Kate Bateman keeps writing stories I want to read. But they have tended to not meet my expectations— probably partly because those expectations were unreasonable. Intrigued despite myself, I thought I would give her books one more try with this one. Thankfully, this one is a winner and I am really excited for the series to move forward.

The setup for this is about a boy and a girl from neighboring households on the Welsh/English border, who have been feuding for centuries. So we have boy/girl next door AND enemies to lovers. A dangerous, fun combo. Gryff and Maddie meet for the first time in years, both having matured and grown-up. They like what they see but of course play it cool with teasing insults, as sworn enemies must do. Gryff has been off at war against Napoleon and Maddie has been searching for archaeological finds on the family estate.

From when they meet onward, the story is a bit of a romp. It’s full of adventure and light, fun moments and delicious tensions. I thought it amusing and heartwarming but did go too far to become hokey. I don’t want to go into plot details here because there were a few moving parts. But I would say that the adventure aspect was well woven into the romance, and I found them both to be satisfying.

I read this fast, which is a sign of my enjoyment. There was some set up (too much toward the end, really) with siblings and cousins for future books. I am keenly interested in the story of the female cartographer (!!!), which is a story I have been craving for years. I do wish it didn’t take a move to The Regency era for me to find a Bateman book that worked for me, but this one gives me a push to check out the stories I have missed.

<I>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was a fun little romp! Gryff and Maddie grew up in feuding families that share some land between them. Every Equinox they have to meet up at a specific time or one forfeits the land to the other.

Gryff has returned after 3 years in the military to take over after his father died and Maddie Montgomery has changed quite a bit in his absence. Small feelings he had for her when they were younger and he used to tease her, have grown stronger when he sees how fierce and bold she is now.

Maddie does not like how strongly she feels pulled to Gryff and she really doesn't want him to know how badly her family is currently doing. They are on the edge of financial ruin and she believes there may be some hope in the ground beneath their feet, the ground they share together. Will Gryff be willing to believe her hunch? And will he want to work together and possibly save her family from losing everything, and her from an unwanted marriage?

This book was a great time. It had some cave hunting and some Indiana Jones type adventures. It read very quickly and it was sweet and steamy in just the right way. I do think that some of the pacing was all over the place, and everything happened in a very short amount of time.

I think the next couples in the series were well set up and I do look forward to the next Equinox meeting to see who may be paired up next.

4/5 stars

Will they be able to put aside their quarrel past their present issues …

I did not know what to expect with this first in a new series. I just loved it. So much I read it in no time unable to put it down.
The author grants us an awesome and lighthearted tale of enemies to lovers from feuding families who are more like Moonlighting heroes than the Capulet and Montaigu’s.

Madeline has always had a soft spot for childhood nemesis Gryff. But she too gave as much as she got. Their early life was bathed in their family’s feud, still pranks they did, mischiefs they received.
Gryff had a similar upbringing, continuing the tradition, even if he is not blind and Miss Montgomery is no more the hoyden of his teens. She has filled nicely but has kept the tartness of her tongue.

Still, they are not really enemies, more like offsprings who grew up with one side of the coin’s tale and were told to hate the other, which they never really did. So when circumstances bring them together, their from afar attraction makes a vivid return. Helping them to see past a grudge which is not theirs. Yet will their chemistry and long buried feelings be enough to overcome decades of angst even it is not their owns.
But if one thing is sure, it will be one hell of a journey, between them dancing around one another, debts to settle, smugglers, murder attempts and so on; they are in for a rollercoaster ride.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I loved this enemies to lovers historical romance! The Montgomerys and the Davies have nursed a centuries long game of intrigue and oneupmanship. They plagued each other as children with pranks designed to both humiliate and inconvenience. And now that Gryffud and Madeleine have reached adulthood, their emnity is thriving.

Madeline needs to restore her family's fortunes- and she can't afford to be distracted by Gryffud. He's a scoundrel and a wretch determined to thwart her at every opportunity. And he will never admit that she was the one vision that kept him sane while he was fighting in a bitter war. He will never admit that sparring with her makes him feel more alive than anything else.

But smugglers, cave-ins, rare books and circumstances beyond their control finally ignite a bonfire that has been simmering beneath the surface for ten years.

