This was the best of the series and it felt like it was over before I knew it. Morgan and Harry’s storyline felt more realistic compared to Carys and Tristan’s, and less drawn out than Maddie and Gryff’s. I’m interested to see what happens with Rhys’s story next.

It’s Kate Bateman. Read it now. End of review. Okay, just kidding. I’ll give you a few more words. But, really, if you’ve read even one of this author’s books you know before you crack it open that it will be wonderful and you will love it. No one can take the Regency Era and what we think is a very well-known, predictable plot and turn it on its ear like Bateman can, or give you characters that are such a mess, so blind, so stubborn they don’t see what is obvious to everyone else. Sometimes their behavior is so ridiculous that you can’t stop laughing, but they are also strong and heroic and brave and clever – and sweet and caring and so afraid that love is going to slip right out of their grasp.

In A Wicked Game, the third in the Ruthless Rivals series, the Davies and Montgomerys are at it again. They’ve had a feud going forever, but somehow a couple of them always manage to fall head-over-heels and have their HEA. We suspect Morgan and Harriet might be headed down that same hilarious path, but they don’t make it easy. Grew up together, fighting, teasing, playing tricks and absolutely never going to acknowledge that little flutter in their heart when the other is near, because they are certain those feelings are not and never will be reciprocated.

Captain Morgan Davies was shipwrecked and imprisoned because of an incorrect map, and he’s come back to London to make the man who made that map pay. Except that man is Harriet. And to make things really interesting, they had a bet before he sailed off: three kisses if he survived the war and returned home. She pretended not to care but hoped winning the bet would motivate him. It did, but what really kept him going was just the thought of her. We see how they feel, their friends and family see how they feel (even if they don’t know about this spicy, forbidden bet!) but Harry and Morgan are clueless. And that’s why this story is so much fun. He’s not about to declare his feelings because of course he knows she doesn’t feel that way. What he is about to do, though, is collect on those kisses – on his terms. She pretends to be aloof but she’s as eager as he is to get to the when, how and where (especially the where) those kisses will take place.

A Wicked Game has it all: rival families, enemies to lovers, dares, bets, teasing, flirting, danger, adventure – and some very serious feelings and lots (and lots and lots) of steam. I really enjoy Regency Era stories because of all those rules. Rules that seem foolish to us now but could have ruined a lady for an action we would consider insignificant today. But does Harriet feel ruined? Not hardly. More like she’s finally been brought to life. And she’s going to fight to keep that feeling.

I said at the beginning that Kate Bateman is the author is all you need to know. If you’re not completely convinced yet, read how Harriet felt after Morgan’s first kiss: “She didn’t care. Knowledge was power. This was power. She could feel it. Drugging her, coursing through her veins, making her weak and strong at the same time. She knew how to kiss this man. It was as if she’d kissed him a thousand times before, a path so familiar she must have walked it in another life.” If this doesn’t give you chills, make you swoon, and have you running, not walking to get this book, there is no hope for you. I received a free copy of A Wicked Game and am voluntarily leaving this honest review. I highly recommend this and every other thing Kate Bateman has written, will write, or is thinking about writing. She takes that familiar trope and twists it up to make it original, entertaining, and amazing. Every single time. All opinions are my own.

I adored Morgan and Harriet's story!! We've seen bits and pieces of their relationship in other books in the series, so I was really looking forward to their story. Bateman did NOT disappoint!! Such a wonderful read!

The plot and the writing flowed nicely, creating a tremendously enjoyable story.

Morgan Davies was imprisoned and tortured during the war, all due to an incorrect map. He has sworn to exact revenge on the mapmaker responsible for this atrocity. Much to his delight, this turned out to be none other than Harriet Montgomery, his long-time crush. Harriet made a wager with Morgan for three kisses if he returned unscathed from the war. And Morgan was ready to collect.

A wicked, wicked game it was indeed. Morgan grew increasingly less circumspect about his feelings for Harriet as time went on. I loved how he knew right from the start that he wanted her, and he wasn’t deluding himself about it either. He just had to win her over. And Harriet sure made him work hard for those three kisses.

All the map facts and processes were super interesting, and the author cleverly incorporated map and ship metaphors throughout.

I can highly recommend this entire series if you like historical romance that is fun and light, with some action thrown in. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but I always like reading them in order.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Daivies an Montgomery families have been foes for many generations. However the new generations of both families are finding attraction to each other including several marriages.. Captain Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery have always enjoying teasing each other as children. As they enter into society, each begin to realize they have feelings for the other. Bue due to their family history, both are concerned what their families will say about their budding relationship. Captain Morgan had ben in prison during his military service and thoughts of Harriet have sustained him. Harriet has thought about Morgan and wondered if he would return to Lnodon. Each try to deny what is happening, until Harriet makes a wager that becomes a wicke game that Morgan cannot refuse.to engage in. .Both are surprised as they admit to theirselves their feeling for what another.. Who will win their wager? What will they discover about each othrr as this wager continues? How with their families reaction to their interaction? Read this well written story to discover these answers and more. .

I'm a big fan of Kate Bateman as a writer, and she usually does enemies to lovers brilliantly. I really enjoyed the last book in this series, particularly for its humor. This one had some of Bateman's strengths on display, with plenty of sharp banter and steam. I was a little disappointed, though, that Harriet, the MFC, wasn't better fleshed out as a character, and there was a lack of edgy conflict, a hallmark of a few of Bateman's older books. There was a hint of suspense at the beginning, but that takes a backseat until around the 85% mark, when an action scene pops up with little foreshadowing. It felt as if the writer started with a juicy idea for a darker plot, but abandoned it for something lighter and more mundane, until the very end.

There were definite possibilities with the setup. Morgan, the MMC, is on a search for "R. Crusoe", and that could have segued into some interesting developments; for example, what if there had been serious repercussions following Morgan and his crew's imprisonment? After all, Morgan had been falsely accused of being an English spy. He could have easily lost men to deprivation and beatings, and he might have had to go into hiding. The revelation of "Crusoe" in the first couple of chapters is instead quickly glossed over. SPOILER AHEAD........................In fact, Harriet finds it satisfying and amusing that she'd led Morgan and his crew astray (weirdly, she's much more concerned that her maps might have led to the deaths of French crews??).

Around the 25% mark, when Morgan brings up the harrowing experience he had with his crew, Harriet just says that he was lucky he wasn't detained longer, at least he had an adventure (??) and then goes on to complain about having to care for her "near-blind" father. Her character does mellow a bit toward the end, especially as she finds out more details about what Morgan and his men endured, but her lack of depth and emotional maturity for most of the storyline hampered my enjoyment of the cat-and-mouse romantic scenes.

Morgan is quite likable, on the other hand, and when events are described from his viewpoint, you wish he'd been paired with a different MFC. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much of a character arc. Everyone knows he's really a good guy, even her father, and he loves Harriet from the beginning of the book, so the only "will-they-won't they" tension arises from Harriet's smug dismissals of him. He never outright challenges the smugness of her presumptions.

Overall, I did like this book, but it I can't give it more than 4 stars. I think I just expected something more, and something different, after the last entry in the series, which was even more fun as an "enemies to lovers" romance.

Steam level: 2-3. Spicy but not graphic.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

This one was definitely a favourite of mine in 2022. I must admit that I had a hit or miss relationship with the author’s previous books but this one overruled all my expectations.
I’m a huge mood reader and when I need to change something, I’ll always go for a historical romance story. I loved the connection of the characters so much. It made for an entertaining and enjoyable read in a few hours. The chemistry was there at all times, the growth of them was so good to read about and also made me happy that they have flows just like everyone else in real life.
A perfect historical romance in my cards.

📖Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Kate Bateman never fails with this series! Each one is so different and absolutely perfect! I highly recommend this author!

I enjoyed this book a lot. The scene at the very beginning of the book where Harriet bets Morgan for the kisses if he returns from the war set the stage for this romance. The two main characters care a great deal for each other, and therefor, this book has some big swoons.

