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Ruthless Rivals #2
A Daring Pursuit
The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. But it’s a thin line between love and hate in Kate Bateman's A Daring Pursuit.
TWO ENEMIES
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?
TWO ENEMIES
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 748 reviews
September 1, 2022
✨Architectural pining✨
Hands down my favorite book of the year that is BOLD I know but absolutely this is my historical Hating Game and it was perfect and lovely and hot and I want to be reading it forever. Once I began, I couldn’t put it now and simply didn’t want to.
Every moving part MOVED me. In no particular order, here are my highlights:
✨Quick read
✨No third act breakup
✨Sex lessons (at a house party no less); delivers on sex when it promises sex
✨Mutual wrecking of each other’s plans
✨A character who thinks sex is lackluster (one of my favorite sub tropes)
✨Perfectly executed envy; both characters don’t really project anger they just internally melt their days away wishing they had each other
✨Hot sex; from behind which was a major plus I literally said thank god out loud when he got her on hands and knees 🥵🫠🫡
✨Perfect grand gesture; i.e. the I’ve always loved you…let me show you moment; i.e his house is so hot for her; i.e architectural pining
✨Great supporting characters; I especially love me some aggravated and protective brothers
✨Villain bested by proper justice
✨Main characters with hot personalities; my fav combo of characters which is wild/buttoned up
✨Both just absolutely pining for ages but annoyed about it
✨Fun interests: architecture and animal rehabilitation and rescue; bears!
✨Flawless writing; phenomenal use of analogies and metaphors
✨Ancient Greek and Roman references which I always love in historical romances
✨This line: “Can I give you a ride?” His lips twitched. “No pun intended.”
✨When he said he'd lie, die, kill for her
This was absolutely timeless. It’s now my one-stop romance for everything I need in a comfort read book. I can throw on the audiobook for a few hours and know I will immediately feel better. I've read a lot of five star historical romances this year, but A Daring Pursuit is the PERFECT combination of absolutely everything I love about the genre. It was the perfect emotional investment for me.
I say favorite book of the year because every part worked for me in the long run. I read some other 5⭐️ books that made me cry and had more-ish depth, but I think I’d reach for this one more upon a reread because it was easy and lovely. Books like this are the reason I will gladly read 200+ books a year, simply in hopes of finding ONE that makes me feel this type of at peace.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own!
___________
Initial reaction:
I think this is my absolute favorite book of the year?????? Historical Hating Game I said what I said
NSFW reaction:
I am all holes for this man
Hands down my favorite book of the year that is BOLD I know but absolutely this is my historical Hating Game and it was perfect and lovely and hot and I want to be reading it forever. Once I began, I couldn’t put it now and simply didn’t want to.
Every moving part MOVED me. In no particular order, here are my highlights:
✨Quick read
✨No third act breakup
✨Sex lessons (at a house party no less); delivers on sex when it promises sex
✨Mutual wrecking of each other’s plans
✨A character who thinks sex is lackluster (one of my favorite sub tropes)
✨Perfectly executed envy; both characters don’t really project anger they just internally melt their days away wishing they had each other
✨Hot sex; from behind which was a major plus I literally said thank god out loud when he got her on hands and knees 🥵🫠🫡
✨Perfect grand gesture; i.e. the I’ve always loved you…let me show you moment; i.e his house is so hot for her; i.e architectural pining
✨Great supporting characters; I especially love me some aggravated and protective brothers
✨Villain bested by proper justice
✨Main characters with hot personalities; my fav combo of characters which is wild/buttoned up
✨Both just absolutely pining for ages but annoyed about it
✨Fun interests: architecture and animal rehabilitation and rescue; bears!
✨Flawless writing; phenomenal use of analogies and metaphors
✨Ancient Greek and Roman references which I always love in historical romances
✨This line: “Can I give you a ride?” His lips twitched. “No pun intended.”
✨When he said he'd lie, die, kill for her
This was absolutely timeless. It’s now my one-stop romance for everything I need in a comfort read book. I can throw on the audiobook for a few hours and know I will immediately feel better. I've read a lot of five star historical romances this year, but A Daring Pursuit is the PERFECT combination of absolutely everything I love about the genre. It was the perfect emotional investment for me.
I say favorite book of the year because every part worked for me in the long run. I read some other 5⭐️ books that made me cry and had more-ish depth, but I think I’d reach for this one more upon a reread because it was easy and lovely. Books like this are the reason I will gladly read 200+ books a year, simply in hopes of finding ONE that makes me feel this type of at peace.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own!
___________
Initial reaction:
I think this is my absolute favorite book of the year?????? Historical Hating Game I said what I said
NSFW reaction:
I am all holes for this man
June 16, 2022
Underwhelming.
The romance didn’t work as well as it could have. I didn’t believe it? The emotions seemed to lack and we didn’t get to know the hero all that well, and after a while, neither did I care for the heroine’s predicament. There should’ve been a sense of danger of sorts but it was just lurking in the background. But it was the plot…?
Their characterisation also seemed very one-dimensional. The heroine is daring and somewhat scandalous (as a mask) and loves animals. The hero is… I couldn’t tell you. A Scrooge? They are enemies but it didn’t read as such. They had a history but we barely got that. They were both pining for each other but there was no emotion behind it. And are you trying to tell me the family feud that had been going on for god knows however long was resolved in book 1? That ain’t no feud.
I needed more depth.
The incorporation of ‘sex lessons’ should’ve made the book more exciting and engaging and angsty but even that felt flat. Joanna Shupe did it better.
By the end, I was ready for it to end. The barely there conflict felt useless and didn’t add anything to the story.
I much preferred book 1.
The romance didn’t work as well as it could have. I didn’t believe it? The emotions seemed to lack and we didn’t get to know the hero all that well, and after a while, neither did I care for the heroine’s predicament. There should’ve been a sense of danger of sorts but it was just lurking in the background. But it was the plot…?
Their characterisation also seemed very one-dimensional. The heroine is daring and somewhat scandalous (as a mask) and loves animals. The hero is… I couldn’t tell you. A Scrooge? They are enemies but it didn’t read as such. They had a history but we barely got that. They were both pining for each other but there was no emotion behind it. And are you trying to tell me the family feud that had been going on for god knows however long was resolved in book 1? That ain’t no feud.
I needed more depth.
The incorporation of ‘sex lessons’ should’ve made the book more exciting and engaging and angsty but even that felt flat. Joanna Shupe did it better.
By the end, I was ready for it to end. The barely there conflict felt useless and didn’t add anything to the story.
I much preferred book 1.
March 21, 2022
This was a delicious, tension-filled story. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers trope for the first book in the series, but I would be lying if I said I was skeptical that this series could keep that tension going. So far, it only seems heightened.
As with the first, this story has members of the feuding Welsh Davies family and the English Montgomery family fall in love. Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery has long been each other's tormentor, and now that their brother and sister, respectively, have married, they are thrown together much more often. Tristan discovers Carys' scandalous secret early on, which causes a shift in their dynamics. Up until then, Carys has used her wiles to try to get a rise out of Tristan, and Tristan has to use all his will to appear stoically uninterested. When the dynamics change, new possibilities arise.
Once that bridge was made with a Montgomery-Davies marriage in the first book, I thought it would be hard to convince that these two were still in an enemy-type relationship, but Bateman does a good job at showing how the adversarial relationship is deep-seated and unique to each of the potential couples she has lined up. In this one, I liked how Carys and Tristan worked together toward common goals. One complaint I have had in other Bateman stories is how the heroes have the jerkish moments that are off-putting and ill-timed. I wouldn't say that this book as no jerkish moments, but it was a pretty understandable leap of logic and reaction. It didn't sit great at the time because I am not a fan of that type of behavior in romances in a general sense, but it was early on in the book and later in the book Tristan is very much in Carys' corner in every sense of the word.
Overall, the sexual tension was wonderful and the sub-plot was interesting. I did think the villain got off too easy. I would have enjoyed a bit more pummeling tbh, because he was truly loathsome. Ultimately, though, I really enjoyed the overall theme that showcased how bravado and flashiness can be a guise for hurt, and it was convincing in showing an unconditional love to help heal that hurt.
I am really looking for to the book that'll feature Morgan and Harriet, and I am wondering what Bateman has in store for Rhys. I can definitely say I am hooked on this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
As with the first, this story has members of the feuding Welsh Davies family and the English Montgomery family fall in love. Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery has long been each other's tormentor, and now that their brother and sister, respectively, have married, they are thrown together much more often. Tristan discovers Carys' scandalous secret early on, which causes a shift in their dynamics. Up until then, Carys has used her wiles to try to get a rise out of Tristan, and Tristan has to use all his will to appear stoically uninterested. When the dynamics change, new possibilities arise.
Once that bridge was made with a Montgomery-Davies marriage in the first book, I thought it would be hard to convince that these two were still in an enemy-type relationship, but Bateman does a good job at showing how the adversarial relationship is deep-seated and unique to each of the potential couples she has lined up. In this one, I liked how Carys and Tristan worked together toward common goals. One complaint I have had in other Bateman stories is how the heroes have the jerkish moments that are off-putting and ill-timed. I wouldn't say that this book as no jerkish moments, but it was a pretty understandable leap of logic and reaction. It didn't sit great at the time because I am not a fan of that type of behavior in romances in a general sense, but it was early on in the book and later in the book Tristan is very much in Carys' corner in every sense of the word.
Overall, the sexual tension was wonderful and the sub-plot was interesting. I did think the villain got off too easy. I would have enjoyed a bit more pummeling tbh, because he was truly loathsome. Ultimately, though, I really enjoyed the overall theme that showcased how bravado and flashiness can be a guise for hurt, and it was convincing in showing an unconditional love to help heal that hurt.
I am really looking for to the book that'll feature Morgan and Harriet, and I am wondering what Bateman has in store for Rhys. I can definitely say I am hooked on this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
June 18, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine’s perspective
(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?
It’s not necessary for this one, but you’ll get a better background of the family and characters if you read book 1, A Reckless Match. Plus it’s delightful so I think you should read it!
Basic plot:
Scandalous and enticing Carys Davies is doing everything she can to avoid marriage. Long term rival families, she never lets go of an opportunity to bait proper Tristan Montgomery. And when he finds out her dark secret and they strike a bargain about lessons, things really heat up.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (didn’t see a year listed, but book 1 took place in 1815)
- Ex soldier hero (fought against the French for 2 years)
- Mid steam - 3 full scenes
- A bit of enemies to lovers feel (They don’t come off as true enemies but are long term rival family members so there’s lots of baiting banter)
- English hero, Welsh heroine
- Small part with heroine disguised as a lad
- Lessons – hero and heroine come to an agreement on lessons for Carys to decide what she’s missing on by not getting married
Ages:
- Hero is 27,
My thoughts:
With an opener like
While kicking and biting, love develops…
HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE IT??
