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Legends & Lattes

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Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Fantasy (2022)
A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes.

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—not 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 go 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.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2022

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About the author

Travis Baldree

143 books6,744 followers
New York Times Bestselling Author of Legends & Lattes. Audiobook narrator. Erstwhile game developer. Made Fate, Torchlight & Rebel Galaxy.

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Profile Image for Petrik.
725 reviews51.2k followers
July 6, 2023
ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

Legends and Lattes is the wholesome and cozy fantasy you didn’t know you need.


For those of you who don’t know, Travis Baldree has been well known for his role as the audiobook narrator behind Will Wight’s Cradle series. And many other series, really. Legends and Lattes is his debut novel, and I do think Baldree should now be known for his fantasy novel, too. I wouldn’t have known about Legends and Lattes if it weren’t for Twitter. Most of you probably know already, almost all of my favorite novels and stories are intense, emotional, dark, and serious in tone. But I do love slice-of-life as a genre as well. When I saw the cover art—illustrated by Carson Lowmiller—to Legends and Lattes on Twitter, with the premise indicating this is a high fantasy novel with low stakes, I knew I couldn’t go wrong with my expectations entering this book. I knew immediately I should read this when I’m in the mood for something short, cozy, and wholesome. Despite loving slice-of-life in other storytelling mediums such as manga, anime, and TV shows, I seem to struggle to find a terrific slice-of-life fantasy novel. But I got what I wanted here. Legends and Lattes is the slice-of-life fantasy novel I craved and received.

“I told you I came across it in Azimuth, and I remember following the smell to the shop. They called it a café. People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and… it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it’s something else.”


The story in Legends and Lattes is centered on Viv. Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start making coffees instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners and a different kind of resolve. At a glance, it's easy to advertise this as a fantasy novel about building a new coffee shop in a fantasy world, and yes, it indeed is. But beyond the surface, there were a lot of relatably resonating themes that made Legends and Lattes so precious. Through this premise and the narrative, Baldree highlighted the importance of friendship, found family, love, community, and how good food and beverages never fail. And at its core, I think Legends and Lattes is a story about starting something new. It's never too late to start something new. Will it be easy? No, it will be difficult. But it's not impossible. Growing out of your comfort zone is never easy, but good things just might come out of it. Booktube was something I was too afraid to try. For years I contemplated it, and I won't lie, I still struggle with it at times. But after more than a year, I can say that this new venture has all been so worth it.

“I apologize. Look, I am very bad at this. I don’t really know what I’m doing… This is what I know, what I’ve always known. I just want to know something else, now. To be something else. Everything I said was stupid. I, of all people, ought to know better than to assume anything based on what you were born as. Before you walk out, do you mind if I start over?”


The novel doesn't feature multiple POV characters. The entire story in Legends and Lattes is told exclusively through the perspective of Viv. There isn't a lot of characters here, but Baldree focused on quality rather than quantity. Viv started the coffee shop business alone, and soon she will befriend new acquaintances and friends that became irreplaceable to her. It's never too late to do something new, but starting a coffee shop business on your own without anyone's help is a task that may be too difficult to execute. Cal, Tandri, and Thimble taught Viv and us readers that it is okay to believe in the kindness of strangers. As improbable as it sounds sometimes, especially to us who tasted adulthood already, not every stranger is out to get us. And Legends and Lattes remind us that there is goodness and kindness in this world. I loved reading the character development of Viv, Tandri, Cal, and Thimble. Thimble needs to be protected at all costs.

“Right… and one thing I remember particularly well from our little chat was how much she hated assholes. You know, some people might consider any of her crew to be assholes, just because of the nature of the business. But I don’t think that way… I’ve got respect for people who have to get their hands dirty to get things done. That’s just work. No, it takes something special to be a real asshole, and I think she and I are of the same mind.”


