Melting the Troll's Heart

Trollkin Lovers

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]

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]

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 🥹🥵🥰!

[Maari]

It is very survivalist. Hurt/comfort, language barrier and fated mates tropes feature as well. Not my usual choice, nor my favourite, tbh.

I guess it is adequate, since it also touches upon heavier topics such as how to come to terms with the conflicting sentiments of loyalty to one's own kin and the pull towards one's significant other, as well as how to overcome those sentiments and obstacles in the context of an ongoing war between opposing sides, where said significant other seems to be aware of future attacks against the other's kin.

Witnessing the consent scene was quite interesting because the character, like any, absolutely had within their sexual rights to no longer wish to continue with the activity. It is a somewhat fascinating scene because, on the one hand, no one mistreats the right to withdraw consent, yet on the other, the way they both emotionally handled the occurrence was poor.

Suffice to say, the pair wasn't very skilled at it. The MML resorted to accusing the FML of being from a different species as his reason for quitting, which should have been obvious to him beforehand (and it def was). The FML dumped him in her hurt and anger. There wasn't much maturity about the way either reacted. This scene struck me as a little peek into what withdrawing consent could look like in the worst case scenario. It was later on resolved with excessive apologising from the MML.

There is, however, a dragging quality to the writing. Some parts are more intense, but the ones that aren't make for a dull reading experience for some reason. Might drop this eventually but as for the time being, still reading.

[Angie McArthur]

Enemies to lovers. I love novellas because they are a quick read. I also hate novellas because they are a little too short and leave me with unanswered questions. This one was no different. The author did a great job with building a brief background into the world we were reading about, as well as building the relationship between the two MC's.

This was my first book involving a troll. It wasn't bad. But what I can't get past are the tusks. I cannot create a picture in my head of how kissing and acts of cunnilingus work with those jutting out of the troll's mouth. They're prohibitive in my mind. That alone takes away from the intimate scenes because I just can't.

Would I recommend this novella? Yeah. I think that I would.

[Vanessa]

I had heard of Lyonne Riley’s books before, and in signing up to her newsletter, I got this one as a freebie. I was curious about her trollkin stories, so my curiosity was piqued.

For a short book, I was impressed with how much she was able to flesh out this world, have characters grow and develop from enemies to lovers, while also having the spice be woven into it in a way that wasn’t gratuitous.

This book is actually a heartwarming story of overcoming hatred of another during a time of war, and how compassion and empathy for another can break those barriers, even when you can’t speak each other’s language.

Quite enjoyable and sweet.

[Kitm0nster]

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]

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]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.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]

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]

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.

[Micki-D]

A cozy‑spicy monster romance with a surprisingly tender center. The troll love interest is charming in his own gruff way, and the story balances sweetness with heat. A fun, quick read for fans of soft monster romance.

[Rikki Gee]

This was a really good, short, action adventure smut story.

[Chase Roberts]

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