ARC Review: A Wicked Game (Ruthless Rivals #3) by Kate Bateman
10:00
Series: Ruthless Rivals #3
Author: Kate Bateman
Published December 27th 2022 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Goodreads Synopsis
If there’s one thing impossible for a Davies to resist, it’s a challenge from a Montgomery. . .
A teasing bet.
Shipwrecked and imprisoned thanks to an incorrect map, Captain Morgan Davies has returned to London to exact sweet revenge on the cartographer responsible for his suffering. He’s also vowed to claim the winner’s prize―three kisses―in the bet he made with his long-time nemesis, the prickly, smart-mouthed Harriet Montgomery. His incarceration has clarified his feelings for her, but convincing the infuriating woman he wants to marry her is going to be his greatest challenge yet. When Harriet’s revealed to be the very mapmaker he seeks, Morgan decides to combine revenge and seduction into one delightful package. . .
A dangerous enemy.
Harriet’s always wanted witty scoundrel Morgan, and now he’s back; as handsome and as taunting as ever. She has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s failing eyesight and a rival mapmaker copying her work to play wicked games with a dastardly Davies―however tempting he might be. But when a threat from Morgan’s past puts them both in danger, Harry discovers that she and Morgan might not be enemies at all . . .
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Finding his way back home after being shipwrecked and imprisoned on a Caribbean island, Captain Morgan Davies is out for revenge. It's only down to a badly drawn map, or intentionally misdrawn one, that his ship ran aground, and he and his men found themselves captives. So when he discovers that the cartographer was none other than Harriet Montgomery, his nemesis and the woman who gets his heart racing, he can't get revenge but instead works with her to try and draw out the French spy.
This book was everything I wanted it to be, and so much more. Harriet and Morgan's chemistry has always jumped out in the previous books, and I loved how much they grew as individuals, and as a couple over the course of this book. Though they've both hidden and denied their feelings in the past, since they were young, they've had a tendre for one another, and it simply grew as adults. With Morgan having a lot of time to think while at sea, and held captive, Harriet was one of his only thoughts - so much so that his men knew about her, which was cute when she met some of them in London. On his return home, he had only two intentions - find the cartographer and make him pay, and get Harriet once and for all. I loved that he let go of his revenge when he realised it was Harriet, and moved to proving his worth to her, and showing his love. Harriet was so strong, but she also had her moments of weakness, and Morgan was there to help her through it. She might be related to the Montgomery's, but her father was a poorer relation, and with his eyesight failing him, Harriet has had to step up greatly. I think this one might be my favourite of the trilogy, but, honestly, they've all been great. Kate has created a wonderful series here, and I love how all three couples were about to get their happy endings!
Dates Read:
October 24-25, 2022
Rating
5 Stars
0 comments