4 1/2 stars rounded to 5. So excited to have a chance to read and review this ARC by one of my favorite Regency authors, Kate Bateman. She always does an excellent job of incorporating steam, believable romance/love, humor, and fast-paced action.

The h and H are from rival families; Carys Davies is a reckless, spirited animal lover and fashionista, and Tristan Montgomery is a cool, orderly architect and war veteran. The "enemies to lovers trope" is executed effectively, with neither character really hating the other--in fact they jive very well intellectually as well as physically. They just have completely opposite approaches to life. I appreciated how the author managed to flesh them out while avoiding heavy-handedness. Carys is strong, funny, and sympathetic without being strident or silly. Tristan is reserved and intelligent without being stuffy--and he's the perfect amount of sexy. Their humorous banter had me chuckling out loud. Everything moves along at a quick clip, and I wished the epilogue was even longer, because I didn't want to say goodbye to the MC's!

The only place where the relationship stumbles for me, and the reason for the 4 1/2 stars, is the awkward period of time when Tristan suspects Carys of sleeping with the villain, who is actually blackmailing her. I didn't like how his character became briefly condescending and leering. I also felt that the scene when they dared each other to enter into a physical relationship started rather awkwardly, with Tristan goading Carys regarding memories of her sexual experience that weren't all that pleasant (she wasn't raped, but it was scarcely consensual). As the plot progresses, though, Tristan acquits himself nicely, and the villain gets a satisfying comeuppance.

Bottom line: fun, sexy, enemies-to-lovers yarn. A great way to spend a few hours.

Note: This is part of a series but works fine as a standalone.

Reviews left on Goodreads, Amazon, and Bookbub.

This series is a ton of fun. I love the play on a centuries-old family feud and the interconnections between the families. I adore Carys and her animal-loving heart She's delightfully scandalous, but deeply thoughtful about it. I found the circumstances that kept pushing her and Tristan together engaging. There's a nice level of sizzle between the two, with lots of banter.

Kate Bateman has done it again! This may be my favorite book of hers to date. Cary’s and Tristan were “enemies” to lovers/with benefits perfection from page 1. I just loved them so much. Plus, this may be Bateman’s sexiest book, and I was SO here for it.

I continue to obsess over Bateman’s writing and her ability to write fabulous banter. I could’ve easily read this in one sitting. My only small gripe is that I think the plot went a bit awry towards the end, but I had such a good time overall that I don’t really care lol. I can’t wait to read the third and final book in this series ASAP!

*thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*

“A Daring Pursuit” by Kate Bateman cracked me up! Carys Davies’ favorite pastime is to shock especially with her costume choices. Although her costume just nude looking, she caught the attention of her childhood enemy, Tristan Montgomery. The Davies and the Montgomerys have been rivals for hundreds of years until a recent marriage. However, Carys and Tristan continue riling each other to hide true feelings. Tristan discovers that Carys is being blackmailed by the reason for her reluctance to accept proposals and to engage in the act of lovemaking ever again. While at a Davies-Montgomery week long party, a chance meeting at Carys’ menagerie turned from feeding her animals to challenging Tristan to become enemies with benefits for the duration of the country party.

I loved the banter between Carys and Tristan. They are intellectually compatible and they are not afraid to tease each other for the fun of it, while trying to keep the we-are-enemies theme. I did not expect what Tristan revealed to get her blackmailer to leave, it was clever and it helped his case to show Carys how he feels about her. Also, I loved the use of Tristan’s architectural knowledge to make a particular scene delightful and delicious!

Carys’ love for animals is admirable and her own pets are hilarious. The ravens just want to play with Carys, but they have a special talent that was performed at the right time, making a key scene hilarious while dire. One scene with a particular animal, I felt the characters’ utter fear while they try to stay calm, and I hoped the scene would end soon, as much as the characters hoped they would soon escape.

This book is such a treat! I love reading about aggressive, protective brothers who are loving and soft with it comes to their sister. I love a pair of spinsters who’s past private scandals and current actions make me grin. If you love enemies to lovers stories, I recommend this book!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I am posting an honest review after reading an advanced readers copy of this story.

A nice romance story with likeable characters. A family enemies to lovers tale. Cary's and Tristian are couple #2 of the dueling neighbors to make match. Not very old fashioned, they're more like a 1950's couple sneaking around and having fun doing it.

#ADaringPersuit #KateBateman #RuthlessRivals #StMartin'sPaperbaks #romance #historicalromance

Carys Davies has a secret and she's being blackmailed for it. Pressured into revealing it to Tristan Montgomery leads to a relationship neither expected. Where will it take them?

This fast-paced story is filled with witty dialogue, likeable protagonists and passion. An unexpected discovery puts their lives in danger. Can they rely on each other to survive?

Well written and engrossing, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Ruthless Rivals series is back with another couple from this regency version of the Montagues and Capulets!

The Montgomery and Davies, though now connected through marriage, are still upholding their long standing feud, but they remain cordial as the new couple (from the last book) attempt to unite the families.

