Scan barcode
Reviews
Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector by Nicole Kimberling
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector is a new double-novella book by Nicole Kimberling. Due out 9th Oct, 2018, it's 317 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.
I am a big fan of urban fantasy, though possibly a bit too much of a curmudgeon to consider myself a romance fan. These stories, while they definitely had a big romance component, were squarely in the not-too-saccharine category.
There are recurring characters and these two stories fit into a larger canon by the author. I read the book as a standalone and wasn't familiar with the setting or characters and I had no trouble following along.
I was definitely pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and plotting. The dialogue is very well done and humorous, but not too snarky. The language is often rough but not out of context and the sex scenes are well done and move the plot along (i.e., not gratuitous). As other reviewers have noted, this is an M/M story.
I enjoyed these stories enough that I fully intend to seek out the other works with these characters. Well done.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector is a new double-novella book by Nicole Kimberling. Due out 9th Oct, 2018, it's 317 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.
I am a big fan of urban fantasy, though possibly a bit too much of a curmudgeon to consider myself a romance fan. These stories, while they definitely had a big romance component, were squarely in the not-too-saccharine category.
There are recurring characters and these two stories fit into a larger canon by the author. I read the book as a standalone and wasn't familiar with the setting or characters and I had no trouble following along.
I was definitely pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and plotting. The dialogue is very well done and humorous, but not too snarky. The language is often rough but not out of context and the sex scenes are well done and move the plot along (i.e., not gratuitous). As other reviewers have noted, this is an M/M story.
I enjoyed these stories enough that I fully intend to seek out the other works with these characters. Well done.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
jsykverd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
justasking27's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
5.0
A few years ago, author Nicole Kimberling introduced us to Special Agent Keith Curry and his sidekick/goblin translator, Hunter Heartman, in a piece entitled Cherries worth Getting, which was part of a compilation of short stories entitled The Irregulars. I thought the story was brilliant. We were introduced to a human chef turned food investigator for NATO’s Irregulars Affairs Division (NIAD), dating a field agent who turned out to be a transmogrified goblin who was insanely handsome and had the quirky habit of eating cigarettes and drinking lighter fluid. Honestly, could this get any better? Well, they are back and the stories are crazier, the creatures introduced more fascinating, and the love affair that began…over? What?
In a collection of short stories, our intrepid author maps out the reunion between her two dynamic heroes, and it is less than romantic. In fact, when last Keith and Hunter were together, Hunter had informed Keith he was not the (hu)man for him, and they parted just as Keith was realizing he more than liked Hunter and not just for the sex—which was pretty nice. In his current case, Keith is in need of a goblin linguist, and guess who shows up. Keith is determined to keep it professional, but before long their attraction surfaces once more and all bets are off.
Not only is the concept of a vegan ex-chef and a hefty meat eating goblin just crazy-good, but the way these two dance around their attraction for each other is absolutely divine. As each story delves into the strange and bizarre cases Keith takes on, we watch the fellas go from work colleagues to lovers to more. When you surround them with intriguing side characters and relatives (Hunter’s) then the stories become even richer, slightly more demented, and vastly entertaining. I can tell you that the Christmas themed short Cookie Jamboree and the story Magically Delicious were my absolute favorites. Magically Delicious introduces us to leprechauns, which Keith refers to as “angry ball biters” and good lord, it is hilarious.
If you have not read the original story from the anthology Irregulars, Ms. Kimberling gives you plenty of background on both Keith and Hunter to navigate this collection of short stories. This is a delightful body of work, and I highly recommend it to you!
In a collection of short stories, our intrepid author maps out the reunion between her two dynamic heroes, and it is less than romantic. In fact, when last Keith and Hunter were together, Hunter had informed Keith he was not the (hu)man for him, and they parted just as Keith was realizing he more than liked Hunter and not just for the sex—which was pretty nice. In his current case, Keith is in need of a goblin linguist, and guess who shows up. Keith is determined to keep it professional, but before long their attraction surfaces once more and all bets are off.
Not only is the concept of a vegan ex-chef and a hefty meat eating goblin just crazy-good, but the way these two dance around their attraction for each other is absolutely divine. As each story delves into the strange and bizarre cases Keith takes on, we watch the fellas go from work colleagues to lovers to more. When you surround them with intriguing side characters and relatives (Hunter’s) then the stories become even richer, slightly more demented, and vastly entertaining. I can tell you that the Christmas themed short Cookie Jamboree and the story Magically Delicious were my absolute favorites. Magically Delicious introduces us to leprechauns, which Keith refers to as “angry ball biters” and good lord, it is hilarious.
