The feuding Davies and Montgomery families are at it again in this third book of the series. Morgan and Harriet have been teasing and bickering since they were children. The night before Morgan is to leave for war, Harriet tells him "I bet you'll do something stupid and end up dead." She knows if there's a bet involved he'll do anything to win, including staying alive. She's right. Two years later he returns after a faulty map causes him to be captured and imprisoned in Martinique as an English spy. His win gets him three kisses from Harriet. She's surprised to find where he wants to give them! Harriet is the cartographer who deliberately created the erroneous map for the government. This doesn't really matter. The book is actually a series of bets and dares as neither admits their true feelings to the other. A mostly forgotten bad guy pops up for a little action scene and is forgotten again. There is an interesting subplot of Harriet's father undergoing cataract surgery after going blind

A Wicked Game is a fantastic frenemies-to-lovers historical romance! Kate Bateman writes the best romances with stories that are always so interesting and layered and swoon-worthy! This one follows Morgan and Harriet, and I’ve been dying to read about them!

Morgan has returned from war and intends to claim his prize from a bet he made with long-time nemesis Harriet. Since childhood, this pair has teased and tormented each other, and now Morgan wants to claim the three kisses Harriet bet him. Morgan wants to prove to Harriet that he loves her, but Harriet questions his sincerity.

Morgan and Harriet have amazing chemistry! They have loved each other for years, though neither realizes it, and their connection is filled with humor, exceptional banter, spice, and some lovely, tender moments. The couple challenges and antagonizes and teases each other, and they both thoroughly enjoy it. They make these sexy dares that Morgan uses to prove his feelings. I love that Morgan works so hard to show Harriet how good they would be together. It’s super swoon-worthy when the hero falls first and works to woo the reluctant heroine. I also love that Harriet realizes all the little ways Morgan has shown his feelings over the years. Without ever saying it, he proves his love for her. And their love scenes are off the charts. Steamy, romantic, and beautiful!

Something else I really enjoyed is the inclusion of cartography. It was so interesting, and I learned a bit about mapmakers and the use of cartographers during war. Other intriguing historical elements, like a certain optical surgery and happening with the French and Napoleon, are also introduced and offer insight into society at that time. And, like the other books in the series, this one has a bit of intrigue. The man who imprisoned Morgan is now seeking a map that was made by Harriet. Known for his vile and sadistic cruelty, he is a threat to both characters.

The main characters, and some of the secondary ones, in the first two books are minor characters in this book, which is great. I love that they are so important in each other’s lives. Morgan and his brothers are fantastic together, and Harriet and her father have a lovely relationship as well. They both have such strong family bonds and friendships, and even their ties to their enemies seem more like antagonistic friendships than true hatred for each other. I also thought it was funny that everyone knows how Morgan feels about Harriet. He’s loved her for a long time, and he didn’t hide his feelings as well as he thought.

I’m loving this series, and A Wicked Game is no exception. It’s clever and fun and entertaining, there’s a little bit of intrigue and a lot of wonderful relationships, and the romance is positively swoon-tactic! Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This is the 3rd book in Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series. The Davies and Montgomery families have been sworn enemies for as long as anyone can remember. In each of these books a Davies and Montgomery find themselves enemies who fall in love. This book was the story of Captain Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery. Morgan has been in love with Harriet since they were children. He has no idea that love is reciprocated. He's survived being shipwrecked and held prisoner and is now back from war, ready to make Harriet fall in love with him and become his wife. First he's got a score to settle with the map maker whose inaccurate map caused his ship to be taken prisoner and tortured. That little mystery leads back to Harriet and her father who are mapmakers. Of course there are reasons they each think the other is not interested in a relationship and of course obstacles to a HEA abound but this couple is meant to be. I fell in love with each character from the beginning. Harriet is the perfect strong heroine and Morgan is the perfect hero who isn't afraid of an independent female love interest. He wants to protect her but never dull her shine! This book had good banter, excellent character development, mystery, some danger and the perfect amount of spice. I loved this book! Kate Bateman has quickly become a favorite author for me!

Wonderful continuation to this series. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Wondering who was going to win in the end. Times less love story

I loved Morgan and Harriet's banter and their sort of friendship. The way that they both were in love with each other for the longest time was really enjoyable, and I liked it even more because it seemed like Morgan fell first. All of the small actions that Morgan did really proved his loved for Harriet and had me swooning. I loved how their careers complemented each others and led to an interesting dynamic.

With thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun and I had the best time reading it.

There was:
*great banter
*a delightful "we hate each other but not really" vibe
*so much mutual pining

I loved how playful this romance was between Harriet and Morgan - they had such good chemistry and I really enjoyed watching their relationship blossom. I also really enjoyed that Harriet was a map maker - she was so passionate about it - and Morgan was just as enthusiastic about her work. I always love to see that. And the moment Morgan took her "love" map and used it for a specific purpose? So swoony and romantic.

I haven't read (yet) the first two books in this series but that had no impact on my understanding and enjoyment of this book. I'm so glad I picked this up.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Wicked Game

When I open a Kate Bateman book, I know I will be entertained. Her stories have feisty females, hunky heroes and vile villains. I enjoy the plot, romance, intrigue, witty dialogue and spice. . A Wicked Game is the 3rd book in the Ruthless Rivals series and it lives up to my expectations! The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for years. Harriet Montgomery and Morgan Davies have had secret feelings for each other. Harriet has a bet with Captain Morgan if/when he returns from war.

Harriet has joined her father in the map making business. He is going blind and Harriet now draws most of the maps—especially ones for the British Navy. Morgan returns seeking revenge on the map maker who drew fake maps that led to his imprisonment AND to wed Harriet. Can you see where this is going? Ah, but the plot thickens …..a rival map maker has stolen Harriet’s work. Add a French ex-soldier who also wants his revenge on the map maker. Sparks fly in several directions!

I was happy to read that another Davies is about to get his story. Can’t wait to see Rhys’s adventures!

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

I was so excited when I received this book because I am a big fan of the 2 previous books in the series. Kate Bateman is 3 for 3 with writing a wonderful 'enemies' to lovers story that made it difficult to put down until I was finished.

Harriet and Morgan have been attracted to each other since childhood and with their family members marrying each other, they around each other more than ever before and their attraction is getting harder to deny. Morgan's slow seduction of Harriet and the tension building between them was perfectly paced and I love seeing the hero being head over heels and pursuing the the heroine and this book absolutely delivered. I really enjoyed that while we got to see more of the childhood antics from both sides of the family, the story wasn't bogged down by reasons why they shouldn't be together because of the family feud.

Something that I really enjoyed about this book was that it didn't fall into the trap that a lot of books where the couple has history together falls into. We were able to see their relationship grow realistically into love without the over-reliance of things that happened in their past as a way to move the story along.

The only complaints that I have about the story is that I felt that the side plot in the story didn't have much build up so the climax of it wasn't very important to me. I had the same issue with the first book as well but it left more time for more interactions between the couple so I'm ok with that. The second complaint is that I do feel that the as the series has progressed the intensity of the feud has been watered down to fit more of the storyline. What started out in the first book as an intense fued became watered down to a friendly rivalry by this book. Even with that being said, it doesn't detract from the story at all.

<spoiler>I enjoyed the little peak that we got of what could possibly be Rhys's story. I assumed that his story would be a tie in to another series the way Gryff was introduced in another book but he might get a Montgomery of his own if the aunts are correct and I'm excited to read it if it does go that way.</spoiler>

“I’d rather have someone build me a city, not burn one down.”

A mapmaker and a sailor make a perfect combo in this delicious journey!

What a fun book! I loved this couple from page one! He’s a rogue who’s completely head over heels for her, my favorite thing ever. It’s so refreshing to have the hero start the book in love and determined. The tales of their childhood antics add such a sweet layer to their relationship.
There are a lot of cool historical details here, especially about mapmaking. It’s such a fast paced read that I could hardly put it down. One small critique is I would have enjoyed more chapters from his POV.
Slight spoiler, but I really really want a novella or something of their treasure hunting adventures!

Star Rating: 3.75/5
Tropes: Childhood enemies to lovers, second chance
CW: Violence, imprisonment, medical content

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review ❤️

“It’s finding someone to do nothing with, that’s the real test. Someone with whom to just sit and read by the fire. Someone to eat dinner with. To converse with, or not converse, as the mood takes us.”

In the third entry of Ruthless Rivals, Harriet Montgomery and Captain Morgan Davies rekindle their young love after Davies returns from false imprisonment during the Napoleonic war. Morgan and Harriet fall deeper in love through a series of bets, dares and challenges.

This is a very fast read but I didn’t think it really had a lot of depth. I love historical romances filled with banter and while this had some I think the most redeeming factor was the quality of intimate scenes. I thought family would play a larger factor but it was something talked about but not shown which isn't my preferred way to read back story’s.

Overall this is a very approachable historical perfect for newer readers to the genre but wasn’t my favourite by any means.

3.5*

What can I say? A Davies and a Montgomery that’s a match fated by the gods. I love love love this book in the series. Harriet is such a great female lead, and it’s so fun to read her and Morgan’s journey.

I personally wasn’t getting into the story but anyone who enjoys historical romance is likely to find it a romp.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

This story is one delicious treat for the senses! Bateman ups the ante when it comes to heat and spice in this tasty recipe for success.

The setting is perfect; the theme is unique and interesting. This is no cookie-cutter story! Family rivals always make for a delicious story and this one has it all. The fact it is part of a series has no bearing on this one as it is easy to follow and you can happily read the other stories.

Bateman created her main two characters with spunkiness and fun. The heat and tension are rolling off in waves that effectively beg you to not stop reading. I could not stop reading this one!

A perfect blend of everything we love in a historical romance, A Wicked Game is one not to be missed!

I love Kate Bateman and this series so much. The first book of the series is still my favorite, but this is a close second. It's got everything - romance, a bit of adventure, a villain, a copyright claim...

Harriet and Morgan had great chemistry and the romantic conflict between them felt genuine rather than just being there because that's part of the formula. I could have done with a touch more adventure - that's part of why I love the first book in this series so much - but I really appreciated the intrigue that was included in the story. Kate Bateman is always a win for me, and I'm finding myself sad that this book is over but excited that it seems there will be at least one more!

Amazing banter, families at odds but these 2 have a smoldering attraction that is irresistible.
Morgan wants Harriet with passion. Harriet is fascinated by him but they are The “Davies & Montgomery” families.
I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship as well as the steamy fun parts.
Need to read every book in this series.

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 3 of the Ruthless Rivals series and a continuation of the Montgomery-Davies feud with the relationship between Davies brother Morgan, who was recently released after 6 months of imprisonment and torture when his ship was seized by the French because of an error on a nautical map he was using. After he returns to London, he is determined to seek the mapmaker R. Crusoe to confront and get justice for his imprisonment.

He was stunned to discover that the person he is seeking is actually Harriet Montgomery, the object of his childhood rivalry and his secret affections. She is the daughter of a mapmaker and printer, and a talented mapmaker in her own right, and had been working with the Navy to produce nautical maps with purposeful errors which they then snuck onto French ships to undermine their ability to navigate. That takes the wind out of Morgan's sails for vengeance, but gives him a chance to renew his relationship with Harriet and follow up on his winning a wager made with her prior to his leaving for the Navy previously...

His winnings are three kisses from Harriet and he fully intends collecting them. He had determined during his 6 months in prison that when he gets out, he would do what he could to win her heart and her hand in marriage, and uses the wager to get closer to Harriet, overcome her natural suspicion of him as a Davies and try to win her heart.

I loved this story and the fact that their so-called feud is really hiding a sweet frenemies to lovers theme that started from childhood. I really enjoy Kate Bateman's writing because there is such lovely prose and wonderful descriptions that are not just beautifully descriptive and but also so laugh out loud funny at times. Remember how in book 1, the feud all started with a pig... well, I have noticed there have been pig references in the books that follow, and that brings a smile to my face each time I see it. I love the little tidbits about their past and childhood rivalries, including the hide and seek episode and the lost chance of a kiss. I also enjoy the verbal sparring between the MCs and the other secondary Davies/Montgomerys. I also enjoyed the little medical tidbits thrown in about Harriet's father's cataract surgery.

4.75 stars out of 5

A Wicked Game is book #3 in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series. However, I've not read any of the series so it's a stand-alone for me and it was fine. I had no huh? Moments. It's only made me want to read the first 2 books.

Morgan and Harriet have a lot in common. They're both strong, determined and trustworthy but I liked Morgan a tad bit more than Harriet.
I loved their relationship. It's a nice change from the normal everyday cat and mouse.

