To Love and to Loathe: A Novel

Written by Martha Waters

Narrated by Anais Inara Chase and Joel Froomkin

Named a best romance of the year by Entertainment Weekly
Named a most anticipated romance by Oprah Daily, Marie Claire, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, and more!

“There was no romance novel more fun this year than this extremely witty enemies-with-benefits confection.” —Entertainment Weekly

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797121406

Martha Waters

Martha Waters is the author of Christmas Is All Around, and the Regency Vows series, which includes To Have and to Hoax, To Love and to Loathe, To Marry and to Meddle, To Swoon and to Spar, and To Woo and to Wed. She was born and raised in sunny south Florida and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives in coastal Maine, where she works as a children’s librarian by day, and loves sundresses, gin cocktails, and traveling.  

Reviews for To Love and to Loathe

[Carrie Mindieta · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Three chapters had missing parts in the audio book. I had to go back and forth between the ebook to read the missing sections. The audio book also stops before the ending.

[Jane Engelhardt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous series. Fabulous newcomer to regency romance. I hope she keeps going. Great narrator too. I’m only depressed that there is just one more for now!!! Read it. Great fun.

[Shawna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Iv a bit of a soft spot for Regency Romance. If you are of a like mind this is you will delight in. As we visit the members of our country party and the dance of matchmaking. We fall upon a story in which a widow of a sharp mind makes a wager with their host. Their wager is that of a delicate nature. The other members of their party are up to their own folly it seems. This tale comes to a crescendo where upon out host and our strong minded window come to realize what their party has long known. How that comes to light will not quite be the scandal they believed themselves to be.

[sheila · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amusing and engrossing. Well worth listening to. A Regency love story to satisfy any romance affectionado.

[Becki · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful and fun read. Also nice to have LGTB characters even if they are in supporting roles

[judy griffin · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I did not like the author’s horrendous lack of talent.

[Linda Blanchard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best yet! I adore her books, and one truly is the best I’ve read so far. The hero and heroine are endearingly flawed, and it’s lovely to be able to continue knowing the characters we met in others of her books. Her books are so funny, and the narrators are wonderful.

[Angelica Perez · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was a quick and fun read. Nothing more. I enjoyed it but nothing really stood out.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The descriptions of this series sound right up my alley. I love an enemies to lovers and historical fiction. But it just didn't catch me the way that I'd hoped. It was fine, and I can't point to anything that didn't work for me, but I just didn't get big feelings for the main characters and their romance.