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Ruthless Rivals #3
A Wicked Game
If there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery. . .
A teasing bet.
Shipwrecked and imprisoned thanks to an incorrect map, Captain Morgan Davies has returned to London to exact sweet revenge on the cartographer responsible for his suffering. He’s also vowed to claim the winner’s prize―three kisses―in the bet he made with his long-time nemesis, the prickly, smart-mouthed Harriet Montgomery. His incarceration has clarified his feelings for her, but convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet. When Harriet’s revealed to be the very mapmaker he seeks, Morgan decides to combine revenge and seduction into one delightful package. . .
A dangerous enemy.
Harriet’s always wanted witty scoundrel Morgan, and now he’s back; as handsome and as taunting as ever. She has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s failing eyesight and a rival mapmaker copying her work to play wicked games with a dastardly Davies―however tempting he might be. But when a threat from Morgan’s past puts them both in danger, Harry discovers that she and Morgan might not be enemies at all . . .
A teasing bet.
Shipwrecked and imprisoned thanks to an incorrect map, Captain Morgan Davies has returned to London to exact sweet revenge on the cartographer responsible for his suffering. He’s also vowed to claim the winner’s prize―three kisses―in the bet he made with his long-time nemesis, the prickly, smart-mouthed Harriet Montgomery. His incarceration has clarified his feelings for her, but convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet. When Harriet’s revealed to be the very mapmaker he seeks, Morgan decides to combine revenge and seduction into one delightful package. . .
A dangerous enemy.
Harriet’s always wanted witty scoundrel Morgan, and now he’s back; as handsome and as taunting as ever. She has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s failing eyesight and a rival mapmaker copying her work to play wicked games with a dastardly Davies―however tempting he might be. But when a threat from Morgan’s past puts them both in danger, Harry discovers that she and Morgan might not be enemies at all . . .
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 675 reviews
December 30, 2022
I feel blessed to had a chance to read A Wicked Game prior it’s release. I loved it so much!
As you might know, this year I rediscovered my love for historical romance and I am going through all the popular authors I haven’t had a chance to read before, Kate Bateman being one of them.
I guess after finishing A Wicked Game I can see where all the hype comes from.
She is just a mastermind when it comes to creating/showing chemistry between main characters.
I could feel it on every single page that included Harry and Morgan together.
This is (fr)enemies to lovers story, but it was obvious from the very first page that the characters have feelings for each other.
One would said, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife.
Also, it helps that the story itself was pretty entertaining and fun.
I like how the author gave us all the informations about cartography and paper places (that I knew something about already from Paper Towns by John Green).
I was never brilliant when it comes to history, but Bateman made sure to pull me right to the historical period our characters live in by throwing some real happenings that took place in that time.
I also appreciate the action that happened closer to the end.
The story is written in third person and it is so easy to read.
This is third book in the series but it can be read as standalone. However, characters from the first two novels make appearance as side characters in this one.
I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman in the future.
As you might know, this year I rediscovered my love for historical romance and I am going through all the popular authors I haven’t had a chance to read before, Kate Bateman being one of them.
I guess after finishing A Wicked Game I can see where all the hype comes from.
She is just a mastermind when it comes to creating/showing chemistry between main characters.
I could feel it on every single page that included Harry and Morgan together.
This is (fr)enemies to lovers story, but it was obvious from the very first page that the characters have feelings for each other.
One would said, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife.
Also, it helps that the story itself was pretty entertaining and fun.
I like how the author gave us all the informations about cartography and paper places (that I knew something about already from Paper Towns by John Green).
I was never brilliant when it comes to history, but Bateman made sure to pull me right to the historical period our characters live in by throwing some real happenings that took place in that time.
I also appreciate the action that happened closer to the end.
The story is written in third person and it is so easy to read.
This is third book in the series but it can be read as standalone. However, characters from the first two novels make appearance as side characters in this one.
I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman in the future.
March 9, 2023
✨He filled her. Not just from a crude, physical standpoint, but emotionally too.✨
It’s taken me so long to even begin to formulate my thoughts on this book, and I don’t even think I’ll be able to say much before a reread.
A Daring Pursuit is most definitely my favorite book of 2022, but A Wicked Game is five stars for different reasons. It just truly subverted every single one of my expectations in the best way possible. I was AFLAME in a Panda Express parking lot reading the first sex scene. The end drama was external, but wasn’t overdrawn or annoying. Clearly catch is that they’ve both been pining for ages, but the chase was so fun.
*Spoiler-adjacent* The premise sounds dramatic and fun, but I admit I was worried he was going to go about revenge a bit too viscously (when he realized she was the mapmaker) but I was so pleasantly surprised that he basically gave up when he realized what happened. From then on (pretty early) all this man thinks about is getting her to love him. Seeing as they’ve always been rivals, he doesn’t think she’ll believe him when he confesses that he’s always loved her. From that point on, he’s just such a lovesick sailer and I truly lost all of my breath.
This series is for low angst lovers. Each book subverts typical pitfalls in the third acts, has couples with truly good people, and the chemistry is always there. It stems around a generational Hatfield and McCoy type land feud, so it feels like there should be a lot of tension surrounding the families not being happy about the relationships. But the tension stems from attraction every time, without too much kerfuffle about getting together.
As for the audiobook, I knew I would be in for a treat. Beverley A. Crick is one of my favorite narrators in the game. She does wonderful accent work and conveys emotion very well via audio. This series is wonderful via audiobook. As for A Wicked Game in particular, I was giddy from start to finish and that’s my favorite way to read a romance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.25/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
It’s taken me so long to even begin to formulate my thoughts on this book, and I don’t even think I’ll be able to say much before a reread.
A Daring Pursuit is most definitely my favorite book of 2022, but A Wicked Game is five stars for different reasons. It just truly subverted every single one of my expectations in the best way possible. I was AFLAME in a Panda Express parking lot reading the first sex scene. The end drama was external, but wasn’t overdrawn or annoying. Clearly catch is that they’ve both been pining for ages, but the chase was so fun.
*Spoiler-adjacent* The premise sounds dramatic and fun, but I admit I was worried he was going to go about revenge a bit too viscously (when he realized she was the mapmaker) but I was so pleasantly surprised that he basically gave up when he realized what happened. From then on (pretty early) all this man thinks about is getting her to love him. Seeing as they’ve always been rivals, he doesn’t think she’ll believe him when he confesses that he’s always loved her. From that point on, he’s just such a lovesick sailer and I truly lost all of my breath.
This series is for low angst lovers. Each book subverts typical pitfalls in the third acts, has couples with truly good people, and the chemistry is always there. It stems around a generational Hatfield and McCoy type land feud, so it feels like there should be a lot of tension surrounding the families not being happy about the relationships. But the tension stems from attraction every time, without too much kerfuffle about getting together.
As for the audiobook, I knew I would be in for a treat. Beverley A. Crick is one of my favorite narrators in the game. She does wonderful accent work and conveys emotion very well via audio. This series is wonderful via audiobook. As for A Wicked Game in particular, I was giddy from start to finish and that’s my favorite way to read a romance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.25/5
Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
November 16, 2023
4.5 stars
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
She had to give him something worth living for.
Even with their siblings and cousins crossing into enemy territory and getting married (A Reckless Match and Daring Pursuit) Harriet and Morgan still play into the family rivalry of never turning down a dare from a Montgomery or Davies. It's a tradition that goes back to their childhood days and while Harriet and Morgan's animosity may seem more provocative than combative, they both feel locked into their roles. When Morgan is getting ready to ship out to fight Napoleon, Harriet tries to hide her fear by making him a bet, if they win the war and Morgan comes home, she'll grant him three kisses. Morgan, of course, takes that bet and we have the bet that will finally bring these two together.
He’d returned to England with two specific goals: seduction, and revenge.
A Wicked Game is third in the series but new readers could pop-in here, you'd be missing some scenes that teased the chemistry between Harriet and Morgan and some history on why the Montgomery and Davies families have a low-angst combative relationship but otherwise, the only thing you need to know, is prepare for some spine-tingling moments. After the bet is made in the first chapter, the next chapter jumps us two years and Morgan is coming back home after having been imprisoned by a sadistic French general named Da Caen. Morgan was captured because he was using maps he'd lifted off a French vessel he'd previously took, unfortunately, those maps had been planted by the English. The English hired a mapmaker, Crusoe, to falsify maps to hopefully get French vessels lost or run aground on reefs they didn't know were there. Morgan spends six weeks as a prisoner before Napoleon is finally defeated and he and his crew can be let go back to the English. Morgan comes back to England bent on revenge on this Crusoe and to collect his three kisses from Harriet. While at sea and prisoner, he realized that he loved Harriet and is ready to convince her of not only his feelings but her own that he is sure she has.
Even if he hadn’t ruined her in strictly technical terms, she’d ruined him. For every other woman, ever. She’d won, and she didn’t even know it.
Within the first fifteen percent, Morgan learns that Harriet is “Crusoe” and that Da Caen has been spotted in London trying to find Crusoe maps. It's rumored that Da Caen stole Napoleon's treasure and ended up using one of Crusoe map to hide it, so in order to find the gold again, Da Caen needs another Crusoe map. This was a very low on plot angst story. Yes, Morgan was taken prisoner and tortured but we don't get flashback scenes, only short re-tellings of some of what happened and Morgan isn't overly broody over it. While Da Caen is brought up right in the beginning, the vast majority of the story forgets about him as the focus is solely on Harriet and Morgan's chemistry. There's actual fun little historical additives in this, mapmaking history, a shout out to Jeanne Baret, how cataracts was treated, and other time period placing trivia but I'm going to have to go back and reread to catch and appreciate them all, I was locked into every spine-tingling moment Harriet and Morgan had around each other.
