This is the most self-indulgent piece of literature I have read in a hot minute. I think people who give this one-star because "it reads like fanfiction" are missing the whole point. This IS FANFICTION. It really is just a slow-burn bodyguard to lover fanfiction. Its tropes on tropes piled on top of each other. The dedication in the front says "For the fanfiction writers, who taught me everything I know- including, most especially, the pursuit of joy." This one is strictly for the AO3 Goblin with 40 open tabs open on their phone who hasn't read a chapter book since high school.

I think the comparison to Goblin Emperor is pretty justified. Its basically Goblin Emperor fanfiction (maybe Deret Beshelar/Maia Drazhar). Its Goblin Emperor but a romance novel. And this is 100% romance first and fantasy novel second. The fantasy setting and worldbuilding is pretty barebones, similarly to Goblin Emperor. You get introduced to the small magic concept of the novel and then the fantasy takes a back seat for the rest of the book.

Also in the back seat of the car that is this novel is the plot. The counterfeiting plot is so transparent and predictable, I was convinces the obvious villain was a red herring. But no it was exactly who you thought it was gonna be. Thats when I knew this was romance first and fantasy novel second.

The real interesting part of this book are the characters and their growing romance. The book is AMAZING at deep diving into the character's feeling and thoughts. Its excruciating detailed at times, very much like Goblin Emperor. And all these characters are likable. Are some of them cardboard cut outs of a trope, yes. But fanfiction readers LOVE tropes. And I loved all these characters. Kadou and Evemer especially. Kadou whos is the perfect portrait of someone who is controlled by their anxiety, you can't help but relate to him a little. Evemer is just a classic stoic guard, who we really get to watch slowly fall in love. Its delightful. There are also some non-binary characters in the text, it took some getting used to the new pronoun (the author doesn't use the normal "they/them") but I actually really enjoyed.

The only thing I didn't really like about this book is that it kind of ended early. I could have used a few more chapters of the main couple actually being together and having to deal with the consequences of actually being a couple. I'm always a little sad when a book ends with a couple getting together. I want to see them existing as a couple for a little bit.

This book has an audience and I don't think its for everyone. This really isn't some kind of master piece that anyone can pick up and enjoy. I honest to god don't think you can enjoy this book unless you are a fanfic reader. But if you are, its a delight.