I just really want to yell “This book is f***ing perfection!” repeatedly for my review. Seriously. It’s so amazing. HOW does Kate Bateman keep getting better? I didn’t think it was possible after reading and loving so many of her novels. But not this takes the new spot as favorite.
Her characters have such heart and depth. I just fall into their entire world and want to stay there. They are bright and funny and wrap their way around your heart and don’t let go. You’ll cry for them. You’ll love them.
Carys is such a wonderful character. Hurt and betrayed early on in her society exposure, she has taken to acting outrageously to protect herself. But she has a heart of gold – the way she cares for her family and her rescue animals just made me melt. To see her with Tristan’s love is so beautiful.
Tristan is amazing. Steady, proper, he needs Carys to rile him up and mess up his perfectly tied cravat. He knows he has loved her but refused to admit it. This enemies to lovers is truly unrequited love at its core.
I adore books with lessons in them – Carys and Tristan strike a bargain to be enemies with benefits when Tristan realizes she was treated wrongly by her prior one night stand. And it gives them lots of reasons to be together and exploring each other and I just gobble that up.
This book was funny, the banter delightful, the steam and tension breathtaking. Bateman is officially an autobuy. So, so good.
A few other notes:
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine’s perspective
(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?
It’s not necessary for this one, but you’ll get a better background of the family and characters if you read book 1, A Reckless Match. Plus it’s delightful so I think you should read it!
Basic plot:
Scandalous and enticing Carys Davies is doing everything she can to avoid marriage. Long term rival families, she never lets go of an opportunity to bait proper Tristan Montgomery. And when he finds out her dark secret and they strike a bargain about lessons, things really heat up.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (didn’t see a year listed, but book 1 took place in 1815)
- Ex soldier hero (fought against the French for 2 years)
- Mid steam - 3 full scenes
- A bit of enemies to lovers feel (They don’t come off as true enemies but are long term rival family members so there’s lots of baiting banter)
- English hero, Welsh heroine
- Small part with heroine disguised as a lad
- Lessons – hero and heroine come to an agreement on lessons for Carys to decide what she’s missing on by not getting married
Ages:
- Hero is 27,
My thoughts:
With an opener like
While kicking and biting, love develops…
HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE IT??
I just really want to yell “This book is f***ing perfection!” repeatedly for my review. Seriously. It’s so amazing. HOW does Kate Bateman keep getting better? I didn’t think it was possible after reading and loving so many of her novels. But not this takes the new spot as favorite.
Her characters have such heart and depth. I just fall into their entire world and want to stay there. They are bright and funny and wrap their way around your heart and don’t let go. You’ll cry for them. You’ll love them.
Carys is such a wonderful character. Hurt and betrayed early on in her society exposure, she has taken to acting outrageously to protect herself. But she has a heart of gold – the way she cares for her family and her rescue animals just made me melt. To see her with Tristan’s love is so beautiful.
Tristan is amazing. Steady, proper, he needs Carys to rile him up and mess up his perfectly tied cravat. He knows he has loved her but refused to admit it. This enemies to lovers is truly unrequited love at its core.
I adore books with lessons in them – Carys and Tristan strike a bargain to be enemies with benefits when Tristan realizes she was treated wrongly by her prior one night stand. And it gives them lots of reasons to be together and exploring each other and I just gobble that up.
This book was funny, the banter delightful, the steam and tension breathtaking. Bateman is officially an autobuy. So, so good.
A few other notes:
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
April 18, 2022
4.5 stars
Kate Bateman knows how to write a good enemies to lovers romance and she doesn't disappoint with this one! Carys is hiding a secret that could ruin her and her family. Now, she tries to act like she doesn't care at all about her reputation in society and will wear lavish outfits and refuse any proposal that comes her way. Tristan, who is part of the family that is rivals with her family, can see through her facade and knows that she's hiding something. At a ball, Tristan ends up finding out Carys's secret and the two strike up a scandalous bargain, finding themselves in an enemies with benefits situation. I loved the chemistry between Carys and Tristan and how they had a history of being adversaries but they can't stay away from each other. Tristan is actually very jealous and protective over Carys and I just loved that so much. There were a lot of fun moments in this book involving Carys's pet bear and birds, which I enjoyed! A little bit of intrigue was thrown in at the end and the second half of the plot revolved around a house party, which is one of my favorite settings in historicals. Definitely pick this book up when it comes out! I couldn't recommend Kate Bateman's historical romances enough!!
Kate Bateman knows how to write a good enemies to lovers romance and she doesn't disappoint with this one! Carys is hiding a secret that could ruin her and her family. Now, she tries to act like she doesn't care at all about her reputation in society and will wear lavish outfits and refuse any proposal that comes her way. Tristan, who is part of the family that is rivals with her family, can see through her facade and knows that she's hiding something. At a ball, Tristan ends up finding out Carys's secret and the two strike up a scandalous bargain, finding themselves in an enemies with benefits situation. I loved the chemistry between Carys and Tristan and how they had a history of being adversaries but they can't stay away from each other. Tristan is actually very jealous and protective over Carys and I just loved that so much. There were a lot of fun moments in this book involving Carys's pet bear and birds, which I enjoyed! A little bit of intrigue was thrown in at the end and the second half of the plot revolved around a house party, which is one of my favorite settings in historicals. Definitely pick this book up when it comes out! I couldn't recommend Kate Bateman's historical romances enough!!
June 16, 2022
Reread for Rake Appreciation Society
.
Still awesome and swoony and delightful.
*******
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press and the author for an ARC of this title.*
This book was absolutely charming and delightful. I was having some bad luck with the historical romances I was reading recently and A Daring Pursuit just swept in and won the day! I had a great time with the first book in this series about Maddie and Gryff and I was very interested to see what their siblings were up to in this next installment.
Carys Davies has a secret shame that is slowly stealing her joy. Too afraid to tell her brothers and have them be disappointed in her, she has put on a persona of a flirt and brazen to scare off any respectable marriage offers. She has no desire in them anyway and she would much prefer to stay at home and be with her menagerie of beautiful rescued animals. She definitely doesn't have time for one of the Montgomery men to be sticking his nose where it doesn't belong.
Tristan Montgomery is on track to be an extremely successful architect and he is on the hunt for a proper wife to compliment his plans and Carys is most certainly NOT that woman for him. Even though bantering with her is stimulating in more ways than one. Even though, when he finds out she wants a little teaching in the ways of men and women after a bad experience, they start having some clandestine meetings. And kissing and touching her doesn't feel anything like he has ever experienced before.... Even when she just might make him have... fun.
I love a "teach me" romance and this one had a very clever way of going about it. The chemistry and banter between Tristan and Carys was electrifying. I could not put the book down. Somehow these two had me laughing, swooning, and gasping all in one scene. And in the midst of a treasonous plot by some horrible men, rogue bears and a family feud.... they find a love that will shake the rafters.
I really loved these two together and I loved watching them both come to the realization that maybe they weren't ever meant to be rivals at all... even if they still want to argue and cross swords together... forever.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale.
.
Still awesome and swoony and delightful.
*******
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press and the author for an ARC of this title.*
This book was absolutely charming and delightful. I was having some bad luck with the historical romances I was reading recently and A Daring Pursuit just swept in and won the day! I had a great time with the first book in this series about Maddie and Gryff and I was very interested to see what their siblings were up to in this next installment.
Carys Davies has a secret shame that is slowly stealing her joy. Too afraid to tell her brothers and have them be disappointed in her, she has put on a persona of a flirt and brazen to scare off any respectable marriage offers. She has no desire in them anyway and she would much prefer to stay at home and be with her menagerie of beautiful rescued animals. She definitely doesn't have time for one of the Montgomery men to be sticking his nose where it doesn't belong.
Tristan Montgomery is on track to be an extremely successful architect and he is on the hunt for a proper wife to compliment his plans and Carys is most certainly NOT that woman for him. Even though bantering with her is stimulating in more ways than one. Even though, when he finds out she wants a little teaching in the ways of men and women after a bad experience, they start having some clandestine meetings. And kissing and touching her doesn't feel anything like he has ever experienced before.... Even when she just might make him have... fun.
I love a "teach me" romance and this one had a very clever way of going about it. The chemistry and banter between Tristan and Carys was electrifying. I could not put the book down. Somehow these two had me laughing, swooning, and gasping all in one scene. And in the midst of a treasonous plot by some horrible men, rogue bears and a family feud.... they find a love that will shake the rafters.
I really loved these two together and I loved watching them both come to the realization that maybe they weren't ever meant to be rivals at all... even if they still want to argue and cross swords together... forever.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale.
April 14, 2022
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
She could see no end in sight.
Lady Carys Davies is being blackmailed by the man she thought she was going to marry and had one youthful indiscretion with. Unless he gets his payments of fifty pounds, Christopher Howe threatens to ruin Carys reputation. With three loving and protective older brothers, Carys doesn't want them getting hotheaded and challenging Howe to a duel, so she keeps paying the blackmail. When childhood and family nemesis Tristan Montgomery at first misunderstands why Carys is in Howe's carriage, he thinks she's carrying on affair with Howe, he offers to show her a better time in the bedroom. When truths are revealed, Carys and Tristan begin to better understand those childhood nemesis feelings were really masking something else.
This was the Carys Davies who appeared in public: carefree and delightful, a girl who cared for nobody’s opinion but her own. No one could guess that on the inside she was besieged by panic and uncertainty. Not even her brothers. Especially not them.
Second in the Ruthless Rivals series, A Daring Pursuit focuses on Carys and Tristan, siblings of the couple in the first book (A Reckless Match). The first introduced readers to the Davis and Montgomery feud, started, possibly, over a pig and more pranks and teasing in the current generation. You could pick up here as the family feud isn't really discussed and siblings don't make too much of an appearance. In fact, I missed the siblings having more of a presence, along with Tristan's aunts who when they do appear in the very latter half enlivened the story, and disappointingly, we never get to see Tristan with his dad. Carys has a friend Frances that is the beginning but she faded off and while having the focus all on Carys and Tristan was nice, I'm not sure they were a strong enough couple to shoulder the whole story. A stronger presence of the fun secondary characters we got to know some in the first would have bolstered this world and in turn the story.
“You smile at other men, but with Tristan you glow. It’s like you come alive in his presence. You’re the fire to his ice.”
