A Wicked Game is the third book in the absolutely delightful Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman. This is one of my favorite series! There's some angst in these books, some dangerous situations and intense and very erotic love scenes. It's the humor and sarcasm, however, that really grabs me. I loved the first two books, but this one takes the cake. Yes, I have another new book boyfriend now in Morgan Davies. Go ahead and read this book. "I dare you."

Captain Morgan Davies was imprisoned by an evil Frenchman after being shipwrecked due to an inaccurate map. Now free, Morgan is on a mission to track down the cartographer who made the map and get his revenge. While he's at it, he also intends to claim the winner's prize of three kisses from Harriet Montgomery, his long-time rival. While imprisoned, he realized how much he really cared for Harry, and he's determined to marry the smart-mouthed woman. Imagine Morgan's surprise when he discovers that Harriet is the mapmaker he's looking for! So he plans an even more delightful revenge. Harry has always wanted Morgan, and now he's back and more handsome than ever. She shouldn't make time for wicked games with him, as she is dealing with her father losing his eyesight and a rival mapmaker copying her work, but she can't seem to help herself. A threat from the time of Morgan's imprisonment arises, however, and Harry realizes just how much she cares for the scoundrel.

This was such an entertaining book! The Montgomery and Davies families have always had a rivalry. They did when they were kids, and it carried over into adulthood. However, the two clans were united by marriage over the last two books; we know there's no way that Morgan and Harry will escape that fate! Morgan is absolutely charming; I just adored him. Even as a kid, he knew there was an attraction to Harry, which was hidden by trading barbs with the quick-witted and sarcastic girl. While serving time as a captive of the French, he realized how much he wanted the woman. Now that Morgan is back, Harry is busy fighting her attraction to him. She's busy with the cartography business she's in with her father, plus working on some whimsical maps for customers; on top of that, someone is copying her maps. But still, she can't seem to pull herself away from him. The one thing a Montgomery and Davies cannot ignore is a dare. Once they start daring each other to do something, the incidents are either hysterical or quite erotic. I dare you (see what I did there?) to read about their foot race down Squeeze Gut Alley without laughing! And the erotic moments? Freaking hot as Hades, but not sleazy. You can feel the love and affection between them. I was happy to see Maddie and Gryff from book one make an appearance here. The only thing that fell a little flat was the dangerous visitor from Morgan's past; it felt like an afterthought. But the book was so enchanting and the characters charming I just didn't care. I simply loved it. I'm crossing my fingers that youngest brother Rhys has his story told next!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The newest addition to this series continues to make this an extremely entertaining series. I love the "feud" they have going. This story is full of humor, romance and drama. I thought the glimpses into their past laid the perfect groundwork for their future together. Fingers crossed for another installment to this series.

Book #3 in the Ruthless Rivals series. A rivals, enemies to lovers Regency romance.

If there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery. . .

FUN.. and sooo swoon worthy!!! Loved it!!! This story follows two feuding families — the Davies + the Montgomery’s. Childhood frenemies Harriet Montgomery and Captain Morgan Davies are now adults, and when Harriet challenges Morgan with a tempting wager involving three kisses, well let’s just say that’s one challenge Morgan cannot resist. Unbeknownst to Harriet, he’s ready to settle down and marry but only with one woman in mind.. HER! Their story was a real treat to the imagination as to where Kate Bateman would take their sizzling chemistry and hidden long-abiding love. Our hero Morgan is so swoon worthy.. he’s witty, intelligent, big hearted, and every bit as handsome as his older brothers. Harriet is an independent little spitfire with her mind set on being a wallflower but knows her longing for Morgan could be her downfall. Opposites do attract and these two couldn’t complement each other more perfectly! If you enjoy adventure, danger, lots of steam and pining, and the loveliest grand gesture that will melt your heart.. then this is the book for you. A fantastic series I highly recommend!!! 💕🤩 5 stars — Pub. 12/27/22

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This story is pure delight! Morgan and Harriet with their sizzling chemistry, their sparing matches of quick wit and dares, made every page an entertaining adventure! The dialogue and clever banter between these two is literary genius! Bravo! So we’ll done!

This was the best of the series and it felt like it was over before I knew it. Morgan and Harry’s storyline felt more realistic compared to Carys and Tristan’s, and less drawn out than Maddie and Gryff’s. I’m interested to see what happens with Rhys’s story next.

