ARC REVIEWER

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice 🌶.5

One flaw about being a mood reader is not always being in a mood to read an ARC. I will say I am disappointed in myself because this book was amazing and I loved it. The FMC and MMC was hilarious and spicy and sassy. The banter is amazing as well. The jealousy and the sassy attitude was amazing. FMC is a romance writer the MMC becomes the test subject for practice. The jealousy with both characters was amazing, it had me kicking my feet and giggling. We all know where this goes where it was predictable but it was amazing. I am going to have to read the rest of this series.

*3.5 stars*

This was fun and cute! A lil long at times but I had fun. I found that it dragged a little bit and would have been better were it shorter. I did love the cute and whimsical fantasy setting for a rom com story.

For a cozy historical fantasy romcom, you'll want to read this latest novel by Odette!

Neither Will or Edwina wanted to fall for each other, and are kept apart by their bet and circumstances, so finding their way to each other is quite the journey (including geographically). They have valid reasons, but love perseveres in this fluffy romantasy.

I did find Edwina annoying often and wondered how she could be so naive at 29. She had a large ego and was prideful which got bothersome - though I got pride and prejudice vibes.

I'm excited to read more of Odette's books in this world and with side characters!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an arc to read and review!

Read for: rivals to lovers, fae x human, Victorian period vibes, fantasy world, banter (they are writers), spice, tensionnnn, slow burn, interconnected world, jealousy, dual POV, possessive, "use me", bet

3 stars
2 spice

I absolutely adore this book. Tessonja write her characters on a way that the reader cannot help but fall in love with them. I loved the banter and loved the story

This book genuinely got me out of my reading slump! i love enemies to lovers, especially when I like both characters!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The book was exceptional! I should have expected a Tessonja Odette book has to have a combination of different ways of stories and creates a unique genre of her own. The romance was a balm to nerves-kind of sweet and I loved it. Writing was excellent as always. Thanks

DNF’d at 14% because I can not handle his nickname for her being “weenie.” It gave me the instant ick.

This was a lighthearted and sweet rom-com, with two rival authors who make a silly bet for high personal stakes at the heart. I enjoyed the characters and their banter, and found them relatable. For me, there were some sections in the middle that felt a bit slow.

I really enjoyed the first and third "acts" of this book. The characters and plot were compelling and entertaining. I felt like the middle dragged a bit, although it wasn't ever flat. I loved the secondary characters. I felt that they added a nice richness to round everything out.

I was so excited for this book; however I thought the plot line was lacking in true development, and I couldn't form a connection with any of the characters. I ended up not finishing it, but have considered giving it another try because I do think it would get better and that I would enjoy it.

OMG this book was EVERYTHING!!! ✨✨ I laughed, I swooned, I kicked my feet like a total dork because the tension and banter were just that good!!! Edwina and William had me giggling and blushing from page one. Like… academic rivals + fae magic + a very spicy bet?? YES PLEASE!!!

I seriously couldn’t stop smiling — the vibes were immaculate. Cozy fantasy meets enemies-to-lovers perfection. And the side characters?? So sassy, so unbothered, so ICONIC. The fae world was magical but still had that cheeky, modern romcom feel I love.

Also, Tessonja Odette?? Instant fave author status. I need every book in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series immediately.

If you want something flirty, hilarious, and heart-squeezingly romantic with ✨spice✨ and sparkle, A Rivalry of Hearts is a must-read. I’m OBSESSED!!!

5/5 stars, 100000/10 recommend!!!
Screaming, crying, fae wine drunk, throwing glitter!!

Read it. Love it. You’ll thank me later.

Now excuse me while I go reread my favorite scenes… again.

PS: William Haywood, you cheeky fae menace… I see you.

PPS: I want to live in this world foreverrrrrrrr.

A Rivalry of Hearts: Fae Flings and Corset Strings by Tessonja Odette
Enchanting and brimming with romance, A Rivalry of Hearts blends fae magic, Regency-era charm, and irresistible tension. Tessonja Odette crafts a world of witty banter, high-stakes competition, and slow-burn romance, making this a must-read for fans of fantasy with a touch of historical flair. Perfect for those who love courtly intrigue, magical rivalries, and heroines who refuse to back down!

Tessonja Odette weaves a fun lighthearted romantic tale full of frustratingly familiar characters that keep you reading. Edwina finds herself constantly falling out of the moment and into her fictional world (who hasn't) and she is incredibly lovable and charming. She has such kindness for everyone in her heart. William is more reserved and presents a false front as an actor, but he is witty and so soft under the hardened exterior. I love this pairing and the story of them fighting for a publishing contract!

I struggled to get into this one. I am not sure if I wasn't in the mood or the writing felt slow. The cover and the concept sounded cute but I've read about 10% but then dnfed it.

This book has amazing world building. I feel the story was unique. The characters were fun, loveable and well written. The competition rivalry and banter was fun to read.
The overall story was enjoyable and the descriptions made it easy to be transported to the fantasy world.

I now own a special edition of this book - I enjoyed it that much.

I will definitely be reading more books by Tessonja Odette

A very cozy, fantasy romcom! For lovers or lighthearted books with cozy vibes and great banter! I would definitely recommend this book to lighthearted fantasy readers!

“I’ve always maintained that a woman in possession of a vast imagination would want for nothing in life. She’d be superior to those with such fleeting virtues as wit, beauty, or accomplishment. The richest woman in the world, if only in her mind.”

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Pride & Prejudice meets Divine Rivals. A fae historical fiction rom-com between a romance author and a trained actor, this story had so much going on and was so entertaining! This is a good read for a romance reader who isn’t wanting *too* much of a fantasy world. The characters were all likeable and I’ll look forward to book two in the series!
💘 enemies to lovers
💘 magical world with fae
💘 historical romance
💘 witty banter

Was drew in by the cover and was not disappointed! This was funny, cute and made me swoon. I love a good historical romance and this was just that. Definitely recommend!

I’d give this 4 1/2, but rounding up to 5. I thought this book was so fun, so sweet. I absolutely adore William and I think this was one of the funnest dual POV’s I’ve read. I love that Edwina was a different FMC than we normally see. She was determined, very stubborn, but she was a breath of fresh air. And Edwina and William’s tension and steam and vulnerability all mixed together was soooo fun to read, I seriously enjoyed this book. I think sometimes when a book is making a point of values and female expectation and/or male expectation it can sometimes feel a little preachy. I did feel that a little bit, but I don’t think it took me away from the story. Overall, I loved the ride.

This book is one big SWOON! I loved their story so much and it’s only partially because enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. The rest is allll the story telling! There were so many parts I caught myself smiling at the banter and I fell in love with all of the characters. I already started book 2 and it’s just as sweet!