This was a pretty low angst story, Carys is being blackmailed but there isn't really a sense of danger from it and the focus is more on Carys and Tristan sexually warming up to each other. Carys is described as being the outgoing one, she wears daring outfits but mostly to bolster her confidence and keep men at bay, she fully understands the consequences of her not being a virgin. Tristan is described as being more self-contained and proper, Carys always wants to muss him up and he is drawn to her vitality. I didn't get as much a sense of enemies-to-lovers here as I did with the first, it seemed as if these two were more teasing friends when they were young and with adulthood came the feelings of attraction. I felt like I missed their emotional growing attraction as this focused on Tristan giving Carys a better bedroom experience; he gives her a couple chapters one, in fact.
“Well, then. Why can’t we be enemies with . . . benefits?”
By 35% Tristan knows the truth about Carys blackmail situation and they come to their agreement that Tristan show Carys what true seduction is. The setting moves from London to Carys family home in Wales and I thought the story slowed some as I was missing that emotional growing as the physical was more of the focus. Emotional can grow from physical but here I thought both characters had already developed their love and were only denying it to themselves. That was probably the biggest aspect that didn't work for me and what slowed the story, I didn't understand or believe in the denying. Tristan is looking to get married, why would he have such a mental block in thinking about Carys? Their family feud is, for all intents and purposes, over with their siblings marriage. It just didn't ring true and felt pretty weak.
She kindled a fire inside him, and he wasn’t sure it would ever burn out.
Howe ends up at the houseparty and we get a treasonous plot around the 80% mark that felt a little out of place but does work to give a wrapped up ending. I liked the beginning, thought the beginning second half slowed, and felt the ending was a little haphazard. I missed some secondary relationships, more of a seeing Carys and Tristan developing their feelings of love instead of feeling they were already there and the story was weak in just having them denying them, and an ending that was, somewhat, slipshod. Tristan's aunts do make a great appearance that gave the story some life in the latter second half and I did love, what I'm calling, Chekhov's Ravens. Bateman is an author that consistently adds little details and tidbits that bring interesting and amusing charm to the story for me. The emotional relationship wasn't completely fulfilling for me in this one but I adore these two families and am definitely ready to see a possible Morgan (Carys brother) and Harriet (Montgomery cousin) romance.
“[...] Let me be your favorite enemy.”
She could see no end in sight.
Lady Carys Davies is being blackmailed by the man she thought she was going to marry and had one youthful indiscretion with. Unless he gets his payments of fifty pounds, Christopher Howe threatens to ruin Carys reputation. With three loving and protective older brothers, Carys doesn't want them getting hotheaded and challenging Howe to a duel, so she keeps paying the blackmail. When childhood and family nemesis Tristan Montgomery at first misunderstands why Carys is in Howe's carriage, he thinks she's carrying on affair with Howe, he offers to show her a better time in the bedroom. When truths are revealed, Carys and Tristan begin to better understand those childhood nemesis feelings were really masking something else.
This was the Carys Davies who appeared in public: carefree and delightful, a girl who cared for nobody’s opinion but her own. No one could guess that on the inside she was besieged by panic and uncertainty. Not even her brothers. Especially not them.
Second in the Ruthless Rivals series, A Daring Pursuit focuses on Carys and Tristan, siblings of the couple in the first book (A Reckless Match). The first introduced readers to the Davis and Montgomery feud, started, possibly, over a pig and more pranks and teasing in the current generation. You could pick up here as the family feud isn't really discussed and siblings don't make too much of an appearance. In fact, I missed the siblings having more of a presence, along with Tristan's aunts who when they do appear in the very latter half enlivened the story, and disappointingly, we never get to see Tristan with his dad. Carys has a friend Frances that is the beginning but she faded off and while having the focus all on Carys and Tristan was nice, I'm not sure they were a strong enough couple to shoulder the whole story. A stronger presence of the fun secondary characters we got to know some in the first would have bolstered this world and in turn the story.
“You smile at other men, but with Tristan you glow. It’s like you come alive in his presence. You’re the fire to his ice.”
This was a pretty low angst story, Carys is being blackmailed but there isn't really a sense of danger from it and the focus is more on Carys and Tristan sexually warming up to each other. Carys is described as being the outgoing one, she wears daring outfits but mostly to bolster her confidence and keep men at bay, she fully understands the consequences of her not being a virgin. Tristan is described as being more self-contained and proper, Carys always wants to muss him up and he is drawn to her vitality. I didn't get as much a sense of enemies-to-lovers here as I did with the first, it seemed as if these two were more teasing friends when they were young and with adulthood came the feelings of attraction. I felt like I missed their emotional growing attraction as this focused on Tristan giving Carys a better bedroom experience; he gives her a couple chapters one, in fact.
“Well, then. Why can’t we be enemies with . . . benefits?”
By 35% Tristan knows the truth about Carys blackmail situation and they come to their agreement that Tristan show Carys what true seduction is. The setting moves from London to Carys family home in Wales and I thought the story slowed some as I was missing that emotional growing as the physical was more of the focus. Emotional can grow from physical but here I thought both characters had already developed their love and were only denying it to themselves. That was probably the biggest aspect that didn't work for me and what slowed the story, I didn't understand or believe in the denying. Tristan is looking to get married, why would he have such a mental block in thinking about Carys? Their family feud is, for all intents and purposes, over with their siblings marriage. It just didn't ring true and felt pretty weak.
She kindled a fire inside him, and he wasn’t sure it would ever burn out.
Howe ends up at the houseparty and we get a treasonous plot around the 80% mark that felt a little out of place but does work to give a wrapped up ending. I liked the beginning, thought the beginning second half slowed, and felt the ending was a little haphazard. I missed some secondary relationships, more of a seeing Carys and Tristan developing their feelings of love instead of feeling they were already there and the story was weak in just having them denying them, and an ending that was, somewhat, slipshod. Tristan's aunts do make a great appearance that gave the story some life in the latter second half and I did love, what I'm calling, Chekhov's Ravens. Bateman is an author that consistently adds little details and tidbits that bring interesting and amusing charm to the story for me. The emotional relationship wasn't completely fulfilling for me in this one but I adore these two families and am definitely ready to see a possible Morgan (Carys brother) and Harriet (Montgomery cousin) romance.
“[...] Let me be your favorite enemy.”
May 25, 2022
Wonderful, fabulous, melodramatic tale of virtue lost, and redemption found. Throw in mimic ravens and a music loving bear, and don't forget the enemies to lover's romance. All this and a mystery and humor too. The villain doesn't get his just deserts, but he at least gets taken care of. "A Daring Pursuit" is a great escape - Enjoy!
Carys Davies has a secret that could ruin her life and her family if it ever became known. For this reason, she is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage, but all she is doing is scandalizing the ton and intriguing those who would be her suitors. In her first season the man she thought loved her, married another. The experience left Carys heartbroken and she decided she could live very well without a man, thank you very much. Except for one man who, from childhood, has tormented and intrigued her.
The feud between the Davies and Montgomery families has been going on for centuries. But last year a Davies married a Montgomery ending the feud, but definitely not the animosity between the families. Tristin Montgomery has long admired Crays Davies for her beauty and her spirit, but being a somber sort, he is looking for a wife who is levelheaded and respectable to advance his architectural interests. But Carys calls to him like a siren at sea, sure to lead him to his destruction. When they happen to meet in a most scandalous manner, he offers to show her everything she will be missing if she doesn't wed. A bargain is struck, and an affair is begun. What neither of them bargained for was falling in love.
My thanks to St. Martins Paperbacks, Publisher, and Kate Bateman, 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.
Carys Davies has a secret that could ruin her life and her family if it ever became known. For this reason, she is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage, but all she is doing is scandalizing the ton and intriguing those who would be her suitors. In her first season the man she thought loved her, married another. The experience left Carys heartbroken and she decided she could live very well without a man, thank you very much. Except for one man who, from childhood, has tormented and intrigued her.
The feud between the Davies and Montgomery families has been going on for centuries. But last year a Davies married a Montgomery ending the feud, but definitely not the animosity between the families. Tristin Montgomery has long admired Crays Davies for her beauty and her spirit, but being a somber sort, he is looking for a wife who is levelheaded and respectable to advance his architectural interests. But Carys calls to him like a siren at sea, sure to lead him to his destruction. When they happen to meet in a most scandalous manner, he offers to show her everything she will be missing if she doesn't wed. A bargain is struck, and an affair is begun. What neither of them bargained for was falling in love.
My thanks to St. Martins Paperbacks, Publisher, and Kate Bateman, 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.
June 7, 2022
Carys and Tristen grew up as part of families that were feuding. They had known each other since they were children and as adults have been attracted to each other. Carys is being blackmailed by a past love. A lot of sexual tension that grows into passion between the main characters. There is a bit of a secondary mystery that plays a part in bringing the couple together and all is tied up with a hea. I enjoyed the book but thought the mystery to be the weakest part and rate the book a 3.5*
September 22, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, fast paced, historical romance novel. It has likable, engaging characters, a unique, flamboyantly dressed female protagonist, a caring, sensitive, war veteran hero, sizzling chemistry, a heart-warming romance, delightful banter, a touch of humor, an interesting menagerie, intrigue, and a happily ever after ending. This is the second entry in Ms. Bateman's outstanding "Ruthless Rivals" series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but it is even better when read after reading "A Reckless Match". I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this series with great anticipation.
NetGalley and St. Martin's Press kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
NetGalley and St. Martin's Press kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
May 7, 2022
Disillusioned with love by a bad first experience, Carys Davies is determined to be so bold, so brazen that she scares any potential suitors away. She can't afford to have her secret exposed or her family will be ruined. When quiet, reserved Tristan, from the rival Montgomery family, accidentally learns her secret, he steps up to save her . . . in spite of the ongoing feud between the Davies and Montgomerys. Carys and Tristan have sparred for years while both secretly harboring deeper feelings for each other. In the midst of a one week gathering and truce between families, the pair discover a raging sexual inferno blazing between them that won't be denied. At the risk of being forward, Carys suggests an indecent proposal to Tristan knowing he'll turn her down. He has one week to teach her why she will enjoy being married, including all bedroom acts - no holds barred. Why it's simply scandalous! Tristan accepts the challenge. Buckle up, readers! It's about to get very hot in here!
I simply adore the characters, especially these two, in The Ruthless Rivals series! Bateman excels at rendering characters that you either love or love to hate. The banter, the chemistry, the plot line all combine to make a fantastic read that I finished in mostly one sitting. Support characters include those from book one and while A Daring Pursuit can certainly be read as a standalone, I highly advise you not to cheat yourself out of reading A Reckless Match as it is also exceptional. Bateman cranks up the heat in A Daring Pursuit as the flirting, courting and bedroom scenes explode from the high heat radiating off Carys and Tristan. If you love a good enemies to lovers story with a ton of sexual tension, this one's for you. It's Regency Romance at its best!
Thank you St. Martins Press for an arc of this book!
