A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman
Reckless Rivals book 2

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ As soon as I saw there was a new Kate Bateman book I just had to read it. I think I have loved every book of hers I have read. This one was no different.

Her characters are fully developed. The chemistry is strong and the banter is witty! Loved it. I couldn't put it down. Carys and Tristan. What a match, I love how they tease and go out of their way to annoy each other, when deep down you know it's because they secretly pine for one another. Watching them realize and accept this made the story amazing.

I am fully looking forward to her next book.

**I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

~ Paragraphs and Petticoats ~

Very well written story, never a dull moment. Carys takes risky options to protect her secret and deflect from the attention of the gentry, smart lady. Tristan is drawn to her regardless. Their personalities and crossing paths situations are very engaging encounters creating friction and build up. She's strong, love her spirit but she's in over her head holding onto her secret. Tristan is the perfect knight and their chemistry is off the charts. They make a perfect team and thoroughly enjoyed their love story to the fullest which is one of the best I've read so far this year.

I will read anything and everything that Kate Bateman releases! I enjoyed this one completely and can’t wait to read her next! Thank you for the early copy!

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman is the second book of the Ruthless Rivals series. This one follows Carys and Tristan.

Carys Davies doesn’t want marriage. She is doing all she can to prevent it. She believes staying single is the only way to protect her family from her secret that will ruin everything. Carys causes scandal by wearing outrageous outfits that she hopes will deter any potential suitors. She acts carefree, but the only person who has been able to see through her act is Tristan, her sworn enemy.

Architect Tristan Montgomery knows society dictates that he needs to wed a respectable woman. This hasn’t stopped him from wanting Carys. When Carys jokingly suggests he show her what she’d be missing if she swore off marriage, Tristan shocks the both of them when he accepts the proposal. They will share one week together, then go their separate ways. But passions heat up, and soon the two can’t imagine parting ways.

I love this book. Carys and Tristan are irresistible. It was so fun to see their relationship evolve. I also adored Carys’ love of animals.

Loved this second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. Carys and Tristan have been antagonizing each other (and pining for each other) their whole lives. Born into rival families, they can't help but give each other a hard time. They are complete opposites in personality and behavior, though Carys longs to make Tristan lose his cool. They finally agree to a wicked week of intimacy lessons so that Carys can see what she might miss out on in a spinster-ish life. This book made me really feel sad for Carys since she wanted so badly for Tristan to see her as an eligible wife. Great read!

This is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series and it was a truly enjoyable enemies-to-lovers story.
Carys and Tristan have known each other since childhood but while there's always been a feeing of them pining for each other, their families are enemies so nothing has come out it, they haven't really acknowledge their feelings.. I thought they'd had great chemistry between them and I loved their banter, it was a joy to read all about it.
I found this book very entertaining; of course you have a steamy and romantic story but there's also an interesting plot, some fun side characters, amusing dialogue and all of it combines to make this a great read. I'll be looking forward for the next book in the series.

I was so excited to read A Daring Pursuit, especially after reading and loving A Reckless Match, the first book in the Reckless Rivals series. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this romance is wonderful!

A terrible first romance left Carys Davies betrayed, blackmailed, and unimpressed with love. She has no desire to marry and will do everything in her power to prevent it, especially since a secret could be exposed if she ever wed. Tristan Montgomery is in search of a respectable woman to marry, but he can’t deny that he is drawn to Carys. When the pair agrees to a one-week affair, they expect to enjoy each other and then go their separate ways. However, as they spend time together, they must decide if their love is worth the risk.

Carys and Tristan have a fantastic enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract romance. Siblings of the protagonists in the first book in the series, Carys and Tristan have disliked each other for years. Carys is bold and extroverted, yet she keeps people, especially men, at arm’s length. Tristan, an architect, is proper and unemotional, the exact opposite of Carys, and he’s equally scandalized and enchanted by Carys’s boldness. Though they are very different in temperament and style, they are alike in their intellect, fierce loyalty to their family, and feelings for each other. Carys and Tristan have amazing chemistry, and their banter has an abundance of sexual tension. Neither wants to admit their feelings, and both believe the other detests them, but they can’t help but tease and goad each other. Their feelings have simmered for years, and watching them slowly give up the fight and give in to their feelings is wonderful.

Though this can easily be read as a standalone, many characters from the first book have secondary roles in this one. I always love when authors include favorites from previous books. It’s like catching up with old friends. Carys and Tristan’s siblings and aunts, and even Carys’s unique and clever animals, are all dynamic characters, and I enjoyed their parts in the story and in Carys and Tristan’s developing romance. Tristan’s aunts are my favorite. They are so funny and fantastic!

Like the first book, the story delves into the long-standing feud between the Davies and the Montgomerys. In the story, the Davies and Montgomerys gather for a week-long celebration. This is one of the few times that the feuding families have celebrated together, and it’s great to see this generation trying to change, heal, and come together in love and friendship. I liked how the families slowly start to break down the walls between them. This generation is determined to put the past in the past, but it’s difficult to move beyond old resentments. However, it’s clear that the families are headed in the right direction, and there are strong feelings of hope and healing where the feud is concerned.

This is a great addition to the series, and I particularly enjoyed the characters, the romance, and the smattering of intrigue as Carys and Tristen become embroiled in a dangerous plot and face many dangerous, and potentially deadly, situations.

Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

A fun continuation of the series. Very hot and steamy. The dynamic between Carys and Tristan was bold and fun.

This was a delicious, tension-filled story. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers trope for the first book in the series, but I would be lying if I said I was skeptical that this series could keep that tension going. So far, it only seems heightened.

As with the first, this story has members of the feuding Welsh Davies family and the English Montgomery family fall in love. Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery has long been each other's tormentor, and now that their brother and sister, respectively, have married, they are thrown together much more often. Tristan discovers Carys' scandalous secret early on, which causes a shift in their dynamics. Up until then, Carys has used her wiles to try to get a rise out of Tristan, and Tristan has to use all his will to appear stoically uninterested. When the dynamics change, new possibilities arise.

Once that bridge was made with a Montgomery-Davies marriage in the first book, I thought it would be hard to convince that these two were still in an enemy-type relationship, but Bateman does a good job at showing how the adversarial relationship is deep-seated and unique to each of the potential couples she has lined up. In this one, I liked how Carys and Tristan worked together toward common goals. One complaint I have had in other Bateman stories is how the heroes have the jerkish moments that are off-putting and ill-timed. I wouldn't say that this book as no jerkish moments, but it was a pretty understandable leap of logic and reaction. It didn't sit great at the time because I am not a fan of that type of behavior in romances in a general sense, but it was early on in the book and later in the book Tristan is very much in Carys' corner in every sense of the word.

Overall, the sexual tension was wonderful and the sub-plot was interesting. I did think the villain got off too easy. I would have enjoyed a bit more pummeling tbh, because he was truly loathsome. Ultimately, though, I really enjoyed the overall theme that showcased how bravado and flashiness can be a guise for hurt, and it was convincing in showing an unconditional love to help heal that hurt.

I am really looking for to the book that'll feature Morgan and Harriet, and I am wondering what Bateman has in store for Rhys. I can definitely say I am hooked on this series.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.

<strong>An enthralling steamy historical tale of hate, lust and love.</strong>

I enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers romance, and chuckled at the many mishaps and daring outfits worn by Carys... and might've wanted to punch one particular "gentleman" in the face for being so horrid.

Carys and Tristan's banter was amusing to observe, and once things heated up between them, they scorched my reading app. 🙈 Since I enjoy a gruff Hero, I liked Tristan from the get-go. And Carys was so misunderstood that I felt bad for her. But being the strong woman she was, not an ounce of pity oozed from me. Just lots of smiles.

Note to readers: this is a steamy story, so if open door romance (with a teeny tiny sprinkling of swearing) is your style, you've come to the right book. 🤣

NB I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley.

Lady Carys Davies is used to causing a spectacle wherever she goes. Carys dresses scandalously for every event that she attends in London. When Carys attends a ball in a very sheer gown dressed as Artemis but horrifies Tristan Montgomery, her greatest enemy. Tristan can’t believe that Carys is dressed in a shockingly bold gown where she almost appears naked. Tristan can’t help but be entranced-aghast at her outfit still he can’t help admiring her anyway. Carys does hold a secret her daring attitude does hold a fear of guy that is also blackmailing her. When Tristan discovers the extortion, he rallies to protect her. Carys also tells Tristan that her foray into intimacy with the same guy led to never wanting to be physical with anyone. When Tristan learns this, he promises to school Carys in lovemaking. Pretty soon lines are blurred between teaching and falling in love between two unlikely enemies.
What a wonderfully entertaining humorous decidedly different Regency romance! This definitely isn’t your grandmother’s historical nor is it for someone that is abhorred by coitus in a book. The enemies to lovers are pretty evident but there is lots to enjoy. The verbal bantering is clever, unique plot twists and the coupling is off the charts steamy. There is so many things to like in the book not just mystery, a family feud even bears. It’s amazing how all of this manages to be in this historical. The book might even be part of a series but can stand alone without any problem. Carys is loud, hilarious and feisty. She isn’t scared to show off her audacious nature or her ability to have fun. Any function that she attends would just be so much fun! Tristan the stiff reserved hero does have a naughty side which help shake him up. In truth he makes a fantastic book boyfriend that it would be fun to be taught and debauched by him too. So of course, he’s added to the list! This is a superb book that is well worth not just a reread but a definite keeper!

