A Wicked Game is book #3 in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series. However, I've not read any of the series so it's a stand-alone for me and it was fine. I had no huh? Moments. It's only made me want to read the first 2 books.

Morgan and Harriet have a lot in common. They're both strong, determined and trustworthy but I liked Morgan a tad bit more than Harriet.
I loved their relationship. It's a nice change from the normal everyday cat and mouse.

This story has humor, suspense, action, drama and of course, romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rival families, an ongoing game of trading dares—and rewards, longtime pining, wooing through seduction, and elements of danger—more than just the reputation-staining kind—will keep you hooked in book 3 of the Ruthless Rivals series. There is something utterly delectable and consumable about this series from Kate Bateman, and like its predecessors, A Wicked Game does not disappoint.

Raised by opposing families involved in a long-standing feud, Morgan and Harriet have always walked the line between friends and enemies. They played together growing up but were well aware of the rivalry between their bloodlines and perpetuated that rivalry through a series of dares throughout their younger years.

Before Morgan leaves to go to war, Harriet places a bet with him about his return. The prize? Three kisses, but, in her innocence, Harriet does not think to stipulate where those kisses should take place.

Now back in England, Morgan is ready to collect his prize, but Harriet’s reputation is not the only thing potentially in danger. An enemy from his past may put both Morgan and Harriet in peril.

Prepare for some fantastic verbal sparring, a steady buildup to steam, and a dose of danger and intrigue bringing the two rivals together.

I especially appreciated the highlighting of Harriet’s role as a talented and intelligent mapmaker and Morgan’s demonstrations of support for her.

While this is the third book of the series, you could read it as a stand-alone novel. I will say, though, that reading the books in order will enhance your experience and provide the backstories for the supporting characters.

I highly recommend A Wicked Game as a delightful, grin-inducing Regency romp.

I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after being imprisoned by the enemy, thanks to an inaccurate map. He vows to find the cartographer responsible and make the man pay. Morgan also intends on collecting his sweet reward from the bet he made with his nemesis. His captivity made Morgan realize what he really wants from the sharp-tongued Montgomery. Now he just needs to devise a plan to convince Harriet that they belong together. Can Morgan persuade Harriet to ignore their family’s ancient petty grudge? What lengths will he go to prove his love?
Harriet “Harry” Montgomery is a cartographer. In her father’s stead, she creates defected maps for the Admiralty to use against the French. Harriet has always enjoyed her clashes with the devastatingly handsome Morgan, her natural enemy. She hatches a plan to ensure his return from the war unharmed, in the form of a bet. When he comes to collect his prize, Harriet seizes the chance to enjoy a sensual adventure. However, danger encroaches on their time. Can Harriet trust Morgan’s feelings as true? Or is the handsome captain merely toying with her affections?
Morgan is such a charming and mischievous rascal! I willingly admit he is my favorite Davies. He has this infectious personality that one cannot help but to adore. I like Morgan’s interactions with his older brothers. There were several scenes between them that had me giggling. It is obvious that the Davies’ siblings are close and look out for each other. What I love the most about Morgan is how he recognizes from the start the feelings he has for Harriet. In most books of this genre, the hero is the last person to realize their feelings. Morgan demonstrates his love throughout their childhood and adulthood with small gestures.
Harriet proves to be Morgan’s perfect match. Their personalities compliment the others wonderfully. I admire the sacrifices Harriet has made for her father. She does not wish to inconvenience their family with his care. Instead, Harriet has set aside her dreams of adventure and any hopes for the future. What I love the most about Harriet is the person she becomes around Morgan. She practically comes alive whenever they banter, and neither bears the other any ill will. They simply enjoy clashing their wits together and indulging in one-upping the other.
A WICKED GAME is the third book in Kate Bateman’s historical romance series, RUTHLESS RIVALS. The story can stand-alone, but I strongly advise reading the previous two stories before starting this one. The first book, A RECKLESS MATCH, explains the history behind the Davies and the Montgomery’s century-long feud. There are also scenes in both books that show the blatant attraction brewing between Harriet and Morgan. I finished this book in two sittings. I literally could not put it down and found any excuse to allow me to keep reading.
A WICKED GAME is an enthralling tale of two people forgoing their family’s eons-long enmity to embrace their mutual attraction. I am on pins and needles for the next installment! The epilogue promises there is a Montgomery in Rhys Davies’ future.