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
I simply adore the characters, especially these two, in The Ruthless Rivals series! Bateman excels at rendering characters that you either love or love to hate. The banter, the chemistry, the plot line all combine to make a fantastic read that I finished in mostly one sitting. Support characters include those from book one and while A Daring Pursuit can certainly be read as a standalone, I highly advise you not to cheat yourself out of reading A Reckless Match as it is also exceptional. Bateman cranks up the heat in A Daring Pursuit as the flirting, courting and bedroom scenes explode from the high heat radiating off Carys and Tristan. If you love a good enemies to lovers story with a ton of sexual tension, this one's for you. It's Regency Romance at its best!
Thank you St. Martins Press for an arc of this book!
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
February 5, 2023
⭐⭐💫
2½ stars.
The chemistry and romantic build up was lackluster and unconvincing.
The plot and the main characters was underdeveloped and needed more depth (especially the hero.)
Jumbled.
Formulaic/bland.
2½ stars.
The chemistry and romantic build up was lackluster and unconvincing.
The plot and the main characters was underdeveloped and needed more depth (especially the hero.)
Jumbled.
Formulaic/bland.
June 10, 2022
This book was such a treat! It had absolutely everything I love in a historical romance…
• A yummy hero that I wanted for my own
• A heroine who was strong yet vulnerable with a heart of gold
• Blazing hot chemistry
• An experienced H teaching the h just how very good physical intimacy can be
• Perfect pacing
• Intense passion and well-written sex scenes
• Witty banter, friendly antagonism, steamy flirtation
• Two MCs that were amazing together and just perfect for each other
• A sweet HEA
Highly recommended!
(This book really deserves a more thorough, well-written review from me, but a quickie review is the best I can manage right now).
“You’d make love to me?” She tried to sound amused, and not simply incredulous. “I would, in fact.” He made it sound like a point of theoretical interest, but the intensity of his gaze brought a flush to her skin. “Most thoroughly.”
Holy hell. What would it be like to be on the receiving end of Tristan’s expertise? She could just imagine the intense look on his face as he dedicated himself to achieving his goal. She’d always teased him about being single-minded in his pursuit of perfection, but for the first time it didn’t sound like a flaw. Quite the opposite.
“You won’t make empty promises or shower me with compliments just to get me into bed.” The corner of his lips quirked in that way that made her belly flutter. “True enough.” “Well, then. Why can’t we be enemies with … benefits?”
His mouth curved into a smile. “I will make you two promises, neither of which is empty. One: I promise to give you pleasure, to the very best of my ability. And two: If you’re dissatisfied with my performance, at any time, you can tell me to stop and I will.” Carys swallowed. His voice made her knees weak. “You really think we’ll be compatible?” He let out a soft laugh. “I really do. But you’re just going to have to trust me until I can prove it.”
He could read her so well. In the dark she could deny she was thinking of him. Here in the daylight there was no pretending she was kissing someone else. He took a step closer. “Darkness won’t work, you know. You’d still recognize the scent of me. Just as I know the scent of you with my eyes closed.” Her heart fluttered as she inhaled his smoky cedar and spice. “You’ll know my touch too. And my taste,” he murmured. God, he was good. He wasn’t even touching her and her body was already aflame. “I’ll know every inch of your body. Every line, every curve.” His eyes lingered on the swell of her breasts beneath her jacket; they rose and fell faster as her breathing quickened. “Darkness won’t make a blind bit of difference.” She swallowed. “Are you going to cry off?” His soft tone was a challenge. “No.” “Good.”
Tristan hid a smile at Carys’s irreverent commentary. He’d always enjoyed her slightly off-kilter sense of humor. The way she looked at the world was so different from the way he looked at it that talking to her was like putting on a pair of someone else’s glasses: He saw things in an entirely new way. Of course, it also often left him dizzy.
• A yummy hero that I wanted for my own
• A heroine who was strong yet vulnerable with a heart of gold
• Blazing hot chemistry
• An experienced H teaching the h just how very good physical intimacy can be
• Perfect pacing
• Intense passion and well-written sex scenes
• Witty banter, friendly antagonism, steamy flirtation
• Two MCs that were amazing together and just perfect for each other
• A sweet HEA
Highly recommended!
(This book really deserves a more thorough, well-written review from me, but a quickie review is the best I can manage right now).
“You’d make love to me?” She tried to sound amused, and not simply incredulous. “I would, in fact.” He made it sound like a point of theoretical interest, but the intensity of his gaze brought a flush to her skin. “Most thoroughly.”
Holy hell. What would it be like to be on the receiving end of Tristan’s expertise? She could just imagine the intense look on his face as he dedicated himself to achieving his goal. She’d always teased him about being single-minded in his pursuit of perfection, but for the first time it didn’t sound like a flaw. Quite the opposite.
“You won’t make empty promises or shower me with compliments just to get me into bed.” The corner of his lips quirked in that way that made her belly flutter. “True enough.” “Well, then. Why can’t we be enemies with … benefits?”
His mouth curved into a smile. “I will make you two promises, neither of which is empty. One: I promise to give you pleasure, to the very best of my ability. And two: If you’re dissatisfied with my performance, at any time, you can tell me to stop and I will.” Carys swallowed. His voice made her knees weak. “You really think we’ll be compatible?” He let out a soft laugh. “I really do. But you’re just going to have to trust me until I can prove it.”
He could read her so well. In the dark she could deny she was thinking of him. Here in the daylight there was no pretending she was kissing someone else. He took a step closer. “Darkness won’t work, you know. You’d still recognize the scent of me. Just as I know the scent of you with my eyes closed.” Her heart fluttered as she inhaled his smoky cedar and spice. “You’ll know my touch too. And my taste,” he murmured. God, he was good. He wasn’t even touching her and her body was already aflame. “I’ll know every inch of your body. Every line, every curve.” His eyes lingered on the swell of her breasts beneath her jacket; they rose and fell faster as her breathing quickened. “Darkness won’t make a blind bit of difference.” She swallowed. “Are you going to cry off?” His soft tone was a challenge. “No.” “Good.”
Tristan hid a smile at Carys’s irreverent commentary. He’d always enjoyed her slightly off-kilter sense of humor. The way she looked at the world was so different from the way he looked at it that talking to her was like putting on a pair of someone else’s glasses: He saw things in an entirely new way. Of course, it also often left him dizzy.
June 15, 2022
4.5 stars
Effortlessly delightful, A Daring Pursuit is a well-oiled machine checking everything on the 'how to historical romance' list; if you want a charming, sexy time packaged in a bingeable writing style and pacing, this endearing enemy-turned-lover story will undoubtedly satisfy.
If one were to break down its ingredients, there's nothing truly unique about A Daring Pursuit, but Kate Bateman manages to introduce enough quirks (a non-virgin heroine, two rival families, and all the animals!), fleshed-out characters, and intense sexual tension to elevate the overly familiar narrative arc. I also really enjoy the constant Shakespearean nods throughout. Even though proportionally speaking, the last stretch of the novel feels a tad rushed wrapping up loose ends and the required epilogue, I'd rather have this than a shoehorned-in third act conflict (which A Daring Pursuit doesn't really have one—and isn't needed).
Overall, an enjoyable, fast read that doesn't sacrifice craft for cheap thrill.
***The Rake Appreciation Society Book Club | June 2022***
Effortlessly delightful, A Daring Pursuit is a well-oiled machine checking everything on the 'how to historical romance' list; if you want a charming, sexy time packaged in a bingeable writing style and pacing, this endearing enemy-turned-lover story will undoubtedly satisfy.
If one were to break down its ingredients, there's nothing truly unique about A Daring Pursuit, but Kate Bateman manages to introduce enough quirks (a non-virgin heroine, two rival families, and all the animals!), fleshed-out characters, and intense sexual tension to elevate the overly familiar narrative arc. I also really enjoy the constant Shakespearean nods throughout. Even though proportionally speaking, the last stretch of the novel feels a tad rushed wrapping up loose ends and the required epilogue, I'd rather have this than a shoehorned-in third act conflict (which A Daring Pursuit doesn't really have one—and isn't needed).
Overall, an enjoyable, fast read that doesn't sacrifice craft for cheap thrill.
***The Rake Appreciation Society Book Club | June 2022***
May 31, 2022
It's really rough when the boy you've always had a crush on but never been able to actually flirt with (because his family is your family's sworn enemy) comes back from his time away (1.) Hot; (2.) Successful in his profession; (3.) A war hero; (4.) Completely indifferent to you. Of course, that's what Carys thinks of Tristan. He's tried to rid himself of an equally unwanted crush on her for literally years.
Once he gets back to town and they get thrown together again, he discovers her most shameful secret. It has to do with sex because OF COURSE it does. But don't worry, he wants to prove to her that sex can be good with the right guy - and he's willing to sacrifice himself to do so.
They also manage to uncover a treasonous plot, save some wild animals, and fall in love in the meantime. This is a real romp, despite what could be difficult subject matter (Carys's previous lover wasn't just bad in bed, he's also blackmailing her and threatening social ruin). Bateman tackles it with a light touch. We had a great time reading this one!
45-Word Summaries:
Laine: The way to stay ahead of the tiny scandal you were actually involved in is to make your persona an even BIGGER scandal and in the process torment the boy next door who hates you (/has actually loved you all along) until sex lessons ensue.
Meg: He’s your oldest friend, first crush, family enemy, & brother-in-law. Lucky for you he’s the one who overheard your blackmailer extorting you. Also lucky? His conclusion is less “let’s solve your blackmail problem” and more “let’s solve your bad sex problem with good sex … together.”
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Once he gets back to town and they get thrown together again, he discovers her most shameful secret. It has to do with sex because OF COURSE it does. But don't worry, he wants to prove to her that sex can be good with the right guy - and he's willing to sacrifice himself to do so.
They also manage to uncover a treasonous plot, save some wild animals, and fall in love in the meantime. This is a real romp, despite what could be difficult subject matter (Carys's previous lover wasn't just bad in bed, he's also blackmailing her and threatening social ruin). Bateman tackles it with a light touch. We had a great time reading this one!
45-Word Summaries:
Laine: The way to stay ahead of the tiny scandal you were actually involved in is to make your persona an even BIGGER scandal and in the process torment the boy next door who hates you (/has actually loved you all along) until sex lessons ensue.
Meg: He’s your oldest friend, first crush, family enemy, & brother-in-law. Lucky for you he’s the one who overheard your blackmailer extorting you. Also lucky? His conclusion is less “let’s solve your blackmail problem” and more “let’s solve your bad sex problem with good sex … together.”
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
June 12, 2022
Read for The Rake Appreciation Society live show will be June 16 6 pm mst on my channel!
February 13, 2023
Oh, My...ONLY $2.99 From 2/13-2/19!!!
