A Rivalry of Hearts is a cute little romance featuring 2 writers, Edwina, a human, and Will, a fae. They are on a book tour and develop an instant rivalry. It takes place in the same world as Odette's other novels, but you don't need to read the others to understand the setting.

I could not put this book down. Odette's writing is beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It is dual POV and each voice feels distinct and fleshed out.

The book is more character-focused, so the plot isn't needlessly complicated and there aren't any crazy late game twists. It's just a fun, steamy romance. Will definitely pick up a physical copy when it releases.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley got an advanced copy for review. All opinions are my own.

5⭐️

Edwina is an quirky romance author going on her first book tour. Things transpire to delay her arrive for the tour, so she's forced to share her tour with William, a poet who believes Edwina's books are nothing but "drivel". The two enter a bargain of seduction when they realize their publisher will only extend a contract out to one of them at the conclusion of the tour.

This is a cozy fantasy with rivals to lovers and it is done SO WELL.

I fell in love with the characters the most i learned about their personalities and motives. These are not perfect characters, I thoroughly enjoyed how "real" they felt despite this being a romantic fantasy. William is a struggling poet & actor, not a rich fae like most are portrayed in other novels. Edwina is trying to prove to her family that she doesn't need to marry and can have a career. I loved that both had valid reasons to work for the publishing contract and I am glad that one wasn't prioritized as "more important" than the other.

✍️ Dual POV (mostly FMC though)
✍️ Kick your feet screaming cuteness
✍️ Sweetest romance
✍️ Humor & Witty banter
✍️ Standalone romance
✍️ Rivals to lovers
✍️ Fae Bargains

Thank you to The Nerd Fam, NetGalley & Tessonja Odette for an eARC of A Rivalry of Hearts.

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette🩷
Book One of the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series
My thanks to NetGalley, ARC/Victory Editing and the author for providing me with an advance copy for my unbiased review.

A Rivalry of Hearts is a steamy and romantic fantasy story, set on the Isle of Faerwyvae, where humans and Fae live together. Wildly imaginative (and easily distracted) romance author Edwina Danforth travels to the Isle on a monthlong tour to promote her new steamy novel. Arriving after a shipwreck, late and frazzled, Edwina discovers her publisher has added another author to co-tour with her: the rakish Fae poet William Haywood. When they discover they are rivals for a publishing contract, they decide on a bet: whoever can seduce the most people by the end of the tour wins the contract. Of course, Edwina isn’t exactly the wanton sexual creature she made out and William has hidden depths beneath his flirtatious exterior. And with the competition hanging over their heads, who will triumph?

From the very beginning of this book, where there is a dedication to Anne of Green Gables, I was enraptured. Early pages read like a travel brochure for Faerwyvae, and I loved the ‘How to’ chapter blocks. There is also a thoughtful trigger warning list for readers, and some adorable character art.
Odette unwraps the Fae world with perfect pacing and without info dumping, and it’s hard not to be charmed by the pastel buildings of Floating Hope (yes, that's right, the place names are whimsical AF) or the Flight of Fancy Bookshop and cafe with its enchanted paper birds flying on the ceiling. The Fae themselves weren’t revolutionary, but I liked the variety of Courts and fae characteristics (probably a throwback to my childhood love of Care Bears/My Little Pony/Captain Planet and my adult love of A Court of Thorns and Roses). Spice lovers will be delighted with things heating up between the two MC’s and there is simmering sexual tension throughout the story.
Written from William and Edwina’s POV, we get to experience firsthand the enemies to lovers trope and some sinfully steamy moments. I loved this bookish, fanciful story and can’t wait for more in the series!

✨This book is a perfect read if you are looking for a rivals to more! Tessonja does a wonderful job creating a world around two writers on a book tour!

✨Edwina, a stubborn independent human, is a writer who pens the most salacious books in the name of romance.
She goes on a book tour with an handsome Fae author where first impressions are disastrous.

✨William, a Fae poet, embarks on a book tour with Edwina, who drives him crazy. The back-and-forth between them is delightful and hilarious. He finds himself frustrated with the feelings she invokes on him because he doesn't know what to do with them.

✨They are both running for a very prestigious contract that only one can obtain while both keeping secrets that could jeopardize their chances. They place a friendly bet and they are off to the races.

