Once heads over heels for one another while on the cusp of betrothal, Sophie and West can nowadays barely stand to be in the same room as one another. Seven years have passed since West’s life-changing accident and Sophie’s sudden nuptials to another man, a husband she subsequently lost. Sophie would happily remain a widow, content with her life as it is—at least if it weren’t for the pressure levied by her younger sister for Sophie to remarry, so that Alexandria can freely pursue new love of her own. Which is why Sophie hatches up a plan to become fake engaged to the only person her family will believe could be the source of a whirlwind romance: (And the one who stole her heart all those years ago.) Facing family pressures of his own, West agrees to the fake engagement; but his agenda is different to Sophie’s. See, West has never stopped loving her, and he’s determined to prove to her, once and for all, that they belong together.

A satisfying final installment to Martha Waters’ regency series, TO WOO AND TO WED follows the charming love story of two people who are clearly meant to be but are far too stubborn to admit it. Like it’s predecessors, it’s got its flaws: The key conflict keeping the MCs apart isn’t super well-developed, and the dynamic between Sophie and West, alongside the other series couples that make a reappearance here, gets borderline cheesy at times. Still, there’s a lot to like in TO WOO AND TO WED. (If nothing else, this was the only book in the series to not hype up a need for pregnancy and children to be happy.) Saucy, featuring Waters’ trademark wit, and jam-packed with some great classic tropes, as well as reworked versions of more outdated ones, the story is quick-paced and powered by clever scenes of dialogue.

All in all, TO WOO AND TO WED is an entertaining, easy read. If you like second-chance, regency romances, this book is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Complete 😍 to Atria for approving my request to read an advance copy of To Woo and to Wed, which has proven, over the titles, to be one of my absolute favorites in regency romance.

I started this one immediately upon receipt and by the end of chapter 2, I had already let out a perfectly satisfied sigh because this was swoony, fun, and seemed like it would be full of longing (it was).


I read this over the course of two afternoons and adored my time reading this. The longing was * chef’s kiss and the slow burn was excellent. The close relationships Sophie shared with her family, the friendships, with an inclusion of some steam.

Very much enjoyed this series and look forward to reading whatever else Ms Waters writes next.



Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the DRC!

Utterly charming and delightful! I knew I was in for a great read from the very first page, and the romance, the witty dialogue, the absolutely lovely characters and plot did not let up until I turned the last page. My new favorite regency romance author is absolutely Martha Waters! Ten Stars!

It's the much anticipated final book in the series. We read about the best friends in the earlier books and this one is about Weston and Sophie. Sophie wants to pretend to be engaged to Weston so her sister can get married. Of course, fake engagement never stays fake....

Love that Sophie isn't a teenage debutant and that Weston has weathered his share of tragedies. It was also terrific seeing earlier characters again and their happily-ever-afters. There are lots of LOL scenes and sparkling humour. The dialogue is terrific. A romantic and swoony book with outstanding comedy.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Unfortunately, the conclusion to The Regency Vows series was not the highpoint I was hoping for.

Like many fans, I was eagerly awaiting Sophie and West's love story. The opening chapters were a pleasant read. I enjoyed getting to know both Sophie and West better and the tension between them was excellent. However, as the story progressed I became more irritated.

The plots of this series have always been flimsy and silly, but it particularly bothered me in this installment. Nothing about West ever suggested he wasn't willing to sacrifice for Sophie. I couldn't bring myself to understand Sophie's reasoning for holding back either. It was frustrating to read about. They just seemed so feeble.

That being said I think West has ended up being my favorite male lead of this series.

The Marquess of Weston (West, to his friends) was nearly engaged to Sophie when a tragic accident changed both of their lives forever. Sophie ended up married to one of West's childhood friends and she and West spent those ensuing years staunchly avoiding each other in society. Sophie has since been widowed and their friend group has gotten closer. West and Sophie have just spent time together at a house party when they return home and Sophie realizes that her sister (who is also widowed) is in love and wants to remarry, but hesitates due to Sophie's lack of attachment. Sophie proposes a fake engagement to West and then they'll break off their engagement when her sister is married...there definitely aren't any lingering feelings that would affect this plan, after all!

Martha has been teasing us with this West and Sophie relationship from the very first book in this series and I can confidently say that the anticipation has been worth it! I absolutely devoured this book in about 24 hours and have no regrets.

This series has always balanced humor so well within their plots and this book is no exception - while there's quite a bit of pining on West's end (I mean he literally tells her that she ruined him for anyone else) there's still quite a bit of humor that had me chuckling regularly throughout the book.

I think what this book in particular does quite well is how it surprises readers - there were multiple moments that happen that I absolutely wasn't expecting, but was truly delighted by. I was so sure that the reason they didn't get married years ago was going to be due to a miscommunication but was so pleased that that wasn't really the case!

Read this for:
- Second Chance Romance
- Fake Engagement
- Forced Proximity
- A Great Friend Group
- Pining

This is also I think the steamiest book of the Regency vows series! These books are a bit less detailed in their spicy scenes than some historical romances but I think it fits the general tone pretty well and in this book the scenes really do propel their relationship forward.

To Woo and to Wed publishes February 6 and I wholly recommend this whole series! (read in order for the best payoff!)

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the rest of this series and the final installment is no exception! I'm keen for more from Martha Waters in the fun contemporary victorian vein!

Devoured this book! I have been waiting for West and Sophie’s story since book one, To Have and to Hoax. Martha Waters did not disappoint.

To Wed and To Woo is a heartbreaking, endearing, and funny second chance love story that flashbacks to their first chance at courtship and all the times their paths crossed. West and Sophie were meant to be…fated mates and star crossed lovers headed full throttle to their delightful HEA.

As with all great series, it was wonderful to revisit all the couples from the previous books and be introduced to new characters like Sophie’s sisters and her parents.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.