This is exactly what I love about historical romances! Two main characters that clearly love each other but also live to torment each other. Playful bets. A small side plot about a map and her father and a swoon worthy big finish that is absolutely to die for. You need to read this.

Received a free copy for review through NetGalley but all thoughts are absolutely my own.

It feels like each story in this series just keeps getting better and better! I was really enamored with "frenemies" Morgan and Harriett. In keeping with the Montgomery and Davies centuries old feud, these two characters have been a thorn in each other's sides since birth.

Harriett was truly a lovely, independent woman trying to make a name for herself, making maps for the family business, and desirous of setting off on adventures of her own, not just helping others have theirs with the maps she draws.

Morgan really was a standout, constantly teasing Harriett but secretly hiding feelings for her that he's had since he was 16. But they are supposed to be sworn enemies because of this family feud, how can he convince her he has true feelings for her?

The banter back and forth between these two was highly entertaining, and their dares and bets? Marvelous! I loved how quick witted Harriett was, needing those wits to best Morgan in those physical challenges she had no chance of winning. And Morgan secretly wanting Harriett to win those bets just endeared him to me all the more.

I really enjoyed the little bit of drama we got with a map stealer and a pirate stirring things up. And the smexy scenes were oh so hot!! I think the hottest we've had so far in this series!

I am really enjoying this series, it gives me all the feels. And there's a very entertaining cast of side characters that I enjoy seeing in each installment. I am excited to see what is in store for the last Davies son with that little tidbit we got towards the end. I'm sure it's going to be exciting!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Extremely swoon-worthy, A Wicked Game is another satisfying entry to the Ruthless Rivals series. While for me it doesn't feel as well-rounded as the previous book (A Daring Pursuit), if what you're looking in historical romance is primarily the chemistry between the couple, and can careless about a plot, then this will still be a surefire win.

Following a 'frenemy to lover' scenario, the sexual tension is immediately apparent from chapter 1, and Kate Bateman continues to excel at making even the smallest interaction spark with magnetic desire. The author also does a great job at laying out the 'are we actually in love or is this still a game' dilemma, at no point did I feel like the book was simply dragging out the happy ending for page count — the characters had to untangle layers of mixed signals to discover whether there was concrete feeling beneath years of flirtatious teasing. With the hero being a sea captain, and the heroine a cartographer, A Wicked Game also goes to town with loads of love-tinted symbolism and reference to mapping and venturing into the unknown, some are cornier than others, but I enjoy every single one of them.

A Wicked Game does feel a little under-cooked when it comes to its non-romance related narrative. Not only is the central villain a bit of a joke, oftentimes major events are set up, and then unceremoniously resolved within a couple pages (The hero was heading into war, then he was back in the next chapter / A map was found being plagiarized, but it only took a couple more sentences to discover the culprit). The absence of process and easy answers is a pretty glaring difference when comparing to layers and nuances that are in place to tell the romance (especially when its predecessor A Daring Pursuit manages to have pretty balanced presence of both without drowning out its love story).

A Wicked Game is undeniably likable, even if the presentation as a whole is a slight step-down from my expectation, I still enjoyed my time back with the Davies and Montgomery families.

So this book was everything I ever wanted and everything I ever needed. Morgan and Harriet are one of my favorite couples of all time and I am just fully in love with this book and that literally makes me so happy because I have been <i>dying</i> for their book.

Overall, I don't really know how to form coherent thoughts about my love for this book but I am going to try.

The plot: there really isn't one, which I am fine with because I was obsessed with Morgan and Harriet but essentially you are following the hero and heroine as they proposal these wicked (and spicy) dares with each other but ultimately Morgan is on a mission to marry Harriet and win her heart.

This man is head over heels in love with her. Like he loves her, is not ashamed, and is determined to show her how much she means to him and I simply LOVE IT. He is so much fun. He's charming, he's loyal, reliable, funny, and he's so caring. I love how he isn't afraid of his feelings and love for her and knows what he wants and goes after it. There was no fighting it up from chapter 1 we know this man's intentions and I am here for it!!

