I absolutely enjoyed this cozy romantic fantasy. This is a new genre I am hoping to read more books in! I loved Edwina and Will’’s rivalry and playful banter.

This novel had everything I love about romantic comedies mixed with the best elements of a cozy fantasy - with an utterly perfect dash of spice. I cannot wait to pick up more novels in this series.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6495425188

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This story follows Edwina and William, two authors forced on a book tour together - and they don’t get along! What more could you want? Oh, and it gets better: It’s a fae & human romance with slight fantasy elements.

I enjoyed this book, it’s not entirely what I got for, but it was really fun and cosy and whimsical. It was also just an easy read!

At the start, I wasn’t sure the book even needed William’s POV. Edwina is a very strong and well-rounded character, and I initially found William to be a bit of a weaker character. However with the minor plot twist, it does put all of that stuff in a better context.

I thought at times the dialogue was overly chunky and would have preferred more expansion of background information/lore out of conversation. However, overall this book was just a ray of sunshine. And I will admit I found Monty and Daphne to be a bit more intriguing, so I probably will go back and read their story!

4,25⭐️ Thank you Netgalley for the gifted ARC! This was so funny and lovely! Perfect Bridgerton meets cozy fantasy vibes <3 a bit like Divine Rivals with the authors competing over a deal but also smutty and cozy with fae!! Great world-building and lovely diverse characters! The characters also evolved and there was good teasing for the next book *(cough monty cough)* <3

This book was so cute, charming and aesthetically pleasing to read!

I genuinely loved the overall concept: fae brooding poet and a human romance author duel it out for a publishing contract while on a book tour together. Both with something major and necessary to gain.

Between the banter and the heated tension between our leads, I was really eating these two up. They had great chemistry and I really started to look forward to whenever these two got anywhere near each other.

Edwina was a cute and quirky character. She's in love with writing beautiful love stories and is fully committed to getting her ideas and characters just right. She embarks on a book signing tour only to realize she has to share the spotlight with William, said brooding poet.

William was fun. He was full of sarcastic and witty remarks. Personally, I loved him being a little mean to Edwina because it wasn't really mean as it was him being all "flirty and charming". Him constantly winking and making snide remarks towards Edwina had me really eating his character up.

Together, they form a bet. Where, I wasn't truly thinking the bet was necessary, I still had fun with it nonetheless. It definitely added drama and gave these two something more to get heated over.

It was nice to see them go from strangers to rivals to friends to lovers. I loved the jealousy, I loved the tension, and I loved how soft William easily turns for her.

This world was really interesting to read about. I loved the different courts and each aesthetic of them. I loved how the concept of fae here are different than in other books I’ve read. I love that this had a Regency/Victorian time period feel.

There were times where I felt things tended to have a little extra fluff BUT again, I really did enjoy this. It was light, cute, funny, sweet, heated, and just really fun.

We get great side characters, Daphne and Monty, and I cannot wait for their book.

Between the banter, the plot, and the romance, I really enjoyed this book. Also, can we talk about the stunning and adorable cover and character art? Obsessed.

Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam for an ARC copy!

this book is an absolute rivals to lovers perfection!!! I’ve loved every single minute of this story and now i’m grieving the loss of these characters (i think i’m going to devour every other book from this author to compensate).

The story is about these two authors who have to share a book tour at the end of which, the one with the highest sales, will be offered a three-book contract from their publisher. Cool right? Except they both want it.
The two started on the wrong foot, with William describing Edwina’s books as “smut and drivel”. Yes, she’s a smutty romance author and he writes poetry.
So, how to solve their conundrum? They make a bet of course. The one of them who will share the most acts of intimacy in their bedroom will get the contract. They both agree. This way they have a sure way to control the situation and orchestrate their win. Right?
Wrong.
While they’re rivals, and trust me they’re 100% rivalling for most of the book, they cannot deny the spark between them. And this of course complicates matters.

What i’ve absolutely loved about this book is the attention to detail the author displays in describing these characters and the inkling flame of their desire. It made them stand out and come alive, to the point I could feel their chemistry.
Their banter is *chef’s kiss*. I’ve loved every single minute of it.
Every character was so well written and complex that the more you read the more you got to know them and unravel layer after layer. Even the side characters were amazing ( i already have a soft spot for Monty and Daphne).

Honestly, this is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year and I’ll be thinking about this book for weeks to come.

The scene at the uni party???? it made me scream in my pillow.

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

What I loved:
✒️The world. I really enjoyed learning about Faerwyvae.
🌼Rivals to lovers. This trope was written beautifully.
✒️The bickering between the MCs. I couldn't get enough and was highly entertained.

This was such a delightful read. The world, the characters, and the romance were all incredible and well done. I was surprised at how great, yet easy to follow, the world building was.

Edwina and William had great tension and banter. I loved their scenes together. I loved their separate issues and how they both had reasons to fight for the publishing deal. They were both well-rounded and dynamic characters. I loved them both! I couldn't get enough of them together. I did think their romance proceeded a little fast as the plot takes place only over a few weeks.

The side characters in this novel also made it for me. I loved Monty and how aloof and mysterious he was. I wanted inside his head and can't wait to read his and Daphne's story! I also loved Daphne. She was so sweet and so cutely naive about things. I did want more from her, or maybe just more time to get to know her.

I also loved how this book touched on some heavier topics like grief, loss, and fear of failure. Both William and Edwina had many personal issues they needed to work through. I loved that even while they were bickering and disagreeing, they were still kind to each other.

This is my first Odette novel, but I could tell there were references and easter eggs to her prior books. This can absolutely be read as a stanalone, but if you've read her other books, I think you'll really enjoy this one and see some familiar characters pop up.

While this novel was incredibly cute and a fun, light story to read. I can't lie and say I didn't want and expect more. I think there were quite a few missed opportunities to have this book delve deeper into the characters. I really wanted Edwina and Daphne to have bonding moments because they were both dealing with different things but had their low self-esteem in common. I was let down that they didn't have these moments that could have deepend the friendship.

I was also thrown off at some of the found family at the end. Jolene comes across more as a pawn to make Edwina jealous and didn't feel like a true friend to Edwina, yet shows up at the end for her? The MCs were well-developed, but many of the side characters needed more work, in my opinion.

Overall, this is an enjoyable high fantasy with low stakes. The story is easy to follow with simple yet intriguing world building. If you love cozy romances but want something more unique, this is your book! This is my first read from Odette, and I'm really impressed. While I was left wanting more from the characters, I did have a great time. I'm excited to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this arc.

This was such a cute/fluffy/spicy read. It was exactly what I was looking for and what I was needing to read. I absolutely devoured this in one night. It was addicting and such a fast read.

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!