A DARING PURSUIT by KATE BATEMAN
(St. Martin’s Paperbacks, May 24, 2022, $8.99).
The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. But it’s a thin line between love and hate, in Kate Bateman’s newest entry in the Ruthless Rivals series,
TWO ENEMIES
Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.
ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?
Since
the wedding between Rhys Davies and Maddie Montgomery (A Reckless
Match, Ruthless Rivals #1), the Davies and Montgomery families have
temporarily halted their hostilities between each other. With the
season in full swing, the well-breed in society are flitting between
parties and social gatherings in London. With a reputation for the
outrageous, Carys Davies is again the talk of the ton, with her
daring gowns and antics, as she continues to decline every marriage
proposal as they happen. Back from fighting in the Napoleonic wars,
neighbour, Tristan Montgomery needs a wife… neither sees each other
as a compatible match….And besides, their families wouldn’t
approve?
Carys
Davies has no intention of getting married. A past indiscretion has
come back to haunt her, and therefore, to avoid a scandal, she is
resigned to living her life as a spinster. Only, her secret is
revealed… to her enemy, Tristan Montgomery. However, when the
gentleman understands her dilemma, he agrees to help…in
a mutually agreeable way!
Tristan
Montgomery relishes the challenge of playing cards with those he
knows are poor at the game. It's an opportunity and a distraction and
he's feeling lucky. The result … he wins a carriage! When he goes
to collect his prize, he’s stunned when Carys Davies is sitting inside.
He instantly presumes, she’s waiting for her lover… a married
man. Curiosity piques his interest as he seeks to find out the truth…
with life-changing consequences.
The
interaction between Carys and Tristan is adorable and surprisingly
honest. I admire how the pair conduct their communications; both are
open and forthright, which is intoxicating. The highlight of the
narrative is how these “enemies” turn a convenient arrangement
into something greater than either of them could predict. Even though
they come from rival families, it’s clear they have been aware of
each other since childhood. Memories of childish antics quickly
evaporate as Tristan offers to help Carys out of her predicament.
It’s naughty, but oh so good, as combustible chemistry triggers
more than lust between two people who are as different as chalk and
cheese.
The
author brings us back to familiar territory; the Welsh backdrop where
the thaw between the two families began. It’s a chance for readers
to catch up with familiar characters and become acquainted with those
who are far friendlier than their
ancestors, who tore these close neighbours apart. As with the first
instalment in this series, this too can be enjoyed as a stand-alone…
it comes highly recommended by myself.
Overall,
this isn’t my favourite novel by Ms Bateman. While the push and
pull of the relationship dynamics between Carys and Tristan are
exceptional, the sub-plot where the villain gets his comeuppance
didn’t hit the spot for me. This, however,
is
still a top rate novel... just a tad shy away from a full 5 stars.
***arc generously received courtesy of St Martin’s Paperbacks via NetGalley***
KATE BATEMAN, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is the #1 bestselling author of historical romances, including her RITA® nominated Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, the Bow Street Bachelors series (This Earl of Mine, To Catch an Earl, and The Princess and the Rogue), along with the novels in the Secrets & Spies series (To Steal a Heart, A Raven’s Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart). When not writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss, Kate works as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England. Follow her on Twitter to learn more.
