A review by rusereviews
A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman

emotional funny lighthearted tense

4.5

A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman is an enemies to lovers historical romance, and the third book in the Ruthless Rivals series. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at eleven hours and is narrated by Beverley A. Crick.

Morgan and Harriet have nursed a playful rivalry between the two of them since they were children. Before Morgan left London to join the Royal Navy, Harriet bet him that he wouldn't come back. If he proves her wrong, he will receive three kisses. And then a danger from his past comes back to haunt them and put them both in danger.

This is my first book by the author, and I'm absolutely going to read more. This is book three in its series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. The chemistry between the leads was perfection and you could really tell they've been pining after one another for YEARS.

The Davies and the Montgomery families have a long-standing family rivalry, mostly along the lines of never backing down from a dare made from either side. There's some hemming and hawing of "but we shouldn't be together" but not overly so.

I love that Harriet is a cartographer. I have noticed lately that books that have smart women in them are my kryptonite. I can see fans of Some Dukes Have All The Luck by Christina Britton also enjoying this one.

Tropes in this book include: regency, enemies to lovers

CW: firearms, mentions of being prisoner of war

I received a copy of this book to review. All opinions contained herein are my own. A Wicked Game releases on December 27th, 2022

Expand filter menu Content Warnings