A great addition to this series. From childhood Morgan and Harriet have teased and bet each other. Now they are all grown up. Morgan has been captured and thoughts of Harriet keep him from giving up. He even uses her to keep his crew motivated. But he can't tell her. Afterall their families don't get along. She bet him 3 kisses if he will just make it home. This story was fun to read. The distance they will go to best each other just made me laugh!
Loved this one.

A great novel that builds not eh reader's curiosity about Harriet and Morgan in Books 1 & 2. The writing is engaging, the plot is organic, and the tension slowly builds after Morgan falls first. Definitely going to read Bateman's backlist now.

I’ve read the previous two books in the Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman, and I’ve been enjoying the whole enemies-to-lovers trope. But I wasn’t sure if a third book with the same theme and the same two rival families would work or just feel like a rehashing of the previous books. I’m happy to say that I found A Wicked Game entertaining and a wonderful addition to the series.

Wicked Game follows Morgan and Harriet. Growing up, there was always a rivalry between the two of them. Each trying to one-up the other and issuing ridiculous wagers. But in secret, they each harbored a crush on the other. Now it’s all come to a head when Morgan is back from war, looking to cash in on winning the latest bet. His winnings are three kisses from Harriet.

I liked both characters. Harriet was interesting because she is a map maker, just like her father, and she’s actively plying her trade. It’s actually woven quite nicely into the story and even plays an important part in the plot. She’s witty, outspoken, and adventurous. I just enjoyed her.

Morgan was your typical historical hero. He was self-assured and was pretty much not going to take no for an answer when it came to Harriet. Morgan was obsessed with her and was determined to make her his wife. He just had to convince Harriet that they were meant to be. Together the sparks jumped off the page, and I had to keep turning the pages to see how they found their happily ever after.

I truly enjoyed A Wicked Game. There was plenty of character development, and the romance built and progressed over the course of the book. I was drawn into the story because of the banter between Morgan and Harriet, and stayed glued to the pages until the end. I can’t wait for the next installment in the Ruthless Rivals series and highly recommend the series to historical romance fans.

I feel blessed to had a chance to read A Wicked Game prior it’s release. I loved it so much!

As you might know, this year I rediscovered my love for historical romance and I am going through all the popular authors I haven’t had a chance to read before, Kate Bateman being one of them.

I guess after finishing A Wicked Game I can see where all the hype comes from.
She is just a mastermind when it comes to creating/showing chemistry between main characters.

I could feel it on every single page that included Harry and Morgan together.
This is (fr)enemies to lovers story, but it was obvious from the very first page that the characters have feelings for each other.
One would said, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife.

Also, it helps that the story itself was pretty entertaining and fun.
I like how the author gave us all the informations about cartography and paper places (that I knew something about already from Paper Towns by John Green).
I was never brilliant when it comes to history, but Bateman made sure to pull me right to the historical period our characters live in by throwing some real happenings that took place in that time.
I also appreciate the action that happened closer to the end.

The story is written in third person and it is so easy to read.

This is third book in the series but it can be read as standalone. However, characters from the first two novels make appearance as side characters in this one.

I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman in the future.

I enjoyed A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman, book three in her Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on members of the Davies and Montgomery families and their ongoing love and hate saga.
Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after a shipwreck and near death experience determined to win Harriet Montgomery. He and Harriet, his long-time adversary, made a bet of three kisses that he wouldn't return home safely and he’s ready to cash in. Convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet. Harriet has also desired the rogue Captain, but feared publicly admitting it. She is secretly thrilled that he has returned and happy that he is calling in the debt of those three kisses as payment for his safe return; though she'd never admit it to him. The chemistry between Harriet and Morgan sizzles as the banter between them is playful.

