An enjoyable story and a really good start to a series, this definitely looks promising.
Who doesn't love the enemies to lovers trope? that was one of the reasons that made me interested in this book besides the gorgeous cover and then you also have two characters who have practically been nemesis since childhood, you can't go wrong with of that.
I love the chemistry between Maddie and Gryff, their banter, it was a joy to read how their relationships develops. And while yes romance is definitely present in this book we also have adventure, there weren't any moments where I felt bored, I was hooked in the story and I ended it with a smile on my face.
I'd totally recommend it and I look forward for more books in this series.

Complementary copy given for my honest review and opinion.
This was a great historical romance. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. The author’s writing style was smooth flowing with great story buildup.

ARC received for review

DNF

I've read other books by Ms. Bateman that I've like, but this one I'm bored and I don't care what happens. On to the next book.

This book had me at the leading lady loving archeology but really it had me at page one. Bateman is becoming one of my favorite authors of historical romance, this one has Romeo and Juliet aka two families that hate- hate each other for centuries but have to meet once a year or the other gets the shared middle land. This one is full of adventure for Maddie and Gryff, who have been tensing- pranking each other for years. The banter between these two is just perfect. We also get the hate to lover chemistry coming up right away. Maddie is the sassy- smart- up for anything leading lady you love. Gryff is the just back from war- just become the Earl- rake but more in the newspapers then real life leading man you also fall more in love with each page.

This book was a great set up for the rest of the series as now I can't wait for the brothers, sisters, and cousin to all get their HEA. This is one of those books that just makes you happy and can't wait to keep reading. But for real when is the next book coming?!

4.5 stars
3 steam

Thanks St. Martin's press for a copy of this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Montgomery and the Davies family have been feuding for centuries. Some speculate the reason is something as silly as a pig or a stolen lover. These two families own a shared piece of land, and every year someone from both families meet and shake hands. This year it's Maddie and Gryff's turn, but they realize they may be enemies on the surface, but there are a lot more feelings boiling beneath their shared animosity.

I just love Kate Bateman. I really do. She writes such fun stories full of adventure and fun. This one was no different. Maddie and Gryff's relationship was adorable, and I found myself smiling when they were teasing each other. I practically smiled the whole book.. Sometimes, I feel like one character is less developed than the other, but I didn't feel this way at all. Maddie matched Gryff in everything, and I really enjoyed her strength. This book had the perfect balance of adventure, romance, and mystery.

The end was super sweet, and I'm dying to know which couple we will get next. Personally, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Harriet and Morgan. As always Kate's books are a joy to read, and I'll be as hooked on this series as her other ones!

This is a fun rivals to lovers romance with adventure, a family feud that no one know how it started and electric chemistry between the hero and heroine.

This is a fast, fun read with Isabel characters and something different from the tradition Ton setting.

Maddie Montgomery’s family debt is the driving force of her fervent wish that the centuries old rivalry with Davies clan will be her salvation if no one shows up at the appointed hour to shake hands. If one party does not show, the other wins the forfeiture. The neutral land that has separated the feuding families would help keep the Montgomery’s from financial run. Maddie knows her neighbor quite well as she grew up with Gryffud, the new Earl of Powys. As children, they kept the enmity alive battling out whenever the opportunity presented.

They are both a little taken aback to see how each other as changed since last Maddie and Gryff last met. She has grown to be a forceful, beautiful woman while he is just back from fighting Napoleon who is once again on the move after exile. Maddie does not want Gryff to know their desperate straits under any circumstances. She is close to being forced into a marriage with an odious neighbor and would be mortified if Gryff knew how desperate her untenable has become.

After they find contraband together on their connecting land, both are determined to investigate but that detective work may have a deadly cost. As Maddie and Gryff work in tandem, their mutual dislike turns in to a strong attraction that neither initially professes to want. They spend a lot of time together skulking about coastal caves, some of which are old Welsh mines, trying to ferret out the culprits.

The inevitable comparisons between Shakespearean warring families are made; however, this is not a tragedy as the rivalries are used for the enemies to lovers trope. Enjoyable for the most part although with some interesting Welsh/English history, where they end up for the steamier moments is less than attractive to say the least. This in first in a new series Regency Romance, Ruthless Rivals. It is evident that siblings of this couple also have their eyes on one another for future stories.

