I almost DNFed this book multiple times. There were times when it came to the map making shop, that things just didn’t historically fit right with me based on all of other historical romance I have read in the past. And I don’t know why I kept going back to it, but I did. I’m glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book once I got over whatever problem I had in the beginning. This is a typical historical romance. It’s trophy, it’s expected, but the question is do you enjoy the ride to the end? Yes, I did. I do believe this book is in a series, but you don’t have to read the series to enjoy this book. If there’s another one, will I pick it up… maybe. I’ll at least give it a second look.

This was so enjoyable! I really love Kate Bateman's writing,
The narration was well done and I had a great time listening.

This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It has an intelligent, likable, female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, engaging banter, wit, a touch of humor, intrigue, a heart warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is the third entry in Ms. Bateman's outstanding Ruthless Rivals series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but it is even better when read in order. I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator, Ms. Beverly A. Crick, has a captivating voice, and does a fabulous job depicting the characters and their personalities.
Many thanks to Ms. Kate Bateman, RB Media and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an advance listener copy of this wonderful audio book. This is my honest opinion.

I love how Kate Bateman writes historical romance heroines with their own interests, hobbies, and often jobs, but sadly this was my least favorite of the series even if the mapmaking was a fun addition.

Narration: The narrator is one I enjoy for historical romance.

Thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for my copy to review.

Pining, spice. and a bit of danger! This book was fantastic and all I want from a historical romance. Feuding families, frenemies to lovers, it's just so much fun and an easy read.

Beverley A. Crick narrates Kate Bateman’s enemies-to-lovers historical romance A Wicked Game, Ruthless Rivals #3, in dual POV, which continues her exploration of the long-lasting rivalry between the Davies and Montgomery families. Captain Morgan Davies returns to London prepared to take revenge on the cartographer whose incorrect map led to him being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and tortured by the French. Being imprisoned clarified his feelings for his lifelong nemesis Harriet Montgomery, from whom he’s also returned to claim three kisses—his prize from their latest bet. He wants to convince Harriet they should spend forever together despite a lifetime of bickering, rivalry, and one-upmanship. To his surprise, she’s the mapmaker responsible for his captivity. Morgan uses it to his advantage to seek his sweet revenge and seduce Harriet into marriage.

Despite his taunts and challenges all these years, Harriet’s always desired Morgan. Unfortunately, caring for her father with his failing eyesight and dealing with a competitor mapmaker copying her work doesn’t leave Harriet time for playing their exhilarating games. However, a threat from Morgan’s past puts Harriet and Morgan in danger and draws them closer together. That, plus the intimacies they share when Morgan claims his kisses, leads to Harriet’s realization that the intense emotions tying them together aren’t about them being enemies after all.

Crick perfectly fits Harriet and Morgan and the secondary characters. Her English accent is appropriate for the story’s setting and Regency period. Crick’s narration for Morgan and the other male characters is so well-done that the novel could’ve had a male narrator. Crick uses pacing, emotion, dialect, and inflection to offer distinct voices that differentiate between the characters and reveal their personalities, feelings, quirks, and states of mind. She brilliantly expresses the characters’ attraction, yearning, and passion for each other, using her full vocal range to express/portray Harriet and Morgan’s intimacy, chemistry, sensations, and moods during the novel’s intimate scenes. Crick’s narration complements Bateman’s lively narrative style, rich with natural dialogue, flirty banter, and scorching chemistry between her fascinating characters.

Bateman’s vivid and detailed description brings her characters and story to life and keeps you turning the pages/listening. Once I started listening, I was swept away by Morgan and Harriet’s extraordinary and captivating love story. Bateman suitably resolves the underlying suspense plot with fun moments of action and danger. Morgan and Harriet’s fiery, sweet, sexy, funny, and steamy interactions are fun to read. They share a lifetime of stubborn competition covering affection, attraction, and love that deepens over time. I love their verbal sparring and competitive relationship. A simple “I dare you” or “I bet…” is all it takes to get one another to do whatever they want. I love how Bateman develops their relationship over time, interspersing flashbacks of their past with the present.

Morgan and Harriet are likable, complex, fallible, and wonderfully developed. Harriet is prickly, intelligent, studious, strong-willed, and smart-mouthed. Outwardly, Harriet gives the appearance of disapproval. But he makes her feel alive, so she fights their attraction out of self-preservation. The truth is that she likes him a little too much. Morgan is a witty, handsome scoundrel with a profoundly loyal heart. Though they are frequently at odds, both have a warped sense of humor and a shared love for adventure and the absurd. Morgan knows winning her heart won’t be easy, but he knows she’s worth it. I genuinely liked both Morgan and Harriet. Bateman’s steamy and sexy love scenes and interactions draw Harriet and Morgan together, developing, evolving, and revealing their characters. A perfect couple, Harriet and Morgan keep each other on their toes, giving encouragement and strength in times of need.

It’s fantastic that Harriet engages in an unexpected profession and that Bateman weaves Harriet’s cartography skills throughout the story. I love Bateman’s creative scenes, highlighting Harriet’s mapmaking skills that complement Morgan and Harriet’s longstanding rivalry and chemistry that plays into their games and competitions.

Bateman allows readers to catch up with characters from previous books. This book is my favorite of the series. I loved the story and characters far more than I even expected. The pacing is perfect, and despite some moments of angst and suspense, the novel’s tone is primarily lighthearted. A Wicked Game is a captivating, funny, sexy, sweet, steamy, and romantic historical regency read with a touch of suspense.

Advanced listening copy provided by Recorded Books via Netgalley for review.

I have absolutely love this series in this book did not disappoint. From all the other stories I knew Morgan and Harriet would have a sizzling romance just like the others. Im glad Harriet's father got his eyesight back but it's a shame that he didn't listen to his daughter but listen to Morgan

The Davis/Montgomery feud has provided ample ground for Bateman to tread during this trilogy (is there another book coming?), but I think that for me, A Wicked Game has been the most successful. There's something about a bet for three kisses if Morgan returns from war and the delightful way he teases Harriet when he returns that just really got me. My only critique is that I feel like this blend of historical romance and romantic suspense doesn't weave as seamlessly together in this installment as I would like. I think the elements are all there and the ground is laid, but there's no sense of danger until the suspense kicks up dramatically. Which, in all honesty, makes sense, but is not my preferred reading experience. But setting that aside, I really enjoyed the exploration of intimacy here. Morgan was so transparent in his perspective at knowing he wanted Harriet, but it was also really nice to see Harriet sort of take control of the situation eventually.

As for the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narration. I fell into the book so quickly and I had a great time. Definitely recommend!

4⭐️

The Davies versus the Montgomerys has been a tale as old as time. But Captain Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery have always had fun with the rivalry, with bets. Before Morgan went to war Harriet and him placed a bet, that if Morgan doesn’t die he will win three kisses. But things change when Morgan returns to London after being shipwrecked and imprisoned due to an incorrect map. Morgan wants his revenge against the cartographer that caused all of this. When it is revealed that Harriet was this mysterious cartographer, Morgan decides to combine his prize and revenge into one. Luckily for Harriet, she’s always wanted Morgan, but will she believe that he actually wants her too or is this just another game to him?

A Wicked Game is a single third person POV, historical romance, rival families, enemies-to-lovers, steamy romance!
A Wicked Game is the third book in the Ruthless Rivals series. I have not read the previous books in the series and found that it did not hinder my enjoyment or understanding of the book. This can be read as a standalone.

This book was…HOT! The chemistry from the two main characters is insane, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife. Their banter is everything. I swear I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. I would also like to note that the synopsis says that Morgan wants revenge but I want everyone to know that this is not a dark romance and he is not vicious with Harriet. This book is *SPOILER?* she falls first, he falls HARDER and I love when a tough big man is a lovesick fool. By the end of this I was giggling like a lovesick fool.