Ms. Bateman wrote a wonderful, amazing tale that captures you on page one, not letting go until the last and is not to be missed. Throw in being imprisoned by the enemy because of an inaccurate map, revenge on the cartographer and don't forget the enemies to lover's romance. All this and a mystery and kisses too. With sizzling chemistry, witty banter, endearing characters, twists and turns, as well as a swoon worthy romance. I highly recommend A Wicked Game to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series, which I hope is Rhy’s.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I was excited when I was invited to review A Wicked Game. I had reviewed the previous two books in the series and wanted to read Morgan’s story. So, I did an odd sort of happy dance in my living room (I was dodging two kittens, two one years old and a six-year-old cat who were very curious about Mom going “Oh yeah, oh yeah” and fist-pumping). I was justified in my excitement about this book. It was the best book in the series.

A Wicked Game is the love story between Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery. Morgan is a Welsh naval captain who had been captured by the French for years before being freed. Harriet is Morgan’s childhood friend/nemesis. She is also the cartographer who drew the map that led to Morgan’s imprisonment. Now that Morgan is free, he is determined to win Harriet over. But that is easier said than done. Harriet is an independent woman who cares for her blind father and doesn’t trust Morgan. Add the Frenchman who captured and tortured Morgan, has eluded capture, and has been seen in London….looking for the cartographer who drew the map and Morgan. Will Morgan confess his feelings for Harriet? Will Harriet learn to trust Morgan and her feelings? Will the Frenchman find Harriet and Morgan?

I had gotten a glimpse into Harriet and Morgan’s characters in the previous two books. From what I saw, I liked them and couldn’t wait to see if they would end up together.

Morgan—-I don’t even know where to begin with him. As I mentioned above, I loved him in the previous two books and was looking forward to his story. It didn’t disappoint. I loved that Morgan was open about how he felt about Harriet. Even in the scenes at the ball (where he secured his three kisses), he knew he loved her. But the time spent in captivity brought those feelings more into focus. He was rare for a romance hero; he admitted his feelings pretty early on in the book and then spent the rest of the book trying to convince Harriet his feelings were genuine. That alone made this book so great to read.
Harriet—I liked Harriet, but there were times when I wanted to shake her. Like the night when Morgan promised her three kisses. I couldn’t believe that she thought he was joking. Harriet grew up with him. She should have known that he wasn’t playing with her. I liked that the author went in a different direction with her. Instead of making her part of the ton, she was a regular Miss who worked as a cartographer for the British government. It was an exciting change of pace from the usual Regency romances I read, and I loved it.
Several notable secondary characters added extra depth to the book. I loved seeing the characters from the previous books make appearances.

I am obsessed with Regency romance and can’t read enough of them. A Wicked Game fits perfectly into the historical romance genre. So it is a bonus when a book written in that genre is as well-written as this one was.

The storyline with Morgan, Harriet, and their love story was well written. I was 100% on team Morgan and loved that he was so much in touch with his feelings. He was willing to do anything to show Harriet that his feelings were genuine.

The storyline with Harriet, the copycat, her working for the government, and the Frenchman was riveting. The author did a fantastic job of showing how Harriet did her job, mainly how she drew the maps that would end up in the enemies’ hands. The author also showed that while she successfully ran her business, it was a male-dominated society, and she had to hide behind a male identity. That led to her issues with the rival printer, and in turn, that led to the Frenchman.

This wouldn’t be a good review if I didn’t mention the sex. There are a lot of sex and sexual situations in A Wicked Game. When Morgan started collecting his three kisses, he didn’t say what type. That first sexual situation was out of this world. The other sexual situations and sexual acts were either just as good or better than that first scene. I kept thinking, “Dang, Harriet, he’s a keeper.“

The end of A Wicked Game kept me on edge. The author kept me guessing what would happen with Harriet and Morgan (even though I knew they would end up together). She wrapped up all the storylines in a way that satisfied me as a reader. I hope she will write more books in this world.

I would recommend A Wicked Game to anyone over 21. There are sex, sexual situations, mild violence, and no language.

Tropes: Feuding Families, Childhood Friends, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Working Heroine, Soldiers/Sailors/War, Revenge, Spy/Govt Work

Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after a shipwreck with revenge and kisses on his mind! He and his long-time “nemesis,” Harriet Montgomery, made a bet, and he’s ready to cash in. But convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet!

