3.5 stars, but not quite enough to round up. I did generally enjoy reading A Wicked Game and really liked Harriet and Morgan as individuals and a couple. They are adorable together and seeing the flashbacks to their dares and exploits over the years was a fun addition. The love scenes were also unexpectedly very hot (unexpected in the context of the couple -- not the author, who always does an excellent job writing them).

My main issue with the story is that it lacked any real conflict for 99% of it. Even more so than Tristan and Carys in the previous book, Harriet and Morgan are never really in an "enemy" stage of enemies-to-lovers, which was supposed to be the central theme of the series. They both love each other, and have for years, but won't believe that the other also feels that way. Morgan's brief annoyance about the purposefully misleading map that's mentioned in the synopsis -- one which unintentionally caused him and his crew serious harm -- disappears within the first 10 pages, and the supposed villain of the book felt like an afterthought.

I think my own expectations of the book based on the synopsis and Bateman's past books (which tend to have more action and/or tension, from the ones I've read) might have led to my rating this one slightly lower than the other books in the series. I kept waiting for a plot twist or some big drama that never happened and felt a little disappointed as a result. That said, I am still looking forward to reading Rhys's story and meeting the black sheep of the Montgomery family.

Thank you to St. Martin’s and a Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Love Morgan and Harriet! Since childhood, they have driven each other crazy with bets and teasing. Before he left for war, she bet him if he came home, he would get 3 kisses. Now back, he is here to collect and he intends to prove they are meant to be together.

Morgan and Harriet have great chemistry and I loved the story from start to finish. While part of a series, it can be read as standalone.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So much fun! Each book in this series has been one adventure after another. Bateman brings such originality and wit to her writing that makes this series really stand out. And in this story, Harriet and Morgan are engaged in a never ending cat and mouse game of dares/teasing/battle of wits. It’s all longing and desire and miscommunication - and it’s delightful.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

This book is a steamy, sexy, fun time. I have zero complaints! There is such a lovely build up between Harriet and Morgan. They have both been secretly pining for one another since their teenage years, and they have grown up together. They have been in a “dare you” type of competition’s for years, and now their are higher stakes. I’ll be honest, there is little plot, but the romance is so sweet and steamy at the same time that it pulls the story forward wonderfully. This is a great historical romance, highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

It’s taken me so long to even begin to formulate my thoughts on this book, and I don’t even think I’ll be able to say much before a reread.

A Daring Pursuit is most definitely my favorite book of 2022, but A Wicked Game is five stars for different reasons. It just truly subverted every single one of my expectations in the best way possible. I was AFLAME in a Panda Express parking lot reading the first sex scene. The end drama was external, but wasn’t overdrawn or annoying. Clearly catch is that they’ve both been pining for ages, but the chase was so fun.

*Spoiler-adjacent* The premise sounds dramatic and fun, but I admit I was worried he was going to go about revenge a bit too viscously (when he realized she was the mapmaker) but I was so pleasantly surprised that he basically gave up when he realized what happened. From then on (pretty early) all this man thinks about is getting her to love him. Seeing as they’ve always been rivals, he doesn’t think she’ll believe him when he confesses that he’s always loved her. From that point on, he’s just such a lovesick sailer and I truly lost all of my breath.

This series is for low angst lovers. Each book subverts typical pitfalls in the third acts, has couples with truly good people, and the chemistry is always there. It stems around a generational Hatfield and McCoy type land feud, so it feels like there should be a lot of tension surrounding the families not being happy about the relationships. But the tension stems from attraction every time, without too much kerfuffle about getting together.

I need the audiobook asap because I already can’t wait to reread this. I was giddy from start to finish and that’s my favorite way to read a romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️.25/5

Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

Kate Bateman is fast becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors. I've enjoyed the previous books in the Ruthless Rivals series, and A Wicked Game is just as entertaining. Harriet and Morgan delight in tormenting each other, in this not quite enemies to lovers tale. There is plenty of sharp, witty banter (my favorite), no weird euphemisms, a little life-threatening adventure, some really sweet moments, a fair amount of heat, and a baby-free epilogue. Practically perfect.

A Wicked Game is everything I love about historical romance: passion, adventure, witty banter, and steam! Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery are the enchanting stars in this feuding families romance. The naval captain and the mapmaker have tormented each other since they were kids, and now their methods of torment include bets and kisses and dares! Although part of a series, this is a great standalone novel; but once you’ve read it you will want to go back and read the others! And now I’m ready to read Rhys’s story!

