Book Review - Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Title: Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes #1)
Author: Travis Baldree
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2022
 
Description: After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
 
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success – no to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
 
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to do it alone.
 
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
 
Review: I’m not much of a fantasy reader, but I have enjoyed a bunch. I think the cozy fantasy is right up my alley.
 
Viv is an orc who is done with the adventurous life and wants to settle somewhere and start new. Something different from fighting battles and pursuing quests. She want something more quiet and something she give her heart and soul to. When she reaches the town of Thune, she finds the perfect place to do this. Viv has the idea of starting her own coffee shop, but no one has any idea of what coffee is.
 
The plot is fairly simple. It’s a fantasy book with low stakes. And as cozy as the story sounds, that’s really how it feels the entire time. It’s such a wholesome story. You just want to visit Viv’s coffeeshop. And The characters are all great to ready about. Not just Viv, but also her partner Tandri. They form this beautiful friendship. And then there is Thimble, the mouse who bakes the best pastries. And I was salivating every single time they described one of his new baked goods. He doesn’t say much, but I loved Thimble. I always enjoy the found family trope, and “Legends & Lattes” captures this so well. It’s the characters that made me love this book so much and you can’t help but smile.
 
Travis Baldree’s writing is really beautiful. It’s really easy to picture the characters and locations in your head while reading the book. It’s all so vivid.
 
Going in skeptical, coming out with a huge smile on my face. What a great read. “Legends & Lattes” is such a fun book, even if you’re not much of a fantasy reader like me.
 
Rating: 5/ 5