It's not only the characters, too. Even seeing their friendship and hard work bringing results in the form of a new menu genuinely made me smile. Oh my god, the description of the drinks and the food in this book is irresistible. I actually can't recommend this book to you if you're on a diet. I want to taste the coffee, the latte, Thimblet's cinnamon roll, Midnight Crescents, and more. If you're in the mood for an epic fantasy novel with warfare, battle scenes, and an expansive world-building, then this may not be the novel for you right now. But even then, I still would recommend Legends and Lattes to every fantasy reader. I am, after all, a fan of epic fantasy and grimdark fantasy, too, and I still end up loving this thoroughly. Slice-of-life does not mean that the story lacks tension, the conflicts the characters encounter are just different than the ones we often read in epic fantasy. I mean, if you know life, you know just how stressful life can get sometimes. And the narrative never takes a pause. Baldree made sure the progressions in character development and business making always happen with each chapter. Additionally, the 31 chapters in this novel are filled with their own unique chapter icon. All of these, with the combination of Baldree's accessible prose, transformed Legends and Lattes into a page-turning—and cozy—reading experience.

“I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were… because that’s what brought you here.”


Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is a serendipitous novel. I didn't search for it, its existence came out of nowhere, and it instantly became one of my favorite books of the year. I have a strong instinct this book will be incredibly famous one day, sooner than later. I absolutely enjoyed it. A great book and delicious food are things in this world that never fail to make me feel happy and alive. I can't live without them. If you feel the same way, how about trying this relaxing book? Legends and Lattes is truly a feel-good fantasy novel at its finest. I eagerly wait for the next book by Baldree. I want more out of this world, and I've asked the author about his plan. Fortunately, Baldree plans to make this a series of standalone novels/series similar to Discworld by Terry Pratchett. This is most likely the best direction for the series, and I couldn't be more pleased. Pick up this book as soon as possible, and have a refreshing taste of Legends and Lattes.

“WHAT FLAMES COULD NOT CONSUME, NEVER SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED”


You can order this book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Blackwells (Free International shipping)

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel

Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!

My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Amanda, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, Oliver, Reno, Samantha, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
Profile Image for Yun.
542 reviews26.7k followers
January 20, 2024
Oh my word! Is cozy fantasy a thing? Because I absolutely need more of this in my life!

I don't know what I expected going in. The cover would have me thinking it's some sort of Dungeons and Dragons fanfic. But I don't know anything about the game, so I imagined this wouldn't be my jam. Ha, was I wrong.

Viv is tired of being a bounty hunter and is hanging up her sword. The orc is settling down to the quiet life, opening a coffee shop in the city of Thune. But can she really leave her previous life behind and find success and a new home, especially in a city where she is a complete stranger and no one even knows what coffee is?

Ah, this story! It's just brimming with joy and heart on every page. To read it is to be enveloped in the gentlest, warmest of hugs. You don't have to be an orc or bounty hunter to fully appreciate the themes in here—of starting anew, finding yourself and a place to belong, and opening your heart to never thought-of possibilities. It's such a core part of the human experience, and this book captured a most lovely rendition of it.

But to say this story is cozy doesn't mean it's boring. To the contrary, there is excitement and tension aplenty, with all the right components to have me turning the pages as fast as I could. I wanted to gulp it down, but also to savor it slowly. I couldn't think of a single thing I didn't enjoy in here, from the characters to the plot to the writing.

I can totally see why this book has gotten all the hype, and I can't recommend it enough. Now I know what you're thinking: But Yun, I don't read stories about orcs or hobs or gnomes. Well, neither do I, and look where I am. Obviously, if you only enjoy tales of sadness and misery, this book isn't for you. But if you want something truly heartwarming and delightful, then this is not to be missed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Profile Image for Reagan.
124 reviews
March 28, 2022
I really liked the premise (DnD-style fantasy universe where a former adventurer hangs up their spurs and starts a coffee shop). It's hard to say what's wrong with it. It's not true that nothing happens (a coffee shop is opened, an adversary is dealt with) and it's not true that there's no character development (something something the power of friendship something). But it -feels- like nothing happens.

