Friday, October 15, 2021

Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert

Fake homecoming. Fake boyfriend. Real feels.

The sexy Navy chief and his best friend’s adorkable little brother…

It’s petty, but Naval Chief Derrick Fox wishes he could exact a little revenge on his ex by showing off a rebound fling. His submarine is due to return to its Bremerton, Washington, home base soon and Derrick knows all too well there won't be anyone waiting with a big, showy welcome.

Enter one ill-advised plan…

Arthur Euler is the guy you go to in a pinch—he's excellent at out-of-the-box solutions. It's what the genius music-slash-computer nerd is known for. So when he finds out Derrick needs a favor, he’s happy to help. He can muster the sort of welcome a Naval Chief deserves, no problem at all.

Except it is a problem. A very big problem.

When Arthur’s homecoming welcome is a little too convincing, when a video of their gangplank smooch goes enormously viral, they're caught between a dock and a hard place. Neither of them ever expected a temporary fake relationship to look—or feel—so real. And Arthur certainly never considered he'd be fighting for a very much not-fake forever with a military man.

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Sailor Proof by Annabeth Albert

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Carina Press (HQN)

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Angie☆☆☆☆
Fake boyfriend books can go one of two ways for me. Really good or horrible. This one was good. It was low angst, lots of steam, and one dreamy kiss started it all. This author is hit or miss with me, but this book was a hit for me. I loved both the main characters and how things progressed. I'm interested to read the next book in the series as well.

 

 

Author Bio

ANNABETH ALBERT grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

Connect with Annabeth

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Annabeth's Angels

 

 

Carina Adores.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Sailor Proof (Shore Leave #1) by Annabeth Albert to read and review.

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Custom Love by Chantal Fernando

They’ll do whatever it takes to keep their new family safe. A Fast & Fury Novel.

The thrilling conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Chantal Fernando's Fast & Fury series, fully loaded with intense emotions and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

All she wanted was the truth.
All he wanted was to be left alone.


Nadia has always been in charge of her life. As a private investigator, she makes her own hours and only takes on cases that she wants to work on. But when a family friend asks her to look into a case, she instantly regrets it—it hits far too close to home.

The last thing she wants to do is rip open old wounds. Especially Trade’s, the single father she’s been spending time with. It isn’t long before she’s falling not just for him, but for the kids he’s trying so hard to protect.

But the little voice in Nadia’s head tells her that something isn’t right, and she’s determined to find the truth. Using her connections to the Knights of Fury MC and the Fast & Fury motorcycle garage to gather evidence, Nadia uncovers evidence of a conspiracy that will leave everyone shaken—and force her and Trade to do whatever it takes to keep their new family safe.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Fast & Fury series!
For book one, Custom Built, click HERE.
For book two, Custom Made, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Custom Love by Chantal Fernando

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Carina Press (HQN)

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Mary☆☆☆☆
The beginning of this story will suck you in and make you want to keep reading to see what happens in the end.

Nadia is a private investigator trying to get to the truth. She has a gut feeling that the man in prison is not telling the truth. As she digs around, she feels bad about digging up old wounds, but she wants to get to the truth.

It has been over a year since Trade's world fell apart. He has been trying to get his life back on track for himself and his kids. When Nadia shows up, the sparks between them start to fly. He wants to move on but when he finds out what case Nadia is working on, it might end things between them before they begin.

This story is fun, flirty, suspenseful, romantic, heartbreaking, and in the end, it was perfect. I have come to really enjoy this series and love this author's stories that I have read so far. I can't wait to see what the next book will be about.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in this series, and ties in with the Knights of Fury series too – so lots of friends to catch up with as well as a lovely romance!

PI Nadia, Bronte's best friend and ex-employer, is enjoying being friends with the MC guys, and Trade, who recently lost his girlfriend, Ariel, has attracted her attention more than others. So when she is asked to show that the person in prison for her death is innocent, she is very torn. Her loyalties are split, but her desire to see justice overrides all else.

As she and Trade spend more time together, and she gets to know his children, she knows that this is getting very complicated. I really liked how they dealt with the need for communication, for honesty, and for care about how their closeness may affect the children. Trade has always been a good guy, so his behaviour is not unexpected, but it is welcome.

I really enjoyed the mystery side of the story too, as the tension was well maintained, and the twists kept me on edge very effectively. I will say no more!

A great addition to the series, and great to see how previous romances are moving forward. Already looking forward to the next one...

 

 

Author Bio

CHANTAL FERNANDO is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club series, the Cursed Raven Motorcycle Club series, and the Maybe series, along with several other novels. She lives in Western Australia, where she is working on her next book.

Connect with Chantal

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Chantal's Clubhouse

 

 

Carina Press.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Custom Love (Fast & Fury #3) by Chantal Fernando to read and review.

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Walk on the Wilder Side by Serena Bell

She’s rocking his boat, in the best possible way.

His best friend’s sister is rocking his boat. In the best way possible.

Brody

What’s a bad boy doing hosting a book club on his boat? Excellent question. All I can tell you is, it’s not going well. I forgot the bug wipes, the extra TP, and the hand sanitizer, we’re out of wine, and… well, I may have made some people angry, if the reviews are any indication. The only way to dig myself out of this hole is to redeem myself by offering the best girls’ nights out in town.

Enter my best friend’s sister. I’ve gone out of my way to avoid Rachel, since despite her good-girl rep, I can’t seem to get her out of my head. Now she’s in my boat… and if I don’t watch myself, soon she’ll be in my bed. Things are going surprisingly well between us… but I know myself, and I’m not this guy. I’m the guy you want for fantasy fulfillment, not the guy you want for forever.

But what if I need this time to be different?

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Wilder Adventures series!
For book one, Make Me Wilder, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Walk on the Wilder Side by Serena Bell

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Paperback (US)

 

 

She has always had a life plan, and the idea that she would ever honestly want anything from me except what most women want—the bad boy fantasy—is laughable.

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series – each will concentrate on a member of the Wilder family. I would suggest that you read them in order, as the underlying family and business dynamics are core to behaviours which play out in these books. The first book pertained to eldest brother, Gabe – the one that at 15 took on the mantle of head of the family. Next we see Brody, only a year younger, but not given the responsibility at 14, he chose to act out and develop the bad boy persona that now dogs him.

Frustrated that he is not contributing enough to the rebuilding of the family business, Brody is somewhat clutching at straws when he agrees to host book clubs on his boat. The first one does not go well, and once again he faces the disappointment of his older brother. Then a twist of fate brings his best friend's sister to his boat... and the party is definitely not what he expected Rachel to be running. You will certainly laugh through quite a lot of this book!

Rachel did not have the recent events in her life written in her master plan, but she is back home helping her mother whilst she recovers from a broken leg. This puts her right on Brody's boat running a party. She has had a crush on him for years, but unknown to her, her brother, Connor, has been running interference for many years – and isn't planning on stopping now either. But actually, they are both adults now, and whilst she has no intention of staying in their little town, she is keen to experience just what she has been missing.

As they get close, and together face some of the issues that have bothered them for years, they find freedom in each other. Brody gets to live his best life, and Rachel is starting to reconsider whether she could actually change that plan of hers!

A lovely, funny, sexy romance – I am looking forward to the next installment already.


Veronica☆☆☆☆
Brody is the bad boy of the Wilder brothers and his reputation is well earned. Rachel, on the other hand, is the good girl, she plans everything in her life and does the right thing and all it got her was a cheating boyfriend, let go from her job, and back living with her parents in her hometown. On the surface you wouldn’t think that Brody and Rachel would go so well together but they balance each other out well and they really understood each other, which I loved.

This is a fun romantic read. Brody’s reaction the first time Rachel hosted a party on his boat selling products for women was brilliant and really set the tone for the chemistry between the couple. I liked that Rachel went for what she wanted even though it was not what others would have expected from her.

I was surprised how many times tears came to my eyes while reading given this is a romcom, but Brody made my heart ache quite a few times. Issues with his reputation and the way people see Brody and how he sees himself had me tearing up repeatedly. Tears aside, there are lots of sweet and fun times in this romance. I found Walk on the Wilder Side to be an easy-to-read romance and it left me feeling good.

 

 

Why, Rachel? Why are you having underpants feelings for a man who doesn’t speak complete sentences to you?

 

Author Bio



USA Today bestselling author SERENA BELL writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

Connect with Serena

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Corner of Smart & Sexy

 

 

He’s my brother’s best friend. This could be the small town equivalent of a diplomatic incident. Maybe even declaration-of-war level.

 

NetGalley Member. Professional Reader.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Walk on the Wilder Side (Wilder Adventures #2) by Serena Bell to read and review.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

He Said Never by Ruth Cardello

The Lost Corisis. He Said Never by Ruth Cardello. Kindle Unlimited.

From New York Times bestselling author Ruth Cardello comes another burning Corisi romance about family crises, dark secrets, and unforeseen love.

Riley doesn’t want her mom to know that she’s been seeing her newly discovered family, the Corisi clan. Riley’s biological father made her mother’s life hell, and even though he’s dead, her fear of anyone who shares his last name lives on.

