The families of Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies, the new Earl of Powys, have been bitter rivals for generations. Childhood teasing leads to attraction when they meet again as adults. But can it be real when all they know is to distrust the other side?

This book was a delight! It was such a nice change of pace to have a regency romance set in Wales. The banter between Maddie and Gryff was so fun! The enemies to lovers story also had humor, adventure and plenty of steam. This gets all the stars from me! I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-copy of this book.

AHHH OKay, this is being added to my favorites shelf! I think I'm adding it to my top historical romance favorite of 2021! This was so good and it sucked me in! I love rival families especially old ones and the couple has some great banter and the flirting was off the charts! Gosh the first chapter was so vivid I can "see" Gryff riding his horse off the pages. The pace and storyline flowed very well and I just love our main couple. Had me smiling and I highly recommend. I love this cover too! I can't wait for the next one!!!!

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Loved "Reckless Match,"by Kate Bateman. The story of a feud between two-families, Davies and Montgomerys. The teasing bantering between Gryuff and Maddie was fun. Loved the way this story was written. It had a little bit of suspense, frien-enemy, romance, and love. There were sections in the book that had me laughing out loud. Which made my husband look at me crazy!! lol 😂 I loved this book....can't wait for the next one. I received this book from Netgalley to give an honest review.

‘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.’
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A Reckless Match is the first book in Kate Bateman’s new series, Ruthless Rivals and is a historical romance and adventure.

This is the first book by this author that I’ve read although I’ve had a few of her books on my ereader that I’ve been hoping to read but hadn’t gotten to yet. This book grabbed me right from the first, when the extremes of the feud between the two families are explained with the perfect blend of funny. The plot included all my favorite things: adventure, danger, banter, humor, and romance.

I really appreciated that this story is a variation of the enemies-to-lovers trope in which the main characters don’t hate each other for a terrible and unforgivable thing one did to the other, which I feel like is normally the source of the tension with this trope. They had teased and taunted one another for years during their childhood, but that just added to their tension and their dynamic. Both main characters were truly so lovely, I enjoyed each moment of following their story.


I’m really looking forward to reading the next book and continuing the series. I’m sure the tension will be altered a bit now that Maddie and Gryff have made the first steps to bridging the divide between the two families, but I’m curious to see how that will shape the following books. A Reckless Match has been one of my favorite reads of 2021. I’ll be moving the others books I have by this author up on my TBR.

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I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for sharing an eARC of A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman with me. This is my honest review.

Rivals for at least 500 years over a stolen pig or was it a woman, the Davies and Montgomery families must shake hands at the bridge in the middle of neutral territory on the spring equinox. This year a new Davies, now the Earl of Powys will meet a young lady, Madeline Montgomery. Attracted to each for years, Gryffud and Maddie will accidentally discover smugglers, secret caves, unexpected wealth and a binding love for each other. An end to the rivalry. Adventures in Wales with little time in London. A former soldier and an anthropologist. STEAMY!!!

Wow! Oh boy, Kate Bateman did not disappoint! This enemies to lovers historical regency romance is such an enchanting romance as well as a fantastic adventure. It sucked me in from the very first pages. The attraction and heat between the main characters, emanates from them whenever they are with each other, their witty, salacious and enticing innuendo between them is utterly outrageous and gloriously arousing. I couldn’t get enough of this story and these characters. I devoured this book because it consumed my every thought. Their interactions, their desire, the heart and care from both characters. Readers will Love Love Love A Reckless Match the first book of the Ruthless Rivals series.

Maddie Montgomery and her family are in dire straits. So as Maddie waits on the dividing bridge, she hopes that no representative from the rival Davies family will show up for their annual gesture of goodwill and the land in between their properties will default to her family, since it would help them get out of their unfortunate financial situation. The Montgomery’s and the Davies had been in a feud for over five hundred years although no one remembered what started it exactly. But just when she started getting giddy with thoughts that no one was coming, Gryff Davies the new Earl of Powys came into view and he was as sinfully good-looking as ever.

