#katebateman

[darlenefblog]

Road Trip with a Rogue

Her Majesty’s Rebels, book #3) by  Kate Bateman

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks

Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 29, 2025

Print length ‏ : ‎ 333 pages 

A 4 star review

Book blurb:

Mistakenly holding up the coach of the man who broke her heart is bad enough, but having to endure his sinfully alluring company all the way to Scotland is Daisy Hamilton’s worst nightmare . . . and her most secret desire. A midnight mishap. Daisy Hamilton’s new mission for King & Co., London's premier private investigation firm, is simple: stop heiress Violetta Brand from eloping. But her case is derailed when she mistakenly holds up the carriage of Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford—cynical war hero, infamous libertine, and the very man who broke her heart five years ago. A reluctant road trip. Lucien’s determined to see his lovestruck nephew married to Miss Brand, but the unexpected appearance of Daisy— the one woman he’s never been able to forget—could ruin his plans. As they follow the runaway couple together, Lucien decides that delaying the headstrong Daisy by any means possible—including seduction—will be his absolute pleasure . . . and hers. A dangerous desire. After Daisy’s reputation is threatened, Lucien makes a scandalous claim, but when an unexpected enemy threatens her life, he realizes she’s the only woman for him. Their past encounters have made Daisy almost as jaded about love as Lucien himself, and it’s going to take action, not words, to convince this knife-wielding hellion to risk her heart on him again..

My review:

This series has been a play on the TV show Charlies Angels. Three women who start a detective agency and make up a pretend male owner who happens to be named Charles. The ladies are on the outskirts of the ton so they're not scrutinized and even their families overlook them. This gives them the freedom to work and the ton events are a great place for gossip.

Daisy had a crush on Lucien when she was younger, he was friends of her brothers. He blew her off, joined the army & went to fight Napoleon. Once he's home things are not the same, war damages men in ways that aren't always visible. He's pleased to find Daisy has grown up into a lovely intelligent lady. He knows what she does and is open minded, not realistic for men of the era. Lucien hurt her so she tries to keep thing professional between them but it's hard when they're sharing a carriage. I like that Lucien is smitten enough to be the first in love trope character. I like it when the guy gets hit between the eyes and has to work for his HEA.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[bucolicbook]

Road Trip with a Rogue (Her Majesty’s Rebels, #3) by Kate Bateman

Pub date - 7/29/25

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I love Kate Bateman’s writing and Her Majesty’s Rebels has been a series that I’ve really enjoyed so I was excited to read Road Trip with a Rogue.

It took me a good while to get into this one as I had a couple of issues almost immediately -

*I despised Lucien (MMC)

*road trips aren’t a favorite trope of mine

But I kept at this and by the 60% point, I was much more interested.

*enemies to lovers

*road trip

*forced proximity

*one bed

*miscommunication

I’ve read all the titles in this series and you could read this one as a standalone, but you’d be missing out.

**(also, in the very first chapter put Adam Ant’s Stand and Deliver in my head and I needed to listen to it before I could read any further.)

Thank you to St. Martin’s Paperback and NetGalley for the DRC

Road Trip with a Rogue (Her Majesty’s Rebels, #3) by Kate Bateman

[bucolicbook]

How to Fall for a Scoundrel (Her Majesty’s Rebels, #2) by Kate Bateman 

US pub date - 8/20/24

He’s a reformed thief, she co-runs a detective agency. They meet due to him kissing her, and it just gets better from there. 

I absolutely adored Harry, and together he and Eleanor “Ellie” were terrific. 

It was lovely to read them coming together, Ellie letting go of her preconceived notions, as the two fall for each other. Swoon and sigh. 

I loved How to Fall for a Scoundrel and tried my best to not read it too quickly because I wanted to savor the storyline. 

This was my fourth time reading the author’s work and I’m definitely a fan ❤️ Kate Bateman writes engaging stories that are both highly enjoyable and fun to read. 