Harriet is also an amazing heroine. She matches him in ever way and I love clever and bold she is. She literally never backs down and refuses to be bull-dozed and I love it! Shes a super strong heroine and I love how both of them were made for each other. I fell in love with Harriet and Morgan separately and together.

This book is so amazing and you need to go preorder it!!! Now my next thing is, when will we get Rhy's book?! This man needs his own romance Ms. Bateman!!!!

Morgan Davies has been back from war for some time now, and has yet to claim his prize from the bet he made with Harriet Montgomery all those years ago. But she need not wait much longer, for Morgan wants more than just his prize, he wants the girl.

*screams* It was stellar, it was a phenomenon, it was everything I wanted from a historical romance. I appreciate a man with his priorities straight, Morgan never doubted for a second that Harriet was the one for him. So true. It was fun, it was sweet. Harriet was an icon, always ten steps in front of Morgan even when he thought he had her all figured out. He was playing into the palm of her hand.

Bateman sleighs again with another wickedly hot compulsive read! This series hasn't let me down yet!

In the third book in Bateman's "Ruthless Rivals" series, another dreamy Davies man goes after his childhood love/nemesis, a Montgomery! At this point, the feud between these two families is well buried except for the flirty cat and mouse game that Harriet and Morgan have carried on for too many years. These are adults, betting each other for kisses. Of COURSE, they secretly love each other!

When Capt. Morgan Davies gets back from the Navy, he is determined to do two things - get revenge on the devious mapmaker that led his crew into captivity with a false map and win Harriet Montgomery's heart once and for all. What will he do once he learns they are one and the same?

Harriet is quite ready for her long-time crush Morgan to seduce her, but life's a little messy right now. She has a father who is going blind, a business to run, a rival mapmaker who has stolen her work and a French ex-soldier who also wants revenge for the false maps she made for the British Navy.

They must come to each other's rescue in this page-turning, open-door, spicy romantic read. **His final romantic gesture to prove his love!! GAH!**

In the epilogue, Bateman teases brother Rhys's story next with an even more eccentric member of the Montgomery's extended family. I can't WAIT!

One false map, a slight misunderstanding, one or more naughty dares, coupled with an attraction obvious to everyone but the two lovebirds themselves, and you’ve got A Wicked Game!

Harriet and Morgan’s book was adorable! I loved their banter best and with each dare issued? They just amped up their edgy, seductive game! I was delighted Morgan was playing for permanent keepsies, but no doubt about it, Harriet was running the show whether she realized it or not.

I didn’t feel this was an enemies to lovers tale; Harry and Morgan were too friendly for that plot device. They were frenemies whose touch of rivalry obviously came out in their challenging dares. There’s also a very thin devised suspense bit that I felt was lost in the book before reappearing to tie up, but I honestly forgot about it until the reveal! I was having so much fun seeing Morgan try to win Harriet over.

This is my favorite book of the set, but who knows what will happen to Rhys….

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from St. Martins and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is third in the Ruthless Rivals series, and it was a good, solid addition for the most part.

Harriet Montgomery has taken over her father’s mapmaking business as his eyesight is failing. Morgan Davies has returned home from war as a naval captain. The Montgomerys and Davies have been feuding for generations (think Hatfields/McCoys), yet Harriet and Morgan have been hiding their true feelings from the other ever since they were young teenagers. Morgan sets out to convince Harry that they belong together, but she thinks he’s playing with her feelings as part of their feud and needs convincing.

This was a fun, humorous romance that was equally sweet and steamy in parts. The drawback for me was an added bit of danger from a villain that was such a minuscule part of the narrative that I didn’t feel it had to be included at all. And also the storyline followed a fairly transparent path from start to finish.

Bateman is at her best, in my opinion, when she’s writing her love scenes. They involve a good mix of passion and tenderness and add a lot to the reader’s grasp of the characters’ personalities/motivations.

