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Ruthless Rivals #1
A Reckless Match
Meet the Davies and Montgomery families — two households locked in an ancient feud, destined to be on opposing sides forever. Until now...
CAN LIFELONG HATE
Madeline Montgomery grew up despising—and secretly loving—the roguish Gryffud “Gryff” Davies. Their families have been bitter rivals for hundreds of years, but even if her feelings once crossed the line between love and hate, she’s certain Gryff never felt the same. Now, she’s too busy saving her family from ruin to think about Gryff and the other “devilish” Davies siblings. Since he’s off being scandalous in London, it’s not like she’ll ever see him again...
TURN TO TRUE LOVE?
As the new Earl of Powys, Gryff Davies planned on spending his post-war life enjoying the pleasures of London. But when an illegal duel forces him to retreat to his family’s Welsh castle, he realizes the only exciting thing in the dull countryside will be seeing the fiery Maddie Montgomery. Thoughts of his nemesis sustained Gryff throughout the war; but the girl he loved to tease has grown into a gorgeous, headstrong woman — who loathes him just as much as she ever did. Will secret tunnels, dangerous smugglers, and meddling from their feuding families be enough to make Maddie and Gryff realize that their animosity is really attraction...and maybe even love?
CAN LIFELONG HATE
Madeline Montgomery grew up despising—and secretly loving—the roguish Gryffud “Gryff” Davies. Their families have been bitter rivals for hundreds of years, but even if her feelings once crossed the line between love and hate, she’s certain Gryff never felt the same. Now, she’s too busy saving her family from ruin to think about Gryff and the other “devilish” Davies siblings. Since he’s off being scandalous in London, it’s not like she’ll ever see him again...
TURN TO TRUE LOVE?
As the new Earl of Powys, Gryff Davies planned on spending his post-war life enjoying the pleasures of London. But when an illegal duel forces him to retreat to his family’s Welsh castle, he realizes the only exciting thing in the dull countryside will be seeing the fiery Maddie Montgomery. Thoughts of his nemesis sustained Gryff throughout the war; but the girl he loved to tease has grown into a gorgeous, headstrong woman — who loathes him just as much as she ever did. Will secret tunnels, dangerous smugglers, and meddling from their feuding families be enough to make Maddie and Gryff realize that their animosity is really attraction...and maybe even love?
323 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
190 people are currently reading
6031 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 930 reviews
June 13, 2022
I have an absolute soft spot for well-written banter in my romances. Or books, in general. It sells me on a story almost straight away.
This was my first Kate Bateman and it definitely will not be my last. I woke up in the middle of the night and decided to finish reading this book because I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It was the entertainment that I needed.
Think Romeo and Juliet family rivalry but less tragic and more banter-y and witty.
The ending wrapped up a bit too conveniently for my liking and I wish we had more emotional depth to the characters than what we got, but I had such a good time with this. From the moment I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down.
This was my first Kate Bateman and it definitely will not be my last. I woke up in the middle of the night and decided to finish reading this book because I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It was the entertainment that I needed.
Think Romeo and Juliet family rivalry but less tragic and more banter-y and witty.
The ending wrapped up a bit too conveniently for my liking and I wish we had more emotional depth to the characters than what we got, but I had such a good time with this. From the moment I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down.
November 24, 2025
Reread: 11/23/25
Setting: Regency England
trope: secret love, enemies to lovers
3.5 stars
I didn't like this story as much as I did the 1st time I read this book. Gryffud reminds me of my brother. His teasing makes me want to smack him. It's hard for me to find that romantic.
This is still a pretty good story! I'm looking forward to the other books in the series.
Dec. group BOTM
************************
orginal review
Read 12/4/22
Very good!
5 stars
Setting: Regency England
trope: secret love, enemies to lovers
3.5 stars
I didn't like this story as much as I did the 1st time I read this book. Gryffud reminds me of my brother. His teasing makes me want to smack him. It's hard for me to find that romantic.
This is still a pretty good story! I'm looking forward to the other books in the series.
Dec. group BOTM
************************
orginal review
Read 12/4/22
Very good!
5 stars
September 21, 2021
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
According to the Montgomerys, the pig was stolen. According to the Davies clan, it got lost.
For over 500yrs the Montgomerys and the Davies have had a contentious neighborly relationship. Whether it was a pig or woman who started it, Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies have kept the feud going. Teasing and pranks were pulled while kids and while Gryff was away fighting Napoleon for three years, both have actually missed each other. When Maddie learns that her father has lost the family fortune in a stock scam, she's hoping that the Davies siblings all stay in London and don't show up for the handshake Henry VII decreed to try and stop the feuding between the two families. On the Spring Equinox, a member from each family must meet on the strip of no-man's-land between the two estates and shake hands, if someone from a family's side doesn't show up, the other family gets the land. Maddie needs the money that could come from owning the land but with minutes to spare, the worst Davies shows up.
“Well, well. Maddie Montgomery. Did you miss me, cariad?”
With a light and sweet tone, A Reckless Match starts off the Ruthless Rivals series. I enjoyed the set-up of the English Montgomery's endlessly feuding with the Welsh Davies and loved how the author gave our couple's fathers an undercover friendship from it. From the start, it was obvious that Gryff liked Maddie, he's candid in his thoughts of how much he cares and missed her. Maddie was struck by lightening and he thinks about how when he heard this, how shaken he was. Their teasing and back and forth always had a lightness and little sizzle that made you want them to never leave each other's side because they were a fun couple to be with.
He shouldn’t be goading her, of course. It could only lead to trouble. But teasing her was a pleasure he’d missed out on for three long, miserable years. The memory of her face was something he’d fallen back on when times were particularly hard. Wounded, exhausted after battle, he’d often reminded himself to stay alive, if only to spite her. To tease her just one more time.
The plot has the two discovering an underground cave on their no-man's-land and while exploring it, learning that smugglers are using it to hide their barrels. It's a lighter mystery that works to keep them together and pulls in some side characters, Gryff's brothers, Maddie's cousin, and an unwanted suitor of Maddie's. I usually like a little tease alluding to future couples but this had some overkill in that department. Gryff's brother Morgan and Maddie's cousin Harriet and Maddie's older brother Tristan and Gryff's younger sister Carys, are obviously future couples and they seem to have an extremely similar relationship and set-up as Maddie and Gryff. Did I enjoy Maddie and Gryff's relationship? Yes. Do I want to read the exact same dynamic three times in a row in the same series? Not really.
The expression in his eyes was one of undisguised admiration and Maddie’s heart missed a beat. He’d called her remarkable.
There wasn't a lot of exploring of our character's make-up, I know Maddie's mother died when she was ten and Gryff was off soldiering for three years, the focus is solidly on the here and now and the teasing with wanting more between the two. I greatly enjoyed the first 60% of this but started to get a little restless, especially when I hit 70%. Maddie and Gryff are trapped in a cave and even though we're in the back-half of the book, their relationship felt exactly the same. They still are doing the fun teasing and I still felt the sizzle but where was the relationship growth? The last 40% just didn't give me the development between the two that I was looking for, their relationship felt exactly the same as when I was reading in chapter one.
Ten years of teasing and flirting— yes, that’s what it had been, she could admit it now— had always been coming to this. This bonfire.
The all too easy match-ups have me a bit worried for the future couples' stories and Maddie and Gryff's relationship didn't really change from the start to the end enough for me. However, the majority of this story was plain fun with it's light tone and the little bit of sizzle to their teasing. There were also numerous interesting tidbits included about the times that were engaging and had me going off to read more about. If you're looking for light sweet teasing with a sizzle, this would be one to pick up.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
According to the Montgomerys, the pig was stolen. According to the Davies clan, it got lost.
For over 500yrs the Montgomerys and the Davies have had a contentious neighborly relationship. Whether it was a pig or woman who started it, Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies have kept the feud going. Teasing and pranks were pulled while kids and while Gryff was away fighting Napoleon for three years, both have actually missed each other. When Maddie learns that her father has lost the family fortune in a stock scam, she's hoping that the Davies siblings all stay in London and don't show up for the handshake Henry VII decreed to try and stop the feuding between the two families. On the Spring Equinox, a member from each family must meet on the strip of no-man's-land between the two estates and shake hands, if someone from a family's side doesn't show up, the other family gets the land. Maddie needs the money that could come from owning the land but with minutes to spare, the worst Davies shows up.
“Well, well. Maddie Montgomery. Did you miss me, cariad?”
With a light and sweet tone, A Reckless Match starts off the Ruthless Rivals series. I enjoyed the set-up of the English Montgomery's endlessly feuding with the Welsh Davies and loved how the author gave our couple's fathers an undercover friendship from it. From the start, it was obvious that Gryff liked Maddie, he's candid in his thoughts of how much he cares and missed her. Maddie was struck by lightening and he thinks about how when he heard this, how shaken he was. Their teasing and back and forth always had a lightness and little sizzle that made you want them to never leave each other's side because they were a fun couple to be with.
He shouldn’t be goading her, of course. It could only lead to trouble. But teasing her was a pleasure he’d missed out on for three long, miserable years. The memory of her face was something he’d fallen back on when times were particularly hard. Wounded, exhausted after battle, he’d often reminded himself to stay alive, if only to spite her. To tease her just one more time.
The plot has the two discovering an underground cave on their no-man's-land and while exploring it, learning that smugglers are using it to hide their barrels. It's a lighter mystery that works to keep them together and pulls in some side characters, Gryff's brothers, Maddie's cousin, and an unwanted suitor of Maddie's. I usually like a little tease alluding to future couples but this had some overkill in that department. Gryff's brother Morgan and Maddie's cousin Harriet and Maddie's older brother Tristan and Gryff's younger sister Carys, are obviously future couples and they seem to have an extremely similar relationship and set-up as Maddie and Gryff. Did I enjoy Maddie and Gryff's relationship? Yes. Do I want to read the exact same dynamic three times in a row in the same series? Not really.
