A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman (ARC Review)

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman
Series: Ruthless Rivals #2
Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on May 24, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: ARC

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 A Daring Pursuit.

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?

Warning: This review was entirely written in shrieks of glee that have been loosely translated into something someone might be able to read. TLDR: One of my favorite books of 2022 without a doubt. I know that its only March but I’m calling it.

Carys is so delightful! She is a brash, loyal, witty, and passionate firecracker with a hidden, lonely layer of brittle expertly hidden by layers of armor. Outrageous outfits and a devil-may-care confidence shield her by creating self-cultivated mini scandals to distract from her secrets. I don’t think I can stress it enough; I adore Carys. I’m not sure she could do wrong in my eyes.

Her favorite hobby, after rescuing all sorts of animals to add to the menagerie, is provoking Tristan. Who could blame her? The cool to Cary’s fire, Tristan has an exacting, rigid personality that makes a person want to see what it takes to upend it all. Carys has spent most of her time teasing and attempting to shock Tristan into a reaction. I desperately wanted to see his buttoned up self come undone and boy did Bateman deliver.

Fair warning, this a mild rivalry not the enemies-to-lovers a reader could expect. Friendly ribbing, inside jokes, and a passion that burns so brightly that I wasn’t sure if I was blushing or if I was sunburned.

I love the “tutor in passion” trope and Tristan’s slow, sexy approach was chef’s kiss. Bateman found that sweet, sweet balance of heartwarming, romantic feelings and delicious white hot lust long buried between rivals.

More positions than just missionary for the win! Post-life or death experience romp outdoors? Yes please.

This is only book two in Ruthless Rivals so far, you can read my review of book one here, but I am ready to say that this is my favorite series by Bateman! I adore the Davies – Montgomery rivalry romances. I can’t wait to see what Bateman has in store for the rest of the families!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and the author for the review copy!