✨I laughed out loud at the "nicknames" they had for each other and her questions regarding all things Fae. 🌸

✨Edwina's imagination is her greatest strength and downfall when it comes to personal relationships. William is no exception, even in the name of research. ❤️‍🩹

✨ I loved Monty & Daphne, and I can't wait to read their story next!

✨Read this if you want cozy romance meets book tour shenanigans, witty banter with a dash of spice. A fantastic read for all book-loving hearts. 🩵

✨Thank you Net Galley for this lovely book! 🫶🏼

This review will be ran today, May 26, 2024 on my Goodreads account!

4.25/5★

First off, thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC copy! This book was by far one of my favorite ARC's that I have received so far.

Let me start off by saying I am someone who prefers fantasy stories with bits of romance rather than romance that has bits of fantasy, but this book has turned that idea right on its head. <i>A Rivalry of Hearts</i> is a wonderful and adorable story between two authors--Edwina, a human who is a quirky romance author, and William, a stoic fairy who is a poet. These two's dynamic was actually hilarious with their constant snippy yet playful banter. William was so head over heels for Edwina, constantly teasing and flirting with her, and she was simply too flustered at any and all points to do anything but retort--it was wonderfully fluffy and cheesy and so beyond sweet!

I will say that I was not sold on this story initially because I just could not get over the main propellant. In vague terms, Edwina and William form a bet that would award the winner a lucrative publishing contract. Now I won't say exactly what this bet entails but I literally chuckled out loud at the absurdity of this bet--I could not believe it! I can't lie though, once I accepted that this was the new state of things I ate it up, plus this scene is hysterical and really was the point that solidified my love for Edwina as a MC.

Edwina and William were such an amazing pair for this story as they were both incredibly endearing to me. Edwina was a loveable and dorky mess which, same girl! She acknowledged her mistakes, but also was not afraid to stand up for herself when she was not the cause of her problems. I also th0ught that she really held her own against the stoic and teasing William. I have to be so honest, I much preferred William's POV chapters over Edwina but that is simply because i LOVED his character. William is outwardly stoic but on the inside is so deeply into Edwina RIGHT from the start! One of initial chapters where he explains his side of the bet, was so funny--he was both enamored and bamboozled by Edwina at the same time and I ate it up!.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a cheesy, sweet, and sometimes smutty romantasy book. Throughout the book, there were elements of grumpy-sunshine dynamics, examples of him falling both first and harder, and just overall tooth-rottingly sweet romance! If any of those appeal to you, I cannot recommend <i>A Rivalry of Hearts</i> enough!

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Tessonja Odette for providing me an ARC copy of this book.

I really don’t have words for how much I loved this book. While in a fantasy world there are no high stakes it’s just a beautiful cozy romance about to people falling in love.

Our main characters have flaws but they never get too annoying, they are forced to open their world views and understand each other - it’s sort of enemies to lovers but more rivals to lovers so a different kind of energy.

The support cast will steal your heart and they feel dimensional- not just plot points but people whose stories I would like to know

I hadn’t read any of the authors other work so it is a true stand alone - but I’ll now be checking out her back catalogue

This was such a cute feel good fantasy read! It felt like a romcom and just made me happy. The only downside was when it was over because I would have gladly read more.

I read the ebook version of a Rivalry of Hearts and immediately after finishing it pre-ordered the hardcover version. This was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it.

A Rivalry of Hearts is about Edwina and William, two authors on a book tour together who compete for a publishing contract. Fae, enemies-to-lovers, and witty banter, what more can you really ask for in a book! The main characters had such great chemistry and I loved them together. The settings and side characters were amazing also well. This was one of my favourite recent reads!

I can’t wait to read Monty and Daph’s book!

I have been a fairly recent Tessonja Odetta fan after only discovering her last year. Yes I know I’m behind. But hey better late than never. And let me tell you Teasonja Odetta has done it again folks! If you are looking for a cozy fantasy read file with witty characters, A Rivalry of Hearts is for you!

A Rivalry of Hearts, the first of her new The Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. Tropes for this book had all of my favorites, enemies- to- lovers, he falls first, character nicknames and don’t forget about the witty banter. Edwina and Will kept me grinning through the entire book. My favorite scene though the flower scene, if you know you know ;)

Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for an arc' copy of A Rivalry of Hearts in exchange for an honest review. I can’t recommend this book enough! Please check it out on June 12, 2004.