He slid his fingers down her arm and caught her hand, then gently turned her so her back was to him. His soft exhale lifted the hairs on her exposed nape and she could feel the heat of his body all along her back, even though they weren’t touching. And then his lips pressed her shoulder and his arms slid around her waist, his fingers spreading across her stomach, and even through the fabric of her stays and chemise, it burned. A heavy pounding started in her blood.
Morgan already realizes he loves Harriet and wants to marry her, normally I like to “see” the falling in love but, again, The Chemistry. It was also just nice to have the male main character so focused on the female main character, Morgan delighted in their teasing, challenging relationship and clearly found her sexy, I love that in my romance couples. Morgan also realized that Harriet wasn't ready to believe in his love, this clearly was to keep them apart and you kind of have to go along with Harriet being so blocked from understanding what is between them. Morgan decides to use the three kisses to seduce Harriet but then gets uncomfortable thinking he is forcing her somehow and we get Harriet taking the reigns a little by making a new bet that she clearly set-up to win to show Morgan she wants this. By fifty percent the three kisses have been given and Morgan declares his love but Harriet doesn't believe he truly wants to marry her.
Still, she raised her brows. “And you can’t get to know me better because—?”
He flashed a glance at something over her shoulder and grinned as he leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “Because you’re the captain’s woman.”
The second half has Harriet dancing with a man who was under Morgan's command and learning that Morgan spoke of her all the time, using her to sometimes keep his men under control and inspire them, always with a sense of love and awe. At around 60% Harriet admits to herself that she loves Morgan but still can't quite believe he loves her. Past main couples also come in to point out and wake-up Harriet to how Morgan has been showing her how much he loves her, helping her father get the cataract surgery he needs, intimidating a rival mapmaker to stop copying her maps, and generally being there for her. At 80% Morgan makes one final push and asks her to give him one week to prove he loves her.
She opened it to find Morgan on the step, his broad shoulders made even broader by a heavy greatcoat, his face shadowed by a tricorn hat.
The last twenty percent has Da Caen coming back into the picture and interrupting our grand declaration of love. There's some danger, some taking care of business, and finally a quiet but incredibly sweet moment of I love yous (I hope there is an ordering campaign using the charming Map of the Heart). I remember thinking to myself around kiss three that I had lost the plot but, I think the book did, too. However, the chemistry is the star here and my god did Harriet and Morgan have it and thank you to the author that didn't follow the recent trend of fade-to-black or closed door; parlor and bedroom doors get blown open, folks. A Wicked Game has hot building tension and crackling chemistry, don't miss Harriet and Morgan's story.
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
She had to give him something worth living for.
Even with their siblings and cousins crossing into enemy territory and getting married (A Reckless Match and Daring Pursuit) Harriet and Morgan still play into the family rivalry of never turning down a dare from a Montgomery or Davies. It's a tradition that goes back to their childhood days and while Harriet and Morgan's animosity may seem more provocative than combative, they both feel locked into their roles. When Morgan is getting ready to ship out to fight Napoleon, Harriet tries to hide her fear by making him a bet, if they win the war and Morgan comes home, she'll grant him three kisses. Morgan, of course, takes that bet and we have the bet that will finally bring these two together.
He’d returned to England with two specific goals: seduction, and revenge.
A Wicked Game is third in the series but new readers could pop-in here, you'd be missing some scenes that teased the chemistry between Harriet and Morgan and some history on why the Montgomery and Davies families have a low-angst combative relationship but otherwise, the only thing you need to know, is prepare for some spine-tingling moments. After the bet is made in the first chapter, the next chapter jumps us two years and Morgan is coming back home after having been imprisoned by a sadistic French general named Da Caen. Morgan was captured because he was using maps he'd lifted off a French vessel he'd previously took, unfortunately, those maps had been planted by the English. The English hired a mapmaker, Crusoe, to falsify maps to hopefully get French vessels lost or run aground on reefs they didn't know were there. Morgan spends six weeks as a prisoner before Napoleon is finally defeated and he and his crew can be let go back to the English. Morgan comes back to England bent on revenge on this Crusoe and to collect his three kisses from Harriet. While at sea and prisoner, he realized that he loved Harriet and is ready to convince her of not only his feelings but her own that he is sure she has.
Even if he hadn’t ruined her in strictly technical terms, she’d ruined him. For every other woman, ever. She’d won, and she didn’t even know it.
Within the first fifteen percent, Morgan learns that Harriet is “Crusoe” and that Da Caen has been spotted in London trying to find Crusoe maps. It's rumored that Da Caen stole Napoleon's treasure and ended up using one of Crusoe map to hide it, so in order to find the gold again, Da Caen needs another Crusoe map. This was a very low on plot angst story. Yes, Morgan was taken prisoner and tortured but we don't get flashback scenes, only short re-tellings of some of what happened and Morgan isn't overly broody over it. While Da Caen is brought up right in the beginning, the vast majority of the story forgets about him as the focus is solely on Harriet and Morgan's chemistry. There's actual fun little historical additives in this, mapmaking history, a shout out to Jeanne Baret, how cataracts was treated, and other time period placing trivia but I'm going to have to go back and reread to catch and appreciate them all, I was locked into every spine-tingling moment Harriet and Morgan had around each other.
He slid his fingers down her arm and caught her hand, then gently turned her so her back was to him. His soft exhale lifted the hairs on her exposed nape and she could feel the heat of his body all along her back, even though they weren’t touching. And then his lips pressed her shoulder and his arms slid around her waist, his fingers spreading across her stomach, and even through the fabric of her stays and chemise, it burned. A heavy pounding started in her blood.
Morgan already realizes he loves Harriet and wants to marry her, normally I like to “see” the falling in love but, again, The Chemistry. It was also just nice to have the male main character so focused on the female main character, Morgan delighted in their teasing, challenging relationship and clearly found her sexy, I love that in my romance couples. Morgan also realized that Harriet wasn't ready to believe in his love, this clearly was to keep them apart and you kind of have to go along with Harriet being so blocked from understanding what is between them. Morgan decides to use the three kisses to seduce Harriet but then gets uncomfortable thinking he is forcing her somehow and we get Harriet taking the reigns a little by making a new bet that she clearly set-up to win to show Morgan she wants this. By fifty percent the three kisses have been given and Morgan declares his love but Harriet doesn't believe he truly wants to marry her.
Still, she raised her brows. “And you can’t get to know me better because—?”
He flashed a glance at something over her shoulder and grinned as he leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “Because you’re the captain’s woman.”
The second half has Harriet dancing with a man who was under Morgan's command and learning that Morgan spoke of her all the time, using her to sometimes keep his men under control and inspire them, always with a sense of love and awe. At around 60% Harriet admits to herself that she loves Morgan but still can't quite believe he loves her. Past main couples also come in to point out and wake-up Harriet to how Morgan has been showing her how much he loves her, helping her father get the cataract surgery he needs, intimidating a rival mapmaker to stop copying her maps, and generally being there for her. At 80% Morgan makes one final push and asks her to give him one week to prove he loves her.
She opened it to find Morgan on the step, his broad shoulders made even broader by a heavy greatcoat, his face shadowed by a tricorn hat.
The last twenty percent has Da Caen coming back into the picture and interrupting our grand declaration of love. There's some danger, some taking care of business, and finally a quiet but incredibly sweet moment of I love yous (I hope there is an ordering campaign using the charming Map of the Heart). I remember thinking to myself around kiss three that I had lost the plot but, I think the book did, too. However, the chemistry is the star here and my god did Harriet and Morgan have it and thank you to the author that didn't follow the recent trend of fade-to-black or closed door; parlor and bedroom doors get blown open, folks. A Wicked Game has hot building tension and crackling chemistry, don't miss Harriet and Morgan's story.
December 27, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 (one scene was on the shorter side)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes! Lovely humor in the banter
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
You should, only because the entire series is so fabulous! This one is pretty easy to pick up as a standalone. You will miss some light character development and overlap though.
Basic plot:
Morgan Davies leaves for war with the bet that if he comes home unscathed, he gets to collect 3 kisses from his childhood nemesis Harriet Montgomery...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1815)
- Cartographer heroine
- Soldier (Captain) hero
- Welsh hero/English heroine
- Bargain – they make a bargain before the hero goes to war – if he returns unscathed, he wins 3 kisses
- Rival families/frenemies to lovers feel – these two families have been going at each for centuries, though there’s not true malice between them
- Lots of focus on the main couple
- Scarred hero
Ages:
- Hero is 23, heroine is a year younger (so around 22)
My thoughts:
I will ALWAYS give the lovely Kate Bateman a try! I have been adoring this series so much and this book was yet another book I felt pure delight reading.
Something I enjoy her writing is she slides in her research in the best ways – through her characters. I never feel like I’m slogging through passages of ‘telling’ instead of showing and I adored learning about various cartography history and strategies in this book.
I kind of fell in love with Morgan immediately. He was just charismatic to me, flirty, fun, the banter playful – he’s the kind of man that gives you butterflies to be near, and he did it for me in the best way. One of my favorite scenes that showcases his personality is when he gives Harriet a book of naughty prints – right in front of her father with failing eyesight – and then says “Enjoy your book of prints, Miss Montgomery. I hope you think of me whenever you look at them.
Harriet was a wonderful heroine too. She has taken over the map making aspect in their family’s business. Her playfulness and hesitancy with Morgan was really sweet. They were a couple that’s meant to be together!
I had one of those dopey, in absolute love, smiles on my face the whole time I was reading this story. Their banter is fantastic, the sexual tension was lovely and the butterflies built will make this a reread for me for sure. Such a wonderful read!!!
Quotes/thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 (one scene was on the shorter side)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes! Lovely humor in the banter
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
You should, only because the entire series is so fabulous! This one is pretty easy to pick up as a standalone. You will miss some light character development and overlap though.
Basic plot:
Morgan Davies leaves for war with the bet that if he comes home unscathed, he gets to collect 3 kisses from his childhood nemesis Harriet Montgomery...
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1815)
- Cartographer heroine
- Soldier (Captain) hero
- Welsh hero/English heroine
- Bargain – they make a bargain before the hero goes to war – if he returns unscathed, he wins 3 kisses
- Rival families/frenemies to lovers feel – these two families have been going at each for centuries, though there’s not true malice between them
- Lots of focus on the main couple
- Scarred hero
Ages:
- Hero is 23, heroine is a year younger (so around 22)
My thoughts:
I will ALWAYS give the lovely Kate Bateman a try! I have been adoring this series so much and this book was yet another book I felt pure delight reading.
Something I enjoy her writing is she slides in her research in the best ways – through her characters. I never feel like I’m slogging through passages of ‘telling’ instead of showing and I adored learning about various cartography history and strategies in this book.
I kind of fell in love with Morgan immediately. He was just charismatic to me, flirty, fun, the banter playful – he’s the kind of man that gives you butterflies to be near, and he did it for me in the best way. One of my favorite scenes that showcases his personality is when he gives Harriet a book of naughty prints – right in front of her father with failing eyesight – and then says “Enjoy your book of prints, Miss Montgomery. I hope you think of me whenever you look at them.
Harriet was a wonderful heroine too. She has taken over the map making aspect in their family’s business. Her playfulness and hesitancy with Morgan was really sweet. They were a couple that’s meant to be together!
I had one of those dopey, in absolute love, smiles on my face the whole time I was reading this story. Their banter is fantastic, the sexual tension was lovely and the butterflies built will make this a reread for me for sure. Such a wonderful read!!!
Quotes/thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 26, 2022
Fun and steamy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This story is one delicious treat for the senses! Bateman ups the ante when it comes to heat and spice in this tasty recipe for success.
The setting is perfect; the theme is unique and interesting. This is no cookie-cutter story! Family rivals always make for a delicious story and this one has it all. The fact it is part of a series has no bearing on this one as it is easy to follow and you can happily read the other stories.
Bateman created her main two characters with spunkiness and fun. The heat and tension are rolling off in waves that effectively beg you to not stop reading.
A perfect blend of everything we love in a historical romance, A Wicked Game is one not to be missed!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-wicked-gam...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This story is one delicious treat for the senses! Bateman ups the ante when it comes to heat and spice in this tasty recipe for success.
The setting is perfect; the theme is unique and interesting. This is no cookie-cutter story! Family rivals always make for a delicious story and this one has it all. The fact it is part of a series has no bearing on this one as it is easy to follow and you can happily read the other stories.
Bateman created her main two characters with spunkiness and fun. The heat and tension are rolling off in waves that effectively beg you to not stop reading.
A perfect blend of everything we love in a historical romance, A Wicked Game is one not to be missed!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-wicked-gam...
January 15, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
I think I've read too many books so far this year where the main characters are hiding or fighting their true feelings and not communicating about said feelings. The hiding feelings and not communicating come into play in this book so may have affected my overall reading experience.
I really enjoyed Ms. Bateman's writing style and some of the interesting historical elements she incorporated, like cartography and copyright legislation. I also loved the frenemy feel of the H and h's banter and bets. They've known each other since they were children and there's a not-too-serious rivalry between their two families. Both have been attracted to each other for years, but neither have crossed that line. Harriet (h) is a cartographer and Morgan (H) is a Naval captain. The prologue is right before Morgan goes off to war and Harriet makes a bet involving 3 kisses if he returns. Which, of course, he does *and* he returns internally committed to making her his wife because he realized he was in love with her. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (although h is jealous of all the attention the H receives from other ladies), h is a virgin and H is not (no details given of his history other than he's experienced, but it's mentioned too often for me how experienced he was, I think it would bother some of my GR friends).
While I liked both Harriet and Morgan and the lighter feel of this book overall (it was very easy to read), sometimes I wanted more depth in scenes. Morgan returns from war determined to locate the cartographer who made the map his ship used that resulted in a brief imprisonment. It ends up being Harriet, who was secretly working for the war office, which takes the wind out of Morgan's sails. His imprisonment is one of the parts that I thought needed more, although there is more attention given to it later in the book. I wanted Harriet to feel and respond more on page about it though. There's a potential danger from the Frenchman who imprisoned Morgan related to the cartography work. This danger fizzled for me somewhat given it didn't impact them for a significant portion of the story and the main focus of the book was on Morgan and Harriet's bets, his secret pursuit of her as his wife, and their attraction finally getting free rein. Including free rein for some steamy times.
I found their chemistry to be excellent and the shenanigans fun. The anecdotes about their younger years were enjoyable and helped support the relationship development. Morgan's plan to slowly show Harriet that a marriage between them would work because of their physical compatibility, as well as how they challenged each other, didn't really work for me. Most of the book, Harriet doesn't know he's pursuing her for keeps. He tells her aunts that he's interested in marriage now that he's back from war, but is afraid he'll spook her if she knows it's her, and it was frustrating to me. Another part of his plan is also kept from her, which would have reassured her too. Still, they worked together very well as a team and he tried to show her throughout the story how much he cared.
I really liked the side characters. There were their family members who were in previous books and had already crossed the Davies/Montgomery family feud line. His married brother and Harriet's cousin offer some great advice to both. His still single brother was a fun character (and there's a hint in the epilogue of a potential match for him after he thinks he's safe). Harriet's father had been going blind from cataracts and there was a solid plot line involving this. Harriet's aunts also provided humor.
It's not til closer to the end that the supsense/danger part of the story plays out. It was also handled pretty quickly, making me wish that this had been more developed. I did love how Morgan made Harriet's map come to life and the romance of him showing her he loved her. The ending left me satisfied, I genuinely knew they would be happily married forever and the epilogue gives them a mission that appeals to them both. I'm sure they'll also appear in Morgan's brother's book, whenever that may be written. I would read more of this author's books.
I think I've read too many books so far this year where the main characters are hiding or fighting their true feelings and not communicating about said feelings. The hiding feelings and not communicating come into play in this book so may have affected my overall reading experience.
I really enjoyed Ms. Bateman's writing style and some of the interesting historical elements she incorporated, like cartography and copyright legislation. I also loved the frenemy feel of the H and h's banter and bets. They've known each other since they were children and there's a not-too-serious rivalry between their two families. Both have been attracted to each other for years, but neither have crossed that line. Harriet (h) is a cartographer and Morgan (H) is a Naval captain. The prologue is right before Morgan goes off to war and Harriet makes a bet involving 3 kisses if he returns. Which, of course, he does *and* he returns internally committed to making her his wife because he realized he was in love with her. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (although h is jealous of all the attention the H receives from other ladies), h is a virgin and H is not (no details given of his history other than he's experienced, but it's mentioned too often for me how experienced he was, I think it would bother some of my GR friends).
While I liked both Harriet and Morgan and the lighter feel of this book overall (it was very easy to read), sometimes I wanted more depth in scenes. Morgan returns from war determined to locate the cartographer who made the map his ship used that resulted in a brief imprisonment. It ends up being Harriet, who was secretly working for the war office, which takes the wind out of Morgan's sails. His imprisonment is one of the parts that I thought needed more, although there is more attention given to it later in the book. I wanted Harriet to feel and respond more on page about it though. There's a potential danger from the Frenchman who imprisoned Morgan related to the cartography work. This danger fizzled for me somewhat given it didn't impact them for a significant portion of the story and the main focus of the book was on Morgan and Harriet's bets, his secret pursuit of her as his wife, and their attraction finally getting free rein. Including free rein for some steamy times.
I found their chemistry to be excellent and the shenanigans fun. The anecdotes about their younger years were enjoyable and helped support the relationship development. Morgan's plan to slowly show Harriet that a marriage between them would work because of their physical compatibility, as well as how they challenged each other, didn't really work for me. Most of the book, Harriet doesn't know he's pursuing her for keeps. He tells her aunts that he's interested in marriage now that he's back from war, but is afraid he'll spook her if she knows it's her, and it was frustrating to me. Another part of his plan is also kept from her, which would have reassured her too. Still, they worked together very well as a team and he tried to show her throughout the story how much he cared.
I really liked the side characters. There were their family members who were in previous books and had already crossed the Davies/Montgomery family feud line. His married brother and Harriet's cousin offer some great advice to both. His still single brother was a fun character (and there's a hint in the epilogue of a potential match for him after he thinks he's safe). Harriet's father had been going blind from cataracts and there was a solid plot line involving this. Harriet's aunts also provided humor.
It's not til closer to the end that the supsense/danger part of the story plays out. It was also handled pretty quickly, making me wish that this had been more developed. I did love how Morgan made Harriet's map come to life and the romance of him showing her he loved her. The ending left me satisfied, I genuinely knew they would be happily married forever and the epilogue gives them a mission that appeals to them both. I'm sure they'll also appear in Morgan's brother's book, whenever that may be written. I would read more of this author's books.
November 13, 2022
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Kate Bateman’s books are just everything I love about historical romance all wrapped up in a pretty package that makes me smile and swoon, and “A Wicked Game” continues the tradition.
This is the story of Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery, who grew up with generations of family rivalry driving their every interaction. They were not truly enemies but rather friendly adversaries, always with a tease, a dare, an insult… it was simply how they related, and though there was an underlying attraction from the time they were teenagers, neither would dare admit to themselves or one another that their feelings ran much deeper.
On the eve of Morgan’s departure to sail off to fight Bonaparte, Harriet challenges him with the promise of three kisses if he returns safely. During the two years they are apart, they long for one another and Morgan, especially, realizes how much she means to him. Six weeks in a prison on the island of Martinique and Morgan knows without a doubt that Harriet is the only woman for him, and when he returns to England, he’s cashing in on those kisses and dreams of much more. And oh my, those kisses! He declared to Harriet that he would decide when, and where, each kiss would happen. And the “where” he explains, is not at a ball or in a garden, but where on her body. Such delicious anticipation…
Morgan is a dream; handsome, cocky, irreverent, and utterly irresistible. The perfect mix of virile, grown man and mischievous little boy. The fact that he had it so bad for Harriet only made him more attractive to me.
She’d also been the shore to which he navigated. The X on the map that marked treasure. His star. His guiding light, the one fixed point by which he’d set his course.
Home.
He’s ready to move on from the childhood rivalry that colors their relationship and take things to the next level but Harriet is slower to let go of their old way of relating. She’s afraid. Afraid of her feelings, afraid to trust that Morgan isn’t just playing a game with her.
He still teases and needles her, but now there’s a decidedly sexual undertone and I loved seeing him fluster and unsettle her. I laughed out loud at her utter mortification when he handed her a small book of erotic engravings on the sly in her father’s presence. If anyone knew how to get under her skin, it was Morgan.
Their chemistry and physical connection were palpable from their very first scene together, and Morgan expertly uses this to subtly, and not so subtly, force her to look at their relationship in a different way. When they finally become lovers you can just feel the pent up desire, the fire, the years of longing and it’s just so hot.
She clasped his shoulders as he drove deeper, loving the weight of him, the sheer animal strength. He was so much larger than her, surging and pulling at her body like a tide, but she felt sheltered in his arms. He was both the port and the storm, the safe haven and the treacherous deep. And God, she was drowning.
Morgan recognizes how perfect they are for one another and is playing for keeps but Harriet still can’t imagine a future with him, and therein lies the small amount of angst in the story. He declares his love, but she turns down his proposal of marriage because she just doesn’t believe he truly loves her. She fears it’s all just another Davies-Montgomery game. At first.
There’s a scene where she meets one of his crew at a ball, and the crewman was in awe to finally meet Captain Davies’ Harriet. It seems that Morgan regaled his ship’s crew with tales of her sharp tongue, fierce beauty and strength of spirit and she became something of a legend among the men on the ship. The realization that Morgan kept her with him in spirit every day during his two years at sea was a turning point for Harriet. Still, though, she doubts, and gives him one week to prove his love. Morgan is definitely up for the challenge, and he pulls out all the stops in an incredibly romantic gesture that not only proves his love, but proves without doubt that they were made for one another. This was such a beautiful, low angst portrayal of true love, the kind of love that comes from a lifetime of knowing someone, but still allows for discovery and adventure.
I loved that family played an important part in the story. Harriet’s sweet relationship with her father, and Morgan’s brothers Gryff and Rhys added a beautiful richness to the story. Oh, those Davies men! There was a scene where the three of them piled out of a carriage that had me swooning. It was so refreshing to witness family relationships built on love and kindness… no dysfunction, no evil, scheming relatives. Just love and laughter and support. I’m really looking forward to Rhys’s story!
Kate Bateman’s books are just everything I love about historical romance all wrapped up in a pretty package that makes me smile and swoon, and “A Wicked Game” continues the tradition.
This is the story of Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery, who grew up with generations of family rivalry driving their every interaction. They were not truly enemies but rather friendly adversaries, always with a tease, a dare, an insult… it was simply how they related, and though there was an underlying attraction from the time they were teenagers, neither would dare admit to themselves or one another that their feelings ran much deeper.
On the eve of Morgan’s departure to sail off to fight Bonaparte, Harriet challenges him with the promise of three kisses if he returns safely. During the two years they are apart, they long for one another and Morgan, especially, realizes how much she means to him. Six weeks in a prison on the island of Martinique and Morgan knows without a doubt that Harriet is the only woman for him, and when he returns to England, he’s cashing in on those kisses and dreams of much more. And oh my, those kisses! He declared to Harriet that he would decide when, and where, each kiss would happen. And the “where” he explains, is not at a ball or in a garden, but where on her body. Such delicious anticipation…
Morgan is a dream; handsome, cocky, irreverent, and utterly irresistible. The perfect mix of virile, grown man and mischievous little boy. The fact that he had it so bad for Harriet only made him more attractive to me.
She’d also been the shore to which he navigated. The X on the map that marked treasure. His star. His guiding light, the one fixed point by which he’d set his course.
Home.
He’s ready to move on from the childhood rivalry that colors their relationship and take things to the next level but Harriet is slower to let go of their old way of relating. She’s afraid. Afraid of her feelings, afraid to trust that Morgan isn’t just playing a game with her.
He still teases and needles her, but now there’s a decidedly sexual undertone and I loved seeing him fluster and unsettle her. I laughed out loud at her utter mortification when he handed her a small book of erotic engravings on the sly in her father’s presence. If anyone knew how to get under her skin, it was Morgan.
Their chemistry and physical connection were palpable from their very first scene together, and Morgan expertly uses this to subtly, and not so subtly, force her to look at their relationship in a different way. When they finally become lovers you can just feel the pent up desire, the fire, the years of longing and it’s just so hot.
She clasped his shoulders as he drove deeper, loving the weight of him, the sheer animal strength. He was so much larger than her, surging and pulling at her body like a tide, but she felt sheltered in his arms. He was both the port and the storm, the safe haven and the treacherous deep. And God, she was drowning.
Morgan recognizes how perfect they are for one another and is playing for keeps but Harriet still can’t imagine a future with him, and therein lies the small amount of angst in the story. He declares his love, but she turns down his proposal of marriage because she just doesn’t believe he truly loves her. She fears it’s all just another Davies-Montgomery game. At first.
There’s a scene where she meets one of his crew at a ball, and the crewman was in awe to finally meet Captain Davies’ Harriet. It seems that Morgan regaled his ship’s crew with tales of her sharp tongue, fierce beauty and strength of spirit and she became something of a legend among the men on the ship. The realization that Morgan kept her with him in spirit every day during his two years at sea was a turning point for Harriet. Still, though, she doubts, and gives him one week to prove his love. Morgan is definitely up for the challenge, and he pulls out all the stops in an incredibly romantic gesture that not only proves his love, but proves without doubt that they were made for one another. This was such a beautiful, low angst portrayal of true love, the kind of love that comes from a lifetime of knowing someone, but still allows for discovery and adventure.
I loved that family played an important part in the story. Harriet’s sweet relationship with her father, and Morgan’s brothers Gryff and Rhys added a beautiful richness to the story. Oh, those Davies men! There was a scene where the three of them piled out of a carriage that had me swooning. It was so refreshing to witness family relationships built on love and kindness… no dysfunction, no evil, scheming relatives. Just love and laughter and support. I’m really looking forward to Rhys’s story!
December 31, 2022
4.5 stars! A delightful low-angst romance featuring a couple who've been gone on each other for years, but can't admit it for two big reasons:
1. Their families are feuding, so revealing a preference for each other would be a betrayal!
2. Their entire relationship has been defined by a not-so-friendly rivalry, so a confession of feelings would mean a huge change in their world view.
That said, some things have changed: Morgan has been fighting for his country in the Caribbean for years. Before he left, Harriet wagered him that he wouldn't come back, and if he did, she would grant him 3 kisses. Well, he's back now and ready to collect! In addition to that, their families have also basically moved from a serious feud to a more casual rivalry, mostly because the current generation is intermarrying.
Morgan is ready to settle down, and he just has to convince Harriet that he's serious about her. So yeah, basically the book is about Harry and Morgan redefining their relationship while also indulging in physical intimacy based on the kissing bet. It's sexy and fun, and we had a great time reading it!
8-Word Summaries:
Laine: Feud. Thank f**king god this is open door.
Meg: Do these families know the meaning of “feud”?
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
1. Their families are feuding, so revealing a preference for each other would be a betrayal!
2. Their entire relationship has been defined by a not-so-friendly rivalry, so a confession of feelings would mean a huge change in their world view.
That said, some things have changed: Morgan has been fighting for his country in the Caribbean for years. Before he left, Harriet wagered him that he wouldn't come back, and if he did, she would grant him 3 kisses. Well, he's back now and ready to collect! In addition to that, their families have also basically moved from a serious feud to a more casual rivalry, mostly because the current generation is intermarrying.
Morgan is ready to settle down, and he just has to convince Harriet that he's serious about her. So yeah, basically the book is about Harry and Morgan redefining their relationship while also indulging in physical intimacy based on the kissing bet. It's sexy and fun, and we had a great time reading it!
8-Word Summaries:
Laine: Feud. Thank f**king god this is open door.
Meg: Do these families know the meaning of “feud”?
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
December 28, 2022
A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman
Ruthless Rivals series #3. Historical romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
The Davies and the Montgomerys have a long-standing contentious relationship. Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery play the role in public, but each secretly have romantic feelings for the other. A bet for three kisses turns their arguments to passion.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this book narrated by Beverley A. Crick. The performance was done with an English / London accent. This narrator is popular in the historical romance genre across many different authors. The diction was clear and easy to understand. Emotions were evident and while male/female voices were relatively the same, it was easy to hear the switch between the two and follow along. I thought the narration was pleasant and easy to listen to although I did push the speed up to 1.5 which is my standard these days for conversational comfort.
Engaging and sexy. I loved that the heroine was self supporting, smart and willing to ask for help in support of publishing rights. She was willing to do more than just sit on the sidelines.
I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and RB Digital.
Ruthless Rivals series #3. Historical romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
The Davies and the Montgomerys have a long-standing contentious relationship. Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery play the role in public, but each secretly have romantic feelings for the other. A bet for three kisses turns their arguments to passion.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this book narrated by Beverley A. Crick. The performance was done with an English / London accent. This narrator is popular in the historical romance genre across many different authors. The diction was clear and easy to understand. Emotions were evident and while male/female voices were relatively the same, it was easy to hear the switch between the two and follow along. I thought the narration was pleasant and easy to listen to although I did push the speed up to 1.5 which is my standard these days for conversational comfort.
Engaging and sexy. I loved that the heroine was self supporting, smart and willing to ask for help in support of publishing rights. She was willing to do more than just sit on the sidelines.
I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley and RB Digital.
January 28, 2023
4 stars
Extremely swoon-worthy, A Wicked Game is another satisfying entry to the Ruthless Rivals series. While for me it doesn't feel as well-rounded as the previous book (A Daring Pursuit), if what you're looking in historical romance is primarily the chemistry between the couple, and can careless about a plot, then this will still be a surefire win.
Following a 'frenemy to lover' scenario, the sexual tension is immediately apparent from chapter 1, and Kate Bateman continues to excel at making even the smallest interaction spark with magnetic desire. The author also does a great job at laying out the 'are we actually in love or is this still a game' dilemma, at no point did I feel like the book was simply dragging out the happy ending for page count — the characters had to untangle layers of mixed signals to discover whether there was concrete feeling beneath years of flirtatious teasing. With the hero being a sea captain, and the heroine a cartographer, A Wicked Game also goes to town with loads of love-tinted symbolism and reference to mapping and venturing into the unknown, some are cornier than others, but I enjoy every single one of them.
A Wicked Game does feel a little under-cooked when it comes to its non-romance related narrative. Not only is the central villain a bit of a joke, oftentimes major events are set up, and then unceremoniously resolved within a couple pages (The hero was heading into war, then he was back in the next chapter / A map was found being plagiarized, but it only took a couple more sentences to discover the culprit). The absence of process and easy answers is a pretty glaring difference when comparing to layers and nuances that are in place to tell the romance (especially when its predecessor A Daring Pursuit manages to have pretty balanced presence of both without drowning out its love story).
A Wicked Game is undeniably likable, even if the presentation as a whole is a slight step-down from my expectation, I still enjoyed my time back with the Davies and Montgomery families.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Extremely swoon-worthy, A Wicked Game is another satisfying entry to the Ruthless Rivals series. While for me it doesn't feel as well-rounded as the previous book (A Daring Pursuit), if what you're looking in historical romance is primarily the chemistry between the couple, and can careless about a plot, then this will still be a surefire win.
Following a 'frenemy to lover' scenario, the sexual tension is immediately apparent from chapter 1, and Kate Bateman continues to excel at making even the smallest interaction spark with magnetic desire. The author also does a great job at laying out the 'are we actually in love or is this still a game' dilemma, at no point did I feel like the book was simply dragging out the happy ending for page count — the characters had to untangle layers of mixed signals to discover whether there was concrete feeling beneath years of flirtatious teasing. With the hero being a sea captain, and the heroine a cartographer, A Wicked Game also goes to town with loads of love-tinted symbolism and reference to mapping and venturing into the unknown, some are cornier than others, but I enjoy every single one of them.
A Wicked Game does feel a little under-cooked when it comes to its non-romance related narrative. Not only is the central villain a bit of a joke, oftentimes major events are set up, and then unceremoniously resolved within a couple pages (The hero was heading into war, then he was back in the next chapter / A map was found being plagiarized, but it only took a couple more sentences to discover the culprit). The absence of process and easy answers is a pretty glaring difference when comparing to layers and nuances that are in place to tell the romance (especially when its predecessor A Daring Pursuit manages to have pretty balanced presence of both without drowning out its love story).
A Wicked Game is undeniably likable, even if the presentation as a whole is a slight step-down from my expectation, I still enjoyed my time back with the Davies and Montgomery families.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
January 10, 2023
⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.
A OK read with some entertaining parts.
The chemistry and romantic build up was kind of lacking and somewhat unconvincing.
The banter is in some parts entertaining but mostly annoying in the other parts.
Somewhat flat and bland main characters.
Rather generic/formulaic character description (appearance.)
A little more depth to the plot and the main characters would have added more to the story.
3 stars.
A OK read with some entertaining parts.
The chemistry and romantic build up was kind of lacking and somewhat unconvincing.
The banter is in some parts entertaining but mostly annoying in the other parts.
Somewhat flat and bland main characters.
Rather generic/formulaic character description (appearance.)
A little more depth to the plot and the main characters would have added more to the story.
December 26, 2022
Love Kate Bateman. She writes witty and real characters. For "A Wicked Game" we have a face off of two longtime enemies, he a Davies and she a Montgomery. The family feud is long and historic, but one by one the current Davies clan has fallen for a Montgomery. This enemies to lovers trope could have been ripped from a current rom-com and has many funny and sexy scenes. It is a wonderful read with a touch of suspense.
Since she was 14, Harriet Montgomery has always had a thing for Morgan Davies. Now just what that thing is is hard to define. He is infuriating, noble, brave, handsome and he makes her heart beat faster just being in the same room. On the eve of his departure for war Harriet bets him that if he returns, she will grant him three kisses.
Captain Morgan Davies spent six weeks as a prisoner of war because a mapmaker had incorrectly drawn a map he used. During that time, he came to realize that the little piece of baggage from his childhood is more important to him than life itself. His goals on returning to England is to hunt down and hurt the mapmaker and marry Harriet Montgomery. The first is not a problem, but the second is going to take some work.
Morgan has three kisses to make Harriet fall in love with him. He just needs a plan on where and how to collect on his bet and bring the willful Harriet the most pleasure possible.
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Since she was 14, Harriet Montgomery has always had a thing for Morgan Davies. Now just what that thing is is hard to define. He is infuriating, noble, brave, handsome and he makes her heart beat faster just being in the same room. On the eve of his departure for war Harriet bets him that if he returns, she will grant him three kisses.
Captain Morgan Davies spent six weeks as a prisoner of war because a mapmaker had incorrectly drawn a map he used. During that time, he came to realize that the little piece of baggage from his childhood is more important to him than life itself. His goals on returning to England is to hunt down and hurt the mapmaker and marry Harriet Montgomery. The first is not a problem, but the second is going to take some work.
Morgan has three kisses to make Harriet fall in love with him. He just needs a plan on where and how to collect on his bet and bring the willful Harriet the most pleasure possible.
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
December 6, 2022
I loved getting to spend an evening with the Montgomery and the Davis' families. Their feud has brought me much entertainment this year and it was so nice to wrap everything up. I do hope we get Rhy's story and see the other "wild" family members who were hinted at by the aunts.
Morgan is determined to win Harriet as his own after a near death experience caused him to re-evaluate his goals in life. He's always wanted her, but it took some danger to really show him what he was missing.
Harriet feels a desire for the rogue Captain that she can't even admit to herself. But she is secretly thrilled that he has returned and is calling in his debt of "three kisses" as payment for his safe return. Even though she'd NEVER admit it to him.
This was sweet as I said, but with just a hint of danger. I also loved Harriet's father and I'm so happy for what is able to happen for him.
I don't love this one quite as much as A Daring Pursuit... as I feel like this one was a bit too slow to start but overall, I'm happy how it played out.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
I received a copy for review from NetGalley and my opinions are all my own.
Morgan is determined to win Harriet as his own after a near death experience caused him to re-evaluate his goals in life. He's always wanted her, but it took some danger to really show him what he was missing.
Harriet feels a desire for the rogue Captain that she can't even admit to herself. But she is secretly thrilled that he has returned and is calling in his debt of "three kisses" as payment for his safe return. Even though she'd NEVER admit it to him.
This was sweet as I said, but with just a hint of danger. I also loved Harriet's father and I'm so happy for what is able to happen for him.
I don't love this one quite as much as A Daring Pursuit... as I feel like this one was a bit too slow to start but overall, I'm happy how it played out.
4 stars
2 on the spice scale
I received a copy for review from NetGalley and my opinions are all my own.
December 30, 2022
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It has an intelligent, likable, female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, engaging banter, wit, a touch of humor, intrigue, a heart warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is the third entry in Ms. Bateman's outstanding Ruthless Rivals series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but it is even better when read in order. I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator, Ms. Beverly A. Crick, has a captivating voice, and does a fabulous job depicting the characters and their personalities.
Many thanks to Ms. Kate Bateman, RB Media and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful audio book. This is my honest opinion.
Many thanks to Ms. Kate Bateman, RB Media and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful audio book. This is my honest opinion.
November 22, 2022
Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after a shipwreck with revenge and kisses on his mind! He and his long-time “nemesis,” Harriet Montgomery, made a bet and he’s ready to cash in. But convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet!
This is the third book in the Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on family members from the feuding Davies and Montgomery families. Harriet's cousin Maddie and Morgan's eldest brother Griff are the couple from book one and they play a role in this story.
Kate Bateman - and this series - keeps delivering! The story is quick to start and pulls the reader right in to Morgan and Harriet's "I dare you" friendship. The chemistry sizzles as Harriet had bet Morgan three kisses that he wouldn't return home safely...unfortunately (or fortunately, wink) for her, she didn't specify what kind of kisses or where on her body he could place them! Their playful banter was a lot of fun, and I liked that Morgan was the one leading with his heart first.
There was also an excellent secondary story taking place, and it weaved in beautifully. Harriet has been helping her father's map making business by secretly helping the British Navy with fake maps to use against enemies. A threat from Morgan's past catches up to them and a French ex-soldier comes looking for one of the falsified maps, putting them both in danger.
I was completely engaged in this story and the end, in particular, pushed all the right romance buttons. I hope this isn't the end for the Montgomery-Davies feud because I'd love to see Rhys find a match, too!
Tropes: Feuding Families, Childhood Friends, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Working Heroine, Soldiers/Sailors/War, Revenge, Spy/Govt Work
Steam: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AWickedGame #NetGalley
This is the third book in the Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on family members from the feuding Davies and Montgomery families. Harriet's cousin Maddie and Morgan's eldest brother Griff are the couple from book one and they play a role in this story.
Kate Bateman - and this series - keeps delivering! The story is quick to start and pulls the reader right in to Morgan and Harriet's "I dare you" friendship. The chemistry sizzles as Harriet had bet Morgan three kisses that he wouldn't return home safely...unfortunately (or fortunately, wink) for her, she didn't specify what kind of kisses or where on her body he could place them! Their playful banter was a lot of fun, and I liked that Morgan was the one leading with his heart first.
There was also an excellent secondary story taking place, and it weaved in beautifully. Harriet has been helping her father's map making business by secretly helping the British Navy with fake maps to use against enemies. A threat from Morgan's past catches up to them and a French ex-soldier comes looking for one of the falsified maps, putting them both in danger.
I was completely engaged in this story and the end, in particular, pushed all the right romance buttons. I hope this isn't the end for the Montgomery-Davies feud because I'd love to see Rhys find a match, too!
Tropes: Feuding Families, Childhood Friends, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Working Heroine, Soldiers/Sailors/War, Revenge, Spy/Govt Work
Steam: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #AWickedGame #NetGalley
May 12, 2023
* Update upon reread: 4 stars instead of 5 because Morgan is a man of the sea and you cannot tell me that he's not skilled at tying knots and that he wouldn't put that knowledge to good use in the bedroom. And I needed him to be a BIT more Will/Henry Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean 5 energy.
This title, this cover😍😍😍
Alternate title: Harriet flustered over Morgan, Morgan horny for Harriet <3
Full RTC but for now: this was EXCELLENT. I can't wait to get it in print. Classic creativity of Kate Bateman and just flawless writing. While I would have loved one more love scene, I'll still give it 5 stars. Kate Bateman always does a "alone together in a house at night" and it always works but this one worked so well!!!! LIKE. SPOILERS: Morgan is undressing Harriet and gets down on his knees to kiss her lower back/arse as SHE'S STILL STANDING. I LOVE IT.
thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This title, this cover😍😍😍
Alternate title: Harriet flustered over Morgan, Morgan horny for Harriet <3
Full RTC but for now: this was EXCELLENT. I can't wait to get it in print. Classic creativity of Kate Bateman and just flawless writing. While I would have loved one more love scene, I'll still give it 5 stars. Kate Bateman always does a "alone together in a house at night" and it always works but this one worked so well!!!! LIKE. SPOILERS: Morgan is undressing Harriet and gets down on his knees to kiss her lower back/arse as SHE'S STILL STANDING. I LOVE IT.
thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 2, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
A Wicked Game is the third book of the Ruthless Rivals series, Harriet and Captain Morgan Davies' families have been at it for generations since some stole a pig or possibly a woman, it has been so long it is hard to say. The new generation usually just taunts one another and the children who once shared a border at their country homes playing games in the wood are now playing games of an adult nature with each other.
Captain Morgan Davies was in the war with Napoleon for two years and before he left Harriet promised him three kisses on his return. He has three kisses to convince her that the teasing and banter between them would catch fire in the bedroom. Three kisses to make her fall enough in love with him so Harriet will want to be his wife.
Harriet had no idea when she made the bet that in true Davies fashion he would twist it. Three kisses she assumed would be chaste enough are nothing of the sort. Morgan is going to open her eyes and senses to the wonders of lust to be sure. But does he just want her body or the heart that has become attached to him as well?
This is a fun book with a little side drama pertaining to an altered map and some buried treasure along with a few spoonfuls of danger. Harriet and Morgan are likeable enough, if each isn't so daft they didn't notice the other was utterly in love with them the entire time. But I do like the family dynamics and since I had read the first book of the series I enjoyed seeing the couple from that a few times as well. A Wicked Game is a fun addition to the story even if it didn't seem as dramatic as the others. The couples are cute and the family history is a fun touch.
Narration:
Beverley A Crick does well with all the characters and getting across the story.�� I liked her overall performance as she resumes her role as the narrator for the entire series thus far. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
A Wicked Game is the third book of the Ruthless Rivals series, Harriet and Captain Morgan Davies' families have been at it for generations since some stole a pig or possibly a woman, it has been so long it is hard to say. The new generation usually just taunts one another and the children who once shared a border at their country homes playing games in the wood are now playing games of an adult nature with each other.
Captain Morgan Davies was in the war with Napoleon for two years and before he left Harriet promised him three kisses on his return. He has three kisses to convince her that the teasing and banter between them would catch fire in the bedroom. Three kisses to make her fall enough in love with him so Harriet will want to be his wife.
Harriet had no idea when she made the bet that in true Davies fashion he would twist it. Three kisses she assumed would be chaste enough are nothing of the sort. Morgan is going to open her eyes and senses to the wonders of lust to be sure. But does he just want her body or the heart that has become attached to him as well?
This is a fun book with a little side drama pertaining to an altered map and some buried treasure along with a few spoonfuls of danger. Harriet and Morgan are likeable enough, if each isn't so daft they didn't notice the other was utterly in love with them the entire time. But I do like the family dynamics and since I had read the first book of the series I enjoyed seeing the couple from that a few times as well. A Wicked Game is a fun addition to the story even if it didn't seem as dramatic as the others. The couples are cute and the family history is a fun touch.
Narration:
Beverley A Crick does well with all the characters and getting across the story.�� I liked her overall performance as she resumes her role as the narrator for the entire series thus far. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
January 24, 2023
A frenemies to love story and my first book by this author. While it was sweet, the banter lacked the sharp humour I prefer to hold my interest. I could not quite understand why Harriet refused to believe Morgan's declaration of love, when she already had more than an inkling that he cared for her. I also found it hard to believe that the now ?23 year-old Morgan managed to reach captaincy within a year or so of leaving for war (at 21), since he spent most of his 2 years away in charge of his own ship and crew. I know that the aristocrats were able to buy commissions but money surely could not buy you naval and leadership experience and he was supposedly well respected by his men. Apparently when I looked this up, the British Navy did not in fact allow the purchase of ranked commissions which had to be earned. The narration was solid and so is the writing overall. Solid however is not memorable.
This was an ARC from Netgalley.
This was an ARC from Netgalley.
September 28, 2022
A Wicked Game is the third book in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series. I have loved each book in this series so much and was so excited to get an early copy of this book. The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for generations, but they’re discovering it is a thin line between love and hate…
“If there was one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it was a challenge from a Montgomery.” This story starts off with a scandalous bet between Harriet Montgomery and Morgan Davies. They’ve had mutual animosity for one another for years while growing up, while both secretly wanting one another! When he is headed off for war, she desperately wants him to return safely so she makes a bet with him…if he returns back alive, she’ll grant him 3 kisses. After almost two years traveling the globe with His Majesty’s Royal Navy, and a six-month stint in prison, Morgan arrives back in London with two specific goals: seduction (of Harriet) and revenge (for being lead astray by a mapmaker and landing in prison). After his imprisonment, Morgan comes back with the shocking realization (shocking only to him and Harriet) that he needs and wants Harriet in his bed, in his life, permanently. So when he‘s ready to claim his 3 kisses, he tells Harriet he never specified where the kisses would be placed…
I adored Harriet and Morgan’s banter and lifelong teasing of one another. You can just feel and believe all the history between these characters of growing up together and the flashbacks we get of these messing with one another over the years. We see all the characters from the previous books, his siblings (Carys, Gryff, Rhys) and her cousins (Maddie, Tristan). There is a bit of suspense/intrigue happening in the story that I wasn’t completely invested in (involving a villain searching for specific maps). But I loved that Harriet is a cartographer and works at the map shop with her father. She’s always craved adventure and seeing the world, visiting the places she’s drawn on maps. I liked how all of their family members can see how much these 2 have danced around one another for years and they aren’t the least bit surprised they’re finally giving into their feelings. Such a fun series, I love the rivalry between the families and how far they’ve come! I definitely want Rhys’ story one day!
“His sharp-tongued, lifelong obsession. The rivalry between their two families had shaped their interactions ever since they were children. Over the years it had developed into a kind of gleeful antipathy, a never-ending game of one-upmanship that neither side would ever consider abandoning. They’d teased each other with challenges and foolish bets.”
“And then his big hand slid to the side of her neck and she sucked in a breath as he found her pulse beating an erratic betrayal.”
4.5 stars! Thank you to the publisher (St. Martin’s Press, SMP Romance) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. A Wicked Game has a release date of December 27, 2022.
“If there was one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it was a challenge from a Montgomery.” This story starts off with a scandalous bet between Harriet Montgomery and Morgan Davies. They’ve had mutual animosity for one another for years while growing up, while both secretly wanting one another! When he is headed off for war, she desperately wants him to return safely so she makes a bet with him…if he returns back alive, she’ll grant him 3 kisses. After almost two years traveling the globe with His Majesty’s Royal Navy, and a six-month stint in prison, Morgan arrives back in London with two specific goals: seduction (of Harriet) and revenge (for being lead astray by a mapmaker and landing in prison). After his imprisonment, Morgan comes back with the shocking realization (shocking only to him and Harriet) that he needs and wants Harriet in his bed, in his life, permanently. So when he‘s ready to claim his 3 kisses, he tells Harriet he never specified where the kisses would be placed…
I adored Harriet and Morgan’s banter and lifelong teasing of one another. You can just feel and believe all the history between these characters of growing up together and the flashbacks we get of these messing with one another over the years. We see all the characters from the previous books, his siblings (Carys, Gryff, Rhys) and her cousins (Maddie, Tristan). There is a bit of suspense/intrigue happening in the story that I wasn’t completely invested in (involving a villain searching for specific maps). But I loved that Harriet is a cartographer and works at the map shop with her father. She’s always craved adventure and seeing the world, visiting the places she’s drawn on maps. I liked how all of their family members can see how much these 2 have danced around one another for years and they aren’t the least bit surprised they’re finally giving into their feelings. Such a fun series, I love the rivalry between the families and how far they’ve come! I definitely want Rhys’ story one day!
“His sharp-tongued, lifelong obsession. The rivalry between their two families had shaped their interactions ever since they were children. Over the years it had developed into a kind of gleeful antipathy, a never-ending game of one-upmanship that neither side would ever consider abandoning. They’d teased each other with challenges and foolish bets.”
“And then his big hand slid to the side of her neck and she sucked in a breath as he found her pulse beating an erratic betrayal.”
4.5 stars! Thank you to the publisher (St. Martin’s Press, SMP Romance) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. A Wicked Game has a release date of December 27, 2022.
December 28, 2022
Secrets can cause trouble!
Captain Morgan Davies is hell bent on finding the map maker whose map sent his ship aground and left him at the mercy of the French.
Harriet Montgomery has drawn her father’s maps as his eye sight has deteriorated. Not only that, but on orders from the government they had produced false maps with a slight degree of difference in the latitudes and longitudes to confuse the French spies who would seek to attain them.
Harriet had no idea one of the altered maps would wreak havoc with Morgan’s ship.
And then there’s the unrequited tension between the two!
Morgan and Harriet have known each other since childhood and a shared kiss was a distant yet startling memory.
Neither is aware that the sadistic Frenchman, General Jean-Luc De Caen, is tracking the cartographer who holds the key to his lost treasure.
A very different regency historical novel—chaos, murder and a fortune in gold lead the way to the heart’s desire.
Thoroughly enjoyable!
A St. Martin's Press invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Captain Morgan Davies is hell bent on finding the map maker whose map sent his ship aground and left him at the mercy of the French.
Harriet Montgomery has drawn her father’s maps as his eye sight has deteriorated. Not only that, but on orders from the government they had produced false maps with a slight degree of difference in the latitudes and longitudes to confuse the French spies who would seek to attain them.
Harriet had no idea one of the altered maps would wreak havoc with Morgan’s ship.
And then there’s the unrequited tension between the two!
Morgan and Harriet have known each other since childhood and a shared kiss was a distant yet startling memory.
Neither is aware that the sadistic Frenchman, General Jean-Luc De Caen, is tracking the cartographer who holds the key to his lost treasure.
A very different regency historical novel—chaos, murder and a fortune in gold lead the way to the heart’s desire.
Thoroughly enjoyable!
A St. Martin's Press invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
December 5, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the ARC.
This is my first book from Kate Bateman and I'm happy to say it was swoon-worthy and fun! A Wicked Game is book 3 in the Ruthless Rivals series but can be read as a standalone.
The author does a great job of setting up the history and character dynamics between Harriet Montgomery and Morgan Davies. I adored their banter, teasing, and the premise of granting "three kisses" that started it all. I also admired Harriet being a cartographer, it was intriguing to read about.
My favorite aspect had to be the chemistry and attraction between Harriet and Morgan. The mutual pining, their pent up desire, and when the moment they finally became lovers came-it was so hot! I could not tear my eyes off the page.
We also see all the characters from the previous books (which I haven't read yet) and the interactions were refreshing and heartwarming. It definitely made me intrigued in going back to read the prior books in the series.
My only critique is there is a bit of suspense/mystery happening with the central villain of the story that I wasn't invested in. The pacing was excellent and the only time I thought the story dipped was its non-romance narrative.
Anyways, this was a fun introduction to the series, low-angst, and had a well-deserved happy ending. I love the rivalry between the families and I'll be coming back for more! I'll be backtracking to book one and I can't wait for Rhys’ story next!
This is my first book from Kate Bateman and I'm happy to say it was swoon-worthy and fun! A Wicked Game is book 3 in the Ruthless Rivals series but can be read as a standalone.
The author does a great job of setting up the history and character dynamics between Harriet Montgomery and Morgan Davies. I adored their banter, teasing, and the premise of granting "three kisses" that started it all. I also admired Harriet being a cartographer, it was intriguing to read about.
My favorite aspect had to be the chemistry and attraction between Harriet and Morgan. The mutual pining, their pent up desire, and when the moment they finally became lovers came-it was so hot! I could not tear my eyes off the page.
We also see all the characters from the previous books (which I haven't read yet) and the interactions were refreshing and heartwarming. It definitely made me intrigued in going back to read the prior books in the series.
My only critique is there is a bit of suspense/mystery happening with the central villain of the story that I wasn't invested in. The pacing was excellent and the only time I thought the story dipped was its non-romance narrative.
Anyways, this was a fun introduction to the series, low-angst, and had a well-deserved happy ending. I love the rivalry between the families and I'll be coming back for more! I'll be backtracking to book one and I can't wait for Rhys’ story next!
September 5, 2022
An inaccurate map and a long ago made bet draw two childhood nemeses back together in this stellar conclusion to Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series. Fiercely intelligent and packed with longing, this delightfully wicked addition is sure to be a new favorite.
October 5, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and publisher, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Paperbacks. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5 Wonderful Stars
Publishing: December 27, 2022
Series: Ruthless Rivals #3
Pages: 304
Kate Bateman never fails to deliver in this series. “A Wicked Game” is the third installment in the Davies and Montgomery families ongoing love and hate saga. So much a fan of this author and always look forward to her stories.
In this story you have Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery are at odds as with all the Davies and Montgomery clan. He is sharp witted, and she is sharp-tongued. Morgan is set to go off to war and strikes up a bet with Harriet that involves three kisses should he return in one piece. Upon his return, Morgan does not find her directly to collect on his bet, but after being imprisoned by the enemy because of an inaccurate map, he sets out to seek revenge on the cartographer he believes set him up for capture. As he gets involved in his investigation, he soon learns that the cartographer he seeks is none other than Harriet Montgomery. Here’s where the frenemies-to-lovers trope gets more and more interesting. As the banter continues between the two, Morgan realizes his every growing attraction to Harriet and devises a plan to not only collect on his kisses but ensure that she finds a way into his bed. Harriet too understands her growing need for Morgan and dreams of much much more than just his kisses.
There is so much to love in this story. Morgan is handsome and rebellious, while Harriet is infectious and strong-willed. Lovable characters who have close-knit families to boot. I loved how the brothers interact and look out for one another…something that makes them such lovable and virile men. This book was a hard to put down read for me as I needed to find out the epilogue in this tryst. There is a well-written plot, romance, mystery, and witty moments that incorporates everything that makes this story so wonderful. Again, me having a hard time putting this one down as it was just that good. Okay as I’ve not touched on what I look for in historical romances and that is whether the story brings the hot and steamy...well it was hot and one step above steamy…spicy and spicy. The slow burn and banter to getting to that place was so on point.
Ms. Bateman does an excellent job of keeping you invited page by page and the character development of each person within the story. This could have very well been a standalone from the series and I can’t wait for the next…getting to know Rhys Davies. Delightful and wonderful. If you have not started this series, I totally recommend that you do...you won't regret it.
Rating: 5/5 Wonderful Stars
Publishing: December 27, 2022
Series: Ruthless Rivals #3
Pages: 304
Kate Bateman never fails to deliver in this series. “A Wicked Game” is the third installment in the Davies and Montgomery families ongoing love and hate saga. So much a fan of this author and always look forward to her stories.
In this story you have Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery are at odds as with all the Davies and Montgomery clan. He is sharp witted, and she is sharp-tongued. Morgan is set to go off to war and strikes up a bet with Harriet that involves three kisses should he return in one piece. Upon his return, Morgan does not find her directly to collect on his bet, but after being imprisoned by the enemy because of an inaccurate map, he sets out to seek revenge on the cartographer he believes set him up for capture. As he gets involved in his investigation, he soon learns that the cartographer he seeks is none other than Harriet Montgomery. Here’s where the frenemies-to-lovers trope gets more and more interesting. As the banter continues between the two, Morgan realizes his every growing attraction to Harriet and devises a plan to not only collect on his kisses but ensure that she finds a way into his bed. Harriet too understands her growing need for Morgan and dreams of much much more than just his kisses.
There is so much to love in this story. Morgan is handsome and rebellious, while Harriet is infectious and strong-willed. Lovable characters who have close-knit families to boot. I loved how the brothers interact and look out for one another…something that makes them such lovable and virile men. This book was a hard to put down read for me as I needed to find out the epilogue in this tryst. There is a well-written plot, romance, mystery, and witty moments that incorporates everything that makes this story so wonderful. Again, me having a hard time putting this one down as it was just that good. Okay as I’ve not touched on what I look for in historical romances and that is whether the story brings the hot and steamy...well it was hot and one step above steamy…spicy and spicy. The slow burn and banter to getting to that place was so on point.
Ms. Bateman does an excellent job of keeping you invited page by page and the character development of each person within the story. This could have very well been a standalone from the series and I can’t wait for the next…getting to know Rhys Davies. Delightful and wonderful. If you have not started this series, I totally recommend that you do...you won't regret it.
Currently reading
December 27, 2022🌟 A WICKED GAME - Release Day!🌟
Woohoo! A Wicked Game is finally here and I’m so excited for you to meet feisty mapmaker Harriet and sexy captain Morgan as they tease, fight and flirt their way to a happily ever after! It all starts with a teasing bet, three scandalous kisses, and lots of sexy, enemies-to-lovers goodness. Because if there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery. . .
If you like enemies-to-lovers, feuding families, secret pining tropes, then this one’s for you!
You can snag your copy here:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3FDabDW
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3PGI8sm
Apple US: https://apple.co/3M9nYog
B&N: https://bit.ly/WckedGameBN
Google Play: https://bit.ly/WickedGamePlayA
Kobo: https://bit.ly/AWickedGameKoboA
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/AWickedGame
And you can read a sneak peek of Wicked Game here, on my website:
https://www.kcbateman.com/a-wicked-ga...
Woohoo! A Wicked Game is finally here and I’m so excited for you to meet feisty mapmaker Harriet and sexy captain Morgan as they tease, fight and flirt their way to a happily ever after! It all starts with a teasing bet, three scandalous kisses, and lots of sexy, enemies-to-lovers goodness. Because if there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery. . .
If you like enemies-to-lovers, feuding families, secret pining tropes, then this one’s for you!
You can snag your copy here:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3FDabDW
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3PGI8sm
Apple US: https://apple.co/3M9nYog
B&N: https://bit.ly/WckedGameBN
Google Play: https://bit.ly/WickedGamePlayA
Kobo: https://bit.ly/AWickedGameKoboA
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/AWickedGame
And you can read a sneak peek of Wicked Game here, on my website:
https://www.kcbateman.com/a-wicked-ga...
January 6, 2023
4.8/5 stars.... holy mother of god. This was so good. I did not anticipate it being THIS good. Have you ever thought to yourself, "enemies to lovers is a fun trope, but it can get kind of icky when it comes to matters of consent"? Well BUCKLE UP BUDDIES because this book is SO FULL OF EXPLICIT CONSENT and it's 1000% SEXIER FOR IT. I don't mean to make this review entirely about why consent in important but Morgan and Harriet surpassed my every expectation and I loved it. Longing. Banter. He-falls-first trope. Hiding their feelings without blatant miscommunication. High stakes without high drama. I rest my case.
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
December 27, 2022
I received this as an ARC from the publisher
So this book was everything I ever wanted and everything I ever needed. Morgan and Harriet are one of my favorite couples of all time and I am just fully in love with this book and that literally makes me so happy because I have been dying for their book.
Overall, I don't really know how to form coherent thoughts about my love for this book but I am going to try.
The plot: there really isn't one, which I am fine with because I was obsessed with Morgan and Harriet but essentially you are following the hero and heroine as they propose these wicked (and spicy) dares with each other but ultimately Morgan is on a mission to marry Harriet and win her heart.
This man is head over heels in love with her. Like he loves her, is not ashamed, and is determined to show her how much she means to him and I simply LOVE IT. He is so much fun. He's charming, he's loyal, reliable, funny, and he's so caring. I love how he isn't afraid of his feelings and love for her and knows what he wants and goes after it. There was no fighting it up from chapter 1 we know this man's intentions and I am here for it!!
Harriet is also an amazing heroine. She matches him in ever way and I love clever and bold she is. She literally never backs down and refuses to be bull-dozed and I love it! Shes super strong and I love how both of them were made for each other. I fell in love with Harriet and Morgan separately and together.
This book is so amazing and you need to go preorder it!!! Now my next thing is, when will we get Rhy's book?! This man needs his own romance Ms. Bateman!!!!
update #2 screaming crying throwing up I have my most anticipated release of the year!
update #1 This cover is everything 😍
So this book was everything I ever wanted and everything I ever needed. Morgan and Harriet are one of my favorite couples of all time and I am just fully in love with this book and that literally makes me so happy because I have been dying for their book.
Overall, I don't really know how to form coherent thoughts about my love for this book but I am going to try.
The plot: there really isn't one, which I am fine with because I was obsessed with Morgan and Harriet but essentially you are following the hero and heroine as they propose these wicked (and spicy) dares with each other but ultimately Morgan is on a mission to marry Harriet and win her heart.
This man is head over heels in love with her. Like he loves her, is not ashamed, and is determined to show her how much she means to him and I simply LOVE IT. He is so much fun. He's charming, he's loyal, reliable, funny, and he's so caring. I love how he isn't afraid of his feelings and love for her and knows what he wants and goes after it. There was no fighting it up from chapter 1 we know this man's intentions and I am here for it!!
Harriet is also an amazing heroine. She matches him in ever way and I love clever and bold she is. She literally never backs down and refuses to be bull-dozed and I love it! Shes super strong and I love how both of them were made for each other. I fell in love with Harriet and Morgan separately and together.
This book is so amazing and you need to go preorder it!!! Now my next thing is, when will we get Rhy's book?! This man needs his own romance Ms. Bateman!!!!
update #2 screaming crying throwing up I have my most anticipated release of the year!
update #1 This cover is everything 😍
April 22, 2023
She'd also been the shore to which he'd navigated. The X on the map that marked treasure. His star. His guiding light, the one fixed point by which he'd set his course. Home.
4.25 stars!
This was another steamy and highly entertaining addition to the Davies-Montgomery saga! I absolutely loved the dynamic and tension between Harriet and Morgan; their constant teasing and witty banter made for such great chemistry and some truly memorable moments between them. Their courtship was a little slow-burn as Morgan struggled to prove his sincerity in his love and devotion towards Harriet, but he was so sweet and supportive of her that Harriet couldn't avoid his advances for long. My only complaint is that I wish the danger from the Frenchman had played a larger role throughout the story instead of just swooping in at the end. Other than that, I absolutely adored Harriet and Morgan's romance, and I am so freaking stoked for Rhy's book next!
Tropes: childhood frenemies-to-lovers, family feud, rake hero, virgin heroine, secret pining, lessons in seduction, slow burn, hate-to-love-you, STEAMY🔥
*ARC provided by Netgalley, and I voluntarily reviewed it*
January 15, 2023
A solid 4.25 stars! And, me oh my, Davies! You are a saucy devil!
January 7, 2023
Captain Morgan Davies’ ship ran aground near Martinique, causing him and his crew to be imprisoned by the French for eight weeks, all thanks to a faulty map. Now that he’s back in London, Morgan is eager for his revenge on the incompetent cartographer, almost as eager as he is to claim the three kisses promised by his lifelong nemesis, smart-mouthed Harriet Montgomery. He had plenty of time while in prison to contemplate his feelings and is sure she’s the woman he wants to marry but convincing her will be even more challenging than his naval assignments. When Morgan realizes Harriet is also responsible for his faulty map, he decides his revenge must take on a more seductive angle.
Harriet has always desired Morgan and that hasn’t changed in the two years he’s been away. Unfortunately, she’s been too busy caring for her father, whose eyesight is failing, and keeping at bay a rival cartographer who’s copying her work. She doesn’t have energy left to play games with Morgan, even if she is sorely tempted. But when Morgan’s naval service becomes a threat to them both, Harriet learns that she and Morgan are far from the enemies she thought them to be.
This was such a cute, light-hearted read. I loved that both the hero and heroine had been in love with each other since their adolescence and just a bit slow to realize it, all the while hiding it under a veneer of animosity. The sexual tension in that dynamic was huge. Harriet did worry me for a bit with how quick she was to doubt Morgan, but she came to her senses, and he persisted in a delightful way. I loved that he was the first to realize he was in love with her and set about a campaign to subtly woo her. The pining was delicious, and I loved that Morgan was so ready to admit his feelings and go after the life he wanted with Harriet. She may have been a bit harder to convince, but she was also mature enough to listen to both her own feelings and Morgan’s and I loved these two as a couple. I both listened to and read this on audio and Beverley Crick's Welsh accent for Morgan made him even more delightfully charming. This entire series has been a delight for me, and this addition was no exception. I’m very much looking forward to Rhys’ story now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and it's audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Harriet has always desired Morgan and that hasn’t changed in the two years he’s been away. Unfortunately, she’s been too busy caring for her father, whose eyesight is failing, and keeping at bay a rival cartographer who’s copying her work. She doesn’t have energy left to play games with Morgan, even if she is sorely tempted. But when Morgan’s naval service becomes a threat to them both, Harriet learns that she and Morgan are far from the enemies she thought them to be.
This was such a cute, light-hearted read. I loved that both the hero and heroine had been in love with each other since their adolescence and just a bit slow to realize it, all the while hiding it under a veneer of animosity. The sexual tension in that dynamic was huge. Harriet did worry me for a bit with how quick she was to doubt Morgan, but she came to her senses, and he persisted in a delightful way. I loved that he was the first to realize he was in love with her and set about a campaign to subtly woo her. The pining was delicious, and I loved that Morgan was so ready to admit his feelings and go after the life he wanted with Harriet. She may have been a bit harder to convince, but she was also mature enough to listen to both her own feelings and Morgan’s and I loved these two as a couple. I both listened to and read this on audio and Beverley Crick's Welsh accent for Morgan made him even more delightfully charming. This entire series has been a delight for me, and this addition was no exception. I’m very much looking forward to Rhys’ story now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and it's audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
December 29, 2022
This series is HR perfection and A Wicked Game held up to its predecessors. Everything Kate Bateman writes is amazing! She is the best thing going right now in Historical Romance and if you aren't reading her books, you are missing out.
In this third edition of the feuding Davies and Montgomery, we get Morgan and Harriet. They have been one-upping each other with dare after dare for years. Morgan has been secretly in love with Harriet for years and now that he's back from the war he plans on making her his.
I adored the banter and mutual pining between the main characters. The shared history with the dares and bets was fun and the feisty heroine and sexy and sweet hero were wonderful.
I can't wait for Rhys' book, especially since it looks like we will be meeting a new branch of the Montgomery family.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this third edition of the feuding Davies and Montgomery, we get Morgan and Harriet. They have been one-upping each other with dare after dare for years. Morgan has been secretly in love with Harriet for years and now that he's back from the war he plans on making her his.
I adored the banter and mutual pining between the main characters. The shared history with the dares and bets was fun and the feisty heroine and sexy and sweet hero were wonderful.
I can't wait for Rhys' book, especially since it looks like we will be meeting a new branch of the Montgomery family.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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