I am newer to the historical romance area but Kate Bateman is quickly becoming a favorite. Madeline and Gryff were both great characters who captured my heart. I definitely recommend this.

4/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I absolutely adored reading this book. I got a tad nervous because the beginning felt a little slow for me, However the further we got in the book the more I enjoyed the story and the characters. Reading Maddie and Gryff come to their realizations and admit their feeling was very enjoyable. The chemistry and sexual tension were very well done. It really made the romance so much for enjoyable! Overall I for sure recommend giving it a read.

Madeline “Maddie” Montgomery waited on the road which separated her family’s land and the Davies, who are mortal enemy of the Montgomery’s for anyone of the Davies family to show up. Madeline figured since Davies family is not there then the coveted land that the Montgomery and Davies have fought over for years will be theirs. Maddie is overconfident that no one will come until, her nemesis Gryffud “Gryff” Llywellyn Davies is somehow there. Maddie is angered especially as Gryff teases her relentlessly. Secretly, Gryff fancies Maddie and can’t help be feel such strong affection towards her; the fact that they are enemies makes him want her even more. As Gryff antagonizes Maddie and she responds in turn, he can’t help his feelings. As Gryff gets to know Maddie now that they are older maybe the hate, they feel for each other isn’t really animosity, but quite possibly love.
What a wonderful enemy to lover’s Regency romance story that is sure a delight! The beginning is just comical especially what caused the war between the Montgomery’s and Davies. So not as tragic as Romeo and Juliet but more like the Hatfield and McCoy’s with some hilarious plot twists that definitely will keep you laughing at the antics. The sassy sarcasm and heated verbal banter is brilliantly displayed! The fine line and deeply heated emotions between the hero and heroine gives you the feeling that they won’t end up together yet it’s a romance so they have to be together. Maddie the feisty impudent heroine is a lot of fun. She isn’t scared to stand up for what she believes in which make her easy to like. Gryff the Welsh swoon-worthy hero despite him picking on Maddie is just irresistible. Sure, the way he verbally spars with Maddie feels a bit juvenile he still is a good guy deep down. The story is captivating, enjoyable and well worth the read!

loved this book. Bateman’s prologue titled “The Legend” intriqued me from the first page. The characters have lots of history past, growing up together, fueding families and bitter archrivals. .

I loved the writing, and the chemistry between the hero and the heroine was slowly built to a great story. The author really makes the ready feel present in the moment, as we journey along and fall in love alongside Maddy and Gryff.

The banter between Maddie and Gryff is perfect, It’s witty and sexy , and it carries the story so well. I enjoyed reading this book so much! It made me laugh and cry and just utterly happy.
Both characters are great . Maddie was strong and independent and caring. And is greatly matched with Gyff who is also smart and strong and protective.
I love this historical take on enemies to lovers. Its written beautifully. I look forward to other books by Kate Bateman.
I can't wait for the other Davies and Montgomeries stories!

A Reckless Match is the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series. The Montgomerys and Davies have always had a rivalry over a particular plot of land that borders both of their properties. Every year, a representative from each family must meet and shake hands. If one does not show up, the land reverts back to the other family. This year it is Maddie and Gryff's turn.

I had so much fun with this one. There were a lot of funny moments.. I really loved the banter between Gryff and Maddie. Their change from enemies to lovers was very believable. Gryff was really the one who was all in from the start. Maddie was his perfect match. There was a lot of action and intrigue that kept the pacing steady and engaging. I also really liked the secondary characters and look forward to reading their books. I highly recommend this one.

Haven't we, as a society, progressed from the third act breakup? It seemed so out of character, especially since Maddie had been so outspoken and strong up until that point. Another aspect keeping it from 5 stars from me, is the scene where Gryff yells at Maddie about maybe marrying that guy. I get that he sucks, but I don't remember an apology for what he said, and that does rub the wrong way.

I wanted to love this book because I loved Bateman's previous series but I couldn't stand the heroine she pretty much got on my nerves for the whole book. But the hero and the storyline and the hero kept my attention enough to finish the book.

I've been reading more historical romances than usual the past couple of years - they're the perfect escape reads for me. So when I had the opportunity to try a new-to-me HR author, I happily took the chance. I'm glad I did - this one was an enjoyable read. It's a bit of a Romeo & Juliet scenario - the Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for generations, but among the latest generation, Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies have been secretly attracted to each other since childhood. When they're thrown together again as adults, sparks begin to fly. We know where they'll end up, but their journey to their happy ending is a fun ride complete with smugglers, secret treasure, a villainous suitor who all but twirls his mustache, and some spelunking. This was good stuff - and I look forward to the next book in the series. (And to catching up on some of Bateman's other books.)
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I received with thanks an e-arc copy of A Reckless Match from St Martin’s Press and Netgalley. Even though I have been gifted this book for review all opinions are my own.

