The main source of conflict between the Montgomery family and the Davies family was the land. In fact, their feud had become legendary, with each family having to send a representative to ensure the continued forced sharing of the land. Madeline Montgomery was the current representative, hoping against hope that the Davies family wouldn’t send anyone, as that would allow the Montgomerys to claim the land and hopefully sell to fend off the creditors. Unfortunately, Gryff Davies, currently Lord Powys, not only showed up, he was even more handsome than before, and Maddie’s heart was lost to the enemy.

I enjoyed this regency romance, and I loved Maddie’s courage and her determination to protect her family by finding another way to pay her father’s debts than marrying Sir Mostyn, an old man who offered two thousand pounds to marry her. Gryff is a strong and noble character, doing his best to protect Maddie as they deal with a smuggling ring using the caves nearby. In A Reckless Match, Kate Bateman has created a story with love and loyalty that truly touched my heart. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment of this series.

A fun read with some great banter and a little suspense, I breezed through it in a day. I enjoyed the dual POV but I wanted a bit more from Gryff's POV; by the end it had felt a bit imbalanced. Looking forward to reading more in the series!

This is my fair and honest review, in my own words, for this arc.

Remember Romeo and Juliet? Warring families that ended unhappily? Meet The Montgomery and the Davies family. Long dispute that no one can even remembering WHY!!

The difference here is that there are 3 men and 3 women, and so many sparks that it's a wonder there are any wood left.

Well written and at least 2 sequels to come.

Fun and steamy version of the Hatfields & McCoys/ Romeo & Juliet vibes but in regency England.

The Mongomery's and the Davies have had a feud going for as long as any can remember. Some say it started with a pig, others say it was a woman. In an effort to stem the tide of hostility, it was decreed that a certain section of their bordering lands would be jointly owned by both families. On one day at the same time every year, one member from each family will meet on the bridge that adjoins their lands and shake hands. Only this year, the outcome is far different than any before.

Maddie Montgomery is sure that THIS is their year. With the head of the Davies family recently passed, and the new lord of the manor being off in London creating quite a stir, according to the broadsheets, Maddie is sure down to her bones that she will finally have the upper hand. She can save her family from their recent run of bad luck with an ill-fated investment and she won't have to marry the horrible man who is older than her father to save them from their debts. That is until her arch-nemesis flies in on his warhorse and ruins it all.

For Gryff Davies, Maddie has always caused a stir but she's no longer that tomboy he knew before he left for war. This stunning creature still has her fire though and he can't help his old tendencies of lighting her up and teasing her as he's always done. When Gryff and Maddie discover a cavern on their shared property, they can't help but let old times rein. And when they discover contraband and a dangerous set of smugglers with possibly dangerous implications for their town, they find that working together is the least of their problems.

Gryff and Maddie's story was a lot of fun. There is a fun mystery, smugglers, caverns, discovered treasure, and a lot of fun chemistry. I loved the hint of the Romeo and Juliet vibes going on. The mystery of the smugglers and the hidden treasures really kept the pacing and interest for me. I loved being introduced to the Davies and the Montgomery families and seeing their possible overlying connections (future installments?!?)

The steam, chemistry, and connection between Gryff and Maddie were there from the start. I loved their antagonistic snarky banter and could feel the underlying currents of things. I am a huge sucker for good banter.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and am totally on the hook for more in the series.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Bateman had me hooked from the first page. I love a good enemies-to-lovers, and throwing in the childhood archenemy and a heroine with an atypical hobby for the time (archaeologist) and I'm not going anywhere. A little bit of mystery and intrigue rounds out this romance beautifully.

The line between hate and passion is razor thin between Maddie and Gryff and I was glued to the pages watching them navigate preconceptions with the person they were spending time with. Watching this relationship bloom was such a pleasure! Filled to the brim with clever banter, wit, and sexual tension that kept me fanning myself and desperately turning pages. There is an incredibly sensual "almost" scene that was absolutely brilliant and yet torturous with the teasing.

I thoroughly appreciated the low angst rivalry between Gryff and Maddie. Gryff's POVs revealed longing and fascination had me sighing with content while Maddie's struggle to decide whether she wanted to bang or strangle her beloved rival had me giggling. Gryff honestly reminded me a bit of Mr. B.

My only complaint is we glossed over the proposal quite a bit. I really wanted to see Father Montgomery's reaction. This is a turning point in the legendary Davies - Montgomery rivalry after all, I really wanted to see his grumbling. Not to mention there were promises of passion in a well-lit room when they got back and I feel robbed. If you prefer low steam stories then this one only has one full scene, but the tension between the two make the story feel even steamier. Did I mention that almost scene?

I'm really excited for the rest of the series! There are so many possibilities, one of which we got a glimpse of at the end of this tale. I am so excited to read more Davies - Montgomery shenanigans.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one was so much fun!! A archeologist heroine and a rouge spy hero. What's not to love.
Kate Bateman is one of my favorite historical romance writers and I'm always amazed at how inventive she can be with her stories. This one has tunnels and thieves and rogues and feuds and unwanted suitors all rolled into one tale of two families.
From the first meeting in the story of these two, you can feel the tension of two people totally attracted to one another. Also you can feel how foolish she feels while he seems to be the picture of utter calmness. Only they are both so foolish feeling because neither can control their responses to the other. It makes for lots of tension throughout the whole story and it takes a kind Dr. to bring them together in the end.
Gryf and Madelaine light up the pages and the adventures they secretly go on keep you entertained the whole way through. You can't go wrong with this book. I can't wait to see what Kate does to the rest of the family in the coming books.

Feuding families, kissing in caves, and a gorgeous cover - this historical romance was such a fun read! Kate Bateman's first book in a new series takes readers through a high stakes adventure with the hero and heroine. Maddy Montgomery's family has been feuding with Gryff Davies' family for as long as they can remember. From their very first on-page meeting, you can just feel their tension but also their connection. This was a pure fun look at the enemies to lovers trope and I can't wait to read more from this series!

I absolutely loved this! The feud. The pranks. The chemistry. The intrigue. Even the archeology!! I couldn’t get enough and I can’t wait for more!!!
5 stars!

I absolutely loved this enemies to lovers, feuding families story. The tension, the heat, the fun interactions with the two of them not even realizing they were nearly flirting but can't help themselves, it was amusing to read. You could sense their emotions and enjoy their triumphs with them, particularly when Drake got what he so richly deserved. Loved the ending and would not mind reading more! #netgalley #arecklessmatch

A feud between the Davies and the Montgomery's has been going on for centuries. The dispute was settled by the king. On the first day of Spring every year, a representative must show up, shake hands and that will keep the land under control of both families. Gryffud Davies and Madeline Montgomery showed up but neither was in any hurry to leave. It seems these two have been sparring with each other since they were younger. Now it looks like flirting on his part and she is just flustered. She is passionate about archeology and seeing what came before. She is well educated and Gryff finds her mind and sense of adventure, refreshing. Danger is afoot and both are caught. Truths are told. Love is declared. The ending is perfect.

I did not want to put this book down! Bateman will hook you with this tale of enemies turned lovers feat. smugglers, caves, and treasure!

The Montgomeries and Davies have hated each other for centuries. The neighbors see no end to that rivalry when Maddie and Gryff meet after he returns from Napoleon's war, now an Earl. Maddie has through Gryff always hated her with all the torment he put her through as children, and Gryff is sure that teasing Maddie is the key to his happiness. Brought back together as adults, riling up each other is not what it once was.

Despite being 50 chapters, the book keeps a fast pace, especially because every chapter ends with you desperate for the next sentence! A historical romance has not gripped me like this in awhile. From the pacing, to the character development, to the romance (oh that tension!), to the adventure, Bateman delivers an excellent story.

I eagerly await the next book in this series. The secondary characters, and even the mentions of other characters, have me hooked on this universe. This book is surely the start to an excellent new series!

I have really fallen for this author's writing style. There are so many things to love in this book. Witty banter, feuding families, Welsh folklore, a little bit of action and adventure. I love these friends/enemies to lovers.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Nobody goes to war over a pig.”

