Melting the Troll's Heart

by Lyonne Riley

After losing her position with the King’s royal guard, Kessa has been conscripted as a scout in the humans’ war against the trollkin. While on a mission, she’s spotted by Zal’jan, a troll hunter protecting a fortress in the frigid north. But when a game of cat-and-mouse results in both of them being trapped in a snow-covered valley together, they find they might just need each other to survive the winter. Can they overcome the barriers of war and language to acknowledge their feelings?

Genres: Monster Romance

Unknown Binding

About the author

Lyonne Riley writes super steamy monster romance, fantasy romance, and sci-fi romance. She lives in the middle of nowhere with her spouse and two dogs, writing spicy fairy tales.

Reviews

[Jody Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally do either mafia or non-human interstitial between reading historical and contemporary to reset my brain. I'm enjoying my occasional journey through Riley's backlist as a palate cleanser. I don't know why I can accept a IPB blue guy, or a Nascosta smoke monster as a partner, but draw the line at trolls? Maybe it's the red eyes, idk. Anyway, this was a fun little read of two hunter/soldiers stuck in a frozen valley with no escape all winter, and keeping warm the old fashioned way, and learning to live together. Is this the series starter and the First Cultural Contact? Maybe, we'll see if I read more. Could be three or four stars, it's not breaking any new ground but it's doing what it set out to do.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

We lie like that for what could be minutes or hours, our eyes locked. I can read him now, the way I might a book written in my own language. Whatever has happened between us, he feels it, too—and I get the sense that neither of us will ever be able to escape the other again.
…
Y’all already know I’m OBSESSED with the Trollkin Lovers series! This novella is the latest one to come out. Melting the Troll’s Heart pins two enemies together who end up needing to trust each other in order to survive. I give this story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

This was AMAZING! We have two enemies in the military who end up fighting to their almost deaths. Now that they’re stranded and injured, they have to call a truce in order to survive. Sharing a cave for warmth brings them closer than enemies should be… but nothing can stop fate (and love)!

I loved their story. Their survival, the miscommunication, the spice!!!! I think this is my favorite of the novellas. It’s 🥹🥵🥰!

[Kitm0nster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kessa and Zal'jan are a couple of bad-asses that are perfect for each other!

After chasing each other through the snow, their tentative truce ends in attraction. I appreciated the inclusion of Troll traditions in the story, and the forced Proximity is chef's kiss.

Yes if: A quick hot novella sounds perfect

No if: You hate a language barrier

🌨️ Human scout x troll hunter
🦌 Cat & mouse
🌨️ Language barrier
🦌 Fated Mates
🌨️ Forced Proximity
🦌 Caretaking

[Dulce Gaona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kessa and Zal’jan are so dam cute together ❤️. The fighting and trying to kill each other really made the soft tender moments special.

I have a love/hate relationship with novellas'. On one hand, they are a great palate cleanser between books with heavy/dark plot lines, on the other hand they are not nearly long enough especially when the characters are so lovable. This is one novella I wish were a little bit longer.

[alyshia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

A cute spicy novella to introduce you to the Trollkin world! I enjoyed these twos story, the build up was nicely done and their relationship was sweet!

This is a nice little refresher read, with a bit o spicy troll loving!

[Crowne Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some questionable stuff (haha) but overall a thrilling enemies to lovers (truly!) of troll warrior and hunter with a natch for the bow Zal’jan and Kessa a proud former member of the human King’s who fall in love during a brutal winter after trying to kill each other.

[Kolby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the couple. The sex scenes were indeed smexy and gave everything. With all that being said, I felt this book was really rushed. I wanted to see their relationship develop more and that ending??? I'm like what's next? Still enjoy this book, I just wish there was more.