It’s Kate Bateman. Read it now. End of review. Okay, just kidding. I’ll give you a few more words. But, really, if you’ve read even one of this author’s books you know before you crack it open that it will be wonderful and you will love it. No one can take the Regency Era and what we think is a very well-known, predictable plot and turn it on its ear like Bateman can, or give you characters that are such a mess, so blind, so stubborn they don’t see what is obvious to everyone else. Sometimes their behavior is so ridiculous that you can’t stop laughing, but they are also strong and heroic and brave and clever – and sweet and caring and so afraid that love is going to slip right out of their grasp.

In A Wicked Game, the third in the Ruthless Rivals series, the Davies and Montgomerys are at it again. They’ve had a feud going forever, but somehow a couple of them always manage to fall head-over-heels and have their HEA. We suspect Morgan and Harriet might be headed down that same hilarious path, but they don’t make it easy. Grew up together, fighting, teasing, playing tricks and absolutely never going to acknowledge that little flutter in their heart when the other is near, because they are certain those feelings are not and never will be reciprocated.

Captain Morgan Davies was shipwrecked and imprisoned because of an incorrect map, and he’s come back to London to make the man who made that map pay. Except that man is Harriet. And to make things really interesting, they had a bet before he sailed off: three kisses if he survived the war and returned home. She pretended not to care but hoped winning the bet would motivate him. It did, but what really kept him going was just the thought of her. We see how they feel, their friends and family see how they feel (even if they don’t know about this spicy, forbidden bet!) but Harry and Morgan are clueless. And that’s why this story is so much fun. He’s not about to declare his feelings because of course he knows she doesn’t feel that way. What he is about to do, though, is collect on those kisses – on his terms. She pretends to be aloof but she’s as eager as he is to get to the when, how and where (especially the where) those kisses will take place.

A Wicked Game has it all: rival families, enemies to lovers, dares, bets, teasing, flirting, danger, adventure – and some very serious feelings and lots (and lots and lots) of steam. I really enjoy Regency Era stories because of all those rules. Rules that seem foolish to us now but could have ruined a lady for an action we would consider insignificant today. But does Harriet feel ruined? Not hardly. More like she’s finally been brought to life. And she’s going to fight to keep that feeling.

I said at the beginning that Kate Bateman is the author is all you need to know. If you’re not completely convinced yet, read how Harriet felt after Morgan’s first kiss: “She didn’t care. Knowledge was power. This was power. She could feel it. Drugging her, coursing through her veins, making her weak and strong at the same time. She knew how to kiss this man. It was as if she’d kissed him a thousand times before, a path so familiar she must have walked it in another life.” If this doesn’t give you chills, make you swoon, and have you running, not walking to get this book, there is no hope for you. I received a free copy of A Wicked Game and am voluntarily leaving this honest review. I highly recommend this and every other thing Kate Bateman has written, will write, or is thinking about writing. She takes that familiar trope and twists it up to make it original, entertaining, and amazing. Every single time. All opinions are my own.

I adored Morgan and Harriet's story!! We've seen bits and pieces of their relationship in other books in the series, so I was really looking forward to their story. Bateman did NOT disappoint!! Such a wonderful read!

The plot and the writing flowed nicely, creating a tremendously enjoyable story.

Morgan Davies was imprisoned and tortured during the war, all due to an incorrect map. He has sworn to exact revenge on the mapmaker responsible for this atrocity. Much to his delight, this turned out to be none other than Harriet Montgomery, his long-time crush. Harriet made a wager with Morgan for three kisses if he returned unscathed from the war. And Morgan was ready to collect.

A wicked, wicked game it was indeed. Morgan grew increasingly less circumspect about his feelings for Harriet as time went on. I loved how he knew right from the start that he wanted her, and he wasn’t deluding himself about it either. He just had to win her over. And Harriet sure made him work hard for those three kisses.

All the map facts and processes were super interesting, and the author cleverly incorporated map and ship metaphors throughout.

I can highly recommend this entire series if you like historical romance that is fun and light, with some action thrown in. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but I always like reading them in order.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Daivies an Montgomery families have been foes for many generations. However the new generations of both families are finding attraction to each other including several marriages.. Captain Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery have always enjoying teasing each other as children. As they enter into society, each begin to realize they have feelings for the other. Bue due to their family history, both are concerned what their families will say about their budding relationship. Captain Morgan had ben in prison during his military service and thoughts of Harriet have sustained him. Harriet has thought about Morgan and wondered if he would return to Lnodon. Each try to deny what is happening, until Harriet makes a wager that becomes a wicke game that Morgan cannot refuse.to engage in. .Both are surprised as they admit to theirselves their feeling for what another.. Who will win their wager? What will they discover about each othrr as this wager continues? How with their families reaction to their interaction? Read this well written story to discover these answers and more. .

I'm a big fan of Kate Bateman as a writer, and she usually does enemies to lovers brilliantly. I really enjoyed the last book in this series, particularly for its humor. This one had some of Bateman's strengths on display, with plenty of sharp banter and steam. I was a little disappointed, though, that Harriet, the MFC, wasn't better fleshed out as a character, and there was a lack of edgy conflict, a hallmark of a few of Bateman's older books. There was a hint of suspense at the beginning, but that takes a backseat until around the 85% mark, when an action scene pops up with little foreshadowing. It felt as if the writer started with a juicy idea for a darker plot, but abandoned it for something lighter and more mundane, until the very end.

There were definite possibilities with the setup. Morgan, the MMC, is on a search for "R. Crusoe", and that could have segued into some interesting developments; for example, what if there had been serious repercussions following Morgan and his crew's imprisonment? After all, Morgan had been falsely accused of being an English spy. He could have easily lost men to deprivation and beatings, and he might have had to go into hiding. The revelation of "Crusoe" in the first couple of chapters is instead quickly glossed over. SPOILER AHEAD........................In fact, Harriet finds it satisfying and amusing that she'd led Morgan and his crew astray (weirdly, she's much more concerned that her maps might have led to the deaths of French crews??).

Around the 25% mark, when Morgan brings up the harrowing experience he had with his crew, Harriet just says that he was lucky he wasn't detained longer, at least he had an adventure (??) and then goes on to complain about having to care for her "near-blind" father. Her character does mellow a bit toward the end, especially as she finds out more details about what Morgan and his men endured, but her lack of depth and emotional maturity for most of the storyline hampered my enjoyment of the cat-and-mouse romantic scenes.

Morgan is quite likable, on the other hand, and when events are described from his viewpoint, you wish he'd been paired with a different MFC. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much of a character arc. Everyone knows he's really a good guy, even her father, and he loves Harriet from the beginning of the book, so the only "will-they-won't they" tension arises from Harriet's smug dismissals of him. He never outright challenges the smugness of her presumptions.

Overall, I did like this book, but it I can't give it more than 4 stars. I think I just expected something more, and something different, after the last entry in the series, which was even more fun as an "enemies to lovers" romance.

Steam level: 2-3. Spicy but not graphic.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

This one was definitely a favourite of mine in 2022. I must admit that I had a hit or miss relationship with the author’s previous books but this one overruled all my expectations.
I’m a huge mood reader and when I need to change something, I’ll always go for a historical romance story. I loved the connection of the characters so much. It made for an entertaining and enjoyable read in a few hours. The chemistry was there at all times, the growth of them was so good to read about and also made me happy that they have flows just like everyone else in real life.
A perfect historical romance in my cards.

📖Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Kate Bateman never fails with this series! Each one is so different and absolutely perfect! I highly recommend this author!

I enjoyed this book a lot. The scene at the very beginning of the book where Harriet bets Morgan for the kisses if he returns from the war set the stage for this romance. The two main characters care a great deal for each other, and therefor, this book has some big swoons.

A great addition to this series. From childhood Morgan and Harriet have teased and bet each other. Now they are all grown up. Morgan has been captured and thoughts of Harriet keep him from giving up. He even uses her to keep his crew motivated. But he can't tell her. Afterall their families don't get along. She bet him 3 kisses if he will just make it home. This story was fun to read. The distance they will go to best each other just made me laugh!
Loved this one.

A great novel that builds not eh reader's curiosity about Harriet and Morgan in Books 1 & 2. The writing is engaging, the plot is organic, and the tension slowly builds after Morgan falls first. Definitely going to read Bateman's backlist now.

