APRIL 2023 - AudioFile
This reluctant romance with a historical setting is expertly narrated by the effervescent combination of Anais Chase and Joel Froomkin. Viscount Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane, in order to fully inherit his childhood home. Jane seems to agree to the arrangement but then cooks up schemes to scare Penvale off the property so she can keep the place for herself. Listeners may be surprised by the lavish performances, but as time goes on and the encounters increase in wackiness, Chase's and Froomkin's exaggerated narrations become perfect fits for the romp. Though the humor is the highlight, there is also a charming chemistry between the characters. For listeners seeking a hilarious slow-burn romance, this performance has the goods. G.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
01/16/2023
An elaborate hoax leads to unexpected love in Waters’s satisfying, slow-burning fourth Regency Vows romance (after To Marry and to Meddle). Jane Spencer has been enjoying her freedom in Cornwall’s Trethwick Abbey since the death of her parents and has no intention of allowing a marriage of convenience to Peter Bourne, seventh Viscount Penvale, to cramp her style. She intends to force him to abandon her in the country by convincing him the house is haunted with the help of her faithful staff. Unfortunately, Peter doesn’t believe in ghosts and only agreed to the marriage to regain possession of Trethwick Abbey, his childhood home, so he’s not easily driven out. The constant disturbances are irritating however, so he plays along when Jane not so innocently suggests the trouble could be a haunting, hoping to catch the mastermind behind the scheme. As he and Jane wander the halls in search of the undead, they discover to their surprise that they actually enjoy being around each other. Love blossoms, but even after their relationship transitions into a true marriage, their shaky foundation threatens their romance. The pace is somewhat uneven, but the goofy faux ghosts and Jane’s hilariously blunt personality set this apart. Series fans won’t be disappointed. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Sweet and swoon-worthy"
—Woman's World
“I simply could not put [it] down . . . . Bridgerton fans will like this one.” —Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton series
"The Regency Vows series has given us some unforgettable romantic endeavors, and To Swoon and to Spar provides both laughter and endearment."
—B&N Reads
“With a refreshingly acerbic sense of wit Jane Austen might have admired as well as a plot that gives a clever nod to the screwball spooky delights of Austen’s Gothic-tinged Northanger Abbey and the novels of Mrs. Radcliffe, Waters (To Marry and to Meddle, 2022) proves she is in fine literary fettle as she dexterously delivers another sublimely satisfying addition to her completely charming Regency Vows series.” —Booklist
“Satisfying, slow-burning... the goofy faux ghosts and Jane’s hilariously blunt personality set this apart. Series fans won’t be disappointed.” —Publishers Weekly
“A romantic comedy through and through... [Readers will] be pleased that Jane ultimately decides to make room for Penvale in both Trethwick Abbey and her heart.”
—Library Journal
"I loved this book more than I can say. It was instantly endearing, hilariously witty, and an absolute joy to read. Jane was the most wonderful heroine, and Penvale was a hero truly deserving of her. The delightful narration had me constantly smiling when I wasn't outright laughing, and the slow burn, marriage-of-convenience romance melted my heart. To Swoon and to Spar will be joining Waters' other books on my favorites shelf, just as soon as I've finished rereading it!"— India Holton, bestselling author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
bestselling author of The Wisteria Society of Lady India Holton
I loved this book more than I can say…Instantly endearing, hilariously witty, and an absolute joy to read."
Library Journal
02/01/2023
Viscount Penvale lost his family home, Trethwick Abbey, to his uncle at a young age, but vowed to get it back. Now his uncle is willing to sell, but in exchange Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane Spencer. Jane adores Trethwick Abbey and agrees to marry Penvale simply so she can stay, but all the while she's hatching a plan to oust him just as she did his uncle, by manufacturing a haunting. The haunting, however, doesn't go as planned because Penvale is determined to stay and improve life for his tenants and the local village. Jane eventually realizes Penvale is much more than a privileged aristocrat, and he discovers that her surly demeanor hides shyness and social anxiety. When the two host a house party, all manner of unexpected things happen. VERDICT The fake-haunting plot sounds like gothic romance, but Waters's latest "Regency Vows" novel (which follows To Marry and To Meddle) is a romantic comedy through and through. Although the chemistry between Jane and Penvale lacks a certain spark, readers will still be pleased that Jane ultimately decides to make room for Penvale in both Trethwick Abbey and her heart.—Eve Stano
APRIL 2023 - AudioFile
This reluctant romance with a historical setting is expertly narrated by the effervescent combination of Anais Chase and Joel Froomkin. Viscount Penvale must marry his uncle's ward, Jane, in order to fully inherit his childhood home. Jane seems to agree to the arrangement but then cooks up schemes to scare Penvale off the property so she can keep the place for herself. Listeners may be surprised by the lavish performances, but as time goes on and the encounters increase in wackiness, Chase's and Froomkin's exaggerated narrations become perfect fits for the romp. Though the humor is the highlight, there is also a charming chemistry between the characters. For listeners seeking a hilarious slow-burn romance, this performance has the goods. G.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine