A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

Book Description

They say never bargain with the fae. They also say don’t get drunk on fae wine. Yet romance author Edwina Danforth has managed a blunder with both on her first visit to the infamous faelands. Now she’s trapped in a magic-fueled bet she barely remembers with a man she’d be happier to forget. The terms? Whoever can bed the most lovers during their month-long dueling book tour wins a coveted publishing contract.

The win should be easy for Edwina. She’s known for penning scintillating tales of whirlwind romance. There’s just one problem: her imagination vastly exceeds her bedroom experience. But when failure means plummeting her career back into obscurity, losing isn’t an option.

Her handsome fae rival, William Haywood, poses an even greater challenge. Not only are his looks as aggravatingly perfect as his track record behind closed doors, but he has his own reasons for playing to win, and he won’t go down without a fight. Unless, of course, it’s a different kind of going down. In that case, he’s fair game.

Review

Tessonja Odette’s A Rivalry of Hearts charmed me from page one. The premise of this romantasy (fantasy romance) is delightfully whimsical. Edwina Danforth, a human romance author, finds herself dragged into a bet with William Haywood, an infuriatingly handsome fae poet, while on a book tour through magical fae lands.

Their rivalry?

Seduce the most lovers in a month. Yep, you read that right! And naturally, sparks fly. It is the fae realm, after all!

In A Rivalry of Hearts, Odette delivers a number of delicious tropes. Do you swoon for romance stories that include Rivals to Lovers, Enemy to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Fae Bargain, or He Falls First? If so, A Rivalry of Hearts has you covered.

I’ve seen the Fae Bargain trope in several fantasies, including How to Summon a Fairy Godmother, but this was the first time I’d read it in a romance.

Although I don’t often read fantasy romance, I thoroughly enjoyed A Rivalry of Hearts. The novel balances its romantic elements with humor and emotional growth, providing a well-rounded reading experience. It is spicy, but I thought the sex scenes very well done.

I listened to the audiobook, and loved the dual narrator performances by Rusty Mewha and Dani Cochrane. The dynamic between Edwina and William is pitch-perfect.

Their verbal sparring, fueled by mutual disdain and grudging respect, evolves beautifully as each character peels back their layers of insecurity and social expectation. Edwina’s mix of vulnerability and sharp wit had me rooting for her all the way. And William? Let’s just say his brooding-but-secretly-sweet romance hero vibe left me besotted.

Odette excels at lush world-building. Fae politics, enchanting courtly settings, and a touch of magic bring depth and color to the story. But it’s the blend of humor, romance, and emotional stakes that made this a standout read for me. If you devour fantasy romance tales stuffed full of books, humor, and heart, add this one to your list!

Content Warning

Alcohol, Chronic Illness, Death of a Parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual Content, Terminal Illness, Vomit

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash