A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman is a historical fictional romantic novel. With a superb oration this book does not fail it's reader. With a witty story riddled with intrigue and subplots, you are caught up in this fun and witty novel

I highly recommend grabbing a copy and be engulfed in this fun and romantic novel

A frenemies to love story and my first book by this author. While it was sweet, the banter lacked the sharp humour I prefer to hold my interest. I could not quite understand why Harriet refused to believe Morgan's declaration of love, when she already had more than an inkling that he cared for her. I also found it hard to believe that the now ?23 year-old Morgan managed to reached captaincy within a year or so of leaving for war (at 21), since he spent most of his 2 years away in charge of his own ship and crew. I know that the aristocrats were able to buy commissions but money surely could not buy you naval and leadership experience and he was supposedly well respected by his men. Apparently when I looked this up, the British Navy did not in fact allow the purchase of ranked commissions which had to be earned. The narration was solid and so is the writing overall. Solid however is not memorable.

This was an ARC from Netgalley.

What a lovely HEA for Harriet and Morgan. The love that had blossom during the years was wonderful to see. Childhood frenemíes to lovers is a wonderful concept.

The narrator was great to listen to. The audiobook was so engaging.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this title. This was such a fun historical, and is my current reigning best historical for 2023. I thought that the characters were fun, and had amazing banter. The political intrigue was exciting. It had everything that made it a well rounded and developed historical. I read this as part of a reading vlog with other historical, and it was one of the highlights for me.

This is the story of Harriet Montgomery and Morgan Davies. The Montgomery’s and the Davies’ are forever ‘feuding’, there is a rivalry between the families. Harriet is a very keen, strong-willed and beautiful woman, while Morgan is charismatic, roguishly attractive and irresistible to Harriet. Both are forever goading and daring each other, never shying away from a challenge since they were little.
The story takes off when Harriet and Morgan discuss his impending leave to fight in the war against Napoleon. They tease and banter and Harriet challenges Morgan to return safely, otherwise she won’t have someone to tease and goat. Morgan turns this into a bet and they agree he will get three kisses when he doesn’t die in the war.
Two years later Morgan returns, angry from being imprisoned after using a falsified map while navigating the seas. He wants revenge and after longing for Harriet for so long, he is ready to claim his three kisses, determined to make Harriet realize she cannot live without him, like he cannot live without her, too. After his return he learns that Harriet secretly made that map on the orders of the admiralty, to thwart the French. Harriets father used to make maps but he his eyesight had worsened so Harriet took over. Harriet is startled he is back, but happy that he is safe. She wonders if he remembered their bet, because she has had feelings for him for ages. So they both feel the same way but don’t know that and initially hide those feelings for each other, unsure as to how the other will respond. The couple’s barbed banter, constant competition and simmering chemistry proves an entertaining and fun read! I was a bit disappointed that Morgan felt he needed to persuade Harriet to consider him marriage material by seducing her. Morgan reasons he needed to persuade her body first and then her mind will come around. In my opinion it is the other way around. I think a loving, caring man and a meeting of the minds can be highly attractive, and then the physical attraction follows naturally.
At one time, Morgan gave Harriet a book with pornographic prints. I found that quite disappointing and would have like that scene scrapped, it diminishes from the banter and chemistry they share. But the majority of the book is about them challenging each other and their bond, and I really liked that. Very entertaining, incredible chemistry, witty humor, I loved it! His profession as a captain and hers as a carrthographer compliment each other and are perfectly blended into the other storylines, most specifically that of the dangerous French enemy from Morgans past. Morgans two brothers and sister also pop up in the book: Gryff, who married another Montgomery (book 1), Carys (book 2) and Reese, who is teased with the existence of the another Montgomery, clearly setup for book 4 in this series. I’d like to read those as well!
The audio book was narrated by Beverly A. Crick, who does funny voices and accents. Not always to my liking.
I can recommend this book and I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was one of the funnest, best most enjoyable I don’t know if you called regency or historical romance but it was so much fun I totally love this audiobook and the narrator was so good… So so good! I cannot say enough about this book in the summary it says a Macgomery can never refuse a bet from the Davis and that is how this book starts. Captian Davis is leaving to go on an expedition for his country the war is on and he must do his part while Harriet Montgomery find an interest in him going off to war she unintentionally but he will not come back alive when he says “what do you want to bet?“ At first she is at a loss and then she says “I bet you three kisses!“ As he pretends to be totally on interested in these kisses he also takes her up on the bed. Unfortunately while sailing the sea he took a map off of the enemy ship it was guided right into a Sandune in French territory and put into a French prison for 10 months. Before he collects his three kisses for Miss Montgomery he first wants to find out what’s Andrewndrell drew this map the doom Tim and when he finds out that it does the one and only Harriet Montgomery he swears not only will he get revenge but in the end he’ll get his kisses. This is where the book begins really and OMG I absolutely loved this book it was so good I love the cat and mouse games they played with each other never knowing who was the cat and who is the mouse I love the love hate relationship Go head and I have never enjoyed enemy to lover troops in a book but it would be doing this book at the service just to narrow the storyline to just enemies to lovers because this is so much more this is the bona fide romance that I absolutely loved… Did I say how much I absolutely love this book. If you love historical romance you definitely need to read or do you like I did and listen to the awesome audiobook of a wicked game by Kate Bateman. You will not be disappointed this is a superb piece of work I love it! I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind to dictate my review but OMG do yourself a favor and read this awesome awesome Book!