5 Always Delivers For Me Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A VERY Quick Review
I have been reading Kate Bateman for a while now and I have to say...I thoroughly enjoy her books. This series has been extremely fun and this entry hit all of the tones and marks I wanted.
September 24, 2021
Two Families, Both Hating Each Other...
Well, Maybe Hating Is A Little Too Strong...
What Does One Do...
When The One You Are Sure Is Your Enemy...
Is The Only One To Bargain With...
It Is A Tricky Thing...
When These Two Decide...
To Attempt...
A Daring Pursuit (Ruthless Rivals, #2)-May 24, 2022
A Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Daring Pursuit (Ruthless Rivals, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Wicked Game (Ruthless Rivals, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
5 Always Delivers For Me Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A VERY Quick Review
I have been reading Kate Bateman for a while now and I have to say...I thoroughly enjoy her books. This series has been extremely fun and this entry hit all of the tones and marks I wanted.
September 24, 2021
Two Families, Both Hating Each Other...
Well, Maybe Hating Is A Little Too Strong...
What Does One Do...
When The One You Are Sure Is Your Enemy...
Is The Only One To Bargain With...
It Is A Tricky Thing...
When These Two Decide...
To Attempt...
A Daring Pursuit (Ruthless Rivals, #2)-May 24, 2022
A Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Daring Pursuit (Ruthless Rivals, #2) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Wicked Game (Ruthless Rivals, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
July 27, 2022
Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery are members of feuding families that are in increased proximity, as her brother married his sister. Carys is vibrant and as spirited as her red hair is fiery, a darling of society who refuses to settle down and accept a marriage proposal. Tristan is dutiful and serious, and while he knows Carys is not the demure wife he needs to help establish himself as a premiere architect amongst the ton, he is drawn to her. Carys has a reason why she is avoiding marriage, but she can tell no one. She’s been in love with Tristan for years, but her pride will not allow her to let him know it. When Tristan offers to show her what she’s missing by avoiding marriage during for one week, she agrees, knowing this is the only chance she has to experience what Tristan has to offer her. Yet their time together reveals just how right they are for each other.
A Daring Pursuit is a fast-paced, enjoyable historical romance sure to appeal to fans of enemies to lovers romance. Readers who enjoy arguing between a hero and heroine who believe they hate each other when they’re actually flirting will get a kick out of this book. Tristan initially comes off as a stuffed shirt, behaving quite judgmentally towards Carys. However, it’s clear that he’s crazy about her and is fighting his feelings rather unsuccessfully. Carys is the one woman he can’t get out of his mind. Tristan is honorable and very kind and caring deep down under the remote, rigidly proper exterior. He’s the kind of hero who will do just about anything for the woman he loves. Readers soon come to realize why Carys has such unrequited feelings for him. Carys is likable from the beginning. Her sense of style, the way she carries herself, and her remarkable composure in the face of a terrible wrong done to her makes her an admirable heroine. She’s independent and follows her inner conscience very strongly. Her love for animals and innate kindness is a huge strong point of her characterization. They share a strong connection and vibrant sexual chemistry that drives the book to a satisfying conclusion. However, the suspense storyline is not that exciting, and seems like an afterthought. Regency historical romance fans will be entertained with A Daring Pursuit, as they experience’s Carys and Tristan journey to happy ever after.
Advance review copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.
A Daring Pursuit is a fast-paced, enjoyable historical romance sure to appeal to fans of enemies to lovers romance. Readers who enjoy arguing between a hero and heroine who believe they hate each other when they’re actually flirting will get a kick out of this book. Tristan initially comes off as a stuffed shirt, behaving quite judgmentally towards Carys. However, it’s clear that he’s crazy about her and is fighting his feelings rather unsuccessfully. Carys is the one woman he can’t get out of his mind. Tristan is honorable and very kind and caring deep down under the remote, rigidly proper exterior. He’s the kind of hero who will do just about anything for the woman he loves. Readers soon come to realize why Carys has such unrequited feelings for him. Carys is likable from the beginning. Her sense of style, the way she carries herself, and her remarkable composure in the face of a terrible wrong done to her makes her an admirable heroine. She’s independent and follows her inner conscience very strongly. Her love for animals and innate kindness is a huge strong point of her characterization. They share a strong connection and vibrant sexual chemistry that drives the book to a satisfying conclusion. However, the suspense storyline is not that exciting, and seems like an afterthought. Regency historical romance fans will be entertained with A Daring Pursuit, as they experience’s Carys and Tristan journey to happy ever after.
Advance review copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley.
March 31, 2022
Lady Carys Davies is paying blackmail to keep a secret from her past from surfacing. Disillusioned with men and love, she keeps suitors away while longing for Tristan Montgomery, a member of her family’s greatest rivals. Architect Tristan is trying to get his home and life in order, but he’s never stopped wanting Carys. An accidental meeting in a carriage - and a challenge that he should show her what she's missing - leads to lusty lessons that have them both rethinking their futures.
This is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. It can be read alone but it's better with the backstory about the families and their rivalry, which is introduced in book one.
It was long night of reading because I didn’t want to put this story down! I was excited about Tristan and Carys from the last book, and they did not disappoint. Taken advantage of by the man she thought she'd marry, Carys is holding herself together by presenting a carefree facade to the ton. She and Tristan shock each other...with her unlikely, bold proposal and by his accepting. It starts as a bit of a slow burn (Carys and I were both getting impatient), but thankfully the tease doesn't last too long. This book was wildly entertaining and swoony! I can't wait to see more of these families in the next one!
Tropes: Ruined, Feuding Families, Secret Crush, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity/House Party, Lessons
Steam: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ADaringPursuit #NetGalley
This is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. It can be read alone but it's better with the backstory about the families and their rivalry, which is introduced in book one.
It was long night of reading because I didn’t want to put this story down! I was excited about Tristan and Carys from the last book, and they did not disappoint. Taken advantage of by the man she thought she'd marry, Carys is holding herself together by presenting a carefree facade to the ton. She and Tristan shock each other...with her unlikely, bold proposal and by his accepting. It starts as a bit of a slow burn (Carys and I were both getting impatient), but thankfully the tease doesn't last too long. This book was wildly entertaining and swoony! I can't wait to see more of these families in the next one!
Tropes: Ruined, Feuding Families, Secret Crush, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity/House Party, Lessons
Steam: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ADaringPursuit #NetGalley
May 20, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Series: Ruthless Rivals #2
Publication Date: 5/24/22
Period: Regency (1815)
Number of Pages: 317
This book has it all with a deliciously entertaining romance, wonderfully relatable characters, marauding bears, prancing peacocks, mimicking ravens, growling brothers, and traitorous villains. The Davies/Montgomery feud has been going on for generations, so it is natural that our main characters are ‘enemies’ – but are they really? On the outside, each displays that enmity, but on the inside, each is very attracted to the other. Delicious!
Carys Davies is a flamboyant, charming, beautiful, hoyden who could charm the birds out of the trees. She uses all of that flamboyance, beauty, and charm to hide a secret that would bring scandal to her family. One person knows that secret – and is using that knowledge to blackmail her. How does she envision her future? She sees two choices – marry her friend Lord Ellington and have a white marriage – or become an unmarried spinster. It is a real shame that Tristan makes her heart beat faster.
Tristan Montgomery is the polar opposite of Carys. He is sober, dutiful, rule-following, dedicated, and definitely scandal-free. As an architect, he likes order in his world – everything is planned out and each step lined up. At the moment, he’s building himself a home to showcase his talents and he’s already selected his wife-to-be – though he hasn’t proposed yet. It is just too bad that the woman he’s selected doesn’t affect him as Carys Davies does.
Tristan accidentally learns Carys’s secret and he is incensed for her. He’ll keep her secret, but he’d definitely love to mete out some punishment even though she’s asked him not to. However, she does ask him for something. She asks for some instructions on lovemaking. What!! He agrees because, of course, being as disciplined as he is, he can keep his emotions separate from physical encounters. His sister’s house party will be the perfect place for those instructions to begin.
I loved Carys and Tristan together and watching them come to grips with their attraction amidst their generations-long family feud was delightful. They are perfect for each other – he calms her and she livens him up. Together they are able to chase down traitors and face vengeful bears in the woods – and still find their HEA.
My only complaint about this book is the punishment received by the villains. It really wasn’t even a slap on the wrist and it left his young wife with an unsettled and uncertain future. He definitely needed a definitive punishment of some kind – maybe he could have fallen into a pit with the bear. 😊
I definitely recommend the book and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Can't wait for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Ruthless Rivals #2
Publication Date: 5/24/22
Period: Regency (1815)
Number of Pages: 317
This book has it all with a deliciously entertaining romance, wonderfully relatable characters, marauding bears, prancing peacocks, mimicking ravens, growling brothers, and traitorous villains. The Davies/Montgomery feud has been going on for generations, so it is natural that our main characters are ‘enemies’ – but are they really? On the outside, each displays that enmity, but on the inside, each is very attracted to the other. Delicious!
Carys Davies is a flamboyant, charming, beautiful, hoyden who could charm the birds out of the trees. She uses all of that flamboyance, beauty, and charm to hide a secret that would bring scandal to her family. One person knows that secret – and is using that knowledge to blackmail her. How does she envision her future? She sees two choices – marry her friend Lord Ellington and have a white marriage – or become an unmarried spinster. It is a real shame that Tristan makes her heart beat faster.
Tristan Montgomery is the polar opposite of Carys. He is sober, dutiful, rule-following, dedicated, and definitely scandal-free. As an architect, he likes order in his world – everything is planned out and each step lined up. At the moment, he’s building himself a home to showcase his talents and he’s already selected his wife-to-be – though he hasn’t proposed yet. It is just too bad that the woman he’s selected doesn’t affect him as Carys Davies does.
Tristan accidentally learns Carys’s secret and he is incensed for her. He’ll keep her secret, but he’d definitely love to mete out some punishment even though she’s asked him not to. However, she does ask him for something. She asks for some instructions on lovemaking. What!! He agrees because, of course, being as disciplined as he is, he can keep his emotions separate from physical encounters. His sister’s house party will be the perfect place for those instructions to begin.
I loved Carys and Tristan together and watching them come to grips with their attraction amidst their generations-long family feud was delightful. They are perfect for each other – he calms her and she livens him up. Together they are able to chase down traitors and face vengeful bears in the woods – and still find their HEA.