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman had me in stitches and swooning from one page to the next. Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies aren’t just neighbors in a tiff. They are foresworn enemies in a long line of enemies. A Reckless Match is definitely not as tragic as Romeo and Juliet, but slightly less lethal than the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. This feud is what draws the line in the sand between the two of them…and for Maddie and Gryff the line between love and hate is paper thin and made up of the borderlands between their two estates.

“Without love, without complete trust in the other person’s integrity, marriage would be a disaster.”

There is so much more to the plot than just Maddie and Gryff coming to grips with their simmering adoration of each other which is poorly disguised by hilarious quips and even funnier insults. The Montgomerys are on the verge of ruin, and it’s up to Maddie to make a fortuitous marriage in order to save her family from her father’s poor investments. Gryff Davies is back from war on the continent after the death of his father and must step in as the newly minted Earl of Powys. He discovers that the more time he spends with Maddie, the more he realizes that he either loves her brand of insanity, or perhaps he’s also as mad as she is, or it’s both those things and he’s totally besotted.

“If there was one thing being struck by lightning had taught her, it was so seize the moment, to live while she still had a chance.”

This is one of my favorite types of romances, and I love the way Kate Bateman has woven mystery and marauders within Maddie and Gryff’s romance. There’s also plenty of hints as to which couples might be lucky enough to get their own books—none of which detracted from the main storyline. A Reckless Match is full of fun and has a perfectly balanced plot. If you can’t tell, I loved this book. It’s got all the elements for a perfect weekend read: enemies to lovers, a forbidden romance, and unrequited childhood love! I absolutely cannot wait to read more within this series. Kate Bateman has found herself one devoted reader for all future releases!

Bee on the lookout for A Reckless Match to release on September 28th! Historical Romance lovers should not snooze on this new release!

I love enemies to lovers stories and this one did not disappoint. I love how they antagonized each other with a smoldering heat between them. Working together to catch smugglers puts them in some precarious positions that only heat up what is between them more. There is a thin line between love and hate but admitting being in love is not easy for this couple.

A wonderful regency romance between two feuding families that immediately pulled me right into the middle of all that was happening and kept me totally involved until I read the last word with engaging characters you want to root for, family drama, humor, adventure, suspense and I loved every minute. I enjoyed the undeniable attraction and chemistry between Madeline Montgomery and Gryff, the Earl of Powys. If you enjoy well-crafted historical romance, you will love "A Reckless Match" by Kate Bateman who never disappoints whatsoever. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I loved the story of Gryff and Maddie. There was plenty of action along with romance and it was obvious that they were a perfect match. 5 stars.

This is the type of story that makes the reader's heart beat softly with happiness. The was such a good rendition of feuding families falling in love. And I will warn you, there are sensual scenes. The heroine and hero live at neighboring estates and there is a plot of land that their families have been feuding over for better than 700 years. It became so bad that a king had to step in. The families had to share the land. Each year on the spring equinox, a representative from each family had to show up at the bridge over the river that splits the property and shake hands with each other. The year that one party failed to show up, the other party, who did show up, earned the land. So, for over hundreds of years, they have been sending family members to the bridge to shake hands. This year it was the heroine and the hero, who just inherited the title. The hero and heroine are only about 4 years apart, and grew up on their estates. The hero's brothers would pull pranks on the heroine and her cousin all the time. And then the heroine's sibling would prank the hero's family back. But the hero and heroine had always secretly been attracted to each other.
This was a well written story with great detailed settings and lots of action. It wasn't a house party of 4 days that stretched the whole book, it moved along quite nicely. The main characters developed through out the story to make some realizations about themselves. I believe that this is a seris and the remaining siblings will make at least 3 more stories. Those characters look to be just as disbelieving of love as these two. I give this book5 stars with a recommendation to read.

Sexy, humorous, and sweet interactions between intelligent and complex characters combined with thrilling suspense and adventure make A Reckless Match, Book 1 in Kate Bateman’s new series Ruthless Rivals, a high-spirited romance that you cannot put down, as I have come to expect from Bateman. It’s an enemies-to-lovers, regency period historical romance. While enemies-to-lovers romances are generally not my thing, I always find myself totally sucked in and loving every minute of the reading experience anytime I pick up one written by Bateman, and this one is no exception. The mystery/suspense plot is intriguing and excellently plotted, and her description makes you feel like you are Right There with the characters, who feel authentic and so easy to love. You can’t help but want to see them fall in love and get their happily ever after. It’s what I love about her writing.

The Montgomery and Davies clans have been feuding for generations. Maddie hopes that for once that feud can benefit her family in their time of need. Deep in debt, their one shot relies on the Davies’ representative not showing up for the yearly “pledge of goodwill,” thereby ceding the land separating their estates to them. As Maddie’s teenage nemesis Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, is in London, the land should become Montgomery property. But, unfortunately, he does appear – at the last minute – and is as aggravating as ever.

Maddie is a quick-witted, burgeoning archeologist tomboy with an adventurous spirit and a bit of a temper. An arrogant, ex-soldier, rumored rake, and Maddie’s childhood nemesis, Gryff, is now the new Earl. Like the rest of their families, the two have been at odds since they were children. Maddie and Gryff are likable, relatable, though imperfect in their own ways, and while they are complete opposites, they are just right for each other. Maddie’s and Gryff’s verbal banter and interactions are humorous, sexy, and sweet. I loved them so much! Bateman’s development of their relationship and its evolution, and that of the characters – primary and secondary – is one of the best parts of the novel and one of my favorites. She gives readers the chance to get to know Maddie and Gryff before furthering their sexual relationship. When she does, it is a natural occurrence within the flow of the novel that furthers both the story and their development.

Fans of historical romances in the regency period should enjoy this entertaining, steamy, humorous, suspenseful, adventurous, and romantic enemies-to-lovers romance.

This is going to be a great series. I love the dynamic between the two families. Gryff & Maddie have such an interesting journey to love. I could not turn the pages fast enough. I am new to this author but I will be reading more of her work! I cannot wait for the next book.

A Reckless Match is the first book in the new series Ruthless Rivals by Kate Bateman. I was immediately drawn to this new series once I read the tag line "The first in a new regency romance series about two feuding families and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love." Regency romance? Check. Feuding families? Check. Enemies to lovers? Check! It looked like this book had some of my favorite things.

The two feuding families are the Montgomery's and the Davies. Their feud has been going on so long that no one can really remember the origin. Some think it was over land. Some think it was over a woman. Some even think it was over a pig. Regardless, the feud has been passed down through the generations including the present generation of Maddie and Gryff.

Maddie is a bit reckless. She's not a proper regency woman but is not a complete wallflower bluestocking either. She just knows that she isn't in a hurry to get married and thinks that repetitive nature of proper decorum is a bit boring. She also enjoys archelogy and would rather be out digging than attending a fancy ball. I rather liked the character of Maddie as she is intelligent, strong-willed, and loyal to her family. She doesn't necessarily understand the feud with the Davies but, she honors it.

It also helps that Gryff Davies drives her crazy. He has been tormenting her since they were kids! Of course, you know what they say...you tend to tease the ones you like more. And this is exactly the case with Gryff. He is all grown up now and is a well known rake in society. He has returned to the Davies estate to help manage things as the new earl. From his first initial present day encounter with Maddie, you could tell that he was attracted to her but, was desperately trying to fight it. Gryff is also very loyal to his family and if I'm honest a little bit dense. It takes him so long to figure out the true meaning behind all of his teasing.

Maddie and Gryff have chemistry together which I think much of which was based on the fact that they were supposed to be enemies. When they become entangled in a battle of wits and survival, you can feel it jumping off the page. There are also smugglers, secret caves, and meddling families to help them along the way. Their romantic journey is hilarious and also heartwarming as they battle the instinct to be at each others throats and look beneath the surface. I did find it a bit drawn out towards the end but, did like the way everything was wrapped up.

A Reckless Match was a good introduction to the Montgomery and Davies feud. I look forward to reading more about them as the supporting characters are featured in their own books. Bring on the feuding enemies turned lovers! Hopefully we'll have glimpses of Maddie and Gryff again too.