You could read this as a stand-alone, but you’d be missing out. Recommended series (and author)!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC 

How to Fall for a Scoundrel (Her Majesty’s Rebels, #2) by Kate Bateman

[darlenefblog]

How to Fall for a Scoundrel

 Kate Bateman

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Bateman, and St. Martin's Paperbacks for this advance reader copy of the book. Below is my honest review.

Publication date: ‎ August 20, 2024 Print length: ‎ 296 pages Her Majesty’s Rebels Book 2

What fun. An enjoyable romp from the first page till the HEA. Part Charlies Angels and part Remington Steele, 1970's and 1980's terrific TV shows. Three ladies of the ton work as administrators (really investigators) with a fictious male, Charles King, as the investigation company owner. I imagine Harry looking like Pierce Brosnan, he was Remington Steele, he wound up playing James Bond.

Ellie Law is the daughter of a Chief Justice, her name fits, and knows a lot about law from a lifetime in the house of a judge. The other ladies have their special skills too, don't turn your back on Daisy. While at a Christmas-time ball she enjoys a mistletoe kiss with a handsome stranger. Turns out to be Harry, no idea who he really is but he's a good kisser. Long story short he needs the ladies help and they get a physical Charles King that clients can see, hear, and talk to. Ellie is smart and good at her job, she can trade quips and jabs with Harry leaving him impressed, intrigued and a bit lustful. A totally likeable lady that had me invested in her story from the beginning.

Harry is a hoot. He's a con man for sure. He has a regular past and then a grifter past and the grifter has to help Harry become a regular member of society again. Sounds complicated and it is. Following him, his strange life, and his train of thought is a pleasure, he keeps things lively. What can you say…handsome, interesting, intriguing, and rich, he's the perfect anti-hero/hero. He comes with an Uncle Hugo that you'll love. The 8 Rules of a Gentleman Scoundrel are actually good for anyone to know and follow.

I can't wait for the next story, Daisy. A hermit told her fortune and she'll meet her match on a dark highway. Sounds delicious.

[anitabyars]

Meet Her Majesty’s Rebels: three brilliant women who run King & Co., London’s most exclusive investigative agency...

The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence...

Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.

But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife...is there?

My Review

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story is absolute perfection!! The characters are strong and are living their lives as they want to, not how others expect them to live. And these three, close friends that this series is about, are secretly running King & Co. London’s most exclusive investigative agency. Yes three women as investigators! They brings so much to this story, with their friendship, and intelligence that I can’t wait for the next two in the series. The plot is fabulously fun, sweet, steamy and romantic with a touch of intrigue. Then add in the tropes of a secret virgin, widow, marriage of convenience, secret crush, working heroine, and unexpected inheritance and you have a fantastic story.

This is the story of Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford and Justin Thornton a shipping magnate who has just been given the title of the Duke of Wansford.

Tess Townsend wedding-night death of her repulsive, older husband left her not only the Dowager Duchess of Wansford… but also still a virgin. Although she loves her independence and freedom to investigate with her friends, she also longs to find out what lust is all about without getting married.

Justin Thornton, finds that through the great misfortune of several others death he is now the new Duke of Wansford. He doesn’t really want the title since he has already has a fortune from his shipping business and feels that a title will attract too much attention to him. When he stops at a house party he meets and has a delicious encounter with a mysterious woman who he calls Scarlet, because of her red dress. But not until he sees that same red dress in the ballroom in London does he find out that the Dowager Duchess is his Scarlet. With him needing a wife and Tess needing the continued security of her position they make an agreement, where love will have no place.

These two spark to life with the heat between them. But when Justin starts to question her past and her motives, as she keeps secrets from him. Will these two be able to find the love and trust they both need? You will need to read to get all the details! Captivating!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[anitabyars]

The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. But it’s a thin line between love and hate, in Kate Bateman’s newest entry in the Ruthless Rivals series, A DARING PURSUIT (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, May 24, 2022, $8.99).

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?

