GIFTED / Today I am happy to bring you my review for a book that I have finished recently: A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman. It is a third book in The Ruthless Rivals series but it can be read as standalone. Still, as I enjoyed the book I highly suggest to read all the previous books in the series (which I still have to do myself).
This novel was published on December 27th by St. Martin’s Press and it has 304 pages. I want to say thanks to Sara La Cotti for giving me an early access to read and review this novel.
About the book:
FROM GOODREADS /
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 . . .
Review:
I feel blessed to had a chance to read A Wicked Game prior it’s release. I loved it so much!
As you might know, this year I rediscovered my love for historical romance and I am going through all the popular authors I haven’t had a chance to read before, Kate Bateman being one of them.
I guess after finishing A Wicked Game I can see where all the hype comes from.
She is just a mastermind when it comes to creating/showing chemistry between main characters.
I could feel it on every single page that included Harry and Morgan together.
This is (fr)enemies to lovers story, but it was obvious from the very first page that the characters have feelings for each other.
One would said, the sexual tension could be cut with a knife.
Also, it helps that the story itself was pretty entertaining and fun.
I like how the author gave us all the informations about cartography and paper places (that I knew something about already from Paper Towns by John Green).
I was never brilliant when it comes to history, but Bateman made sure to pull me right to the historical period our characters live in by throwing some real happenings that took place in that time.
I also appreciate the action that happened closer to the end.
The story is written in third person and it is so easy to read.
This is third book in the series but it can be read as standalone. However, characters from the first two novels make appearance as side characters in this one.
I will definitely read more books by Kate Bateman in the future.
Book Dust Magic 