A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman: Book Review

A Daring Pursuit

BY Kate Bateman

Rating: 4.5/5 
Genre: Historical Romance
Steam: Explicit!
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pub Date: May 24, 2022
Thank you St. Martin's Press for my Advanced Copy! You're the best!
Available: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop

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A Daring Pursuit Synopsis:

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?

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A Daring Pursuit Review:

Did I skip reading the first book because I didn’t realize this was a series? Yes. Whoops. Did I feel like I was missing things? A little? But it was totally fine once I got more into the book and established. I DEFINITELY want to go back and read the first one. Ok but this book was so good!! I mean Kate Bateman is never going to lead me astray, but FRIENEMIES WITH BENEFITS?!?!?

Ugh. That just hits the spot. Long time family rivals and they’ve always sorta been into each other and she has a secret and THERES TEACHING MOMENTS AND SCANDAL! And bears! And the ever important “it’s only ever been you” moment. I mean these are all just top tier moments in any romance, and then make it a historical romance? Just perfection.

Am I just spewing out nonsense for this review? Yes. But it seriously SO good and my heart!!

Even from the first line, “Lady Carys Davies dressed to meet her blackmailer in the same way she dressed for every other social occasion: scandalously” you know it’s going to be amazing. And it totally lived up to that hype throughout the entire novel. I probably could have written a better analysis on the good and bad of the book, but there’s not really a lot wrong with it, in my opinion. One kinda weird scene towards the end, but overall? It was a great, quick read!

Long Story Short

Do I recommend this book? Yes I do! It has all the pieces I love about historical romance. It’s got ruination scandal, feuding families, societal constraints, and the tension building. All of the key elements to an excellent romance. I can fully say that I am looking forward to reading the first book in this series as well as continuing it as they get released. Totally a fan!

If You Liked This One…

I would highly recommend picking up a Joanna Shupe novel (her recent Fifth Avenue Rebels series for sure). For some reason I haven’t reviewed any of them on the blog?!? But seriously, her books are phenomenal and A Lady Gets Lucky is definitely the closest to this book. Otherwise A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everette would also be a great match!