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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
This was such a fun and hilarious book and I recommend for my historical fiction and romance lovers!
Violet and James are a married , but both have been estranged ever since an argument years ago caused a drift between them . But after Violet gets a scare that makes her realize she may still care about her husband, she decides to play a trick on James by faking an illness, so he, too, can know what it's like to worry about your estranged spouse.
James quickly sees through it, but he decides to play along in an ever-escalating game of manipulation, featuring actors masquerading as doctors, threats of Swiss sanitariums, faux mistresses—and a lot of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought. Will the two be able to overcome four years of hurt or will they continue to deny the spark between them?
Violet and James are a married , but both have been estranged ever since an argument years ago caused a drift between them . But after Violet gets a scare that makes her realize she may still care about her husband, she decides to play a trick on James by faking an illness, so he, too, can know what it's like to worry about your estranged spouse.
James quickly sees through it, but he decides to play along in an ever-escalating game of manipulation, featuring actors masquerading as doctors, threats of Swiss sanitariums, faux mistresses—and a lot of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought. Will the two be able to overcome four years of hurt or will they continue to deny the spark between them?
Delightful! I love a good second chance regency and this one didn’t disappoint. I was originally hesitant to pick it up because you could tell from the blurb that a good conversation between H and h would solve their problem which I typically find annoying. However, the author was aware of this, and had side characters point out the absurdity, which allowed for a tongue in cheek tone throughout the book that I really enjoyed.
2.5/5
To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters is a historical romance which instead of focusing on the first phases of a relationship, is set when a couple has already been married for five years – although happily married for only one. What started as a union based on love, turned to cold silences after a mysterious falling out we don’t get an explanation for until far into the book. And this explanation, similarly to most aspects in the story, is quite ridiculous.
The couple, Violet and James, behave like privileged, annoying children who find having a simple and honest conservation beyond their capabilities. Perhaps that’s supposed to be commentary on English aristocracy, and I couldn’t help but feel entertained, to a certain degree, by the absurdity of their games of revenge. The comedy part came to play mostly through the side characters, but the story as a whole is not as funny, nor as surprising, as I wished it would have been.
To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters is a historical romance which instead of focusing on the first phases of a relationship, is set when a couple has already been married for five years – although happily married for only one. What started as a union based on love, turned to cold silences after a mysterious falling out we don’t get an explanation for until far into the book. And this explanation, similarly to most aspects in the story, is quite ridiculous.
The couple, Violet and James, behave like privileged, annoying children who find having a simple and honest conservation beyond their capabilities. Perhaps that’s supposed to be commentary on English aristocracy, and I couldn’t help but feel entertained, to a certain degree, by the absurdity of their games of revenge. The comedy part came to play mostly through the side characters, but the story as a whole is not as funny, nor as surprising, as I wished it would have been.
I fully tried to pick this one up and read it about three times before it really stuck. Let's just say Bridgerton has really transformed my reading tastes. But, third time was definitely the charm.
I thought 'To Have and to Hoax' was lots of fun. I was a little disappointed that the central conflict fizzled out very quickly - I would have loved to have seen the two of them getting increasingly fake ill or afflicted just to try and one-up each other - but the characters were compelling enough to keep listening. I read this on audio and was SO HAPPY that there were two narrators instead of one - it felt much more authentic.
I thought 'To Have and to Hoax' was lots of fun. I was a little disappointed that the central conflict fizzled out very quickly - I would have loved to have seen the two of them getting increasingly fake ill or afflicted just to try and one-up each other - but the characters were compelling enough to keep listening. I read this on audio and was SO HAPPY that there were two narrators instead of one - it felt much more authentic.
I read so many mixed reviews of this book, so I didn't even have it on my tbr. But then I library added the audiobook to its catalog and on a whim, I decided to pick it up and I'm so glad I did.
I think this book worked so well for me because the pranks weren't mean, I have read some books that I didn't end up loving because the pranks were really hurtful and went too far, and this book doesn't do that. The pranks were fun and entertaining. This book actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times.
I really liked the main characters, their chemistry, and banter. I do think they were a little bit immature but also they grew throughout the book, so I was ok with that.
The side characters were amazing and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Here's another debut very competently executed. I rather enjoyed it, though the conflict is not the type of conflict I favor. I am not in love with the game playing in lieu of conversation; I am not in love with the immaturity of the conflict resolution; I am really not in love with resolving conflicts only to take a step back a few moments later. Those qualms being addressed, I still think this book was really well-written, and I'd like to read Waters's future work, which will address different types of tropes, I assume.
The strength of this book lay in a few arenas.
1. Reversal of tropes: at one point, a friend of the MMC says something along the lines of "I thought she was the [shrew - I can't remember the word], but you were the [shrew]. The character development was had by the MMC more than the FMC, and it was very nice to read a HR that spent so much time developing its male lead.
2. Internal monologue: if you read my reviews, you know that I find the internal monologue paramount. Most of this book was internal monologue. WOO! (at times, it almost bordered on too much/repetitive)
3. Supporting characters: There were quite a few, and I can't wait to read what I assume will be their stories. They were distinct, they were interesting, I want them to be my friends.
Can't wait to read the next ones!
The strength of this book lay in a few arenas.
1. Reversal of tropes: at one point, a friend of the MMC says something along the lines of "I thought she was the [shrew - I can't remember the word], but you were the [shrew]. The character development was had by the MMC more than the FMC, and it was very nice to read a HR that spent so much time developing its male lead.
2. Internal monologue: if you read my reviews, you know that I find the internal monologue paramount. Most of this book was internal monologue. WOO! (at times, it almost bordered on too much/repetitive)
3. Supporting characters: There were quite a few, and I can't wait to read what I assume will be their stories. They were distinct, they were interesting, I want them to be my friends.
Can't wait to read the next ones!
3.5 stars. Exactly what it looks like on the tin.