Lady Emily Turner should really be married by now, but with a dowry of her father's debts, her only suitor is the odious owner of her father's favourite gambling house. Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquis, but has managed to scandalise polite society with his acting career and the fact that he owns a less than salubrious theatre. Crossing paths at a house party, they discover that a marriage of convenience might benefit them both: Emily can use her society connections to add some respectability to Julian's theatre, while also managing to escape the dubious world of her father.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & whilst this is the third book in the series I didn’t feel it was necessary to have read the previous books. A well written book with strong characters, I loved both Julian & Emily & I loved the humour in the book. Whilst I really enjoy the book it wasn’t a compelling page turner, it was light, it was humorous, there was chemistry between Julian & Emily but no mystery, no intrigue just romance

To Marry and to Meddle is a solid romance read. I enjoyed it, without particularly loving it, but I think that’s me, rather than the book.

Because, really, there’s a lot to like here. As with her other books, Martha Waters produces a sweet and funny romance, with characters who leap off the page, characters you root for and want to be together. It’s a whole lot of fun and I couldn’t really say why I didn’t fully love this one. All I can point to is that I’ve read a lot of historical romances since I read (and adored) the first book in this series, and perhaps my tastes have changed since? Who knows.

But.

Here’s why you should ignore me and read it!


Firstly, a romance is only as good as its characters and relationship and both were top-notch here. I especially loved how Emily got to shine on the page, when the previous two books she had been not much more than a bit-part character. She was a sympathetic and witty character and possibly one of my favourite romance mains. She’s complemented too by Julian who, I have to admit, wasn’t my favourite, but he was perfectly readable. Perhaps I’ve just read too many books where the men try force the women into roles they think they should have. So it wasn’t a good look from him, but thankfully he came to his senses.

I also really enjoyed the background characters, and seeing them after their own books (or before, if we’re talking Sophie and West – or at least I hope so). Possibly my favourite part of romance series is getting to see old main characters make appearances on page after their story is over. (Though I will admit I found it very helpful that Martha Waters introduced them all again by their title then an explanation of who exactly they were because I had clean forgot.)

Finally, I appreciated that there wasn’t any miscommunication in this book. Unlike the previous two (granted, the first of those entirely rested on miscommunication, I found in the second, the angst felt contrived because of it). However, it did lend it a lack of tension, towards the end. It only felt like the story was leading to an ‘I love you’, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it meant it lost any suspense it had.

But, if you enjoyed the previous two books in this series, I can guarantee you will also like this one. It has all the hallmarks of Martha Waters’ works and is a perfectly enjoyable read.

A Marriage of Convenience brings Julian and Emily together in this smart, funny Regency romance. As usual, Martha Waters provides a brilliant book full of laugh out loud moments and incredible characters just trying to be themselves in a society that won't allow it. An excellent addition to the series, if a little lacking in drama.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

To Marry and to Meddle was a delightfully charming and utterly fun regency romance and I absolutely adored. The marriage of convenience plot was perfectly executed and romance was definitely swoon worthy—Bridgerton fans should definitely pick up a copy ASAP.

Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six years now and should’ve long since made a suitable match. But due to her father’s larges debts her only suitor is the odious owner of her fathers’ favourite gambling house.

Lord Julian Belfry, the disinherited second son of a marquess has scandalised society as an actor (and owner) of his owner theatre, The Belfry- the kind of establishment take their mistresses instead of their wives. So when their lives intersect as a house part, Julian devises a plan to benefit them both.

With a marriage of convenience, Emily with her society connections and stellar reputation and bring the theatre a more respectable clientele. And Julian can take her out of the shadows of her father’s unsavoury associates and give the freedom she’s always yearned for. But they both soon realise they have very different plans for their marriage—Julian wants Emily to remain a society wife, while Emily discovers an interest in the theatre.

With a fleeting actress, murderous kittens and meddlesome friends Emily and Julian must confront that their marriage of convenience comes with rather inconvenient feelings…

I’ve been really loving regency romance lately and this one was no exception-with genuinely funny moments, compelling cast and an utterly swoon-worthy romance I couldn’t put it down. It’s also the first book by Martha Waters I’ve read and despite being the third book in The Regency Vows series, it definitely think it works well as a standalone. But, given how much I enjoyed the scenes with Emily’s friends Violet and Diana-both smart, capable women that I found utterly entertaining, I’m definitely gonna check out their books next.

