The Good Char

by Y.D. La Mar

Life had always felt like a never-ending loop of expectations and rules. That's why when I spotted the "Help Wanted" sign at The Good Char, the hotdog on a stick food place in the mall. It was perfect! Like the condiments were calling my name. Little did I know, stepping into that vibrant hotdog stand would lead me straight into hell.

Dzik, my grumpy manager with an air of mystery about him, brooded and grumbled even after he hired me. His standoffish ways made me curious, even as his sharp wit tested my patience. As I served customers and wielded the tongs, a slow realization dawned on me—there was something different about this place, something beyond the ordinary.

With each passing day, I found myself fascinated by Dzik's gruff exterior. There was something more to him, something hidden and intriguing. Through the grease-splattered aprons and shared moments at the grill, I caught glimpses of it.

Then I found out what it was.

He’s a demon, banished from the underworld, working as my manager.

Now I’m not sure which of us is actually being punished.

Genres: Paranormal, Humor, Dark, Monster Romance, M F Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2024

About the author

I'm a reader, first and foremost. Just like everyone else.

I love books that are just out there. From fluffy to pitch-black darkness. Monsters and aliens to the men who haunt your dreams painting the walls in red.

My love for reading and writing reviews has led me down the road of becoming a writer myself, thanks to the encouragement of others!

I'm not sure where this journey will lead me, but I hope I can breathe life into words the way so many others have done for me when I needed an escape.

Stalk me! https://ydlamar.carrd.co
www.ydlamar.com

Reviews

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might need to get checked out, because I had loads of fun reading this dark MF standalone! It was a little over the top at times, but that was what made it so much fun to read. The author herself describes the book as a horror romance comedy, and that's exactly how the story feels. This is definitely a perfect read for those of us who love to take the stories they read not too seriously. If, on top of that, you like to question your own sanity while reading, this book is definitely perfect.

Kimmy is one of those bubbly characters filled with sunshine and rainbows, and while I thought she was a bit naive at the start, I have to admit I really started to love her shiny personality. Just like everything else in this book, she's a little over the top, but in a good way. Mix it with our grump Dzik, and you get some hilarious interactions between the both of them.

So yeah, I really loved this standalone. It's definitely one of the most original things I've read lately, and I had a lot of fun reading it.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so funny! I really enjoyed it. The plot of a demon being punished by having to run a corn dog stand in the mall is hilarious. Dzik is being punished, and he hates the mall. He has to hire a new employee. Kimmie is in the mall with her two friends when they decide to get some food at the food court. She sees the now hiring sign, and it's like a sign to her. She applies and is hired by Dzik.

What Dzik doesn't know is just how much her sunshine personality is going to rub him the wrong but right way. Lots of fun in this book. It is definitely grump and sunshine in the one.

[Lisa Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimmy

Kimmy just got a new job because she's tired of working for her parents. Her new boss, Dzik, isn't hopeful that she'll be the employee that he needs, but he definitely got more than expected.
This is a quick read. It had humor which I loved and when you get to the spice it's extra spicy. Definitely recommend.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good grumpy/sunshine book! Kimmy is such an innocent little ray of sunshine and it’s made me laugh out loud multiple times. Dzik is a possessive grumpy demon and who doesn’t love a good grump?

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about a grumpy, clean freak demon hidden in the human world an a happy petite young woman who end up together. It was an enjoyable read.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This story was so much fun to read. It was entertaining, cute, sweet and definitely spicy! A grumpy/sunshine monster loving story that I could not get enough of.

Kimmy was hilarious with her bubbly, rainbow filled, sunshiny personality that was making Dzik gag. I pictured her as a cartoony princess with big, huge eyes and every time she looked at Dzik she would bat her long eyelashes, which made me giggle even more because it disturbed Dzik so much. That demon needed to wear a I hate people shirt every day with his hate for all things human.

Dzik is definitely a grumpy, angry and really big demon. His quirky inner dialogue was so freaking funny that he made me continually laugh out loud over everything he goes through being in the human world. When Kimmy crashes into his life, it completely turns everything upside down for Dzik and he has no idea what to make of this little human. She’s a force to be reckoned with and he can’t seem to contain her.

Their banter was hysterical, and filled with quirky little comebacks, and some slow building sexual tension between them. I loved how they explored all the new things developing between them.

I could not get enough of this story. It was so much fun.

[Paula Sabol (Never Choose Fantasy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Char by YD La Mar is a paranormal romance between a human and a demon. Kimmy is an Asian American girl that.lives and works in her parents restaurant but wants to live her own life. The beginning of which she starts by finding a job at The Good Char run by Dvik, a demon being punished by serve hotdogs made of human flesh. As Dvik tries to figure out what Kimmy is really up to he begins to.find he's attracted to her. Will Kimmy want Dvik if she discovers his secret?
I really enjoyed this story. It's provided lots of laughs as Kimmy seems to see the silver lining in everything. Dvik is a demon that can't seem to grasp being evil. Things begin to heat up as Dvik and his demon body begin to feel other things toward Kimmy.
There are a few dark things and if you're not into that type of stuff please check the content warning. However this book is not written from a realistic point of view so that darker things don't quite hit the same. If you like romances where monster is kind of sweet and the fmc is a little oblivious set in an 80s mall…you'll enjoy The Good Char.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good Char by YD La Mar is part of the Soul Taker Series. (Actually it takes place between The Hunger of Thieves and Heart of the Reaper Series but can be read as a standalone). I’m a huge fan of this author to the point that there's a new book it’s instantly on my radar. When I read the blurb I could not wait to get my hands/eyes on this story. I devoured it in a few hours. I did not want to put my kindle down. It’s a romantic horror comedy that is based in the 80’s… I loved it so much! This was just such a fun read for me. Plus it has the grumpy/sunshine dynamic which just made it even better. I also may have had an immediate soft spot for Kimmy. I just loved her sunshine personality plus she was a great counterpart to Dzik who was just the grump. I loved them together, their interactions just made me laugh at times. The writing and plot was great and unique. I overall just had a great time reading this book!

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars

[Breana · Rating 5 out of 5]

YD LaMar yet again does one of the many things she does best. Satisfies my craving for one of my favorite tropes in all of PNR, scary unhinged monster MMC and a FMC who breezily ignores his supposed fear factor, and even finds him adorable, much to his annoyance.
It had Grumpy x Sunshine, Spice, hilarious moments, with twisted horror plot points, all mixed in, while being set in the 80s. Genuinely, what more could you ask for?

If you have triggers, mind them.
If you enjoy this trope and you’re like me and look at trigger warnings as more of an exciting taste test. Get your hands on this gem.

(No ow/om drama. No third act break up. No miscommunication trope. YES HEA🖤)

[Julorie Siefert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimmy was a young lady who want to be independent of her helicopter parents. One day she sees a help wanted sign for help at The Good Char place in the mall. Dzik the owner was a grumpy man, but he hired Kimmy enabling her with money saved and the paycheck to move out of her own. She loved working at The Good Char and everyone loved the corndogs. Kimmy was developing feelings for Dzik and he for her. But, there was a mystery what was the secret of the corndogs and who or what was Dzik? This lighthearted story following the twists and turns and what happens with Kimmy's parents, her friend Cindy and other strange going on keeps you ready to find out what happen next.

[Book Life With Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good Char: Horror Romance Comedy, part of the Soul Taker series by YD La Mar is yet again another classics YD La Mar book! I love a goof grumpy/sunshine romance with a paranormal/monster demon twist and this one is definitely a must read with its unique plot, twisted humor and characters that suck you right in. I loved everything about Kimmy and Dzik and their connection. Kimmy was searching for independence, but what she found was so much more in Dzik. After all, who can resist a demon in charge of a corn dog stand 😂

Overall this was a fun quick read and if you love a humorous horror romance comedy that’s based in the 80’s and sure to make you laugh—this is it!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of this series from the start and I cannot express how quickly I devour these books!! They are so damn good. I love the comical darkness that comes with each story. I cannot put it down once I start and I never want to lol

YD is an absolute goddess when it comes to her writing and she weaves stories that appease even the hidden desires we have that we didn't even know about !! ❤️

[Holly Rife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a quirky romance with demons and barbequing humans and learning independence – wait, barbequing what?!?

