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ellarose11's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
meghan_plethoraofpages's review against another edition
3.0
To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
Fun, frothy, delightfully lighthearted. Described as a “regency-era romp” for fans of Bridgerton, featuring rivals/frenemies Jeremy Willingham, the eligible rake of the ton, and Lady Diana Templeton, young widow and fiercely practical in the matters of matrimony. A wager is made that will see the pair spend a lot more time together.
The best part of this book is that not really that much happens. Also, the worst part of the book is that not that much happens. Let me explain.. if you’re in the mood for some banter, an obvious end to the will-they won’t-they storyline and a somewhat swoony romance, you will very much enjoy this. The historical angle that seems cheeky adds to the fun. I loved the meddlesome Grandmama. Overall though, the plot is thin. Which, if you’re in the right mindset to enjoy this for what it is, it’s enjoyable.
On the other hand, the straightforward plot (minus the detour using someone’s sexuality as a plot device..) doesn’t offer a whole lot of depth or intrigue. The background characters all sort of blended together and I couldn’t really tell you much about who West, Audley or Belfry are. This is the second in a series (they act as standalones however) so maybe you care more if you’ve read the first, but most of the dialogue and plot is really between Diana and Jeremy. It’s a very wordy route to a very obvious end-point.
If you open this up knowing exactly what you’re going to get and are stoked for it - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. But, if you read the description and expect something more or different, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Overall, I liked it! I was in the mood for some levity and the historical twist on the rom-com was fun. Diana and Jeremy’s love story felt believable despite the antics. 3⭐️
Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for free access to an e-arc of this book. It publishes tomorrow, April 6, 2021!
Fun, frothy, delightfully lighthearted. Described as a “regency-era romp” for fans of Bridgerton, featuring rivals/frenemies Jeremy Willingham, the eligible rake of the ton, and Lady Diana Templeton, young widow and fiercely practical in the matters of matrimony. A wager is made that will see the pair spend a lot more time together.
The best part of this book is that not really that much happens. Also, the worst part of the book is that not that much happens. Let me explain.. if you’re in the mood for some banter, an obvious end to the will-they won’t-they storyline and a somewhat swoony romance, you will very much enjoy this. The historical angle that seems cheeky adds to the fun. I loved the meddlesome Grandmama. Overall though, the plot is thin. Which, if you’re in the right mindset to enjoy this for what it is, it’s enjoyable.
On the other hand, the straightforward plot (minus the detour using someone’s sexuality as a plot device..) doesn’t offer a whole lot of depth or intrigue. The background characters all sort of blended together and I couldn’t really tell you much about who West, Audley or Belfry are. This is the second in a series (they act as standalones however) so maybe you care more if you’ve read the first, but most of the dialogue and plot is really between Diana and Jeremy. It’s a very wordy route to a very obvious end-point.
If you open this up knowing exactly what you’re going to get and are stoked for it - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. But, if you read the description and expect something more or different, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Overall, I liked it! I was in the mood for some levity and the historical twist on the rom-com was fun. Diana and Jeremy’s love story felt believable despite the antics. 3⭐️
Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for free access to an e-arc of this book. It publishes tomorrow, April 6, 2021!
robynlynae's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very sweet and very easy to read. Very similar to the Bridgerton series but without so much gross misogyny. Interestingly it discussed several pretty progressive topics considering it’s set in the regency era: the imbalance of power and freedom between men and women of the time, surprise sapphics (!!!), and female sexual freedom. I think these were done respectfully and in a way that still feels a little relevant.
The plot sounded a little outlandish at first but it was actually pulled off quite well and the side characters, while not as fully fleshed out as I would have liked, are still interesting.
The banter between characters was very good and funny and made me actually smile several different times.
Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. I will probably read the book that came before this in the series and will most likely be keeping my eye out for future novels in the same universe.
The plot sounded a little outlandish at first but it was actually pulled off quite well and the side characters, while not as fully fleshed out as I would have liked, are still interesting.
The banter between characters was very good and funny and made me actually smile several different times.
Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. I will probably read the book that came before this in the series and will most likely be keeping my eye out for future novels in the same universe.
ladywhistledown's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kyeruhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was fine - I didn’t love the characters but didn’t hate them either, the plot was cute but nothing overly fun, and the writing was fine if not a bit too modern for the setting. However, Diana outing Helen not once but TWICE to four different people really rubbed me the wrong way. Diana even notes before she tells her friends that she shouldn’t say anything but it was important to explain how she figured out she loved Jeremy, except it wasn’t?? She could’ve made something up as to why Helen didn’t want to marry or just omitted her involvement in Diana’s realization altogether. She had no way of knowing anyone wouldn’t negatively react so in telling her friends, and Jeremy, who already knew but she had no way of knowing that, she endangered the woman. I understand that this is a book and it’s not that deep, but Diana’s response in that situation really wasn’t handled with care by the author. The book likely would have been a 3 stars otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Outing
Moderate: Death
stephensstem's review against another edition
5.0
This series is the best! I laughed all the way through!
webbsusa's review against another edition
2.0
Okayish…then not at all
This book could have been so much better than it was. It started off very slow, picked up around the 40-50% mark, then the main character betrays the confidence of another character and outs them, multiple times. This is all treated like it’s not only no big deal, but perfectly understandable and valid, because of course you would tell your friends. I was completely appalled. There was NO awareness of the fact that, at the time, sharing of such a secret could have resulted in the gay character being imprisoned or institutionalized. The stakes were incredibly high, but this was treated as just another “fun” plot point.
