Kate Bateman continues to write stories that historical readers love. Morgan and Harry are no exception. A feud between their families has kept them at odds; but sometimes the right person for you is the one that should be oh so wrong.

I couldn't put this book down. Wonderful read.

I really, really wanted to love this story just based off the blurb. But honestly, it was just ok for me. I honestly didn't feel like Morgan actually cared about Harriet. It felt more like his revenge was worth more than anything else, no matter what he had to do to get it. And that included marrying her. I just was on the fence about the whole story. The writing is good, don't get me wrong. I just felt like the "romance" to it was all secondary and kind of just thrown in to make it go under the romance category. Definitely wasn't my favorite book in this series and I am not sure if I want to continue it.

This was my first Kate Bateman book, but not my last. I loved how the couple teased each other and basically every interaction they had before confessing their love to each other. I really hope that the last Davies brother gets a book, because he seemed like a great love interest and a great main character

This is classified as an enemies to lovers romance, but I didn't get that at all. There was no tension between them. They were at it from the get go. The bedroom scenes suffered, as well as all the other scenes. This one was boring because the plot was thin. There was too much lust between them that the romance of the book suffered. I didn't like Harriet and Morgan. They were flat and no chemistry between them. My least favorite in this series.

I was hoping for more banter.

Enemies to lovers. Captain Morgan and Harriet have always spared with each other since their families were feuding with each other. He has returned from the war to claim his three kisses and determined to increase the number to 3 Davies and Montgomery couples.

This book what such an absolute delight! Every book in this series has been so good and this was no exception.

In this book, we follow Harriet and Morgan. They have been rivals since childhood, but Harriet has secretly pined for Morgan for years. He went to sea, but now he is back to exact revenge on a mysterious map maker who’s incorrect map led to the deaths of some of his men.

I love the world Kate Bateman has created in this series and I have found that I am absolutely and unashamedly a ✨HO✨for Welsh main characters. I don’t know what it is, but he accents are just… just trust me and try out the audiobook. You can thank me later. 😉

The banter and tension between these two was both funny and endearing. I was absolutely rooting for them and I really hope we get several more books in this world! 🤞🏻

I am really loving Kate Bateman's Ruthless Rivals series. The tension between the Davies and Montgomerys is so much fun, especially when they keep pairing up! Every book in this series has been a true adventure, and this third installment, A Wicked Game, is no different. Harriet Montgomery (cousin to the landed Montgomerys) has taken over her father's mapmaking business. When a seemingly faulty map leads Captain Morgan Davies to be captured, he sets out to make the cartographer pay, not knowing it is in fact the woman who has captivated and infuriated him for years.

This was such a fun book, Morgan and Harriet are both enamored of each other from the start but neither wants to say anything, so they frame everything as bets and games. There is plenty of adventure and craziness in this historical romance, and was a joy to read. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in the Ruthless Rivals series. It follows Morgan and Harriet who have been frenemies since childhood. This is honestly my favorite of the series. It is so witty and fun with some of the most well written characters. I always appreciate an 'enemies to lovers' trope with lead characters who aren't immature in their behavior. This one hit all the right notes for me and has cemented Kate Bateman as a must buy author for me!

The Davis/Montgomery feud has provided ample ground for Bateman to tread during this trilogy (is there another book coming?), but I think that for me, A Wicked Game has been the most successful. There's something about a bet for three kisses if Morgan returns from war and the delightful way he teases Harriet when he returns that just really got me. My only critique is that I feel like this blend of historical romance and romantic suspense doesn't weave as seamlessly together in this installment as I would like. I think the elements are all there and the ground is laid, but there's no sense of danger until the suspense kicks up dramatically. Which, in all honesty, makes sense, but is not my preferred reading experience. But setting that aside, I really enjoyed the exploration of intimacy here. Morgan was so transparent in his perspective at knowing he wanted Harriet, but it was also really nice to see Harriet sort of take control of the situation eventually.

As for the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narration. I fell into the book so quickly and I had a great time. Definitely recommend!

Although this wasn't my favorite of the series I still thoroughly enjoyed Harriet and Morgan's story! The bet was such a fun addition to the story!

This was such a fun read, and such an interestingly specific historical romance! Harriet and Morgan were both great characters to get to know, and even without having read the other books in the series, it was a blast getting to know the other characters. I’ll definitely seek out other Bateman titles!

This was a delightful and entertaining read. The chemistry between Harriet and Morgan was sizzling!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a blast to read from start to finish. A great plot, great characters, and great romance. Such a fun, gripping romance.

I loved this book, it was soo good! It did take me a little while to get into but once I started reading, I was hooked. I loved the revenge plan and the complexity of the characters. The chemistry was off the charts and I loved Morgan and Harriet’s back and forth banter.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of the book.

This was such a good historical romance! I loved Harriet, she was a perfect main character. The banter between her and Morgan was so fun, and I had a great time reading this! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romance :)

A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman is the third in her Ruthless Rivals series. As with the first two, it's an engaging and enjoyable novel set during the Regency period. You can't go wrong with one of Kate Bateman's novels! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh how I loved the last book in this series!! The feud between the Montgomery’s and the Davies has been one of my favorite family feuds to read. Morgan and Harriet did not let me down!

Harriet took over as a map maker after her father could no longer see. She works for The Office by creating maps missing key landmarks to trick enemy ships into running off course or aground. Unfortunately Morgan got his hand in such a map and is imprisoned for two years at the hands of a sadistic man. When comes home, all he wants is to get revenge on the man who created the map that led to his torture. What he didn’t expect is that it would be Harriet.

I’m glad that once Morgan realized what happened, he didn’t hold onto his anger. In fact, he’s been in love with Harriet and is determined to marry her. It takes a while, but Harriet finally realizes it as well.

I loved the banter these two. In fact, it’s why I’ve loved the series!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Paperbacks for the arc!

This was a wonderful book. I loved the characters, the plot, everything was wonderful. I would recommend to others. I think that people would enjoy this story. Looking forward to the next book by this author.

Enjoyed Harriet's unique profession. Wish we could have seen Morgan and Harriet when they were growing up. The stories from their past set up their future relationship. They work together to figure out what is going on with the maps and forgeries.

This is book 3 in the series, and we finally get to see the story of Harriet and Morgan!

Harriet "Harry" Montgomery has been helping her father with mapmaking due to his failing eye sight. She even makes maps to assist in the war effort against the French. However, she misses the banter with her rival, Morgan, who is away at war. She even bet him 3 kisses upon his return.

Morgan Davies was imprisoned and tortured due to faulty maps. Finally free he knows exactly what he wants... To seek revenge on the mapmaker and seduce the love of his life, Harriet. Now he just has to use his 3 kisses to convince her to love him back.

This romance is filled with heat and steam. The witty banter between the characters is the best in the series! Clever word play makes me happy!!

I also appreciated that the male lead knew what he wanted and REALLY went for it. Before he starts claiming his kisses, Morgan says "Three kisses on the lips isn't much of a prize. Not when there are so many other, more interesting places I could put my mouth." Yes, please!!

Morgan and Harriet banter and kiss, and they also have a few adventures along the way that made the book's plot really shine to be a delightful read.

Thoroughly enjoyed this read!