The Davies and the Montgomerys are locked in an ancient feud. It takes Madeline and Gryff to end that feud.
Their love is made to be! Smugglers almost put an end to them.
This is an exceptional book.
Kate Bateman has written another winner.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some novels catch your attention and make you smile. A Reckless Match is this kind of book and more. Star-crossed lovers mixed with plenty of adventure make an entertaining, passionate, eye-catching read. Gryff and Maddie’s tale takes the reader on a romantic, thrilling chase that doesn’t stop until the last sentence.

Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, the new Earl of Powys, is a returning soldier bent on carousing his way through London. When illegal activities force Gryff to his Welsh home, the boring existence he expects is shattered by the beautiful neighbor next door, who has invaded his thoughts for too many years. Maddie Montgomery is too busy for the long-enduring, undeniable feeling she has towards Gryff as she is trying to save her family’s financial well-being. Gryff and Maddie’s families have held a feud for hundreds of years. Through a series of misadventures and dangers, the couple realizes they can’t deny the attraction they have held for each other for years any longer.

Gryff is a rake of the first order; however, he has a good heart. Maddie is intelligent and headstrong; no wilting wallflower here! Their love-hate relationship leads to an intense, swoon-worthy, passionate attraction. I enjoyed their verbal sparring and intimate connection. The secondary characters, Gryff and Maddie’s siblings and cousins, added color and spice to the story and opened the door to future books.

The plot was overflowing with sexual tension, adventure, and action. There was not a slow moment. The couple was constantly getting into some kind of trouble, and it was a treat seeing how they would get out. The story flowed rapidly, barely giving time for the reader to breathe; this made for a fantastic read. The majority of the books I read split the point of view between the couple fifty-fifty. In this book, it was closer to eighty-twenty in favor of the heroine. It took me some time to adjust to this, but I found it didn’t take away from the storytelling.


A Reckless Match is the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series. It follows two families who have been enemies for centuries; they have forgotten why! The book takes enemies to lovers to a new level. Kate Bateman creates the beginning of a sensual, adventurous, breath-taking world that I don’t want to end. This novel was a fantastic beginning to a lovable, undeniably entrancing journey. I can’t wait to read more of these cantankerous, unforgettable families!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A great Historical romance.
A family feud leads to intrigue,adventure,mystery,suspense and romance.
Love the chemistry between Maddie and Gryff the feuding neighbors.
Good interesting read.
Voluntarily reviewed.

The beautiful cover for A Reckless Match attracts you to this new book from Kate Bateman. This is the first book in the author's new Ruthless Rival's series. I found this a delightful enemies to lovers trope or more accurately childhood pranksters to lovers but between families that have been feuding for decades. Maddie Montgomery family land borders Gryffud Davies, Earl of Powys property. Once a year a member from each family must meet on a bridge to keep the peace. After meeting, Gryff follows Maddie wanting to see she gets safely home. Instead together they discover an underground cave that leads to a smugglers hold. While exploring there is fun flirting, childhood remembrances and sexy teasing. I don't want to give more of the plot away but both characters are clever and evenly matched. The romance feels natural and caring. The author introduces us to siblings and a cousin of both MCs that you know will be the leads in future books in the series. I laughed and enjoyed this adventure and look forward to future books from Bateman. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

I really enjoy this author & I was so delighted to have been given an advanced copy of her new series! I did not disappoint! This book had so much….from 2 families holding a grudge, lots of action, to watching the hero and heroine find their way to love! Madeline is our smart, fun and loyal leading lady. She’s not in a hurry to marry but her family had other plans, as they need money. Madeline had a crush on her neighbor, Gryff. Gryff is the new Earl. He’s loyal, brave, but a bit rakeish. He also has the habit of thinking the worst in people. Madeline and Gryff have to work together as there is a smuggling plot against their land. As these two go through a lot and danger, they start to fall for one another! I loved that these two had amazing chemistry with a side of steamy goodness! I really enjoyed this read. The characters were absolutely wonderful as well! I can’t wait to see what comes next!

A lovely historical romance with witty, charming characters and an interesting adventure plot. Kate Bateman created a story with much anticipation as the slow burning, electric current running between characters keeps the tale alive. From enemies to lovers, trying to uphold the family feud Gryff and Maddie are quite the pair; both being so well suited to each other. What I love the most about this is the adventure they take you on with their love story. It's a unique premise and forces the two to collide in a big way and that's what held my interest for the entirety of the book. There were some redundancies and lengthy segments that I found unnecessary that detracted from my personal experience with connecting to the story wholly. However, a great adventure amongst a historical romance from Kate Bateman always proves exciting to read.

