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gleefulgoblinreviews's review
5.0
Gleeful Goblin Review: So from the jump I gotta say I LOVE the switch on switch action from our boys when it's just the two of them. Hoooooly wowsers, it got hot in here FAST I tell you what. I'm also a huge sucker for the language barrier trope which is certainly present here and honestly, in the most adorable of ways in this intro scene: "Before Drazak can grab her, she scurries away and starts raking the ground like her life depends on it. He pauses as she frantically gathers up stray straws of hay and chicken droppings, too baffled by what she’s doing to stop her. We both stare as she makes a little pile, then reaches for a pan off the wall and scoops it all in. Carrying the pan, she heads for the door, but I block her way. I can’t have her running off now, not when she’s acting in such a curious manner. With a look of annoyance, she gestures for me to step to one side. “Stop her,” Drazak snaps at me, but instead of doing what he asks—he should know better by now than to try to boss me around—I step out of the way and let her past. With a nod of appreciation, she dumps the pan out with the rest of the animal debris. Then she hurries back and picks up the rake again. “What is she doing?” Drazak asks, his mouth slightly ajar. “Helping, I think.” I study her as she rakes up more filth. “Fascinating behavior, isn’t it?” She pauses in her raking, then leans the handle on the wall and climbs up the ladder to the hay loft. I follow along, hands tucked behind my back, interested to find out what this odd little creature will do next. She lies down in the hay and, very dramatically, pretends to snore. It’s... adorable. “She wants to sleep here,” I call down to Drazak. The woman’s eyes open, and she curls up tighter in the hay, laying her claim on it. “What?” He frowns deeply. “She can’t do that. Not in my barn. She’s human.” I drop down the ladder, and she follows me. Once on the ground she rakes again, gesturing at it and then at us, trying her hardest to communicate. The little human is offering a trade. “I think she wants to work.” I tilt my head. “She’ll do chores if we let her sleep here.” The girl claps her hands in front of her and blinks the widest, saddest, sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life. For a moment, I’m enraptured by them. “No,” hisses Drazak. “No way.” “Aww, why not?” I lean forward, supporting my hands on my knees while I inspect her closely. The human shrinks back. “You said you wanted a dog, didn’t you?” “You can’t be serious.” He lets out a moan of anguish and drags his palm down his face, like he’s trying to rub the frustration out of his skin. “When am I not serious?” I ask cheekily."
I love all three of these characters individually and together of course but I gotta say, Drazak the Secret Cinnamon Roll Grump will forever have a special place in my heart. The trio has a few ups and downs that are well written, reasonable issues to have, and only resolve with communication and rebuilding of trust. The relationship is a true triad partnership with all parties loving and being loved in return which is everything I could ask for in a love story. 5/5 Stars
I love all three of these characters individually and together of course but I gotta say, Drazak the Secret Cinnamon Roll Grump will forever have a special place in my heart. The trio has a few ups and downs that are well written, reasonable issues to have, and only resolve with communication and rebuilding of trust. The relationship is a true triad partnership with all parties loving and being loved in return which is everything I could ask for in a love story. 5/5 Stars
drbuffyfanify's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
sovonreads's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alisoun's review against another edition
3.0
I'm just going to be straight. If I'm told there will be breeding, pregnancy or lactation kink I expect more than a few sentences devoted to these throughout the whole (rather short) book. Like there definitely could have been more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Colonisation
jackolanterns_in_august's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
miriamsbookshelves's review
5.0
This was such a sweet and spicy romance!! I loved these characters so much. I’m a sucker for a grumpy (but really has a heart of gold) love interest, and Drazak stole my heart!! If you want an adorable monster romance with some heavy themes and the sweetest relationships throughout, this is absolutely perfect for you.
