To Swoon and to Spar
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Average rating3.8
Viscount Penvale has been working for years to buy back his ancestral home, Trethwick Abbey, from his estranged uncle. And so he’s thrilled when his uncle announces that he is ready to sell but with one major caveat—Penvale must marry his uncle’s ward, Jane Spencer.
When the two meet in London, neither is terribly impressed. Penvale finds Jane headstrong and sharp-tongued. Jane finds him cold and aloof. Nevertheless, they agree to a marriage in name only and return to the estate. There, Jane enlists her housekeeper for a scheme: to stage a haunting so that Penvale will return to London, leaving her to do as she pleases at Trethwick Abbey. But Penvale is not as easily scared as his uncle and as their time together increases, Jane realizes that she might not mind her husband’s company all that much.
With her trademark “arch sense of humor and a marvelously witty voice” (Entertainment Weekly), Martha Waters crafts another delightful romp for all historical romance fans.
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5 primary books#4 in The Regency Vows
The Regency Vows is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 2020 with contributions by Martha Waters.
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3/5
I like Penvale, I liked him since the moment we met him actually. I'm glad he's got his own book, though I'm quite disappointed. The story felt rushed especially, that unlike other books that take place in the span of a fortnight, this book takes place in the span of 4 months and it feels rushed. Especially the first days o the marriage when they were content not to see each other at all for hours.
While I like Penvale, Jane was annoying. This estate was his childhood home, the one he'd dreamed about and missed since he was 10 years old, working for decades to be able to afford to buy it back - and even knowing that, she had no qualms about continuing with haunting just to drive him away. I get that she loved this house too - but she lived there for all of 3 years and had no right to it, despite her wishes. it was HIS childhood home. The one he grew up in with his family. The one that was not only sentimental for him but was also rightfully his. She had no right to drive him away from his house. Just because she was a Viscountess now, this house meant more to Penvale than it did to her and she knew that and still continued with her stupid plan.
And the staff helping her? If I were Penvale, I'd fire every single one (perhaps except for Crowe) and hire new ones. Wonder what would Jane do then, being responsible for everyone losing their jobs? And especially the housekeeper, who was she to continue with hunting, especially during the diner party? She didn't think he would leave thinking it was Jane still? Ha, I don't believe that, she knew exactly what she was doing. She didn't deserve to keep her job tbh, she was pissing me off as did Jane.
Penvale deserved better