I received an audiobook version which was narrated by Beverley A. Crick who is absolutely phenomenal! I feel like I say in all of my reviews that I am always nervous when there is one narrator for two POVs but Beverley is a master and hit this out of the park! She was able to give Harriet and Morgan distinct voices and brought so much to the story! I finished this in one day, thats how good it was!

I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced audio copy for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author, I don´t read a lot of historical romance and I really enjoyed this book.
The two main characters where fun and I enjoyed the mapmaking part of the story.

really loved this book and enjoyed the entire series. I am not sure there will be more but I wish there could be!

I absolutely love this author and I adore this series and I was so excited about this new installment, and it did not disappoint.

I listened to a recorded book audio version and I absolutely loved it! The narrator did a great job and kept me engaged the entire time.

This was my first Kate Bateman's book, and won't be my last. This is the third book in the Ruthless Rivals Series, a Historical Romance. Captain Morgan and Harriet's story is sweet, romantic, funny, and charming. I liked Harriet. She is strong, smart, and determined. Captain Morgan is handsome, protective, and caring. The characters are well developed, and interesting. Beverley A. Crick did a great job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, a RB Media production, for an honest review.

A fast paced and action packed, enemies to lovers Regency romance. Follow Harriet and Morgan as they trade barbs. A dare here... a challenge there…all aimed at wooing Harriet. After all, If there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery.

Childhood rivals turned lovers and it all starts with a bet and three kisses.

A Wicked Game is the third book in the Ruthless Rivals series and features the steamy regency romance between Harriet Montgomery and Captain Morgan Davies. I loved their banter! I did not realize this was part of a series until after I started listening. I think that it can be read as a standalone but wish I had read the previous two books first to know the other characters better.

A Wicked Game is narrated by Beverley A. Crick. I liked the narrator overall but it was a bit slow for me and I ended up listening to it at 1.75x. I think that they did a good job brining the characters voices to life.

HEA, Rivals-to-Lovers ish, Regency romance

3.5/5⭐
2.5/5🌶️

Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media for the Audio-ARC!

I hate to do this, but I have to be honest, this book was so cheesy it made my brain hurt. It all happened too easily.

This started off really strong, it had a lot of initial intrigue into the characters romance. I think the middle of the story dragged on a little but I liked the side plot involving maps. There was some historical information of the making/producing of maps that I found interesting and it tied the whole series together. While I enjoyed my time reading the story I do think its a bit forgettable once the story is done.

Tropes: Bet; Childhood enemies to lovers; Damsel in distress; returning to hometown; Secret Identity;

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy of A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman.
I requested to read this book not realizing it was the third in a series, whilst I enjoyed the fun charters and excellent narration I do think I would have enjoyed it even more knowing the other characters who are referenced frequently throughout the story . I would definitely read another book by this author as the writing was so fun and readable. The female lead was a fiery and independent character and the family rivalry was an enjoyable element to the story. I look forward to reading the others in this series and more of this authors work.

Yes to everything that is this book. A wicked game is a delight. I couldn't stop listening to it. I love the chemistry between the two main characters, it's explosive and intense. I love that they know what the other needs or wants before they do. I love the little things he does for her over the years. It's so so so good.

A 3 kiss bargain or a bet between two childhood frenemies was exactly what I needed to read. This romance had pining by the male hero, sexual tension, a bit of mystery and romance. This was such a delicious romance that I couldn't get enough of. The banter between the two of them wasn't force and came quite naturally. The development of the romance between these two childhood rivals was written with the right amount of angst that it felt like the reader was in the presence of Harriet and Morgan. I thought the mystery involving the gold and maps was intriguing and added dimension to the story. From the heroine's back story and career.-a young woman cartographer in the 1800's working with the armed forces to their . The narrator was delightful to listen, especially the first kiss between Harriet and Morgan. I loved how Harriet first kiss with Morgan made her think of the world and maps. I do wished I read the other books in this series but it only a matter of time before I read them.