I loved how much Emily flourishes into a strong and independent young woman, away from her family’s strict rules and her blossoming relationship with Julian was also really well developed. I absolutely enjoyed watching them slowly get to know one another (and ultimately fall in love) —it was wonderful!

Overall, it’s a fun, lighthearted and utterly swoon worthy romance that I definitely recommend to any and all historical romance lovers.

Also, thanks to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for the e-arc.

It's Lady Emily Turner's time to shine in the beautifully charming 'To Marry and to Meddle' by Martha Waters, the third of her 'Regency Vow' series.

In the previous two novels, Emily's storyline slowly unfolds in the background. After her father runs up huge gambling debts to the odious Cartham, she's forced to escort him among society, thus losing out on her chances to find a love match during the season. Through her friendship circles, she becomes acquainted by Lord Julian Belfry, the disinherited second son who has scandalised the ton through his ownership of a less than salubrious theatre.

Julian proposes a marriage of mutual benefit to Emily. He could pay off her father's debts and get rid of Cartham, if she lends some of her cred and connections to legitimise his theatre.

Water cleverly explores the reoccuring theme (well not so much as a theme as a fact of life which prevails today), of the subjugation women.

Emily, like Diana and Violet before her, were raised to protect their virtue until they find a wealthy suitor to marry.

In Violet's story, James instantly proposes after she's 'compromised' (e.g. seen in public alone on the balcony talking to James). In Diana's story, she's an orphan who knows she must marry as soon as she's of age so as not to be a burden on her aunt and uncle. Yet her brother gets to remain single and take lovers without it being a scandal. Once she's widowed, she's offered the freedom to do far more as she pleases.

For Emily marriage to Julian that offers her far more freedom after being suffocated by her controlling parents and forced to almost be pimped out to Cartham.

Waters builds a divine slow-burn romance between rake Julian and Emily. It's fun to watch Julian, who eschewed marriage and conventions, come to realise how Emily is a true partner and supporter for him, as he becomes that for Emily. Like in Jeremy and Diana's story ('To Love and to Loathe'), we see both Emily and Julian bond by revealing to each other their private struggles - Emily dealing with her toxic parents and Julian struggling with wanting his father's approval. Waters again deftly handles the sparkle along with the darker sides of life.

It's a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down. 'To Marry and to Meddle' is peppered with sharp banter, charm and a slow burn romance, all while dissecting society's suffocation of women. As they say in the theatre, bravo! encore!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC.

Tropes: marriage of convenience, only you get me, forced proximity, wedding night.

I have such a soft spot for this series. If you are looking for a serious/realistic regency romance, this won't be for you, but I ADORE the chaos.

This book follows Lady Emily Turner (a long standing debutant) and theatre-owning second son Lord Julian Belfry as they enter into a marriage of convenience. But of course, their marriage is soon plagued by very inconvenient feelings.

I was slightly disappointed with the romance in this book. It felt like it went from friends to love really suddenly. I did enjoy the way Jeremy stood up for Emily and encouraged her to grow, and I liked Emily's ability to keep Jeremy to his promises. Ultimately, I do feel like they were a good match, but I wish Waters' had shown us a bit more of the romantic feelings than told us.

However, the lack of romantic chemistry is made up for by the other relationships in this book. Emily, Diana and Violet's friendship leads to some heart-warming and hilarious moments. I loved that we got to see Diana and Jeremy's wedding (the waistcoat plot line was impeccable). I cannot wait to read more about these characters in the future!!

If you want a super comforting, funny read, I would recommend picking up this series! The third instalment is released on April 5th.

Thank you to Net Galley, Headline and Martha Waters for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I started reading To Marry and To Meddle without any expectations (maybe because I've been reading mostly average/less-than-average books lately) and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I went through Julian and Emily's story!
At first I did not see how Julian and Emily were suitable for each other, but as the story progressed, it became clearer at how perfect they were. They balanced each other. I loved all the friendships depicted and the secondary characters. I loved how Martha Waters came at the storyline - it's one that has been done over and over, but I still found it pretty refreshing. It was a sweet one, and had me finishing it in one sitting.
Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This novel was an amusing and highly readable tale of how Emily and Julian decided upon a marriage of convenience. But would it become something else? I cannot answer that question without spoiling the novel, but the reader may wish to find out the answer for themselves. I really enjoyed the book. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

This story is Julia Quinn meets Jane Austen in all the best ways! Waters’ writing is fun making for a page turning story. The feel-good factor shines throughout and I was so sad when I got to the end of this book!