I really really liked the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series and I somehow loved this one even more. This romance is the story of Carys and Tristan, the siblings of Gryff and Maddie from the first book. The pair have been butting heads for years and when Carys lets her scandalous past slip to Tristan the pair begin a scandalous adventure of their own while trying to keep their hearts from becoming involved. Their story is fun, steamy, and deeply romantic
I loved both Carys and Tristan. Both were complex characters and it was just wonderful to be in their heads and read all of their interactions. I loved Carys love of animals, her family, and ultimately Tristan. I loved Tristan subconscious love of Carys that had him creating a perfect place for her at his side without even realizing it. I loved the pairs lack of judgement for each other about the important things. They were just a wonderful romance couple with fun subplots that kept the two having to work together. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Loved this second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. Carys Davies is a wonderful female lead with just the right amount of sass & spunk. Tristan Montgomery is perfect as her foil. The two of them produce sparks that are hot enough to have steam coming off the pages. This is a great historical romance. I enjoyed reading their story & seeing a little of the other Davies & Montgomery crews. Looking forward to book three in this fun series. Highly recommend this book.
Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Carys Davis and Tristan Montgomery have continued the feud of sorts between their families even though their siblings Gryff and Madeline have married. Now Carys is in a tough spot, having done one inappropriate thing that could sink her marriage chances and she's being blackmailed by the rat. Tristan, who likes her more than he wants to admit, comes to her aid but only after they make a bargain, an unusual one for the time and place. And it turns out, they find they like one another, they really really like one another. Bateman has a good way with the steamy scene as well as with dialogue. This is an easy, trope-y read that I found myself totally caught up in! Don't worry if you missed Gryff and Madeline's story- this stands just fine on its own. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good fun read.

After a promising first installment I find I’m back to being heavily disappointed with A Daring Pursuit. It has crumbs of potential, which kept me reading, but overall, I was highly underwhelmed, and found it hard to read without my critical lens on a lot of the minute details.
The characters are…ok. Carys is the more interesting of the two, as she had a bad first sexual experience with a scoundrel who is now blackmailing her. She’s a good balance of bold and brash, with the outfits to match, tempered by vulnerability due to being taken advantage of when she was young and curious. While I have other issues with her character, I mostly felt she was the best part of the book.
Tristan is all right. I was excited to read about him being an architect in the blurb, but he’s still a member of a prominent family with all the privilege it affords him. He is, however, decent and solid, for the most part, so I can theoretically see how he’s a good foil for the wild Carys.
And I did appreciate that the woman Carys’ ex married was also cognizant of what a monster he was. There’s a lovely moment between the two, and it seems like she’s found her own path to happiness in her own way, while encouraging Carys to grasp hers.
The first bit of confusion for me is that the families still hate each other…but are getting together because two members are getting married. I know, old habits die hard. But given it was more about upholding the “tradition” of hating each other than any actual enmity, why keep up this weird facade?
And Tristan and Carys very much play up their enmity for each other, while admitting their lust for each other. There’s even an exchange where Tristan informs Carys that you don’t have to like the person you sleep with, and the asexual in me rolled my eyes. Again, I get the concept theoretically, and they do have great banter and sexual chemistry. I also like that he does care about her well-being in regards to the blackguard who ruined her and is now blackmailing her. But if that’s the bare minimum to be expected, and there’s no other substance to their bond?
I also found Carys’ gender expression rather troubling. When she disguises herself as a man at one point, she compares herself to Shakespeare’s Rosalind and Viola, saying she “dressed as she wished to be: as confident and liberated as a man.” However, beneath this, she still wears women’s undergarments. And there’s never any effort to discuss or unpack gender identity or queerness in a serious way, it’s just a means to an end, as many books before with this trope have been. While it could easily be read as a comment on the barriers cis women faced at the time and still do to an extent, queer (including trans) people have always existed (and queer readings of Twelfth Night in particular exist), it’s disappointing to see yet another rendering of this tired trope in 2022 to reinforce how “edgy” and “modern” this historical heroine is, when it will only resonate with cishet women readers (and likely only a certain subset of them who aren’t pearl clutchers), instead of something that interrogates the trope beyond “being a man = more freedom.”
And for a book with a blackmail plot, it was…boring? I kept checking to see if I was getting any closer to the end, and nope! And typically, with all the issues I had, I’d bail, but a combination of the little I did like and wanting to see how weird it got made it hard to look away…until real life events took up my time so I found I didn’t even miss the book (a rare occurrence, indeed!).
After this disappointment, complete with the reinforcement of problematic tropes, and the fact that the previous relative win was preceded by a stinker of a series I stuck out with for some improbable reason, I’m inclined to be extra careful considering whether to read Kate Bateman’s work in the future. Trope issues aside, it’s becoming clear she doesn’t often write books that work for me. And while I can’t say I personally would recommend these, historical romance readers who enjoy books with “unconventional” heroines, staid heroes, and high sexual tension may enjoy it.

