Named a Best Romance of April by Goodreads, Popsugar, Bustle, and more! “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 In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention–and maybe just win … accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention–and maybe just win each other back in the process.
Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and got married. Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since.
Their once-passionate love match has been reduced to one of cold, detached politeness. But when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse and rendered unconscious at their country estate, she races to be by his side–only to discover him alive and well at a tavern, and completely unaware of her concern. She’s outraged. He’s confused. And the distance between them has never been more apparent.
Wanting to teach her estranged husband a lesson, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own. 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?
With charm, wit, and heart in spades, To Have and to Hoax is a fresh and eminently entertaining romantic comedy–perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Julia Quinn.
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A dollop of froth in a quarantine week. The writing is charming and engaging, a perfect regency romp.
Maybe 3.5 stars
Lady Violet Grey met Lord James Audley when she was caught trysting with his friend, Jeremy, Marquess of Willingham. James sent his friend away after berating him for dallying with an innocent, but instead of immediately returning her to the ballroom – they flirt and are caught alone by her mother – James immediately proposes. They marry and spend their first year in a tumultuous relationship filled with love, passion, fighting and making up – until they don’t – they have a fight that basically ruins their marriage and they barely speak for the next four years.
They settle into a bland marriage – living together, but barely speaking and definitely not sharing a bed. Neither is happy, but neither is willing to make the first move towards reconciliation. So when James’ friend Viscount Penvale sends Violet a letter saying James was gravely injured at their county house – she rushes to see him, but finds him at an inn on the way back to London – no worse for the wear. When she mentions the accident, he brushes off her concern and basically tells her that he is none of her concern. Livid, Violet returns to London alone and plots to make James pay for his callous treatment of her. And so, it begins, complete with actors, lies, illness (with amazing, yet selective recovery), outrageous flirting, and more than a few kisses.
This was a very well written story that started out strong and very amusing, but soon the constant bickering and the over the top dramatics went from entertaining to tedious and immature. I didn’t dislike the book, it was a light read with likable characters, some witty dialogue, great secondary characters, warmish love scenes, perfect formal address (with nary a title error to be found!). So, as far as debut novels go, this is one of the better ones, and I liked Ms. Waters’ writing style, I really believe with more experience, she will be a must read author. But in regards to this book, there were things that didn’t work for me, I found a four year estrangement to be a bit too long, I also felt like the conflict between them dragged on for way too long – the last 20% of the book was frustrating to read and in the end, I don’t know if I really believe these two will enjoy a HEA – they were both immature, judgmental and stubborn. There is also the price (which I know is not the author’s doing, but it still matters to readers) – this debut novel is pretty pricey, selling for more than books by well known, best-selling authors – If the book was priced more reasonably, I would recommend it – but at the current price of almost $13.00, I would pass until the price goes down. This book was not promoted as the beginning of a series, but there are several possible stories started in this book and I would be interesting in reading them.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher. *
3.5 stars
I don’t often read historical romances (so I have no idea how accurate things were), but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I have been having a hard time focusing on books with everything going on in the world, so this was a wonderful story to get lost in. To Have and to Hoax features some of my favorite tropes (second chance, enemies to lovers) and I am impressed that this is Martha Waters’s debut. I enjoyed that this was a romance featuring a marriage in crisis and don’t feel that there are enough of those available.
The playful banter and barbs from James and Violet were my favorite and I was rooting for these two to figure out their issues from the very start. I think the drama and misunderstandings were drawn out a bit too much though and I have a hard time believing that this miscommunication lasted 4 years. The characters were pretty immature for people in their 20’s, but given their histories and insecurities, it was somewhat understandable. They did grow and start to take responsibility for their actions, but by that point the drama felt over the top and drama just for drama’s sake.
The secondary characters were a lot of fun and I’m definitely intrigued and hopeful that we will see stories for Diana, Jeremy, Emily, Julian, West, and Sophie. Overall, an entertaining read and I look forward to reading more by Martha Waters in the future.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*
Violet and James are both such disasters and I loved them with my whole heart. I swear… these two share one brain cell between them and sometimes that brain cell goes on vacation. But despite it all I was rooting for them, even when I was INCREDIBLY ANGRY with James for being extra stupid. This book was kinda ridiculous and highly frustrating at times but it was also a ton of fun.
Spouses to Enemies? Oh, yeah!
To Have and To Hoax is a delightful twist on enemies to lovers. Violet and James met, married, fell in love, and then had a fight that’s torn them apart for four years. Now they’ll play a game of “they don’t know that I know that they know” to outdo one another on the path to renewing their love.
The wacky plan after wacky plan was so much fun and perfectly set up the chemistry and emotion between Violet and James. I also really liked the cast of characters around them and I can’t wait for more!
The audio was a delightful dual narration with some truly fun stuffy ton accents!
The premise of this book really appealed to me, I thought it would be a lighthearted funny read…. and it was at first. However, the bickering, and tricks between Violet and James became drawn out, ridiculous, and monotonous. I seriously considered, at 88% not finishing because we had gotten right to the point when I thought the happy ever after was about to happen and they had yet another argument.
Hopefully the sequel will be better, I liked Diana and Jeremy as characters in this book, even they got sick of the drama.
Book 51 towards my goal of 265! 3/5 stars for this Regency Romance read. This one was entertaining. Loved the banter between the main characters. This book just seemed so long, and like it drug along in some places. Still entertaining!
This was just ok, I’ve been on a total Bridgerton kick so when I saw it rec’d as for fans of Bridgerton I was stoked to add it to my pile. It reminded me a lot of The Rakehell of Roth, except I just didn’t enjoy it as much and couldn’t help but compare my feelings as I was reading. It didn’t catch me in the same way and the win-back-my-negligent-husband-with-Daddy-issues was a big letdown, as it just felt childish and pointless instead of like an actual attempt to get back at him or to win him back.
I stumbled across this author’s book by accident, and I am so glad I did. To Have and To Hoax is a hilarious Regency tale, but at the same time, the story has great depth. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series when it comes out in a few months. There are several steamy scenes between the married couple. Waters is a truly gifted writer, and I am looking forward to more.
I hope the author writes stories for the other characters. The premise started out cute. The heroine becomes annoying with her immaturity.
I really enjoyed this story. It is well written. You know the H & h love each other and the fun parts of the story are how their shenanigans bring them back to realizing it. The story addresses many common themes that can stress a marriage. Yes the characters act immature and foolish but they are young and had poor roll models when it comes to how to treat someone you love. Don’t we often act our worse around those we are closest to? Also, after living with someone, you know their weaknesses and just where to strike. This is a universal theme set in Regency England. The author knows the history, hierarchy and language of this time period. I am hoping she will make this a series revealing some of the other characters stories. I have found a new author, to me, and hope to read more of her work.
I love a great RomCom and I love Historical Fiction reads. What happens when you combine both? Well you get a fantastic regency read – To Have and To Hoax by Martha Waters.
I enjoyed this superb book that was unique and a story very well told about once in love Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley. Their falling out after a devastating quarrel had me in stitches as Violet and James play out a ruse with fake illness, fake doctors to get each others’ attention. What we find is that there was nothing fake about their love for each other.
This was a great romcom that made me laugh out loud and was just what I needed for an amazing escapist read. I thoroughly enjoyed and loved this fun read.