The expression in his eyes was one of undisguised admiration and Maddie’s heart missed a beat. He’d called her remarkable.
There wasn't a lot of exploring of our character's make-up, I know Maddie's mother died when she was ten and Gryff was off soldiering for three years, the focus is solidly on the here and now and the teasing with wanting more between the two. I greatly enjoyed the first 60% of this but started to get a little restless, especially when I hit 70%. Maddie and Gryff are trapped in a cave and even though we're in the back-half of the book, their relationship felt exactly the same. They still are doing the fun teasing and I still felt the sizzle but where was the relationship growth? The last 40% just didn't give me the development between the two that I was looking for, their relationship felt exactly the same as when I was reading in chapter one.
Ten years of teasing and flirting— yes, that’s what it had been, she could admit it now— had always been coming to this. This bonfire.
The all too easy match-ups have me a bit worried for the future couples' stories and Maddie and Gryff's relationship didn't really change from the start to the end enough for me. However, the majority of this story was plain fun with it's light tone and the little bit of sizzle to their teasing. There were also numerous interesting tidbits included about the times that were engaging and had me going off to read more about. If you're looking for light sweet teasing with a sizzle, this would be one to pick up.
August 11, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (Though it feels a touch steamier)
Humor: Yes!
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (your ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans facebook group.)
Basic plot
The Montgomerys and Davies have been rivals forever. The Davies estate was on the Welsh side, the Montgomerys on the English. To put an end to their fighting, King Henry VII decreed they would each send a representative on the spring equinox to show their goodwill towards each other. If either didn’t attend, the land between the families would be forfeit to the other. Our representatives in 1815 are Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies...
Give this a try if you want:
- Enemies to lovers feel – though it’s on the light side, as they quickly work together towards a common goal. They toast to being “Friendly enemies” and I think that’s a perfect term to describe it!
- Forbidden love/rival families – Everyone stares when a Davies and Montgomery are in the same room, awaiting the explosion
- Regency time period – This takes place in 1815, though much of it is at their country estates, a touch at the end is in London
- Lower to mid steam – One full scene, but also kisses and a hot almost scene in a library
- A perfect mix of action, danger, humor, and relationship
- A bit of unrequited love from the hero – they have known each other since they were children
My thoughts:
Ohhhhh I loved this book. It’s been quite awhile since a book just grabbed me from the very beginning and Bateman’s lovely prologue titled “The Legend” did just that. These characters have a bit of a past, growing up together and attempting to torment each other. We know if either of them really examined their feelings of the other, they would see how badly they want each other.
This book gave me the butterflies I crave. Those small things between in a romance that build their wanting, that I sometimes find missing and want them so badly to be there. Moments like when the heroine finds delight in a bite of food and it makes the hero’s jaw twitch. The touch of his hands on her neck while he playfully describes a ‘cravat snake’. His thoughts as he carries her between his thighs on his horse. Her mind as he walks in front of her in a cave and she notices his firm backside. All those little things in the beginning of falling in love that make you breathless. Sitting near someone and feeling their knees almost touching yours. Eyes sliding over exposed bosom in a dress. I LOVE that stuff, so so much and I found it here.
The banter between Maddie and Gryff is just glorious. It’s funny and snappy and sexy and I adored every minute they were on page together. This book had me smiling through many parts and my heart melting during others.
Both characters delighted me. Maddie has survived being struck by lightning. She has an independent streak and cares deeply about her family. She’s a problem solver and will do what she can to help her family’s financial distress, though she simply must find an alternative solution to an undesirable marriage.
Gryff is strong, protective and naughty. He’s tormented Maddie since childhood, and has no plans on stopping now that they are grown. He loves to get a rise out of her. As they shared more of their life with each other and began to trust, it was lovely to see his transformation to partner.
Some romances I am left at the end so happy. I just know they will have the best life together as I close the book and I am certain of that here. I am also left eager to read the other stories in the series. It’s set up here for Morgan and Harriet, Tristan and Carys...Soon the Davies and Montgomeries will be so enmeshed you won’t be able to tell them apart :P
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (Though it feels a touch steamier)
Humor: Yes!
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (your ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans facebook group.)
Basic plot
The Montgomerys and Davies have been rivals forever. The Davies estate was on the Welsh side, the Montgomerys on the English. To put an end to their fighting, King Henry VII decreed they would each send a representative on the spring equinox to show their goodwill towards each other. If either didn’t attend, the land between the families would be forfeit to the other. Our representatives in 1815 are Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies...
Give this a try if you want:
- Enemies to lovers feel – though it’s on the light side, as they quickly work together towards a common goal. They toast to being “Friendly enemies” and I think that’s a perfect term to describe it!
- Forbidden love/rival families – Everyone stares when a Davies and Montgomery are in the same room, awaiting the explosion
- Regency time period – This takes place in 1815, though much of it is at their country estates, a touch at the end is in London
- Lower to mid steam – One full scene, but also kisses and a hot almost scene in a library
- A perfect mix of action, danger, humor, and relationship
- A bit of unrequited love from the hero – they have known each other since they were children
My thoughts:
Ohhhhh I loved this book. It’s been quite awhile since a book just grabbed me from the very beginning and Bateman’s lovely prologue titled “The Legend” did just that. These characters have a bit of a past, growing up together and attempting to torment each other. We know if either of them really examined their feelings of the other, they would see how badly they want each other.
This book gave me the butterflies I crave. Those small things between in a romance that build their wanting, that I sometimes find missing and want them so badly to be there. Moments like when the heroine finds delight in a bite of food and it makes the hero’s jaw twitch. The touch of his hands on her neck while he playfully describes a ‘cravat snake’. His thoughts as he carries her between his thighs on his horse. Her mind as he walks in front of her in a cave and she notices his firm backside. All those little things in the beginning of falling in love that make you breathless. Sitting near someone and feeling their knees almost touching yours. Eyes sliding over exposed bosom in a dress. I LOVE that stuff, so so much and I found it here.
The banter between Maddie and Gryff is just glorious. It’s funny and snappy and sexy and I adored every minute they were on page together. This book had me smiling through many parts and my heart melting during others.
Both characters delighted me. Maddie has survived being struck by lightning. She has an independent streak and cares deeply about her family. She’s a problem solver and will do what she can to help her family’s financial distress, though she simply must find an alternative solution to an undesirable marriage.
Gryff is strong, protective and naughty. He’s tormented Maddie since childhood, and has no plans on stopping now that they are grown. He loves to get a rise out of her. As they shared more of their life with each other and began to trust, it was lovely to see his transformation to partner.
Some romances I am left at the end so happy. I just know they will have the best life together as I close the book and I am certain of that here. I am also left eager to read the other stories in the series. It’s set up here for Morgan and Harriet, Tristan and Carys...Soon the Davies and Montgomeries will be so enmeshed you won’t be able to tell them apart :P
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
July 22, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, steamy, historical romance novel. It has a likable, brave, strong and capable female protagonist, a caring and courageous male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, wit, a touch of humor, engaging banter, an excellent adventure, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending.
I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Beverly A. Crick, has a captivating voice, and does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities.
I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Beverly A. Crick, has a captivating voice, and does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities.
December 21, 2021
Kate Bateman is definitely a favorite historical romance author of mine and this was another super cute hate to love romance! The hero and heroine are from rival families and are the representatives from their families sent to meet this year in order to keep up a treaty that's been going on for years. This year, though, they get into some shenanigans as they explore the land their families share. They come across some smugglers using caves to smuggle cargo and get into some sticky situations! I loved the premise of this book and how much adventure our couple experienced. This gave me Ravished by Amanda Quick vibes because the heroine is into archeology and they're trying to stop smugglers in caves. They get stuck together and I love a good forced proximity trope! This was just so much fun to read and I couldn't recommend it enough!
July 28, 2023
➥ 2.5 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Gosh, I'm such a party pooper, but unluckily for historical romance authors, I'm very particular about hrs. This one wasn't particularly bad, it was even decent I'd say, but for me it did absolutely nothing.
Though the cover is gorgeous, the premise seemed delicious/intriguing, and the author is a total sweetheart, I felt that this didn't add anything new to the genre. It had the typical:
The featured quote is more what I'm on the hunt for: softer, more babygirlish heroes that are first and foremost caring of the heroine. Clearly I'm in the minority, as the more domineering alphamale-y type heroes tend to be awfully popular, so again, if this sounds good to you, do give it a shot. It just wasn't my thing.
I really never felt an emotional connection between the hero and heroine. There's a lot of forced proximity, which allowed for consistent character interaction—something I do give Bateman credit for—but the interactions themselves were underwhelming.
Who doesn't love a good romp? I do enjoy a book with raunchier elements, but as much as the hero here claimed to love the heroine for her wit (where?), nearly every single thought of his was sexual. Always sexualising her and gosh it just gets tiring for me.
And as always, he has a misogynistic outburst after he finds out our heroine is considering a marriage of convenience (with a nasty old man), for the sake of saving her family from impending poverty. No one is delighted at the prospect, but he just uses the opportunity to declare that she's just as good as a whore if she does that, but not even, because (apparently) "at least whores get some pleasure out of the interaction".
This is even more ironic, considering the hero's main selling point for the heroine is that he "treats her like an equal". I mean wow, men really have it fucking easy. Treat her like a human and you've got a woman in your bed at the snap of a finger apparently! I know some historical romance readers prefer for historical romance to tailor to the realities of the time period, where yes, most men were indeed raging misogynists, but I personally don't fancy the prospect of falling in love with such a shit.
I like historical romance for the occasional chivalry and charm that it facilitates in romance. The declarations tend to be gloriously dramatic, and of course I enjoy the talk of the castles and gowns and meals and balls and other pomps. But it all crumbles into a disappointing heap for me, when I can't find the hero the least bit appealing. (Though I enthusiastically applaud the heroine's unabashed appreciation of the hero's ass).