The blurb of A Rivalry of Hearts promises everything I was looking for:
"Two rival writers.
One prestigious publishing contract.
A bargain of hearts and seduction."
Who can say no to that?! And I was not disappointed.

William Hayward, who is a fae, slowly but surely made its way into my list of book boyfriends because he's so charmingly mysterious. Meanwhile, Edwina Danforth is a whirlwind of chaos and you have to love her for it. Both of them have their flaws, but they fit each other so well.

Sometimes Edwina frustrated me more so than William did, but that also left room for development. Edwina struggles with her pride, and it often gets in the way of her true feelings, but the way in which these basic human emotions were dealt with was a nice contrast to the fantasy setting of the book.

If you like enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers, or some good old sexual tension with a touch of slow burn, then this definitely will be the romantasy read for you! truly a novel of "smut and drivel" 🩵

thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

This book is a low stakes fantasy regency novel which sweeps you away. If you’re looking for a book similar to Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater this is definitely it!
It’s about a romance author and a poet/actor, making a bet and having to dissolve it because they’re feelings override their want to win
The chemistry of the main characters is over the roof and their bets are so much fun to read. If you’re looking for a fast paced lighthearted read you will definitely adore this book.

Rating: 5/5
Spiciness: 3/5

Playful, sexy, fun! So so so good! This book had me giggling and screaming! I read it in one sitting. Literally so incredible! From the moment the main characters met, it was all banter, fun, spicy. If you like enemies (more like rivals) to lovers, this book is for you!

Edwina is a human. William is a fae. They're both authors on a book tour together. At the end of the book tour, only one walks away with a book contract for 3 more books. Each has their reasons to need that contract. The contract is supposed to go to whoever has the most sales by the end of the tour, but after seeing William's popularity after the first event and a little too much fae alcohol, Edwina propose a new bet. Whoever can seduce/bed more people by the end of the tour wins the contract? The only problem Edwina is not much of a seductress, but she's now more motive than ever.

There's so many lovely parts of this book! I love how Edwina and William swap secrets yet never shame the other about what they learned. I like how consent is clear and always asked. I like how Edwina rises to every dare and is so open about everything she learns in the fae world.

This book got me out of a reading slump. Every book I have read recently was just good, but nothing really excited me. This book did that! So if you like strong, independent, kinda clumsy, socially awkward female leads and aggrogant, charming, respectful male leads and a bantering rivalry, read this book! It won't disappoint!


Thanks to Netgalley for providing me this arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This was such a cute book! I adores A Rivalry of Hearts from the first page. Edwina is so adorably awkward and unlucky at the start of her journey. Her rival, Will, is insufferable and haughty, standing in her way of her dreams and livelihood. Of course romance blossoms.

I thought the ending was perfect for the story and I love how the epilogue set up the next book.

The setting was gorgeous and I loved all the side characters. Although this is my first Tessonja Odette novel, it will not be my last!

Thanks to NetGalley and Crystal Moon Press for the eARC.

In this sweet but spicy fantasy romance, we follow Edwina and Will, two rivals on their book tour.
Originally Edwina’s solo book tour, she finds herself delayed leading to Will picking up the first two dates for himself. Pitted against each other by their publisher for sales and an exclusive three-book publishing deal, they form their own bet – whoever can seduce the most people on the duration of the book tour gets the publishing deal.
At first it seems as though Will could win on sales alone, but Edwina is a romance author, seduction is what she does. Will The Poet is popular, but Edwina has the added bonus of being the queen’s favourite author.
It is a close game of romance and soon the two find themselves making a new bargain, seducing the other to lower their chances with anyone else.
The book was just the right amount of romance and emotion, mixed with the magical world and character. Edwina was wonderful and devoted to her work, not knowing her own value due to her past. Will has never shown his true self to anyone, always playing the part for the readers, and together they form the most heart wrenching, romantic duo.
A Rivalry of Hearts is built on a love for words and readers, and finding someone who understands you beyond all of that. The read was enjoyable and easy, a comfort read and an escape.

Workplace Romance, along with both the characters from book background, well this was enough to convince me pick up this book and i am glad that I did.
It was a well paced book with well penned down characters. The characters were amazing and each was given sufficient scope to contribute to the book that really made my reading experience more wonderful. I was hooked till the end.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this ARC!