This story has humor, suspense, action, drama and of course, romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rival families, an ongoing game of trading dares—and rewards, longtime pining, wooing through seduction, and elements of danger—more than just the reputation-staining kind—will keep you hooked in book 3 of the Ruthless Rivals series. There is something utterly delectable and consumable about this series from Kate Bateman, and like its predecessors, A Wicked Game does not disappoint.

Raised by opposing families involved in a long-standing feud, Morgan and Harriet have always walked the line between friends and enemies. They played together growing up but were well aware of the rivalry between their bloodlines and perpetuated that rivalry through a series of dares throughout their younger years.

Before Morgan leaves to go to war, Harriet places a bet with him about his return. The prize? Three kisses, but, in her innocence, Harriet does not think to stipulate where those kisses should take place.

Now back in England, Morgan is ready to collect his prize, but Harriet’s reputation is not the only thing potentially in danger. An enemy from his past may put both Morgan and Harriet in peril.

Prepare for some fantastic verbal sparring, a steady buildup to steam, and a dose of danger and intrigue bringing the two rivals together.

I especially appreciated the highlighting of Harriet’s role as a talented and intelligent mapmaker and Morgan’s demonstrations of support for her.

While this is the third book of the series, you could read it as a stand-alone novel. I will say, though, that reading the books in order will enhance your experience and provide the backstories for the supporting characters.

I highly recommend A Wicked Game as a delightful, grin-inducing Regency romp.

I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after being imprisoned by the enemy, thanks to an inaccurate map. He vows to find the cartographer responsible and make the man pay. Morgan also intends on collecting his sweet reward from the bet he made with his nemesis. His captivity made Morgan realize what he really wants from the sharp-tongued Montgomery. Now he just needs to devise a plan to convince Harriet that they belong together. Can Morgan persuade Harriet to ignore their family’s ancient petty grudge? What lengths will he go to prove his love?
Harriet “Harry” Montgomery is a cartographer. In her father’s stead, she creates defected maps for the Admiralty to use against the French. Harriet has always enjoyed her clashes with the devastatingly handsome Morgan, her natural enemy. She hatches a plan to ensure his return from the war unharmed, in the form of a bet. When he comes to collect his prize, Harriet seizes the chance to enjoy a sensual adventure. However, danger encroaches on their time. Can Harriet trust Morgan’s feelings as true? Or is the handsome captain merely toying with her affections?
Morgan is such a charming and mischievous rascal! I willingly admit he is my favorite Davies. He has this infectious personality that one cannot help but to adore. I like Morgan’s interactions with his older brothers. There were several scenes between them that had me giggling. It is obvious that the Davies’ siblings are close and look out for each other. What I love the most about Morgan is how he recognizes from the start the feelings he has for Harriet. In most books of this genre, the hero is the last person to realize their feelings. Morgan demonstrates his love throughout their childhood and adulthood with small gestures.
Harriet proves to be Morgan’s perfect match. Their personalities compliment the others wonderfully. I admire the sacrifices Harriet has made for her father. She does not wish to inconvenience their family with his care. Instead, Harriet has set aside her dreams of adventure and any hopes for the future. What I love the most about Harriet is the person she becomes around Morgan. She practically comes alive whenever they banter, and neither bears the other any ill will. They simply enjoy clashing their wits together and indulging in one-upping the other.
A WICKED GAME is the third book in Kate Bateman’s historical romance series, RUTHLESS RIVALS. The story can stand-alone, but I strongly advise reading the previous two stories before starting this one. The first book, A RECKLESS MATCH, explains the history behind the Davies and the Montgomery’s century-long feud. There are also scenes in both books that show the blatant attraction brewing between Harriet and Morgan. I finished this book in two sittings. I literally could not put it down and found any excuse to allow me to keep reading.
A WICKED GAME is an enthralling tale of two people forgoing their family’s eons-long enmity to embrace their mutual attraction. I am on pins and needles for the next installment! The epilogue promises there is a Montgomery in Rhys Davies’ future.

This is exactly what I love about historical romances! Two main characters that clearly love each other but also live to torment each other. Playful bets. A small side plot about a map and her father and a swoon worthy big finish that is absolutely to die for. You need to read this.

Received a free copy for review through NetGalley but all thoughts are absolutely my own.