The enemies-to-lovers aspect was not only weak because of the instant attraction from the literal start of the novel, but also because of their "history". Supposedly there was a time where the hero and his friends ganged up on the heroine, pulled up her skirts and tied them above her head so she couldn't see, and left her to roll around helplessly while they watched laughing. Personally, I did not sign up for a bully romance when I picked this book up 🤷♀️ and in general, enemies-to-lovers is boring when the heroine doesn't have any balls to fight back just as hard. I like when the men are left bamboozled and humbled 😥 blushing too 🤭 none of that here though. Just arrogance on the male behalf and boredom of the female one.
To end on a more positive note, the horse was pretty funny (the way it agreed with the heroine and huffed at the name of her "enemy") though we barely see the horse after the first 25%. The plot was also pretty thorough - I enjoyed it enough and it was a good way to facilitate stakes and character interaction (though the interaction itself was underwhelming). And lastly, the part that really shone through to me, was that the author had clearly done her research. In watching Bateman's interviews, I gathered (correct me if I'm wrong), that she comes up with her books through different settings and character occupations (rather than the love story itself), and she writes with immaculate detail. In this story, the characters explore mines/caves, and Bateman is very aware of what the people knew during the time period. The solution to certain problems throughout the novel was interestingly tactful, as the characters really had to think to fix the problems.
Overall, a disappointing read, but for those who tend to enjoy most historical romances, this one isn't very different and will probably prove decently enjoyable.
When he finally wrenched his mouth from hers, they both gasped for air.
"Christ," he panted raggedly.
He looked as ravished as she felt. A lock of his hair had fallen over his brow, and a pink flush coloured his cheekbones.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Gosh, I'm such a party pooper, but unluckily for historical romance authors, I'm very particular about hrs. This one wasn't particularly bad, it was even decent I'd say, but for me it did absolutely nothing.
Though the cover is gorgeous, the premise seemed delicious/intriguing, and the author is a total sweetheart, I felt that this didn't add anything new to the genre. It had the typical:
— arrogant, condescending, borderline misogynistic hero (Gryff Davies (H)) ~ he's always growling
— supposedly witty but moreso whiny and pathetically stubborn heroine (Maddie Montgomery (h)), though tbf she was intelligent regarding her passion: archeology
— half of the hero's supposedly charming dialogue being chockfull of sexual innuendos
— instalove where both are fantasising of the other's body from the very beginning
— cliche sayings of "I hate you" and "I don't hate you"
— mediocre sex scenes that just consisted of the guy being described as the epitome of maleness while he slides a finger between the heroine's "feminine folds" (yeah)
— virgin heroine with rake(ish) hero
— cartoonish villain
— very random and jarring "good girl" placements
The featured quote is more what I'm on the hunt for: softer, more babygirlish heroes that are first and foremost caring of the heroine. Clearly I'm in the minority, as the more domineering alphamale-y type heroes tend to be awfully popular, so again, if this sounds good to you, do give it a shot. It just wasn't my thing.
I really never felt an emotional connection between the hero and heroine. There's a lot of forced proximity, which allowed for consistent character interaction—something I do give Bateman credit for—but the interactions themselves were underwhelming.
Who doesn't love a good romp? I do enjoy a book with raunchier elements, but as much as the hero here claimed to love the heroine for her wit (where?), nearly every single thought of his was sexual. Always sexualising her and gosh it just gets tiring for me.
And as always, he has a misogynistic outburst after he finds out our heroine is considering a marriage of convenience (with a nasty old man), for the sake of saving her family from impending poverty. No one is delighted at the prospect, but he just uses the opportunity to declare that she's just as good as a whore if she does that, but not even, because (apparently) "at least whores get some pleasure out of the interaction".
This is even more ironic, considering the hero's main selling point for the heroine is that he "treats her like an equal". I mean wow, men really have it fucking easy. Treat her like a human and you've got a woman in your bed at the snap of a finger apparently! I know some historical romance readers prefer for historical romance to tailor to the realities of the time period, where yes, most men were indeed raging misogynists, but I personally don't fancy the prospect of falling in love with such a shit.
I like historical romance for the occasional chivalry and charm that it facilitates in romance. The declarations tend to be gloriously dramatic, and of course I enjoy the talk of the castles and gowns and meals and balls and other pomps. But it all crumbles into a disappointing heap for me, when I can't find the hero the least bit appealing. (Though I enthusiastically applaud the heroine's unabashed appreciation of the hero's ass).
The enemies-to-lovers aspect was not only weak because of the instant attraction from the literal start of the novel, but also because of their "history". Supposedly there was a time where the hero and his friends ganged up on the heroine, pulled up her skirts and tied them above her head so she couldn't see, and left her to roll around helplessly while they watched laughing. Personally, I did not sign up for a bully romance when I picked this book up 🤷♀️ and in general, enemies-to-lovers is boring when the heroine doesn't have any balls to fight back just as hard. I like when the men are left bamboozled and humbled 😥 blushing too 🤭 none of that here though. Just arrogance on the male behalf and boredom of the female one.
To end on a more positive note, the horse was pretty funny (the way it agreed with the heroine and huffed at the name of her "enemy") though we barely see the horse after the first 25%. The plot was also pretty thorough - I enjoyed it enough and it was a good way to facilitate stakes and character interaction (though the interaction itself was underwhelming). And lastly, the part that really shone through to me, was that the author had clearly done her research. In watching Bateman's interviews, I gathered (correct me if I'm wrong), that she comes up with her books through different settings and character occupations (rather than the love story itself), and she writes with immaculate detail. In this story, the characters explore mines/caves, and Bateman is very aware of what the people knew during the time period. The solution to certain problems throughout the novel was interestingly tactful, as the characters really had to think to fix the problems.
Overall, a disappointing read, but for those who tend to enjoy most historical romances, this one isn't very different and will probably prove decently enjoyable.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
September 20, 2022
Dear Authors,
It’s not romantic to have the hero pining for one woman while fucking countless others. Please stop ruining my romance novels with this cow dung.
Sincerely,
A Sick-of-This-Shit Reader.
3.5 stars. This book is a bit of a mixed bag. I liked the premise, but the execution was sometimes a bit lacking. I especially was irritated with the hero and his inner monologue. He needed to just stfu in his own head.
This is essentially a semi-second chance and an enemies to lovers romance. The hero and heroine have known each other since childhood and both have been attracted to one another, but never acted on those feelings. Their families are rivals and so their interactions in the past and at the start of the story were more adversarial in nature. The hero comes back to his estate after being gone for four years at war, and their relationship develops when they together discover a cave with smuggled casks of brandy.
One thing I really disliked in this story was how the hero, after returning from war, immediately goes to London and acts the rake. This would have normally been mostly ignorable, except he was pining for the heroine while away!! He repeatedly states that while he was at war, he would think of the heroine, and fight through endless difficulties with the goal of coming back to her. Except he didn’t come back to her, he instead went to London, and plenty of other women. He even talks several times (after kissing and making out with the heroine) about how he still plans to return to London after the smuggling business is wrapped up. How there are sooo many women in London - the most beautiful, the best lovers, etc - who would want to be in his bed. How he’s in no way ready to marry. His thoughts are very irritating because in one moment, he’s thinking of all the other women out there, and then in the next, he’s feeling relief that the heroine hadn’t married while he was away. I guess he’s happy for her to stay frozen and virginal and alone, while he goes and sows his wild oats? What a toad. 🐸
So yea, if the hero had just done a little more 🤐🤐🤐 then this book would have been a lot more enjoyable…
Safe with exceptions because of what I mentioned above. Virgin heroine, manwhore hero, no scenes with om/ow, no ow drama except jealousy the heroine experiences because she knows what the hero has been up to since he’s always in the gossip rags, mild OM drama, no cheating.
It’s not romantic to have the hero pining for one woman while fucking countless others. Please stop ruining my romance novels with this cow dung.
Sincerely,
A Sick-of-This-Shit Reader.
3.5 stars. This book is a bit of a mixed bag. I liked the premise, but the execution was sometimes a bit lacking. I especially was irritated with the hero and his inner monologue. He needed to just stfu in his own head.
This is essentially a semi-second chance and an enemies to lovers romance. The hero and heroine have known each other since childhood and both have been attracted to one another, but never acted on those feelings. Their families are rivals and so their interactions in the past and at the start of the story were more adversarial in nature. The hero comes back to his estate after being gone for four years at war, and their relationship develops when they together discover a cave with smuggled casks of brandy.
One thing I really disliked in this story was how the hero, after returning from war, immediately goes to London and acts the rake. This would have normally been mostly ignorable, except he was pining for the heroine while away!! He repeatedly states that while he was at war, he would think of the heroine, and fight through endless difficulties with the goal of coming back to her. Except he didn’t come back to her, he instead went to London, and plenty of other women. He even talks several times (after kissing and making out with the heroine) about how he still plans to return to London after the smuggling business is wrapped up. How there are sooo many women in London - the most beautiful, the best lovers, etc - who would want to be in his bed. How he’s in no way ready to marry. His thoughts are very irritating because in one moment, he’s thinking of all the other women out there, and then in the next, he’s feeling relief that the heroine hadn’t married while he was away. I guess he’s happy for her to stay frozen and virginal and alone, while he goes and sows his wild oats? What a toad. 🐸
So yea, if the hero had just done a little more 🤐🤐🤐 then this book would have been a lot more enjoyable…
Safe with exceptions because of what I mentioned above. Virgin heroine, manwhore hero, no scenes with om/ow, no ow drama except jealousy the heroine experiences because she knows what the hero has been up to since he’s always in the gossip rags, mild OM drama, no cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2021
Kate Bateman keeps writing stories I want to read. But they have tended to not meet my expectations— probably partly because those expectations were unreasonable. Intrigued despite myself, I thought I would give her books one more try with this one. Thankfully, this one is a winner and I am really excited for the series to move forward.
The setup for this is about a boy and a girl from neighboring households on the Welsh/English border, who have been feuding for centuries. So we have boy/girl next door AND enemies to lovers. A dangerous, fun combo. Gryff and Maddie meet for the first time in years, both having matured and grown-up. They like what they see but of course play it cool with teasing insults, as sworn enemies must do. Gryff has been off at war against Napoleon and Maddie has been searching for archaeological finds on the family estate.
From when they meet onward, the story is a bit of a romp. It’s full of adventure and light, fun moments and delicious tensions. I thought it amusing and heartwarming but did not go too far to become hokey. I don’t want to go into plot details here because there were a few moving parts. But I would say that the adventure aspect was well woven into the romance, and I found them both to be satisfying.
I read this fast, which is a sign of my enjoyment. There was some set up (too much toward the end, really) with siblings and cousins for future books. I am keenly interested in the story of the female cartographer (!!!), which is a story I have been craving for years. I do wish it didn’t take a move to The Regency era for me to find a Bateman book that worked for me, but this one gives me a push to check out the stories I have missed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
The setup for this is about a boy and a girl from neighboring households on the Welsh/English border, who have been feuding for centuries. So we have boy/girl next door AND enemies to lovers. A dangerous, fun combo. Gryff and Maddie meet for the first time in years, both having matured and grown-up. They like what they see but of course play it cool with teasing insults, as sworn enemies must do. Gryff has been off at war against Napoleon and Maddie has been searching for archaeological finds on the family estate.
From when they meet onward, the story is a bit of a romp. It’s full of adventure and light, fun moments and delicious tensions. I thought it amusing and heartwarming but did not go too far to become hokey. I don’t want to go into plot details here because there were a few moving parts. But I would say that the adventure aspect was well woven into the romance, and I found them both to be satisfying.
I read this fast, which is a sign of my enjoyment. There was some set up (too much toward the end, really) with siblings and cousins for future books. I am keenly interested in the story of the female cartographer (!!!), which is a story I have been craving for years. I do wish it didn’t take a move to The Regency era for me to find a Bateman book that worked for me, but this one gives me a push to check out the stories I have missed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
June 22, 2025
** First Read** 1️⃣
January 5, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars.
** Reread** 2️⃣
June 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐💫
3½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Still a rather good read.
Good banter.
Rather good chemistry and romantic build up.
No mention of children by end of book…… Child-free?
Most of the plot/story takes place in Wales.
OK sex scenes/steam.
Interesting side characters.
➖ What I disliked:
A little too anachronistic in some places of the story.
Kind of intriguing characters but they lacked some depth (personality and emotional) and needed to be a tiny bit more developed.
The ending felt a little bit rushed.
A little too repetitive about how handsome the hero was.
The heroine is a little too naive and willfully ignorant about her own body and pleasure for a woman of her age (20+) even for the time period the plot/story takes place.)
Contradicting in some places.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice about both the main characters.
(Hero= tall, muscular, handsome…. And heroine: petite, slender and beautiful etc.)
March 11, 2022
A fun series starter, the book combines some great romance tropes: childhood frenemies-to-lovers from feuding families, Gryff and Madeline, must work together to catch a band of smugglers. In the meantime, Madeline is trying to hide her family's bankruptcy from Gryff, although it could mean that she has to marry a rich old lecher to save them. For his part, Gryff is learning how to be the head of his family after his father's death. Maddie's interest in archaeology is a welcome addition to the book. While the third act conflict is a bit predictable, its resolution was satisfyingly enjoyable, and left us ready for the rest of the series.
26-Word Summaries:
Meg: It’s always hard to choose between your hot childhood BFF who you’re SUPPOSED to hate (because Family Feud!) & your rich old lecher fiance you ACTUALLY hate.
Laine: When the boy next door is your mortal enemy from birth, it's extremely rude for him to grow up to be really hot AND smell good.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy.
26-Word Summaries:
Meg: It’s always hard to choose between your hot childhood BFF who you’re SUPPOSED to hate (because Family Feud!) & your rich old lecher fiance you ACTUALLY hate.
Laine: When the boy next door is your mortal enemy from birth, it's extremely rude for him to grow up to be really hot AND smell good.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy.
May 24, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was the first book for me to read by Kate Bateman, but it will definitely not be my last. The story was engaging and adventurous. It took me only a weekend to read. The writing style was witty and fun.
This is book one of a new series. However, based on some references, it seems to be a spin-off series. My guess is that Gryff Llewellyn Davies, Earl of Powys, was introduced in another story. I'm not sure if that would have changed my opinion of him or not, but this was easy to read as a standalone.
The H/h are lifetime arch enemies due to a centuries only grudge between their households. Rather than stay apart, they constantly played tricks on each other as children; yet secretly each had a longtime crush on the other. I don't know how they didn't figure it out, but they each thought he/she alone in the attraction.
I really liked Madeline Montgomery. She was an intelligent and self-educated archaeologist who was also fun, pretty, and loyal. She enjoyed her debut season until it became too repetitive and behaved like a lady with decorum in public. She was not the typical wallflower bluestocking. She just did not feel in a hurry to get married. Unfortunately, her beloved father's debts recently increased the urgency to marry someone with money.
Gryff was also loyal and physically attractive. He was brave and willing to face danger for those he cared about. With a little less detail here and there, I could have liked him. However, I personally could not get over his attitude towards women as sex objects for his pleasure. As usual in HR, he was a rake. He always wanted Maddie, but he sated his lust with many other liaisons instead. He found them empty and unfulfilling; yet he didn't want to get married because as the new earl, he could get the must beautiful and sexually skilled women. He compared Maddie to a whore though she came to him a virgin and waited WAY too long to consider if he loved her.
In spite of the fact that I did not like Gryff, I still enjoyed the story as a whole. Considering authors usually write a variety of heroes and heroines, I definitely plan to try another by this author and will likely continue this series next year. It seems like the next two will also be enemies to lovers stories between the Montgomerys and the Davies.
This was the first book for me to read by Kate Bateman, but it will definitely not be my last. The story was engaging and adventurous. It took me only a weekend to read. The writing style was witty and fun.
This is book one of a new series. However, based on some references, it seems to be a spin-off series. My guess is that Gryff Llewellyn Davies, Earl of Powys, was introduced in another story. I'm not sure if that would have changed my opinion of him or not, but this was easy to read as a standalone.
The H/h are lifetime arch enemies due to a centuries only grudge between their households. Rather than stay apart, they constantly played tricks on each other as children; yet secretly each had a longtime crush on the other. I don't know how they didn't figure it out, but they each thought he/she alone in the attraction.
I really liked Madeline Montgomery. She was an intelligent and self-educated archaeologist who was also fun, pretty, and loyal. She enjoyed her debut season until it became too repetitive and behaved like a lady with decorum in public. She was not the typical wallflower bluestocking. She just did not feel in a hurry to get married. Unfortunately, her beloved father's debts recently increased the urgency to marry someone with money.
Gryff was also loyal and physically attractive. He was brave and willing to face danger for those he cared about. With a little less detail here and there, I could have liked him. However, I personally could not get over his attitude towards women as sex objects for his pleasure. As usual in HR, he was a rake. He always wanted Maddie, but he sated his lust with many other liaisons instead. He found them empty and unfulfilling; yet he didn't want to get married because as the new earl, he could get the must beautiful and sexually skilled women. He compared Maddie to a whore though she came to him a virgin and waited WAY too long to consider if he loved her.
In spite of the fact that I did not like Gryff, I still enjoyed the story as a whole. Considering authors usually write a variety of heroes and heroines, I definitely plan to try another by this author and will likely continue this series next year. It seems like the next two will also be enemies to lovers stories between the Montgomerys and the Davies.
April 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers historical romance set in the Welch countryside from the always great Kate Bateman.
I have a weakness for long-standing sexual tension romances, and these two were fire with their lust-disguised-as-animosity. I was into these two and their mild "forbidden love" romance.
Kate Bateman manages to give her romances just the right touches of humor and adventure in her romances. This isn't a historical romance with lots of balls and dresses and courtships, folks. This one was a lot of action and the two MCs spending one-on-one time together. I liked that Maddie had strong hobbies and interests on her own and that the male MC wanted to explore those with her.
This Ruthless Rivals series is set up for a few more delicious enemies-to-lovers romances in the same two warring family trees, and I am HERE for it. More of this excellent writing and dynamic HCs, please.
*Copy given in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok
I have a weakness for long-standing sexual tension romances, and these two were fire with their lust-disguised-as-animosity. I was into these two and their mild "forbidden love" romance.
Kate Bateman manages to give her romances just the right touches of humor and adventure in her romances. This isn't a historical romance with lots of balls and dresses and courtships, folks. This one was a lot of action and the two MCs spending one-on-one time together. I liked that Maddie had strong hobbies and interests on her own and that the male MC wanted to explore those with her.
This Ruthless Rivals series is set up for a few more delicious enemies-to-lovers romances in the same two warring family trees, and I am HERE for it. More of this excellent writing and dynamic HCs, please.
*Copy given in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok
October 4, 2022
Okay so rereading update: I am CACKLING. One of my OG updates was “his accent in this audiobook…is confusing” I truly had no clue what Welsh was lmfao. Secondly, I’ve tried to reread this two other times now and my brain just does not stick to this story. My biggest issue the first time I read was that I remembered nothing. I really tried this time and got more from the story than I originally did. I’m only bumping my rating up .25⭐️ stars but it does then round this up to four stars because I now appreciate Kate’s writing wayyyy more. Definitely not my favorite book from her and honestly my original review still stands (WHERE WAS THE SEX), but I had a more enjoyable time and I love the narrator.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶.75/5
________
✨“I hate to say it, I hope I don’t sound ridiculous, I don’t know remember the main characters’ names. I mean, they could be walking down the street, and I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this book.”✨
God, remembering this book is so hard. It just wasn’t memorable and I HATE to say that because I adore this cover with my entire being and I WANTED to love the story but . . . there was no spark. We were sparkless people!