Gryff Davies the new Earl of Powys was taken back by the gorgeous and angry Madeline Montgomery in front of him and he felt his spirits soar. Madeline had been an infuriating thorn in his side growing up, a skinny tomboy that he had fancied and tormented as a child, and the fact that they had been sworn enemies only added to her charm. But now she was a goddess. He had missed teasing her, and remembering her face had gotten him through some hard times through the war. But as they shook hands to ensure another year of peace between their families he tugged her forward, with a declaration that it was time to start a new tradition, and he kissed her.

“She was fairly certain she ought to slap him. Not because he’d offended her maidenly sensibilities, but because he hadn’t done a decent job of it. The man was supposed to be a rake. If he was going to ravish her, he could at least do it properly.”

These two sworn enemies will soon be entrenched in not only a fake secret engagement or maybe more like partners in crime, but also an adventure involving smugglers, danger and more as they take the reader on a sizzling, sparkling, and enthralling journey that you will never want to end. A fantastic story that I highly recommend.

I voluntarily requested an early copy and this is my honest review.

Kate Bateman is quickly becoming my go-to writer for times when I'm in the mood for some good banter and action to go along with my romance. And a story whose first line is, "It started with a pig," is guaranteed fun.
Maddie Montgomery's family has been in a feud with Gryffud “Gryff” Davies' for centuries. They grew up playing pranks and antagonizing each other. Neither wants to admit the real reason why they teased each other so much, which leads to some very fun banter and some even more fun giving in to temptation. All of this happens as Maddie has to figure out how to keep her family from complete penury without having to marry an awful, old Magistrate, and as she and Gryff discover that there are people moving contraband through their lands.
It's a fast-moving plot that keeps the reader interested in both the events and how the characters react to them. You really can't predict where Bateman is taking it next and it makes for a very fun read that quickly endears you to all the characters. That said, I really do hope this series continues because there are several hints at the next couples and I am so here for them.
Overall, a fun and exciting historical romance that keeps you entertained from start to finish.
Extremely happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the early read!

4.5 out of 5 stars

I was turned into an immediate huge fan of Kate Bateman by this one book! A Reckless Match is a childhood rivals to lovers story that follows Maddie and Gryff. Their families have feuded for centuries despite sharing land and living just next to each other. They have to work together when they notice potential smugglers stealing from a secret tunnel underneath their shared land.

This book was close to perfect for me. I love slow burn and banter and this was such a great depiction of both. At times, it felt almost too slow burn. The outside plot would take over for a bit too long for me. I also with we had more of the Gryff POV chapters. He had a few but I would've liked to see more scenes from his side.

I loved Maddie so much, she was smart, passionate, and so funny. Exactly the kind of historical romance heroine I love reading. Gryff was just so swoony. I can't wait for the other couples this book set up, as well. I already can see the chemistry between them and I know their love stories will be just as fun.

First in the series.
It pull you in from first page.
I loved Maddie and Griff.
They banter, attraction.
Great storyline.
Enjoyed a lot.

A Reckless Match is the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman. The first in a new regency romance series that is about two feuding families and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love. A fast-paced enemies-to-lovers romance that pulls you in from the beginning making it hard to set the book aside. A Reckless Match setting comes alive with the author’s captivating writing style—a must-read for historical romance fans.

This book was a lot of fun as it's engrossing and highly entertaining.
A plot full of twists, well written characters, an interesting enemy-to-lovers story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A delightful read that was highly entertaining! I loved the concept of the feuding families that has been going on for centuries, and the antics of each generation to keep that feud going. Gryff and Maddie have certainly been keeping with tradition from the time they are children, and now that they are all grown up, what will they do to keep their families fighting?

I really loved Gryff and Maddie together. He was merciless in his teasing of her, but she took it like a champ and even gave it back to him in spades. Their chemistry was palpable, the banter was engaging and entertaining, and I loved the suspense element woven into the story.

