Member Reviews
Martha Waters does it again!! Love her humor and banter so much-- I really didn't want this entertaining series to end. I love the drama and mess of a second chance romance and oh boy, this was *messy*, big on the feelings. As a reader, I was relieved when we didn't jump back and forth in the flashbacks every single chapter because that can get old. This was a fitting happy ending for West and Sophie as well as the rest of the friend crew and I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this whole series. Will read anything Waters wants to write next!!
I would like to thank Net Galley and Atria books for th opportunity to read this book as an ARC. This is the fifth, and sadly, last in the series. I have really enjoyed reading these books and getting involved in the lives of the characters. This was probably my least favorite of the books. I enjoyed it, but it did not seem to have, to me at least,the verve and fun of he other books. I think part f it was Sophie- sometimes I just wanted to shake her. Anyway. this book , like the others, is set in the fashionable "ton" of Regency England. All of the characters have been in and out of the previous books, with a new couple the center of each one. This one focus's on Sophie, and West. Sophie and West had a relationship 7 years ago, and it was thwarted by the machinations of West's father. Sophie married , and was widowed. West was in an accident which left him with a limp. Sophie and West have been dancing around each other for 7 years. Now Sophie's sister Alexandra, also a widow, wants to remarry, but doesn't want to until Sophie is happy. So Sophie and West fake an engagement. It is the usual, will they or won't they, with family entanglements. Everyone is friends with everyone and everyone wants to know the "true " story. It is very much in the mold of the first 4 books, which is good. I think , however that the central piece it a bit too contrived. I am sorry that this is the end of this series!
I was waiting for Sophie’s story. Waters has done it again and To Woo and to Wed did not disappoint.
This story was the perfect mix of tension, lovable characters, and Waters’ fantastic writing style. As with her other books, I found this book to be both hard to put down and it was hard to keep myself from smiling while reading. While this book could technically be read as a standalone, I would definitely suggest reading the others in this series prior to reading this one. Key characters’ backstories are integral to fully appreciating the story, and To Woo and to Wed operates as a loving conclusion to the previous books in the series.
Sophie and West used to be lovers before blackmail got in their way. To see her sister Alexandra happy with the man of her choosing, Sophie offers marriage to West, a marriage of convenience but still - the very thing West has been dreaming of his entire life.
This was very convoluted - I had trouble even summing up the plot for myself. There’s a lot of good witty dialog and the chemistry between the leads is undeniable but it was way too much. The flashbacks, the guilt after, the best friend the accident, the fake engagement, the affair, the horrible father. I was so lost reading this and I couldn’t find the comedy advertised in marketing.
I’m sure this book will appeal to a lot of people but it wasn’t for me sadly.
My endless thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I’m not sure why, but for some reason the cooler, moodier weather of the fall and winter seasons in New England always leave me wanting to settle in for a good historical romance read.
I was immediately drawn to this newest (and final book) in the same interconnected, stand-alone series, Regency Vows - by the bright and beautiful cover art. Then upon seeing it was both a second chance romance and involved a fake engagement, I knew this was exactly what I was looking for.
I enjoyed both our mains, Sophie and West, it was fun to see their situation unfold as well as glimpses back as yo what happened to lead them to where they were in the present. I liked Sophie’s independence and West’s more serious, yet still caring attitude. I enjoyed the banter between the two and the pining - obviously you’re rooting for them and waiting for each to get it together.
The secondary cast of characters was filled with good ones too, and if you’ve read others in the series, you’ll note some familiar persons making appearances.
This was a fast and easy read, I found myself wanting to keep reading. It flowed and the pacing was such that I would have (and wished I could have) read it in an afternoon had work not gotten in the way. I found the ending to be very satisfying and while I’m sad to see the end of the series, it did make me eager to go back and read through from the beginning…and obviously excited to see what Ms Waters comes out with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely offered.
To Woo and To Wed is the fifth and final book of The Regency Vows set. With nods to Jane Austen's Persuasion, and with many years of meddling, separation, and pining in the mix, I thought this was a delightful conclusion to the beloved series.