My Review

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Daring Pursuit is the second book in the Ruthless Rivals series. This was a wonderful enemies to lovers romance! It was delightfully entertaining. These characters were funny with many laugh out loud moments. The sparing and banter between them was deliciously clever, intriguing and witty. The plot twists are extremely unique. And the steam level is off the charts. I loved it! I couldn’t put it down.

Carys Davies is always causing a spectacle wherever she goes. She dresses scandalously for every event that she attends. She knows she is the talk of the ton, but it is all part of her plan to stop potential suitors and to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide her secret that could ruin her and her family. But there’s one person who seems to see her, who sees right through her. The only man who still makes her heart race. One of her family’s greatest rivals.

Tristan Montgomery is very reserved and is in need of a respectable woman to marry, if only he could get the bold, red-headed Cary’s out of his mind and stop wanting her in his arms. But once he finds out her secrets will he help her?

What a match these two characters are as their encounters are so very engaging and create such perfect friction. Constantly teasing and annoying one another. Watching him protect her as well as school her in the art of intimacy. I couldn’t stop smiling. I couldn’t stop reading. And I’m positive that I will be reading this again.

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[anitabyars]

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?

My Review

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! Oh boy, Kate Bateman did not disappoint! This enemies to lovers historical regency romance is such an enchanting romance as well as a fantastic adventure. It sucked me in from the very first pages. The attraction and heat between the main characters, emanates from them whenever they are with each other, their witty, salacious and enticing innuendo between them is utterly outrageous and gloriously arousing. I couldn’t get enough of this story and these characters. I devoured this book because it consumed my every thought. Their interactions, their desire, the heart and care from both characters. Readers will Love Love Love A Reckless Match the first book of the Ruthless Rivals series.

Maddie Montgomery and her family are in dire straits. So as Maddie waits on the dividing bridge, she hopes that no representative from the rival Davies family will show up for their annual gesture of goodwill and the land in between their properties will default to her family, since it would help them get out of their unfortunate financial situation. The Montgomery’s and the Davies had been in a feud for over five hundred years although no one remembered what started it exactly. But just when she started getting giddy with thoughts that no one was coming, Gryff Davies the new Earl of Powys came into view and he was as sinfully good-looking as ever.

Gryff Davies the new Earl of Powys was taken back by the gorgeous and angry Madeline Montgomery in front of him and he felt his spirits soar. Madeline had been an infuriating thorn in his side growing up, a skinny tomboy that he had fancied and tormented as a child, and the fact that they had been sworn enemies only added to her charm. But now she was a goddess. He had missed teasing her, and remembering her face had gotten him through some hard times through the war. But as they shook hands to ensure another year of peace between their families he tugged her forward, with a declaration that it was time to start a new tradition, and he kissed her.

“She was fairly certain she ought to slap him. Not because he’d offended her maidenly sensibilities, but because he hadn’t done a decent job of it. The man was supposed to be a rake. If he was going to ravish her, he could at least do it properly.”

These two sworn enemies will soon be entrenched in not only a fake secret engagement or maybe more like partners in crime, but also an adventure involving smugglers, danger and more as they take the reader on a sizzling, sparkling, and enthralling journey that you will never want to end. A fantastic story that I highly recommend.

I voluntarily requested an early copy and this is my honest review.

[tablo-my-whistle]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: I’m so happy I stumbled on this series and I’m so sad that it is over with! I couldn’t stop laughing and smiling while reading this book. Anya and Sebastian had such wonderful banter and chemistry that I couldn’t stop reading. . . . I also loved how the other couples from the past books were involved in this story and all the action that happened throughout this riveting book. Kate Bateman has definitely become an auto buy for me and I can’t wait for more books from her! *Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.* #theprincessandtherogue #katebateman #january #tbr #read #arc #bookreview #historical #romance #bookstagram #booklover #bibliophile #reading #bookworm #bookcommunity #books #ilovebooks #booksarelife #novel #booksofinstagram #instabook     https://www.instagram.com/p/CKCy6yFATCs/?igshid=1wtrxf2whsypg