3.75 rounded up.

This book is for the ✨vibes✨ hehehe

We follow two rival authors along their book tour, one human and one fae. They journey through different fantastical realms of the Fae trying to see who will win a big publishing contract. After one night of drinking they strike up a bet to see who can bed the most lovers on their journey and THAT will now determine who gets the contract.

This is a low stakes, cozy romantic fantasy. We meet wonderful fae creatures, go along on a book tour through a magical world, see fun banter and wit, and cheer for love to win! There is some spice in this a lot of talk of sex but it is well balanced with the rest of the story.

This was a delightful novel and I’m happy I read it. My biggest complaint is that it was just too long for this type of story. I kept reaching points where I thought it was done but it just kept going.

Vibes:
Rivals to lovers
Two writers
Slooooow burn
Cozy fantasy
Fae
Meddling publicist
A bet
Fun banter

This is an incredibly light and fluffy m/f romcom set in a cozy, effortlessly queer historical fantasy world. It follows Edwina: a human romance author who has, improbably, become a best-seller on the mysterious magical isle of Faerwyvae. Outsiders are almost never allowed to visit, but Edwina is invited for a book tour and a chance at earning an incredible contract. Then her perfectly enchanting experience goes off the rails when she learns she'll be forced to share her book tour with another, rival author: an insufferable poet who insults romance novels and competes with her for that same contract.

I ADORED the first half or so of this book. It's warm, silly, and comforting, with familiar romcom beats, fun banter/competition between the two rivals, and ridiculous shenanigans. In particular, I enjoyed William so much more than I expected to: right off the bat he's introduced as a fairly standard fae love interest, dark and brooding and snarky, but something about the persona seems... false? 👀 It was a lot of fun exploring his character, his secrets and the depth he got to have. I feel like male love interests in fantasy romances are so often unrealistically and inhumanly sexy and perfect and brooding to the degree that it becomes really bland and boring; William, on the other hand, felt like a real person. Also, this is a queernorm fantasy world with a bisexual mmc plus a nonbinary secondary character!!!

The book tour was a brilliant way to showcase the beautiful world this author has dreamed up. The way that the plot kept hopping from one magical city to the next was really engaging and showed off some very fun worldbuilding, and I totally fell in love with all of the enchanting settings. I also really appreciated this book's frankness about sex. I think some people may be put off by how weirdly casual these characters are about flirting and talking openly about sex - particularly when side characters get involved and are also just as casual about it - but I found it kind of refreshing.

I did feel as though this book ran out of steam a bit in the second half. It tries to lean into its stakes and dial up the angst a bit, but it doesn't really work, because the solution to the problem is extremely clear. I also felt as though the bet that the two characters made in the beginning of the book kind of fizzles in a way that felt disappointing, because it didn't really end up mattering at all.

Ultimately, some pacing tweaks would have made this stronger, but it was really lovely, whimsical and romantic.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you to Netgalley and Tessonja Odette for an ARC of A Rivalry of Hearts!
I really enjoyed this fantasy romcom! It was so cosy, and I loved immersing myself in the world of Faerwyvae. I think I've discovered that books with a fantasy/regency mishmash are my new favourite genre, and they are just so fun 😍

I fell in love with fiery, impulsive Edwina, and I loved how her rivalry with William progressed throughout the story.

I loved how fae can take a seelie and unseelie form in this book, which basically means they can choose between a human likeness or one that is animal, spiritual or elemental in nature. Daphne was a great side character, and I loved the descriptions of her in her unseelie form as a pine marten - if you don't know what a pine marten is, like I didnt, it looks like a cross between an otter and a weasel, and it's so cute!

A Rivalry of Hearts was so well written and quick to read, and it is the perfect little snacky romcom if you're looking for a fun book to sink into 😊 I'm very interested in reading more from this author! A Rivalry of Hearts will be published on the 12th of June, 2024.

Rating: 4.5

A Rivarly of Hearts is a spicy standalone fantasy romcom in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series by @tessonja. It is about two rival writers both competing for a prestigious publishing content, each attempting to sell more books than the other whilst on tour. Unfortunate circumstances make Edwina a few days late to the tour, and therefore far behind William in sales. To make the competition fair, the pair enter a fae wine-induced bargain of hearts and seduction to determine the winner.

What a lovely surprise this one was! This book was so heartwarming and fun, and I had a blast reading it! I absolutely devoured it! This book is heavy on the romance, tension, and spice, and I loved it! It gave me exactly what I wanted and I couldn’t recommend it more.