The Ruthless Rivals series just keeps getting better and better. I didn't think Tristan and Carys could be topped, but I think Morgan and Harriet did it in A Wicked Game.

I absolutely adored Harriet and Morgan. They were strong, intelligent and intriguing characters, and they were each other's perfect match.

The history between them was absolutely wonderful. I loved how they had always longed for each other, even as they challenged and goaded each other and tried to keep their feelings hidden.

Their wit and banter was pure entertainment, and the sexual tension was smoldering. I couldn't get enough.

The Davies brothers were fun together as well, and I look forward to Rhys' story next.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

A WICKED GAME is totally irresistible! Ms. Bateman's new novel in the Ruthless Rivals series stars Captain Morgan Davies who returns to England after fighting in the war and escaping imprisonment. He seeks revenge on a mapmaker whose inaccurate map led to his capture. Then he will collect three kisses from a bet he made with stunning Harriet Montgomery, who is his smart-alecky childhood friend. However, he discovers the mapmaker is none other than Harriet herself! Blast it all! Morgan's anger over his need for revenge turns into a tricky game of kisses with the most vivacious vixen he has wanted his whole life. There is undeniable heat, passion and longing between them, only they have never acted upon it until now. Will Morgan leave Harriet wanting more than just kisses?

Harriet is extremely attracted to Morgan Davies, even as a teenager. Morgan is the only man who ever tantalized her. Since he returned from battle, he is more masculine and manly than ever. Harriet is torn between caring for her ailing father with his poor eyesight, dealing with a rival mapmaker who copies her work and sneaking romantic interludes with devilish Davies, who is hard to resist. However, a menace from Morgan's past puts them both in danger. Harriet and Morgan struggle with evil intentions from a monstrous man. As they spend time together, will Harriet realize that Morgan's intentions are from the heart? Does Morgan propose?

A rebellious handsome man and a strong-willed sizzling woman are the captivating stars of Ms. Bateman's new novel, A WICKED GAME. The story is adventurous, seductive, infectious and addictive! The author cleverly adds a loving familial touch with Morgan's brothers helping him out of jams, time and again. It's pleasing to see that special bond between brothers in the story. I raced to see how it all would turn out between the two lifelong enemies, Harriet and Morgan. Word of warning, this story is steamy! Morgan and Harriet are totally hot together! A WICKED GAME is expertly spiced with sexy situations and a masterful plot. Perfectly delicious!

Everyone knows that the Montgomeries and the Davies are sworn enemies, even if there have been two happy matches between Montgomeries and Davies in recent years. However, when Harriet Montgomery bets three kisses that Morgan Davies won't come back from the war alive, their relationship changes and both Harriet and Morgan find themselves acknowledging feelings that they have hidden since they were children. With the additional danger of a French sailor seeking revenge on both Harriet and Morgan for their parts in the war, this is a quick and entertaining read with a smattering of spice.

New readers and fans of the series will find a lot to love about A Wicked Game. Harriet is a capable and adventurous heroine who firmly goes after what she wants. Morgan is a good compliment to her character, and is equally determined and capable. Side characters are well-drawn, especially Harriet's father. The banter and bets between Harriet and Morgan are as funny as they are spicy.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah.

This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed Harriet and Morgan’s story. This book mostly focuses on just their relationship, with not much focus on any supporting characters, besides those whom previously have a book in this series. However, I did not find this to take away from the story and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never read anything from Kate Bateman before, but this book definitely made me want to go back and read her previous work!
If you like historical romance, be sure to check out this book!

I devoured this book in one sitting. Did it live up to my wildest dreams? Hell yes. Morgan Davies comes back to London after being a literal prisoner of war determined to make Harriet Davies his wife after being enemies/in love/obsessed with her his entire life (and the feeling is mutual). The banter between these two is top tier, because it’s accompanied by such an obvious admiration and respect. I’ve been looking forward to this book for months, and Kate Bateman delivered in the most wonderful way. No notes.

📚✨Book Review✨📚

A Wicked Game
Author: Kate Bateman

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

What I Liked:
🗺 I am a sucker for books with feminist notes. A female mapmaker in the 1800s certainly checks that box! There is also an element of subterfuge and military spying which is intriguing and fun!

🗺No good historical romance is complete without a grand gesture. I had a hunch about this one when it was alluded to earlier on. I won’t spoil it, but it was everything I anticipated and more!

🗺Childhood enemies (frenemies??) to lovers might just be my new favorite trope. 😉

What I Didn’t Like:
🗺 I am DYING to know what happens to Rhys and who he ends up with. It was alluded to but with a bit of uncertainty. I can’t wait to find out, but wish I didn’t have to wait!

Final Thoughts:
🗺 I am so so delighted that I discovered Kate Bateman. Historical romance books are a comfort read for me. All three books in this series follow so many traditional historical beats while also being steamy and feminist. They are all gems and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book, either in this series or a new one!

People who are interested in "bluestockings" and women trying to break out of the standard Regency woman's life would enjoy this book. Harriet Armstrong works with her father as a cartographer and is part of the Montgomery family who has an ongoing feud with the Davies family. She's been in love with Morgan Davies since she was a teen, and he has been in love with her. Morgan just got back from the Navy and they are reintroduced. A good portion of this book is based upon their sexual interest with each other which is interesting but it was really *most* of the book. There was a small portion where Morgan and his brothers get Harriet's maps back from a plagiarist, and then there is an incident with the villain of his last trip as a sailor who happens to attack Harriet and her dad. Overall I liked the characters well enough but the story itself wasn't all that organized and was kind of all over the place. I'd read more of Bateman's books but I don't think this was one of her best.

5 out of 5 stars!

This was by far my favourite in the series. I adored book 1 and I really liked book 2, but honestly, nothing can top Morgan and Harriet!! (except maybe Rhys' book because man oh man he's like Morgan but even more roguish and he curses a lot).

The pacing of this book is fantastic.
The chemistry between Morgan and Harriet is fantastic.
The classic Kate Bateman *alone in a house/domestic setting at night* is perfection.
The fact that Morgan and Harriet just want to make out and bang it out the entire book is DELICIOUS.

And if that's not enough to entice you into reading this.... let me just say this: MORGAN GOES DOWN ON HIS KNEES TO KISS HER LOWER BACK/UPPER ARSE TO SHOW HARRIET THAT WHILE HE IS AT HER MERCY HE IS A DOMINANT MAN WHO NEEDS TO SHOW HIS ADORABLE WOMAN WHO IS IN CONTROL AND I LOVE IT.

This is Harriet and Morgan’s story. Their families have been feuding for generations. They’ve always been attracted to each other. They have taunted each other since they were children. Morgan joins the navy to fight Napoleon. Harriet worries he won’t come back. She dares him to come back. The wager is if he comes back, she will grant him three kisses.

He returns from war. He wants to collect. They dance around their feelings. It makes for passionate encounters. They are both strong willed. I loved the story. I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

The third book in the Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman follows Harriet and Morgan who have been hinted at previously in the series.

Harriet and Morgan have been on either side of the Montgomery Davis feud for their entire lives. Captain Morgan has two goals when he returns after the war: get revenge on the mapmaker who got him captured and seduce Harriet, his longtime rival.

The pining in this book is top tier. The bets were such a fun addition to this book and their relationship. I didn’t love the miscommunication or maybe lack of communication but there wouldn’t have been a full book without it. I would still highly recommend this book. The grand gesture at the end was so good!

Another great installment in this series!

The banter between Harry (Harriet) and Morgan is top notch, the way they know how to poke the exact right spot without being overly hurtful is a perfect balance.

I love the use of their bets, it was a great plot device. Each of the heroines in this series has been amazing, they are strong, and have very specific and sometimes unusual interests.

Morgan is the perfect cinnamon roll hero. He completely gone for Harriet. You just know he’s going to come through with a wonderful way of proving to Harry that he really does love her.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

3.5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

This was available to read on Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

This is part of a series about historical romance with rival families. The Davies & the Montgomery family’s have been rivals for decades; until they start getting married to each other.

This is a classic slow burn. “I hate you but actually I love you”. He falls first. Spice and banter on point. Only thing I didn’t like was a little miscommunication, but without it the story would be too easy. A few twists and a HEA.

The Epilogue was 👍🏻. I love epilogues that don't end with babies. I'm fine if the FMC & MMC get married but not everyone wants babies.

Lots of supporting characters with good back stories. Hopefully the next book is about Rhys!