Fae Flings and Corset Strings

Review of My Feral Romance by Tessonja Odette

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
A painter in need of a model.
A matchmaker seeking a subject.
An arrangement that will tangle their hearts.

Fae shifter Daphne has landed the opportunity of a lifetime: illustrating her favorite author’s steamy romance novels. If only she could master male physiques…and other essential anatomy. What she needs is a model. Yet how does the socially awkward fae with a tendency to bite find a man she can comfortably paint in the nude?

Self-proclaimed matchmaker Monty Phillips is a hopeless romantic…but only when it comes to others. Meddling in the love lives of strangers via his popular advice column keeps romance a safe distance away. Yet when he’s tasked with demonstrating his tips on modern courtship, he’ll need to step out from behind the pen and into someone’s love life.

And he knows just the perfect plaything.

The last time Daphne saw Monty, he broke her heart and discarded their friendship. Now he wants to drag her into one of his idiotic matchmaking games—where she’s the subject! But when he promises to pose as her model in exchange, she can’t refuse. At least it’s only temporary. If he’s the expert he claims to be, she can replace him with a lover in no time.

Painting sessions and flirting lessons commence, rekindling their friendship. But when instructional seduction turns their platonic spark into burning desire, will either have the courage to fan the flames?

Bridgerton meets My Fair Lady and He’s Just Not That Into You in My Feral Romance, a spicy standalone fantasy romcom in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. Every book in this interconnected series is a complete story and ends with a HEA. If you like fae bargains, friends-to-lovers romance, and cozy fantasy worlds, you’ll love this sizzling tale.

Review:
“… you don’t have to pretend to be anyone you’re not. You deserve to be loved for exactly who you are.” (Chapter 33)

I have loved all of Tessonja Odette’s books, and this is no exception. I did prefer the first book in the Fae Flings and Corset Strings series. I really liked that we saw Daphne and Monty thrown together and how their dynamic changed and yet stayed the same from when she was working as his assistant. I liked getting to know more of both of their pasts, and it was really interesting to see how Daphne grew up, and how that type of life might have shaped someone. There was so much more angst and turmoil in Monty’s past than could possibly be guessed (and I really hadn’t remembered him from the first book I had seen him in when I started this series). The romance was decent, and the way they had to work around fae bargains was *chef’s kiss*.

Another stellar book by Tessonja Odette. If you’re looking for something fairy tale esque, magical, with some spice, this will be a great fit for you!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

P. S. I don’t like Monty’s dad, and you likely won’t either!

Review of A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

/ authoramysbrown / Leave a comment

Synopsis:
Two rival writers.
One prestigious publishing contract.
A bargain of hearts and desire.

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.

Edwina and William clash in a rivalry of romance. But what happens when their objects of desire…turn out to be each other?

Review:
I was uncertain what to think of this novel and put it off for quite a time because I love Tessonja Odette and didn’t want to become sour of her if this book didn’t live up to the expectations I had from loving all of her other novels. That was a silly notion, because Odette did an amazing job putting a book tour through all of our favourite fairy tale haunts. I loved how there were plenty of bits of fairy tale magic without it being a direct retelling of any of the fairy tales. I absolutely adored the banter and connection between Edwina and William; no part of this book felt forced or out of place. This book certainly had me rooting for everyone, uncertain but hoping that somehow everyone gets exactly what they wish, want, and need. One of the things I adored about this book is that everyone is considered amazing just as they are; there is no desire or attempt to change things that might be considered unruly by human standards.

If it had been out at the time of finishing, I would have immediately started the second book in the series. This book is a no brainer for people who love romance and fairy tales and reading late into the night waiting to see if there’s a happy ever after on the horizon.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