Item: To Have and to Hoax
Rating: 4.00
Author: mrs_mander_reads

by Martha Waters

If you love Sophie Ranald, Jo Watson and Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, you'll love Martha Waters' ingenious, laugh-out-loud rom-com, To Have and to Hoax!

'Delights with hilarious, high-concept romantic schemes...this joyful, elegant romp is sure to enchant' Publishers Weekly, starred review

The course of true love - or irritation - never did run smooth.

Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and married.

Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since.

Their once-passionate love may have dissolved into cold, detached politeness, but when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse, she races to be by his side - only to discover him alive, well, and baffled by her concern.

Outraged, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own to teach her estranged husband a lesson. And so begins an ever-escalating game of manipulation - and a great deal of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought.

In this warring marriage, which spouse will be the victor?

And will the real prize be winning back the love they each thought they'd lost?

'To Have and to Hoax is an authentic romantic comedy... This fun and fresh historical debut will delight readers with humor and romance as a young couple battles to win back each other's affection' Shelf Awareness

'Cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed debut is served up with an abundance of cheeky charm and wonderfully wry wit' Booklist, starred review

'Endlessly charming...absorbing and clever and at times laugh-out-loud funny' Kate Clayborn, author of Love Lettering

'To Have and to Hoax is a delightful battle of wits that's funny and touching all at once. James and Violet are perfectly matched, and you'll love watching the sparks fly as they both infuriate each other and fall in love all over again' Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met

'A laugh out loud Regency romp - if you loved the Bridgertons, you'll adore To Have and to Hoax!' Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author

I liked this one! The story is unique in that the couple is already married when the story starts, so I liked that fresh take. Definitely recommend to readers of Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, et al. Would also recommend as a romance that's a little cleaner than some - there's still bedroom scenes, but not as many as say, in Tessa Bailey's books. Looking forward to #2!

To Have and to Hoax (The Regency Vows, #1)

by Martha Waters

Reviewed by mrs_mander_reads on Apr 20, 2021

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