I loved both Edwina and William, they’re both chaotic messes but they work so well together. Their witty banter and interactions had me giggling 24/7. I enjoyed that whilst this book was really lighthearted, it had the stressful undertone of the publishing contract too - they both needed it for their own valid reasons and I didn’t even know who I was rooting for, I was just hoping it would all work out!

If you’re in need of a jovial, lighthearted, rivals-to-lovers romantasy, A Rivalry of Hearts is perfect for you!

Thank you so much to the publisher and author for the eARC! I will absolutely be reading the other books in the series and checking out the author’s previous releases. SIDE NOTE: the hardcover is to die for and I’ll be needing it immediately!

Just finshed my ARC read of A Rivalry of Hearts. This was definitely one of my favorite reads so far this year! i can't wait to get my hands on my signed copy and hopefully a couple special editions!

#arivalryofhearts #faeflingsandcorsetstrings #tessonjaodette #netgalley #netgalleyreview #arcread

Oh. My. Gosh.
This was my first Tessonja book and it DELIVERED.
We are taken to the isle of Faerwyvae where we meet our adorable, quirky and strong FMC Edwina who is doing her own book tour to promote her smutty romance novels (dream, right?) However, that all gets turned on its head when she learns it’s become a joint book tour with the arrogant, yet handsome, William (our swoonworthy poet MMC.)
Full of witty and cheeky banter, laugh out loud moments, spice and incredible writing, A Rivalry of Hearts captured mine from the very first pages 😍
Fave quotes:
“Use me.” (Um, yes please)
“Bloody hell, it’s a mammoth handful.” (This had me cackling)

With all of my favourite tropes:
💫 rivals to lovers
🌸 he falls first
💫 fae bargains
🌸 forced proximity

Edwina Danforth.
Author of “smut and drivel”

William Haywood.
Poet.

They’re competing for a contract, but they’ve created a game neither once can win without also losing.

“If he wanted me to show restraint, he shouldn’t have tried to stop me.”

“I can’t help but admit his smile is the best work of art here.”

“I no longer have the luxury of denial. I’m attracted to the weirdest woman I’ve ever met.”

“The smell of books is universally loved and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.”

“I listen to her every word with an idiotic grin on my face.”

“I can’t force her to be anyone other than who she is. Because I love who she is.”

“It crushes my heart that William considers himself inadequate just because he isn’t all-powerful.”

I really enjoyed this book! I found Tessonjas writing to be quick witted and full of humour. I definitely want to read more books by this author. She was able to perfectly execute a romantic comedy in a fantasy setting which I personally have never read before. I found it interesting how she built the world without overwhelming me. Although I am concerned how a person who has never read a fae book would picture the different cities and more contemporary setting. That truly is my only critique. Very excited for more people to get their hands on this one!

I am thoroughly, completely DELIGHTED by this book!! This cozy and slightly spicy lil historical fantasy was everything I wanted and MORE!!

Edwina, a human romance author, and William, a fae poet and actor, have to share a book tour across the land of Faerwyvae. Whoever sells the most copies of their books across the tour, wins a prestigious contract- which for Edwina means her chance to move to the isle and support herself doing what she loves, and for William means he can pay for his sister's dreams while she's still alive to reach them. The circumstances change on a night out where a new bet takes precedent- and the game of seduction and sabotage takes over.

The world of Faerwyvae is so vast and beautiful, and getting to see the different seasonal, elemental, and sky-powered courts was such a treat- it felt a little Zootopia as they traversed borders and entire climates shifted around them.

Edwina and William are two incredibly fierce, sarcastic, and bold characters. Watching them orbit around each other before realizing what they were actually feeling for one another was like watching a really really good tennis match. The way we got William's first POV of like "oh my god is she dumb is she really not picking up what i'm putting down" got me GOOOD and then it just continued to get better and better as the story progressed. My guy was down bad, and my girl was too lost in her own world to even realize. Seeing Edwina be so fully herself, completely losing focus of things around her when she gets an idea to write, and then getting to see someone be like hey, thats not your fault, I'm not doing what I should if I can't retain your attention, rather than shaming her for it was so LOVELY!!!

I truly cannot wait to see this world continue in the next book following Monty and Daphne!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Tessonja Odette for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

3.25 ✰

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book! :)

This was such a fun and cozy fae regency romance! I really enjoyed Tessonja Odette’s writing and the world of Faerwyvae.

Our main character Edwina is a romance author that navigates the faelands for the first time to attend her book tour alongside William—a rival author. The instant banter between the two characters gave the book such a great start, and the bet they make to decide which of them will win the publishing contract at the end of the tour was a fun addition.