Sometimes I am not a big fan of the enemies to lovers trope because it tends to go over the top for me, but I truly loved the dynamic between Gryff and Maddie. Yes, they've been enemies their whole lives, but sometimes you just have to put those feuds aside when love trumps it all.

It was so fun going along on the adventure with Gryff and Maddie when they stumble upon a rum smuggling operation. The more they work together, the more obvious their feelings for each other become. But meddling family members and one loathsome suitor threaten to keep them apart. Can these two overcome all the obstacles in their way and finally end the feud between their families?

I am so very curious about several of the supporting characters, about what their true feelings are for some of the people who are supposed to be their swor enemy. I can't wait to see whose story will be next!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

An enjoyable story, enemies to lovers isn't my go too but this was a good one to read. They automatically hate each other because of the feud but have this underlying attraction they have a hard time giving into until the tension breaks and they give in. An easy story to read and despite having to deal with a century old feud their romance goes fairly smooth.
Can't wait for all the siblings to get their stories.

When your family is feeding with the neighbor family, you do too. Unless your feelings for one neighbor aren’t so unneighborly. Then things heat up. Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies are suppose to hat each other, but there is a fine line between love and hate and these two teeter on it. This was a fast enjoyable read.

LOVED the story of Maddie and Gryff! The animosity at the beginning between the hero and heroine was just the right touch. As the story progresses and each starts to realize that maybe love and hate are two sides of the same coin. I think it's funny that everyone in the family enjoys the feud between the families and wouldn't want to end it anytime soon. Maddie was a great heroine, extremely strong willed and able to handle herself in most situations. Gryff was the perfect hero, even letting Maddie handle her own situations at times instead of rushing in. I can't wait to see what happens with Harriet and Tristan, or which one will get their next HEA. Thank you for the advanced copy, it was a great read!

“A Reckless Match” by Kate Bateman was a fun read! The Davies and the Montgomerys had been rivals for hundreds of years because of a pig, or was it a woman? Then by royal decree, the feuding families were to send their representatives to shake hands on the spring equinox in a gesture of goodwill. This year, Madeline Montgomery waited at the bridge, hoping that no representative would arrive, so the ownership of the “no-man’s land” would become a blessing her family desperately needed. But of course, a Davies showed up and it was none other than the handsome new Earl aka her childhood tormentor, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies.

If you love enemies—to-lovers then you will love this book! It was the insults within the banter that did it for me. I loved their (self) forced proximity when a hole in the ground swallowed Maddie and a hidden tunnel was found. I loved that this adventure story reminded me of one of my favorite movies ever with finding treasure, villains, a well and more, but as a historical romance.

Yes, the tunnel explorers turned into lovers, but I cannot wait for the next book in the series. There remains one Davies male with no partner in sight, and two sets of Davies-Montgomery rivals and obviously annoying each other meant admiring each other!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I love a good family rivalry and it looks like Kate Bateman’s new series is revolving around one as epic as the Montagues and Capulets!

The Montgomery and Davies have had a long standing feud, so heated it was, that the King himself intervened and declared a strip. Of land bordering each families land be be in both their names if a family member should fail to show good faith and turn up on the solstice to shake hands with their neighbour.

It is at this very meeting that Maddy Montgomery find out that the new Earl of Powys has returned, Gryff, and the sparks of attraction light up!

This a a delightful Romeo and Juliet retelling with all the smouldering attraction, heated banter, and plenty of secret kisses! I loved the idea of childhood frenemies turned lovers- I mean we all know why young boys taunt young girls… because they like them!!!

Overall, this was a fun series opener that gave a good background on the feud and introduced plenty of promising characters to continue on with! I’m looking forward to seeing with set of enemies falls in love next!

