Once Upon A Troll

Honeybay Heat #5

by Alice Fiamma

Celia has had enough of selling rubbish tea in pretty tins. She’s left the corporate nonsense behind, bought a little tea shop in Honeybay, and is finally making blends she’s proud to put her name to.

Then she nearly runs over Barnaby Tolkins.

Barnaby is a troll, a bookseller, and the rather grumpy owner of the rainbow-shelved shop next door. He’d wanted Celia’s premises for himself, so having her move in should be a nuisance. Instead, he keeps carrying her furniture, sending customers her way, and looking at her as though he’d like to do considerably more than discuss tea.

Celia isn’t imagining the chemistry. The kisses are real. So is the way Barnaby goes quiet and backs off just when she thinks they’re getting somewhere. He seems to think his settled, book-filled life can’t compete with the future she’s worked so hard to build.

Well, he can stop deciding what she wants on her behalf.

Then a fire damages his bookshop and leaves Celia’s flat without power. With the Lantern Festival nearly here, she ends up under Barnaby’s roof while they get both shops back on their feet. It’s hard to keep a little distance when you’re sharing a cottage with the troll you’ve been trying not to fall for.

Celia knows what she wants. The question is whether Barnaby’s finally got the nerve to admit he wants it, too.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2026

About the author

Alice Fiamma writes fantasy romance full of grumpy monsters, terrible decisions, and heroines who absolutely did not plan on falling for the big, annoying shirtless problem standing in front of them.

She has a slight obsession with scent-based attraction, overprotective heroes, and... let's just say monster anatomy can get a little creative around here. If you love C.M. Nascosta or Opal Reyne, you'll probably have a pretty good time. Expect monsters, magic, bad life choices, and at least one point where you'll stop reading, stare into the distance, and think... what the hell am I reading? (In the best way.)

Fuelled by spicy folklore and even spicier lattes, she believes every great romance needs a touch of magic, a lot of smut, and a hero whose jawline is as sharp as his attitude. When she isn't busy ruining lives in her books, she’s probably causing a disaster in the kitchen with more flour on the floor than anyone would consider impressive.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, cozy read with just the right amount of spice. The pacing dragged a bit for me in the middle, but otherwise I loved this book!
Plus, who wouldn’t want a pink dragon for a wingwoman? 😏