About the Book:
Title: A Daring Pursuit
Author: Kate Bateman
Series: Ruthless Rivals #2
Page Length: 320
Publication Date: May 24, 2022
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Synopsis: 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?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
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My Review:
I was so excited to read A Daring Pursuit, especially after reading and loving A Reckless Match, the first book in the Reckless Rivals series. Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this romance is wonderful!
A terrible first romance left Carys Davies betrayed, blackmailed, and unimpressed with love. She has no desire to marry and will do everything in her power to prevent it, especially since a secret could be exposed if she ever wed. Tristan Montgomery is in search of a respectable woman to marry, but he can’t deny that he is drawn to Carys. When the pair agrees to a one-week affair, they expect to enjoy each other and then go their separate ways. However, as they spend time together, they must decide if their love is worth the risk.
Carys and Tristan have a fantastic enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract romance. Siblings of the protagonists in the first book in the series, Carys and Tristan have disliked each other for years. Carys is bold and extroverted, yet she keeps people, especially men, at arm’s length. Tristan, an architect, is proper and unemotional, the exact opposite of Carys, and he’s equally scandalized and enchanted by Carys’s boldness. Though they are very different in temperament and style, they are alike in their intellect, fierce loyalty to their family, and feelings for each other. Carys and Tristan have amazing chemistry, and their banter has an abundance of sexual tension. Neither wants to admit their feelings, and both believe the other detests them, but they can’t help but tease and goad each other. Their feelings have simmered for years, and watching them slowly give up the fight and give in to their feelings is wonderful.
Though this can easily be read as a standalone, many characters from the first book have secondary roles in this one. I always love when authors include favorites from previous books. It’s like catching up with old friends. Carys and Tristan’s siblings and aunts, and even Carys’s unique and clever animals, are all dynamic characters, and I enjoyed their parts in the story and in Carys and Tristan’s developing romance. Tristan’s aunts are my favorite. They are so funny and fantastic!
Like the first book, the story delves into the long-standing feud between the Davies and the Montgomerys. In the story, the Davies and Montgomerys gather for a week-long celebration. This is one of the few times that the feuding families have celebrated together, and it’s great to see this generation trying to change, heal, and come together in love and friendship. I liked how the families slowly start to break down the walls between them. This generation is determined to put the past in the past, but it’s difficult to move beyond old resentments. However, it’s clear that the families are headed in the right direction, and there are strong feelings of hope and healing where the feud is concerned.
This is a great addition to the series, and I particularly enjoyed the characters, the romance, and the smattering of intrigue as Carys and Tristen become embroiled in a dangerous plot and face many dangerous, and potentially deadly, situations.
Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- The secondary characters.
Recommendations:
Want to learn more about the series? Check out my review of the first book:
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