. Thank you for sharing. Such a sweet story.

TO WOO AND TO WED
Martha Waters

TOO WOO AND TO WED is the latest and closing installment of Martha Waters' Regency romance series. I’ve loved following the characters over the years. It’s sad to see them go but mostly, I was so excited to see how it all played out.

In TO WOO AND TO WED we are following Sophie and West. They are not new to each other they know each other very well. Newly widowed, Sophie has sworn off love and is more interested in seeing that her sister, Alexandra, is married off and settled in such a way that she can consider her duties done.

The only problem is Alexandra refuses to marry until Sophie is settled and married herself. What a quandary! Sophie convinces West to play along with a fake dating scheme to convince Alexandra that Sophie is in love and more than taken care of.

Will it work? What will happen in the meantime? Will they or won’t they again?

Only time and Martha Waters, TO WOO AND TO WED will tell.


Martha Waters turns falling in love again into a thrilling prospect. I enjoyed TO WOO AND TO WED. The number 1 fictional duo that I want to see together and live happily ever after. It stands as my favorite out of all the books in the series. I was so happy to experience all of it.

TO WOO AND TO WED helped get me in the mood for BRIDGERTON season 3 (coming May 2024!). If you’re free on Valentine's Day perhaps finish what you started with Waters so many years ago. TO WOO AND TO WED is out today!

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy!

TO WOO AND TO WED…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Atria and NetGalley for this eArc copy!

The final installment of the Regency Vows series follows the Marquess of Weston and Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell as they reunite after events involving meddling father's and near fatal accidents seven years prior set their love story off course that results in her marrying another. Now years later, widowed Sophie is concerned her widowed sister, Alexandra is holding herself back from love. And Sophie is the reason why. Determined to ensure that her sister follows her heart, Sophie concocts a scheme and proposes her plan to West--a fake engagement. If Alexandra believes that Sophie is settling down again, then she too will move on with the earl she is fond of. It's a simple plan. They announce their engagement and then break it off after Alexandra is happily married. But it's not like they will fall for each other again after all that has happened?

Sarah's thoughts: Sophie was a strong and independent FMC, who did not apologize for being who she was. West was adorable! I swooned over his inner thoughts while he tried to convince Sophie of his true love. The banter between them was addicting, which made rooting for their happy ending easy. The snippets of Harriet made her my favorite of Sophie's sisters and would love a book for her because I could only imagine how much I would laugh during it especially if people wouldn't be surprised if she would challenge someone to a duel.

While this is a part of a series, the book can stand alone. I did not once feel lost or as though I was missing as the author does an excellent job of weaving little pieces of the previous books into this one, which makes me all the more excited to read the rest of them. But I highly suggest reading the entire series!

Read if you like:
💕 Second Chance Romance
🥰 He Falls First
👯‍♀️ Scheming Sisters (& adorable sister bonding moments)
🕰️ Dual Timelines
😉Witty Friends that are more like family

I love a fake engagement, but second chances romances can be tough. Sophie annoyed me a bit with her thought process and I wanted to chuck something at her a few times – and don’t get me started on her family, but West was just as amazing as I expected him to be! From the summary, you may think there was a miscommunication, but you’d be wrong. It was angsty with banter and it was hard to put down! I giggled a lot and I almost cried, it was a fun emotional read!

I loved all the cameos from the other characters, and, of course, Cecil. So sad this series is over! I love this friendship group and we’ve been waiting for West and Sophie’s story for years. The ending did not disappoint!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria books, and Martha Waters for the opportunity to read the ARC of ‘To Woo and To Wed’ in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing way to end the regency vows series. As I suspected, I sped through this and finished it in two days. Throughout the series, Diana and Jeremy’s story remained my favourite (To Love and To Loathe), but this book may have made me reconsider - West and Sophie’s story was the perfect ending to this amazing series.

Suspensful, witty with a hint of nail biting drama. Martha Waters has a way of writing that makes reading feel like you are watching a movie.

Tropes included:
- fake dating (engagement)
- regency
- second chance

This book can be read as a standalone, but you’ll end up wanting to read all of them. This is a must read if you are a regency lover.

And on that note, I will be re-reading all of the books in the Regency Vows series. I’m going to miss this world so much🫶

Pub day is on February 6th 2024!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series and I liked this one as much as the others! The banter was wonderful!

GENERAL INFO

To Woo and to Wed- Book #5 The Regency Vows

Year Pub/Re Pub: 2/6/24, Read 2/4/24

Format: eBook, 334 pages.

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Setting: London 1818

Genre: HR, AF

Tropes: dual POVs, fake engagement, 2nd chance romance, family drama

HEA/HFN ending: HEA

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Sophie and West fell in love but were separated by his father's disapproval, West's accident, and her marriage to someone else. Now 7 years later, Sophie is widowed along with her sister Alexandra. She asks West to enter into a fake engagement to help her sister move on and marry.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Amount of Sex In The Book: enough

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Sophie, Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell: oldest sister

West, Marquess of Weston/John Audley: 31, walks w/ cane after accident

Duke of Dovington: West's father, dislikes Sophie

Harriet, Betsy, Maria, and Alexandra: Sophie's sisters, all married and Alexandra widowed. She's met the Earl of Blackfort (Robert) but won't marry until Sophie does.

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Lord Willingham-had a brief affair w/ Sophie. West has sworn off love, and even told his father he was infertile just to stay unmarried

AUTHOR OVERVIEW

Martha Waters-read 3 books in the series, all 4*

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

I really enjoyed this! I haven't read the whole series yet but started it right after I finished this! My review won't be the best since I didn't get the whole story from the previous four books. Sophie and West were brilliant with a fake engagement. While I could understand some aspects with the heartbreak and tragedy, once I read about all of the characters I feel like I could love this series. A great read for historical romance lovers!

Thank you NetGalley, Martha Waters and Atria Books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. Thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The duke falls for the viscount's daughter, and it's a fairy tale...
Until it isn't.

Sophie was in love once, with a duke's son with a charming smile and biting wit. But when an accident, a manipulative father, and a healthy dose of terror get thrown into the mix, Sophie runs. Seven years later, she is now the widowed Lady Fitzwilliam Brideswell. After her sister refuses to get married, however, because of Sophie's husbandless state, Sophie has to marry, or her sister will never experience love. And there is only one man she can turn to. Lord Weston. The man she loved and left seven years ago without so much as a by-your-leave. West has his own problems, and feigning an engagement with the woman he once wished to marry is the perfect solution- until old feelings get involved. Now, West has to fight to get the woman he's always loved to see that maybe this engagement shouldn't be so fake after all...

I adored most of the characters in this book! From West to Harriet, these characters were startingly and wonderfully real! West's determination to convince Sophie and the adorable way he just is made me fall in love with his first shot. And his valet and butler?
"Well," Hawthorne said, "I can't say I blame her. Are you certain you're worth all this?"
He is sarcastic as heck and I love him to pieces. And Harriet was so confident in herself and her position and life, completely happy to relegate her husband to the child-raising role. A feminist to the core! However, a few parts of the book were overly feministic, in retrospect, considering the time period they were supposedly living in. And while most of the characters charmed the heart right out of my chest, Sophie made me want to tear out hers and feed it to the hounds. She dragged out the whole book because she was a coward and was completely happy to be a perfect little brat. By the heavens, I wanted to punch her. Not only did she marry one of West's friends after dumping him without a word after he sustained an injury that would haunt him to the end of his days, but she married one of his friends! Then, after his friend died, she still refused to marry him and had an affair with one of his friends. Does she have some sort of fixation on sleeping her way through all of West's friends? It was disturbing and disgusting, especially when we read that West remained celibate for 4 YEARS because he felt wrong having sex with anyone other than her, whereas she had an affair with one of his friends, Jeremy, just the previous summer! It was painful, and she refused to acknowledge that she and West could have a future because she was a whining coward. I had to abandon all thoughts of more than two stars for this book, just because of her. And Diana and Maria were also equally annoying. For Diana, it was because she was unrealistic. What woman makes friends with her husband's very, very recent past lover, then teases them about their sexual past and claims she doesn't care? Maria was a hypocrite, lecturing everyone on propriety and rules when she was the reason Sophie had to leave West seven years ago because she wanted to try and compromise a duke, but instead almost ruined herself. While I enjoyed the book, these three characters so thoroughly ruined it for me, that I couldn't truly dive into the world. It's a good quick read and fun for fans of Virginia Heath and Manda Collins!

I really enjoyed this last installment of the Regency vows series. I’ve read all the books in the series and have been waiting for this couple to get their HEA for a long time!

As with all the books in the series, the banter and funny scenes make the book! Also West, as a character, is very relatable, you can’t help but feel for him.

I also liked that characters from the other books in the series were sprinkled throughout this book, so we get to revisit a few of the other couples further on in their lives.

If you are looking for a fun and entertaining Regency romance story, give this series a try!