This is my review of A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman.

Kate Bateman’s books are always enjoyable and fun. This book is no exception. I love her writing style and her plotlines are always divine. I was looking forward to reading this book about families that have been in an ancient feud and this book delivered. Madeline and Gryff are a delightful pairing and the romance was on fire. If you love the trope hate to love, then this is the book for you. This was brilliant. The storyline was rich and had many twists and turns. The other family members on both sides are a joy to read about. I cannot wait for more tales within this series. Cannot wait to purchase a physical copy for my shelves at home.

Would recommend it if you enjoy a good historical romance.

This story was so good. I knew there was going to be a deep connection with Maddie and Lord Powdys from the very 1st interaction. I’m very interested in all of the sub stories like Tristan and Carys, Harriet and Morgan, and the true reason for the dispute between the families.

Kate Bateman has quickly become a favorite author for historical romance books for me. I can't think of a single book of hers that I haven't loved and A Reckless Match just adds to my favorites list.

This book's main characters are Maddie and Gryff and their families have a history. Every year someone from both families meets to for their "pledge of goodwill" in the hopes that someone won't show which will then cede the land that divides their properties to the other family. When this book starts, it is Maddie's turn to go and she has every hope that no one from the Davies clan will show. Unfortunately for her, Gryff shows up and neither of them are prepared for the sparks that happen.

Not only does this have that enemies to lovers feel to it, there is a lot of banter as well as well placed steamy bits. There's a bit of a mystery that Maddie and Gryff partner up to solve and while doing so, they find they are more attracted to each other than they thought.

I can't wait to read more of this series as I love a good rivals book! If you're looking for an engaging historical romance to read with some great characters, check this one out!

An absolutely great frenemies to lovers! First in a new series of rival families and book one started off FIRE.
Maddie and Gryff have great chemistry and great friendship. Their banter was light and flirty but also had undertones of their true compassion for each other. As they spend more time together trying to solve a mystery on their shared land their compassion soon turns to passion.
Honestly this is a phenomenal read with characters that pull you in, a plot that makes you not want to the put the book down, and passion that left me wanting to read about Maddie and Gryff for so much longer!
Cannot wait to see what the rest of this series brings!

Title: A Reckless Match
Author: Kate Bateman
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

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.

This was an enjoyable read. I like the enemies-to-lovers trope, and with the addition of a centuries-long family feud, this was even more enjoyable. Maddie was a fun character, and she and Gryff made a good clash of personalities. I like the set-up for later books in the series as well.

Kate Bateman splits her time between the UK and Illinois. A Reckless Match is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

With her family on the edge of bankruptcy, Maddie Montgomery's only chance to escape an arranged marriage lies with the Davies family. The two families have feuded for centuries and if they miss sending a representative to their annual meeting, then by royal decree the Montgomerys can claim the contested land. Annoyingly, Gryff Davies shows up - irritatingly handsome and a thorn in Maddie's side since childhood. When they stumble across a smuggling operation, Maddie realises she has a chance to save her family - and find her own happily ever after.

Told in alternating POV, this is an enjoyable enemies-to-lovers with more than a pinch of danger. I especially enjoyed Maddie's chapters as we get to know her family - her father, lost now that the Davies patriach is no longer around to annoy; her cousin Harriet, also targeted by the Davies boys growing up; and her maiden aunts who absolutely steal every scene they're in and aren't nearly as prudish as Maddie assumes. Maddie herself is an awesome heroine who would rather be on an archaeological dig than dealing with Gryff.

Gryff is a little bit more of a lone wolf with his family out of the picture for most of the book, though we see plenty of his brothers in flashbacks. He's your typical rake, rusticating at home while temporarily banished from London for duelling. What did annoy me was the youthful pranks on Maddie and Harriet were actually cruel and not once does Gryff apologise for them. At one point he gives a half-hearted "I did it because I liked you". For an enemies-to-lovers to stick the landing, I need some sort of grovel or proper closure.

It's a solid, steamy romance with plenty of tension - romantic and narrative - but it loses ground for glossing over pranks that were just plain mean.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own

3.5

Two families that have feuded for decades. Gryff and Maddie have long annoyed each other. But the fun begins when they uncover a smugglers stash on their shared land. They both become the target for the smugglers to want to take out.

The banter between them is so fun! The heat of being in each other's presence is so very hot. I read this book in two days and I can't wait for even more from this series

Ooooooh this might be my favorite Kate Bateman book to date, though The Princess and the Rogue is a very close second. I was SO here for the "enemies" to lovers/Romeo and Juliet vibes between Maddie and Gryff from the first few pages, when we see them meet up for the annual Davies/Montgomery Spring Equinox meeting.

The direction the plot went in was good but nothing amazing, so I definitely wouldn't have loved this as much as I did were it not for the dynamic between Maddie and Gryff and their developing relationship throughout. This was very well paced, the banter was delicious, and though Bateman doesn't include a ton of spicy scenes in her books, the ones that we got were great. I also appreciated the cameo that the 2 main characters of the next book made at the end. It made me even more excited to continue with this series as the books come out!

**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

With her family facing penury, Madeline Montgomery is hoping to avoid an unwanted marriage for financial gain and is resting that entire hope on a member of the neighboring Davies family missing their yearly good faith rendezvous on the strip of land between their two estates. Of course, Gryffud Davis, now the Earl of Powys and head of the Davies family arrives just in time to meet her.

Gryff is shocked by how much Maddie has changed in the four years he was off at war and finds his long-standing attraction for her is magnified. When Gryff and Maddie stumble upon a smuggling ring running on their shared land, they realize they have to work together for the benefit of both of their families. In the process, they find themselves in real danger from those behind the smuggling plot they’re working to unravel, and they must work together just to survive, learning along the way that their intense feelings aren’t quite as antagonistic as they thought.

Man, this was a slow burn. The action picked up a bit with the discovery of the smugglers, and I loved the banter between Gryff and Maddie, but I wanted less hostility from Maddie, and I came very close to losing my patience with these two because it took so very long for them to finally come together. Because of this long wait, I was also a bit disappointed that we didn’t get more steam occurring between them either; after such a long build up of tension and sizzling chemistry, I just don’t think it quite reached the potential it could have. Besides that, I adored the premise and the MCs being forced to work together for the greater good and then for their own survival and I especially loved the fact that the bulk of the story is set in Wales. We don’t see that location often and it gave this unique plot an even fresher feel. Overall, I wanted a bit more interaction between the MCs after the final declaration and a bit less time with them still either enemies or uncertain about one another and questioning each other’s intentions; this uncertainty went on a bit long and became slightly tedious for me. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story and the setting, and I look forward to more installments in this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Montgomerys of England and the Davies of Wales have been feuding for so long that no one is really sure what started the feud, but what they do know is that years ago because of their constant fighting, King Henry VII stripped each family of a bit of land on the border between the two and demanded that each family must send a family member each year to meet on the bridge between their lands to shake hands in a goodwill gesture, if one family doesn’t show up, the land will be forfeited to the other family.

So when Madeline “Maddie” Montgomery takes her father’s place on the bridge and with only minutes to go before the deadline there is no Davies in sight, she believes her family will finally gain the land – which would be a blessing as her father just revealed that he lost his fortune in a bad investment scheme, and has suggested that Maddie marry their neighbor, a rich, elderly widower with grown children. But just before she can claim victory – a Davies arrives and not just any Davies – Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, the new Earl of Powys, her archnemesis, the plague of her childhood, and much to her everlasting regret, the only man to make her heart flutter. In true Gryff style, he baits her and steals a kiss before leaving. Upset by the loss of the land, she detours on her way home to a wishing well that is located in the no-mans-land, but to her dismay, the well is dry, so she wanders around looking for river blockage and is discovered by Gryff, who followed her. As they are arguing, she falls into an underground cave. Gryff follows and together they agree to meet the next day and explore the cave. What they find is shocking and they will have to work together to not only solve the mystery but to save their lives! And if they survive, they might find that love is the greatest treasure of all.

What an absolutely fabulous start to a new series! This book was such a delight to read, it was well-written, nicely paced, filled with witty banter, lots of action, a decent mystery, wonderful lead characters, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, treasure, and finally a fantastic HEA complete with an epilogue! I was impressed by how nicely the author sets up the future installments of the series without ever losing focus on Maddie and Gryff’s love story. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next installment!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I really enjoyed the star-crossed lovers feel of this romance. I love a good feuding families trope.

However, the pacing really didn't work for me which is true of the other Kate Bateman romances that I've read. There is a tendency to devote a large portion to an "adventure" middle act that really takes away from the romance.

An enjoyable read, but the characters aren't memorable.

The main source of conflict between the Montgomery family and the Davies family was the land. In fact, their feud had become legendary, with each family having to send a representative to ensure the continued forced sharing of the land. Madeline Montgomery was the current representative, hoping against hope that the Davies family wouldn’t send anyone, as that would allow the Montgomerys to claim the land and hopefully sell to fend off the creditors. Unfortunately, Gryff Davies, currently Lord Powys, not only showed up, he was even more handsome than before, and Maddie’s heart was lost to the enemy.

I enjoyed this regency romance, and I loved Maddie’s courage and her determination to protect her family by finding another way to pay her father’s debts than marrying Sir Mostyn, an old man who offered two thousand pounds to marry her. Gryff is a strong and noble character, doing his best to protect Maddie as they deal with a smuggling ring using the caves nearby. In A Reckless Match, Kate Bateman has created a story with love and loyalty that truly touched my heart. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment of this series.