To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

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Reading brings me so much joy. The best part is when you find a book that you can read again and again. Whose characters make you smile with the journey they take. 

Book Description 

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.

About Martha Waters

Martha Waters is the author of To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe. She was born and raised in sunny South Florida and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. By day, she is a children's librarian, and she loves sundresses, gin cocktails, and traveling.

My Thoughts

For anyone who knows me knows I'm not particularly picky about what I read. Unlike movies where I am very picky books and I have an understanding of good or bad, I love to read the written word. Then once in a while, a bright shining star falls into my outstretched hands. This book was that shining star. 

When it first came to me I was nervous knowing it was the second book in a series. I don't always do well with this because authors write as though you have read the previous book. However with Martha  Waters that wasn't the case. I delved into this book like it was an original. Yes, other characters were mentioned but you don't need to have read their full stories t appreciate them in this one. 

I must say I fell immediately in love with Diana the was smart, beautiful, and out-spoken. She knows what she wants and she gets it. When we meet Diana she is determined to find a rich husband so she never has to worry about money again. She is very thoughtful in her process. 

With Jeremy, he is a devil may care young man. He is living life like most titled men of his generation enjoying life, alcohol, and women. What I like about him is he knows how to get under Diana's skin and isn't afraid of her or her strong will.  

Their story starts with a childhood friendship that leads to them sparring as adults. This sparring leads them to make a bet that will have them both trying to win but failing epically. Their journey together is one of charm, cheekiness, and love. This was a story that truly exceeds my expectations in all the right ways.