A very cozy, fantasy romcom! For lovers or lighthearted books with cozy vibes and great banter! I would definitely recommend this book to lighthearted fantasy readers!

“I’ve always maintained that a woman in possession of a vast imagination would want for nothing in life. She’d be superior to those with such fleeting virtues as wit, beauty, or accomplishment. The richest woman in the world, if only in her mind.”

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Pride & Prejudice meets Divine Rivals. A fae historical fiction rom-com between a romance author and a trained actor, this story had so much going on and was so entertaining! This is a good read for a romance reader who isn’t wanting *too* much of a fantasy world. The characters were all likeable and I’ll look forward to book two in the series!
💘 enemies to lovers
💘 magical world with fae
💘 historical romance
💘 witty banter

Was drew in by the cover and was not disappointed! This was funny, cute and made me swoon. I love a good historical romance and this was just that. Definitely recommend!

I’d give this 4 1/2, but rounding up to 5. I thought this book was so fun, so sweet. I absolutely adore William and I think this was one of the funnest dual POV’s I’ve read. I love that Edwina was a different FMC than we normally see. She was determined, very stubborn, but she was a breath of fresh air. And Edwina and William’s tension and steam and vulnerability all mixed together was soooo fun to read, I seriously enjoyed this book. I think sometimes when a book is making a point of values and female expectation and/or male expectation it can sometimes feel a little preachy. I did feel that a little bit, but I don’t think it took me away from the story. Overall, I loved the ride.

This book is one big SWOON! I loved their story so much and it’s only partially because enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. The rest is allll the story telling! There were so many parts I caught myself smiling at the banter and I fell in love with all of the characters. I already started book 2 and it’s just as sweet!

Tessonja Odette’s A Rivalry of Hearts is a dazzling romantic romp set against the lush backdrop of a fae-tinged Regency-inspired world. This standalone novel combines the enemies-to-lovers trope with the charm of historical fantasy, creating a delightful mix of wit, whimsy, and slow-burn passion.

The story follows Edwina Danforth, a headstrong human romance author, and William Haywood, a brooding fae poet, as they embark on a competitive book tour in Faerwyvae. The stakes are high: only one of them will win the coveted three-book contract from their publisher. Their rivalry takes an entertaining turn when they make a reckless bet fueled by fae wine—whoever seduces the most people wins. Naturally, their escalating competition brings them closer in ways neither anticipated, sparking a sizzling romance filled with banter, mischief, and tender vulnerability.

Edwina is a fiercely determined heroine who leaps off the page with her cleverness and ambition. Her curiosity often lands her in hilarious and compromising situations, but her growth as a character is deeply rewarding. William, on the other hand, is the epitome of a guarded yet secretly yearning hero. His poetic heart and layered personality shine through as his façade crumbles in Edwina’s presence. Their chemistry is electric, their dynamic a perfect blend of fiery clashes and heartfelt moments.

The novel’s world-building strikes a balance between the elegant restraint of Regency fiction and the colorful eccentricities of fae lore. Faerwyvae is vividly imagined, from its opulent bookshops to its magical societal norms. Odette also skillfully incorporates modern sensibilities, including diverse characters and themes of acceptance, into this fantastical setting.

What truly elevates A Rivalry of Hearts is its humor and charm. The dialogue sparkles with sharp wit, and the banter between Edwina and William will have readers giggling and swooning in equal measure. The playful yet intimate scenes—such as their “acted-out” romance exercises—are as delightful as they are steamy.

The pacing is brisk, though the middle section occasionally meanders as the characters’ personal and romantic stakes build. However, this time is well spent deepening their emotional connection and fleshing out the richly drawn side characters, like the irrepressible Daphne and the enigmatic Zane.

The story culminates in a satisfying blend of humor, passion, and personal growth, with just enough tension in the third act to keep readers on edge before delivering a heartfelt resolution.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 stars)
A Rivalry of Hearts is an enchanting read that seamlessly blends historical romance with cozy fantasy. With its charming leads, sparkling dialogue, and swoon-worthy romance, it’s a must-read for fans of romantasy and whimsical rivalries. Perfect for readers who crave stories that are equal parts magical and heartwarming.

First and foremost, thank you to Tessonja Odette, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Netgalley for giving me an advance readers copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Rating: 4/5

Summary
Edwina Danforth, a romance author with a devoted fae readership, is determined to secure a lucrative publishing contract in Faerwyvae. Standing in her way is William Haywood, a dashing fae poet and her fiercest rival. When a drunken bet binds them to a high-stakes competition, their professional rivalry takes a surprising turn as simmering attraction complicates their determination to win. Told primarily through Edwina’s perspective, with glimpses into William’s, this enemies-to-lovers tale is as witty as it is steamy.

Short Opinion
This steamy enemies-to-lovers romance surprised me with its depth and slow-burn tension. While the pacing felt uneven at times, the witty banter and dual POVs made for an enjoyable read.

In-depth Opinion
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed A Rivalry of Hearts, especially as someone who doesn’t typically read regency-era romances. The enemies-to-lovers trope was executed well, with a slow-burn progression that allowed the tension and chemistry to simmer beneath the surface. I particularly appreciated William’s banter and how the dual POVs gave insight into both characters' thoughts, adding layers to their relationship. However, the pacing occasionally dragged, making the book feel longer than necessary. For me, some of the regency-era terminology made it challenging to fully immerse myself, but that’s more of a personal preference, as the world building was minimal but effective. I am excited to see more of the world that Odette has created. Overall, this steamy romance was engaging, witty, and worth the effort to push through slower sections.

Tessonja Odette can literally do no wrong, she's an auto-buy author for me. I've read every single one of her books and they always exceed expectations and A Rivalry of Hearts was no exception. I love the tension and banter between these two, and the rivalry to lovers was so well done. They had me kicking my feet and giggling the whole way. This one was more spicy than her other books and I'm not complaining! I'm so excited for the next book in this series!

“𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯… 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶”

When I tell you this is THE cutest book I have read in 2024 - I’m spitting bare facts guys. @tessonja had me out here literally kicking my feet and giggling like a gosh darn school girl.

I am ✨ obsessed ✨ with William & Weenie I cannot cope 😭 their chemistry is off the charts. They are equal parts hilarious and adorable. I am just so mad I waited so long to read it!!

I actually think I have a new book boyfriend for life now, Will is just 😍😍😍 had me melting into a damn puddle.

Couldn’t recommend this read enough if you love:

✅ rivals to lovers
✅ he falls first
✅ competition

Tessonja writes with such whimsy and immersion, I loved every second, the spicy scenes were 😍🔥 - and I adored the side characters, I cannot WAIT for the next instalment!

A cosy magical romcom - its got a bit of everything and I loved it!
We're talking professional rivals, writers no less, so the banter was bantering, and when we get to it the spice is spicing!

Its a Bridgetown vibe fae story, where Penelope and Colin are rival authors and don;t like each other, but make a stupid bet and boom, here we are.

I just adored it. Its kicking your feet and squealing kind of story, and I am so glad I got to read it!

Fluffy and cute, perfect to read snuggled up on as winters afternoon!

Who to recommend this to: readers on a fairy romance binge

Personally, I liked the author writing style, world-building and how the spicier scenes were written. But I would only recommend this as a library book; I can see the main characters grating people the wrong way. I'll pick up the next one, I'm interested in those two characters.

The concept of this book sounded like so much fun, but unfortunately, I had a hard time following the story. It was slow-paced with not much happening, which I usually don’t mind, but with this one, I really couldn’t bring myself to push through.

I went into "A Rivalry of Hearts" expecting a quaint and charming universe, perhaps along the lines of something like Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries. However, what I found was a much spicier ride than anticipated! Tessonja Odette’s world-building was intriguing, but the book leaned more heavily into the realm of spicy romance than fantasy, which wasn’t quite what I had hoped for.

Though I enjoyed aspects of the setting, the plot didn’t grab me as much, as I was expecting more of a fantasy with romance woven into the story rather than the reverse.

If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with a steamy twist, "A Rivalry of Hearts" might just be up your alley, but if you're expecting a more traditional fantasy adventure, you might want to adjust your expectations accordingly.

Thank you to Tessonja Odette, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love, love, loved this book! The characters, the rivalry, the story, I just cannot wait for more books in the series. A Rivalry of Hearts had me hooked, I couldn't wait to get back to the book.

A Rivalry of Hearts is a warm hug in book form. I urge you to read it !!

This book had a premise I really love and had all the things to be a great cosy novel, but I just couldn’t get into it. I found the characters didn’t quite have the depth I was after, and I didn’t find it aligned with my usual reading preferences.

That being said, if you regularly read regency fiction, this might be the perfect blend of fantasy and historical romance for you.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this early.

This book was whitty, funny, light, and of course SPICY! I absolutely adored this book and can’t wait for the next one! Edwina and William are the absolute perfect rivals to lovers and I am here for it!

Tessonja Odette has done it again. A Rivalry of Hearts was the cutest read!!! So fluffy and fun for a historical fantasy that I absolutely adored.

Who writes drivel now? You smug bastard?

✍️ Cozy rom-com fantasy with a sprinkle of spice
📚 Fluffy banter and snarky flirting
✍️ Fae and whimsical vibes
📚 Rivals to lovers

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet and I enjoyed every minute of it. It felt really original to be reading about an author of fantasy romance while reading a fantasy romance. I devoured it all in one day.

It's the perfect cocktail of cozy, historical, and romantic fantasy and I absolutely loved the whimsical and magical world building. Edwina as our stubborn yet somewhat insecure writer of smut and drivel was a joy to read, while at the same time I completely fell in love with an even more stubborn William (the Poet). There's medium high-stakes, which is ultimately the main conflict of the story, and I really appreciated how both main character's reasons for needing to win were seen as equally as valid.

What I thought to be especially strong was that it wasn't just the main characters that were interesting, but the side characters that got introduced were equally as captivating and I wanted to get to know more about them as well. The friendship between Edwina and Daphne was especially lovely to read (I love, love Daphne!). Obviously the main characters' relationship building was the main focus point of the book and I really enjoyed seeing their back and forth stubbornness blossom into something great. (Also can we talk about that elevator scene?? Damn.)

Although I'd love to read more about my favourite author of smut and drivel, I'm incredibly impatient to read the next story knowing that it’ll star my favourite side character! (Did I mention I love Daphne?) I also have the gorgeous The BookCove edition of A Rivalry of Hearts book on pre-order and I already cannot wait to give this book a re-read once it arrives.

I enjoyed reading about the world of Faewyvae. It was so cozy;] the imagery was written beautifully of the fae lands. I was giggling and kicking my feet reading Edwina and Will's banter. The tension was everything and the spice was perfect. All the characters are so lovable I can't wait for book 2.

I couldn't quite get into this one. I liked the setting and cosy vibes, but couldn't connect with the main characters.