After attending two funerals, Gavin’s father has decided Gavin needs a wife and children to be happy. Rather than inheriting his family’s company, Gavin now must earn his way back into his father’s good graces by producing a fiancée.

Everything with Riley would have gone easier if he had just lied to her about his meeting with her brother Dominic. The truth would have hurt her, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He never wanted a relationship, but when he is forced to choose between business or a future with her, he realizes he’ll choose her every time.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of The Lost Corisis series!
For book one, He Said Always, click HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

He Said Never by Ruth Cardello

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~ Also Available with KindleUnlimited ~

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Mary☆☆☆☆
Riley and Gavin meet in a coffee shop where Riley has been stood up yet again. Why can't she find a guy that will actually meet her when he says he will?

Gavin doesn't want a relationship, but his father thinks he needs a fiancée to run the family company. When he meets Riley, there is something about her that draws him to her. He doesn't know what it is, but he wants to be around her. The more time they spend together, the closer they become and feelings begin to grow.

Can they make a relationship work? Will her brother try to ruin things before they really begin? Will Gavin's father approve of Riley?

I liked the first story, but I liked this one more. Here you have Riley looking for love and Gavin never wanting it and together they find each other. Something neither of them thought was possible. This story is great with a love that was almost built on trust, a family built on friendship and love, and a story to read over and over that will leave you feeling happy that you read it. I hope you give this one a chance and you enjoy it too.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Riley wants to find love. She knows that life can be harsh and unforgiving, but she chooses to see the love in life. When she's been stood up again, she thinks maybe it's just not out there for her. As she's leaving the coffee shop, she has a strange encounter where she's propositioned... Not the type of romance she was thinking.

Gavin isn't one to admit defeat, but with his dad's newfound kick on life, Gavin is forced to look for something he doesn't believe in. He sees Riley in the shop and thinks to himself, "Hmm, I could trick my family... she'll do." What he doesn't expect is to find out that Riley is much more than he thought.

These two were on very different paths. One trying to bridge a gaping hole in her family, the other trying to outwit his family. One looking for love, the other running from it. But somehow, they allow the other to see what's possible... what might be.

I really enjoyed watching these two figure it out. It was funny, smart, and I really enjoyed the romance.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, but actually links closely to many of the earlier Corisi series of books. I would recommend that you, at the very least, read the first in this series before you read this, or I do think you will miss out on some of the important back story.

Riley cannot help but be intrigued when she finds that she has living relatives. They may be on her evil father's side, but surely they cannot be like him. He was a terrible man, who so intimidated her mother that she has no trust for the Corisi family at all. So walking a thin line, she is grateful that she meets Gavin, and finds a man who will listen and support. We know that there are some other issues in play, but cannot deny that Gavin realises that his feelings for Riley are not just for show.

I think that this is a really engaging romance, which tests the limits of what someone will do for family, and in spite of family. As Riley wants a connection, Gavin has always rejected them. Luckily, we know that this talented author will deliver just what we want, but not always in the way we expect it!

 

 

Author Bio

RUTH CARDELLO was born the youngest of eleven children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, and New York before coming full circle and moving back to Rhode Island, where she lives with her husband and three children. Before turning her attention to writing, Ruth was an educator for twenty years, eleven of which she spent as a kindergarten teacher. She is the author of seven previous novels including Bedding the Billionaire, which was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Connect with Ruth

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Montlake.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of He Said Never (The Lost Corisis #2) by Ruth Cardello to read and review.

Monday, October 11, 2021

All the Stars by Duckie Mack Blog Tour

Blog Tour. Duckie Mack’s All the Stars.

Rider doesn’t have a lot of rules when it comes to guys, but there is one – he doesn’t date, not ever. He’s content with random hookups because dating means too much. That’s reserved for the one person he knows he can never have, his best friend, Cameron.

After watching his own family fall apart, Cam longs for someone who will stick it out through thick and thin. He’s had a string of girlfriends that never seem to be the right one. The one person he can always count on is Rider.

One night out changes everything between them. When Rider ends up telling Cam the secret he’s been hiding, Cam is left reeling. But will an accident end Cam’s chances to figure out what it means for them?

All the Stars is a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and finding the one that was right in front of you all along.

The Love Bank Romance series features sweet LGBTQ love stories with a little heat.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

All the Stars by Duckie Mack

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Excerpt



I sat there and thought of how the taste and feel of his tongue still lingered on mine. I swept my gaze sideways and watched Rider. I studied the trace of stubble on his cheeks and chin, itching to trace it, to feel it on someone else, not just on my own face. I wanted to touch him, to get closer to him, to learn more. I stretched my arm over and placed it on his thigh again. Rider’s lip tugged up once more as he kept his eyes on the road. I trailed my hand ever so slightly higher.