I liked the main characters and was only ever frustrated at her father (y’all I’m writing this review rn and I can’t remember their names I am SORRY oh my god I couldn’t even tell you the first letters) but the pacing was OFF and subsequently so was the plot.
The two characters end up together somehow and it feels like they’ve been gone from home for weeks but it’s only been an hour or so and then they randomly get trapped in a cave and again it seems like they’ve been down there for days but it’s been four hours. The scope of some of these scenes was just wonky and messed with my mind. We spent so long in that damn cave. Then they leave the cave and just go home? Idk fan. Then there’s some fight scene bullpucky and then there’s an auction and these goons are separated for TOO long. I swear it was two hours of the book or at least it felt that way. Then they quickly got together and it was all good and we were told they were gonna have sex again but we never actually saw it. End book. The story felt more like a novella trying to be a book length thing.
The sex was lacking and we were made promises that were never fulfilled if you catch my drift. “I’m gonna make love to you in the sunlight” okay SIR then DO IT. Literally he made that promise twice—I’m not emotionally stable enough to be PLAYED like that. One of my LEAST favorite things to happen in romance novels is for the couple to finally have ˢᵉˣ and then the author is like “cool that job’s done” and then they just skip over every next sex scene! The audacity! They make promises like the sunlight or a desk scene or some kinky shit but they don’t write the scene out. They allude to it or it’s close door and it HURTS. As a society, we have progressed past the need for this bullSHIT. Like I get it, if the couple has banged on every surface THEN and only then does this tactic make sense, or between explicit scenes—emphasis on SCENES. Not one measly scene. Rant over.
Cute but no cigar.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶.75/5
________
✨“I hate to say it, I hope I don’t sound ridiculous, I don’t know remember the main characters’ names. I mean, they could be walking down the street, and I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this book.”✨
God, remembering this book is so hard. It just wasn’t memorable and I HATE to say that because I adore this cover with my entire being and I WANTED to love the story but . . . there was no spark. We were sparkless people!
I liked the main characters and was only ever frustrated at her father (y’all I’m writing this review rn and I can’t remember their names I am SORRY oh my god I couldn’t even tell you the first letters) but the pacing was OFF and subsequently so was the plot.
The two characters end up together somehow and it feels like they’ve been gone from home for weeks but it’s only been an hour or so and then they randomly get trapped in a cave and again it seems like they’ve been down there for days but it’s been four hours. The scope of some of these scenes was just wonky and messed with my mind. We spent so long in that damn cave. Then they leave the cave and just go home? Idk fan. Then there’s some fight scene bullpucky and then there’s an auction and these goons are separated for TOO long. I swear it was two hours of the book or at least it felt that way. Then they quickly got together and it was all good and we were told they were gonna have sex again but we never actually saw it. End book. The story felt more like a novella trying to be a book length thing.
The sex was lacking and we were made promises that were never fulfilled if you catch my drift. “I’m gonna make love to you in the sunlight” okay SIR then DO IT. Literally he made that promise twice—I’m not emotionally stable enough to be PLAYED like that. One of my LEAST favorite things to happen in romance novels is for the couple to finally have ˢᵉˣ and then the author is like “cool that job’s done” and then they just skip over every next sex scene! The audacity! They make promises like the sunlight or a desk scene or some kinky shit but they don’t write the scene out. They allude to it or it’s close door and it HURTS. As a society, we have progressed past the need for this bullSHIT. Like I get it, if the couple has banged on every surface THEN and only then does this tactic make sense, or between explicit scenes—emphasis on SCENES. Not one measly scene. Rant over.
Cute but no cigar.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
August 15, 2021
Sigh.. I just love her books! A wonderful intro to a new family series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was such a fun and totally unique book. When you read the synopsis you think that there’s going to be bad feelings and sniping behavior due to the years of hatred between the families. But that could not be further from the truth.
Bateman took the high road, so to speak, and created a delightful story of childhood “enemies“. Their antics and assignations just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I had a perpetual grin on my face throughout most of this book.
Bateman loves to break the traditional roles of her female heroines in her stories and this one is no different. I love her fearless ability to break the molds and write what’s in her heart. So with that, we get a bit of modern storytelling set in historical times.
A Reckless Match is a lighthearted story with the building romance that we crave. Definitely not stodgy or uptight, but a fabulous beginning to a new series I am excited about. With a bit of foreshadowing to the next book in the series, I am one that definitely cannot wait to get my hands on that one!
Kate Bateman is an author that you definitely can put on your auto order list!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-reckless-m...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was such a fun and totally unique book. When you read the synopsis you think that there’s going to be bad feelings and sniping behavior due to the years of hatred between the families. But that could not be further from the truth.
Bateman took the high road, so to speak, and created a delightful story of childhood “enemies“. Their antics and assignations just made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I had a perpetual grin on my face throughout most of this book.
Bateman loves to break the traditional roles of her female heroines in her stories and this one is no different. I love her fearless ability to break the molds and write what’s in her heart. So with that, we get a bit of modern storytelling set in historical times.
A Reckless Match is a lighthearted story with the building romance that we crave. Definitely not stodgy or uptight, but a fabulous beginning to a new series I am excited about. With a bit of foreshadowing to the next book in the series, I am one that definitely cannot wait to get my hands on that one!
Kate Bateman is an author that you definitely can put on your auto order list!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-reckless-m...
November 6, 2021
I enjoy this author and look forward to the other books in the series. The issue I had with this book is the set up took too long and it was about mining and the families history of an age old feud that continues on to the current time. By the middle of the book the story picked up and it was a fun read. I understand that the first in the series has to lay the ground work for the rest of the books but it didn't hold my attention as her series Bow Street Bachelors did.
August 14, 2021
And to think it all started over a stolen pig . . . or was it a woman? No one seems to really know what started the feud between the Davies and Montgomery families, but one thing's for sure - it's gone on for decades and neither side is giving an inch. And now it's time for Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies to clash swords in a duel of wits. Thing is - it seems both harbor confusing feelings for the other. They're having to try harder and harder to keep the hate going with so much chemistry sizzling between them. When fate forces them into a situation of having to work closely together, sparks, words and emotions fly. May the best man . . . or woman win.
I do love a good enemies to lovers story, and A Reckless Match is outstanding! Secret tunnels, smugglers, meddling families - it's enough to make a preacher cuss. But it all serves to keep throwing our delicious hero and spunky heroine together in this low-angst, hilarious and yet heart touching romance. The support characters are great, and I look forward to seeing them star in their own books. I absolutely adored this story and characters. Highly recommended to fans of romance - especially Regency Romance.
Special thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.
Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews
I do love a good enemies to lovers story, and A Reckless Match is outstanding! Secret tunnels, smugglers, meddling families - it's enough to make a preacher cuss. But it all serves to keep throwing our delicious hero and spunky heroine together in this low-angst, hilarious and yet heart touching romance. The support characters are great, and I look forward to seeing them star in their own books. I absolutely adored this story and characters. Highly recommended to fans of romance - especially Regency Romance.
Special thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.
Review posted at Cross My Heart Reviews
December 16, 2022
An enemies-to-lovers romance. I suspect the rest of the books in this series will have the same trope.
“Well, well. Maddie Montgomery. Did you miss me, cariad?”
The hero is Welsh! I had no idea I have a weakness for Welshmen. I blame Rhys Winterborne (I almost typed Rhys Witherspoon lol) from Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas for this!
I find it sweet that the hero probably had feelings for the heroine since they were younger and didn't realize it till he started spending time with her again after the war.
"He shouldn’t be goading her, of course. It could only lead to trouble. But teasing her was a pleasure he’d missed out on for three long, miserable years. The memory of her face was something he’d fallen back on when times were particularly hard. Wounded, exhausted after battle, he’d often reminded himself to stay alive, if only to spite her. To tease her just one more time."
I wasn't completely invested in the smugglers' cave plot, but that did provide a lot of forced proximity between our main characters, so I'll reluctantly accept it.
We are introduced to characters (relatives of the main characters) who will have their own books. I'm actually surprised that the second book in the series will not be about the heroine's cousin (Harriet) and the hero's brother (Morgan) because their romance was teased 3-4 times throughout the book. Instead, the second book will be about the hero's sister (Cary’s) and the heroine's brother (Tristan), whom we don't see until the last couple of chapters. I am intrigued to read their book though!
“Well, well. Maddie Montgomery. Did you miss me, cariad?”
The hero is Welsh! I had no idea I have a weakness for Welshmen. I blame Rhys Winterborne (I almost typed Rhys Witherspoon lol) from Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas for this!
I find it sweet that the hero probably had feelings for the heroine since they were younger and didn't realize it till he started spending time with her again after the war.
"He shouldn’t be goading her, of course. It could only lead to trouble. But teasing her was a pleasure he’d missed out on for three long, miserable years. The memory of her face was something he’d fallen back on when times were particularly hard. Wounded, exhausted after battle, he’d often reminded himself to stay alive, if only to spite her. To tease her just one more time."
I wasn't completely invested in the smugglers' cave plot, but that did provide a lot of forced proximity between our main characters, so I'll reluctantly accept it.
We are introduced to characters (relatives of the main characters) who will have their own books. I'm actually surprised that the second book in the series will not be about the heroine's cousin (Harriet) and the hero's brother (Morgan) because their romance was teased 3-4 times throughout the book. Instead, the second book will be about the hero's sister (Cary’s) and the heroine's brother (Tristan), whom we don't see until the last couple of chapters. I am intrigued to read their book though!
June 27, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up for the bickering and teasing (and the scarf-stealing incident where Gryff stole Maddie's scarf as a kid and hung it from the roof of his castle, hoping she'd storm the castle and take it back, not knowing, of course, why he has always loved torturing the thorn in his side).
Kate Bateman has lately become an auto-buy (or rather, auto-request) author for me, and this book proved once more why I've come to love her writing: loveably flawed characters who communicate and grow together, an amazingly strong and resilient heroine who actually learns that asking for help is not a weakness and gets to be actual, equal, partners with her hero, amazing supporting characters who have me anxiously awaiting their own books, fun banter, low-angst, and just an all-around great time!