Seven years ago, Lady Sophie Fitzwilliam and The Marquess of Weston met and fell in love. They were almost engaged when West was in a curricle riding accident which resulted in the death of his friend, sustained him a life-altering leg injury, and caused the woman he loved to rush off and marry someone else without an explanation. They have interacted little since.
However, all that changes when Sophie's sister, Alexandra, also a widow, wishes to marry again but won't until she has found matrimonial bliss of her own. Sophie is unnerved by this, afraid that she is holding her sister back. So in order to get her down the aisle, she hatches a scheme with West: they will fake a betrothal and call things off once Alexandra is happily settled.
Of course, nothing is that simple, and before long, old feelings as well as past revelations come rushing to the surface, showing Sophie and West that maybe love can blossom between them for a second time.
I've been looking forward to Sophie and West's story since the beginning and this was everything I could have wanted for them. Whether it was forced proximity, second chance romance, interfering parents, or fake engagements, there were a bevy of tropes to entice and enthrall me. Granted, the miscommunication between Sophie and West could be frustrating at times, but the reasons for it always made sense. Added to the charm of the novel. It provided depth to the love they both carried for one another and, ultimately, could not conquer. While I'm saddened to see this series come to a close, I'm looking forward to seeing what Martha Waters creates in the future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.
3.5 stars
Secrets are revealed and hearts are healed in the final installment of the delightful Regency Vows series.
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The Regency Vows group of Lords and Ladies have schemed, plotted, flirted, and stumbled into their love matches over the course of five novels. From the start, however, there were two people always on the outside looking in.
Lady Fitzwilliam Bridewell, aka Sophie, is a young widow with no intentions of marrying again. After all, she lost what she believes to be her only chance at a love match through the machinations of a bad Duke years before. Why would she give up her freedom to marry another man she doesn’t love? Especially not when the Marquess Who Got Away is still unmarried and haunting the periphery of her life.
The Marquess of Weston lost more than his best friend and a pain free life in an accident seven years earlier. His chance to marry the woman that he loves, Sophie, was also ripped from him. As quiet revenge on his meddling Duke father, West then chose not to marry or produce an heir, even though Sophie was married to another man.
Among the hi-jinx perpetrated by their friends, Sophie's sisters, and West’s brother, they remained distant and cautiously aware of each other. However, little is said in previous books about why the couple didn’t end up together or, most important, why they can’t be together now.
The first three novels lean strongly into Historical Romantic Comedy and To Woo and To Wed still contains Waters’ crackling dialogue. The tone of the novel is decidedly more emotional, which is a shift that feels utterly appropriate for these two wounded characters.
Though the main trope is fake engagement, there is nothing fake about their love for each other, in spite of all the heartache. As if often the case, Sophie’s sisters and West’s family and friends all see clearly what they two of them cannot and plot to bring the couple together.
To Woo and To Wed is ultimately a story about forgiveness - not just of each other but of themselves. When Sophie and West first fell in love they were starry-eyed youths. Seven years later, they know how a great love is delicate and precious. They hold no illusions that the mistakes of the past do not affect their future and they tackle the final obstacles together.
Waters throws in one last twist at the end which is a sheer delight and feels right to cap off this joyful and heartfelt series.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster - Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date Feb 6, 2024.
3.5 Stars I’ve been waiting for West and Sophie’s story ever since I read the first book in this series. I could already tell at that point that it would be a great second chance romance and it was built up even more over the following books. I was expecting them to rekindle their romance more organically rather than it being the result of a fake engagement plot, but it was still enjoyable. Something about it fell a little flat for me and their argument about why they couldn’t be together seemed to go round and round. I did like the little twist they pulled at the end and the epilogue with all of the series’ couples was a perfect cherry on top.