This is the third book in The Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on family members from the feuding Davies and Montgomery families. Harriet’s cousin Maddie and Morgan’s eldest brother Griff is the couple from book one, and they play a role in this story.

Kate Bateman – and this series – keeps delivering! The story starts quickly and pulls the reader right into Morgan and Harriet’s “I dare you” friendship. The chemistry sizzles as Harriet had bet Morgan three kisses that he wouldn’t return home safely…unfortunately (or fortunately, wink) for her, she didn’t specify what kind of kisses or where on her body he could place them. Their playful banter was a lot of fun, and I liked that Morgan is the one leading with his heart first.

There was also an excellent secondary story taking place, and it weaved in beautifully. Harriet has been helping her father’s map-making business by secretly helping the British Navy with fake maps to use against enemies. A threat from Morgan’s past catches up to them and a French ex-soldier comes looking for one of the falsified maps, putting them both in danger.

I was completely engaged in this story and the end, in particular, pushed all the right romance buttons. I hope this isn’t the end of the Montgomery-Davies feud because I’d love to see Rhys find a match, too!

~ Leslie

The Davies and Montgomerys are at it again in this third installment in the fabulous series!

This time it is Captain Morgan, just back from being shipwrecked and Imprisoned. He is totally focused on Harriet Davis, who he has know since they were children. He has a bone to pick with her that just may be overridden by his attraction to her.. If he can just convince her...

Harriet has been swooning over handsome Morgan, but it seems someone has been messing with her map making and Morgan thinks she did it on purpose.

When danger raises it's head, the two have to work together... and find love!

Hell yes, another Morgan-Davies feud! It had been a couple of months, since I encountered these gems of Kate Bateman.

And in A Wicked Game it’s Morgan Davies who bites the dust. He and Harriet Montgomery have been daring each other since kids. Due to the everlasting feud they have been frenemies since childhood. But they always greatly enjoyed their scandalous bets. And then Morgan left for the war.

After years at sea, he has now returned to find the mapmaker responsible for getting captured and being tortured by the enemy.The only thing that kept him sane during his captivation, is the fact that Harriet would be at home. And now that he is home, he knows that she is the one for him. Which brings him in a strange situation, when he realizes that Harriet is the mapmaker he is searching for.

However, Harriet had a reason for altering the maps. And when Morgan realizes the reason, it turns out that Harriet could be in danger. Will she let Morgan help her? or does Morgan need to revert to a scandalous bet to have her cooperate?

True to Kate the story is fast paced, funny and full of action. The banter and bets between Morgan and Harriet are hilarious and endearing. A wonderful story and hopefully not the last in the Ruthless Rivals series! Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

I am convinced Kate Bateman is incapable of writing a bad romance, in great part because each volume of the Ruthless Rivals series is even better than the last.

Captain Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery have been trying to best each other from the time they were kids and lived out the feud between their families with passion. Then they grew up and that passion turned to something else that neither was willing to admit until Morgan returns from war with a bet to cash in on and a plan to convince Harriet that their clashes are just a sign of their being meant to be together.
Meanwhile, Harriet is convinced that the dashing Morgan will never be interested in anything more than clashing wills and vexing her at every opportunity. And a bet made to ensure the hardheaded Morgan made it back from the war in one piece ends up leading to a whole lot more than she was expecting, leading her to suspect that there might be better things to do with Morgan than banter.

It's a great story that lets the great characters shine from scene to scene. Most of what happens is obvious from pages away, but it's such a pleasure to get there that I honestly don't mind. This is the kind of romance you pick up to cheer yourself up and get a huge dose of romance. It's perfect.

Extremely happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for this delightfully wicked read!

Witty banner, passion, blistering-hot kisses placed wherever the hero wants (after all, a bets a bet), and years of flirtatious teasing makes for one hot and wicked historical rom-com. I swear, my fingers were a bit singed just from swiping the pages of this delightful enemies-to-lovers romance.
Well done Ms. Bateman!

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.