The progression of both the bet and their budding romance was entertaining, however I would’ve preferred more of a slow burn romance. The two characters’ feelings quickly escalated, giving us less of the banter and animosity that was present in the beginning.

Despite this, the novel was extremely amusing, and I look forward to continuing the series! Very excited for Monty and Daphne’s book.

This might be one of the best ARCs I have ever had the fortune of reading. Tessonja Odette has been on my TBR list for literal years, and this was the book that finally got me to read her work. Let me just say, after reading this book, I went and grabbed quite literally every single other novel she has ever written (can you say fixation?).

I LOVED this book. The banter, the yearning, the way he fell first AND harder, the literary theme, the adorable side characters, the immersive world. I loved it all. Knowing that this book is its own standalone but exists within a preexisting world that I can dive into with Odette’s other books also adds to the sense of this fully complete world that I am just so eager to be within! The author paints such a beautiful universe that makes you want to just jump into it and live there forever.

On the whole, I have nothing bad to say about this book. I was kicking my feet and giggling at Will and Edwina (sorry, Weenie), and their romance was adorable, believable, and steamy (!!!), just the way I liked it. I found the more tender parts, about Will’s past, Cassie, and the uncertainty of their future, to be really well-written, and I never felt like any character acted in a way that was unrealistic or infuriating to me as a reader. And don’t think I am not already on the edge of my seat for the romance teased to be in book 2 (I see you Daph and Monty!!!!!!!!). Ugh. I have no more words. It’s perfect. Cozy. Romantic. Funny. Go read it, 5⭐

*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Read via netgalley and I'm so happy I got to read this book!! I will be checking out the authors backlog now.
A fae/human love story
He falls first!!!
Academic rivals, a bet of seduction and a touch of hate to love (on her part)
Dual POV but less of his than hers unfortunately
Loveable side characters
A beautiful setting
Sooo much tension. Cute moments and banter.
I really enjoyed this authors writing style and the way the story unfolded. She created really great characters and tension filled moments.
I loved this book and I hope everyone else does too.
If you loved divine rivals and enjoyed Emily Wilde: then this book is for you

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

An enemies to lovers about the book publishing world with fantasy ánd regency themes? Sign me up! I loved the fae worldbuilding and am now very interested in reading more of Odette's world, because it sounds absolutely amazing.

The romance was very well done, the third act break up actually didn't make me angry for once and I NEED THAT STORY OF DAPHNE AND MONTY NOW!

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions!

The main characters in the story are Edwina and William. 
Edwina is an author of spicy romance books. She’s human but in the stories she writes the characters are also fae. William is a fae and he's an author of poetry books. 
Edwina’s book tour doesn’t start in the way she expected and she discover soon not only that she has to split it with another author, William, but also that, at the end of the tour, there’s the possibility for one of them to win an important contract. 
The rivalry between Edwina and William and the final prize will lead them to make a very special bargain. But things are not going to evolve the way they think.

Firstly, I liked so much the world in which the story is set. All the locations, the descriptions of the different places and cities, the differences between the isle where the fae live and the human world. These differences are visible also in the way the think, dress, etc. and it seems that fae are much more evolved in mentality while, in some case, humans behaviors and ways of thinking reminds me the regency epoch.

I loved Edwina and William. I really enjoyed their interactions. I laughed a lot, I was very excited and I felt a lot of emotions. I liked that the story has the POV of both of them. It’s something that gave me the possibility to empathize and to understand better their feelings. Their story engaged me a lot and I also cried.

I know this is a romance, that the final should be predictable but it entertained me so much and made me have a great time. I wouldn't change anything in this book. I loved everything from the beginning to the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the eARC.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Lighthearted but could have been shorter

