Oh my! This is my 1st Kate Bateman book and I'm already a fan. Both Maddie and Gryff are likable, complex characters readers grow to love. I loved their complicated history and watching them become reacquainted was a joy. The intense attraction between these two is not initially recognized by either of them and watching their relationship unfold and gradually (and dangerously!) lead them to a very satisfying HEA makes this story exceptional. It doesn't hurt that Gryff is completely yummy with his brains, his chivalry, his growing self-awareness and his clever wit. Maddie is his match in brains and bravery and the danger they encounter adds much to this story. I loved the deep romance that grew over time and the heated encounters they shared along the way. For this reader, this book has it all: outstanding characters, excellent dialog, angst, heat, romance and a large group of surrounding characters that will hopefully get their own stories in the future. HIGHLY recommend!

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I count myself as a fan of Kate Bateman at this point. She outdid herself with the humor and banter in this one. Fabulous flirty steam, along with some third act adventure made this story a delight. Can't wait to read the rest of the siblings' books!

This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. It was sweet, fun and sexy. It held my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Oh, I loved this so much! Madeline "Maddie" Montgomery and Gryfford "Gryff" Davies are frenemies from two families that have been feuding for centuries. Each year, each family is required to send a representative to a specific spot of shared land to shake hands with each other to maintain a thin veil of civility between the two families. Maddie and Gryff have been bickering since childhood, but as adults they are secretly attracted to one another, and Gryff decides to add a kiss to the customary handshake. Maddie is a smart, independent young woman who has a strong interest in archaeology and Gryff is recently returned from the Napoleonic wars to take on his responsibilities at home upon his father's death. He has a reputation in London for getting around, though it turns out that reputation might be a bit of an exaggeration. As they grow closer, they uncover a smuggling plot that might involve the repugnant local justice of the peace who is basically trying to blackmail Maddie into marrying him, and they eventually get caught in a cave together. Their banter is spot on - lots of good enemies to lovers trope stuff here, and I'm assuming this is the start of a series because there's tons of potential for other trysts between the younger Montgomerys and the younger Davies. I can't decide which potential couple I'd like to see next!

I adored this sweet, suspenseful romance!

What a delightful setup! A family feud spanning centuries sets the stage for this wonderfully charming enemies-to-lovers romance. Gryff and Maddie have known each other forever, but they've each buried their attraction to the other underneath their loyalty to their families and the historical obligation to hate each other on sight.

The storyline crackles with their simmering chemistry and shared desire for adventure. Each family keeps the feud going more from the joy of the competition than from any deep-felt animosity. I loved the twists and turns in this story as Gryff and Maddie have to work together to stop an operation that threatens both their ancestral estates.

This author's gift with words drew me in immediately and kept me flipping through my reader all night long. The vibrant characterizations and expansive, precise vocabulary added delicious depth and scope that culminates in a visceral reading experience that completely captivated me throughout. There are more than a few wonderfully enticing hints about the futures in store for several of the secondary characters, and I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series.

I am once again reminded why Kate Bateman is one of my all-time favorite historical romance authors. I highly recommend this story as well as everything she has written. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

A Reckless Match
First book in the Ruthless Rivals Series
Rating: 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

I really loved A Reckless Match! It's the first book in the series about two rival families who have been in constant argument for many years. Every year a member from each family meets during the Spring Equinox to shake hands over a bridge..it is this year when the new Earl of Powys, Gryff and Maddie Montgomery are given that task. These two have been butting heads ever since they were children. They have driven each other crazy and it is not until this year that they realize that they have changed from the last time they saw each other.
I really liked these two leads. Their witty banter exchanges, Gryff's flirting attempts just to push Maddie's buttons were so fun to read. Add a smuggling situation going on their shared land made this story so entertaining. They spend a lot of time together trying to figure out was happening and along the way their feelings for each other change. They realize there is something between them...though I think it was always there since they were teenagers.
I really didn't see their romance as enemies to lovers because I really don't think they hated each other... it was just that for so many years of conflict between their families they just went along to what each of their families believed. Also because immediately they begin to work together to solve the smuggling situation and they actually listened to what the other suggested.

I can't wait to read the next two books!!!

Though the banter in A Reckless Match was charming, there was some spark missing from this book. I've read the three previous offerings from Ms.Bateman, and all of them had a larger sense of fun and were just... better. Both main characters are somewhat engaging, but there was a lack of depth. If this were to be an actual attempt at an enemies-to-lovers story, there would have to be a bit more... vim. The main characters were mostly annoyed with each other. Overall, this book was... fine. A bit boring, a little bit funny, could have been better, but it wasn't bad.