I usually love Kate Bateman, but this one just fell short for me. I never really felt the connection or tension between Maddy and Davies. Their conflict was clear, but the romance part wasn't as present for me as it has been in her previous books. There was lots of action and adventure, but less of the emotions that create a good steamy romance. The cover is beautiful, the set up for more books is spot on. This one just didn't draw me in like I wanted it to.

Not quite to the level of the Hatfield's and McCoy's, are the Montgomery's and the Davies'.

Madeline Montgomery just discovered that her family is destitute and she must marry a lecher to save them. She is desperate to find a way out and last thing she needs is a run in with her childhood nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies who would only laugh at her circumstances.

When they both discover a smuggling ring, the time spent together bringing the perpetrators to justice, might help them discover that they may not hate each other at all.

This looks to be a great series and this book was a good kick-off. A bit more steam would have been nice but the romance was strong enough to make up for that.

What a charming book! This is my first book by Kate Bateman, but I will definitely be reading her again and I am excited to continue reading this new series. Maddie and Gryff grew up as rivals from opposing families just across the border between England and Wales, and over the course of the book have a variety of escapades that eventually lead to a swoon worthy romance. This is a classic enemies to lovers, charming adventure love story. The banter and dialogue is witty and sharp, and every chapter is pure fun. This story has a smuggling plot, finance troubles, and treasure hunting, making it one of the more exciting regencies I have read in a while. Usually I read contemporary romance, but this made me think I need to read more modern regency plots with how much I enjoyed this book. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, steamy, lovely regency romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

A Reckless Match is the first in a new series by Kate Bateman, and a marked improvement from my perspective on the previous one, which didn’t really work for me. This one starts off with just the right amount of bonkers and ridiculous, with the premise of the series being a centuries-long family feud that has aspects that are more legend and conjecture (was it over a pig, or a woman, or…?) than cold, hard reality. And I really liked that the current Montgomerys and Davieses seem to relish in it more as a good-natured competition for the sake of motivation than a real blood feud, as explored both through the fond reminiscences of the Montgomery father upon the passing of the previous Davies patriarch and in the fun love-hate dynamic between Maddie and Gryff themselves.

One thing that definitely helped with Maddie and Gryff was the obvious self-awareness that there’s some sort of attraction there from both parties, although it does take just the right circumstances for them to act on it. I feel like, at times, this isn’t conveyed as well, so it just seems like two people who can’t stand each other seem to just randomly like kissing or having sex, so it’s nice to have something different. I really enjoyed the banter between them as they fully confronted their feelings about one another. And while their doubts towards the end, where some of their old feelings cropped up again, did make me a bit antsy, but not for long, and there is little in the way of angst for them, especially as they do spend the bulk of the book in confronting external dangers.

I really liked this one, and the supporting cast of family members is also a delight, leaving me wondering what’s next, especially with the way things ended with this one. If you love historical romance, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

I LOVED this. An enemies-to-lovers where they spent their entire childhoods antagonizing and teasing one another and eventually realize that their younger selves had actually been attracted to each other? Heck yeah. Not only that, but it's clever and witty and extremely well-written.

Maddie was an opinionated, passionate, spitfire delight, and I loved how intelligent she was. Gryff was a perfect match for her, strong and steady and stubborn. I loved the familys' long standing feud and can't wait to read about Carys & Tristan and Harriet & Morgan. I forsee plenty of delightful banter and teasing and passion-disguised-as-hate-and-childhood-antagonism in this series and I am here for it.

I read a Kate Bateman book before and was disappointed in it (actually dnfed it) so I was hesitant to read this one, but OMG I loved it so much. Now I need to revisit the previous one. Maybe it was actually me. I will definitely be picking up Kate Bateman's books in future.

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an e-arc for review.

What a fun read! Maddie an Gryff have picked at each other since they were children. Their families lands adjoin and there's been a very long feud but these two always found a way to have fun. Now, though, Maddie's family needs an infusion of cash, badly, to keep things going and she might have to marry for it. But wait- Gryff is back from fighting Napoleon and both of them realize that, wow, they've grown into very attractive people. Then they find out someone's been using the land to facilitate smuggling. This is filled with tropes but let's face it- that's perfectly fine when the storytelling is good and the setting, this case, Wales, is different. It's got drama and best of all, humor. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Great read.

