This is a nice wholesome book, reminds me of the more cheerful Mercedes Lackey books, where it starts crap (for the protagonist) and gets better in a fairly linear progression. There is little drama, but a lot of tea. The language of the goblins is a bit of a blocker though; you'll need to use the glossary or take notes.

On a second reading I find it a bit convenient that the people who are most annoying have an arc. Life isn't like that, some people are just annoying!