A generous 3 stars.

This book was sooooo much fun! I hadn’t expected it to be such an adventure, too! It was so easy to read in one sitting because I simply couldn’t help myself. A truly fun start to a new series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun childhood enemies to lovers historical romance! The rivalry between the Davies and Montgomery families was the perfect backdrop for this story. I loved the banter and chemistry between Gryff and Maddie. They each gave as good as they got and their back and forth created the most delicious build up. Throw in some forced proximity and years of mutual pining (even if they didn't recognize it at the time) and I was sold. There's adventure along the way in A Reckless Match, with an exciting smugglers plot and cave exploration/escape, but I did feel that the story meandered a bit in the middle. This made the book feel overly long and though the last few chapters set up the future books very well, it also added some unnecessary last minute drama.

I really loved the secondary characters in A Reckless Match, and I can't wait to see sparks fly between Tristan and Carys and Harriet and Morgan. I wonder if we'll see a book for Rhys in the future too.

CW: discussion and mentions of lightning, being struck, and scarring, on page violence (explosions, guns, and knives), mentions of death of parent and war

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman is the first book in a new series called Ruthless Rivals. The novel focuses on the families of Montgomery and Davies. Two families sworn to hate each other, but needed to meet every year on the land that they are forced to share to shake hands. Maddie has just found out her family has lost a lot of money and is needing to find a way to make more money. Gryff recently became the Earl and is finding life full of fun. Maddie was sent as representative of her family as part of their yearly agreement. She was hopeful no one would show up, but the Earl of Powys, Gryff Davies did!

This starts a series of discoveries of tunnels, underwater caves and secret caves with hidden goods. Gryff immediately recognizes that they have found a smuggler’s cache. Together Maddie and Gryff help a custom’s agent to safety and immediately report the incident to the local authority. Until someone tries to shoot them. That is when things get more difficult!

I enjoyed the novel. The characters were intelligent and interesting. I liked the boldness of Maddie and Gryff for finding their way out of danger. I wished they would discover how much they cared for each other! A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman was a good read.

This was my third from this author (the beginning of a new series), and I enjoyed it more than the previous two.

The story involves a long-standing feud (i.e. Hatfield/McCoy) between the Montgomery/Davies families. As “enemies”, Maddie and Gryff grew up tormenting the other, but at some point an attraction develops. Gryff returns home from fighting Napoleon following the death of his father to take over his title as the Earl of Powys. Maddie’s family has financial issues that may force her to marry for money.

The story includes smuggling, cave adventures, and lots of humor. Maddie and Gryff are wonderful to watch as they tumble into love. A great beginning to a series, and I’m looking forward to more.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

this was a delightfully enjoyable read. due to a generations' long family feud, neighbors Maddy & Gryff grew up as adversaries -- Gryff couldn't help but tease and torment Maddy and Maddy could help but be frustrated by Gryff. But Gryff has been gone the past 3+ yrs fighting in the war and Maddy is no longer blossoming young lady. when they meet again for annual "gesture of goodwill" as directed under a King Henry VII royal decree that bound the 2 families to a peace treaty of sorts, sparks naturally fly --- but are they sparks of 2 adversaries from feuding families or something a little different, something a little more personal and not so enemy-like at all? While they work together to resolve a mystery on the property jointly owned by their families (part of that royal decree), will they not only solve it but discover that perhaps there is truth behind the old adage that love and hate are 2 sides of the same coin? both main characters are smart and determined, they obvious enjoyment in their interactions which manages to balance bickering and respect with wit and humor in a manner that is enjoyable to read. the plot (mystery and romance) is nicely paced from start to finish with a few bumps along the way to help keep things interesting and moving along. secondary characters are also interesting, adding to the story and hinting at future books in this new series -- I find myself curious and hoping the wait isn't too long for more. all in all, I have no trouble recommending this book for a fun and enjoyable way to relax reading away a few hours.

4.5-star read!

The set-up for this series is exciting: two rival families the Montgomerys and Davieses, sworn enemies for hundreds of years, with a tradition of an annual meeting on the common ground between their estates for a handshake, and whichever side fails to show up will have to forfeit that shared piece of land to their rival. The first book of the series is about Madeline Montgomery, daughter of the Baron Lucas, whose family is on the verge of bankruptcy, and Gryff Davies, the new Earl of Powys, wealthy, handsome, and a famous libertine, who just returned from Napoleon War to take over the earldom upon his father's death.