To Have and to Hoax has a great premise that falls a bit short on the delivery. The beginning was sweet and fun, and I also liked the initial antics between Violet and James, but I think this one could’ve done with a dose of less is more. Those amusing antics aren’t nearly so amusing when they continue to go on and on and on. What it all boils down to is a whole lot of miscommunication or complete lack of communication, both of which went on for much too long – long enough to get a bit tedious. Maybe things would’ve been different had we been told what caused the rift earlier in the story or maybe not, but too many things just didn’t work in this one. For starters, how this couple went four years without communicating. Four years? That’s taking the silent treatment to a whole new level. Don’t get me wrong, there is some really good writing here, but the story was just way too much. I love romantic comedy, and I can get behind silly situations, antics, and banter, but roughly 350 pages of it without a resolution in sight was more than I could take. Basically, this one is a mildly amusing romantic comedy that went on for much longer than necessary.
A new to me author and narrator.
I love a historical story, and James and Violet’s is a fun one.
Even when i wanted to reach into the story and shake some sense into them both, but particularly Violet.
I love the banter between our lovelies, however I got so completely and utterly frustrated at the games she plays, and the lac of communication between them both.
It does make for a lot of spark when they do get their stuff sorted out. You know there is plenty of love between them, but when outside influences come into play things go awry.
I am a Joel junkie, so I knew I would enjoy his narration. Ms Chase is a new to me narrator, and she is delightful. She brings Violet to life.
An enjoyable tale to listen to during isolation.
***4 ‘Team Violet’ Stars***
This baby definitely made my eyes hurt from all the rolling they did, but I can’t say it wasn’t a fun read. Violet, James and their crew from friends who aided, abetted and hindered their follies in equal measure definitely kept me on my toes and have me crossing those same appendages in hopes that we’ll be hearing more from this unique cast of characters in the future.
Violet and James. These two. I really liked both of them, I did, and they drove me batshitcrazy in equal measure BUT I did tend to side with Violet when it came to the issue that drove a wedge between them for FOUR LONG YEARS. Yes, both are just as much at fault for not finding a way to come to some sort of resolution, but James took stubborn self righteousness to the next level. But I was rooting for them because I loved Violet’s spirit, and how James (when he wasn’t stuck in his misguided belief) truly appreciated and enjoyed all that made her quite unique.
I don’t read much historical romance nowadays, many moons ago that was all I read, but the title and cover drew me in and the blurb hooked me and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as a whole ~ even when I wanted to reach out and Gibbs smack these characters. And speaking of, there are a ton of supporting characters I want more of. Diana, Emily, Jeremy, Penvale, West, Sophia were all so much fun and definitely helped to make the book an experience.
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~
Violet and James fell in love very quickly and got married even faster. Both still did not have the emotional maturity to face the complicated life of marriage and demonstrate this in their eternal childish and meaningless fights until a situation takes James to the limit and they have a seemingly definitive fight.
Four years later, each one lives their lives separately, but they still have a very poorly resolved history that they may be able to overcome with a little help.
I like comedies and I love historical romances so when I realized that this book brought both of them I decided to venture into its pages and even with some points that I didn’t agree with I found myself super involved in the love story of James and Violet. I remembered a TV soap opera that I saw a few years ago with a stubborn and childish couple who loved each other but could not demonstrate and overcome their difference.
Between amusing scenes of clashes between these two, conversations between friends, revenge and moments of passion, To Have and To Hoax brings a different story about forgiveness, lack of communication, love and second chances. What bothered me was the reason why their fight took four years to resolve, I would be more satisfied if the passage of time was months because I didn’t see any great dramas to lead to so much discord.
I don’t usually read historical romances however, the blurb for this book drew me in and I’m so glad. James and Violet were tragic and hilarious and this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
During her first season, Lady Violet Grey met and was caught up in a whirlwind romance with Lord James Audley. A true love match, they were hastily married, but after a year of wedded bliss, they had one fight that brought their relationship to an apparent halt.
Four years later, they barely speak to each other and, after what could be construed as a simple misunderstanding for other people, they’ll embark on a game of deceit and manipulation that will either bear a winner or kill them both.
Unconventional as she is, Violet won’t take her husband’s indifference without a putting up a proverbial fight and the very proper James will not allow his wife to manipulate him further. With the complicity of their extremely meddling friends, these two will also involve an actor and other people in the play of their discombobulated relationship just to get on each other’s nerves.