I’ve read the previous two books in the Ruthless Rivals series by Kate Bateman, and I’ve been enjoying the whole enemies-to-lovers trope. But I wasn’t sure if a third book with the same theme and the same two rival families would work or just feel like a rehashing of the previous books. I’m happy to say that I found A Wicked Game entertaining and a wonderful addition to the series.

Wicked Game follows Morgan and Harriet. Growing up, there was always a rivalry between the two of them. Each trying to one-up the other and issuing ridiculous wagers. But in secret, they each harbored a crush on the other. Now it’s all come to a head when Morgan is back from war, looking to cash in on winning the latest bet. His winnings are three kisses from Harriet.

I liked both characters. Harriet was interesting because she is a map maker, just like her father, and she’s actively plying her trade. It’s actually woven quite nicely into the story and even plays an important part in the plot. She’s witty, outspoken, and adventurous. I just enjoyed her.

Morgan was your typical historical hero. He was self-assured and was pretty much not going to take no for an answer when it came to Harriet. Morgan was obsessed with her and was determined to make her his wife. He just had to convince Harriet that they were meant to be. Together the sparks jumped off the page, and I had to keep turning the pages to see how they found their happily ever after.

I truly enjoyed A Wicked Game. There was plenty of character development, and the romance built and progressed over the course of the book. I was drawn into the story because of the banter between Morgan and Harriet, and stayed glued to the pages until the end. I can’t wait for the next installment in the Ruthless Rivals series and highly recommend the series to historical romance fans.

I feel blessed to had a chance to read A Wicked Game prior it’s release. I loved it so much!

As you might know, this year I rediscovered my love for historical romance and I am going through all the popular authors I haven’t had a chance to read before, Kate Bateman being one of them.

I guess after finishing A Wicked Game I can see where all the hype comes from.
She is just a mastermind when it comes to creating/showing chemistry between main characters.

I could feel it on every single page that included Harry and Morgan together.
This is (fr)enemies to lovers story, but it was obvious from the very first page that the characters have feelings for each other.
One would said, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife.

Also, it helps that the story itself was pretty entertaining and fun.
I like how the author gave us all the informations about cartography and paper places (that I knew something about already from Paper Towns by John Green).
I was never brilliant when it comes to history, but Bateman made sure to pull me right to the historical period our characters live in by throwing some real happenings that took place in that time.
I also appreciate the action that happened closer to the end.

The story is written in third person and it is so easy to read.

This is third book in the series but it can be read as standalone. However, characters from the first two novels make appearance as side characters in this one.

I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman in the future.

I enjoyed A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman, book three in her Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on members of the Davies and Montgomery families and their ongoing love and hate saga.
Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after a shipwreck and near death experience determined to win Harriet Montgomery. He and Harriet, his long-time adversary, made a bet of three kisses that he wouldn't return home safely and he’s ready to cash in. Convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet. Harriet has also desired the rogue Captain, but feared publicly admitting it. She is secretly thrilled that he has returned and happy that he is calling in the debt of those three kisses as payment for his safe return; though she'd never admit it to him. The chemistry between Harriet and Morgan sizzles as the banter between them is playful.

Ms. Bateman wrote a wonderful, amazing tale that captures you on page one, not letting go until the last and is not to be missed. Throw in being imprisoned by the enemy because of an inaccurate map, revenge on the cartographer and don't forget the enemies to lover's romance. All this and a mystery and kisses too. With sizzling chemistry, witty banter, endearing characters, twists and turns, as well as a swoon worthy romance. I highly recommend A Wicked Game to other readers and look forward to reading the next book in this series, which I hope is Rhy’s.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I was excited when I was invited to review A Wicked Game. I had reviewed the previous two books in the series and wanted to read Morgan’s story. So, I did an odd sort of happy dance in my living room (I was dodging two kittens, two one years old and a six-year-old cat who were very curious about Mom going “Oh yeah, oh yeah” and fist-pumping). I was justified in my excitement about this book. It was the best book in the series.

A Wicked Game is the love story between Morgan Davies and Harriet Montgomery. Morgan is a Welsh naval captain who had been captured by the French for years before being freed. Harriet is Morgan’s childhood friend/nemesis. She is also the cartographer who drew the map that led to Morgan’s imprisonment. Now that Morgan is free, he is determined to win Harriet over. But that is easier said than done. Harriet is an independent woman who cares for her blind father and doesn’t trust Morgan. Add the Frenchman who captured and tortured Morgan, has eluded capture, and has been seen in London….looking for the cartographer who drew the map and Morgan. Will Morgan confess his feelings for Harriet? Will Harriet learn to trust Morgan and her feelings? Will the Frenchman find Harriet and Morgan?