girzilla's review against another edition
5.0
Lyonne Riley has done it again in writing another amazing story. I think this my favorite book in the whole series. I will definitely recommend this book and the whole series to anyone would listen. I loved the whole three fated mate plot. They completed each other and they were all different but they fit perfectly together. It was like a nice cozy hug. It melted my heart the way they all fit like a puzzle; just simply meant to be. I Was glad to see that there was no jealousy between them. They were glad to see each other with the other partner with nothing but love in their hearts. The spicy was off the charts and lucky us we get more scenes since we have three fated mates. That doesn’t mind sharing one bit. The book was an emotional roller coaster. It was going good then sad, then heartbroken then nervous and then the ending came with a big HEA.
wordynerdyanddirty's review
5.0
Lyonne crushes it every single time with each new book in the Trollkin Lovers series. In this story, the first MMF relationship, we meet Esme escaping from her forced enlistment in the war and stumbling onto a farm run by Drazak, the orc, and Han’zir, the troll. I’m always intrigued by how the MCs will get over the human/Trollkin prejudices and language barrier and this one has a really sweet workaround. When you see the word keva, you’ll understand.
merlynnthegreat's review
4.0
I loved this book!
I really loved the poly dynamic. Both Han'zir and Drazak initially struggle with their feelings toward Esme and Esme feels as though she's causing a disruption which makes her feel terribly guilty. They all actually talk it out and resolve it like adults. This type of poly is criminally underrepresented in poly romances. Bonus points for both men being switches!
Drazak and Han'zir seem like polar opposites but they work very well together.
Han'zir is living the moment, just going where it feels right to be, working on his own timeline. While he seems like a layabout, he is in reality, very observant and has an amazing intuition which is what he lets guide him in his duties on the farm. While initially against the idea of a pet, he is the first to fall for Esme.
Drazak appears like a total grump and to anyone who isn't his loves, he absolutely is. However under that hard exterior is a soft, gooey, tooth-rottingly sweet, center. He loves his mates and takes their safety and comfort very seriously. He loves through action more than words but once he figures out how to communicate.
Esme is a survivor to her core. She refuses to be used and treated like she is lesser. After deserting when conscripted and being shot she braves unfamiliar enemy territory and ekes out her survival. She knows how to get by and isn't too proud to work for her keep. Despite not speaking the same language as her new companions, she's determined to make it work.
I really loved that Han'zir and Drazak recognized their error, genuinely felt bad, and made real attempts to make amends and let Esme set the pace for the repair of their relationship.
The only thing I didn't love was pregnancy/childbirth but despite the fact that I hate that trope, I loved how this story wrapped up and really enjoyed it from start to finish. In fact I loved it so much I read it in a single sitting after telling myself I would start it before bed and finish tomorrow.
I really loved the poly dynamic. Both Han'zir and Drazak initially struggle with their feelings toward Esme and Esme feels as though she's causing a disruption which makes her feel terribly guilty. They all actually talk it out and resolve it like adults. This type of poly is criminally underrepresented in poly romances. Bonus points for both men being switches!
Drazak and Han'zir seem like polar opposites but they work very well together.
Han'zir is living the moment, just going where it feels right to be, working on his own timeline. While he seems like a layabout, he is in reality, very observant and has an amazing intuition which is what he lets guide him in his duties on the farm. While initially against the idea of a pet, he is the first to fall for Esme.
Drazak appears like a total grump and to anyone who isn't his loves, he absolutely is. However under that hard exterior is a soft, gooey, tooth-rottingly sweet, center. He loves his mates and takes their safety and comfort very seriously. He loves through action more than words but once he figures out how to communicate.
Esme is a survivor to her core. She refuses to be used and treated like she is lesser. After deserting when conscripted and being shot she braves unfamiliar enemy territory and ekes out her survival. She knows how to get by and isn't too proud to work for her keep. Despite not speaking the same language as her new companions, she's determined to make it work.
I really loved that Han'zir and Drazak recognized their error, genuinely felt bad, and made real attempts to make amends and let Esme set the pace for the repair of their relationship.
The only thing I didn't love was pregnancy/childbirth but despite the fact that I hate that trope, I loved how this story wrapped up and really enjoyed it from start to finish. In fact I loved it so much I read it in a single sitting after telling myself I would start it before bed and finish tomorrow.