This read like a NaNoWriMo effort and apparently that's actually what it was. Things happen. There are characters in the story and there sure are pages with words on them. But there's never anything unusual or unexpected or very clever, that happens. It feels like the only reason it was written was because someone needed to come up with a plot and fill 50,000 words to meet the deadline. It doesn't matter what the words are. It doesn't matter if the scenes are important. What matters is getting words on the page. Every challenge that appears is instantly and easily overcome. And every character (except two) is so gosh darned nice and reasonable and in touch with their feelings.

I can understand why the people who like this book like it. We're living in scary, dark times and it can be a relief to escape into a low stakes scenario where every plot point is telegraphed ahead of time and you're never in any anxiety about the outcome for any character or of any situation. That is, perhaps, therapeutic and a nice break. But I want more, even of my fluffy mind candy novels. I want compelling plots and deep characters.

Also the first half of the novel is like reading a description of someone playing Diner Dash. They leveled up their coffee shop and now it serves pastries! Leveled up again and now they have the ceiling fan upgrade! Now they have a musician. Now they're upgrading the oven.
Profile Image for Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews.
310 reviews5,700 followers
August 15, 2022
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books as soon as I finish the book.

A wholesome, slice-of-life fantasy that is surprisingly well done.

Let me start out by saying that I absolutely do not enjoy slice of life type books. However, somehow this book really did get me interested and gave me a nice warm feeling throughout.

The fantasy elements really did add well to the book, and I do not think this book would be as good as it is if it didn't include those aspects in the book. It also is trying to appeal to a crowd who likely don't normally read these types of books. I mean...when was the last time you heard of a slice of life fantasy book?

This is a book about good people being nice to each other. And speaking personally, coming off reading epic fantasy books where there are typically a whole host of characters who are literally the opposite of that -- this serves as a good palate cleanser.

I wasn't absolutely in love with the book, which is why I couldn't give it 5 stars. It just didn't have a complex enough plot for me, and it's really obvious what is going to happen in the book before it happens. But it was enjoyable and should be a must-read for any fantasy fan.

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Profile Image for chai ♡.
337 reviews162k followers
January 23, 2023
I wish I could inhabit this book forever. Legends & Lattes is the comfort read version of drinking warm coffee on a long winter night. Such a beautiful, big-hearted story, one that foregrounds deep meaningful friendships and queer love between women as something that heals, something to take up against the times like a sword and shield. I have such a reverent spot in my heart for the kind of fantasy that isn’t about big extravagant conflicts, but which focuses instead on the quiet, tiny, daily moments between people just trying to eke out a decent life, capturing all the safe and easy intimacies of being in proximity of each other, of caring and being profoundly cared for, of making someplace to belong. Legends & Lattes does exactly that.

In short, I know the vibes are calamitously bad everywhere in the world right now, and I’m here to say, sincerely and without reservation, that if you are in need of someplace to rest, something cozy and comforting to disappear into, this story—about a butch orc who quits her mercenary job, opens a coffee shop, and finds fierce friendship, community and (sapphic!) love in the process—is for you.
Profile Image for Riley.
447 reviews23k followers
November 26, 2022
if Dungeons & Dragons had a baby with Animal Crossing you would get the absolute delight that is Legends & Lattes

THIS IS THE KIND OF FANTASY I WANT

the coziest, cutest, slice of life fantasy about an orc who wants to quit the barbarian business and open up a coffee shop. cue the loveliest cast of characters ever who help her on this endeavor

please authors, give me more of this
Profile Image for Ali Goodwin.
221 reviews26.4k followers
May 29, 2023
I have officially decided to DNF this book at about the halfway point. I've read my fair share of light fluffy romances and loved them. So a no-stress, comfy, cozy fantasy should be enjoyable for me. But what was a huge miss for me was how slow the plot moves. I think something can be comforting and light while still having plot, but in this book, nothing really happens.