Sometimes books hit at the wrong time and this might be true for me with this one. The English Montgomery family and the Welsh Davies family have been odds for ages. Once a year, a member of each family must meet or the land between them will be given to the family that is there. Madeline Montgomery's family is running into financial issues and she believes there is a chance that the Davies family won't be there. At the last moment, her childhood nemesis Gryff Davies shows up. Both Maddie and Gryff have secretly crushed over each other. When they accidently discover a cave, their adventures begin. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really enjoyed the author's Bow Street series, but I didn't really get into the story. I didn't really connect with the characters and I don't believe that it was realistic that Maddie could be involved in so much intrigue without causing a scandal. This book had some suspenseful scenes and many steamy moments. This book was not for me.

I love a good enemies to lovers and Kate Bateman did not disappoint with this one! It was refreshing to have a heroin be a beauty and yet flawed and not perfect, it brought a touch of realism that I really enjoyed. Maddie and Gryff had a very slow burn, steamy relationship throughout. I have to say that I was disappointed with the storyline being SO similar to Ravished by Amanda Quick and if I’m being honest Amanda did it better. With that being said I have never disliked a book I’ve read by Bateman and A Reckless Match is definitely worth a read. I’m genuinely excited for the continuation of the series and can’t wait to read each brothers story.

A Reckless Match had me hooked from the opening sentence- It started with a Pig. Not a typical opening line for a historical novel. Well, I had to know-What began with a pig? And so the story of the feuding Montgomery family and The Davies family unfolds over disputed lands and endless warring. Until an edict from the King that every year on the Spring Equinox, the two families meet on a bridge over the disputed land and agree both families jointly owned the land. If one family fails to turn up, they forfeit the land.
This story opens with Maddie Montgomery waiting at the bridge for Gryff Davies, who is very late. Maddie begins to believe the Davies will forfeit. And the land will be returned to her family. Then along comes handsome teasing Gryff, childhood annoyance and a new Earl. And so the adventure and romance begin. So many experiences and events in the story I hesitate to say too much for fear of spoiling the story. For me, it’s such a fresh take on the historical novel. The adventures, romance, the dialogue the flirting all made for an entertaining, emotional, dramatic at times read. I will be buying the book when it comes on sale.
Thank you net Galley and St Martin’s Paperback for this ARC. Since reading this story, I have gone on to read other books by Kate Bateman. And enjoyed them as much as I loved a Reckless Match

3.5 stars rounded up. This is a promising and very entertaining start to Kate Bateman's new series. As always, I enjoy Bateman's blend of action, adventure and witty banter in her historical romances. Here, the story features two historically feuding families whose fight over a disputed stretch of land between their estates has lasted for centuries. Although the older generations have taken the feud to serious lengths (including accusations of murder), the current generation grew up together as playmates and feel conflicted by the thin line between love and hate.

Gryff and Maddie have an immediate spark of chemistry after they face off as their respective families' representatives in the ongoing land dispute -- the first time they have seen each other after many years apart. Maddie is hiding the fact that her family is on the brink of financial ruin due to her father's bad investments, and Gryff is struggling after taking over as the head of the family following his father's death. The two become unwilling partners (at least that's what they tell each other) after they discover a violent smuggling ring that impacts the disputed strip of land. Lots of drama and action ensues, as Gryff and Maddie drive each other crazy and fight their growing attraction for each other.

This was a fast-paced and really entertaining read. The tension between Maddie and Gryff was excellently done, as they realize early on that they are attracted to each other but are unsure how to handle the revelation given their personal and family history of mutual loathing. Gryff's care and concern for Maddie, while trying to pretend to be aloof, was endearing, and Maddie's ill-fated attempts to outwit Gryff were also fun to read. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, as Gryff's and Maddie's siblings/relatives have their own explosive emotional entanglements to sort out in future books.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies have grown up dealing with their families' centuries long battle of who was better. They are now adults who vividly remember playing together and teasing each other as children. Thing is they are now adults who have all new feelings for each other. Gryff loves it, but Maddie can't see her father ever agreeing to them being even something as simple as friends.
Situations keep throwing them together, but the best laid plans never work out, do they??!!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable romp with two people who have always cared for each other and now love has entered the equation!