Romance author Edwina Danforth needs the book contract from a publisher in Faerwyvae. After all, her books have a greater readership in the fae land than in the human world. However, William Haywood, a handsome fae and poet, popped up as her rival.
Drunk on a fae substance, Edwina manages to make a bet with William. Whoever loses will have to give up their claim for the publishing contract. Both are determined to win but turns out there’s a lot more at stake. What happens when the rivals fall for each other?
The story comes in Edwina’s first-person POV with a few chapters from William’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
As the original blurb suggests, this is a steamy romance with enemies-to-lovers trope. It has a historical fantasy setting with a human FMC and a fae MMC. I’d put it somewhere around the Regency and Victorian eras, though the rules in fae land are different.
The book starts with a short note and a list of content warnings. I appreciate this. The themes have been handled with a light touch, but still, a list would help some readers.
Now, the first section is solid. I loved the introduction of the characters and the banter between the lead couple. We also get two colored illustrations, which makes it easy to visualize them. They are not perfect and continue to make mistakes. But they also realize and acknowledge the mistakes, so that’s nice.
The last section is again quite good despite the third-act breakup. There’s one conversation between two women which I liked a lot. It’s evident that the character arcs have been planned with care to not bring sudden and contradictory changes.
However, I wish the book was tighter in the middle. After the initial 30%, the pacing dips drastically until about 70%. Though we get new insights about the main characters, it feels like the story is going nowhere. There’s only so much banter and sexy talk one can read.
Still, I like that the characters take time to jump into ‘action’. There is still steamy talk and some scenes (with other characters). Some of it is almost presented in a clinical approach, which is fun to read.
I like it when the MMC also gets a POV. However, here, it is limited to his feelings for the FMC. The POV could have added more depth to his personality. A lost chance, IMO.
The side characters are fun. Daphne, Monty, Zane, and Cassie add to the story’s charm. They have distinct personalities and some depth.
The setting gives mixed vibes. It is not detailed enough to imagine everything but manages to paint a decent picture. Apparently, the setting is from another series (and a couple of characters have been in other books). Kinda standalone with a bit of crossover stuff. This may not work for everyone.
The ending is cute. There’s a bonus epilogue which is actually a teaser for the next book. For a change, I don’t mind this as I want to read their story.

To summarize, A Rivalry of Hearts is a fluffy, cute, and spicy romance if you want a low-stakes cozy fantasy. Despite the minor issues, I'm excited to read the next book with D and M.
Thank you, NetGalley, Crystal Moon Press, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is everything. How do you describe the most perfect fae romance this year?

When i got accepted for the ARC of this via Netgalley I had high expectations and then when my booksta friends read it before me and hyped it up I knew I was in for a treat. I never imagined I would find a new favorite. Tessonja is now an auto buy author for me.

Edwina is a romance author who is traveling the Isle of Faerwyvae to promote her new book. She is put on the tour with the obnoxious William who is a poet and fae. The two start as rivals, but when they make a bet to find lovers they realize they can't fight the sexual tension between them. They have an electric chemistry that will leave you wanting more.

This is a love story to romantasy. It was perfection. The diversity in this book is so special. This had sex-positive characters with consent and communication during the love scenes. There's a nonbinary side character who uses they/them pronouns, and a disabled character with a chronic illness.

"Position me however you want and I'll make sure it's for more than academic study. I'll let you find out exactly what touch you like best, what position, and then I'll without it from you. I'll tese you, torment you, until you're begging me, whimpering and whining like one of your blushing heroines."

throbbing member


Tropes and reason to read this book
-Cosy cottagecore vibes
-Many different courts which keep the book interesting (I loved learning about the different parts of Faerwyvae)
-Steamy chemistry
-He falls first
-Diverse cast
-Representation
-Fae romance
-Fae bargains
-Dual pov
-Cosy fantasy/historical romance
-Rivals to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Cute nicknames (Weenie and Willy)
-Touch her and

I loved Edwina and William! So so good!
Extremely good and interesting slow burn 🔥 I also love Fae and so that was the perfect fit for me. I enjoyed it so much.

Simply STUNNING!
Rivals to lovers in which Jane Austen meets The Hating Game. It's my perfect combination

***** 5 Stars!

First I would like to thank Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for allowing me to read an arc of this amazing book!

I absolutely adored a Rivalry of Hearts! This was a book that I couldn’t seem to put down, from the moment I started it I was totally charmed and utterly captivated! I absolutely enjoyed the witty banter between the two characters and the instant chemistry that was smoldering between them. Edwina and William were so adorable, I loved seeing how their relationship slowly began to form during the story; it made for a very interesting, sweet and complex romance between the two of them. I also appreciated the Anne and Gilbert vibes the story had!

The world building was another thing I enjoyed about this story; it was all so well written and I felt as if I was able to see the world so perfectly in my mind. It was all so descriptive and well detailed, as were the rest of the characters in the story as well. I can honestly say that I loved every single character introduced into this story.

This is a book I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a sweet and cozy unique Regency/Fantasy romance! I can’t wait to read more books by this author, I’m completely hooked!

This was fun, sexy, and really pulled on all the feels! Edwina is a romance author, and she's late for her book tour due to circumstances outside of her control. William is a poet who has been able to maximize on her misfortune and join this tour, benefitting from starting it alone.

As they get to know one another, they develop a banter that is purely wonderful, despite hating each other at first sight. Their back and forth is fueled by those around them, and they continue to find themselves alone together. Of course, a bet of seduction after a night of debauchery doesn't help that score either.

This was truly witty and heartwarming.