The Marquess of Weston, known as West to his friends, was once on the verge of an engagement with Sophie until a tragic accident reshaped their destinies. Sophie ended up marrying one of West's childhood companions, and they both distanced themselves from each other for years. Now, as widows and with their friend group growing closer, West and Sophie's paths have converged once again. After a house party, Sophie realizes her sister, also a widow, is in love and eager to remarry but hesitates due to Sophie's perceived lack of attachment. In a bold move, Sophie suggests a faux engagement to West, with the intention of ending it once her sister is wed. Of course, there are absolutely no lingering feelings that could complicate this plan, right?
Martha has been tantalizing us with the West and Sophie dynamic since the inception of this book series, and I can confidently assert that the anticipation has been entirely justified! I devoured this book in roughly 24 hours, and I have no qualms about it.
This series has consistently struck a balance between humor and drama, and this book is no exception. While West grapples with a fair amount of pining (he even tells Sophie she's ruined him for anyone else), there's still plenty of humor that had me chuckling throughout the story.
One of the standout qualities of this book is how it keeps readers on their toes. Unexpected moments arise that I absolutely didn't foresee, yet they delighted me. I was convinced that their failure to marry years ago would be due to a miscommunication, but I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't the case!
Furthermore, I believe this is the most sizzling book in the Regency Vows series. These novels are a bit more restrained in their intimate scenes compared to some historical romances, but it suits the overall tone well. In this book, these scenes genuinely propel the relationship forward.
I have loved this series so much. It was my introduction to historical/regency romances and remains my favorite series I’ve read so far. I have waited for West and Sophie’s book this entire time and it really did not disappoint. It was so cute and chaotic and just so so good! I definitely recommend!!
Far and away my favorite book of the Regency Vows series, which had its ups and downs. The pining! The coziness! The schemes!! We love a fake engagement!! I love a third act resolution that's just two stubborn people going, 'This is silly, we're being stubborn, I love you too much to not marry you.'
A couple of weeks ago, I was wondering when we'd get the next Martha Waters book. I've enjoyed all her others so much and knew there was at least one more story to tell--and it was one I was really excited about. It was the slowest burn to get to Sophie and West, and it was certainly worth the wait!
Same crew of friends, and this time, we finally find out why West and Sophie didn't get married even though they clearly still have the hots for each other. Sophie's younger sister wants to marry a marquis but doesn't want to leave widowed Sophie all on her own. Naturally, Sophie goes to her former almost-betrothed to see if he'd be willing to pretend to be engaged so that her sister will marry. Looks are given, sighs are breathed, and yearning comes alive in this book.
We learn what was behind the worst decision of West's life (the curricle race that killed Jeremy's brother David and caused irreparable damage to West's leg) and all about his family's legacy. We also learn what Sophie was thinking when she decided to marry someone else and what's motivated her since. The book gives chapters of different timelines so the characters aren't informing each other of their thought-processes but rather we're there with them as they make their choices. Sophie and West ultimately find their way to each other (it's a romance novel, this is not a spoiler) and their coming together is wonderfully satisfying.
I very much enjoyed To Woo and to Wed and am sorry that Ms. Waters is finished with this series. That being said, I look forward to whatever she comes up with next! Many, many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
I'm so sad this series has ended! Although I agree that Waters ended it on the perfect couple, the one I kept assuming each next book would FINALLY be about. While the difficulties are obviously as manufactured as can be, I'd been waiting for these characters to get together for four or so books minimum, so I was down for the at times predictability. Hoping Waters ends up starting another series soon!
This one was great. We have read about the grumpy duke in several of the other stories and I am so glad she did this one. He is such an awesome leading man. She was a bit of a hard head but overall the story pulled me in.
This one has a bit more sexual content in it. A couple of detailed sex scenes.
The last couple in this terrific series, finally get together after seven years of meddling. Sophie and West fell in love seven years ago. If not for the threats and interference of West father, the Duke they would have married. Sadly West had a terrible accident and Sophie, in her grief of not being able to marry west, entered into a loveless marriage that left her a widow. As the oldest sister Sophie always looked out for her younger sisters and is still doing so. Her younger sister Alexandra is also a widow, but has fallen in love again with a Marquis. Sophie is worried that Alexandra will not marry her love, because Sophie is still alone. Sophie suggests to west that they enter into a fake engagement to help move Alexandra to the altar. Sisters and friends suspect something is a mess and West father. The Duke is still threatening and meddling, but this is a happy ever after story.
This was a really fun third installment of the The Regency Vows series. Funny, romantic and witty is a great combination! Looking forward to more from this author!
I was pretty excited to get my hands on this book after reading Martha Waters’ To Swoon and to Spar bc that book was pretty cute and quite easy to read. However, I have to say it didn’t charm me as much as To Swoon and to Spar.
This final book follows Sophie and West. Seven years ago, they fell in love at a musicale, but West’s father has been against their relationship from the very beginning since West will become the future duke and Sophie is for a merchant family (new wealth). West gets injured in a racing accident and, while he’s healing, Sophie marries someone else~ but with justifiable reason of her own! Years later, Sophie is widowed and West is still single. Can they rekindle their love?
Hmmm… I have to admit that I didn’t like this book as much because I didn’t like Sophie. If you read this book, you’ll see Sophie’s reasoning for not marrying West… Idk. I just didn’t buy it. As for West, he’s obviously the ideal man who is steadfast and loyal.
Overall, I didn’t love or hate the book. At the end of the day, I’m still glad I read it because I was entertained and it was a fast read. However, I can’t say it’s my fave regency romance read.
Also- just fyi: I didn’t read the first couple of books, so I’m probably lacking in some context. But it’s a romance series, so I don’t think I’m missing TOO much background information. LOL! Anyways, that being said — I think you can pick these books up out of order and you’ll be fine. :)
“To Woo and to Wed” is the final installment in Martha Waters’ Regency Vows series and wow what a perfect conclusion! Sophie Wexham first meets Lord Weston (West) seven years prior and the two immediately fell in love. However, after West has life-threatening accident and Sophie marries someone else, the pair have not spoken since.
In the present, Sophie has been widowed and spends her days worried over her sisters’ well-beings. Her sister Alexandra (who was also widowed) wants to marry again but won’t until Sophie also finds matrimonial happiness. Sophie then enlists West to fake an engagement so her sister can marry.
This is the perfect second-chance, its always been you romance between two characters who are both willing to give up their own happiness for others. It was truly magical watching Sophie and West reconnect and realize they have always loved one another. Definitely my favorite couple of the whole series and more than worth the wait!
Thanks to Atria for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for review.
A great conclusion to a thoroughly entertaining, laugh-out-loud series.
This installment is more bittersweet than its predecessors. We’ve been waiting for Sophie and West’s story since the very first book. I love a second chance romance, and theirs does not disappoint. The reason for their separation over the years is a bit frustrating. I can’t say I particularly cared for Sophie and her interesting decision-making; my heart broke for West. This is one of those scenarios where you just wish all of the characters had sat down together and just spoke.
Penvale’s book was perhaps the one I was least looking forward to, with West’s the one I was looking forward to the most, but Penvale and Jane’s book is still my #1 and I laughed at the glimpses we got of the duo in West and Sophie’s book.
My final The Regency Vows ranking:
To Swoon and to Spar
To Woo and to Wed
To Love and to Loathe
To Have and to Hoax
To Marry and to Meddle
A sweet, smoldering, and well-earned conclusion to Sophie and West’s story. In a bid to convince her overprotective sister to wed, Sophie stages her own soon-to-be happy ending, with a fake engagement to West. He agrees, for reasons of his own, thus spinning them into a whirlwind of wedding farce and forced closeness that might just remind them of the past they shared and that the future they’d dreamed of could be theirs again. In a combination of current engagement shenanigans and steamy encounters, and flashbacks to their past relationship moments, Sophie and West are drawn back together in truth. Both remembering just how much they meant to each other and that they’ve been avoiding it for far too long. A delightfully satisfying finale to their arch and to the Regency Vows series.