Thank you so much for letting me listen to this audiobook. This is a highly amusing story I had to laugh quite a few times while listening to it. It very much lifted my spirits.

I almost never , ever start a book (or in this case listen) in the middle of a series but I was given the opportunity by NetGallery to listen to a free copy for a honest review and since I had heard good things about Kate Bateman I said why not.
I have to admit that I was a bit distracted by references to previous characters in the first two books, but they did not detract from the main story so I can safely say that this book can be read (or listen to) as a stand alone.
I really enjoyed the 2 MC’s , Morgan is a returning Captain of the royal navy and Harriet is the daughter of a map maker. The trope shows enemies to lovers (the families supposedly have had a feud going back generations), but this is really frenemies to lovers as they seem to know and have played together as children. Before Morgan left for service he made a bet with Harriet that involve 3 kisses if he returned alive. Well he’s back and he’s ready to claim those kisses and secretly Harriet’s more than happy to let him claim them! This is a sweet, low angst love story with a bit of an intriguing thrown in but it never distracts from these two from reaching their HEA. I love the fact that Ms Bateman has written a hero that starts the book already madly in love with the heroine and just needs to show her how much and that she’s in love with him as well.
Although here’s only a few sex scenes they are steamy and well written and feel natural to the couple’s love story. This is my first book narrated by Beverly Crick but I’m hoping it will not be my last. Her Welsh accent was endearing for Morgan and the inflections she put in the dialogue Harriet as she would tease Morgan were perfect. He pacing was perfect as well I always tell people that if you enjoyed reading a book so much that you would re-read it then try listening to the audio version and this is a book I would definitely recommend doing so.
Again, I was kindly given a free copy of the audiobook by NetGalley for my hones review

I enjoyed this one. Harriet and Morgan have had a history of frenemy flirting since they were in teens, and in this book they realize they have had feelings for each other all along. Their finding their way to this realization made me grin and kick my heels. It’s the first book of the series I have read, and makes me want to go back to the first ones to see if they make appearances, I do like this audio version a lot, the narrator made the story so engaging I could not wait to get back to my book.

I thoroughly enjoyed Harriet and Morgan's story! The teasing, the banter, the connection, and the steam. 😏❤️‍🔥

These two have secretly liked the other since they were young. Morgan becomes a sailor and ends up imprisoned due to an inaccurate map made by Crusoe (I listened to this so unsure of spelling). Once he returns home, he is set on finding who this mapmaker is and get his revenge.

Well, surprise the mapmaker is Harriet. *hair flip* 💁🏼‍♀️

I loved the characters, main and secondary. Of course I love Harriet and Morgan's relationship, but I also really enjoyed the bond between Harriet and her father.

I laughed out loud and I swooned. I need a physical copy so I can re-read and enjoy again and again!

* enemies to lovers
* steamy

Excellent audiobook and of course I loved this story! Kate Bateman checks off all my boxes for the perfect historical romance!

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the narrator and felt that they went good with the story. I hope to read more by this author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and to the author for the ARC!

A wonderful story.

A little bit hard to follow at some points, but that may be a me issue and not an issue with the story.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC

“She’d also been the shore to which he’d navigated. The X on the map that marked treasure. His star. His guiding light, the one fixed point by which he’d set his course. Home”.
I can’t begin to say how much I loved this book. It’s even better than the previous one of the series, which was the first from Bateman I read. The characters are gorgeous, their banter is hilarious and their chemistry impossibly high, permeating all the book. Morgan is so hot and loving! He knows what he wants and he wants Harriet. I could have bashed her on the head when she dithered! I loved the mapmaking theme, with the frequent analogy with the characters’ life. I underscored many a quotation and I think I’ll cherish them from now on. The plot is simple with tiny bits of suspense every now and then, and I love when a book is centered mostly on the love story between the characters, provided that said story is well developed. And this is certainly the case.
As for the audiobook, the narrator is gorgeous! She can do male voices with ease and the narration of the steamy parts is pure bliss!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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

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

Here's my review of the story/plot/writing:
What a fun book! I loved this couple from page one! He’s a rogue who’s completely head over heels for her, my favorite thing ever. It’s so refreshing to have the hero start the book in love and determined. The tales of their childhood antics add such a sweet layer to their relationship.
There are a lot of cool historical details here, especially about mapmaking. It’s such a fast paced read that I could hardly put it down. One small critique is I would have enjoyed more chapters from his POV.
Slight spoiler, but I really really want a novella or something of their treasure hunting adventures!
As for the audio, it was excellent! I had never listened to anything narrated by Beverley Crick; her narration was beautifully done and really pulled me into the story, even though this was my second time reading this book.
Highly recommend in either format!

Star Rating: 3.75/5
Audio quality: 4.5/5
Tropes: Childhood enemies to lovers, second chance
CW: Violence, imprisonment, medical content

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

I freaking love Kate Bateman. A Wicked Game was such a fun historical romance with a serious Capulet and Montague vibe. The Davies and Montgomerys have been feuding since time immemorial, and yet recent years have shown a significant de-escalation since they keep falling for each other. Morgan and Harriet are no exception. Knowing Morgan would rather die than lose a bet, Harriet bets him that he won't return safely from war, thus in her mind ensuring his survival. If he wins and returns in one piece, she will owe him three kisses.

He does in fact return home to claim his three kisses, but he cleverly manipulates the wording, insisting she never stipulated the kisses had to be on the mouth. Thus begins a wicked game--one that proves very educational for the sheltered Harriet. There's a smidge of danger, a dash of intrigue, and more than just three kisses.

The narrator, Beverly Crick, does a wonderful job voicing all the characters, breathing life into the telling. Her welsh accent is diverting and reminds the listener that the families have their large familial residences in Wales.

The Ruthless Rivals series has been my first series I've read by Kate Bateman, and I'm excited to read other books by her in the future.

If you are a lover of contemporary romance but you are looking for a little bit of a change this is it. If the banter of Emily Henrys books, the steam of Tessa Bailey and the love of all things historical fiction like Bridgerton sparks your interest then this book will not disappoint.

The Montgomerys and the Davies have had a feud for over 500 years. Harriet Montgomery and Captain Morgan Davies are not straying from tradition. They book love to challenge and push each other to ones limits. So when Captain Morgan is sent to war Harriet dares him to come home unscathed and if he does he will win 3 kisses. The problem with this dare is that she doesn’t say where he is allowed to kiss her and so he gets very creative.

This book is steam, banter and so good. This book is one that I will for sure be rereading. Thank you to St. Martin Press for the physical copy and RB Media for the audio copy. Narrator Beverly Crick brought the story to life and made this book a joy to not only read but to listen to.

Morgan and Harriet surpassed my every expectation and I loved it. This book has everything. Longing (I'm talking YEARS- decades??- of pining). Banter. He-falls-first trope. Hiding their feelings without blatant miscommunication. High stakes without high drama. All the hits.

Bateman EXCELS at consent. There was never an instance of anything spicy (not even a kiss) without one character checking in with the other first and it was HOT! I truly need to pick up the rest of her books asap because A Wicked Game was exceptional. There were a few times were the ship/navigation metaphors got a little heavy handed (even for me, because generally I liked them) but overall a winner!

A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman is what I would categorize as lite fun with minimal plot. If you are looking for lite banter with some steamy scenes mixed in, you will probably enjoy this. I listened to this as an audiobook which was perfect because I could engage in other tasks while listening. I don’t think I would have enjoyed reading this as much in book form though. The book is classified as enemies to lovers trope but I did not get that feeling at all. Maybe because I didn’t read the previous two books in the series, I may have missed something but I just didn’t feel it. If I hadn’t gone into this expecting the tension and angst normally found with enemies to lovers, I may have enjoyed this more but for me this just fell flat.
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair and unbiased personal review.

A brilliant addition to Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series (Not the end, mind you--we still have one more Davies sibling and apparently many more Montgomerys!) focusing on mapmaker Harriet and Naval Captain Morgan. They've delighted tormenting each other and uttering the three most dangerous words "I dare you" since childhood--and now as adults have a very wicked game going between them. Equal parts witty and steamy, "A Wicked Game" is all around delightful, and wonderfully narrated.