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The Kingdom Below #1
A Darkness So Sweet
Traded for peace. Sacrificed to a monster.
Maia Fremont just wanted a chance. When the opportunity to create floral arrangements for the royal wedding is offered to her, who is she to say no? But the crown is never honest, and soon enough she finds herself thrust into an unwanted union with a fearsome troll. Ripped from her beloved garden and the only life she’s ever known, she’s offered as a bride to a creature she’s only heard whispers of—rumors of brutality, darkness, and insatiable hunger.
Ragnar, a powerful troll healer, is disgusted by the human king’s deception. His duty to his people forces him to accept this lie of a marriage. His bride is a fragile human instead of the strong half elven mate he expected. Her meager magic is an insult, but honor and allegiance bind him to her. No matter how much he hates it.
Married to a beast who sees her as nothing more than a tool to strengthen his bloodline, Maia must fight for her life in the treacherous world of the trolls. But in their kingdom Deep within the mountain, she must balance her growing attraction for her gruff, surprisingly poetic husband against the lurking dangers in this strange new world—especially when the growing darkness threatens to tear them apart.
Maia Fremont just wanted a chance. When the opportunity to create floral arrangements for the royal wedding is offered to her, who is she to say no? But the crown is never honest, and soon enough she finds herself thrust into an unwanted union with a fearsome troll. Ripped from her beloved garden and the only life she’s ever known, she’s offered as a bride to a creature she’s only heard whispers of—rumors of brutality, darkness, and insatiable hunger.
Ragnar, a powerful troll healer, is disgusted by the human king’s deception. His duty to his people forces him to accept this lie of a marriage. His bride is a fragile human instead of the strong half elven mate he expected. Her meager magic is an insult, but honor and allegiance bind him to her. No matter how much he hates it.
Married to a beast who sees her as nothing more than a tool to strengthen his bloodline, Maia must fight for her life in the treacherous world of the trolls. But in their kingdom Deep within the mountain, she must balance her growing attraction for her gruff, surprisingly poetic husband against the lurking dangers in this strange new world—especially when the growing darkness threatens to tear them apart.
502 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2025
3178 people are currently reading
8921 people want to read
About the author
Emma Hamm
72 books4,530 followers
We all know you don't really care about reading my background. Enjoy Cap instead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,167 reviews
May 10, 2025
I really wanted to like this but it had a couple of nagging issues that I couldn't get past:
At the beginning, Ragnar mistreats Maia quite severely. What makes it more egregious is that he's supposed to be a healer, but he willfully injures her, and even after knowing she was injured, doesn't make a move to treat her for a long time. At the point I stopped reading, Ragnar still hadn't apologised or grovelled for mistreating her. Maia was also a wuss. In one chapter, she is determined to extract an apology from him; in the next, her resolve evaporates and she's ready to get it on with him instead. The icing on the cake was a scene midway through the book, where Ragnar witnesses a woman being shoved to the ground, and is shocked that humans would treat women that way. Buddy, are you for real? You were guilty of the same behaviour mere weeks ago!
My second issue with the book is that the two leads seemed to spend more time apart than together. I found the enemies to lovers switch happen too abruptly.
Will continue to look out for more books by the author. This just didn't sit right with me.
At the beginning, Ragnar mistreats Maia quite severely. What makes it more egregious is that he's supposed to be a healer, but he willfully injures her, and even after knowing she was injured, doesn't make a move to treat her for a long time. At the point I stopped reading, Ragnar still hadn't apologised or grovelled for mistreating her. Maia was also a wuss. In one chapter, she is determined to extract an apology from him; in the next, her resolve evaporates and she's ready to get it on with him instead. The icing on the cake was a scene midway through the book, where Ragnar witnesses a woman being shoved to the ground, and is shocked that humans would treat women that way. Buddy, are you for real? You were guilty of the same behaviour mere weeks ago!
My second issue with the book is that the two leads seemed to spend more time apart than together. I found the enemies to lovers switch happen too abruptly.
Will continue to look out for more books by the author. This just didn't sit right with me.
May 6, 2025
Paper thin plot and a spineless, no personality fmc. Boring
June 2, 2025
Something between 2 and 3 stars. It was not bad per se, but I was quite bored and had to kind of pressure myself to continue.
The beginning of this book was so abrupt that I was already confused in the beginning. I think this book would have worked a lot better if it had one more chapter to start introducing us to the world and the character a bit better. Also, I almost dnf this book due to this sentence 'Pillowy cushions of the princess’s breasts' lol. The main characters bothered me senseless. Ragnar was more than rude in the beginning and never apologised for this. Maia was so annoying, how she just couldn't say 'yo dude I'm not the princess'. Girl, come on, it was one sentence. Also, I felt the romance between Maia and Ragnar was not very well written. They hated each other, and then they were so in love. I felt like it missed a bit more development. Furthermore, the end of the maze was so random to me. This felt like such a major event, and it was just over very quickly. I think this should have been explored more.