This is the first book in Kate Bateman’s NEW SERIES — “RUTHLESS RIVALS,” releasing 9/28/21. This is my first Kate Bateman book, and definitely won’t be my last.

The Montgomery and Davies clans have been sworn enemies for 500 years. Their feud started over a stolen pig, or a lost one, depending on which clan you asked. The King decreed a meeting between the warring clans every year on spring equinox to shake hands as a gesture of good will. They agreed to meet on the bridge dividing their properties. If either side failed to appear, land the King had set aside would go to the other.

In 1815 our heroine, Madeline Montgomery, was chosen to shake hands with her nemesis Gryff Davies, the new earl. Gryff not only shakes Maddy’s hand, but SURPRISE, he also kisses her for good measure. During that kiss, both felt flashes of heat and desire.

This book was so much fun!! The hero and heroine both deny their true feelings for each other, until they’re forced to work in close proximity together to stop a band of criminals. There’s so so much pining from both Gryff and Maddy, and I loved that this story was written in such a way, I could feel the electric current running between them. This story is magical, a true HEA romance. I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.

Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for kindly providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I usually love Kate Bateman's stories, but for some reason this one just didn't hold my interest. It was a bit of a slog to get through. Madeline "Maddie" Montgomery and Gryfford "Gryff" Davies carry on a Romeo/Juliet type feud their families started years ago, but their hearts aren't really in it. The writing is well done and I'm sure other readers will enjoy it.

I just love historical, okay? once again, I was sucked into the world and its problems, that just take me away from reality, within the first page. The couple is delightful, the storytelling is great, and the character development is truly good. I have missed that a few times, but it really works well here. The prose additionally made me just want to escape into this book.

I can't even express how much I loved this book. It was wonderful story, kind of regent Romeo & Juliett without the dreadful end. The writing was beautifully done with lots of wit, teasing and humor. Kate Bateman simply knows how to write amazing and entertaining stories.

One ancient feud between the Montgomerys and the Davies of which no one could tell how that all started, with a stolen pig or over a woman.

Although the young generation of both families, obliged to follow the enmity, seem more than ever to be just teasing than do some dreadful damage.

The story takes you on exploration journey of underground tunnels, danger from smugglers and falling in love.
I can only say I immensely enjoyed the story and loved every single second of it.

3 stars

A very different historical romance... One with lots of caves and a Romeo and Juliet-style feud.

Plot: ★★★
Romance: ★★
Enjoyment: ★★★

A Reckless Match comes out on September 28!

Maddie Montgomery's family has been in a feud with the neighboring Davies family for generations. By order of the Royal family, each year a representative of the Montgomery family and a representative of the Davies family must meet on the borderlands of their estates and shake hands to seal their yearly agreement—if either party fails to show up, the strip of borderland is taken from the no-show family.

Maddie thinks her family might just win this year... until Gryff Davies shows up on his horse, freshly returned from the war and looking Fine with a capital F.

Gryff's childhood crush on Maddie Montgomery was something of his past, Gryff thought. But when he sees Maddie on the border, he realizes he was just lying to himself. She's the only person who makes him feel something, and he's not sure he can bear to see her getting married off...

Will these two lifelong "enemies" meet their match?

I thought this series debut was entertaining enough, but to be honest I think this was a case of "it's not the book, it's just me and my reading tastes again" because I had a really hard time getting through A Reckless Match. And objectively, this was a wonderfully fresh historical romance. For one thing, there's a lot of adventure and cave exploring. How many historical romances set in England can say that?

This novel does include the "virgin female" trope, which is a personal dislike of mine. It also moved quite slowly and seemed to conveniently wrap up every plot point. Again, neither of those qualms are necessarily bad, but given my personal romance preferences they served to keep me from fully engaging in the story.

If you like historical English romances, feuding families, or caves, I do recommend this one!

Thank you to St Martin's Press for my copy in exchange for an honest review.