If you have not read the original story from the anthology Irregulars, Ms. Kimberling gives you plenty of background on both Keith and Hunter to navigate this collection of short stories. This is a delightful body of work, and I highly recommend it to you!
lillian_francis's review
5.0
Cherries Worth Getting: An interesting world with two solid leads and a well thought out investigation. Would have loved a longer investigation to stretch out the romance. 4* (This was taken from my review of Irregulars) 2nd read through: Still loved it. In awe of the world building. Glad I've got a whole book of Keith and Gunther to enjoy.
Cookie Jambore: 4*
A Christmas Coda that takes place between Cherries Worth Getting & Magically Delicious. This is a sweet and romantic short story that not only shows Keith joining Gunther in one of his regular commitments, but also deals with how the couple decide to move in together.
The Little Golden Book of Goblin Stories: 4*
Gunther has asked Keith to find a special book from his childhood. This cute story reveals how amazing Gunther's Mum is.
Magically Delicious: 4*
Previously released in Charmed and Dangerous.
This story focuses more on Keith than on the relationship. Keith and Gunther are now living together and someone is 'attacking' NIAD agents with pixie-dust. Gunther becomes the 8th agent to be effected. Keith's not the kind of boyfriend to sit by Gunther's hospital bed wringing his hands, so he heads out determined to find out who's behind the attacks. Although Gunther is in the background, Keith's realisations about his relationship are interspersed with his investigation. And there is a lovely scene with Gunther's parents. The leprechauns are great fun, especially the one who becomes Keith's temporary partner/son.
The Most Important Meal of The Day: 4*
Haha. This one is fun and graphically violent with people being ripped in two or eaten by a monster from the sky. Keith and Gunther are the only ones who can save the world, but they're about to have breakfast when the apocalypse strikes.
Bring Out the Best: 4.5*
Keith and Gunther have been living together for a couple of years when Keith starts investigating a case of bad blood being delivered to non-humans. Gunther's cousin comes to stay after being kicked out of the Air Force and spends a lot of time making toast and mooning over the plane he left behind. Gunther saves Keith when he does something stupid, but ultimately it's Keith that solves the case and proves his worth. The relationship is great in this one and it's obvious how much their relationship has thrived in this one. Brilliant ending.
While most of these stories received 4 stars from me, I have to give the overall book 5 stars. The collection shows the overall progress of the relationship and Keith's transformation back into fully functioning human. He's come a long way from the first story. All due to the love of a trans-goblin.
Cookie Jambore: 4*
A Christmas Coda that takes place between Cherries Worth Getting & Magically Delicious. This is a sweet and romantic short story that not only shows Keith joining Gunther in one of his regular commitments, but also deals with how the couple decide to move in together.
The Little Golden Book of Goblin Stories: 4*
Gunther has asked Keith to find a special book from his childhood. This cute story reveals how amazing Gunther's Mum is.
Magically Delicious: 4*
Previously released in Charmed and Dangerous.
This story focuses more on Keith than on the relationship. Keith and Gunther are now living together and someone is 'attacking' NIAD agents with pixie-dust. Gunther becomes the 8th agent to be effected. Keith's not the kind of boyfriend to sit by Gunther's hospital bed wringing his hands, so he heads out determined to find out who's behind the attacks. Although Gunther is in the background, Keith's realisations about his relationship are interspersed with his investigation. And there is a lovely scene with Gunther's parents. The leprechauns are great fun, especially the one who becomes Keith's temporary partner/son.
The Most Important Meal of The Day: 4*
Haha. This one is fun and graphically violent with people being ripped in two or eaten by a monster from the sky. Keith and Gunther are the only ones who can save the world, but they're about to have breakfast when the apocalypse strikes.
Bring Out the Best: 4.5*
Keith and Gunther have been living together for a couple of years when Keith starts investigating a case of bad blood being delivered to non-humans. Gunther's cousin comes to stay after being kicked out of the Air Force and spends a lot of time making toast and mooning over the plane he left behind. Gunther saves Keith when he does something stupid, but ultimately it's Keith that solves the case and proves his worth. The relationship is great in this one and it's obvious how much their relationship has thrived in this one. Brilliant ending.
While most of these stories received 4 stars from me, I have to give the overall book 5 stars. The collection shows the overall progress of the relationship and Keith's transformation back into fully functioning human. He's come a long way from the first story. All due to the love of a trans-goblin.
bluejay14's review
4.0
I didn't expect it to be a collection of short stories and I didn't expect it to be somewhat of a romance novel, but it was a light, fun read and I'm glad I picked it up!
More...