Alas, I still liked the spice and some parts of the plot. I am also curious about the next book, but this book was just not for me
The beginning of this book was so abrupt that I was already confused in the beginning. I think this book would have worked a lot better if it had one more chapter to start introducing us to the world and the character a bit better. Also, I almost dnf this book due to this sentence 'Pillowy cushions of the princess’s breasts' lol. The main characters bothered me senseless. Ragnar was more than rude in the beginning and never apologised for this. Maia was so annoying, how she just couldn't say 'yo dude I'm not the princess'. Girl, come on, it was one sentence. Also, I felt the romance between Maia and Ragnar was not very well written. They hated each other, and then they were so in love. I felt like it missed a bit more development. Furthermore, the end of the maze was so random to me. This felt like such a major event, and it was just over very quickly. I think this should have been explored more.
Alas, I still liked the spice and some parts of the plot. I am also curious about the next book, but this book was just not for me
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June 2, 2025Ummmm why was this so good though
June 17, 2025
2.5 🌟
This started as a 4 🌟 but then gave 2 🌟 energy. The concept was interesting, the romantic tension was THERE to capitalize on, this just needs LOTS of fine tuning with the characters & plot.
I liked how the story started. With the princess gaslighting Maia, & then the human king threatening her to go along with their plan, I was immediately tuned in.
I really felt for all that Maia went through. To be forcefully removed from your current life, given as a bride to a mean troll, & pushed into a community that despises her & her kind while fighting back her own fears is traumatic. She was definitely kind hearted & way more forgiving than I thought other characters deserved. I wasn’t satisfied with her character development though. This “wild creature” blooming within her made few appearances & she stayed mostly the same, passive woman all throughout. Yes, she sucked shit up like a champ & showed bravery in some ways, but it wasn’t enough for me. Given all the shit Ragnar & the trolls put her through, I wanted her to feel/show more anger.
Ragnar didn’t grovel enough for my liking. He did & said some mean things, & though nothing was irredeemable to me, he never apologized or truly earned her affection in my eyes. His communication throughout most of the book was terrible… He never gave Maia a warning about how the trolls were feeling towards her after the mountain attack… He didn’t tell her right away that he was taking her to help the injured trolls in a still-hostile situation— well, not until he got too horny to continue walking & then told her right before he asked her to help him with his “need.”
Speaking of which, why is their first time having sex happening in a rushed manner right before a possible fatal fight? It diminished the experience for me. Mind you, Ragnar was just before complaining to his brother how he doesn’t have enough time to see his wife because he’s so busy with his duties, & then while the trolls injured in battle are waiting on them both, bleeding out & burnt, he decides he’s okay with squeezing in time with her just to get a nut in. Not! Romantic!
They also barely spent any time together. Their interactions were extremely sporadic & mostly super short in length; that doesn’t give enough time for believable emotional buildup.
Ragnar kept telling Maia how troll husbands worship their troll wives while not providing her with adequate clothing, personal jewelry, or adequate conversation/time. Contradicting. He’s a powerful healer who can’t tell (for days!) she injured her wrist when he pushed her in the river. Contradicting. Trolls respect & supposedly never harm their women, & respect the bond between husband & wife, but yet Maia was shoved around like a sack of potatoes, had literal stones thrown at her, & had the king threaten her death & offer Ragnar the chance at a new bride. CONTRADICTING AF.
It was also weird how this group of troll wives come to get Maia & tell her she’s one of them now, only to turn their backs on her (besides Huda!). How are you gonna try to sell her on “community” while abandoning her a few days later? Their anger & violence towards Maia was so beyond misplaced that it was a stupid plot point. She literally helped Ragnar heal so many of them, only for them to turn around & spit on that kindness. But the second time around it left enough of an impression for them to permanently accept her.
Why the hell would Gunnar suggest to Ragnar to go to a brothel? Would that be honorable to a troll wife that should be cherished? Why did Ragnar’s reaction against it seem to solely focus on his sexual desire for Maia & not any of his emotional attraction? That was a huge turn off for me, but at least he turned it down quick.
Why did Birger, who appeared to be a pivotal character for Maia’s integration within the community, suddenly disappear? I was loving their weird acquaintanceship & her connection to the giggling plants & wanted more of that.
The silliest part of the story was the troll king’s ingenious plan to save them from their current predicament by finding willing human women… Huh? Nail in the coffin for me, so ~80% I stopped.
This started as a 4 🌟 but then gave 2 🌟 energy. The concept was interesting, the romantic tension was THERE to capitalize on, this just needs LOTS of fine tuning with the characters & plot.
I liked how the story started. With the princess gaslighting Maia, & then the human king threatening her to go along with their plan, I was immediately tuned in.
I really felt for all that Maia went through. To be forcefully removed from your current life, given as a bride to a mean troll, & pushed into a community that despises her & her kind while fighting back her own fears is traumatic. She was definitely kind hearted & way more forgiving than I thought other characters deserved. I wasn’t satisfied with her character development though. This “wild creature” blooming within her made few appearances & she stayed mostly the same, passive woman all throughout. Yes, she sucked shit up like a champ & showed bravery in some ways, but it wasn’t enough for me. Given all the shit Ragnar & the trolls put her through, I wanted her to feel/show more anger.
Ragnar didn’t grovel enough for my liking. He did & said some mean things, & though nothing was irredeemable to me, he never apologized or truly earned her affection in my eyes. His communication throughout most of the book was terrible… He never gave Maia a warning about how the trolls were feeling towards her after the mountain attack… He didn’t tell her right away that he was taking her to help the injured trolls in a still-hostile situation— well, not until he got too horny to continue walking & then told her right before he asked her to help him with his “need.”