This points to another issue with the book: it felt like a contemporary romance playacting at historical romance. Putting your characters in period dress and throwing in a few viscounts doesn’t make a book HR. I am not a huge HR stickler; I love authors like Sarah Maclean, Erica Ridley, and Eva Leigh, who are often accused of being “inauthentic.” I love Bridgerton. Unlike those authors and TV shows, this book was almost completely divorced from its historical context. Change the clothes and remove the tiles, and these characters could have been 21st century Americans.
I had been really excited to read this book, as I’d heard some good things, but it was a major disappointment.
This book could have been so much better than it was. It started off very slow, picked up around the 40-50% mark, then the main character betrays the confidence of another character and outs them, multiple times. This is all treated like it’s not only no big deal, but perfectly understandable and valid, because of course you would tell your friends. I was completely appalled. There was NO awareness of the fact that, at the time, sharing of such a secret could have resulted in the gay character being imprisoned or institutionalized. The stakes were incredibly high, but this was treated as just another “fun” plot point.
This points to another issue with the book: it felt like a contemporary romance playacting at historical romance. Putting your characters in period dress and throwing in a few viscounts doesn’t make a book HR. I am not a huge HR stickler; I love authors like Sarah Maclean, Erica Ridley, and Eva Leigh, who are often accused of being “inauthentic.” I love Bridgerton. Unlike those authors and TV shows, this book was almost completely divorced from its historical context. Change the clothes and remove the tiles, and these characters could have been 21st century Americans.
I had been really excited to read this book, as I’d heard some good things, but it was a major disappointment.
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
4.0
Si vous aimez les comédies romantiques version Régence avec des personnages qui manient à la perfection l'art de la joute verbale, le marivaudage entre ennemis de longue date, les grands-mères à la langue bien pendue (et aux idées bien arrêtées !) ainsi que les parties de campagne qui donnent lieu à des activités ... autrement plus intimes, alors vous allez passer un excellent moment avec ce roman de Martha Waters !
Le titre ne laisse aucune place au doute, les "chamailleries" sont bien au coeur de ce roman, et font office de (longs) préliminaires entre Jeremy et Diana. Ces deux-là ont passé de longues années à se regarder en chiens de faïence et à se lancer des piques bien acérées, chacun étant bien décidé à avoir le dernier mot et le dessus sur l'autre. C'est à la faveur d'une fâcheuse mésaventure que Jeremy va faire une proposition pour le moins ... inattendue à Diana, tandis qu'elle lui impose un marché qu'elle compte bien remporter !
À partir de là, tous les coups sont permis, et ils vont s'en donner à coeur joie l'un et l'autre, avant, bien sûr, de se laisser prendre à leur propre jeu. Ce rapprochement va leur permettre de mieux se connaître et de dépasser leurs préjugés. Évidemment, on s'y attend, mais j'ai été touchée par la vulnérabilité dont ils font preuve lorsqu'ils s'autorisent à baisser leur garde, en particulier Jeremy qui a des choses à régler pour faire la paix avec son passé.
Je me suis vraiment régalée avec ce roman : c'est drôle et pétillant, les répliques fusent dans tous les sens, on est vraiment dans la pure comédie, c'est très rafraîchissant à lire ! Les personnages secondaires occupent une place de choix, et la grand-mère de Jeremy n'a pas été sans me rappeler une certaine lady Danbury ! Ajoutons à cela une romance qui certes prend son temps, mais qui n'en est pas moins passionnée, bref, tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour passer un excellent moment de lecture !
Le titre ne laisse aucune place au doute, les "chamailleries" sont bien au coeur de ce roman, et font office de (longs) préliminaires entre Jeremy et Diana. Ces deux-là ont passé de longues années à se regarder en chiens de faïence et à se lancer des piques bien acérées, chacun étant bien décidé à avoir le dernier mot et le dessus sur l'autre. C'est à la faveur d'une fâcheuse mésaventure que Jeremy va faire une proposition pour le moins ... inattendue à Diana, tandis qu'elle lui impose un marché qu'elle compte bien remporter !
À partir de là, tous les coups sont permis, et ils vont s'en donner à coeur joie l'un et l'autre, avant, bien sûr, de se laisser prendre à leur propre jeu. Ce rapprochement va leur permettre de mieux se connaître et de dépasser leurs préjugés. Évidemment, on s'y attend, mais j'ai été touchée par la vulnérabilité dont ils font preuve lorsqu'ils s'autorisent à baisser leur garde, en particulier Jeremy qui a des choses à régler pour faire la paix avec son passé.
Je me suis vraiment régalée avec ce roman : c'est drôle et pétillant, les répliques fusent dans tous les sens, on est vraiment dans la pure comédie, c'est très rafraîchissant à lire ! Les personnages secondaires occupent une place de choix, et la grand-mère de Jeremy n'a pas été sans me rappeler une certaine lady Danbury ! Ajoutons à cela une romance qui certes prend son temps, mais qui n'en est pas moins passionnée, bref, tous les ingrédients sont réunis pour passer un excellent moment de lecture !