I quite like it it's a very nice read. The FMC is a romance author who is inexprience it's quite funny and relatable

The MMC is a poet, i like how he was so denial for his feelings at the beginning but it's very obvious

The confession scene was so cute

5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

What a delightfully charming and steamy romp this was. A Rivalry of Hearts was my first book by this author, and I'm eager to pick up other books soon after enjoying this one a great deal. I'm a huge fan of whimsical and banter-filled romances, especially if set in a historical/gaslamp fae fantasy world, and I was rewarded greatly with this read. Both Edwina and Will are wonderful characters, each weighed down with the need to win a publishing contract to better their lives - Edwina so she can move to a place more supportive of her romance novels than back home in the human land of Bretton, and William so he can better support his younger sister Cassie get through studies at a performing arts college. Since there's only one contract up for grabs, naturally they are the greatest of rivals - cue my excitement over all the banter.

A Rivalry of Hearts kept me well fed on delightful bickering, humorous situations, heated moments, sexual tension and desire, wholesome feelings and confessions, and a beautiful cast of side characters that bolstered this read into something I wanted to consume. I was kicking at my bedding and shrieking at moments, and even though the storyline was highly predictable at points, I was 100% sold on the journey to get to the conclusion. Will, especially, is swoon-ably charming, with a tragic back story to add to his case and an affectionate habit of being protective and responsible, which I adored. Edwina is equally engaging, with her eagerness to research fae more properly for her upcoming romance stories. Her ability to be shy and forthcoming depending on the situation was believable, and I loved how outspoken she could get (even when she was sometimes in the wrong). She advocated for women to not have to follow duty and have a career of their own, and was rewarded by many during her time in the faelands. I loved watching her grow comfortable with herself physically and mentally away from the stricter societal expectations of Bretton, too.

The romance is central to the plot, and this was marketed as spicy - and don't get me wrong, there is a good deal of steamy tension, but I truly appreciated that it wasn't instantaneous. I loved the build-up of the sexual tension between Will and Edwina and how often we got a good taste of what could be and what would come. By the time the spice truly culminates, it was much further into the book, and I felt rewarded by the author's decision to not rush the full physical intimacy any earlier.

Whilst the ending was a little weaker than I anticipated, and the third act breakup was a little dramatic, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will be highly anticipating book two - when I read that the side characters I had been hoping for something more would be the main stars of the sequel, I fully rejoiced. I'm now off to search my kindle for the books I've picked up by this author and yet to read!

3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, & Tessonja Odette for providing an eARC of A Rivalry of Hearts!

Are you a fan of rom coms, faeries, and perhaps a fine dusting of smut? Well then, step right up!!

A Rivalry of Hearts follows the slightly bumbling romance author Edwina on the book tour of her dreams! Well, it WAS the book tour of her dreams before her ship to Faerwyvae (the isle of the fae) was delayed... Now she is a couple stops late to her tour. And even worse? A fae poet, William, has been added as a second author on this tour. Oh, and they are both fighting for a chance at the same contract with the publisher.

With both Edwina and William desperate for the contract, they strike themselves a slightly alcohol-fueled deal: Whoever beds the most people by the end of the tour gets the contract. For a romantically inexperienced smut writer and a fae man who cannot be intimate without having feelings for the other person, this goes about as well as you may expect (cue montage of rivals becoming lovers).

This is definitely a fun romance placed in a fantasy world. There are many other books set in this world, and I may just have to check them out since I adored all our characters. It wasn't show stoppingly amazing or brought me to tears, but it was a fun and quick read for me!

This read was a very rare occurrence for me - I went in blind! I liked the title, cover and blurb and jumped on in…and I'm so glad I did! This was just plain fun..low stakes, high drama, good old fashioned fantasy with a healthy serving of spice. It took me a bit to adjust to this particular world/lore, but it was actually refreshing to read some fairy smut that wasn’t laced with imminent death!

If you are an enemies to lover fan, you will be HOOKED on this couple. The teasing banter, the games, the moments of vulnerability slowly building into a deep connection and LORD the HEAT!

I was really excited for this one but it just did not do it for me. I just couldn’t connect with the MC and felt the world building needed more work.