Speaking of which, why is their first time having sex happening in a rushed manner right before a possible fatal fight? It diminished the experience for me. Mind you, Ragnar was just before complaining to his brother how he doesn’t have enough time to see his wife because he’s so busy with his duties, & then while the trolls injured in battle are waiting on them both, bleeding out & burnt, he decides he’s okay with squeezing in time with her just to get a nut in. Not! Romantic!
They also barely spent any time together. Their interactions were extremely sporadic & mostly super short in length; that doesn’t give enough time for believable emotional buildup.
Ragnar kept telling Maia how troll husbands worship their troll wives while not providing her with adequate clothing, personal jewelry, or adequate conversation/time. Contradicting. He’s a powerful healer who can’t tell (for days!) she injured her wrist when he pushed her in the river. Contradicting. Trolls respect & supposedly never harm their women, & respect the bond between husband & wife, but yet Maia was shoved around like a sack of potatoes, had literal stones thrown at her, & had the king threaten her death & offer Ragnar the chance at a new bride. CONTRADICTING AF.
It was also weird how this group of troll wives come to get Maia & tell her she’s one of them now, only to turn their backs on her (besides Huda!). How are you gonna try to sell her on “community” while abandoning her a few days later? Their anger & violence towards Maia was so beyond misplaced that it was a stupid plot point. She literally helped Ragnar heal so many of them, only for them to turn around & spit on that kindness. But the second time around it left enough of an impression for them to permanently accept her.
Why the hell would Gunnar suggest to Ragnar to go to a brothel? Would that be honorable to a troll wife that should be cherished? Why did Ragnar’s reaction against it seem to solely focus on his sexual desire for Maia & not any of his emotional attraction? That was a huge turn off for me, but at least he turned it down quick.
Why did Birger, who appeared to be a pivotal character for Maia’s integration within the community, suddenly disappear? I was loving their weird acquaintanceship & her connection to the giggling plants & wanted more of that.
The silliest part of the story was the troll king’s ingenious plan to save them from their current predicament by finding willing human women… Huh? Nail in the coffin for me, so ~80% I stopped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
this book rewired my brain chemistry in all the best ways. full rtc ♡
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
i'm into monster romance at the moment and the idea of a troll love interest has me most curious about the logistics! i hear the troll husbands have husband piercings 👀
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˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
i'm into monster romance at the moment and the idea of a troll love interest has me most curious about the logistics! i hear the troll husbands have husband piercings 👀
follow me on: instagram
May 17, 2025
There are other 2 star reviews that echo some of my sentiments. Enemies to lovers with no serious development between characters. When the main characters first get together, the MMC is ridiculously mean and then there's this automatic 180° of, "She's my wife and I have to care for her." He never apologized or really makes up for his wrong doings. I feel like the FMC was a doormat having never set up clear boundaries. The spice scenes would've been so much better had there been actual chemistry. DNF at 67%.
April 13, 2025
ARC review
A Darkness So Sweet is a monster romance that follows Maia while she’s tricked into marrying Ragnar, a troll who hates humans.
🍄🟫 This is a slow burn, high-stakes fantasy monster romance. The political tension had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and the overarching story kept me super engaged.
🍄🟫 There is such a unique and rich history of the trolls built into this story and I absolutely loved learning about it.
🍄🟫 The power of women banding together and being there for each other is something that will always make me emotional and I was right there crying with them
🍄🟫 It wouldn’t be an Emma Hamm book without a monster who thinks humans are ugly and decides to toss them into a body of water so they don’t smell.
This book had me simultaneously laughing, crying and also telling my husband to hide my kindle while I almost died because I stopped breathing during the intense scenes.
I cannot stress about much this book now has a chokehold on me and I am so ridiculously keen to see this series grow.
A Darkness So Sweet is a monster romance that follows Maia while she’s tricked into marrying Ragnar, a troll who hates humans.
🍄🟫 This is a slow burn, high-stakes fantasy monster romance. The political tension had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and the overarching story kept me super engaged.
🍄🟫 There is such a unique and rich history of the trolls built into this story and I absolutely loved learning about it.
🍄🟫 The power of women banding together and being there for each other is something that will always make me emotional and I was right there crying with them
🍄🟫 It wouldn’t be an Emma Hamm book without a monster who thinks humans are ugly and decides to toss them into a body of water so they don’t smell.
This book had me simultaneously laughing, crying and also telling my husband to hide my kindle while I almost died because I stopped breathing during the intense scenes.
I cannot stress about much this book now has a chokehold on me and I am so ridiculously keen to see this series grow.
May 15, 2025
One of the more incoherent plots I've read in quite some time. It felt like the story was a mishmash of whatever trope the author was in the mood to write at the moment. I only finished the book because I wanted to know more about the main character's magic changes, and there was no payoff.
July 4, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I went into this book blind and had a really great time. I flew through it. Is this the beginning of my troll daddy era????
I went into this book blind and had a really great time. I flew through it. Is this the beginning of my troll daddy era????
May 12, 2025
Tropes:
— monster romance
— mistaken identity
— troll & human
— slow burn
— forced marriage
— political tension
— found family
Maia is a girl who’s spent her entire life surviving in a world that doesn’t see her as fully human — a world that expects her to quietly endure both physical and emotional abuse. Her one dream is to hold on to the flower farm she inherited after her father’s death and to secure new clients after successfully arranging flowers for the royal wedding.
Ragnar is a troll who never planned to tie his life or fate to a human. But fate had other ideas.
The way they confront challenges and slowly open up to each other will absolutely make you fall for them. ❤️
This world and plot? Chef’s kiss. The story is incredibly engaging — I was fully hooked, with zero temptation to drift off or try to guess the next twist. And to me, that’s the mark of something truly special.
I can’t wait for the story about the friend and the brother — I need the next part right now! 🤭
With every new book, Emma Hamm keeps pushing monster romance higher and higher on my list of favorite tropes.
— monster romance
— mistaken identity
— troll & human
— slow burn
— forced marriage
— political tension
— found family
Maia is a girl who’s spent her entire life surviving in a world that doesn’t see her as fully human — a world that expects her to quietly endure both physical and emotional abuse. Her one dream is to hold on to the flower farm she inherited after her father’s death and to secure new clients after successfully arranging flowers for the royal wedding.
Ragnar is a troll who never planned to tie his life or fate to a human. But fate had other ideas.
The way they confront challenges and slowly open up to each other will absolutely make you fall for them. ❤️
This world and plot? Chef’s kiss. The story is incredibly engaging — I was fully hooked, with zero temptation to drift off or try to guess the next twist. And to me, that’s the mark of something truly special.
I can’t wait for the story about the friend and the brother — I need the next part right now! 🤭
With every new book, Emma Hamm keeps pushing monster romance higher and higher on my list of favorite tropes.
July 22, 2025
Do you know what bad pacing is? It's the death of all tension! And I really was going into this expecting some tension, some zing, based on other reviews posted here. There's like one scene I've seen quoted a few times and it's literally the only high-tension, enemies-to-lovers, bully romance, take no shit scene in the whole book. And while reading, it's out of place, out of character, and adrift within the sea of tonal dissonance that is this book. I think the quoting of this scene and the general hitting of check boxes that this book crosses off and then never approaches again is very symptomatic of the quick sell romance market. This clearly capitalizes on other books that are thematically and, even plot-wise, identical. It's just that orcs are changed to trolls. Which is also nearly the exact same thing. I'm not even saying this author did so with mal intent, only that it's fucked up that it's okay that popular series are profitable to repeat and so of course authors toss their hats into the ring. Sometimes, books emerge from this capitalist swamp of book sales to make something compelling and contribute to micro-genres, but this didn't. She was basic.
May 16, 2025
DNR
Main male love interest is awful to the lead female character for so much of this book. She’s second in his thoughts even when he starts to care for her. I cannot enjoy a book where the main MC isn’t a good guy.
Main male love interest is awful to the lead female character for so much of this book. She’s second in his thoughts even when he starts to care for her. I cannot enjoy a book where the main MC isn’t a good guy.
December 3, 2025
So this is a cozy romance with the added fun of the FMC being a troll with piercings for her pleasure. I’m definitely not complaining about that. Otherwise this has an arranged marriage and conflict between humans and trolls. I liked that the male trolls value their women (troll wives), want them to have strong opinions, and put their pleasure first. What’s wrong with humans?
This story is sweet, but otherwise it didn’t hold my attention and I found myself rushing through it. The audiobook narrators did a great job, but I found myself reading it on my kindle so that I could finish more quickly. Maybe I should have tried it double speed. I also think I’m in a romance slump (contemporary, paranormal, and now monster?) so don’t mind me if you loved it!
3⭐️’s
——————————————————————————
First book by this author and first troll romance. Hoping for a palate cleanser 🤭
This story is sweet, but otherwise it didn’t hold my attention and I found myself rushing through it. The audiobook narrators did a great job, but I found myself reading it on my kindle so that I could finish more quickly. Maybe I should have tried it double speed. I also think I’m in a romance slump (contemporary, paranormal, and now monster?) so don’t mind me if you loved it!
3⭐️’s
——————————————————————————
First book by this author and first troll romance. Hoping for a palate cleanser 🤭
May 8, 2025
I’m feeling a bit mixed with this one.
There’s a few similarities between this and Bride of the Shadow King that threw me off and there were inconsistencies throughout that I had to make adjustments in my own mind to make sense of it all.
The pacing and continuity is strange as well. I caught a few mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
It makes me wonder if this was proof read and edited at all prior to release.
This Story had (surprisingly) some darker elements to it and I enjoyed the unexpected twist. The over arching plot is interesting and I will be continuing with this series simply to see what happens in the future regarding the war between the two peoples. The Lore and background was interesting and I look forward to seeing how the Author will build this world up further.
Sadly; As far as the romantic plot goes, it was pretty subpar compared to what this Author has written before. It didn’t feel super forced per se but it did feel kinda disingenuous.
This couple needed work, both as individuals and together.
I understand that being a ‘passive pushover’ was akin to FMCs character development, but damn if she wasn’t annoying as hell with it. She spent a good majority of this book cosplaying as a doormat, just letting everyone walk all over her and I’m sorry but NO ONE in their right mind would NOT speak up about being in the situations she was in.
Same note, MMC also PMTFO. He never questioned anything, even when he had valid concerns or suspicions. He just let it all build until it blew up in his face and then had the audacity to be mad about it.
He spent his time cosplaying as the Kings lil b*tch and just did what he was told, regardless of whether it would negatively impact FMC.
The only times you really saw the MCs together was if they were banging or in peril. So when they dropped the L bomb, it felt like there was no truth to it.
Sorry, but if theres one thing I’ve learned over my many red flag relationships it’s that you can’t F*ck love into someone.
Going forward, I hope future books will have more growth and development.
Considering who the next book will focus on, I expect the Author will handle the characters with more care and not just rush through their growth for the sake of some steamy scenes.
There’s a few similarities between this and Bride of the Shadow King that threw me off and there were inconsistencies throughout that I had to make adjustments in my own mind to make sense of it all.
The pacing and continuity is strange as well. I caught a few mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
It makes me wonder if this was proof read and edited at all prior to release.
This Story had (surprisingly) some darker elements to it and I enjoyed the unexpected twist. The over arching plot is interesting and I will be continuing with this series simply to see what happens in the future regarding the war between the two peoples. The Lore and background was interesting and I look forward to seeing how the Author will build this world up further.
Sadly; As far as the romantic plot goes, it was pretty subpar compared to what this Author has written before. It didn’t feel super forced per se but it did feel kinda disingenuous.
This couple needed work, both as individuals and together.
I understand that being a ‘passive pushover’ was akin to FMCs character development, but damn if she wasn’t annoying as hell with it. She spent a good majority of this book cosplaying as a doormat, just letting everyone walk all over her and I’m sorry but NO ONE in their right mind would NOT speak up about being in the situations she was in.
Same note, MMC also PMTFO. He never questioned anything, even when he had valid concerns or suspicions. He just let it all build until it blew up in his face and then had the audacity to be mad about it.
He spent his time cosplaying as the Kings lil b*tch and just did what he was told, regardless of whether it would negatively impact FMC.
The only times you really saw the MCs together was if they were banging or in peril. So when they dropped the L bomb, it felt like there was no truth to it.
Sorry, but if theres one thing I’ve learned over my many red flag relationships it’s that you can’t F*ck love into someone.
Going forward, I hope future books will have more growth and development.
Considering who the next book will focus on, I expect the Author will handle the characters with more care and not just rush through their growth for the sake of some steamy scenes.
April 30, 2025
If Emma Hamm writes it, I'm going to read it. I swear she must put drugs in her books, and this one is no different. I was sucked in right from the cover.
Maia took over her father's florist business after he died, and when she gets a contract to do the floral arrangements for the princesses upcoming wedding, she wants to make a good impression so she will keep getting them. That is until the princess and the king do a bait and switch, and now Maia is the one getting married. To a Troll no less. The wedding was quick, and then she was whisked away to go live under the mountain with the trolls that she has only heard the worst things about. The troll's didn't realize that she wasn't the princess until after the wedding.
Ragnar is one of the best healers of the Trolls, and when the king tells him he is going to marry the human princess, he is not the biggest fan, but does agree to marry her - if only to help the future of his people. He was so disgusted by Maia at first, and thought she was so weak and fragile, and even angry when he found out she wasn't the princess. He soon learned that she had a backbone of steel, and even if she was afraid, she didn't cower easily.
The world in this book, or rather the home of the Troll's, sounded so beautiful. The humans however sounded ass backwards (they thought they would get sick from bathing regularly???), and didn't even have running water, or a light system like the Troll's did. To say Maia was surprised was a understatement.
I LOVED watching Maia and Ragnar grow to trust each other, and eventually love each other. The spice between the two? Out of this world. The fact that Ragnar was pierced in ~several~ areas all meant to bring his woman to pleasure? Yes pleaseeeee. That 6 bars' scene will be living in my head rent free for a little bit.
I can’t wait to get more books from this series, I am chomping at the bit needing more!
Maia took over her father's florist business after he died, and when she gets a contract to do the floral arrangements for the princesses upcoming wedding, she wants to make a good impression so she will keep getting them. That is until the princess and the king do a bait and switch, and now Maia is the one getting married. To a Troll no less. The wedding was quick, and then she was whisked away to go live under the mountain with the trolls that she has only heard the worst things about. The troll's didn't realize that she wasn't the princess until after the wedding.
Ragnar is one of the best healers of the Trolls, and when the king tells him he is going to marry the human princess, he is not the biggest fan, but does agree to marry her - if only to help the future of his people. He was so disgusted by Maia at first, and thought she was so weak and fragile, and even angry when he found out she wasn't the princess. He soon learned that she had a backbone of steel, and even if she was afraid, she didn't cower easily.
The world in this book, or rather the home of the Troll's, sounded so beautiful. The humans however sounded ass backwards (they thought they would get sick from bathing regularly???), and didn't even have running water, or a light system like the Troll's did. To say Maia was surprised was a understatement.
I LOVED watching Maia and Ragnar grow to trust each other, and eventually love each other. The spice between the two? Out of this world. The fact that Ragnar was pierced in ~several~ areas all meant to bring his woman to pleasure? Yes pleaseeeee. That 6 bars' scene will be living in my head rent free for a little bit.
I can’t wait to get more books from this series, I am chomping at the bit needing more!
May 30, 2025
MF Monster Romantasy
Troll/ Human
Kingdom Drama
Magical Elements
Forced Marriage
Hate To Love
Protective MMC
Steeeamy!
So. Many. Piercings.
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Oh I really, really liked this one! Who knew that a grumpy, tiger striped Troll would be so fucking hot! Ragnar is top tier book boyfriend material IMO. This man brought the steam, my goodness. And the eventual respect and complete devotion... (insert swoon here). The crazy part is, he started out as the biggest asshole to Maia. Thankfully you get dual POV so you do understand the why - but it was a bit rough in the beginning. But what enemies to lovers isn't?
Poor Maia is just a doormat that cannot say no to people. She acknowledges that she is a doormat but she just doesn't have the confidence to break out of that mold. In this case it gets her into a whole lot of trouble and married to a troll that hates humans, but has a duty to fulfill for his people. She is terrified of him and his people, he hates her and her people, but they are determined to work this out.
I just loved everything about this book. Fantastic world building, and the relationship development was amazing. Between Maia and Ragnar of course, but also with Maia and the other Troll women. Trolls hold their women in high regard, and there is a lot of female empowerment here and Ragnar winds up being so supportive (in a very pushy way) of Maia. I cannot wait for the other books in the series - the intense drama and action at the ending left me so excited for the characters of the next book. Love it!
********
RTC but just want to say that I love everything about this book. Everything. Ragnar is top tier 💕💕💕
Troll/ Human
Kingdom Drama
Magical Elements
Forced Marriage
Hate To Love
Protective MMC
Steeeamy!
So. Many. Piercings.
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Oh I really, really liked this one! Who knew that a grumpy, tiger striped Troll would be so fucking hot! Ragnar is top tier book boyfriend material IMO. This man brought the steam, my goodness. And the eventual respect and complete devotion... (insert swoon here). The crazy part is, he started out as the biggest asshole to Maia. Thankfully you get dual POV so you do understand the why - but it was a bit rough in the beginning. But what enemies to lovers isn't?
Poor Maia is just a doormat that cannot say no to people. She acknowledges that she is a doormat but she just doesn't have the confidence to break out of that mold. In this case it gets her into a whole lot of trouble and married to a troll that hates humans, but has a duty to fulfill for his people. She is terrified of him and his people, he hates her and her people, but they are determined to work this out.
I just loved everything about this book. Fantastic world building, and the relationship development was amazing. Between Maia and Ragnar of course, but also with Maia and the other Troll women. Trolls hold their women in high regard, and there is a lot of female empowerment here and Ragnar winds up being so supportive (in a very pushy way) of Maia. I cannot wait for the other books in the series - the intense drama and action at the ending left me so excited for the characters of the next book. Love it!
********
RTC but just want to say that I love everything about this book. Everything. Ragnar is top tier 💕💕💕
June 12, 2025
This book was SO GOOD! It has intrigue, action, and romance! I loved that the heroine, even being a regular human with little to no useful magic, was portrayed. She was vulnerable but did her very best to help and protect those who had welcomed her. The hero was a bit standoffish in the beginning, but he eventually did warm up to her. He never mistreats her, but he doesn't go out of his way to make her comfortable in the beginning (if that makes sense?). Though I wanted them to have more conversations and discussions. At times, it felt like the relationship was only surface level.
I never thought trolls were a kind of monster that I would like to read about, but here we are, and I'm VERY glad I did (Do yourself a favor and check out the character art the author commissioned for this series. You'll thank me ♡.) The next book in this series can't get here soon enough! Also, the author's writing style was great and made the story flow so well.
I never thought trolls were a kind of monster that I would like to read about, but here we are, and I'm VERY glad I did (Do yourself a favor and check out the character art the author commissioned for this series. You'll thank me ♡.) The next book in this series can't get here soon enough! Also, the author's writing style was great and made the story flow so well.
Read
July 9, 2025Dnf @ 14% — you gotta be kidding me? I have not made it very far but the fmc does not stick up for herself once and ends up married than the mmc is literally in a pissy mood so he hurts her and she believes this is how a man should act?? I’m sorry you want me to read a book in which a woman believes in order to survive she has to be subservient to men. Pls don’t pmo.
The book sounds right up my alley but I don’t think I can do it.
The book sounds right up my alley but I don’t think I can do it.
April 14, 2025
Emma Hamm is the QUEEN of monster romance. I fell in love with her mermen and now I’m absolutely head over heels for trolls. AHHHHHH I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!!!!
(⚠️I added book quotes in here!!!!!)
She creates such a deep romantic connection between her couples. This is LOVE. The trolls worship the ground their wives walk on baby OOOHHHHHWEEEEEE! I wasn’t aware how much I needed to read a troll who begs:
“Please wife. Let me taste you”
I’M ON THE FLOOR. Pierced for her pleasure takes on a whole new meaning and it was glorious.
It set up the series so well I’m gonna go feral waiting for the other stories to see how they handle their own troll wives.
This quote sums up our MMC:
“If another man touches you, I will first cut off his fingers. I will make him watch as I eat them, one by one. I will savor the taste of his blood and his pain before I cut off his hand for ever having it graze your skin. If he survives that, I will hunt him down. I will run him through the forest until his breath saws from his lungs and until he knows what it feels like to be prey. Then I will skin him alive until he dies. I will wait for him to wake up if he passes out. I will continue until the end.”
IF MY MAN AINT LIKE THAT THEN HE AINT MY MAN. FCK EM ALL UP RAGNAR!!!!!
Their wives are treasured and protected at allll costs. Women are treated like the gift that they are 👏 👏👏 BUT they also see women as capable and strong. They’re influential and powerful in their world. He went on his knees before her in front of everyone: “as it always should be” 🔥🔥🔥
WHERE IS MY TROLL HUSBAND??????? 10000/10 Thank you SO MUCH for this ARC!!!!!!!!!!
(⚠️I added book quotes in here!!!!!)
She creates such a deep romantic connection between her couples. This is LOVE. The trolls worship the ground their wives walk on baby OOOHHHHHWEEEEEE! I wasn’t aware how much I needed to read a troll who begs:
“Please wife. Let me taste you”
I’M ON THE FLOOR. Pierced for her pleasure takes on a whole new meaning and it was glorious.
It set up the series so well I’m gonna go feral waiting for the other stories to see how they handle their own troll wives.
This quote sums up our MMC:
“If another man touches you, I will first cut off his fingers. I will make him watch as I eat them, one by one. I will savor the taste of his blood and his pain before I cut off his hand for ever having it graze your skin. If he survives that, I will hunt him down. I will run him through the forest until his breath saws from his lungs and until he knows what it feels like to be prey. Then I will skin him alive until he dies. I will wait for him to wake up if he passes out. I will continue until the end.”
IF MY MAN AINT LIKE THAT THEN HE AINT MY MAN. FCK EM ALL UP RAGNAR!!!!!
Their wives are treasured and protected at allll costs. Women are treated like the gift that they are 👏 👏👏 BUT they also see women as capable and strong. They’re influential and powerful in their world. He went on his knees before her in front of everyone: “as it always should be” 🔥🔥🔥
WHERE IS MY TROLL HUSBAND??????? 10000/10 Thank you SO MUCH for this ARC!!!!!!!!!!
June 4, 2025
Dnf.
Is this dark romance? Because it went way darker than I expected from the cover. I knew this was marriage of convenience and was hoping it would be a little like my beloved Radiance by Grace Draven, but this book quickly went south for me.
“He would throw her to the other trolls, would enjoy watching them torment her.”
…
“It would be easy for him to pull out her hair. Then the others would rip out her nails, both from her fingers and her toes. Only at the end, when she was begging for mercy, would they start to pull off her limbs. One by one. First her arms, then her legs, making her stay alive until the very last moment when she bled out at their feet.”
…
“It was so easy to loom over her, to wrap his clawed hand around her thin little neck and shake her so hard her head hit the stones behind her.”
Homeboy was way too comfortable hurting her/watching her get hurt. I didn’t find their dynamic fun or entertaining to read about.
I can enjoy a dark romance when I’m in the mood, but in my opinion you have to prepare your readers for that level of intensity before going in. I can also love an enemies to lovers WHEN ITS PROPERLY DEVELOPED, but the switch up was way too fast in this one, I could already tell.
Is this dark romance? Because it went way darker than I expected from the cover. I knew this was marriage of convenience and was hoping it would be a little like my beloved Radiance by Grace Draven, but this book quickly went south for me.
“He would throw her to the other trolls, would enjoy watching them torment her.”
…
“It would be easy for him to pull out her hair. Then the others would rip out her nails, both from her fingers and her toes. Only at the end, when she was begging for mercy, would they start to pull off her limbs. One by one. First her arms, then her legs, making her stay alive until the very last moment when she bled out at their feet.”
…
“It was so easy to loom over her, to wrap his clawed hand around her thin little neck and shake her so hard her head hit the stones behind her.”
Homeboy was way too comfortable hurting her/watching her get hurt. I didn’t find their dynamic fun or entertaining to read about.
I can enjoy a dark romance when I’m in the mood, but in my opinion you have to prepare your readers for that level of intensity before going in. I can also love an enemies to lovers WHEN ITS PROPERLY DEVELOPED, but the switch up was way too fast in this one, I could already tell.
May 25, 2025
DNF at 36%
This was like watching a 40 year old men trying to learn empathy.
The MMC was a selfish bastard, who at 36% in the story ( after he got told by one of the most respected of his clan that the FMC was more made for him and he for her than any pairing in a 100 years) still didn't like the FMC and didn't like that he liked somethings about her, while treating her like she wasn't a living being that had to give up everything to be were she was.
This was like watching a 40 year old men trying to learn empathy.
The MMC was a selfish bastard, who at 36% in the story ( after he got told by one of the most respected of his clan that the FMC was more made for him and he for her than any pairing in a 100 years) still didn't like the FMC and didn't like that he liked somethings about her, while treating her like she wasn't a living being that had to give up everything to be were she was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
If I could give this 6 stars, I would. BECAUSE HOLY WOW. I am not just swept off my feet, I was sent to the moon. Idk how anything else could top this book. This was an excellent introduction to a new series.
When I was asked by Emma if I would be down to read a secret project, it was the best news ever. It started off my new year with a bang. This book has consumed me for months and I am so happy I can finally talk about it 😭.
Mildish spoilers ahead!
From the beginning, I was hooked. I loved the build up of not knowing what was going to happen, but knowing something was going to go wrong was exciting. I found it really easy to put myself in Maia’s shoes. I also really loved the found family element. I cried a lot.
I love how when Ragnar and Maia met, they were instantly desperate for each other. I love me a man who can be pathetic for his woman. Watching them fall back together was a beautiful agony. I loved their connection and how they worked together. They made each other stronger and it was really beautiful to read 🥹💜.
The spice was next level, as if written perfectly for me. Thank you again Emma for writing a sexy bath scene and making Ragnar cum in his pants when giving pleasure 🥰. You get me! Also yay husband piercings 🙈.
The world descriptions and lore really shined in this book. I am so intrigued to find out more. The troll lore in particular was equally fascinating and heartbreaking.
I am also excited and hopeful that we will get more Biorn content! I love him so much already and really want to protect him 🥺👉👈. Between hopefully his story, as well as Gunnar and Rose’s story, I know I am going to be full on ugly sobbing.
I am ready and desperate for it.
When I was asked by Emma if I would be down to read a secret project, it was the best news ever. It started off my new year with a bang. This book has consumed me for months and I am so happy I can finally talk about it 😭.
Mildish spoilers ahead!
From the beginning, I was hooked. I loved the build up of not knowing what was going to happen, but knowing something was going to go wrong was exciting. I found it really easy to put myself in Maia’s shoes. I also really loved the found family element. I cried a lot.
I love how when Ragnar and Maia met, they were instantly desperate for each other. I love me a man who can be pathetic for his woman. Watching them fall back together was a beautiful agony. I loved their connection and how they worked together. They made each other stronger and it was really beautiful to read 🥹💜.
The spice was next level, as if written perfectly for me. Thank you again Emma for writing a sexy bath scene and making Ragnar cum in his pants when giving pleasure 🥰. You get me! Also yay husband piercings 🙈.
The world descriptions and lore really shined in this book. I am so intrigued to find out more. The troll lore in particular was equally fascinating and heartbreaking.
I am also excited and hopeful that we will get more Biorn content! I love him so much already and really want to protect him 🥺👉👈. Between hopefully his story, as well as Gunnar and Rose’s story, I know I am going to be full on ugly sobbing.
I am ready and desperate for it.
May 29, 2025
ok so. i absolutely loved this. did everything make sense? absolutely not. but i’m not here for the plot, i’m here for the giant sexy troll.
October 3, 2025
This was such a sweet read!
Ragnar is 🥵😍 I loved him. Can I be a troll wife yet?
About 60% through, I got a TIIINY bit bored, but it picked right back up and I finished it right away. And I’m SO happy I did!
Character growth for the fmc was perfect, I wanted to unalive quite a few characters, and I really enjoyed the surprise ending. Heartfelt 🥺
I think my favorite part is seeing his best friend from the past. He seems… lovely 👀🥵
Overall, 3.5 ⭐️, 1 🌶️!
Ragnar is 🥵😍 I loved him. Can I be a troll wife yet?
About 60% through, I got a TIIINY bit bored, but it picked right back up and I finished it right away. And I’m SO happy I did!
Character growth for the fmc was perfect, I wanted to unalive quite a few characters, and I really enjoyed the surprise ending. Heartfelt 🥺
I think my favorite part is seeing his best friend from the past. He seems… lovely 👀🥵
Overall, 3.5 ⭐️, 1 🌶️!
July 5, 2025
DNF @ 82%
Reading this one, something kept nagging at me . . . and I think, in the end, it all came down to this author's world view not jibing with mine.
Why was the heroine constantly applauded for not complaining, but that's all the Hero did? The lack of consequences for his actions, combined with the her lack of voice - which was really reminiscent of her toxic relationship with her father - really made me . . . annoyed? Honestly the story felt like an homage to female stoicism. Fuck that, I say. She should have told him to shove it multiple times.
And she spent more time with the brother than the hero. What was up with that? And why were the humans in the book portrayed as moustache twirling villains? It seemed silly.
But hey, the writing at the sentence level was fine. 3 stars
Reading this one, something kept nagging at me . . . and I think, in the end, it all came down to this author's world view not jibing with mine.
Why was the heroine constantly applauded for not complaining, but that's all the Hero did? The lack of consequences for his actions, combined with the her lack of voice - which was really reminiscent of her toxic relationship with her father - really made me . . . annoyed? Honestly the story felt like an homage to female stoicism. Fuck that, I say. She should have told him to shove it multiple times.
And she spent more time with the brother than the hero. What was up with that? And why were the humans in the book portrayed as moustache twirling villains? It seemed silly.
But hey, the writing at the sentence level was fine. 3 stars
April 15, 2025
Pierced, tattooed, muscled, light lavender-toned skin fucking "fuck your babies into me" troll romance.
There's not actually a breeding kink, I would just totally have Ragnar's babies.
That is all.
There's not actually a breeding kink, I would just totally have Ragnar's babies.
That is all.
June 10, 2025
at first, I decided on a 4 star, but sat on it for a while and decided a 3 would be more fitting. the writing is good, the characters were enjoyable, and the romance was cute. BUT I keep comparing this to her other book, Whispers of the Deep (that I devoured and gave 4 stars), and I can't help but think that this one fell flat in comparison.
May 20, 2025
I feel like this is a bit overhyped. The spice scenes weren't great for such a light plot. The writing isn't great and a lot of misspellings throughout.
July 13, 2025
4.5 I FEAR I HAVE UNLOCKED A NEW PERSONALITY TRAIT!!! This books was so good, literally the perfect spicy romantasy book i need to read everything this author has ever written
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