I loved the banter and chemistry between Tristan and Carys. Enemies, a scandalous bargain and an affair that builds in passion and heads non stop to love. Great story plus great characters makes for a very worthwhile and satisfying read.

Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery have been adversaries since childhood. Growing up as next-door neighbors with a generations long family feud will do that. What they are about to find out though, is that each of them has always been in love with the other.

This quick-paced, enemies-t0-lovers romance will sweep you up in their passionate affair. There's just enough plot and adventure to keep the book interesting (at one point they are being chased by a bear!) and enough open-door, steamy scenes to satisfy.

I highly recommend ANY of Kate Bateman's books, they have never disappointed me. Her heroes are always dashing and dreamy and her heroines strong, smart and confident.

This is the second book in her "Ruthless Rivals" series but can be read as a stand-alone with no problem. I can't wait to see what comes next for the Davies and Montgomerys!

Carys and Tristan were adorable together. No shocking insights and the plot was simple and overall straightforward but this was nonetheless a enjoyable childhood enemies to lovers trope. Villains were villainous. I loved the girl power component and the female solidarity was excellent.

My 2nd Kate Bateman book has cemented my "fan" status. The author gives readers Tristan and Carys - two very likable, complex characters that readers grow to love. Knowing their long history as childhood neighbors and watching them become reacquainted as adults who spend most of their time involved in verbal sparring was extremely entertaining. Carys is one of a kind and Tristan is by far the only man she knows who appreciates her unique beauty and fearless approach to life. Tristan is the complete package with brains, brawn, wit, humor, chivalry, total loyalty. I loved the deep romance that grew over time and the heated encounters they shared along the way. Watching their relationship unfold as they gradually reach their very satisfying HEA makes this an exceptional story. 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.

This is my first book by this author and I have to say I quite liked her writing style! I'm a huge fan of regency romance so there are lots of times when I feel like I'm reading the same book again (not that I mind, this is my comfort genre so I go in expecting the same tropes lol!) but I found this one to have a few pretty unique aspects which is always exciting!

First off, we have a main female character who purposely wears scandalous outfits to every ball she attends (LOVED this - thanks to good writing, I had a mental image of each stunning outfit!). She does this to avoid marrying anyone due to a secret that we learn about pretty early in the book (though I won't go into details for those who wish to remain surprised). Carys was a fun, layered character who always seemed so good-natured, yet bold and unafraid. Tristan is more reserved and proper, yet he can't help but be intrigued with Carys's salacious disregard for the ton's rules. These two are such a great match. Both complement each other's personalities, both are intelligent and caring, and both are in love before they even realize it.

Overall, the plot here was great, the supporting characters (including Carys's animals!) were all fantastic, and our main characters were a perfect match. Though there is an element of blackmail, it takes a backseat to the romance between Carys and Tristan which is ok, just something to note! I'm looking forward to what comes next in this series, and will definitely be going back and reading the first one!

It's really rough when the boy you've always had a crush on but never been able to actually flirt with (because his family is your family's sworn enemy) comes back from his time away (1.) Hot; (2.) Successful in his profession; (3.) A war hero; (4.) Completely indifferent to you. Of course, that's what Carys thinks of Tristan. He's tried to rid himself of an equally unwanted crush on her for literally years.

Once he gets back to town and they get thrown together again, he discovers her most shameful secret. It has to do with sex because OF COURSE it does. But don't worry, he wants to prove to her that sex can be good with the right guy - and he's willing to sacrifice himself to do so.

They also manage to uncover a treasonous plot, save some wild animals, and fall in love in the meantime. This is a real romp, despite what could be difficult subject matter (Carys's previous lover wasn't just bad in bed, he's also blackmailing her and threatening social ruin). Bateman tackles it with a light touch. We had a great time reading this one!

Oh. Wow!! Kate Batemen DELIVERS the “ruined” heroine making “Please-teach-me-your-sexy-ways” deals with a grumpy hero to perfection!! I am here for it, and I simply cannot get enough.

Bravo!! I’ll take the next book please!!

Even though I am a fan of some of this author's other stories, I struggled to get through this one.

On one hand I enjoyed the way Carys didn't back down from Tristan. She had a fire to her that was refreshing, and when she and Tristan were sniping back and forth, purposely trying to annoy each other, I found myself laughing out loud. I do think that her form of dress came across as completely inappropriate and out of place given the time period and the fact that she was supposed to be an unmarried, virginal, lady. Her reputation would have been ruined by the way she dressed and flirted alone without having any help from the villain who was blackmailing her.