“Are you feeling curious, Cam?” He teased.

I moved my hand back down. “Is that okay?” I asked sheepishly.

Rider grabbed my hand and returned it to where it had been. “You are allowed to touch me anyway and anywhere you want to. I’m yours to discover.” He emphasized the point by guiding my hand once more, only this time he planted it right over the bulge at the v of his thighs. I sucked in a breath at his boldness, but even after he returned his hand to the steering wheel, I didn’t pull away. I cupped him and let myself feel him beneath the jeans. Rider moaned and his head fell back against the headrest. I added more pressure as I rubbed slowly up and down, as he hardened under my touch. It was fascinating, thrilling – funny too. I knew what this would feel like if it were being done to me, somehow that made it even more exciting to know what I was doing to him.

“Fuck,” Rider whispered and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “On second thought, this might have been a bad idea. I hate that I’m saying this because I really don’t want you to stop. Can we just press pause until we get back to your place? If you keep going, I might stop caring about driving.”

“Maybe you just need to work on your concentration skills,” I said as I reluctantly pulled my arm back. I shifted in my seat as my own arousal pressed against my jeans with Rider’s reaction.

“With you... impossible.” Rider smirked. He adjusted himself too. We were both happily uncomfortable. Did my apartment move? Shouldn’t we be there already?

“So, here’s something you may not know about dating.”

Rider arched his brow. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”

“Normally, the date comes before ending up in bed together,” I stated matter-of-factly.

“Oh, I see. That’s very interesting. Maybe we can do something about that, you know... set things right.” Rider turned to face me briefly with heat in his eyes.

“That could do,” I said as I felt that heat from him reach into me.

 

 

“If I have you, I wouldn’t need anybody else.”     “You have me, Ri,” I whispered.

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Sarah☆☆☆☆
This is a sweet and sexy new adult romance. Best friends Rider and Cam are opposites who love each other deeply. The only problem is that Cam doesn’t quite realise what kind of love he feels for his best friend.

The sexual tension between Rider and the clueless Cam is painfully intense. Rider is the perfect bad boy with a soft heart while Cam is relatively ordinary and slightly geeky. I really enjoyed Cam’s journey of self-discovery. I’m not sure that someone who surrounds himself with LGBT friends could ever be quite as clueless as Cam – but I wanted to believe in his story. Between his backstory and perfect unrequited crush, I fell hard for Rider.

This is my first time reading this author and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. My only reservation about this book is that both men feel really young. They are mid-twenties but feel more like characters caught somewhere between YA and NA. I’m sure this will appeal to some readers, but it threw me a little.

 

 

“Fuck, Cam! Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to see you like this?”

 

Author Bio


Duckie Mack

DUCKIE MACK is the NA/Adult LGBTQ Romance pen name for YA author, Debbie McQueen.

She loves reading and writing stories that show that love isn't defined by gender. She writes sweet romance with a little heat, adorkable characters, and is a sucker for an HEA.

She lives in Southern California with her family, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and loves to give out free hugs at pride events.

Duckie loves to interact with readers and is most active on Instagram.


Connect with Duckie

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Duckie Mack's Ducklings

 

 

Giveaway


 

You Cam. I want you. I’ve always wanted you.

 

Hosted by

Gay Romance Reviews.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of All the Stars (Love Bank Romance #1) by Duckie Mack to read and review for this tour.

Friday, October 8, 2021

Unstoppable by R.L. Mathewson

A Pyte/Sentinel Novel. Unstoppable by R.L. Mathewson. New York Times Bestselling Author.

Revenge and fate come together in the seventh installment of the Pyte/Sentinel series as New York Times bestselling author R.L. Mathewson tells the story of how one of the deadliest shifters in our world is finally brought to his knees.

He couldn’t kill her.

Their mating mark would never allow it, but it would allow him to walk away and never look back. But that wasn’t a choice, not when Kale knew just how dangerous his mate could become if she ever lost control. His plan is simple, keep her safe, out of his way, and focus on the only thing that mattered. He didn’t need her, didn’t want her, and…

He couldn’t stop thinking about her.

No matter how many times Kale tries, he can’t stay away from her and god, does he try. With a bounty on his head and shifters, demons, and vampires doing everything they could to find him, the last thing that Kale needs is to fall in love with his mate.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

No one was supposed to find her. At least, that was the plan, but somehow the incredibly sexy shifter that loved to glare had found her and now…

She was finally where she belonged.