This is Carys and Tristan’s story. Carys is a Davies and Tristan is a Montgomery. Tristan has always noticed Carys but he thinks she is too wild for him. He finds out she was taken advantage of by one of her suitors. He takes it upon himself to teach her that she can enjoy sex. He will give her one week. They can’t keep their hearts uninvolved. I can’t wait for the next book in the Davies/Montgomery series

Oh my gosh! I enjoyed this book immensely. After a few pages, it was clear that the h's brother and his marriage was a preceding book, but I don't feel like I missed anything by not reading it. I loved that the h and the H were acquaintances from childhood and that the h was a very strongly written character. I also loved the development of the H's character from the beginning of the story to the end. The plot was a bit predictable, which I expected, but there was enough twists and turns that kept me interested. I am definitely going to be reading more from this series and author.

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman was a dull read. When I read the first book in this series, A Reckless Match, I admit I was thrilled. It was a fresh take on a historical with romance, adventure, and delightful chemistry, not so with Carys and Tristian. Carys has reasons why she refuses to marry and to repel advances, and she dresses provocatively for an unmarried woman. I'll admit this set off the first alarm bell. It simply didn't ring true. It seems that dressing provocatively no matter the era would bring men to her side in ballrooms like bees to a spring garden. Tristian is stuffy and stodgy and critical of Carys and her sartorial choices. Also, an architect and, of course, Carys and her family's sworn enemy even though their siblings fell in love and married in book one.
I really have no interest in extending this review because there was no magic, no wit, add in a not so believable adventure, and you have a recipe for a monotonous story. This book was an advanced reader copy provided by Net Galley for an honest review.

The second in Kate Bateman's Davies-Montgomery series, "A Daring Pursuit" is a wonderful read. Tristan Montgomery and Carys Davies are frenemies. They love goading each other, which provides some sparkling banter, while secretly lasting for each other. They soon realize that his love of order (evidenced in his love of the architect Palladio) and her carefree optimism are an explosive combination (in a good way). The passion between these two leaps off the pages and keeps you enthralled. Throw in Carys's menagerie of pets (she has some very unique birds) and Tristan's hilarious aunts, and you have one of most enjoyable romances you will ever read. I loved it to the point that I intend to go back and purchase the first book in the series, I'm sure it is just as enjoyable, and any future books in the series will be too.

This is the second book in The Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman. Follow the Davies-Montgomery’s feud, this time is Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery enemies to lovers story. Looking forward for the next book.

Book two in The Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman. The Davies-Montgomery’s feud continues with Carys and Tristan story. I’ve enjoyed this book, is funny and easy to read. Looking forward to the Davies siblings Rhys and Morgan stories.

Another potential love match between the warring families Montgomery and Davies. Carys wears shocking clothes hoping no man will ever offer for her. Tristan is looking to finally settle down. They try to fight the attraction right the end. The only thing I did not like about this book is the heroine’s name Carys. I had to remind myself that it was not Gary! I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my honest review.

Wow, I am absolutely in LOVE with this series. Kate Bateman is quickly becoming my favorite author after each book I read of hers. The Davies and Montgomery clans own my heart at this point.

"A Daring Pursuit" is the second installment and features Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery. While I didn't love this book as much as the first one, it's still brilliant and ticks a lot of my trope boxes: enemies to lovers, seduction teacher, grumpy/sunshine.

I once again am pleading with Kate to release the third book immediately because I fear I may perish without it.

Steam: open door

I absolutely love this series, and this book was awesome.
This is the story of Triston and Carys, members of feuding families that have been secretly desiring the other for years. When Triston overhears Carys' involvement in what he believes is an affair with a married man, he is shaken to the core. When he learns the truth about the relationship, he becomes protective of Carys, and drawn to her like never before. Carys proposes a proposition to Triston, one he cannot possibly turn down. The problem for them both is that it was meant to be a temporary arrangement, but they never anticipated how much they loved one another. Can their families really accept another Montgomer or Davies into their fold?
Loved the characters, even the furry and feathery ones. Already looking forward to the next book. This is part of a series, but could be read as a stand alone. Highly recommend .
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review .