How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days

How is it that the “shared bed” romance trope is impossibly cute when it’s between a goblin and a halfling?

In How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days, Jessie Sylva builds a recognizable fantasy world populated by halflings, goblins, dwarves, and humans; in this world, halflings and goblins are nemeses, pitted against each other in the last Great War which, though ending several decades earlier, left a lasting resentment between the two.

This cozy romantic fantasy follows Pansy, a halfling who, like the Baggins’ of the Shire, isn’t entirely content with a quiet village life, so she decides to move into the cottage in the woods left to her by her grandmother, also a bit of an adventurer.

Upon arriving, she is surprised to find the cottage occupied by Ren, a goblin who has recently taken over care of the cottage from their clan and feels an equally rightful claim as they have cared for the place for twenty years - since Pansy’s grandmother had moved in with Pansy’s family.

Each chapter flips between Pansy and Ren’s points of view which makes the misunderstandings and miscommunication all the more entertaining - but also frustrating- as we just want them to get over themselves and get together already!

Besides the charming protagonists, Sylva also populates the world with fully-fleshed supporting characters in Pansy’s best friend and parents, even the village busybody Mrs. Millwood as well as Ren’s clan including his cousin Thorn. Touches like quotes from in-world books and stories being the world to life and make us feel like part of it.

I listened to the audiobook which had excellent production quality, and Maggie Bain’s narration brought the characters to life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Hachette Audio for the ARCs for my unbiased review.