My only complaint about this book is the punishment received by the villains. It really wasn’t even a slap on the wrist and it left his young wife with an unsettled and uncertain future. He definitely needed a definitive punishment of some kind – maybe he could have fallen into a pit with the bear. 😊
I definitely recommend the book and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Can't wait for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 14, 2022
i had 5 hours until my library loan for this book was due and a quiet saturday morning all to myself. pure fucking bliss be thy name ☀️
just one thing to add as a personal note—
reading this book with brazil by declan mckenna playing in the background made me feel a certain kinda way that words cannot even describe 🤭
the premise of this story was, in many ways, verrryy similar to its predecessor. two families in the middle of a rivalry spanning back centuries and smack dab in the heart of all that chaos, we have two kindred spirits in the form of carys davies and tristan montgomery. what these two have—playful banter, passion, fervour, love, hate, yearning, gravitational pull towards each other, whatever you wanna call it. it’s ALL there and i relished every second of it 🤌🏽
so y’all know how i am absolute trash for an immaculate dirty talker but trust that sweet talking tristan montgomery will hold the unparalleled power to bring one to heel, hitting all the right spots with all the flirty energy (even when said sweet talker gave a comprehensive rundown of certain architectural planes and how they compare to other “planes”, iykyk).
the icing on the cake—
the fact that he built his new house for his “future” while subconsciously envisioning carys as one of it’s inhabitants ?? my dears, if your love language is the giving and receiving of gifts, you need not look further bc what we have here is straight out of a dream 🥹
also, carys was an absolute gem to read about. have y’all met julie baker from the movie flipped ?? yess ?? bc carys is THE regency embodiment of julie baker and I AM LIVING FOR THATT. all that luminous energy and carefree spirit—i fell so utterly in love. makes sense that tristan would too. but like also both of them together ?? DOWNRIGHT FUCKEN ELECTRIC ⚡️
i just loooved everything about this story. from carys trying to untangle the intricate mess that is the grasp patriarchy and the eyes of “gentle society” to tristan being the unapologetic malewife and reserving the right to ride right through every storm together while loving and cherishing and protecting carys every step of the way 💅
also, i think i mentioned this in my review for a reckless match but can we just talk about how amazing the other characters are. i mean, gryff as a love interest in book one was ✨something✨ but this brooding welsh man as a an unproblematic yet loving and protective brother to carys mADE ME FUCKING WEAK IN THE KNEES.
idk what else to say. just 👏🏽 so 👏🏽 fucking 👏🏽 utterly 👏🏽 good 👏🏽
if you’re reading this, plzz go do yourself a favour and devour this story immediately (and read the first book too while you’re at it 🤍).
also as a final note—
consider this my unofficial pledge to devour anything and everything that kate bateman writes (both backlist and upcoming releases) ☝🏽
just one thing to add as a personal note—
reading this book with brazil by declan mckenna playing in the background made me feel a certain kinda way that words cannot even describe 🤭
the premise of this story was, in many ways, verrryy similar to its predecessor. two families in the middle of a rivalry spanning back centuries and smack dab in the heart of all that chaos, we have two kindred spirits in the form of carys davies and tristan montgomery. what these two have—playful banter, passion, fervour, love, hate, yearning, gravitational pull towards each other, whatever you wanna call it. it’s ALL there and i relished every second of it 🤌🏽
so y’all know how i am absolute trash for an immaculate dirty talker but trust that sweet talking tristan montgomery will hold the unparalleled power to bring one to heel, hitting all the right spots with all the flirty energy (even when said sweet talker gave a comprehensive rundown of certain architectural planes and how they compare to other “planes”, iykyk).
the icing on the cake—
the fact that he built his new house for his “future” while subconsciously envisioning carys as one of it’s inhabitants ?? my dears, if your love language is the giving and receiving of gifts, you need not look further bc what we have here is straight out of a dream 🥹
also, carys was an absolute gem to read about. have y’all met julie baker from the movie flipped ?? yess ?? bc carys is THE regency embodiment of julie baker and I AM LIVING FOR THATT. all that luminous energy and carefree spirit—i fell so utterly in love. makes sense that tristan would too. but like also both of them together ?? DOWNRIGHT FUCKEN ELECTRIC ⚡️
i just loooved everything about this story. from carys trying to untangle the intricate mess that is the grasp patriarchy and the eyes of “gentle society” to tristan being the unapologetic malewife and reserving the right to ride right through every storm together while loving and cherishing and protecting carys every step of the way 💅
also, i think i mentioned this in my review for a reckless match but can we just talk about how amazing the other characters are. i mean, gryff as a love interest in book one was ✨something✨ but this brooding welsh man as a an unproblematic yet loving and protective brother to carys mADE ME FUCKING WEAK IN THE KNEES.
idk what else to say. just 👏🏽 so 👏🏽 fucking 👏🏽 utterly 👏🏽 good 👏🏽
if you’re reading this, plzz go do yourself a favour and devour this story immediately (and read the first book too while you’re at it 🤍).
also as a final note—
consider this my unofficial pledge to devour anything and everything that kate bateman writes (both backlist and upcoming releases) ☝🏽
April 2, 2022
Kate Bateman is fast becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Her books always seem to have just the right amount of steam, humor and angst that I crave. This is the second book in her Ruthless Rivals series. I haven't read the first one yet but I plan on reading it soon. So, good news this one can be read as a stand alone.
Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery are from two families with centuries of feuding between them. Their story is achingly romantic. During a house party thrown by Maddie,Tristan's sister they agree to explore the attraction between them. During this week things get incredibly hot and steamy. Carys and Tristan's chemistry is off the charts! This book had everything I could have wanted, including a Thank God we're still alive sex scene. Just so perfect.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery are from two families with centuries of feuding between them. Their story is achingly romantic. During a house party thrown by Maddie,Tristan's sister they agree to explore the attraction between them. During this week things get incredibly hot and steamy. Carys and Tristan's chemistry is off the charts! This book had everything I could have wanted, including a Thank God we're still alive sex scene. Just so perfect.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2022
A Daring Pursuit is book 2 in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series. After book 1 jumped onto my favorites list of last year, I could not wait to dive into this book. And this enemies-with-benefits was such a great time! The Montgomery and Davies families have been feuding for centuries, but it is a thin line between love and hate…
Carys Davies has spent the past two seasons doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Known for her outrageous outfits amongst the ton, Carys has actually been trying to hide a secret that could ruin her and her family. With her scandalous outfits and carefree, confident attitude, Carys has been able to keep potential suitors at bay. The only one who seems to see through her act is Tristan Montgomery, her neighbor from her rival’s family and also the man who makes her heart race. Tristan has spent years trying to appear cool and indifferent to Carys, but he’s equally as aware of her whenever they’re around. So when Tristan finds Carys in a scandalous position, he makes an assumption that leads to a proposition…he will show her every delicious thing she’s missing out on by denying herself a marriage. For one week they’ll give in and explore their mutual attraction and then go their separate ways. Because enemies-with-benefits is definitely the way to go! But when blackmail and a treasonous plot try to get in their way, Tristan and Carys have to have trust in one another.
This book instantly grabbed my attention and I had the best time reading it. I really enjoyed Tristan and Carys’ chemistry, their banter was so fun and how much he loved her wit and sass was great. We also really get a sense of the history they share of growing up next to one another and I loved when they reminisce about childhood moments in their past. I really loved how they both were pining for one another over the years and come to realize just how deeply they have wanted one another in their life. Carys shares her secrets with Tristan pretty early on and the amount of trust between them was so nice to see. Other moments I enjoyed: Carys and her love for animals, Huginn and Muninn the ravens, the week-long house party in Wales, Tristan is an architect and building a new house, Buttercup the bear, a celadon green painted room, meddling aunts and their poison, costume parties, we see Gryff and Maddie (from book 1, A Reckless Match), and Carys’ other brothers Rhys and Morgan.
Thank you to the publisher (St. Martin’s Press, SMP Romance) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this honest review are my own. A Daring Pursuit has a publish date of May 24, 2022.
Carys Davies has spent the past two seasons doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Known for her outrageous outfits amongst the ton, Carys has actually been trying to hide a secret that could ruin her and her family. With her scandalous outfits and carefree, confident attitude, Carys has been able to keep potential suitors at bay. The only one who seems to see through her act is Tristan Montgomery, her neighbor from her rival’s family and also the man who makes her heart race. Tristan has spent years trying to appear cool and indifferent to Carys, but he’s equally as aware of her whenever they’re around. So when Tristan finds Carys in a scandalous position, he makes an assumption that leads to a proposition…he will show her every delicious thing she’s missing out on by denying herself a marriage. For one week they’ll give in and explore their mutual attraction and then go their separate ways. Because enemies-with-benefits is definitely the way to go! But when blackmail and a treasonous plot try to get in their way, Tristan and Carys have to have trust in one another.
This book instantly grabbed my attention and I had the best time reading it. I really enjoyed Tristan and Carys’ chemistry, their banter was so fun and how much he loved her wit and sass was great. We also really get a sense of the history they share of growing up next to one another and I loved when they reminisce about childhood moments in their past. I really loved how they both were pining for one another over the years and come to realize just how deeply they have wanted one another in their life. Carys shares her secrets with Tristan pretty early on and the amount of trust between them was so nice to see. Other moments I enjoyed: Carys and her love for animals, Huginn and Muninn the ravens, the week-long house party in Wales, Tristan is an architect and building a new house, Buttercup the bear, a celadon green painted room, meddling aunts and their poison, costume parties, we see Gryff and Maddie (from book 1, A Reckless Match), and Carys’ other brothers Rhys and Morgan.
Thank you to the publisher (St. Martin’s Press, SMP Romance) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this honest review are my own. A Daring Pursuit has a publish date of May 24, 2022.
September 26, 2022
I'm a huge Kate Bateman fan, but I personally found A Daring Pursuit to be less compelling than A Reckless Match.
A Daring Pursuit follows the feuding Welsh Davies family and the English Montgomery family, just like the first in the series, but this time, the families are already intermingled due to the marriage between the MCs in the first of the series. That fact alone made this set up a bit... peculiar.
These two MCs obviously were into each other, and the long-standing feud was already practically over after the first book, so why all of the fake animosity and reluctance? There was no new bad blood there, so the hesitation and secrecy felt fake to me.
I've also read more than one blackmail book, so the set up also didn't feel fresh. There were some little twists and turns there, and I always enjoy this author's writing style, but it wasn't a book that I had a hard time putting down.
I'm hoping the rest of the Ruthless Rivals series brings more spice and excitement.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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A Daring Pursuit follows the feuding Welsh Davies family and the English Montgomery family, just like the first in the series, but this time, the families are already intermingled due to the marriage between the MCs in the first of the series. That fact alone made this set up a bit... peculiar.
These two MCs obviously were into each other, and the long-standing feud was already practically over after the first book, so why all of the fake animosity and reluctance? There was no new bad blood there, so the hesitation and secrecy felt fake to me.
I've also read more than one blackmail book, so the set up also didn't feel fresh. There were some little twists and turns there, and I always enjoy this author's writing style, but it wasn't a book that I had a hard time putting down.
