To Swoon and to Spar
The Regency Vows
Jane Spencer has been happily running Trethwick Abbey on her own terms, and she has no intention of letting her marriage of convenience to Viscount Penvale change that. Penvale only agreed to the match to win back his beloved childhood home, so Jane enlists her loyal staff to convince him the abbey is haunted and send him packing. Unfortunately, her new husband does not believe in ghosts and refuses to leave. As the hauntings escalate, so does the uncomfortable fact that she is starting to enjoy his company. A playful, slow-burning Regency romp.
About This Book
To Swoon and to Spar is a historical romance novel by Martha Waters, first published in 2023 by Atria Books. It is part of the The Regency Vows series and runs 336 pages. Readers can expect slow burn.
At a glance
- Genre
- Historical
- Trope
- Slow Burn
- Length
- 336 pages
- Format
- Trade Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get To Swoon and to Spar by Martha Waters
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- To drive her new husband away from the home she manages, Jane Spencer orchestrates a series of fake hauntings, only to find herself falling for him.
- Fans of humorous Regency romance
- Readers who enjoy pranks and playful banter
- Playful
- Features Slow Burn
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers seeking intense drama or dark themes
- Heat level and explicit content remain unconfirmed
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Relatively equal, characterized by a contest of influence over the household.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate tension.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Jane Spencer is content managing Trethwick Abbey independently, viewing her marriage of convenience to Viscount Penvale as an intrusion on her lifestyle. Penvale, however, is determined to reclaim his childhood home. When Jane employs her staff to stage ghostly encounters to frighten him off, Penvale proves immune to the supernatural threats. As the pranks intensify, so does the unexpected romantic friction between the couple.
Central Conflict
Jane and Penvale are locked in a battle of wills over ownership and occupancy of Trethwick Abbey, complicated by their burgeoning feelings for one another.
Setting
Trethwick Abbey, Regency England
Strengths
- Clear, engaging central premise
- Defined character motivations
Consider before reading
- Heat level and explicit content remain unconfirmed
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
No reviews yet
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Atria Books
- Format
- Trade Paperback
- Length
- 336 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781668007907
To Swoon and to Spar: quick answers
- Who wrote To Swoon and to Spar?
- To Swoon and to Spar was written by Martha Waters.
- When was To Swoon and to Spar published?
- To Swoon and to Spar was first published in 2023 by Atria Books.
- What genre is To Swoon and to Spar?
- To Swoon and to Spar is a historical romance novel, with slow burn.
- How many pages is To Swoon and to Spar?
- To Swoon and to Spar is 336 pages long (Trade Paperback).
- Is To Swoon and to Spar 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 Swoon and to Spar 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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