In steps Carys Davies with her outrageous and brazen ways as she attempts to avoid matrimony at all costs… while family rival Tristan Montgomery is on the hunt for a proper wife. Once Tristan discovers Carys’ secret that she’s unchaste, they decide to set their family animosity and mutual dislike aside and surrender to the explosive passion between them … just for a week!

Ooooh boy, there is nothing like a family rivalry to create such steamy passions! This was such a fun story that fully revolves around these characters without any big mystery or side adventure to distract from these two!

I loved the flamboyant Carys from the get-go, and the more I learned about her and her background made me love her even more! And as for Tristan, other than a misunderstanding on his part in the beginning that made him act very ungentlemanly (I won’t spoil it, but he almost made me give up on him right right then and there), I persevered with him and came to really like him as well! I loved this story and the steamy attraction between theses two!

One thing I will say that there is a love of stock put into virginity culture and what I felt like slut shaming. I know it’s historical and these were things, but I still found a few moments cringy. That saying that I liked this romance enough to give it a 5 star rating. The characters, their evolution and the steamy times all added up to a great read!

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman was released May 24th, 2022.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#ADaringPursuit #KateBateman #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

I loved Carys and Tristan’s love story in A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman, book two in her Ruthless Rivals series. This is an amazing enemies-to-lovers romance that does not disappoint. As with the first, this story has members of the feuding Welsh Davies family and the English Montgomery family fall in love.

Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery had long been each other's tormentor, and since their brother and sister, respectively, have married, they are thrown together much more often. Carys is hiding a secret that could ruin her and her family. She acts as if she doesn't care at all about her reputation in society and wears extravagant, sometimes outrageous, outfits; refusing any proposal that comes her way. Tristan sees through her facade and knows that she's hiding something. At a ball, Tristan unexpectedly discovers Carys's secret, causing the two to strike a scandalous bargain, finding themselves in an enemies with benefits situation. The chemistry between Carys and Tristan is off the charts, and considering their history of being adversaries, they are unable to stay away from each other; Tristan actually becoming very jealous and very protective of Carys.

Ms. Bateman wrote a wonderful, amazing, melodramatic tale of virtue lost, and redemption found hat is not to be missed. Throw in mimic ravens and a music loving bear, and don't forget the enemies to lover's romance. All this and a mystery and humor too. The villain doesn't get his just deserts, but he at least gets taken care of. With sizzling chemistry, witty banter, endearing character, twists and turns, as well as a swoon worthy romance, Carys and Tristan finally have a chance at love, happiness, and a future neither expected. I highly recommend A Daring Pursuit to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Copy received from the publisher. Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own.

I enjoyed book 1, and I really enjoyed this one, even when I didn’t think I would. It was a nice balance of romance and angst that kept me hooked from page 1 to the end. As a classic trope in historical romances, the MMC agrees to help the FMC in the *department*, but as usual, it works for the story. The spice and connection was on par to what I wanted.

All in all, a solid read, and I look forward to the next one.

I enjoyed Carys and Tristan's romance. These two had really wonderful chemistry and I adored the sparks they generated whether they were trading barbs or sharing kisses. The tension is thick, the heat is sultry and the story fun as this well written read draws you right in and has you rooting for and falling for this enticing duo. This is a truly delightful book and an excellent addition to this series that has me eagerly awaiting more of it.

Kate Bateman just does not miss.

This story, from the blurb to page one to page the last sentence of the epilogue truly holds the reader captive. It is spice, it is adventure and it's a feel good romance. Tristan was the perfect pairing for Carys and the enemies to lovers, fueding families was done so well. Honestly, no complaints.

I never once put this book down and that says a lot for a historical romance. Also.... can we talk about the cover?! Gorgeous.

This series keeps getting better and better! I love the concept of rival families and really enjoyed this take. Clandestine affairs for one week leading to love? Fabulous!

There are few things more enjoyable than a good enemies to lovers book, especially when said enemies have actually had the hots for each other for years. Throw in some enemies with benefits action alongside blackmail by a third party, and we have ourselves a book that will keep you intrigued from start to finish. The first book in the series was enjoyable, but I have to say I loved this one even more. The way they bantered back and forth, and their opposites attract vibe, made me laugh so often, and as they grew closer, I became more sucked into the story. In fact, I finished this is in one day. I couldn't put it down. While you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, it does dive more into the family dynamic between the two MC's families. So if you want that backstory, I recommend starting with book one and then moving on to this one.

After a disastrous first experience with the opposite sex, Carys Davies wants nothing to do with finding a husband. Her efforts to keep men at bay so far have been unsuccessful, but no one has managed to get a ring on her finger yet. Thankfully the only man who has ever held her attention wants nothing to do with her...and besides, their families are sworn enemies. It could never work. Tristan Montgomery is the ice to her fire, and the two are impossible to mix. What Carys doesn't know, however, is Tristan finds her just as fascinating as she finds him. He'd never let on though, and so they stick to glancing at each other from afar, convinced that the feelings they hold are loathing rather than lust. However, when Tristan learns of Carys' secret, they come to an agreement - enemies with benefits. While at a house party for one week, he will teach Carys how pleasurable love making can be, and then after that they go their separate ways. She with the knowledge that she could have great passion with a man...and he with his desire for Carys firmly out of his system. Ah, if only love were that simple...

