I’ve been in such a reading slump lately and I needed something fun and fluffy to get me out of it, and this did the trick! I loved it so much. It was sweet, but also spicy, with humans and fae and a bet. It was super cozy and pretty low stakes so it was the perfect read in between heavy fantasies. Loved!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for granting my approval request! This was a really fun, charming, cozy read, absolutely the perfect book to start out my summer! Rivals-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Tessonja Odette delivers it beautifully as both the main characters goals directly conflict with each other and both have high stakes attached to their rivalry.

**Thank you Netgalley and Tessonja Odette for providing me with an ARC of A Rivalry of Hearts**
Love love love!! Definitely a 5 star read for me.
I loved this sweet and spicy fae/human rom com. It was so lighthearted and fun and it felt like such a feel good story.
I can genuinely say that I have never read anything like this and Tessonja Odette has for sure gained a fan because I will be following everything she writes from now on.
If you love romance, fantasy, rivals to lovers and banter then this is def for you. Can't wait for the book to be released so it can sit pretty on my shelf.

Thank you Netgalley and Tessonja Odette for providing me with an ARC of A Rivalry of Hearts!

I’m genuinely not sure there are enough words in the english language for me to truly express how much I loved this book. The world, plot, banter, characters, and overall vibes of this book were everything I could’ve hoped for. It had the perfect blend of cozy atmosphere with a dash of intrigue added by the rivalry and the bet. I couldn’t put it down!

I very much look forward to reading more books by this author because I truly loved everything about this. Tessonja is a fantastic author who writes the most whimsical tales, and I can’t wait to read more!

The Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette is a charming blend of rom-com and cozy fantasy romance. The story follows Edwina Danforth, a human woman, and William Haywood, a Fae male, who enter a bet to see who can seduce more people during their book tour. Both are desperate for a publishing contract that could change their lives.

This enemies-to-lovers tale is filled with witty banter, steamy slow-burn tension, and beautifully detailed fantasy settings. The characters' motivations add depth to their rivalry, making their interactions compelling and enjoyable. Odette's writing is immersive and accessible, making it easy to get lost in this cozy, heartwarming story.

Overall, The Rivalry of Hearts is a delightful read for fans of fluffy romance with engaging characters and enchanting settings. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a good mix of humor, love, and fantasy.

I received an ARC of this book, but all opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

An incredibly fun read, filled with sizzling tension!

Perfect for anyone in the mood for a well written rivalry to lovers story set in a magical world filled with fae with a mixt of modern and historical elements.

Definitely add it to your TBR if you love….
🦄 Rivals to lover
🦄 Fae
🦄 Sizzling tension
🦄 Competition/bet
🦄 Banter
🦄 Standalone

4.5
This book is liking eating a big slice of your favorite cake or taking a hot bath after a long day. I've enjoyed other Tessonja Odette books, but this one is my favorite so far! It was somehow both cozier and spicier. Also, it was really fun to see some characters from "Entangled with Fae" again! You do not have to read any other books first though as this is the beginning of a series and a great place to start.

Edwina, who is basically a grown-up Anne Shirley in a fantasy world, is a writer of steamy romances whose book tour in the fae realm is off to a rocky start. Not only was she late, but it turns out they got a different writer, a serious poet of all things, to start doing her tour in her absence and he's selling way more books than her! William is handsome, but also obnoxiously flirtatious with his fans and calls her books "smut and drivel." Thus begins this delightful rivals to lovers romance...

This book is messy and angsty in the best way. If I have any critique, it's that occasionally the world-building isn't the strongest and a few things didn't make sense or felt out of place, but overall I loved it and can't wait for book two! Will definitely be reading more of Tessonja's backlist while I wait.

An amazingly heartwarming rivals to lovers fantasy book that is somehow as spicy as it is cozy. The FMC was stubborn and quirky without giving “manic pixie vibes” and the MMC was just the right amount of possessive.

I really don't know where to start with A Rivalry of Hearts. This was my first read by Tessonja Odette and immediately after finishing this book I went to purchase her other books. I loved A Rivalry of Hearts, if I could give it more than 5 stars I absolutely would. This book had me squealing and blushing from the chemistry and tension between the FMC and MMC.

Edwina is written sooo perfectly! She is enigmatic, strong-willed, career woman that has a huge heart. I love stubborn she was through out the book but how she was able to step back and recognize her flaws. Her personal growth was believable and MATURE, which I feel like too many romances lack now and days especially when we're talking about 29 year old women! Edwina was a breathe of fresh and I actually saw a lot of her in myself. The banter between Will and Edwina is CHEF's kiss! Will was swoon worthy and all the little details Tessonja wrote into him I just adored!

The author does a really good job of blending two genres that I love, romantasy and regency. She created this world that I was immersed so in that it didn't feel overwhelming. The background characters... oh my goodness I can't wait for book 2! Daphne has my whole heart already, the way she set up book 2 was fantastic!
Hand's down one of thee best books I've read in 2024 :)

The perfect mix of sweet and spicy - I couldn't put this book down!

Edwina is a romance writer and has landed a book tour in Faerwyvae, but unfortunately things aren't going as planned. She was "shipwrecked" and delayed at customs, and misled by a will-a-wisp making her late to her book signing. Worst of all, she has just learned her tour is now a double act. William is a handsome fae poet, and seems to be after her contract...

An intense rivalry forms between these two, but there is also an instant attraction that leads to all sorts of shenanigans. I love the back and forth bickering as it was never over the line or outright hurtful, and the flirtation was excellent. These characters have such good chemistry, and I found myself smiling at the adorable relationship that blossomed out of a misjudged bet. There were moments that were a bit repetitive (like being tricked into showing jealousy) but overall I was impressed.

Not only is the story really well paced, it also has a more serious side to it. I liked how both Edwina and William had their reasons for wanting to win the contract - paying off debts and supporting family VS sustaining a career to avoid being married off. The feminist undertones were really well carried and I appreciated the quiet inner strength and quirks of Edwina in particular.

A Rivalry of Hearts is a cozy fantasy romance that will have you blushing, smirking, and craving more. I immediately looked up the other books in the story's universe and added them to my TBR. I loved this world, and hope to visit it again soon!

This was very cute, although the third act was a bit all over the place! I love the idea of enemy to lovers writers and I think Odette is very good at creating these pocket fantasy worlds that feel familiar.

This was such a delight to read! I am an absolute sucker for regency romance novels and this had those vibes, but then threw in Fae to make it even better. This is definitely a feel good, make you smile and laugh kind of book. The banter and jokes had me chuckling constantly. And even though this is a very sweet, cozy read, Odette knows how to mix some absolutely pains tingly spice in there at the right moment. I loved reading about Edwina and William’s journey and I cannot wait for the more stories within Faerwyvae. I have to admit, I might be even more excited for Daphne and Monty’s story!

I loved this book! Thank you Net Galley and Tessonja for the chance to enjoy such a good book.

This book had it all, I laughed until I cried with the situations - I would 100% be Edwina in the North wing, getting inspiration on positions rather than being a voyeur! Those chapters were some of my favourites and I loved watching the bet unfold, knowing the jealousy and possessiveness was about to come out.

It felt like they both had genuine reasons for their bet and I really didn't know who I wanted to win, I just wanted them to end up together and be happy.

The locations all sounded beautiful and I enjoyed the "ways to die" and "ways to die: hot poet edition" - they really made me chuckle!

The side characters were all so well rounded, I'm already looking forward to Monty and Daphne's story. Zane was an awesome character, they added just enough intrigue and movement to the story too and I hope they get their own story too!

This book made me laugh, swoon and just escape into a fabulous world. Edwina and Will were just perfect characters and now the book is over, I feel like I've lost my friends - I just want their story to keep going and going. I couldn't wait to read the next chapter and I'm now going to head off to read the rest of the authors back catalogue!

What an enjoyable read!

The book was great. It was a cozy read. Those who are reading, i have only one thing to say, you made the best choice. It is a fantasy rom com. It is about a 'smut and drivel' author and a rude fae poet. Fighting for a publishing contract and ended up in a bet of desire and talent. The author has done a good job by writing dual POVs.
☘️Rivals to lovers
☘️Forced proximity
☘️Fae x human
☘️Academic rivals
☘️He fell fist
I will publish my review in my Instagram and goodread rn.

I‘m absolutely in love with this book, especially our stubborn FMC Edwina! The book is written very well and the pacing was perfect. I was giggling through the book and the banter between our main characters was to die for! I’m also a fan of all the different magical creatures we see.
A must read for romantasy fans!

4 stars! Big thank you to the author and netgalley for providing this arc! (incoming nerdy review)

Any book that begins with a dedication to fans of Anne Shirley has me hook line and sinker!!

If you're looking for a charming romantasy palate cleanser, Tessonja Odette’s newest book is a fantastic choice. I was hooked from the beginning, giggling throughout at the banter between the leads.

The plot is full of creativity and unique scenes that kept me engaged, and I enjoyed the playful, easy-going vibe of the book. It follows two rival authors, each striving for a coveted contract, whose professional rivalry starts to develop into something more intimate. A drunken deal leads to banter, romantic tension, and maybe a little more...??

I loved Edwina, any female character that is described as "stubborn as a weed" is permanently in my good books, obsessed with her.

My only gripe was with the bet between the characters, I found it a little hard to buy into for the most part but I can appreciate the way it pushed the narrative along.

Overall a really cute and lighthearted read <3

This book is the perfect mix of everything I love about historical romance, romcoms, and fae all rolled into one. Our MCs are rivals authors (him an arrogant fae poet, her a romance author of smut and drivel) on a book tour together trying to win a massive book deal. After a night of drinking, they decide the winner will be determined by who can seduce the most people on the tour, when the only ones they want to seduce are each other.

This book is funny, spicy, and sweet. The side characters are great. I stayed up until 2am reading it one night, that’s how invested I was. We also get a setup for the next interconnected novel to come, which I can’t wait for.

This is my first Tessonja Odette book, but it will absolutely not be my last. A number of characters who show up in this book have their own standalone stories, which I will now be picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was gifted with this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) by the publisher, and I fell more and more in love as I read. A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette is a standalone part of the Fae Flings and Corset Strings universe. This book is an adult (it gets delightfully spicy) romantasy book that plays by its own rules.

This book hooked me when I read the blurb, “Two rival writers. One prestigious publishing contract. A bargain of hearts and seduction.” This book features our heroine, Edwina Danforth, and her rival, William Haywood, on a book tour - what was supposed to be her book tour - and competing for a hefty 3-book deal with a generous advance to the author who sells the most books.

He’s a Fae, she’s a human who writes romance novels that have quite the grip on the infamous Faelands, where humans and Fae live together in a blending of sensibilities and magic. The pair, while under the influence, make a magically binding bargain that the one who has the most trysts will win the publishing contract instead.

But, more than just the contract is on the line!

I absolutely loved this book! It is easily one of the best books I've read this year so far! From the opening line (I’ve always believed that a woman in possession of a vast imagination would want for nothing in life.) to the HEA (Happily Ever After) ending, I was entranced. I devoured this book and fully plan on obtaining the other books in this universe - The Fair Isle trilogy and Entangled with the Fae series - also by Tessonja Odette.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for no charge in exchange for my honest review!

Review posted to gmpotter.com (www.gmpotter.com/reading-club/a-rivalry-of-hearts) on 5/13/24.
Video review posted to YouTube (https://youtu.be/WwHmxdp0tjY) going live on 5/16/24 at noon central time.

Absolutely adored this book. Definitely Jane Austen meets Bridgerton vibes. Edwina is a determined young woman with a dream of publishing her novels in the Fae Realms so she can be independent and live her creative life. William the gorgeous fae poet is her rival for the publishing contract. They make a bet and chaos and steamy moments ensue. This is just sweet, hot and fun. Love Tessonja books they have a lot of whimsy and great characters including the side characters which always leave more room for more stories.

Sooo cute! When I first saw the map and started reading I was a little concerned that this was going to be similar to ACOTAR but I was pleasantly proven wrong! This book was so sweet and I loved watching the relationship between Edwina and Will blossom! They were so sweet and it was nice to get chapters here and there for William. He had such a heartbreaking backstory and I would love to know what happens after they’ve been living together for a while. This is the first time I’ve read a book from Tessonja and I’m so excited to read more!