I'm hoping the rest of the Ruthless Rivals series brings more spice and excitement.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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February 11, 2022
“A Daring Pursuit” (Ruthless Rivals #2) the second installment in the Davies and Montgomery families and the ongoing love and hate between them.
This is again another trope of frenemies to lovers. Carys Davis has her reasons for not getting married. As a young woman, she had an indiscretion with a gentleman whom she thought would make an offer, however the gentleman in question proposed to another. She now must hide her secret of ruination to save her family from scandal and the only way to do that is to scandalize herself among the ton and scare away any prospects. Her problem…Tristan Montgomery, a rival of her family, who sees straight through her façade and one makes her heated every time she sees him.
Tristan Montgomery is a gentleman that has a passion for architect. He has always had a penchant for Carys and wants her in his bed. After finding out that she is being blackmailed by her ex-lover, she challenges him to show her how a woman should be loved as she did not experience anything great when she was ruined. Tristan takes her up on her challenge and they decided to meet during a one week stay at her brother’s country estate.
The story started off to a slow start and my guess was to establish the feudal lines between the family. There was quite of bit of angst in the beginning to around a third of the book that I got bored just a bit although it kept my interest. Finally, I got excited when and unexpected kiss initiated a deeper attraction between the MCs. The story was well-written and enjoyed the slow building attraction between the H/h. I think I enjoyed the first book more than this but this one was just as nice. Recommend this read and looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
This is again another trope of frenemies to lovers. Carys Davis has her reasons for not getting married. As a young woman, she had an indiscretion with a gentleman whom she thought would make an offer, however the gentleman in question proposed to another. She now must hide her secret of ruination to save her family from scandal and the only way to do that is to scandalize herself among the ton and scare away any prospects. Her problem…Tristan Montgomery, a rival of her family, who sees straight through her façade and one makes her heated every time she sees him.
Tristan Montgomery is a gentleman that has a passion for architect. He has always had a penchant for Carys and wants her in his bed. After finding out that she is being blackmailed by her ex-lover, she challenges him to show her how a woman should be loved as she did not experience anything great when she was ruined. Tristan takes her up on her challenge and they decided to meet during a one week stay at her brother’s country estate.
The story started off to a slow start and my guess was to establish the feudal lines between the family. There was quite of bit of angst in the beginning to around a third of the book that I got bored just a bit although it kept my interest. Finally, I got excited when and unexpected kiss initiated a deeper attraction between the MCs. The story was well-written and enjoyed the slow building attraction between the H/h. I think I enjoyed the first book more than this but this one was just as nice. Recommend this read and looking forward to more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
April 21, 2022
I was honored to be invited to receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Book 1 in the series was my first book by the author. I liked it very much. Enemies to Lovers is not my favorite trope, and that is what this entire series is about. I was pleasantly surpised that Kate Bateman did it again. She pulled off an enjoyable story.
Carys Davies was a firecracker. She was desired by men and flaunted her beauty. However, at heart, she felt alone in her problems. She wore fashion as armor and flirted to cover her pain. I felt bad for her but appreciated her drive to keep moving forward.
Tristan Montgomery was her opposite in personality and style. He was serious, aloof, and chose his actions based on his planned goals and long-term dreams. He followed his head, not his heart. This is the type of hero I am drawn to. However, he also lied to himself and tried to convince some decisions were for reasons other than his true motivations. My only complaint in this book is the same as with the first - the hero - but for different reasons. It seemed out of character to me that this low profile man who would marry based on a list of qualifications rather than for love or even lust would be such an experienced master at sex. I would have preferred him to have been less experienced.
That being said, the scenes were hot. These two definitely had chemistry. There was also a mystery and an adventure in addition to their secret meetings - a fun read. I look forward to book 3. I'm sure she can pull off enemies to lovers another time.
Carys Davies was a firecracker. She was desired by men and flaunted her beauty. However, at heart, she felt alone in her problems. She wore fashion as armor and flirted to cover her pain. I felt bad for her but appreciated her drive to keep moving forward.
Tristan Montgomery was her opposite in personality and style. He was serious, aloof, and chose his actions based on his planned goals and long-term dreams. He followed his head, not his heart. This is the type of hero I am drawn to. However, he also lied to himself and tried to convince some decisions were for reasons other than his true motivations. My only complaint in this book is the same as with the first - the hero - but for different reasons. It seemed out of character to me that this low profile man who would marry based on a list of qualifications rather than for love or even lust would be such an experienced master at sex. I would have preferred him to have been less experienced.
That being said, the scenes were hot. These two definitely had chemistry. There was also a mystery and an adventure in addition to their secret meetings - a fun read. I look forward to book 3. I'm sure she can pull off enemies to lovers another time.
July 4, 2022
I've given this a C+ at AAR, so 3.5 stars
Kate Bateman returns to the world of the feuding Davies and Montgomery families for this second book in her Ruthless Rivals series. The protagonists this time around are Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery, sister and brother respectively of the hero and heroine from A Reckless Match - but while the leads are attractive and the writing is strong, the humour and witty banter I so enjoy from this author is missing and there simply isn’t enough story to carry a full-length novel, especially as the rivalry between the families has been rendered moot by the marriage of Maddie and Gryff in the previous book.
Since being seduced and immediately dumped by the man she’d believed herself in love with, Carys Davies has been doing everything she can think of to avoid marriage. To keep potential suitors at bay, as well as a way to distract attention from her still unmarried state, she’s spent the past couple of seasons shocking the ton with her outspokenness and scandalous outfits. She’s under no illusions about the potential consequences of her mistake; she can’t risk a husband discovering, on their wedding night, that she’s not a virgin, so it’s easiest to eschew the institution altogether – and anyway, her single sexual experience was so utterly underwhelming, she can’t imagine why she would ever want to do it again. To add insult to injury, the gentlman responsible (who is clearly no gentleman) is now blackmailing her, threatening to expose her ruin if she doesn’t meet his frequent demands for money.
Carys refuses to allow herself to be cowed however, and continues to take delight in needling and scandalising the darkly gorgeous but rather staid Tristan Montgomery, who has been her nemesis since they were younger. The attraction that smoulders between them whenever they’re in the same room is both delicious and incredibly annoying – but despite the fact that they can’t go near one another without wanting to rip each other’s clothes off, Carys’ determination never to marry and Tristan’s to find himself a sensible, respectable wife who will support him in his career choices puts paid to thoughts that there could ever be anything more between them.
Tristan finds Carys intensely infuriating and intensely desirable in equal measure, and when he inadvertantly discovers the secret she’s been keeping he’s hurt and then furious. On learning that Carys’ seducer had neglected to show her “a good time”, he offers her the chance to find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to sex. After all, they can still be enemies… they’ll just be enemies with benefits.
While the chemistry between Carys and Tristan is terrific and the sex scenes are nicely steamy, the emotional aspect of the romance is sadly underwritten. Tristan uncovers Carys’ secret – and learns about the blackmail – fairly early on, so I’d hoped to see the development of a deep emotional connection between them alongside the sexual exploration, but it doesn’t happen. Instead, it feels as though all that has already happened by the time we meet them, and all that’s left is for them to actually admit to each other – and themselves – that they’re in love. The denial makes little sense given that Tristan is looking to get married anyway – he and Carys are dynamite in bed and they obviously share similar tastes and a sense of humour – and the family feud is over and done with thanks to Maddie and Gryff. There’s literally nothing standing in their way and the denial as a point of conflict is weak and unconvincing.
Tristan and Carys are likeable and clearly made for each other. I often dislike so-called ‘unconventional’ heroines, but Carys is, fortunately, not one of those TSTL curl-tossers; rather she’s a bright and intelligent young woman trying to make the best of a bad lot and trying to keep her family safe in doing so. She hasn’t told her brothers what happened to her for fear they’ll do something stupid, like challenge her seducer to a duel and either be killed or forced to flee the country, and I liked her for her clear-sightedness on that score. Tristan is more your stock-in-trade dark, broodingly sexy hero; he’s charming and clearly cares deeply for Carys, but struggles to be more than two-dimensional.
In the end, despite the engaging characters and their great chemistry, A Daring Pursuit is just a bit… dull. There’s a crazy plot involving traitorous gold and an escaped bear (yes, really!) introduced just after the three-quarters mark, but it’s so silly and so last minute that it doesn’t really help matters. Kate Bateman is capable of writing detailed and well-thought out plots that really anchor a story in a time and place, but this comes across as just a ridiculous turn of events to get us to the end of the book.
I may check out the next in the series – which I am guessing will be about Carys’ brother Morgan and Tristan’s cousin Harriet, whose dynamic seems very different to the other couples in the series so far – but unfortunately, I have to put A Daring Pursuit in the ‘not quite recommendable’ column.
Kate Bateman returns to the world of the feuding Davies and Montgomery families for this second book in her Ruthless Rivals series. The protagonists this time around are Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery, sister and brother respectively of the hero and heroine from A Reckless Match - but while the leads are attractive and the writing is strong, the humour and witty banter I so enjoy from this author is missing and there simply isn’t enough story to carry a full-length novel, especially as the rivalry between the families has been rendered moot by the marriage of Maddie and Gryff in the previous book.
Since being seduced and immediately dumped by the man she’d believed herself in love with, Carys Davies has been doing everything she can think of to avoid marriage. To keep potential suitors at bay, as well as a way to distract attention from her still unmarried state, she’s spent the past couple of seasons shocking the ton with her outspokenness and scandalous outfits. She’s under no illusions about the potential consequences of her mistake; she can’t risk a husband discovering, on their wedding night, that she’s not a virgin, so it’s easiest to eschew the institution altogether – and anyway, her single sexual experience was so utterly underwhelming, she can’t imagine why she would ever want to do it again. To add insult to injury, the gentlman responsible (who is clearly no gentleman) is now blackmailing her, threatening to expose her ruin if she doesn’t meet his frequent demands for money.
Carys refuses to allow herself to be cowed however, and continues to take delight in needling and scandalising the darkly gorgeous but rather staid Tristan Montgomery, who has been her nemesis since they were younger. The attraction that smoulders between them whenever they’re in the same room is both delicious and incredibly annoying – but despite the fact that they can’t go near one another without wanting to rip each other’s clothes off, Carys’ determination never to marry and Tristan’s to find himself a sensible, respectable wife who will support him in his career choices puts paid to thoughts that there could ever be anything more between them.
Tristan finds Carys intensely infuriating and intensely desirable in equal measure, and when he inadvertantly discovers the secret she’s been keeping he’s hurt and then furious. On learning that Carys’ seducer had neglected to show her “a good time”, he offers her the chance to find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to sex. After all, they can still be enemies… they’ll just be enemies with benefits.
