To Have and to Hoax
The Regency Vows
Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley married after a whirlwind romance, but one argument too many left them coldly polite strangers for four years. When Violet rushes to James's side after hearing he was thrown from his horse, she finds him perfectly fine and suspects a ploy. She retaliates with a dramatic illness of her own, and soon the two are trading ever more outrageous hoaxes to provoke a reaction. Underneath the games lies the question of whether the love they lost can be found again. A witty, high-concept Regency rom-com.
About This Book
To Have and to Hoax is a historical romance novel by Martha Waters, first published in 2020 by Atria Books. It is part of the The Regency Vows series and runs 368 pages. Readers can expect established couple.
At a glance
- Genre
- Historical
- Trope
- Established Couple
- Length
- 368 pages
- Format
- Trade Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- After four years of cold estrangement, a husband and wife engage in a high-stakes war of wits and elaborate hoaxes to force the other to break their icy composure.
- Fans of Regency rom-coms
- Readers who enjoy high-concept, bickering-heavy romances
- Witty
- Features Established Couple
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Equal: both actively participate in the cycle of deception.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley were once a whirlwind romance, but four years of petty arguments have reduced them to politely distant strangers. When Violet hears of a riding accident involving James, her rush to his side is met with the discovery that he is perfectly healthy. Suspecting him of a ruse, she fabricates a dramatic illness of her own. This sets off a escalating cycle of hoaxes and counter-hoaxes, forcing them to engage with one another in ways they haven't in years, ultimately posing the question of whether their lost love can be reclaimed.
Central Conflict
The couple must move past years of emotional distance and pride-fueled trickery to determine if their marriage can be saved.
Setting
Regency Era England
Strengths
- High-concept premise
- Strong central dynamic
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Martha Waters
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Atria Books
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Length
- 368 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781982136116
To Have and to Hoax: quick answers
- Who wrote To Have and to Hoax?
- To Have and to Hoax was written by Martha Waters.
- When was To Have and to Hoax published?
- To Have and to Hoax was first published in 2020 by Atria Books.
- What genre is To Have and to Hoax?
- To Have and to Hoax is a historical romance novel, with established couple.
- How many pages is To Have and to Hoax?
- To Have and to Hoax is 368 pages long (Trade Paperback).
- Is To Have and to Hoax part of a series?
- Yes — it is part of the The Regency Vows series.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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