A Daring Pursuit

Written by Kate Bateman

Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. But it’s a thin line between love and hate …

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705039779

Kate Bateman

Kate Bateman, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is a 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.

Reviews for A Daring Pursuit

[Andrea Author · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Architect Tristan is seeking a respectable wife. Yet he can't rid himself of his passion for Carys, the brazen daughter of a rival family. When he learns the secret behind her audacious behavior, he's outraged on her behalf. They embark on an affair that's only meant to last the duration of a house party. Targeted by a dangerous plot, they must work together to save their lives. Will their attraction turn to love?

This book is so much fun. It's lively and witty with compelling characters and an engaging plot. Don't miss it!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Emily Lassiter Branch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun enemies-to-lovers addition to this series - and in fact so far the Ruthless Rivals series is all enemies-to-lovers themed, this being the second book, the third scheduled to be released later this year and appears to be the same. It's a bit like Romeo and Juliet, or the Hatfields and McCoys - two families that have feuded for decades but the current generation is over it - or more accurately finds themselves too attracted to each other to feud.
In this book our heroine, Carys, has a secret in her past that has made her determined not to marry. She's a big bold personality and she plays that up in an attempt to discourage suitors with her outrageous behavior. Tristan, our hero, is as straightlaced and proper as they come. So not only are their families at odds, they're polar opposites in temperament - and as such they're naturally attracted to each other, and in truth always have been. When circumstances reveal Carys' secret to Tristan, they make a pact to become lovers for a week so that she can see what she'll be missing by not marrying. There's blackmail and intrigue, and of course this being a romance we know where things will end up - it's just a matter of the journey they take to get there. And this was an enjoyable journey.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Daring Pursuit by Kate BatemanRuthless Rivals #2The family feud was dealt with in book one of the series though some remnants might exist in books that follow…though not so much in this one. I have to say that I enjoyed the first book a bit more than this one and believe it is because I didn’t warm to Tristan and Carys quite as much as I wished to. They were fine characters but hard to relate to for me personally AND I had trouble seeing why they were interested in one another beyond physical attraction. What I liked: * Carys: sister of three brothers, has a secret she needs to keep, avoiding marriage due to her secret, has a secret hankering for Tristan, rather scandalous…I didn’t feel her behavior was quite in keeping with the era she was living in.* Tristan: younger brother, war veteran, been on the grand tour, architect, intrigued by Carys but also judgmental of her in ways that made me wonder why he was willing to be with her as he was* The animals…and Carys desire to “save” them – they were wild and probably better off with her but still…felt sorry for them* Frances and James: a couple that were friends of Carys and Tristan – would have liked to see more of them* That it was a quick read…just wish I had felt more invested in the story* That there were bad guys to dislike and that some were caught though there were some strings left untied at the end – wondered about Howe’s wife and how she will end up…kind of left hanging in the breeze. Also felt some of the bad guys got off very easily. What I didn’t like: * The people and events I was meant not to like* That it was a bit too predictable and that I didn’t fully invest in the storyDid I enjoy this book? Sort ofWould I read more in this series? MaybeThank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. 3-4 Stars

[scribblers-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lady Carys Davis was a vision of contradictions. Bewitching. Breathtaking. Yet at the same time innocently ignorant. Carys’ confidence to wear clothing deemed undesirable to debutantes was nothing in comparison of her feelings toward obtaining a husband required of a woman of her stature.Tristan Montgomery knew his duty as heir. Find a woman who will be a good wife and mother. He was sure he found the perfect debutante so why did he feel the need to continually torment Carys? But when he learns the reason behind her outrageous behavior, Tristan has to prove not all men are alike.Enemies born of an ancient feud. Both with siblings who overcame huge obstacles. The fatal attraction draws them closer while both pursue different paths. Kate Bateman crushes the Montgomery-Davies feud one sibling at a time. Assuming the two stubborn fools acknowledge their true desires. FIVE STARS all around! Bateman’s version of fire and ice are perfectly perfect rivals. I received this book as an advance review copy free from NetGalley . I have read and reviewed this book voluntarily.--Brenda, JustViews

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do I love this couple, Tristan and Carys? Absolutely! Do I love everything author Kate Bateman writes? You bet I do! A Daring Pursuit is the second in the fabulous Ruthless Rivals series and it is just as much fun as the first book in the series. It’s sparkling, steamy, scandalous, and sweet, full of adventure, danger, deceit, sadness – and love. The Davies and Montgomery families aren’t feuding quite so much since Maddie and Gryff got together in book one, but there is still a lot of rivalry and suspicion. And Maddie’s brother is definitely hands-off to Gryff’s sister. Well, supposed to be anyway.The ton being what it is and the times being what they are, Carys and pretty much all women are locked in by society’s rules and expectations; appearance is everything. And someone did a grave injustice to Carys in the past that has more or less insured she needs to remain single. No home of her own with a husband and children to raise. To ensure potential suitors remain at arm’s length Carys plays the wild child very, very well. But she has a heart, and it’s been broken.Tristan is expected to marry a respectable woman. That certainly lets Carys out. Except there has always been desire for her, desire and warm feelings. And every once in a while he suspects that wild child is just an act. Meaningful looks are exchanged, minds seemingly read, but signals get crossed. And they are still Davies and Montgomerys. Feuding is the way of things.Plenty there for a rich, full story, but author Bateman as usual adds her special touch. This time it’s a week of secret meetings between Tristan and Carys. She says she’ll never get married? Okay then, he is sure he’s just the man to show her what she will be missing. Except what is supposed to be a quick week of simple – if scorching – fun suddenly gets a bit more complicated. Maybe he might be missing something too. Add in threats, treachery, shady characters and it’s another can’t-put-it-down story with a strong plot, beautiful surroundings, hope, tenderness. You know, what we’ve all come to expect and love from this author.Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of A Daring Pursuit via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Counting the days until book three of this supremely satisfying series is available. All opinions are my own.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second book in the Ruthless Rivals romances stars Carys Davies and Tristan Montgomery. They have secretly been fascinated with each other since they were children, but the Davies-Montgomery feud has kept them apart. Carys is built herself quite a reputation in London for her outrageous outfits and bold nature. After a distressing encounter with a man she thought would be marrying her, Carys needs to hide that she is no longer a virgin. That and blackmail from the blackguard who seduced her, has kept her from any thought of marriage. Besides she knows that sex just isn't that great.Tristan Montgomery is back from the war with Napoleon and trying to build his career as an architect. He's looking for the perfect woman to be his wife. She should be someone who will support his career. He's found a candidate even though she doesn't interest him nearly as much as Carys.When he comes upon Carys after a brief encounter with her blackmailer, he discovers that he has major protective instincts where she is concerned. He also proposes that he would be an excellent teacher for the amatory arts. After all, she doesn't know what she would be missing if she remained unwed or married one of her suitors who preferred men.As they two explore each other, each becomes more in love than they were before, but neither is thinking of marriage, until one encounter goes too far, and her blackmailer threatens to destroy her reputation. It helps their cause that the blackmailer is being blackmailed into funneling money to Napoleon which would do a lot more than ruin his reputation if it came out.This was an entertaining and romantic story. I enjoyed both main characters.