Move over Hatfield and McCoys and goodbye Capulets and Montagues, you have met your match as no two families despise each other as much as the Montgomerys and the Davies. But what happens when Madeline Montgomery must learn to depend on her arch nemesis Gryff Davies for help in trying to save her family, while still trying to please her family in the dislike of all things Davies. This is a hilariously funny story mixed with heat and intrigue that show how good girl Maddie and rakish Gryff can overcome centuries of hate to fall in love. For a historical romance there’s plenty of heat between the two and the witty banter has you wanting to find out more about these dueling families. Throw in a little “Goonies” like adventure and this new series starts off with a bang. 4.5 stars. I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review

The families of Madeline Montgomery and Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, have been bitter rivals for hundreds of years. When the two meet again for a handshake ceremony on a plot of shared land, long buried feelings being to surface. An illegal duel forced Gryff back to his family’s Welsh castle, he quickly realizes the countryside isn't so dull when he's exchanging playful barbs with Maddie. A hidden tunnel, dangerous smugglers, and exciting discovery make their time together something that neither can ever forget.

“It started with a pig…Things escalated from there.” I was totally hooked from the first line and adored this feuding family tale, which is the first in the new Ruthless Rivals series. This story had an interesting plot, witty banter, and characters that spend a majority of the book together in each other's company. It wasn't super steamy (one full scene and one interrupted scene), but it did not lack for chemistry and affection.

The storytelling was stellar! Kate Bateman knocks it out of the park again.

Tropes: Feuding Families/Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Bluestocking

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ARecklessMatch #NetGalley

Madeline has a lot of bad luck and now family family is also.
Gryff has been half in love with Madeline since they were young. Of course it didn't come off that way.
A Reckless Match, takes a lot of turns. I loved reading it. Always something new.

I really enjoyed this story! Perfect enemies to lovers trope with some adventure, forced proximity, and a little bit of mystery. Author Kate Bateman has started her new series, Ruthless Rivals, off with a bang and I am already eager for the next books in the series.

The characters in this story were very well developed and intriguing, I cannot wait to see what Bateman does with them in coming books. The MC in this story are Maddie Montgomery and Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, the Earl of Powys. Maddie and Gryff have been each other’s nemesis for several years and their respective families have been feuding for centuries. Everyone knows the story of the Montgomery and Davies rivalry even if nobody can remember what really started the conflict. Whether it was a stolen pig or a stolen lady — the important thing is these two families live to one up each other. Something has changed though, Maddie is all grown up and Gryff can no longer tease her or steal her shawl, no now he has to find new ways to show Maddie how much he wants her.

These two are perfect together. Like two halves of a book when they finally connect its magic. Their passion is scorching hot and the author doesn’t skimp on the sexy times. My only complaint is I wish their story was longer. They finally become a couple and the book ends. No extended epilogue was also a bit frustrating.

I would be remiss to not mention the gorgeous cover — it very much drew me to the book!

Overall 4.5 Stars ⭐️| 4 Flames 🔥 ~ Can’t wait for the next book!

This story is so much fun! The Montgomery and the Davies families have been feuding for centuries. The wit and snark that gleefully spews between Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies is so entertaining. Each feels a pull to the other but rationalizes the why of it. Things come to a head when they must work together to survive a dangerous situation. This story has it all: humor, romance, snark, and adventure!

Fun, Adventurous Romance
A highly enjoyable story that was a real page turner. The Montgomery’s and the Davies’ enjoy their centuries old feud, so much so that Gryff and Maddie do not really understand their underlying feelings for each other until they find themselves battling to stay alive, with the odds stacked against them. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sigh.. I just love her books! A wonderful intro to a new family series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was such a fun and totally unique book. When you read the synopsis you think that there’s going to be bad feelings and sniping behavior due to the years of hatred between the families. But that could not be further from the truth.

Bateman took the high road, so to speak, and created a delightful story of childhood “enemies“. Their antics and assignations just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I had a perpetual grin on my face throughout most of this book.

Bateman loves to break the traditional roles of her female heroines in her stories and this one is no different. I love her fearless ability to break the molds and write what’s in her heart. So with that, we get a bit of modern storytelling set in historical times.

A Reckless Match is a lighthearted story with the building romance that we crave. Definitely not stodgy or uptight, but a fabulous beginning to a new series I am excited about. With a bit of foreshadowing to the next book in the series, I am one that definitely cannot wait to get my hands on that one!

Kate Bateman is an author that you definitely can put on your auto order list!