The only problem was, Ashley had no idea why, but she wasn’t going to complain. Not when things were finally making sense. What she was going to do was pretend that the shifter that hated her didn’t make her want things that she couldn’t have. She just needed to lay low, pretend that she had no idea why anyone would be after her, and hope that her secrets didn’t tear them apart.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

Unstoppable by R.L. Mathewson

Book 7
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Kobo  ~  Smashwords

 

 

Reviews


Guest Review


Susan – ☆☆☆☆
I found the long-anticipated release of Unstoppable well worth the wait. R.L. Mathewson weaved an intricate web of storylines into an outstanding book for Kale’s story. She resolves many storylines that were developed throughout the series, giving readers an action-packed story filled with additional plots and newly introduced characters, essentially expanding this series. This is not a stand-alone book as a reader would not be able to fully enjoy the individual storylines woven into Kale’s book. One of the great things that she included in this book was a link to the Pyte/Sentinel cheat sheet that summarizes the characters and defines the different species for a quick refresher, if needed. I love this series and Unstoppable is an excellent addition, one of my favorites.

 

 

Author Bio

New York Times bestselling author R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit, and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.

Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.

Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.

Connect with R.L.

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Pyte/Sentinel Team
Facebook Group: R.L. Mathewson's Neighbors from Hell
Facebook Group: Team Bradford



Susan was provided a free copy of Unstoppable (Pyte/Sentinel #7) by R.L. Mathewson to read and review.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

Can lifelong hate turn to true love?

Meet the Davies and Montgomery families – two households locked in an ancient feud, destined to be on opposing sides forever. Until now...

CAN LIFELONG HATE

Madeline Montgomery grew up despising––and secretly loving––the roguish Gryffud “Gryff” Davies. Their families have been bitter rivals for hundreds of years, but even if her feelings once crossed the line between love and hate, she’s certain Gryff never felt the same. Now, she’s too busy saving her family from ruin to think about Gryff and the other “devilish” Davies siblings. Since he’s off being scandalous in London, it’s not like she’ll ever see him again...

TURN TO TRUE LOVE

As the new Earl of Powys, Gryff Davies planned on spending his post-war life enjoying the pleasures of London. But when an illegal duel forces him to retreat to his family’s Welsh castle, he realizes the only exciting thing in the dull countryside will be seeing the fiery Maddie Montgomery. Thoughts of his nemesis sustained Gryff throughout the war; but the girl he loved to tease has grown into a gorgeous, headstrong woman – who loathes him just as much as she ever did. Will secret tunnels, dangerous smugglers, and meddling from their feuding families be enough to make Maddie and Gryff realize that their animosity is really attraction... and maybe even love?

A Reckless Match is the first in a new regency romance series by Kate Bateman about two feuding families, and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love.

 

Add to Goodreads.

 

A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)

 

 

Reviews


Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Erica☆☆☆☆
A Reckless Match is the first installment in the Ruthless Rivals series.

At the start, I was hooked on the long-standing, bad blood history between the neighboring families. Intrigued, I had to learn more. The Montgomerys versus the Davies. The English versus the Welsh, even their lands bordering one another had to rub each other raw. A never-ending feud fueling each generation to loathe one another over the centuries, even if the true reason behind the feud was lost in translation as time crept forward.

Bringing unexpected levity, Madeline Montgomery and Gryff Davies hold to tradition, pranking and teasing, and just generally annoying one another to the point of frustration. This is most certainly a situation where Gryff pulls Madeline's pigtails because he secretly likes her. Nothing like irritating your crush to garner attention.

If the pattern holds true, then the Montomerys and the Davies throughout the generations probably enjoyed each other’s company, enough to focus on it so heavily, similarly to how our hero and heroine's fathers had a secret friendship over the course of their lives.

Sweet, taunting, and surprisingly entertaining, Madeline and Gryff poke one another in various ways over the course of the novel, drawing in angst and drama and lighthearted romance, all surrounding a not-too complicated mystery.

The future pairings of the series draw a bit too much attention for my taste, feeling as if the focus was diverted from the main couple of this novel. While this laid the groundwork for future installments, establishing a connection for future antagonizing couplings, this overshadowed the current romance happening on the pages. If the reader becomes more intrigued with what could happen in the future, taking the experience from our narrators, the story we're reading in the now loses its luster.

A quick afternoon read, the pages flying by in a few short hours. I was entertained, left looking forward to the next installment. I recommend to historical romance fans of the author.

 

 

Author Bio

KATE BATEMAN, (also writing as K.C. Bateman), is the #1 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.

Connect with Kate

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Facebook Group: Kate Bateman's Badasses in Bodices

 

 

St. Martin’s Press.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of A Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals #1) by Kate Bateman to read and review.