Arc Review: A Daring Pursuit

Friends, I am SO excited to be sharing my eARC review of Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals continuation in: A Daring Pursuit. Kate was a late 2021 new (to me) author find and I was introduced to these long time feuding families through A Reckless Match.

This book picks up shortly after book 1, with very proper and extremely restrained (and recently back from fighting Napoleon) architect Tristan Montgomery. Who seems to be having a lot of conflicted feelings over beautiful and infuriating spectacle maker Carys Davies. Much like in book 1, I think what works here is the long standing antagonistic relationships these two have shared. 

Carys, is a real gem of a love interest. She’s flawed, and complex without having a deeply traumatic backstory. She’s absolutely been wronged and is doing her part in ensuring the rest of her family would not be exposed to the scandal she had been coerced into. Tristan, easily misunderstanding the situation Carys has found herself in, suggests she needs to fully experience the many pleasures of love-making before deciding to finally pick a husband.

That’s right y’all: historical romance sex tutor.

I think what works well is that they are not truly enemies (in the sense many enemies to lovers are written), but rather two people actually quite enamoured with each other, and having known each other since childhood, are easily and readily equipped with what buttons to push. These two are so stupid in love with each other, but can’t seem to put their fingers on what emotions the other is bringing out in them.

I enjoyed the banter and connection that grew between Tristan and Carys, including how lovely it was to see Carys let her love of animal husbandry out. I also loved that this was mostly low-angst and did not have a third act breakup!

Fans of the first book will enjoy seeing Gryff, Maddie, Rhys, Morgan Constance and Prudence (who steal the show a little bit). Y’all I loved it. It was easy to enjoy and offers a great amount of fun, heat, plot and always a little bit of danger. 

Kate’s writing is so joyful and fun to read and would be perfect for fans of Tessa Dare and Christy Carlisle. Be sure to pick up A Daring Pursuit wherever you get your books, May 24th 2022