This is a fun enemies to lovers story with lots of banter and teasing. Maddie and Gryff were even childhood nemesis, and Gryff was always playing pranks on her at any chance they met. But the secret mutual pining while having to hate each other as per tradition created the delicious tension between the two. You'll go on a great adventure with them when they were stuck inside a cave and had to find their way out, or when they joined force to investigate a smuggling operation... Some of the scenes felt a bit dragged out to me and distracted me from their romance, but over all, I enjoyed this book and I'm very excited for the next ones in the series after seeing glimpses of the potential couples here.

*Special thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

-Release date: September 28, 2021-

This book was a delight and I think I found a new favourite Historical Romance author!

In this book we follow Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies, 2 members of feuding families on the border of England and Wales. Every year for the past 500 years (or so) someone from each family must meet on neutral ground to shake hands or else forfeit their land to the other family.

The story starts with Maddie awaiting the arrival of Gryff, Hopi he won’t show up so her family will get his land and save them from financial ruin. Maddie and Gryff are childhood nemeses (though they secretly liked/were attracted to each other of course). A shocking discovery on their shared land leads the to have to work together and of course their attraction and feelings grow.

I really enjoyed both our hero and heroine. Maddie is a strong independent woman who has goals for her life besides marriage, and though she is loyal to and wants to help her family she has a strong mind of her own.

Gryff is the typical devil may care rake who doesn’t want to get married yet, but he has held a torch for Maddie since they were young and he can’t resist her.

The banter and flirting between these two was phenomenal, their chemistry leapt off the page and was a definite highlight of the book. I loved all their interactions.

The side characters were also great, and it was heavily hinted who will be staring in the upcoming books and I cannot wait for them to come out so I can see how they unfold.

I will definitely be reading more from this author, highly recommend!

Loved this book! Loved the characters—Gryff and Madeline have sensual tension from the first pages that had me turning pages until 5 a.m. Look forward to reading more of this family saga. Kate Bateman is a talented storyteller.

For generations, there has been one constant: the Montgomerys hate the Davies, and the Davies hate the Montgomerys. There has been great debate as to what began the feud, but all that is truly agreed upon is that there is a strip of no-man's land between their estates and that every spring equinox, a Montgomery must meet a Davies at the bridge and shake their hand.

Maddie Montgomery really had been hoping for a little luck and that a Davies wouldn't show. Then her family could take the Davies' land and all her financial problems would be solved. So of course her luck only gets worse when none other than Gryffud "Gryff" Davies, the new Earl of Powys, her childhood nemesis, is the one to arrive at the bridge. They haven't seen each other in years, not since Gryff went off to fight the war against Napoleon while Maddie remained behind to conduct archeological digs on her family's property.

But that morning on the bridge starts an unexpected series of events, as Maddie and Gryff stumble upon a new discovery--literally. While exploring a new system of caves, they discover that their land has been used as a smuggler's outpost. Can these two life-long rivals work together to save the day and bring the operation down?

Funny, suspenseful, and very steamy, this first in a new series from Bateman is a pure and utter delight! Full of banter, sassy aunts, and a whole bunch of shenanigans, "A Reckless Match" is a reader's match made in heaven!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Reckless Match was a delicious read. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, and I found the romance was extremely compelling. I thought the teasing between the characters was wonderful, and I loved how they were enemies with tenderness and history between them.

Interesting and great story.

I liked the flow and the characters. There was a great amount of conflict and interest to keep page turning.

Attractive title and cover.

Recommend.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman.

I loved this story! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. The beginning of the story describing the background to the feud was humorous. I loved the exchanges between Gryff and Maddie. There were some great scenes and I found the book hard to put down.

This was a fun read with great characters and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

A love hate romance with a with a sense of humor throughout. So well written, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Madeline Montgomery is waiting for the annual meeting of her family’s nemesis, a Davies. Their family have been feuding for centuries, rumors have it that it started with a pig. If a Davies does not show up at the appointed time the strip of land bordering their properties will be Montgomery’s. With moments to spare Lord Powys shows up, Gryff Davies has been Maddie’s personal tormentor since childhood. Gryff always love teasing and tormenting Maddie, but the skinny little girl has grown up into a beautiful young women. One he has the urge to kiss and so starts the adventure. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.