I had gotten a glimpse into Harriet and Morgan’s characters in the previous two books. From what I saw, I liked them and couldn’t wait to see if they would end up together.

Morgan—-I don’t even know where to begin with him. As I mentioned above, I loved him in the previous two books and was looking forward to his story. It didn’t disappoint. I loved that Morgan was open about how he felt about Harriet. Even in the scenes at the ball (where he secured his three kisses), he knew he loved her. But the time spent in captivity brought those feelings more into focus. He was rare for a romance hero; he admitted his feelings pretty early on in the book and then spent the rest of the book trying to convince Harriet his feelings were genuine. That alone made this book so great to read.
Harriet—I liked Harriet, but there were times when I wanted to shake her. Like the night when Morgan promised her three kisses. I couldn’t believe that she thought he was joking. Harriet grew up with him. She should have known that he wasn’t playing with her. I liked that the author went in a different direction with her. Instead of making her part of the ton, she was a regular Miss who worked as a cartographer for the British government. It was an exciting change of pace from the usual Regency romances I read, and I loved it.
Several notable secondary characters added extra depth to the book. I loved seeing the characters from the previous books make appearances.

I am obsessed with Regency romance and can’t read enough of them. A Wicked Game fits perfectly into the historical romance genre. So it is a bonus when a book written in that genre is as well-written as this one was.

The storyline with Morgan, Harriet, and their love story was well written. I was 100% on team Morgan and loved that he was so much in touch with his feelings. He was willing to do anything to show Harriet that his feelings were genuine.

The storyline with Harriet, the copycat, her working for the government, and the Frenchman was riveting. The author did a fantastic job of showing how Harriet did her job, mainly how she drew the maps that would end up in the enemies’ hands. The author also showed that while she successfully ran her business, it was a male-dominated society, and she had to hide behind a male identity. That led to her issues with the rival printer, and in turn, that led to the Frenchman.

This wouldn’t be a good review if I didn’t mention the sex. There are a lot of sex and sexual situations in A Wicked Game. When Morgan started collecting his three kisses, he didn’t say what type. That first sexual situation was out of this world. The other sexual situations and sexual acts were either just as good or better than that first scene. I kept thinking, “Dang, Harriet, he’s a keeper.“

The end of A Wicked Game kept me on edge. The author kept me guessing what would happen with Harriet and Morgan (even though I knew they would end up together). She wrapped up all the storylines in a way that satisfied me as a reader. I hope she will write more books in this world.

I would recommend A Wicked Game to anyone over 21. There are sex, sexual situations, mild violence, and no language.

Tropes: Feuding Families, Childhood Friends, Frenemies-to-Lovers, Working Heroine, Soldiers/Sailors/War, Revenge, Spy/Govt Work

Captain Morgan Davies returns to London after a shipwreck with revenge and kisses on his mind! He and his long-time “nemesis,” Harriet Montgomery, made a bet, and he’s ready to cash in. But convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet!

This is the third book in The Ruthless Rivals series, which focuses on family members from the feuding Davies and Montgomery families. Harriet’s cousin Maddie and Morgan’s eldest brother Griff is the couple from book one, and they play a role in this story.

Kate Bateman – and this series – keeps delivering! The story starts quickly and pulls the reader right into Morgan and Harriet’s “I dare you” friendship. The chemistry sizzles as Harriet had bet Morgan three kisses that he wouldn’t return home safely…unfortunately (or fortunately, wink) for her, she didn’t specify what kind of kisses or where on her body he could place them. Their playful banter was a lot of fun, and I liked that Morgan is the one leading with his heart first.

There was also an excellent secondary story taking place, and it weaved in beautifully. Harriet has been helping her father’s map-making business by secretly helping the British Navy with fake maps to use against enemies. A threat from Morgan’s past catches up to them and a French ex-soldier comes looking for one of the falsified maps, putting them both in danger.

I was completely engaged in this story and the end, in particular, pushed all the right romance buttons. I hope this isn’t the end of the Montgomery-Davies feud because I’d love to see Rhys find a match, too!

~ Leslie