However, I wish there had been more by the way of "flashbacks" showing Tristan and Carys over the years to give some sense of when and how they started to have feelings for each other. We hear a lot about it, as well as the family feud that has been raging for centuries, but we aren't really shown anything especially where these two are concerned. I don't see them being enemies the way they claim to be. I don't see them particularly being friends. The lust between them? Absolutely. After all, they did enter into a pack to sleep with each other for a week so that Tristan could introduce her to all the ways of lovemaking.

Sadly, once they actually started exploring those areas, I felt the story lost most of what made it enjoyable.

To begin with, although Tristan knows full well that Carys was taken advantage of by Howe, so do we. And I didn't particularly care to have his name brought up every time Tristan did something new to/with her. Yet despite this, they still fall in love with each other? How? When? Of course it is explained away as something that had always been there, just made more obvious by their physical connection, but again we are told these things instead of being able to experience them alongside the characters.

One near-death experience later and he's ready to marry her. Which I mean, isn't all that uncommon, but I would definitely have liked to have seen her brother make him squirm just a little bit.

However, what didn't work for me will undoubtedly work for someone else, and I do plan to read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

This was the first in the series for me, but super easy to get all caught up on everything. This was such a good read and such a great use of the enemies to lovers trope! Our hero and heroine had just the right amount of sass and it was super to see them recognise pretty immediately that there was more than dislike there. And I super loved that neither wanted to change the other in any way!

Disillusioned with love by a bad first experience, Carys Davies is determined to be so bold, so brazen that she scares any potential suitors away. She can't afford to have her secret exposed or her family will be ruined. When quiet, reserved Tristan, from the rival Montgomery family, accidentally learns her secret, he steps up to save her . . . in spite of the ongoing feud between the Davies and Montgomerys. Carys and Tristan have sparred for years while both secretly harboring deeper feelings for each other. In the midst of a one week gathering and truce between families, the pair discover a raging sexual inferno blazing between them that won't be denied. At the risk of being forward, Carys suggests an indecent proposal to Tristan knowing he'll turn her down. He has one week to teach her why she will enjoy being married, including all bedroom acts - no holds barred. Why it's simply scandalous! Tristan accepts the challenge. Buckle up, readers! It's about to get very hot in here!

I simply adore the characters, especially these two, in The Ruthless Rivals series! Bateman excels at rendering characters that you either love or love to hate. The banter, the chemistry, the plot line all combine to make a fantastic read that I finished in mostly one sitting. Support characters include those from book one and while A Daring Pursuit can certainly be read as a standalone, I highly advise you not to cheat yourself out of reading A Reckless Match as it is also exceptional. Bateman cranks up the heat in A Daring Pursuit as the flirting, courting and bedroom scenes explode from the high heat radiating off Carys and Tristan. If you love a good enemies to lovers story with a ton of sexual tension, this one's for you. It's Regency Romance at its best!

Carys and Tristan's story is a highly entertaining enemies to lovers, opposites attract delight! I knew their story would be fun to read as these two sworn enemies circled around each other in the first book of this series, A Reckless Match. So when it was announced that their book would be next, I was very excited!

Carys is fiery and passionate, a total scandal to the ton that dictates the etiquette of the time. Tristan is cool and collected, everything in his world is orderly and predictable. It really was no wonder these two are fascinated with each other. But their families have been in this centuries long feud, and not even the marriage of Cary's brother to Tristan's sister seems to have assuaged the feud.

When Tristan stumbles upon a scandalous secret Carys has been keeping for years, an unlikely proposition is offered up, and the story takes off on a steamy romp that I couldn't get enough of. Along the way, Ms. Bateman does an impeccable job of delving deep into both characters and I couldn't help but fall in love with both of them. I was just dying for them to throw propriety to the wayside and get past this family feud once and for all and succumb to what was so obvious to everyone but them.

I loved the menagerie of animals Carys kept at Trellech Court, and I especially loved the danger filled element towards the end of the book that kept me glued to the pages. This story was a delightful addition to The Ruthless Rivals series. I'm on pins and needles to see whose story will be up next. Will it be Morgan and Harriet? It's clear there's more than meets the eye there with those two. Or perhaps Rhys? Who knows, I just know I'm coming along for the ride!

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

The second book in the Ruthless Rivals romances stars Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery. They have secretly been fascinated with each other since they were children, but the Davies-Montgomery feud has kept them apart.

Carys is built herself quite a reputation in London for her outrageous outfits and bold nature. After a distressing encounter with a man she thought would be marrying her, Carys needs to hide that she is no longer a virgin. That and blackmail from the blackguard who seduced her, has kept her from any thought of marriage. Besides she knows that sex just isn't that great.