These two were so comical in their belief that they could keep emotional distance from one another. While they had been tap dancing around their attraction for years, they had tried to distract themselves with other people. Tristan was resigned to having a marriage with a respectable woman who inspired no passion in him whatsoever, and Carys' one experience with a man had led to her placing herself firmly in the category of spinster. When they realized they couldn't keep away from each other, all bets were off, and the intimacy between them set the book on fire! Once they gave themselves permission to feel what they had been restraining for years, it was so emotional and beautiful and dazzling to read. Tristan went from being an ice prince to turning to fire alongside Carys, whose natural tendency towards expressing herself only emboldened Tristan to opening himself up to her even more. It was somewhat of a slow burn, as it took them a bit to get to the actual act, but oh the foreplay was amazing. Once they were able to actually do the deed, I could feel their love for each other before they even realized what it was. Tristan realized he loved her before she did, and his internal monologue as he came to terms with it was so well written. He went from thinking she was just an itch he had to scratch to being completely consumed by her. And she by him.

This book is one I will definitely think about often in the weeks and months to come. The next book is sure to do the same, though it will be difficult to top this story.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a quick read, fun historical, with low angst. It’s an enemies with benefits story, with a side of sex lessons by a stuffy serious man who is secretly a very passionate man. These two have probably been in love with each since childhood, but have been fighting it all their lives. Plus Carys’ inner monologue is hilarious. I liked that both characters have personalities and outside interests, which I wish was more common in historical romances where being part of the ton is all they do or care about. I also appreciate that this author always addresses the possibility of pregnancy in the books in this series. I’m definitely looking forward to the next books in the series.

This was an entertaining read with steamy romance and adventure. I loved the banter between Carys and Tristan as they navigated the waters from enemies to lovers. Each was a worthy counterpart to the other – Carys with her boisterous, daring, and non-conforming personality and Tristan with his reserved and proper outer shell hiding a naughty side. Add in the atypical pets, funny extended family and an intriguing plot twist, it had me glued to the pages! What great fun!

Did I skip reading the first book because I didn’t realize this was a series? Yes. Whoops.

Did I feel like I was missing things? A little? But it was totally fine once I got more into the book and established. I DEFINITELY want to go back and read the first one.

Ok but this book was so good!! I mean Kate Bateman is never going to lead me astray, but FRIENEMIES WITH BENEFITS?!?!? Be still my beating heart.

I mean that just hits the spot. Long time family rivals and they’ve always sorta been into each other and she has a secret and THERES TEACHING MOMENTS AND SCANDAL! And bears! And the ever important “it’s only ever been you” moment

Am I just spewing out nonsense for this review? Yes. But it seriously SO good and my heart!!

Even from the first line, “Lady Carys Davies dressed to meet her blackmailer in the same way she dressed for every other social occasion: scandalously” you know it’s going to be amazing. And it did not let down at all. Will definitely be recommending this book!

Entertaining and well-written, this friends-to-lovers historical romance had me hooked from the very beginning. And the lively banter, the emotions, the characters, and the steam kept me reading past my bedtime.
Definitely recommend.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Two great characters!!
Carys needs to keep her family safe from an endless scandal, so she does everything she can to stay single, season after season - which means her name is always mentioned in conversation circles in a negative way.
But then Tristan, who needs to marry a respectable lady, actually can't get Carys out of his mind.
In a challenge made by her, he accepts to show her, for a short period of time, what advantage she could have by getting married. And of course, everything is on fire!!

But will all their shared passion make Carys change her mind, and let the secret come out?
And what a wonderful cover!
5 stars

4 1/2 stars

This book was a wonderful entry in the Ruthless Rivals series. It's probably one of the more enjoyable historical romances that I've read recently. One of my favorite tropes is enemies to lovers and it was done well in this book. Carys and Tristan come from families that have a history of feuding. The fact that they have a brother and sister that have married opens up the family relationships a bit but it's hard for everyone to leave the old history behind. Carys and Tristan come into this book with very set opinions about the other person. It's fun seeing them finally getting to know each other and finding out their initial thoughts might not have been accurate.

Kate Bateman did a lovely job with this book. The relationship between Carys and Tristan develops very naturally and doesn't feel forced. I loved that a large portion of the story took place at a house party. I always like books with those in them. They tend to lend themselves to the juicy side of things and that was definitely the case with A Daring Pursuit.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Carys is a free spirit with a shocking secret. Tristan is a the exact opposite. They grew up in neighboring houses and have always each secretly liked the other. Tristan is planning to marry a boring, respectable woman. Carys has no plans to marry at all.

Once these 2 get together it is all fireworks. Tristan finds out Carys is being blackmailed and helps her. Shenanigans with all of her animal friends ensue. They find out that they are better together than apart and Tristan will go to great lengths to protect her when the time comes.