As soon as I read the blurb I knew I had to read this story. I Love Lucy meets War of the Roses in this fun and romantic tale. I found myself laughing out loud more times that I expected while I fell in love with the stubborn couple.
The writing was fluent and extremely creative, though I found the book a tad long for my taste. Still, it was a witty and charming read about two people in love who fight for their relationship in the most unconventional way.
Song/s the book brought to mind: Dreams by The Cranberries
If you are looking for a lighthearted historical romance that reads like a romcom, then To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters is the debut novel for you!
This is my first foray into historical romance and I quite enjoyed it! The bickering between our couple, James and Violet, was very entertaining and this book is laugh out loud funny. I loved Violet’s sarcasm and quick wit, and I was laughing before page 8. I was having a hard time concentrating on reading but To Have and to Hoax was exactly what I needed to reset and refocus. I had completely forgotten it is set in the 1800s, so it was a fun surprise when I realized that again. I haven’t read much at all set in the time period, and I liked learning a little bit more about it.
It has to be said that I also love the cover of the book. It is very simple which I love, and I like the nod to a lot of the contemporary romance covers out right now. Looking at the cover you may not know it is a historical romance and I love that about it. I think the purple cover would make it a great addition to anyone’s bookshelf.
To Have and to Hoax had plenty of sexual tension and a couple steamy scenes but they were definitely on the tame side which I like. There are so many great characters in here and I would love to see another book focusing on any or all of them.
The only reason I set my rating at a 4 instead of a 5 is because I thought the game playing went on a little too long and the book could have been shorter. Overall though To Have and to Hoax was a great debut novel and it had 2 elements I really love – it felt like a quick read (and probably will be for most readers), and it made me laugh more times than I can count. I will definitely read any other books Waters writes!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Series: None Listed
Publication Date: 4/7/20
Number of Pages: 367
Maybe 3.5 Stars
Rating this book has put me in a bit of a conundrum. It is the author’s debut novel and I think the writing style is good and the premise of the story could be a fun one. The main characters got on my very last nerve and I had no problem with frequently putting the book down for a while. The main characters themselves, nor their story, ever reached out and grabbed me to drag me into their romance. I caught myself rolling my eyes and thinking back to the days when my children were just newly into their teenage years and experiencing their first forays into romance. Thus, it almost seemed more a YA story.
I thought perhaps the book suffered a bit of an identity crisis. With more banter, lightheartedness, and zany situations, it could have been a fun, entertaining read. With less of the absurd and more of the emotional development, it could have been a nice, more serious read. As it was, it didn’t fit either category. I also found it to be a bit repetitive – I couldn’t count how many times either he or she realized they still loved the other. Seems to me if you realize it once, then you know it.
Lady Violet Grey, daughter of an Earl, and James Audley, second son of a duke, met five years earlier and fell instantly in love even though she was only 18 and he was 23. They married quickly and had a volatile, rip-roaring first year of marriage. Then, they had a huge row and lived separately, in the same house, for the next four years.
Each of them has parent issues and that is a big part – in addition to their own immaturity – of what drove them apart and keeps them apart. The story begins in the fifth year of their marriage and we learn what happened in the earlier years through remembrances and conversations. We are also party to viewing their reconciliation – though neither of them had that as their goal. Each wanted to one-up the other, to punish the other, neither wanted to admit that they could have been in the wrong, neither wanted to talk (or even argue) the situation out. No, the reconciliation sort of just – happened – while they were annoying each other.
It was a nice enough read, but I wouldn’t read it a second time. This isn’t listed as part of a series, but I can certainly see some subsequent books stemming from this one because the secondary characters were much more intriguing than the main characters. I’d be very interested in seeing stories for West, Sophia, Julian, Diana, Jeremy, Emily, and Penvale. I’ll definitely check this author’s next book out and hope it will feature some of the secondary characters contained within this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.