The first in a new regency romance series about two feuding families and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love.
Maddie Montgomery’s family is in debt, and her hope rests on the rival Davies clan missing their yearly “pledge of goodwill,” ceding the land that separates their estates. With Maddie’s teenage nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, away, hope is in reach.
But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they’ve also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.
Kate Bateman brings crackling banter, steamy romance, and a dash of adventure into the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series.
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
This is my first time reading a historical romance by Kate Bateman, but I’ll without a doubt be reading more.
“Afternoon, Miss Montgomery. Ready for adventure?”
“Always.”
The Davies and Montgomery’s families have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. Gryff tortured Maddie as a child and now that they are all grown up he still finds her just as fun to tease but in a more scandalous way. They happen to stumble onto a smugglers’ hideout on their families shared land and it leads to an unexpected truce. As the situation increases in danger, so does the sexual chemistry between them. When true feelings take root, will there be a way to keep what they built in secret.
“A world without her in it, opposing him, was unthinkable.”
This was such a quick read for me. I was invested in our two leading characters and the adventure they find themselves on, which was a bit more than I expected, but it worked. Maddie is an independent woman for her time. She’s passionate about archeology and jumps at the chance to explore hidden caves, even if it’s with her enemy. She was excitable when it came to her passions and just a well-balanced character, there wasn’t any point where I wasn’t enjoying her point of view. Gryff is a cheeky bastard with his sly innuendos and little smirks. Of course, I fell for him instantly lol The two of them were just great together , I couldn’t get enough of their bickering, and you could feel their connection coming of the page. Their relationship does not lack in the steam department, and I loved every moment of it.
“”I’ve dreamed of tasting you.” Her knees almost gave out. She gave a little squeak of surprise as his tongue flicked against her skin.
A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman is a historical romance filled with sexual tension, passionate encounters, smugglers, danger, and family rivalries. The first in a series that I plan to continue !
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