Tristan Montgomery is back from the war with Napoleon and trying to build his career as an architect. He's looking for the perfect woman to be his wife. She should be someone who will support his career. He's found a candidate even though she doesn't interest him nearly as much as Carys.

When he comes upon Carys after a brief encounter with her blackmailer, he discovers that he has major protective instincts where she is concerned. He also proposes that he would be an excellent teacher for the amatory arts. After all, she doesn't know what she would be missing if she remained unwed or married one of her suitors who preferred men.

As they two explore each other, each becomes more in love than they were before, but neither is thinking of marriage, until one encounter goes too far, and her blackmailer threatens to destroy her reputation. It helps their cause that the blackmailer is being blackmailed into funneling money to Napoleon which would do a lot more than ruin his reputation if it came out.

This was an entertaining and romantic story. I enjoyed both main characters.

I read and loved the previous book in this series and this one was even better.

I love love loved Carys and Tristan. She’s carefree and he’s straight laced and together they have banter and button pushing for days. I loved the chemistry and longing they each had for the other. Of course, it was fun seeing the other family members and the Aunts stole every scene they were in.

Plot wise, it was good. These two are together for nearly the entire book and that was perfection. I loved reading their prickly relationship shift and change (all while still staying prickly) and appreciated the open conversations. The build up to the conflict was slight and resolved in a fun way. Extra kudos for not making the couple break up for the conflict.

Overall, I think I may like this series more than Kate’s previous one and I know this will be a book I read again.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

A Daring Pursuit is a fun, sexy read with a little bit of everything. Enemies to lovers? Check. An iconoclastic heroine and an uptight hero? Check. Seduction lessons? Check. Feuding families? Check. A little bit of intrigue and treason on the side? Check!

I had a great time reading this book, devouring it in about a day and a half because I was so drawn into the back and forth between Carys and Tristan. They're long-time enemies thanks to the centuries-long feud between their two families, but they've also been nursing crushes on each other since childhood. It's a perfect setup for a romance where both parties fight hard to ignore their growing feelings, making the ultimate payoff all the sweeter. Their long relationship made for some excellent banter, as well as for references to the past that helped to add fuel to the fire. The end result was crackling chemistry and passion that was a delight to read.

A lot of times, romances stumble with their B plot, but I felt that this one - Carys being blackmailed by the man she had slept with once year ago - delivered, providing a little something extra to bring Carys and Tristan together, as well as a tangible villain to root against. Howe is just generally kind of the worst, and I was extremely pleased to see him get what was coming to him - as well as how Tristan stepped up to threaten him if he bothered Carys ever again (what can I say, I'm a simple woman who likes to see a man stand up for the woman he loves in dramatic fashion).

My biggest complaint with this book was that it could have used more Tristan. He had far fewer POV scenes and chapters than Carys, and it ended up feeling unbalanced. There were several moments that I would have preferred to see from his point of view, and I ultimately ended up feeling like we didn't know him nearly as well as Carys. It's not often I'm clamoring to hear more of a man's voice, but in this case, I really do think it would have added something.

Overall, though, this was a really fun read, that stands alone really well, despite being second in a series. Can't wait to see what's next for the Davies and the Montgomerys!

4/5

have a confession to make: I read the first book in this series, A Reckless Match, when I craved a historical romance rather this year. While I didn't find it remarkable, it still fit the bill for my mood for fluff, sex and romance. I think it's okay when books are mediocre but satisfy an emotional itch.

So when I had the opportunity to grab an ARC second book in the series, A Daring Pursuit, I jumped at the opportunity.

I wouldn't be in the mood to read it until this week in the aftermath of Roe Vs Wade getting overturned when I needed something a little more cheery than I normally gravitate toward.

I found the characters charming in this sexy read and the setting of the different time period to be escapist. It was a revelation to me with this series of books and season 2 of Bridgerton that friends to lovers romances can provide fun chemistry between characters. (Although I've never been as smitten by Pride and Prejudice the way others have; I still prefer the Gothic stories like Jane Eyre and Rebecca)

Also, the quality of the second book in this series surpassed the first one. In the first book, the sex scenes were the best part. However, in A Daring Pursuit the characters were more interesting AND there are wonderfully racy sex scenes.

As a light historical romance isn't the type of book I usually read, it definitely gave me the brief opportunity to get a brief mental respite. When I am in the right mood I'll definitely check out more of Kate Bateman's books!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

A good enemy to lovers story that made me root for the characters and had a lot of fun.
It's fast paced, compelling, and entertaining.
Kate Bateman can surely write entertaining books and this is another one she wrote.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine