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Backyard Goblins #1

Backyard Goblins

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Be careful. They bite.

One day I was enjoying my early retirement out in the countryside, taking comfort in the simplicity of my off grid lifestyle. Hunting and gardening provided the bulk of my own food, and I slept and did my work from inside my converted shipping container mini-home. It could get a bit lonely at times—but it gave me the space I needed to get away from the city...and my past.

But when a trio of cute goblins emerged from a silver portal that appeared out of nowhere on my property...things got a bit more complicated all of a sudden. Also, I soon discovered they bite and mostly each other, but sometimes me.

Still, I made a commitment to care for them. I also discovered that I can travel freely back to their world and slay monsters to gain strength and enhance each of the women I'm now responsible for in unusual ways. It's all pretty exciting—but what is my childhood friend Susie going to say when she finds out about this strange arrangement? Knowing her, probably something weird.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2023

265 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Virgil Knightley

131 books199 followers

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5 stars
209 (57%)
4 stars
85 (23%)
3 stars
45 (12%)
2 stars
12 (3%)
1 star
12 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
10 reviews
June 1, 2024
Aside from a few errors, this reads quite well. Starts off strong as an MC who is escaping from city life, after getting PTSD as a teacher who got shot and lost students, and then making money from side jigs that paid off in the end.
His childhood lover supports him and loves him, and story starts off with them doing his taxes, but when an earthquake reveals a new cave on his land, with a trio of 4 foot tall goblinas with MASSIVE tracts of land and wanting to be bred by him... things get crazy, especially when a retired Homeland Security agent checks up on the situation...

IF there is ever a sequel, you can be sure that it'll be interesting, because of how this story ends... it's left open ended, with so much more trouble to be added in the future. I am really curious to see if Virgil ever decides to add the next installment, instead of just leaving it here on a cliff hangar with many things unresolved.
6 reviews
September 28, 2023
Great book, strange ending?

Fantastic read, very interesting, if horny, characters. My issue is the end. No spoilers but our boy Darryl needs either more therapy, or generwl courses on normal interaction.


SPOILERS: why make the ex agent so likeable, only to pop his head like a melon? And not even good reason, a damn misunderstanding. He wasnt a rapist, he was literally bit by a monster. He helps them not be seen to what? Get killed by some yolked up crazy dude. Like the book is great, 5 stars. BUT you know damn well that ending needed a rewrite. No one asked why the agent probably had biteshaped holes bleeding through his damn shirt? And you KNOW those gobs are half feral. That ending really makes me rethink actually liking the 2 human leads. Fingers crossed the next one he doesnt just start pulping innocent bystanders. I take it back, 4 stars.
Profile Image for Steve.
1,620 reviews60 followers
September 20, 2023
4.5 stars. I've found some of the author's other solo books didn't work as well for me, but it seems he's refined his writing after his collaborations with Annabelle Hawthorne. I found those collaborative books better than either author's solo books, as good as some of those may be; some authors work better as a team.

Didn't quite clear the bar all the way to 5, but good enough to round up. Has some potential, so we'll see where this goes.
27 reviews3 followers
August 31, 2024
Modest 3:

I have grown to quite like the author and his work. That said this story didn't click for me. I did enjoy it, but the problem for me was the relationships between the MC and the FMC and of course our goblin trio. Perhaps this was an earlier work so I definitely see some of the things I like and what the author does well, but at certain points of the story, the characters didn't feel like 'real' but more like caricatures of stereotypes or tropes we all know. Also a power system is introduced but seemingly later abandoned? It comes back but no longer seem important while MC risks his life to engage with this concept?? The ending felt extremely rushed, perhaps more than what I am comfortable with. The epilogue was short but did set up a good entry point for a sequel which I hope will see the light of day.

All in all, it remained enjoyable and was a relatively short read that I did not regret reading, so I want to give it a modest 3.
Profile Image for Pieter van der Ploeg.
104 reviews
December 17, 2024
A fun read/listen (I have the audiobook version)! This is a well-executed light LitRPG fantasy story with typical harem elements. The execution by both the author and narrators was excellent, which kept me engaged throughout.

I often skip harem books because many authors tend to overdo it, but here it felt balanced.

That said, to be honest, I would have enjoyed this book even more if the harem aspects were replaced with a more traditional approach featuring true couples. But that’s just me.
1,002 reviews13 followers
January 24, 2024
Good fun

Good gob fun with a damaged MC. He has PTSD from a school shooting. It seems that the lost triangle goblins trigger his protection instincts and is Helping him heal. Getting stronger it's just a bonus And make it easier to do his protection. Review reviews I do not have any sympathy for the X. agent. Sticking his nose where it didn't belong And handling the situation badly. Darwin award. Hopefully there will be a new book soon.
59 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2024
Totally Enjoyable!

The author has written another great book. The story reads like a roller coaster of various emotions . I was laughing my ass off with the snide remarks and one liners then grew concerned as the MC interacted with the investigator (I hated him immediately) but it all comes out well in the end and this is only book one!!
24 reviews
September 13, 2023
Hilarious

This was a surprisingly great read. A new series but very well done. Very sexy but also heartfelt. The page long sex description with all the metaphors was hilarious. Will read the sequel if and when it comes out.
3 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2024
Ending killed it for me

Overall it was alright. The dialogue between Daryl and Susie was incredibly cringe all the way through. But the ending...I just...why? Why was any of that necessary?

Also gloryhammer reference aged poorly lmao.
184 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2024
A well crafted adventure story with HOT action!!!

This was a departure for me. I did not think I would like this story but WOOO, it was excellent! I really want 2 more books! This creation deserves that! Mr. Knightly keep up the good work
Profile Image for Genielle Weber.
561 reviews5 followers
March 28, 2025
Great story

It was very funny and entertaining to read. I hope that the next book is just as funny. The characters were well written, with great depths to their back stories. Can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Nathan Hermus-Washburn .
21 reviews
May 28, 2025
Ok. Let’s just be honest. It’s pulp in all of its glory. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters. It’s super silly and cliché and obviously written for the male gaze, but it’s fun.

Want a stupid premise and a gaggle of horny sexy women set in the LitRPG style? This is the series for you.
5 reviews
September 9, 2023
Amazing

Looking forward to the next book! Good reverse isekai story, next book is probably gonna start with a storm from the newest surprise
29 reviews
September 14, 2023
another good book

Really like this one I hope it turns into a series. I also really like how agent boulder got what he deserved.
Profile Image for Ron.
393 reviews4 followers
September 15, 2023
dnf @78% I skimmed the last 22% of the book, so I guess its not a dnf, but what little plot there is is heavily burdened by multi-chapter orgies
Profile Image for Nick Massey.
396 reviews9 followers
September 15, 2023
Huh, that was fun

Strange story, but entertaining enough. I look forward to the next one at least. Didn't grab me though like the authors other works.
Profile Image for James Riley.
1,246 reviews16 followers
September 17, 2023
A fun, quick read

This is a fun little book to read. It's rather quick. A perfect read for in between "more serious " reads.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Michael.
562 reviews
September 18, 2023
WOW!

Daryl is a very lucky person. He fell into something that he did not expect. This was a very interesting read. I sure hope Sir K nightly plans.to have a book two .
621 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2023
Good Read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I sincerely hope that the rest of you out there enjoy it as much as I did.
239 reviews4 followers
November 27, 2024
What a fun tale!

I absolutely have to have the second and third books now. Quite a dynamic setup with several people. I'm trying not to give spoilers but I really enjoyed the story.
3 reviews
November 9, 2025
fun read!

Wasn’t sure what to expect (well I did). But had a nice variety and that it did not JUST focus on the obvious. Overall enjoyable and look forward to finishing the series!
Profile Image for Jonathan.
4 reviews
June 22, 2024
fun read

This was a fun read. A little slow and predictable at times but still great work!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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