Book Review: A Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals #1) by Kate Bateman

 

Title:  Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals #1)

Author: Kate Bateman

Stars: 3.5 

Review:

An engaging historical romance story set in 1815 on the border between England and Wales. Two families, who have had a dispute spanning generations, have the opportunity to lay it to rest. Can a mutual attraction between two of the involved parties be the solution that has eluded them for years? It is a delightful chase with a mutually satisfying outcome.

I enjoyed the story and have rated it 3.5 stars. It reminded me of the Hatfield and McCoy feud, without the violence, that took place in the vicinity of where I was raised as a youngster.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

Synopsis:

Maddie Montgomery's family is in debt, and her hope rests on the rival Davies clan missing their yearly “pledge of goodwill,” ceding the land that separates their estates. With Maddie's teenage nemesis, Gryffud “Gryff” Davies, Earl of Powys, away, hope is in reach.

But then, Gryff shows up and is stunned that the tomboy he once teased is now a woman. When Gryff and Maddie discover contraband on their land, they realize it can benefit both families. But they've also uncovered a dangerous plot, and they need to work together to get out alive. Soon, their hatred for each other starts to feel more like attraction.

Kate Bateman brings crackling banter, steamy romance, and a dash of adventure into the first book in the Ruthless Rivals series.

Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: September 28th 2021 by St. Martin's Press

About The Author:

Also writes as K.C. Bateman

Kate Bateman (also writing as K. C. Bateman) wrote her first historical romance in response to a $1 bet with her husband who rashly claimed she'd 'never finish the thing.' She gleefully proved him wrong. Her Regency and Renaissance-era romances all feature her trademark feisty, intelligent heroines, wickedly inappropriate banter, and heroes you want to both strangle and kiss.

When not traveling to exotic locations 'for research,' Kate leads a double life as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK, each of which has up to 2.5 million viewers. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England and writes despite three inexhaustible children and a number-loving husband who still owes her that dollar.