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman is scheduled to release September 28th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#ARecklessMatch #KateBateman #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

This is the first book in a new series by Kate Bateman. It revolves around a 500 year old feud between the Montgomerys and the Davies.
I loved the characters of Maddy and Griff. Maddy (a Montgomery)has loved Griff (a Davies) for years. Griff adores teasing Maddie.I thought their banter back and forth was creating great chemistry. Kate added the element of danger to the story which brought out the hero in Griff and helped him to recognize his feelings for Maddie. This is not a relationship that will not be well excepted by either family.
I enjoyed the book. My only criticism would be that with the build up of the feud, the challenge of the marriage was never shown. One minute she accepts his proposal and the next, they are married.
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Swoon! Swoon! Swoon!
That's what I did during the entirety of reading this.
Bateman has written a fantastical adventure Regency romance between two lovers from rival families.
Let me start this by saying that I am a simple woman, I hear something is similar to Romeo & Juliet and I immediately have to get me hands on it. So when I heard about A Reckless Match I needed it immediately.
The story gripped me from the beginning and didn't let me go until well after turning the last page. I loved the cave and the sweeping adventure, the angst, the steam! I think many readers will love this too!
So thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eArc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you like the enemies to lovers trope with a healthy dose of angst and a sprinkle of childhood crush thrown in, then you will love this book! I loved how the book started off with the backstory, detailing a rivalry between families that was said to be worse than the Montagues and Capulets of the Shakespeare tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. I knew then that this would be well worth the read, and I was pleased to find that I was right. The rivalry was hilarious, passed down from generation to generation, until now the daughter of one family and the son of another must battle it out. However, a lot more is at stake now than just a blood feud, and whereas before their fathers were at odds, now it's a couple who feel way more towards each other than they should.

Every year on the spring equinox, one member of the Davies family and one member of the Montgomery family must meet on the strip of no-man's-land that runs between them. As long as they do that, the land remains unclaimed. However, if one member fails to arrive, then the other family will get ownership of the land. Normally it's a matter of pride, but to Maddie Montgomery, it means so much more than that now that her father is deep in debt and the land in question could be the key to their salvation. So when she sees Gryffud Davies riding up at the last possible second to meet her, she is not pleased. Gryff hadn't seen Maddie since he left for war over three years ago, but he had thought of her often. While teasing her was irresistible as children, now he wants to do much more than tease her. But with his father recently passed away, he is just getting used to being an earl, and he has no intention of settling down. Which makes this profound attraction to his sworn enemy so unwanted...and so alluring. As circumstances keep forcing them together at every turn, they start to realize that the line between enemies and lovers can be quite thin, and it's easy to cross over if one is willing to break tradition in favor of what the hear truly wants.

I was utterly charmed by Gryffud from the moment he arrived on the scene. He was extremely likable and friendly, and I loved seeing how he genuinely cared for Maddie, despite their constant bickering. He was so in tune with her, it was hilarious to me that he didn't realize he already loved her. It was clear as day to me, but the rivalry between them, and his unwillingness to wed, clouded his judgment. Maddie was also a wonderful character, a young woman I think I could easily be friends with. More at home digging for archaeological finds than in a ballroom, she has a strong interest in the land and what it could provide, not just in terms of money but also in terms of history. She was intelligent, confident, independent, and the perfect match for Gryff. Their interactions had me laughing often, as the traded jabs and innuendos. As their romance progressed, I found myself reading faster and faster as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. There was a small conflict about two-thirds of the way through that was a bit frustrating - some of the things said by Gryff were very difficult for me to reconcile with the man I had known up to that point - it was eventually chalked up to a scuffle that could be forgotten. While it wasn't really resolved, no apologies were exchanged, they had much bigger things to deal with at the time. He redeemed himself, she stood up for herself, and all was well.

As the first book in a series, this is a great start, and I am looking forward to reading more. I am hoping the cousin, Harriet, gets her book next, as I'm most intrigued by her story. However, based on the cover of Book 2, looks like it will be Gryff's sister instead. I imagine the angst in the second book will turned up quite a bit, and I am here for it!