No, no it actually works and it's funny, strange and a bit horrifying (in the way a horror romance should be.) It's definitely super spicy - oh is it 🔥 🔥 🔥. There is quite a list of content warnings at the beginning of the book, so please read those first…

‘The Good Char’ is a quick, wild read with more depth than I expected. What a fun ride!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just really enjoyed this book!! It was so much fun. It's set in the 1980s, so it's a little nostalgic for me. It was fun to see the details. I just loved the back in forth between Kimmy and Dzik. I think one of my favorite parts was how he cleaned up every time she cried because he didn't want to catch something. I just loved the banter and whit back in forth between them. I would love to see more books from this world. It would be interesting to see what happens to them after this book.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read!

I loved the humor and irony through this book. Kimmy and Dzik are the perfect opposites attract couple. I'm pretty sure between her good deeds and his bad deeds and accidental good deeds, they may actually be confusing some demons and angels. There is plenty of heat if that is what you're looking for but I'd have to say I enjoyed the humor of this book the most.

[Laci Steimel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! I devoured this horror romance comedy in one sitting. It was so funny, and I never knew what was going to happen. Dzik is a grumpy boss, but secretly a little cinnamon roll gooey for Kimmy, who is eternally a sunshine girl. There was hilarious banter, and some definite steam. This is a must read!!

[June McKibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has unique dynamic with Kimmy that has a very bubbly personality that gets hired at a hot dog stand. Her boss is the opposite and is grumpy. She has such a curious peraonality that even with his grumpiness she still wants to know more. Their dynamic will have you laughing and enjoying the book all the way through.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimmy is looking for a new job and so the sign ‘help wanted’ was just what she needed. She is about to enter a world she never knew existed. Her manager seems so different to anyone else she had met before. What will she learn about him? How will she get on? See just what is going to happen. A brilliant read

[Tammy Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy having a book I can devour in a couple hours. This one did not disappoint. Kimmy gets a job to try and claim her independence from her parents and the traditions and ways she was raised with. A bit of misunderstanding and a little confusion bring a bit of humor when Kimmy doesn't quite grasp her grumpy boss is a demon. I enjoyed this cute romance, with just a bit of spice to it.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books of the month! I love Kimmy; she is so adorable and has a bubbly and optimistic outlook. Dzik is the grumpy guy with some...secrets. I love this type of dynamic, and I really enjoyed the retro slash throwback to the 80s with the setting. Yes, it's a bit dark at times, but this is my type of humour. I loved it!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimmy is a ray of sunshine trying to break free from her parent rule and find her own life. Dzik is trying to get back to his life and is grumpy being stuck in the land of men. It was a quirky funny read with an 80s twist.

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimmy is a super bubbly woman who got tired of working for her parents and found a new job. Dzik is a grumpy demon who ends up being her boss. The story is over the top and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it a fun book to read.

[Neela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is DEFINITLY different than Gero and anything else I've read of YD's but I loved the dark and broody/grumpy MMC and the cheeky ray of Sunshine that is Kimmy. Opposites truly attract! Not to mention I LOVED the 80's mall, spooky vibes! All around a very quirky little read!

[Tabatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimmy and Dzik are a match made in heaven, or should I say the Underworld. Kimmy is all happy and bubbly and Dzik is all blood and gore. This makes for one weirdly happy couple.

I received an Advance Reader Copy for an honest review.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this
Kimmy and Dzik kept you entertained throughout the entire book. The were complete opposites and it worked with the storyline. Perfect about of spice. Lots of humor. I definitely recommend this book.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self discovery and getting away from your parents never seemed so comical, one grumpy demon faces a way to peppy and lively new employee.

This book definitely had me giggling and not wanting to stop until I finished.. I loved the ending but I'm a bit weary to try a corn dog now lol

[Angela Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun to read. It's set in the 80s and has comedy and a bit of horror. The FMC is a bubbly girl while the mmc is a grump with a hidden side. Loved this book.

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read, I loved Dzik, such a grumpy demon but a total cinnamon roll underneath it all for Kimmy. And she was just such an unending optimist, I wish I had her enthusiasm!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

How my! This book is so funny Dzik is such a bad boy, but one you have to love. Kimmy seems so young in some ways, and older in others. They make an adorable couple

[Juanita Mullens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little demonic world. There's demons, not the brightest of women, kittens and corndogs. It was worth reading, kept me interested until the last sentence.
Very steamy, a bit dark.