I loved this book from the very set-up: two households, divided for centuries, always squabbling over this and that (legend has it, it all started with the theft of a pig). Maddie and Gryff were so adorable in their bickering and teasing, unable to understand just why the other one is the only person they love to tease and torture... Their journey from childhood nemesis to lovers was just one fun, action-packed ride (there are smugglers to catch, caves to be explored, maybe even a dragon to avoid...), and I can't wait to see the next couple get their turn!
My only (small) complaints are a tendency on Griff's side to assume the worse, and the pacing towards the end once they both realize they *gasp* love each other.
But other than that, I really loved getting to know these two families, and I can't wait for the next books (I can't decide whose story I want first, her cousin and his brother who try so hard not to admit they have always liked each other, or her brother and his sister who think one is a stick-in-the-mud and the other a fake airhead). They all promise to be so much fun, and I already love all of the characters!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Kate Bateman has lately become an auto-buy (or rather, auto-request) author for me, and this book proved once more why I've come to love her writing: loveably flawed characters who communicate and grow together, an amazingly strong and resilient heroine who actually learns that asking for help is not a weakness and gets to be actual, equal, partners with her hero, amazing supporting characters who have me anxiously awaiting their own books, fun banter, low-angst, and just an all-around great time!
I loved this book from the very set-up: two households, divided for centuries, always squabbling over this and that (legend has it, it all started with the theft of a pig). Maddie and Gryff were so adorable in their bickering and teasing, unable to understand just why the other one is the only person they love to tease and torture... Their journey from childhood nemesis to lovers was just one fun, action-packed ride (there are smugglers to catch, caves to be explored, maybe even a dragon to avoid...), and I can't wait to see the next couple get their turn!
My only (small) complaints are a tendency on Griff's side to assume the worse, and the pacing towards the end once they both realize they *gasp* love each other.
But other than that, I really loved getting to know these two families, and I can't wait for the next books (I can't decide whose story I want first, her cousin and his brother who try so hard not to admit they have always liked each other, or her brother and his sister who think one is a stick-in-the-mud and the other a fake airhead). They all promise to be so much fun, and I already love all of the characters!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
October 31, 2022
3.5 it was boring in the middle and then it picked up but the ending took forever for them to get togwther...
September 16, 2021
Barbara’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Series: Ruthless Rivals #1
Publication Date: 9/28/21
Period: Regency - Wales
Number of Pages: 320
Be still my heart! This book sucks you in from the first line and doesn’t let go. It has everything! There are dastardly smugglers, slimy suitors, pitch-black caves, explosions, snappy banter, equally strong lead characters, fantastic supporting characters who will hopefully have their own books, a family feud to rival the Hatfields and McCoys, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that is wonderful.
The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for hundreds of years – and it all began with a pig – or a woman. Nobody is actually sure anymore; they just know they are enemies. These sworn enemies are neighbors even though the Davies’ estate is in Wales and the Montgomery’s estate is in England. Whatever the issue, they’ll choose opposite sides – even if it is in their best interest to be in agreement.
The Davies children – Gryff, Rhys, Morgan, and Carys – and the Montgomery children – Tristan, Maddie, and cousin Harriet – all grew up playing tricks on each other and taunting each other. The author has included nods to a number of old movies like Bringing Up Baby, as well as the snappy banter from Moonlighting. You will be laughing out loud at the descriptions of some of the things they did to each other when they were children. You’ll also give out a big heartfelt sigh when you read the story of the shawl.
Gryffud Llewellyn Davies returned from the Napoleonic wars as the new Earl of Powys because his father passed away while he was at war. He couldn’t even return for the funeral. He decided he’d spend time in London to relax and enjoy himself before returning to his country home – and that worked well until there was a duel and he decided it would be in his best interest to leave London. He really doesn’t want to be back at Trellech Court with its quiet boredom. The only thing he had to look forward to was annoying his neighbor. He wonders how much she’s changed in the three years he’s been gone. Of course, he firmly believed that “Spending time with her was the mental equivalent of beating himself over the head with a shovel.”
Madeline (Maddie) Montgomery has certainly followed Gryff’s exploits in London and is fully expecting that he will not be at the required annual meeting between the families. Hundreds of years ago, a king had gotten so tired of the feud between the families that he’d made an edict that required them to meet and shake hands each year at noon on the summer equinox. If one family doesn’t have a representative, the other family wins total ownership of a parcel of shared land. Maddie just knows this will be the year they get that land – and they really need it. But … then she sees the horse and rider …
I loved Maddie and Gryff together because they were absolutely perfect for each other. I loved seeing them come to realize that they really didn’t hate each other at all and never had. Their admiration for each other grew and grew as they worked to explore the caves, round up violent smugglers, thwart a slimy suitor – and save Maddie’s family from financial ruin. The book is non-stop excitement! I read it straight through because I just couldn’t put it down. It is a well-written set-up and introduction to what promises to be a wonderful new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Ruthless Rivals #1
Publication Date: 9/28/21
Period: Regency - Wales
Number of Pages: 320
Be still my heart! This book sucks you in from the first line and doesn’t let go. It has everything! There are dastardly smugglers, slimy suitors, pitch-black caves, explosions, snappy banter, equally strong lead characters, fantastic supporting characters who will hopefully have their own books, a family feud to rival the Hatfields and McCoys, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that is wonderful.
The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for hundreds of years – and it all began with a pig – or a woman. Nobody is actually sure anymore; they just know they are enemies. These sworn enemies are neighbors even though the Davies’ estate is in Wales and the Montgomery’s estate is in England. Whatever the issue, they’ll choose opposite sides – even if it is in their best interest to be in agreement.
The Davies children – Gryff, Rhys, Morgan, and Carys – and the Montgomery children – Tristan, Maddie, and cousin Harriet – all grew up playing tricks on each other and taunting each other. The author has included nods to a number of old movies like Bringing Up Baby, as well as the snappy banter from Moonlighting. You will be laughing out loud at the descriptions of some of the things they did to each other when they were children. You’ll also give out a big heartfelt sigh when you read the story of the shawl.
Gryffud Llewellyn Davies returned from the Napoleonic wars as the new Earl of Powys because his father passed away while he was at war. He couldn’t even return for the funeral. He decided he’d spend time in London to relax and enjoy himself before returning to his country home – and that worked well until there was a duel and he decided it would be in his best interest to leave London. He really doesn’t want to be back at Trellech Court with its quiet boredom. The only thing he had to look forward to was annoying his neighbor. He wonders how much she’s changed in the three years he’s been gone. Of course, he firmly believed that “Spending time with her was the mental equivalent of beating himself over the head with a shovel.”
Madeline (Maddie) Montgomery has certainly followed Gryff’s exploits in London and is fully expecting that he will not be at the required annual meeting between the families. Hundreds of years ago, a king had gotten so tired of the feud between the families that he’d made an edict that required them to meet and shake hands each year at noon on the summer equinox. If one family doesn’t have a representative, the other family wins total ownership of a parcel of shared land. Maddie just knows this will be the year they get that land – and they really need it. But … then she sees the horse and rider …
I loved Maddie and Gryff together because they were absolutely perfect for each other. I loved seeing them come to realize that they really didn’t hate each other at all and never had. Their admiration for each other grew and grew as they worked to explore the caves, round up violent smugglers, thwart a slimy suitor – and save Maddie’s family from financial ruin. The book is non-stop excitement! I read it straight through because I just couldn’t put it down. It is a well-written set-up and introduction to what promises to be a wonderful new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 27, 2022
I personally prefer a darker tone, damaged characters, and angst in my romance novels, but this was a refreshing change from my normal fare. It’s well written, briskly paced, with some danger and adventure, but with characters who feel real and knowable. I enjoyed it.
September 28, 2021
Release Day
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Reckless Match is the first book of the well names series Ruthless Rivals , which is a romantic spin on a family rivalry akin to Romeo and Juliet or the Hatfield's and McCoys. Maddie and Gryff's family's have been at it for generations since someone stole a pig or possibly a woman, it has been so long it is hard to say. Once a year they have to meet on a bridge on a parcel of land between their estates and shake hands. If one of the families does not send a representative, the shared land is forfeited to the other family.
Gryff and Maddie were rivals as children. Running around playing tricks on the other and tormenting them. Gryff has just made it back from the Napoleonic war after the death of his father. The girl he used to pester has grown into a beautiful woman, full of whit and cunning. He thought about her a lot during the war but seeing her now has reminded him just how much he enjoyed getting under her skin, since she is definitely under his.
Maddie's family has lost a fortune and could lose everything if they don't come up with a solution. The easiest is for Maddie to marry someone rich, even though that is outside her moral compass. She wanted to marry for love if possible. Still there is a little time and a small sliver of hope if she can find something of value in some tunnels she stumbled across while verbally sparring with Gryff.
Spending time together in some tunnels might not have been wise as the closed in space and dark make it so much easier to feel some intimacies with that blustering man. If Maddie isn't careful she will give away all of her secrets to the new Earl.
I had a lot of fun with Maddie and Gryff. He can be a bit pompous at times but most of it seemed like an act to rile Maddie. She, on the other hand, was so easy to love. She is trying to save her family but also wants to remain her own woman. If she marries the horrible man who has offered for her, she knows she will never be happy. He won't let her work on her Archeology and definitely isn't going to like a wife who is his intellectual equal. The feud is also funny. It is amazing that between their fathers it had turned into somewhat of a game between them trying to bet the other.
Overall this is a fun slight enemies to lovers story. You could see with Maddie and Gryff belonged together from the beginning, so it was so easy to root for them.
