Review - A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman

A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really loving Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series. The tension between the Davies and Montgomerys is so much fun, especially when they keep pairing up! Every book in this series has been a true adventure, and this third installment, A Wicked Game, is no different. Harriet Montgomery (cousin to the landed Montgomerys) has taken over her father's mapmaking business. When a seemingly faulty map leads Captain Morgan Davies to be captured, he sets out to make the cartographer pay, not knowing it is in fact the woman who has captivated and infuriated him for years.

This was such a fun book, Morgan and Harriet are both enamored of each other from the start but neither wants to say anything, so they frame everything as bets and games. There is plenty of adventure and craziness in this historical romance, and was a joy to read. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

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Review - A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Daring Pursuit is the second in Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on the Montgomery and Davies families, who have been feuding for centuries. The first book, A Reckless Match, was one of my 2021 favorites, so I couldn't wait to read the second installment. Bateman didn't disappoint! This book was just as much fun as the first!

Carys Davies has been scandalizing the ton for two years, and none moreso than Tristan Montgomery, her archenemy. When Tristan finds out a secret that Carys would rather hide, however, they enter into a deliciously intriguing bargain (sex deal!!). They agree to be "enemies with benefits", the only problem is they can't seem to remember that they're supposed to be enemies.

I loved the characters of this book so much. The angst-level was just right, with both pining for the other, and it was just such a delight to read. This can definitely be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend reading the first book just because it's amazing as well. I can't wait to read the next entry in this series!

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Review - A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman is a truly fantastic historical romance book. Full of adventure, longing, and wit, it's a book that's just a joy to read from start to finish.

Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies' families have been enemies for centuries. Gryff has been antagonizing Maddie since they were children, and now that he's returned from the war, nothing has changed. When Gryff and Maddie stumble across a nefarious plot, however, they'll have to work together, and who ever heard of a Montgomery and a Davies working together?

Honestly this book is great, it was so much fun to read, I couldn't put it down. This is childhood enemies to lovers done perfectly right. There is a ton of action and plot in the book, but it doesn't ever feel like it overpowers the romance, which is really the story. Bateman has set up several other couples as well, and I can't wait to find out whose story we'll get next!

Review - The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman

Full of intrigue, The Princess and the Rogue is the third and final installment of Kate Bateman's Bow Street Bachelor's series, and the first of her books I've read. Not having read the first two books in the series, I was a little apprehensive that there might be references I'd miss or not be able to follow some of the plot. However, I'm very happy to say that The Princess and the Rogue works well as a standalone book. There are appearances by the main characters of the previous books, but their backstory is explained enough that it doesn't break the immersion of the book.

This was a very enjoyable book. The story starts out with a wonderful introduction to the heroine, Princess Anastasia Denisova, Anya, of Russia, on the run from an abusive would-be-fiance. You get the measure of her character right away, and can't stop rooting for her throughout the book. She ends up working as a companion to a dowager duchess in London and things are going well until the not-fiance turns up. The dowager convinces her great-nephew, Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, agent of Bow Street, and owner of a gambling club to protect her, without disclosing her true identity as a princess.

Bateman does a great job in developing both of these characters, and setting up their romance. The climax of the book was utterly engaging, and I couldn't put the book down for at least the last 50 pages. Even knowing that Sebastien and Anya are going to get their happily-ever-after, it was still hard to see how it could be possible at times.

There were a lot of really interesting references to Russian traditions and customs, which was very intriguing and not something that is typical in a Regency romance. It was obvious that a lot of research went in to this book.

I would recommend The Princess and the Rogue, and will likely be reading more of Kate Bateman in the future as a result of reading this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy!