I am loving this series! We have two families who have been in a feud for god knows how long, and now this generation is proving that the line between enemies and love is a very fine one..

Carys Davis is a strong independant woman who wants nothing more than to never be married.. She dresses and acts a bit outrageous to keep men at arms length.. Tristin her families sworn enemy seems to dissaprove of everything she says and does.. but that only makes him more intriguing... When he stumbles upon Carys deepest secret he decides to help her... and when their kisses burn hotter than either one of them could ever expect it leads to a new kind of relationship.. One that neither one of them expected...

I loved every part of this book and I can't wait to see how the next couple is going to get their HEA!!

The Davies and Montegomery families are on opposite side of a very long fued.
They have neighboring lands and have grown up disliking the other walks on.

Carys Davies has liked Tristan since they were children. But with him off to war on the continent, she falls prey to Howe who starts blackmailing her and threatens to ruin her reputation.

Now Tristan is back and suspects that Carys is having an affair with Howe.

The plot moved along really well and didn't have one dull moment. It also gets real spicy as it goes on. The banter between the two was really good. It included humor, history and architecture.

“I heard a Davies woman once stabbed a Montgomery man at a party just like this,” she said. “
Tristan’s hand tightened on her waist. “I can believe it. You Davieses always aim for the heart.”
“I didn’t think Montgomerys had hearts,” she said lightly. “She must have nicked his liver.”

What I felt was somewhat lacking was the buildup. Carys very quickly falls in love with Tristan for no reason. As a reader, you wonder why? It would have made a lot of sense towards the end where character development had happened.

The side plots for the brothers was good but could have been better.

Carys and Tristan grew up together. So, any flashbacks would have greatly helped push the agenda that they already liked each other. This might be more of an issue of me not reading the books in order.
All in all, a decent read.

Feudin’, fightin’, fussin’…and lovin’…Oh my!

If enemies to lovers is your thing, you’ll enjoy this fun and smexxy regency romance! Carys’ and Tristan’s love affair is a page turner full of adventure and snarky banter! There is so much happening within these pages, and I don’t want to give away too much in a review! Highly recommend and look forward to the next installment to the Ruthless Rivals!


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

I adored this romance. I mean I will have to read the rest of this series ASAP! This romance between Carys and Tristan was beautiful. Although they were enemies in the beginning it was clear they both didn't have any real hate for each other. They were denying feelings for each other from the beginning.

Carys strength and perseverance awed me. This girl was not going to be managed or brought down by her circumstance. she had a plan and she was going to make it work no matter what.

Tristan has avoided his feelings for Carys and when she is in trouble he cannot help himself but help her in whichever way possible.

This story was cute, adorable with the banter and longing gazes but at the same time sexy as hell. It displayed the lack of choices ladies have and the disadvantage they are in place and the people who love to take advantage.

Beautiful Kate Bateman is on my list of authors to look out for

I love the characters. Tristian and Cary’s are like the old saying goes opposites attract. They have always had feelings for each other that they didn’t want to admit to. But the more time they spend together the more they realize there’s no way around it. Lots going on in this wonderful entertaining story.

A Daring Pursuit is an enemies to lovers story. For those of you who want a strictly accurate Regency romance, modernity bleeds into the dialogue (it was not an issue for me, but I know there are purists out there!). In terms of a Regency romance, what I thought Kate Bateman did well was present a fresh take on ruination and virtue. The dialogue between Carys and Tristan created a crackling dynamic, and the romance was spicy! I am rounding up to 4 stars, I would take a half star away because I didn't feel like the secondary plot added to the story - it was one too many metaphors for me in an otherwise enjoyable read.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A Daring Pursuit is everything I want a romance novel to be. Enemies to lovers - but were they really enemies? Their families have a decades old feud but Tristan and Carys are fire together. Even their arguments bring tension to the forefront. I loved Carys' confidence, vivaciousness and especially her love of animals. It made her strong and vulnerable all at once. Tristan seemed a bit starchy at first but he came undone with Carys in more ways than one. I loved all of their interactions together, the tension of their attraction leapt off the pages. And the love is there from the very start. Tristan's standing up for Carys' past is one of my favorite things in this story. And the villain is very unlikeable for good reason. I enjoy stories that have a very clear cut villain and not just another suitor. This story did not disappoint on any level. Another great book by Kate Bateman!

5 stars!!

This is a MUST read!! This passion filled novel is filled with everything you want and need: enemies to lovers, intrigue, and humor. Not to mention the steaminess! This is the second book in the series, and I plan on getting the first to read right away!

Carys Davies is so scandalous, but only in matters of fashion, it looks like she will never snare a husband which is her plan. She has a secret she doesn't want revealed and is willing to be talked about to avoid marriage. With the new partnership between the Davies and Montgomery families she has a fortune and can continue keep her secret, however she is threatened by a blackmailer. When Tristan Montgomery uncovers her secret, instead of exposing her, he helps her. Carys's love for and care for animals is exemplary of her character.

Kate Bateman does it again in her new Regency novel, A Daring Pursuit. Carys has a terrible secret that she cannot reveal, but it means she also cannot get married. Tristan has desired her since he was young, but they've never seen eye to eye. When he discovers her secret, they make a pact...he will teach her the ways of love for a week, then he will go on his way and she can do what she likes. He didn't realize the impact that this pact would have on the both of them, for Carys has been in love with him since she was a child. Will they be able to love each other and leave?

Another intriguing novel from Ms. Bateman! Thank you to the author,St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Kate Bateman is fast becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Her books always seem to have just the right amount of steam, humor and angst that I crave. This is the second book in her Ruthless Rivals series. I haven't read the first one yet but I plan on reading it soon. So, good news this one can be read as a stand alone.

Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery are from two families with centuries of feuding between them. Their story is achingly romantic. During a house party thrown by Maddie,Tristan's sister they agree to explore the attraction between them. During this week things get incredibly hot and steamy. Carys and Tristan's chemistry is off the charts! This book had everything I could have wanted, including a Thank God we're still alive sex scene. Just so perfect.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an awesome book full of trepidation and love.
Carys and Tristan are meant to be together!
TWO ENEMIES
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?
Kate Bateman has written another exciting book.
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.

Warning: This review was entirely written in shrieks of glee that have been loosely translated into something someone might be able to read. TLDR: One of my favorite books of 2022 without a doubt. I know that its only March but I'm calling it.

Carys is so delightful! She is a brash, loyal, witty, and passionate firecracker with a hidden, lonely layer of brittle hidden by layers of armor. Outrageous outfits and a devil-may-care confidence shield her by creating self-cultivated mini scandals to distract from her secrets. I don't think I can stress it enough; I adore Carys. I'm not sure she could do wrong in my eyes.

Her favorite hobby, after rescuing all sorts of animals to add to the menagerie, is provoking Tristan. Who could blame her? The cool to Cary's fire, Tristan has an exacting, rigid personality that makes a person want to see what it takes to upend it all. Carys has spent most of her time teasing and attempting to shock Tristan into a reaction throughout the years. I desperately wanted to see his buttoned up self come undone and boy did Bateman deliver.

Fair warning, this is a mild rivalry not the enemies-to-lovers a reader could expect. Friendly ribbing, inside jokes, and a passion that burns so brightly that I wasn't sure if I was blushing or if I was sunburned.

I love the "tutor in passion" trope and Tristan's slow, sexy approach was *chef's kiss*. Bateman found that sweet, sweet balance of heartwarming, romantic feelings and delicious white hot lust long buried between rivals.

This is only book two in Ruthless Rivals so far, but I am ready to say that this is my favorite series by Bateman! I adore the Davies - Montgomery rivalry romances. I can't wait to see what Bateman has in store for the rest of the families!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and the author for the review copy!

Kate Bateman is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors! The second book in the series of two rival families can be read as a standalone, and is just as good as the first in the series. From the first time we pick up fun-loving Carys and serious Tristan's relationship early in the book, the sparks are already flying! Childhood acquaintances from rival families who carried torches for each other, the grown up versions can't quite stop their hidden attractions to each other. When Tristan finds out Carys' shameful secret, he immediately jumps in and offers his assistance. It's a romance, so I know they are going to end up together, but I loved going along for the ride while they found their way to each other. This book was hard to put down and thoroughly enjoyable.

Huge Kate Bateman fan, however, the first in this series was a miss for me. This one absolutely delivered and I could not be happier!

Lady Carys Davies is paying blackmail to keep a secret from her past from surfacing. Disillusioned with men and love, she keeps suitors away while longing for Tristan Montgomery, a member of her family’s greatest rivals. Architect Tristan is trying to get his home and life in order, but he’s never stopped wanting Carys. An accidental meeting in a carriage - and a challenge that he should show her what she's missing - leads to lusty lessons that have them both rethinking their futures.

This is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. It can be read alone but it's better with the backstory about the families and their rivalry, which is introduced in book one.

It was long night of reading because I didn’t want to put this story down! I was excited about Tristan and Carys from the last book, and they did not disappoint. Taken advantage of by the man she thought she'd marry, Carys is holding herself together by presenting a carefree facade to the ton. She and Tristan shock each other...with her unlikely, bold proposal and by his accepting. It starts as a bit of a slow burn (Carys and I were both getting impatient), but thankfully the tease doesn't last too long. This book was wildly entertaining and swoony! I can't wait to see more of these families in the next one!

Tropes: Ruined, Feuding Families, Secret Crush, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity/House Party, Lessons

Steam: 3

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

Sigh… butterflies, giggles, swooning. I couldn’t help myself with this one. It’s everything I love in a historical romance—flirting, adventure, strong-willed female lead, supportive man, humor, passion. I loved it!!!

Carys and Tristan come from families who feud, but they can’t deny they’ve loved each other as long as they can remember- they just didn’t accept it yet. There’s conflicts with Howe, and her brothers bring in humor and typical brotherly protectiveness. Carys is also passionate about saving animals and Tristan supports that too. Put this one on your reading list to see how these two come together.

So I read the previous book which was amazing and was intrigued by Tristan and Carys dynamic. But this book was different set-up than the way the characters were portrayed in the start of the series. It’s not a true enemies to lovers. It’s more unrequited lovers. And the plot was extremely meh for me. I preferred the Carys that didn’t give a sh*t and in this one, her backstory of being used and then she became a force was also too over done.

A Daring Pursuit is book #2 in Kate Bateman's "Ruthless Rivals" series. Carys Davies is a beautiful woman from an established family who has a terrible secret and the shame that comes with a rash indiscretion with the wrong guy when she was younger. As this secret threatens to expose her and ruin her reputation, her arch nemesis, Tristan Montgomery, has figured out what her secret is and instead of threatening to expose her, decides to use the opportunity to spend some wicked time with her so he can once and for all purge Carys from his thoughts. Along the way, the enemies discover that their hatred is actually love and as they fight to keep Carys' secret quiet, they discover more than they ever bargained for.

I loved this book. To me, this is what a Romance Novel should be! Enemies, lovers, scandals, secrets! Everything you could ever want is in this story and I found myself staying up late a few nights in a row to finish the story and also being sad when it was over! I can't wait to read more novels from the Ruthless Rivals series and from the author!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my review and honest opinions.

Kate Bateman is one of my fav Romance authors and I’d read the first installment of the series m. I was very excited when she announced it was available in NetGalley and I rushed right over to download it. Needless to say it does not disappoint. Kate always gets the sexual tension, humor and great storytelling juuuuuuust right. Love it!