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Reckless Match is the first book of the well names series Ruthless Rivals , which is a romantic spin on a family rivalry akin to Romeo and Juliet or the Hatfield's and McCoys. Maddie and Gryff's family's have been at it for generations since someone stole a pig or possibly a woman, it has been so long it is hard to say. Once a year they have to meet on a bridge on a parcel of land between their estates and shake hands. If one of the families does not send a representative, the shared land is forfeited to the other family.
Gryff and Maddie were rivals as children. Running around playing tricks on the other and tormenting them. Gryff has just made it back from the Napoleonic war after the death of his father. The girl he used to pester has grown into a beautiful woman, full of whit and cunning. He thought about her a lot during the war but seeing her now has reminded him just how much he enjoyed getting under her skin, since she is definitely under his.
Maddie's family has lost a fortune and could lose everything if they don't come up with a solution. The easiest is for Maddie to marry someone rich, even though that is outside her moral compass. She wanted to marry for love if possible. Still there is a little time and a small sliver of hope if she can find something of value in some tunnels she stumbled across while verbally sparring with Gryff.
Spending time together in some tunnels might not have been wise as the closed in space and dark make it so much easier to feel some intimacies with that blustering man. If Maddie isn't careful she will give away all of her secrets to the new Earl.
I had a lot of fun with Maddie and Gryff. He can be a bit pompous at times but most of it seemed like an act to rile Maddie. She, on the other hand, was so easy to love. She is trying to save her family but also wants to remain her own woman. If she marries the horrible man who has offered for her, she knows she will never be happy. He won't let her work on her Archeology and definitely isn't going to like a wife who is his intellectual equal. The feud is also funny. It is amazing that between their fathers it had turned into somewhat of a game between them trying to bet the other.
Overall this is a fun slight enemies to lovers story. You could see with Maddie and Gryff belonged together from the beginning, so it was so easy to root for them.
June 5, 2021
I’ve come to love Kate Bateman as an author and love her books. “A Reckless Match” was just a delightful and witty read for me. It was hard to put the book down but alas I finished today. I thought Gryff and Maddie, although on total opposites ends of the family were very likeable characters. He in all his rakeness is a kind person and she is a strong and intelligent woman.
Due to family feuds, a pact was made to meet to shake on keeping the compromise between the families. After exchanging hands and a kiss, sparks begin to transpire between the two. This story has smugglers, brothers and other sub-characters that make this story all the more worth reading. I enjoyed the slowly sinking combativeness between the two and loved the rising attraction to romance. I recommend this read and am looking forward to reading others in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
Due to family feuds, a pact was made to meet to shake on keeping the compromise between the families. After exchanging hands and a kiss, sparks begin to transpire between the two. This story has smugglers, brothers and other sub-characters that make this story all the more worth reading. I enjoyed the slowly sinking combativeness between the two and loved the rising attraction to romance. I recommend this read and am looking forward to reading others in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
November 10, 2021
I've given this a B at AAR.
Set in nineteenth-century Wales, Kate Bateman’s A Reckless Match is an entertaining frenemies-to-lovers romance between scions of two noble families who have been enemies for so many hundreds of years that no-one now alive can remember the reason for that enmity. The humour and effortless banter between her leads are things I’ve always appreciated about the author’s work, and her ability to create strong chemistry and palpable sexual tension is once again in evidence here, as her two protagonists – Gryffud Davies and Madeleine Montgomery – continue both the family rivalry and the relationship built on verbal sparring and one-upmanship they engaged in as children.
The prologue explains the feud and why, for centuries, it’s been necessary for a Davies and a Montgomery to meet at noon on the summer equinox on the disputed stretch of land that lies between their estates. A representative from each family must shake hands as a show of good faith at that time and place every year, and if one of them doesn’t show, then the land is forfeit to the other. On day of the spring equinox of 1815, noon is getting closer and closer and there’s not a Davies in sight – and Maddie Montgomery is gleeful at the thought that her father will finally be able to take possession of the land and the rich deposits within it she’s sure will replenish the Montgomery coffers. Not having to marry the lecherous Sir Mostyn Drake (who’s sixty if he’s a day) is an added bonus, as is finally getting the upper hand over the insufferable Gryffud Davies, an irresponsible rakehell who hasn’t been home since he inherited his father’s estate and title – and her nemesis since childhood.
Sadly, however, Maddie is destined for disappointment, as with just minutes to spare, a lone horseman appears, galloping furiously towards her – and there’s no mistaking that broad silhouette or the effortless grace of the rider. Her pulse pounding, Maddie hopes that perhaps Gryff has lost some of his appeal or his looks – but no such luck. If anything he’s even more handsome than he’d been the last time they’d seen each other three years earlier, and his wicked green eyes and gently mocking smile turn her knees to water and make her insides lurch as much as ever. Maddie steels herself for confrontation, telling herself she doesn’t care a whit what Gryff thinks of her.
Gryff, who has recently returned from the war on the continent, inherited the title of Earl of Powys while he was still serving in the army and wasn’t even able to return home for his father’s funeral. Since returning to England, he decided to spend a bit of time in London and have some fun; he knows it’s his duty to take a wife and set up his nursery, but he’s not ready to settle down quite yet; he’s decided to give himself a year to get to grips with how his life has changed before taking a wife. This is the first time he’s been home since his return and he’s delighted to see Maddie waiting for him, his spirits soaring at the thought of resuming his verbal battle with the beautiful, tart-mouthed thorn in his side and noting with appreciation that she’s no longer the skinny tomboy he’d left behind. The sexual tension thrums between them from the start, but of course, neither is ready to admit to the attraction they feel for one another and attempt to hide it behind cool disdain (her) and flirtatious teasing (him) while waging their “merry war” of verbal darts and well-aimed barbs.
When they accidentally discover a network of caves and passages that lead to the coast, they realise they’ve uncovered a large-scale smuggling operation – and their attempt to put an end to the illegal trade leads them into great danger… and unprecedented discoveries.
Maddie and Gryff are a great couple who light up the pages whenever they’re together. The adventure plot is well-crafted and unusual, with never a dull moment as the pair banter their way through their various exploits while it becomes harder and harder for them to deny the pull they feel towards each other. The characters are engaging and well-defined; I liked that Maddie, who is something of an amateur archaeologist, is not your typical wallflower bluestocking; she’s very knowledgeable and passionate about her subject, but is also a convincing woman of her time, concerned about her reputation and loyal and loving towards her father. And while Gryff has been labelled a rake by the gossips, he isn’t really; he’s a young man blowing off steam after years at war, who is sensible of his responsibilities – and it’s very clear he’s always had a soft spot for Maddie. He’s another of Ms. Bateman’s delicious heroes; smart, gorgeous, determined, and obviously head-over-heels for his lady-love once he’s ready to admit it.
There were, however, a couple of things that dinged the grade on this one a bit. The whole ‘I don’t want to die a virgin’ thing was a cliché too far, there are a couple of places where the pacing lags a little, and towards the end, there’s a bit of very obvious set up for the next book(s) that felt rather out of place.
Otherwise however, the book is a delight. Well-plotted, fast-paced and devoid of over-the-top drama, A Reckless Match is a charming romance full of adventure, sexual tension and great banter, and it gets Kate Bateman’s new Ruthless Rivals series off to a strong start.
Set in nineteenth-century Wales, Kate Bateman’s A Reckless Match is an entertaining frenemies-to-lovers romance between scions of two noble families who have been enemies for so many hundreds of years that no-one now alive can remember the reason for that enmity. The humour and effortless banter between her leads are things I’ve always appreciated about the author’s work, and her ability to create strong chemistry and palpable sexual tension is once again in evidence here, as her two protagonists – Gryffud Davies and Madeleine Montgomery – continue both the family rivalry and the relationship built on verbal sparring and one-upmanship they engaged in as children.
The prologue explains the feud and why, for centuries, it’s been necessary for a Davies and a Montgomery to meet at noon on the summer equinox on the disputed stretch of land that lies between their estates. A representative from each family must shake hands as a show of good faith at that time and place every year, and if one of them doesn’t show, then the land is forfeit to the other. On day of the spring equinox of 1815, noon is getting closer and closer and there’s not a Davies in sight – and Maddie Montgomery is gleeful at the thought that her father will finally be able to take possession of the land and the rich deposits within it she’s sure will replenish the Montgomery coffers. Not having to marry the lecherous Sir Mostyn Drake (who’s sixty if he’s a day) is an added bonus, as is finally getting the upper hand over the insufferable Gryffud Davies, an irresponsible rakehell who hasn’t been home since he inherited his father’s estate and title – and her nemesis since childhood.
Sadly, however, Maddie is destined for disappointment, as with just minutes to spare, a lone horseman appears, galloping furiously towards her – and there’s no mistaking that broad silhouette or the effortless grace of the rider. Her pulse pounding, Maddie hopes that perhaps Gryff has lost some of his appeal or his looks – but no such luck. If anything he’s even more handsome than he’d been the last time they’d seen each other three years earlier, and his wicked green eyes and gently mocking smile turn her knees to water and make her insides lurch as much as ever. Maddie steels herself for confrontation, telling herself she doesn’t care a whit what Gryff thinks of her.
Gryff, who has recently returned from the war on the continent, inherited the title of Earl of Powys while he was still serving in the army and wasn’t even able to return home for his father’s funeral. Since returning to England, he decided to spend a bit of time in London and have some fun; he knows it’s his duty to take a wife and set up his nursery, but he’s not ready to settle down quite yet; he’s decided to give himself a year to get to grips with how his life has changed before taking a wife. This is the first time he’s been home since his return and he’s delighted to see Maddie waiting for him, his spirits soaring at the thought of resuming his verbal battle with the beautiful, tart-mouthed thorn in his side and noting with appreciation that she’s no longer the skinny tomboy he’d left behind. The sexual tension thrums between them from the start, but of course, neither is ready to admit to the attraction they feel for one another and attempt to hide it behind cool disdain (her) and flirtatious teasing (him) while waging their “merry war” of verbal darts and well-aimed barbs.
When they accidentally discover a network of caves and passages that lead to the coast, they realise they’ve uncovered a large-scale smuggling operation – and their attempt to put an end to the illegal trade leads them into great danger… and unprecedented discoveries.
Maddie and Gryff are a great couple who light up the pages whenever they’re together. The adventure plot is well-crafted and unusual, with never a dull moment as the pair banter their way through their various exploits while it becomes harder and harder for them to deny the pull they feel towards each other. The characters are engaging and well-defined; I liked that Maddie, who is something of an amateur archaeologist, is not your typical wallflower bluestocking; she’s very knowledgeable and passionate about her subject, but is also a convincing woman of her time, concerned about her reputation and loyal and loving towards her father. And while Gryff has been labelled a rake by the gossips, he isn’t really; he’s a young man blowing off steam after years at war, who is sensible of his responsibilities – and it’s very clear he’s always had a soft spot for Maddie. He’s another of Ms. Bateman’s delicious heroes; smart, gorgeous, determined, and obviously head-over-heels for his lady-love once he’s ready to admit it.
There were, however, a couple of things that dinged the grade on this one a bit. The whole ‘I don’t want to die a virgin’ thing was a cliché too far, there are a couple of places where the pacing lags a little, and towards the end, there’s a bit of very obvious set up for the next book(s) that felt rather out of place.
Otherwise however, the book is a delight. Well-plotted, fast-paced and devoid of over-the-top drama, A Reckless Match is a charming romance full of adventure, sexual tension and great banter, and it gets Kate Bateman’s new Ruthless Rivals series off to a strong start.
August 22, 2021
The families of Madeline Montgomery and Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, have been bitter rivals for hundreds of years. When the two meet again for a handshake ceremony on a plot of shared land, long buried feelings being to surface. An illegal duel forced Gryff back to his family’s Welsh castle, he quickly realizes the countryside isn't so dull when he's exchanging playful barbs with Maddie. A hidden tunnel, dangerous smugglers, and exciting discovery make their time together something that neither can ever forget.
“It started with a pig…Things escalated from there.” I was totally hooked from the first line and adored this feuding family tale, which is the first in the new Ruthless Rivals series. This story had an interesting plot, witty banter, and characters that spend a majority of the book together in each other's company. It wasn't super steamy (one full scene and one interrupted scene), but it did not lack for chemistry and affection.
The storytelling was stellar! Kate Bateman knocks it out of the park again.
Tropes: Feuding Families/Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Bluestocking
Steam Rating: 1.5
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ARecklessMatch #NetGalley
“It started with a pig…Things escalated from there.” I was totally hooked from the first line and adored this feuding family tale, which is the first in the new Ruthless Rivals series. This story had an interesting plot, witty banter, and characters that spend a majority of the book together in each other's company. It wasn't super steamy (one full scene and one interrupted scene), but it did not lack for chemistry and affection.
The storytelling was stellar! Kate Bateman knocks it out of the park again.
Tropes: Feuding Families/Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Bluestocking
Steam Rating: 1.5
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ARecklessMatch #NetGalley
January 3, 2025
Fantastic antics and banter between the main couple, but everything else kind of fell flat.
December 20, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalleg and Publisher for an honest review. Thank you.
I really tired with this one. I know this has high rating but it just didn't work for me.
I kept putting it down and coming back to it a little latter hoping it would be more engaging and I would like the characters better.
But nope, didn't work. So I finally threw in the towel.
I found the characters to be one dimensional and no depth.
I normally really enjoy this authors books but this just didn't work for me personally.
I really tired with this one. I know this has high rating but it just didn't work for me.
I kept putting it down and coming back to it a little latter hoping it would be more engaging and I would like the characters better.
But nope, didn't work. So I finally threw in the towel.
I found the characters to be one dimensional and no depth.
I normally really enjoy this authors books but this just didn't work for me personally.
September 28, 2021
‘Maddie Montgomery's family is in debt, and her hope rests on the rival Davies clan missing their yearly “pledge of goodwill,” ceding the land that separates their estates. With Maddie's teenage nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, away, hope is in reach.
But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they've also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.’
___________________
A Reckless Match is the first book in Kate Bateman’s new series, Ruthless Rivals and is a historical romance and adventure.
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read although I’ve had a few of her books on my ereader that I’ve been hoping to read but hadn’t gotten to yet. This book grabbed me right from the first, when the extremes of the feud between the two families are explained with the perfect blend of funny. The plot included all my favorite things: adventure, danger, banter, humor, and romance.
I really appreciated that this story is a variation of the enemies-to-lovers trope in which the main characters don’t hate each other for a terrible and unforgivable thing one did to the other, which I feel like is normally the source of the tension with this trope. They had teased and taunted one another for years during their childhood, but that just added to their tension and their dynamic. Both main characters were truly so lovely, I enjoyed each moment of following their story.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book and continuing the series. I’m sure the tension will be altered a bit now that Maddie and Gryff have made the first steps to bridging the divide between the two families, but I’m curious to see how that will shape the following books. A Reckless Match has been one of my favorite reads of 2021. I’ll be moving the others books I have by this author up on my TBR.
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I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for sharing an eARC of A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman with me. This is my honest review.
But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they've also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.’
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A Reckless Match is the first book in Kate Bateman’s new series, Ruthless Rivals and is a historical romance and adventure.
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read although I’ve had a few of her books on my ereader that I’ve been hoping to read but hadn’t gotten to yet. This book grabbed me right from the first, when the extremes of the feud between the two families are explained with the perfect blend of funny. The plot included all my favorite things: adventure, danger, banter, humor, and romance.
I really appreciated that this story is a variation of the enemies-to-lovers trope in which the main characters don’t hate each other for a terrible and unforgivable thing one did to the other, which I feel like is normally the source of the tension with this trope. They had teased and taunted one another for years during their childhood, but that just added to their tension and their dynamic. Both main characters were truly so lovely, I enjoyed each moment of following their story.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book and continuing the series. I’m sure the tension will be altered a bit now that Maddie and Gryff have made the first steps to bridging the divide between the two families, but I’m curious to see how that will shape the following books. A Reckless Match has been one of my favorite reads of 2021. I’ll be moving the others books I have by this author up on my TBR.
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I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for sharing an eARC of A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman with me. This is my honest review.
October 29, 2021
Reckless is the key!
Welsh Clan Davies and the English family, the Montgomery’s had been feuding for centuries over…a stolen pig?…or maybe a stolen woman? No matter it’s so far back in time the root cause has been forgotten, although the dissension lives on. Oh, and then there’s the ‘no man’s’ strip of land either side of the river which is the boundary between the two factions, as decreed by King Henry VII. He was exasperated by the whole sorry mess being played out on the border country of Wales and England. Talk about the Capulets and Montagues! Or to Henry’s mind, the Medici’s and the Borgia’s.
Each year on the spring equinox, a representative of the families must meet on the narrow bridge spanning the river and shake hands. Failure to appear means that strip of land is forfeited by the family who fails to turn up for the occasion.
In this year of 1815 Madeline Montgomery is her family’s representative. The end of the time specified is approaching and no Davies has appeared. Just as she’s about to metaphorically dance a victory jig, the rogue and her childhood tormentor Gwf Davies rides over the hill.
Gwf is back in Wales taking a rest from Prinny’s gaze. He’s just been involved in a duel. Prinny does not approve!
Meanwhile Maddie is trying to bring the family fortunes around. And yes that much discussed strip of land is involved.
There’s a cast of interesting characters including two wicked and eccentric aunts. Always dropping rather charged comments. I loved them!
Off to stage left, or is it right? are a couple of interesting relationships that bear watching.
The story has it all—feuding lead characters smouldering with desire, adventure, near death experiences, hidden treasure (sort of), miles of caves (I felt the walls closing in) and mystery.
Quite a lot is happens, with some rather comic moments. Amusing remenicents bring a lighter note to the heaving, electric emotions that charge the atmosphere between our two lead characters. Their struggles to fight that attraction of course just increases tensions, and leads to some rather steamy interplay.
However resolution of land use problems and Maddie’s financial situation is not clear and the road ahead is somewhat rocky.
An easy, fun read!
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
Welsh Clan Davies and the English family, the Montgomery’s had been feuding for centuries over…a stolen pig?…or maybe a stolen woman? No matter it’s so far back in time the root cause has been forgotten, although the dissension lives on. Oh, and then there’s the ‘no man’s’ strip of land either side of the river which is the boundary between the two factions, as decreed by King Henry VII. He was exasperated by the whole sorry mess being played out on the border country of Wales and England. Talk about the Capulets and Montagues! Or to Henry’s mind, the Medici’s and the Borgia’s.
Each year on the spring equinox, a representative of the families must meet on the narrow bridge spanning the river and shake hands. Failure to appear means that strip of land is forfeited by the family who fails to turn up for the occasion.
In this year of 1815 Madeline Montgomery is her family’s representative. The end of the time specified is approaching and no Davies has appeared. Just as she’s about to metaphorically dance a victory jig, the rogue and her childhood tormentor Gwf Davies rides over the hill.
Gwf is back in Wales taking a rest from Prinny’s gaze. He’s just been involved in a duel. Prinny does not approve!
Meanwhile Maddie is trying to bring the family fortunes around. And yes that much discussed strip of land is involved.
There’s a cast of interesting characters including two wicked and eccentric aunts. Always dropping rather charged comments. I loved them!
Off to stage left, or is it right? are a couple of interesting relationships that bear watching.
The story has it all—feuding lead characters smouldering with desire, adventure, near death experiences, hidden treasure (sort of), miles of caves (I felt the walls closing in) and mystery.
Quite a lot is happens, with some rather comic moments. Amusing remenicents bring a lighter note to the heaving, electric emotions that charge the atmosphere between our two lead characters. Their struggles to fight that attraction of course just increases tensions, and leads to some rather steamy interplay.
However resolution of land use problems and Maddie’s financial situation is not clear and the road ahead is somewhat rocky.
An easy, fun read!
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
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