Top

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days

On sale

20th January 2026

Price: £10.99

Select a format

Selected: Paperback / ISBN-13: 9780356524863

Disclosure: If you buy products using the retailer buttons above, we may earn a commission from the retailers you visit.

From debut author Jessie Sylva comes the cosy tale of a halfling and a goblin who must learn to love each other despite their differences. How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days is brimming with warmth and popular romance tropes, perfect for fans of The Honey Witch and The Spellshop.

★ ‘Cosy, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying’ Publishers Weekly (starred review)

What if cottagecore and goblincore fell in love?


When a halfling, Pansy, and a goblin, Ren, each think they’ve inherited the same cottage, they make a bargain: they’ll live in the house together and whoever is driven out first forfeits their ownership.

Amidst forced proximity and cultural misunderstandings, the two begin to fall in love.

But when the cottage-and their communities-are threatened by a common enemy, the duo must learn to trust each other, and convince goblins and halflings to band together to oust a tall intruder.

‘A wonderful and charming treasure of a book that will warm your heart!’ Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

‘An adorable story that will fulfill your cottagecore dreams’ M. Stevenson, author of Behooved

‘Cozy fantasy lovers will tuck into this lovely story and want to savor every last morsel’ J. Penner, author of A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic

‘Everything I didn’t know I wanted in a cosy fantasy novel and more. What do you MEAN it’s a classic romcom meets Lord of the Rings?! It means that this was made for exactly me . . . a romantically fantastical delight’

Stephanie Cooke, author of Pillow Talk

Tropes:
✨ Cosy Fantasy Romance
✨ She made a bet
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Opposites attract
✨ There’s only one bed


Some of the Goodreads reviews so far:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I was cheering for Pansy and Ren throughout’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book is a warm hug and a ray of sunshine on paper’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘100% recommend this for anyone who needs a getaway to a magical place’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book is perfect for fans of cozy cottage core romantasy’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘When I saw the title of this book, I knew I HAD to read it’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Sometimes you need a book that feels like being wrapped in the softest blanket while rain patters against the window. Jessie Sylva delivered exactly that’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I cannot emphasize how lovely this book was enough, it was the perfect cosy read’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Jessie Sylva’s writing was phenomenal. I found I giggled, smiled, and sometimes even kicked my feet in pure delight’

(Plus many more five star reviews on Goodreads.)

Reviews

Sylvie Cathrall, author of A Letter to the Luminous Deep
How To Lose A Goblin In Ten Days redefines "cosiness" in the most romantic and charming manner. Jessie Sylva settles readers into a soothingly familiar world before gently and thoughtfully upending all expectations of it. An utterly lovely and unforgettable book - comforting as freshly-baked shortbread or the softest of moss- that I already want to read again!
J. Penner, author of A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic
Imagine a honey sweet enemies-to-lovers story set in a high fantasy world of hobbits, goblins and wizards. Cosy fantasy lovers will tuck into this lovely story and want to savour every last morsel.
Jenna Wolfhart, author of Forged by Magic
How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days is the cosy, cottagecore fantasy romance of my dreams. It's full of endearing characters and swoonworthy moments where opposites find common ground, acceptance, and love against all odds. Cosy fantasy lovers will adore this charming story.
Publishers Weekly (Starred review)
Opposites attract when a halfling and a goblin vie for ownership of a forest cottage in Sylva's utterly enchanting romantasy debut. Underneath the comforting focus on food, home, and fulfillment, Sylva layers in deeper, more complex themes of tradition, obligation, and duty. Pansy wants to challenge how her community perceives her, while Ren, willing to sacrifice almost everything for their clan, must learn to grasp happiness for themself. The result is cozy, heartfelt, and deeply satisfying.
Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of THE SPELLSHOP
An adorable delight! This wonderful and charming treasure of a book will warm your heart!
Booklist
A cozy, magical tale that has charm and wit, with a found-family plot of characters coming together for a great cause. Sylva's debut will spark joy in readers.
M. Stevenson, author of Behooved
How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days is an adorable story that will fulfill your cottagecore dreams-and also carries a poignant message about acceptance, belonging, and community. This sweet, cosy tale is the perfect escape for anyone seeking comfort, warmth, and a dash of magic