Lady Carys Davies is being blackmailed by the man she thought she'd marry. After losing her virginity to the scoundrel Christopher Howe, he doesn't offer for her hand in marriage but marries another for money. Christopher then blackmails Carys to keep the indiscretion between them or he'll ruin her and any hope for her to find a husband. To avoid the marriage bed, Carys pretends to be carefree, and let's everyone knows she has no desire to marry, Christopher, and his fumbling in the act of love making was disappointing, and Carys has no interest in repeating that type of physical activity.

Tristan Montgomery, who wants a proper wife, and not one of scandalous behavior has always been attracted to the wild Carys. Tristan overhears Christopher blackmailing Carys, and vows to help her. He also offers to show her the delights of love making, which Carys agrees to. As this couple falls in love, they discover the treasonous plan of Howe assisting Bonaparte in the war by shiping gold to help his cause. Will Tristan, and Carys be able to stop Howe, and declare their love for each other or will they lose their chance at happiness for the protection of England?

Wonderful, fabulous, melodramatic tale of virtue lost, and redemption found. 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. "A Daring Pursuit" is a great escape - Enjoy!

Carys Davies has a secret that could ruin her life and her family if it ever became known. For this reason, she is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage, but all she is doing is scandalizing the ton and intriguing those who would be her suitors. In her first season the man she thought loved her, married another. The experience left Carys heartbroken and she decided she could live very well without a man, thank you very much. Except for one man who, from childhood, has tormented and intrigued her.

The feud between the Davies and Montgomery families has been going on for centuries. But last year a Davies married a Montgomery ending the feud, but definitely not the animosity between the families. Tristin Montgomery has long admired Crays Davies for her beauty and her spirit, but being a somber sort, he is looking for a wife who is levelheaded and respectable to advance his architectural interests. But Carys calls to him like a siren at sea, sure to lead him to his destruction. When they happen to meet in a most scandalous manner, he offers to show her everything she will be missing if she doesn't wed. A bargain is struck, and an affair is begun. What neither of them bargained for was falling in love.

My thanks to St. Martins Paperbacks, Publisher, and Kate Bateman, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

This story kept me turning pages. Carys was such a delight in her disregard for people's opinion of her but very much wanted to protect her family's reputation. I loved her protectiveness of animals, caring for them, and loving them. I fell in love with Tristan and his back and forth with Carys. A family rivalry made it harder for them to see the truth. With a little action on the side, runaway bears, treason, and lots of sneaking about, I very much truly enjoyed this story and recommend it highly.

I received an ARC through Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, and this is my unsolicited review.

Kate Bateman's books are so much fun! A joy to read! A 5 on the entertainment scale! Wonderful escapes from life's everyday pressures. I'm loving this series! More, please!!!

I received an advance reader copy. These are my own opinions voluntarily given.

After falling in love with these families in A Reckless Match I knew I was going to love the latest installment in this series and I was not disappointed!

Carys and Tristan have been enemies since childhood but when fate throws them together sparks begin to fly. Add in some hilarious animals, some blackmail and laugh out loud banter and A Daring Pursuit checks all the boxes for a perfect historical romance.

You don't have to read book one to understand this book, it will provide some background to the feud between the Davies and Montgomery families. If you are looking for a bit of adventure in you Historical Romance I highly recommend this series and I cannot wait to read the rest of Kate Bateman's back list.

The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for centuries. Lady Carys Davies is outwardly bold and carefree but is hiding her past and uncertainty. Tristan Montgomery is a former soldier turned architect trying to stay aloof despite his growing feelings towards his childhood enemy. When Carys makes him an outrageous proposal in a bid to spark a reaction, these two will discover the meaning of "enemies with benefits."

This book was a delight! I adored the banter and developing relationship between Carys and Tristan. The story had blackmail, action and intrigue plus verbal sparring and unexpected passion with lots of steam.

Although it's the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series, it can be read as a standalone. Having a good part of the novel set in Wales was a nice change for an historical romance. I enjoyed the scenes with Carys and her brothers and look forward to more books in this series. Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

This is a great addition to Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series! I'm a sucker for the enemies to lover trope and I love a bold heroine. Carys was a fantastic main character and I loved learning more about her and the brave facade she put on. Tristan is a great hero and I enjoyed watching the two of them grow together and discover each other underneath the facades they both wear. This book also had a wonderful amount of steam, exactly what I was looking for! Kate Bateman does it again and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of the series. I'll be (impatiently) waiting for the next book!

Thank you to the publisher, Kate Bateman, and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Book #2 in the Reckless Rivals series. An enemies-to-lovers trope.

I am loving this series! This 2nd book follows Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery, their families being bitter enemies since the dawn of time. They both feel an immense attraction towards one another, had for years, but pursuing anything more would be scandalous. Besides, even with Carys multitude of admirers she has no intent on marrying anyone, EVER. But then a slight mishap happens when Carys, waiting inside another man’s carriage, is surprised by not only Tristan opening the door and stepping in, but also proposing a tryst with her! Unbelievable right?!?

When Carys lets a troubling secret slip to Tristan he offers to help. They strike up a scandalous bargain and it goes from there.

Their chemistry is smoldering.. pining intense.. and their banter is delightfully entertaining! I loved the addition of Carys large menagerie of animals that she cares for, including a bear she’s raised since he was a cub, Buttercup. It’s heart touching when she sees a traveling show bear living in very poor conditions. Of course, being an animal lover.. she springs into action to save it. There’s also a very dangerous situation involving treason that comes into play.

As with the 1st book in this series (5⭐️), this is also very quick to read, it’s all kinds of FUN and highly ENTERTAINING. Out now.

*I received an arc from St. Martins Press via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Opposites is a perfect way to describe Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery. It fits. Their families have been feuding for as long as anyone can remember. Carys is a bit wild and likes to shock society (a little bit). No one realizes the behavior is a response to a hurt in the past, and she is being blackmailed. Tristan is a straitlaced, upright architect. They would never admit it; they bicker and fuss, but there is an attraction between them. They agree to, and think, a week-long affair will get them out of each other’s system. Yeah, maybe that will work. This is an enjoyable romance with humor, secrets, blackmail, treason. It doesn’t sound like much fun, but it is, and there is a happy ending. The characters are great. The villains deserve to be hated. Tristan, Carys, their friends and family are all likeable, some huggable. A great addition to the series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I tried to get into this book, but it just was’t for me. I read the book before it in the series and liked it and expected to like this one as well. About the time I would get interested something like bears would throw me off,

One of the best books I've read in awhile! Loved the enemies to lovers story. Carys and Tristan were the perfect enemies and have a history of loving to bait each other. Watching them interact and the sparks that flew kept me entertained the whole story. I have to say my favorite line of the book was near the end, "Let me be your favorite enemy." That could sum up the book perfectly for me! Thank you for the advanced copy, it was a pleasure to read this!

4.5 stars!

Seeing how much I adored this novel, I cannot believe I waited this long to read my first Kate Bateman book! This was a brilliant historical romance that contained everything I love about the genre, all wrapped up in an amazing romance between two long-time frenemies. Tristan and Carys are both members of two feuding families, the Montgomerys and the Davies, who love needling each other while hoping to disguise their long-standing attraction for one another. As they agree to a week-long lesson in seduction, they slowly begin to realize how deep their attraction runs and how far they are willing to go for one another. I just loved their budding romance! Tristan was a possessive sweetheart, while Carys was truly an original. I am so glad I finally read a KB novel, and I cannot wait for Rhys and Morgan's books next ♡

Tropes: frenemies-to-lovers, illicit affair, lesson in seduction, compromised heroine, opposites attract, feuding families

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was steamy and held my interest. I wanted to find out what would happen next. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely loved this book. It gave me serious Darcy and Elizabeth - Pride and Prejudice vibes. I loved that Carys has this crazy menagerie of animals she’s rescued. I loved how uptight but then wickedly not uptight Tristan was once he let himself. Carys predicament got me right in the feels. All of the periphery characters were warm and amazing. These two big families are just lovely with their epic feud - enemies to lovers shenanigans.

Trigger warnings - kind of rape (not from hero) she says ok but isn’t really into it. It does not appear to be traumatic for her but she has to hide that it happened. Blackmail.
High steam.

