Title: A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

Release Date: June, 12th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars


"A Rivalry of Hearts" by Tessonja Odette is a delightful romcom filled with witty banter, spicy romance, and enchanting fae elements.

Edwina Danforth, a romance author, finds herself entangled in a bet with her fae rival, William Haywood, to win a prestigious publishing contract. As they embark on a month-long dueling book tour, sparks fly between them, leading to a heated rivalry that soon turns into something more.

Odette crafts a hate-to-love romance with impeccable chemistry between Edwina and William. Their interactions are filled with glares, quips, and undeniable attraction, making their journey from rivals to lovers thoroughly enjoyable. The quirky and lovable characters, including Edwina and William, as well as the charming side characters, add depth and charm to the story.

The book's unique blend of fantasy elements and romantic comedy creates a captivating and entertaining read. Fans of enemies-to-lovers tropes and quirky heroines will thoroughly enjoy this spicy standalone adult fantasy romcom. "A Rivalry of Hearts" sets the stage for an exciting series, promising more enchanting adventures in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings world.

Thank you to The Publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, The Author Tessonja Odette & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged in the fae fiction world, that a Tessonja Odette book in possession of a good story, must be entertaining and hilarious."

When I pick a book by T. Odette, I am guaranteed three things:

1- A good heartfelt cozy-like fantasy romance with a sprinkle of spice
2- Complex characters that are both relatable and flawed
3- Many, Many laugh out loud moments

So a huge thank you for the author for providing your humble fan with an ARC of this book

⚜Genre: Gaslamp High Fantasy
⚜Theme: Fae RomCom
⚜Targeted audience: Adults
⚜Characters: Fae - William, Human - Edwina
⚜Representation: non-binary side character
⚜TW: explicit sexual content
⚜ tropes: Forced proximity, career-rivalry, bet, rivals to lovers, hidden truths, medium-burn, one bed (parody)
⚜ POV: Double, though Edwina has the lion's share
⚜ spice 🌶🌶 🌶
⚜ rating: 4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🔅
⚜standalone: yes, but it is part of series
⚜Ending: HEA with an introduction to the 2nd book

Edwina and William
No two characters could be so different yet so suitable to each other
he writes bittersweet poetry
she is a steamy romance author
he is fae ( with a surprise magical ability)
she is human
he is experienced
she is not
he is younger (yes he is not the ancient old fae)
she is older (by three years)

They are forced to be on a book signing tour together at which by the end one of them will secure a publishing contract. They end up esueing a bet and a fae bargain where whoever manages to seduce the most partners wins the contract.
With surprizing reveals and unexpected character arcs, the story will hook you from the first page to the acknowledgment.


One of the things that made me fall in love with T. Odette's books is her flawed characters.
Her fae males are not these perfect "tall, dark and handsome" who can do no wrong and fall in love with their partners at first sight. They are a mix of arrogant and childish, dashing and stupid, loyal and pricks, but you cannot help but root for them.
William is so dedicated to his family that he is willing to do anything for them. He is not this rich Fae lord who could do anything. He is a struggling poet/actor.

Her female leads are as flawed. They are not the quivering bashful ladies (though some quivering occurs :) iykyk) who always sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Nope
these ladies know what they want and are not afraid to go after it come what may.
Edwina wants that publishing contract and she fights for it with everything she has. She acknowledges William's reasons also but hers are "as valid as his"

She knows it's a tough world in the publishing industry and it is even tougher for female authors who are asked to write under male pseudo names. Something that is still done for women authors to be taken seriously.
"But do you know what would make my work even better? If I were a man. If I'd cease writing about throbbing cocks and simply adopt one between my legs. At the very least, if I would only remove one letter from the end of my name and publish highbrow moral works...

I loved this outburst because it is so relevant to today when smut and spice books are still frowned upon and some still argue that romance authors are not real writers.


I absolutely loved the sense of humor in the writing style. Some phrases and lines just catch you unexpectedly and you find yourself laughing.

I also loved the jab at tropes with how Edwina points out some of them whenever she comes upon a similar situation
"What does that mean?" Monty asks, "Do we have at least one room?" "Oh no." Realization dawns at once, and I give the receptionist a solemn look. "I know what this is. I've written about it. There's only one bed, isn't there?"

My only criticism of the book, and it's a minor one, is that I did not feel that the magic/fae part was crucial in the story. As a matter of fact, if you take it out of the book, the story would still progress the same.

This was an absolute joy to read
and I cannot wait for Monte and Daphne's book

A Rivalry of Hearts is the perfect rivals to lovers story! Both Edwina and Will desperately need a lucrative writing contract, but only one can win it at the end of their book tour. While they start the tour as advisories who can’t stand each other, they slowly start to become friends and lovers. But how can their budding romance last when only one of them can win?

You can DEFINITELY read A Rivalry of Hearts without having read any of the books from either of the previous series. While there are a couple of cameos to enjoy if you’ve read the other books, A Rivalry of Hearts does a great job of explaining the world and stands on its own.

Read this book if you like Fae, cozy fantasy romance, laugh out loud moments, banter, rivals, and forced proximity.

I’m really looking forward to seeing how Tessonja expands this world, and I can’t wait for Monty to finally get his own book!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Tessonja Odette.

A Rivalry of Hearts is the best book I've read this year! If you love banter this book has it and it is top tier. Edwina and William story is a beautifully written rivals to lovers slow burn. From start to finish I could not put it down. Every time I think I've read Tesonja Odette's best book she releases another!! I absolutely can't wait to read the next book about Monty and Daphne.