While the chemistry between Carys and Tristan is terrific and the sex scenes are nicely steamy, the emotional aspect of the romance is sadly underwritten. Tristan uncovers Carys’ secret – and learns about the blackmail – fairly early on, so I’d hoped to see the development of a deep emotional connection between them alongside the sexual exploration, but it doesn’t happen. Instead, it feels as though all that has already happened by the time we meet them, and all that’s left is for them to actually admit to each other – and themselves – that they’re in love. The denial makes little sense given that Tristan is looking to get married anyway – he and Carys are dynamite in bed and they obviously share similar tastes and a sense of humour – and the family feud is over and done with thanks to Maddie and Gryff. There’s literally nothing standing in their way and the denial as a point of conflict is weak and unconvincing.
Tristan and Carys are likeable and clearly made for each other. I often dislike so-called ‘unconventional’ heroines, but Carys is, fortunately, not one of those TSTL curl-tossers; rather she’s a bright and intelligent young woman trying to make the best of a bad lot and trying to keep her family safe in doing so. She hasn’t told her brothers what happened to her for fear they’ll do something stupid, like challenge her seducer to a duel and either be killed or forced to flee the country, and I liked her for her clear-sightedness on that score. Tristan is more your stock-in-trade dark, broodingly sexy hero; he’s charming and clearly cares deeply for Carys, but struggles to be more than two-dimensional.
In the end, despite the engaging characters and their great chemistry, A Daring Pursuit is just a bit… dull. There’s a crazy plot involving traitorous gold and an escaped bear (yes, really!) introduced just after the three-quarters mark, but it’s so silly and so last minute that it doesn’t really help matters. Kate Bateman is capable of writing detailed and well-thought out plots that really anchor a story in a time and place, but this comes across as just a ridiculous turn of events to get us to the end of the book.
I may check out the next in the series – which I am guessing will be about Carys’ brother Morgan and Tristan’s cousin Harriet, whose dynamic seems very different to the other couples in the series so far – but unfortunately, I have to put A Daring Pursuit in the ‘not quite recommendable’ column.
June 6, 2022
‘TWO ENEMIES
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?’
____________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
A Daring Pursuit is the second book in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series and is a historical romance. This book could serve as a stand-alone, but I think it’s better if you have the backstory of the rivalry between the two families.
I was curious as to how the author would carry the feud between the families into the second book after the marriage between Maddie and Gryff bridged the gap. It was done nicely, as the feud was a barrier in a different way for them than it was for Tristan and Carys.
I thought Carys was so great. She uses her daring as armor and is the darling of the ton, but it’s all a front. Tristan strives to be measured and follow all the rules to pave the way for his career in architecture. The two are quite opposite, so despite harboring an attraction for one another, they find they frequently annoy one another. Tristan especially I found to be a bit quick to judge in his annoyance with Carys, so I was really glad when he was later proven wrong about a quite rude snap judgment (that admittedly derived from some pretty damning looking evidence).
I stayed up later than I should have while reading this book. I loved the blend of tension and humor between these characters. It wasn’t so much enemies-to-lovers as it’s frenemies-to-lovers and that added to that dynamic because as the saying goes “better the devil you know…” The only thing for me with this book was that I didn’t find the resolution with the villains to be that satisfying.
I really enjoy Kate Bateman’s books and I’ve loved the series so far so I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing an eARC of A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman. This is my honest review.
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?’
____________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
A Daring Pursuit is the second book in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series and is a historical romance. This book could serve as a stand-alone, but I think it’s better if you have the backstory of the rivalry between the two families.
I was curious as to how the author would carry the feud between the families into the second book after the marriage between Maddie and Gryff bridged the gap. It was done nicely, as the feud was a barrier in a different way for them than it was for Tristan and Carys.
I thought Carys was so great. She uses her daring as armor and is the darling of the ton, but it’s all a front. Tristan strives to be measured and follow all the rules to pave the way for his career in architecture. The two are quite opposite, so despite harboring an attraction for one another, they find they frequently annoy one another. Tristan especially I found to be a bit quick to judge in his annoyance with Carys, so I was really glad when he was later proven wrong about a quite rude snap judgment (that admittedly derived from some pretty damning looking evidence).
I stayed up later than I should have while reading this book. I loved the blend of tension and humor between these characters. It wasn’t so much enemies-to-lovers as it’s frenemies-to-lovers and that added to that dynamic because as the saying goes “better the devil you know…” The only thing for me with this book was that I didn’t find the resolution with the villains to be that satisfying.
I really enjoy Kate Bateman’s books and I’ve loved the series so far so I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing an eARC of A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman. This is my honest review.
October 20, 2022
Carys Davies has every intention of avoiding marriage. Thanks to the need to hide a secret that could be potentially ruinous to her family, she doesn’t have much choice. Instead, she’s occupied herself by keeping high society guessing what her next outrageous outfit might be, using her ever-wild behavior as a way to discourage suitors. Beneath the mask she presents to the world, Carys is very unsure if she even believes in the possibility of love anymore, but everyone believes in the persona she presents. Everyone, that is, except Tristan Montgomery.
Lord Tristan Montgomery is all that is proper and correct. Having returned from battling Napoleon, his interest now lies in establishing his career as an architect before he inherits his father’s title. He’s always wanted Carys though, so when she challenges him to show her all she’d be missing by not marrying, he calls her bluff. He’ll arrange furtive meetings for them during his sister’s week-long house party, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But passion between them ignites much hotter than either expected and when they stumble upon a treasonous plot, Tristan and Carys are forced to evaluate their true feelings in a hurry.
This book was enemies, more like frenemies really, to lovers in the best way. There were no heaps of unnecessary angst or drama, and I was so happy about that. The chemistry between Tristan and Carys fairly leapt off the page, it was so palpable. Everyone around them could see that they belonged together, it was just the two of them who had to catch up. I loved that once he’d realized his feelings, Tristan wasn’t afraid to ask for what he truly wanted, even if Carys had a hard time believing his sincerity at first. His protectiveness of her and her scandalous secret was like catnip to me and, although I think it took a bit for the plot to really get going, the bedroom lessons trope was so well-employed here. I think both Tristan and Carys had some learning to do about intimacy and I loved the fact that they made those discoveries together and it caused them to realize they had probably always loved one another. Add in a bit of adventure to catalyze Tristan and Carys’ getting together and this book had just about everything I like in a romance. This has been a delightful series so far and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Lord Tristan Montgomery is all that is proper and correct. Having returned from battling Napoleon, his interest now lies in establishing his career as an architect before he inherits his father’s title. He’s always wanted Carys though, so when she challenges him to show her all she’d be missing by not marrying, he calls her bluff. He’ll arrange furtive meetings for them during his sister’s week-long house party, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But passion between them ignites much hotter than either expected and when they stumble upon a treasonous plot, Tristan and Carys are forced to evaluate their true feelings in a hurry.
This book was enemies, more like frenemies really, to lovers in the best way. There were no heaps of unnecessary angst or drama, and I was so happy about that. The chemistry between Tristan and Carys fairly leapt off the page, it was so palpable. Everyone around them could see that they belonged together, it was just the two of them who had to catch up. I loved that once he’d realized his feelings, Tristan wasn’t afraid to ask for what he truly wanted, even if Carys had a hard time believing his sincerity at first. His protectiveness of her and her scandalous secret was like catnip to me and, although I think it took a bit for the plot to really get going, the bedroom lessons trope was so well-employed here. I think both Tristan and Carys had some learning to do about intimacy and I loved the fact that they made those discoveries together and it caused them to realize they had probably always loved one another. Add in a bit of adventure to catalyze Tristan and Carys’ getting together and this book had just about everything I like in a romance. This has been a delightful series so far and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
February 20, 2022
Friends are easy to come by, but a good enemy's almost impossible to find.
Oh how I adore these two feuding families. Montgomeries and Davies have been hating each other for centuries, but that is all about to change...
Tristan and Carys couldn't be more different. He is quite and reserved, she is as wild and independent as can be. He loves to stay hidden, she deliberately sets tongues wagging with outrages clothes and daring speeches. For years they have bickered and teased, but when Tristan discovers she is being blackmailed by a man she thought she'd loved, he is outraged. They soon enter a bargain: enemies with benefits. Give in to the fire they have both been pretending doesn't spark every time they meet. After all. What can go wrong? Surely their enmity will keep their hearts safe. It can't be more than physical. Can it?
I really liked these two together. They both have loved the other for years but were too afraid. Or stubborn. Or both. I loved seeing Tristan come ever so reluctantly out of his shell. And Carys is just my kind of heroine: strong, independent, with heart of gold.
The aunts, as always, provide delightful comic relief, and Cary's brothers are still adorable. They are such lovely and FUN families to read about!
This is another delightful enemies-to-lovers story. The only thing I didn't like was Tristan's behavior in the beginning. It is explained, but. For me it crossed the line into hurtful there for a minute. But seriously, only a minute. I also could have lived without the drama towards the end, but it fit, and at least they tackled it together, leaving no doubt about how perfectly matched these two are and how they will still bicker and balance each other out in years to come.
If you love a good enemies-to-lovers story with strong heroines and teasing heroes who cherish their partners' strength, I cannot recommend this series highly enough!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for am honest review*
Oh how I adore these two feuding families. Montgomeries and Davies have been hating each other for centuries, but that is all about to change...
Tristan and Carys couldn't be more different. He is quite and reserved, she is as wild and independent as can be. He loves to stay hidden, she deliberately sets tongues wagging with outrages clothes and daring speeches. For years they have bickered and teased, but when Tristan discovers she is being blackmailed by a man she thought she'd loved, he is outraged. They soon enter a bargain: enemies with benefits. Give in to the fire they have both been pretending doesn't spark every time they meet. After all. What can go wrong? Surely their enmity will keep their hearts safe. It can't be more than physical. Can it?
I really liked these two together. They both have loved the other for years but were too afraid. Or stubborn. Or both. I loved seeing Tristan come ever so reluctantly out of his shell. And Carys is just my kind of heroine: strong, independent, with heart of gold.
The aunts, as always, provide delightful comic relief, and Cary's brothers are still adorable. They are such lovely and FUN families to read about!
This is another delightful enemies-to-lovers story. The only thing I didn't like was Tristan's behavior in the beginning. It is explained, but. For me it crossed the line into hurtful there for a minute. But seriously, only a minute. I also could have lived without the drama towards the end, but it fit, and at least they tackled it together, leaving no doubt about how perfectly matched these two are and how they will still bicker and balance each other out in years to come.
If you love a good enemies-to-lovers story with strong heroines and teasing heroes who cherish their partners' strength, I cannot recommend this series highly enough!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for am honest review*
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