Fantastic read! Check this one out asap.
5/5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tristan Montgomery and Carys Davies are sworn enemies yet are passionately attracted to each other. Carys is vivid and outrageous, and Tristan is cool and respectable. After a tragic experience, Carys has sworn off love and marriage. Tristan offers to show Carys what she has been missing.

Tristan and Carys are both solid, stand-out characters. At times I felt Carys outshone Tristan in personality. It also seemed I experienced more of Carys’ point of view than Tristan’s. You can’t help but love Carys! The plot was fast-moving, energetic, and eye-catching. It was a page-turner. The writing breathed personality and depth into each character and scene. I loved Tristan and Carys’ relationship. The journey the couple takes from enemies to lovers is delectable!

A Daring Pursuit is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. The series focuses on two families who have been at odds for centuries. Each couple must break the cycle of mistrust and dislike to find love. Kate Bateman has created romance magic again! I couldn’t put the book down. I love all the nuances in each character. This passionate romance is full of fire, entertainment, and a heart-warming happily-ever-after.

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

I flew through this book in a day! I was completely absorbed from chapter one. Nothing's more engaging than two people absolutely gone for each other fighting their feelings. It was so gratifying seeing them both finally being vulnerable with each other and I loved their unconventional relationship origins.

This was a home run for me. Carys is a boss and she’s definitely a part of my top five Heroine club. I really enjoyed that she was not the typical blushing virgin. Admittedly, it really bothered me how much Tristan was against forming any sort of relationship with Carys. SUPER frustrating to read his inner monologue spouting how she is the only woman he’s ever wanted and he does nothing about it! Fortunately, his adoration is a redeemable quality. The addition of a truly vile villain and some unexpected twists and turns make this a truly wonderful read.

I really need good recommendations for historical romances, because all but two of the ones I've read have not been good. I hated the two main characters and they had no chemistry.

Carys Davies is a carefree, redheaded firecracker. Because of a secret from her past that she is trying to hide, Carys tends to behave in a wild, flashy way that no man would ever be interested in her. Plus the only man Carys has ever been interested in is Tristan Montgomery, the rule following gorgeous man from their rival family. When Carys asks for Tristan's help in the world of lovemaking, he quickly accepts. As these two spend more time together enjoying the pleasures of the flesh, they start to realize that there is more to this arrangement than either of them thought. When Tristan finds out about Carys's secret, he vows to make things right. When all is said and done, and everything is back to being right, Carys and Tristan both realize that they are in love and want that happy ever after.

I just adored this enemies to lovers story. Carys was such a wild child, while Tristan was more reserved and together they complimented each other perfectly. I just loved both of these characters. They were fun and their chemistry was sizzling! Another great book from this author!

I have been waiting (not so patiently) for this book since I read A Reckless Match last year and I am thrilled it is finally here!! Kate Bateman knows how to write an excellent swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers story and A Daring Pursuit did not disappoint! Carys and Tristan have been antagonistic toward each other for years. Carys is bold, confident, charming, and scandalous in public; Tristan is reserved, disciplined, and respectable. Definitely opposites and these opposites DO attract and what a reaction they have! Their witty banter and sexual tension start at the beginning of the book, and it takes off from there. Once their sensual chemistry started to burn, I wondered if the woods were going to catch fire.

I loved the romance between Carys and Tristan. What starts as a challenge, for Tristan to show Carys how a woman should be loved (her first encounter was rather lackluster), ends with both caught in a maelstrom of emotion. Kate Bateman’s writing of their coming to terms with these emotions while dealing with a huge family feud was wonderful. Their story was heart-warming, thoroughly engaging, well-written, laugh out loud funny, and a delight to read. The secondary characters add depth to the story, and I loved Tristan’s aunts.

This is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series, and it can easily be read as a stand-alone. However, reading the first book, A Reckless Match, gives you some background information and is a lovely lead-in to Carys and Tristan’s story. This book is wildly entertaining and I’m sure you will love it as much as I did! Thank you to Kate Bateman, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily read the book and gladly leave my unbiased opinion.

My favorite so far....
I have to be honest I wasn't sure how this series was going to go after the first one, but this book was 🔥.
This had the banter I love to see between characters an their chemistry was amazing from beginning to end.