I’m enjoying this series.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the free early arc of A Wicked Game for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

The story of Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery- members of two prior dueling families that have been brought together by the marriages of their relatives. Morgan is a younger Davies son who upon leaving to fight in the War, made a bet with Harriet that if he came back alive she would grant him 3 kisses. After the war, Morgan returned home and approached Harriet about fulfilling the bet. As they are socializing again, it becomes apparent that a villain known to Morgan from the War is in Britain. It soon becomes apparent that the person is looking for a particular map to find a treasure that was hidden in the Caribbean. Morgan finds out that Harriet is a mapmaker when he returns to his former office in an attempt to find out who made the map that landed them in the wrong place and resulted in their capture and torture during the war. He then has to assist her by providing protection when a competing mapmaker is known to be copying her maps without her permission. While they are working together to find the particular map that the villain is searching for they are provided the opportunity to exchange the promised 3 kisses- but not the way Harriet envisioned. This story is wonderfully written and provides the reader with romance, mystery, adventure, steam and a HEA.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Review in exchange for a free copy of Wicked Game via netgalley......
*** if spice is what you want then you will not be disappointed!***

What a delicious book! I'm normally not a fan of the miss communication romances. A woman's lack of confidence in her worth drives me insane. Not so say that one needs to be overly confident of herself ... it's a tricky balancing game. With that being said the way Kate Bateman gave her MFC Harriet a lack of confidence, due to Harriet's lack of knowledge in the world of love, allowed the reader to accept Harriet's ignorance of Morgan's motives with out the desire to strangle the ignorant woman .
The background build up of the mfc and mmc was done with the perfect amount of detail that left the reader able to understand the history of these two with out having so much detail that one wants to simply skip to the next part.
The spicy aspect of this book......ohhh boy this is not a read in public book unless you have an amazing pokerface ! (You have been warned)


*Over all review :
*Writing style 4/5

*Main character likeablity:4/5 ( 4 i stead of 5 simply because I prefer a more straightforward approach to issues )

* Spice 4/5

We continue the enemies to lovers of the Montgomeries and Davies in the third book of the Ruthless Rivals series, A Wicked Game.

The Montgomery cousin of Tristan and Maddie, Harriet, always found Morgan Davies, brother to Gryff and Carys, to be a challenge. His presence and banter both enrage and enlight her. With no one else does she feel such passion and want.

And he feels the same.

When Morgan returns from war he has one goal: to marry Harriet. Now that his siblings have shown the marriage is possible he has a plan to convince her he wants her forever.

There were many similarities with the first book of the series, but unlike the others, they both know they want each other. And Morgan plans to marry Harriet. He has a plan to convince her they can work and he doesn't need any outside force to make him realize how important she is to him. I think it can be summed up in one quote:

"He'd take a slap from Harriet over a kiss from another woman any day."

He is so so into her and I loved it! And she is into him! It's not one-side, but considering their background, Harriet thinks it can only be moments of pleasure - and she'll take whatever of Morgan she can get.

Add in a little drama from a French general bent on revenge and gold, and you have my favorite of the series.

This book was the epitome of historical romance with romance, action, spice, and historical nonsense that makes it fun and drives the relationship forward.

I loved the compromises they each make to gain each other and a life they can have together, one which they both want. It felt realistic and like their love would last.

Overall, they were just SO in love with each other from the beginning which made their journey to happy ever after all the more rewarding. Add in their banter, dares, and spice and they were completely made for each other.

Read for: rivals to lovers (they didn't hate each other in the slightest lol they could never be enemies), banter, spice, *any excuse to kiss you*, action, intelligent heroine, mutual pining, "I want you to annoy me for the rest of my life"

I think we can expect a Rhys/Tess book! Can't wait for more and enjoyed the cameos from the other couples. This book can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 stars
2 spice

Oh how I'm so enjoying this series! I just love a rival families stories a la Romeo and Juliet without the dying part. This is books three in the series and although you can read it as a stand alone, it is elevated by reading the previous two books.

Drive-by Summary:
Childhood sworn enemies, Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery, have a secret: they both are madly in love with each other. Here's the catch, they have been bickering and fighting for so long they don't know how to break that cycle and just come clean with their feelings. That's it....in a nutshell...that's the main point of the book. Yes- other shenanigans happen, but they are all side plots.

What I loved:
* I love when the MMC is just so honest about to himself about his feelings. Morgan wage a very strategic battle in order to win Harriet's heart.
* I always love when the brothers get together. They have the best banter.

What I thought was 'meh':
* At one point I was just frustrated with Harriet. I'm just so glad her cousin talked some sense into her.
* I thought there was a foundation to add more danger to the story. Add in some battles, kidnapping, hostage situation. I felt that the story needed more balance for a full 5 stars.

Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The chemistry between the Montgomerys and the Davies is so slay. I love how their families have been feuding and talking smack for hundreds of years yet all they're all just spending their childhoods playing and growing up together and then falling in love. It's all so lighthearted and the banter is witty and there's never any malice between any of them, it just warms my cold little heart.

Okay so I didn't love this book as much as I adored Tristan and Carys' book. Tbh I don't think I loved this one, it was more of a strong like. The plot wasn't as compelling as the second book's, although I did appreciate that this one attempted to tie in what was going on at the time with Napoleon. It wasn't as exciting or emotional as A Daring Pursuit, and I didn't find the characters as interesting. All Morgan and Harriet had to do was communicate and this book could have been like 5 chapters. Harriet in particular was annoying af, just accept that he's in love with you sis, a lady doth protest too much methinks. Also, if Morgan's been into Harriet since his teens, why has he been sleeping around? Not every male lead in a historical romance needs to be a rake.

The little tidbit at the end about the Montgomery's extended family has me so excited for Rhys' book. Can't wait. I hope there's a bit more banter in that one then there was in this. I live for the banter. I'm also living for the little porn book Morgan gave Harry, I love when men in HR are forward and willing to scandalize the little virgin socialites.

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 3/5

Characteristics:
- Historical romance
- Regency era
- Rival families
- Childhood rivals to lovers
- Duel pov
- Mutual pining
- Spicy bet
- Push/pull
- Tension

This third Montgomery-Davies story is just as cute as the first two, though the feud-to-forever storyline it's a little repetitive by this point. But the real feud been the two families hasn't been a real thing for quite some time. It's more of a pigtail-pulling back and forth between each Montgomery-Davies pair. Here, we have Morgan Davies, brother of the previous two protagonists, and Harriet Montgomery, cousin to their mates. They've been tangling wits their whole lives, but now, after a few years at sea and time imprisoned, Morgan is ready to come home and make Harriet his.

Harriet, however, is busy running her father's cartography business, especially since his eyesight has deteriorated. She admits, at least herself, that she's in love with Morgan, but she knows that she can't leave her father, and she doesn't want to be with someone who's going to head off to sea without her for months at a time. Morgan knows what he's dealing with, however, he sets out to sneakily woo her, while at the same time issuing dares much like they've done their whole lives.

I love the story where the hero is clear about how he feels about the heroine, even if he keeps that news to himself for some time. I'm not fully convinced that Harriet wouldn't have been open to his suit earlier if he tried, but I was willing to go along for the ride. And their banter doesn't get boring, which is a good thing since the supposedly suspenseful subplot involving Morgan's former jailer isn't much of a plot at all. I would've liked more done with that subplot because I do like my novels to have some excitement.

But overall, it's a cute read, and I'll definitely read Rhys's story when it's available.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

If you're looking to delve into the historical romance genre for the first time or on the hunt for a new favourite series, I implore you to start with this one.

A Wicked Game is book 3 in the Ruthless Rivals series which follows two rival families and their lifelong feuds which inevitably end up in love. This third book follows Harriet and Morgan who make a bet that if he survives the war, he gets to kiss her three times. Where might those kisses land? Anywhere he so chooses...

I loved these two so much. They instantly have this bickering, banter filled chemistry that is full of sexual tension so thick you couldn't see through it. It was so satisfying once the two of them finally got together even if Harriet was a wee bit stubborn at times.

I can't recommend this series enough! Full of wicked banter, sexual taunts and dares, the best chemistry and tension and the most fulfilling relationships at the end. I loooove them!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harriet took over her fathers map making shop after her fathers eyesight started failing. She enjoys working with maps until a competitor comes. When a friend returns from battle, he returns to collect on a bet they had before left. Even though there parents are enemies her feelings fir Morgan deepens. This was a quick read.

Oh boy.
Every single one gets better!! This was giving Leo and Catherine Ala Lisa Kleypas. I was here for every second.
Loved the pining, the enemies to lovers, the characters, BUT
MORGAN
He was basically giving me heart palpitations every time he was on the page. Like just kill me already and be done with it. I was so in love with him, just call me Harriet.
10/10, would absolutely fall in love again.

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