Martha Waters
published: 6th April 2021
spoilers? no
The author of the “hilarious…joyful, elegant” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) To Have and to Hoax returns with an effervescent, charming, and swoon-worthy novel about a man and woman who never agree on anything—until they agree to a no-strings-attached affair in this Regency-era romp.
The widowed Diana, Lady Templeton and Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham are infamous among English high society as much for their sharp-tongued bickering as their flirtation. One evening, an argument at a ball turns into a serious wager: Jeremy will marry within the year or Diana will forfeit one hundred pounds. So shortly after, just before a fortnight-long house party at Elderwild, Jeremy’s country estate, Diana is shocked when Jeremy appears at her home with a very different kind of proposition.
After his latest mistress unfavorably criticized his skills in the bedroom, Jeremy is looking for reassurance, so he has gone to the only woman he trusts to be totally truthful. He suggests that they embark on a brief affair while at the house party—Jeremy can receive an honest critique of his bedroom skills and widowed Diana can use the gossip to signal to other gentlemen that she is interested in taking a lover.
Diana thinks taking him up on his counter-proposal can only help her win her wager. With her in the bedroom and Jeremy’s marriage-minded grandmother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Willingham, helping to find suitable matches among the eligible ladies at Elderwild, Diana is confident her victory is assured. But while they’re focused on winning wagers, they stand to lose their own hearts.
With Martha Waters’s signature “cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit” (Booklist, starred review), To Love and to Loathe is another clever and delightful historical rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Evie Dunmore.
Being called an idiot by Diana was better than any of Lady Helen’s flattery—or, indeed, any other compliment he’d ever received.
Galley provided by publisher
There’s nothing quite like picking up a book you know you’re going to love, for whatever reason. I knew, going into To Love and To Loathe, that I was going to enjoy it, given how much I loved To Have and To Hoax. It follows two of the characters I desperately wanted to see more of after the first book, and develops their relationship excellently.
As with the first book, Martha Waters is adept at showing you two, admittedly flawed, individuals overcoming their pride and starting a relationship. Diana and Jeremy ostensibly hate each other, although most of that hate is more like banter and a desire to provoke the other. When Jeremy is informed that his sexual prowess, let’s say, is leaving something to be desired, he makes a deal with Diana: they embark on an affair to give Jeremy the reassurance he is not bad in bed, and to give Diana a certain desirability among other gentlemen. However, there is the added complication of a wager made beforehand, regarding the chances of Jeremy marrying before the year is out.
The best thing about this book is the dynamic between Diana and Jeremy. They spend a lot of the book just snarking at each other, trying to convince themselves they do actually hate the other, but the tension between them is tangible. And that’s what makes this a great romance novel.
Genuinely, I think the only part that I didn’t enjoy was the third act break-up, which was so stupid. I still don’t quite understand exactly how it came about, and how I was supposed to believe in it. Honestly, if it hadn’t happened, I would have rated this book higher, because who really needs a misunderstanding-based break-up that only barely fits with the characterisations of the individuals involved? (Okay, that sounds harsh. But it’s a pet peeve.)
But, if you enjoyed To Have and to Hoax, or if you’re just looking for a good histrom novel, then I would highly recommend this one.
moonraker 
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