I was also disappointed with the lack of fantasy elements. Our characters are fantastical which was fun but our main character opens a coffee shop that is akin to your local Starbucks. I think it would've been way more fun to explore magical coffees, pastries decorated like fantastical creatures, etc.

Overall I just wanted more of everything. More plot, higher stakes, and more fantasy. That being said, if you know you're in the mood for low plot but comforting coffee shop vibes, this could be a great book for you. It just wasn't my thing.
Profile Image for Katie Colson.
709 reviews8,511 followers
December 20, 2022
Um, okay, here's the thing. This is NOT bad. Not at all.

But everyone's 5 star fantasy of the year??? I don't know about all that.

It's very cute. It's sapphic. It's fun and sometimes funny. But I forgot about it every time I set the book down.

I finished it a few days ago and forgot to even make this review.
Profile Image for Melanie.
1,209 reviews101k followers
August 9, 2023

thank you so much, tor, for sending me a finished copy!

Bookshops & Bonedust ★★★★★

i truly loved this. it felt like i was stepping foot and having a long rest inside the very walls of the waystone inn, the journey's end, and even harth stonebrew's tavern. these are some of my favorite places, some of my safest escapism, and some very large sums of my heart. this story was just perfect for me, and i am very thankful for this book.

building something you want, the way you want it, with the people you want it with... there is a lot of power in that, especially when it creates a found family and/or community. and healing and living and loving the way you want to too? so powerful and so beautiful, and my favorite magic in all the galaxies.

i hope you're able to build and find communities filled with unconditional love, because you deserve that always. <3 (bonus points if a succubus + warm cup of coffee are involved)

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Profile Image for Tim.
477 reviews747 followers
May 2, 2022
I'm about to make a statement that many will find the most preposterous thing I've ever written in a review. This will likely be deemed so ridiculous because it is (a) only May 1st and (b) a year where I've already read several books by authors like Dickens, Steinbeck and Faulkner… but I'm declaring this my favorite read of 2022.

It not reasonable to even think I'll find something I like better. This is the book I've literally wanted my entire adult life. A slice of life fantasy novel, no adventure, no wars, just the everyday lives of people in a high fantasy setting doing stuff while adventures do their own thing and mostly leave them alone. It's the relaxing nature of Becky Chamber's science fiction novels but as a fantasy.

The plot is just about an orc setting up a coffee shop, and the coworkers/friends she makes in the process of getting the business going.

The tagline of the book is that it's a "High Fantasy with Low Stakes" and I love that. I know this won't be a book for everyone, I can already hear some fantasy fans sneering at the concept, but I love this more than I can possibly say.

This is the most feel good book I've ever read. While there is humor, it is not taking a Pratchett comedic tone to the entire thing. It's just… well, life in a fantasy world. It's… charming to the extreme. I read it on my kindle because I had a trial of Kindle Unlimited, but I'm buying a physical copy as ell because I need it in my home library. This is a book I see myself revisiting whenever I need a pick me up. Whenever the world seems gloomy… this is a book to relax and enjoy with a nice cup of coffee.

It may not be for you, but I give it a full 5/5 stars and my strongest recommendation.

Oh, and I do truly hope were get a sequel or that the author at least writes another book in this same world along the same slice of life feel (even if its different protagonists doing a different type of job). I can honestly say if it does continue, it would be my favorite fantasy series.
Profile Image for Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin.
3,598 reviews10.7k followers
May 13, 2022
4.5 Stars

What a fun little cozy Orc book 😏



I loved all of the characters and I’m buying the paperback. Some quotes and stuff..

"Say, you ever have coffee?" she asked.
Laney blinked at her and looked affronted.
"Why, I never have. And the way I was brought up, a lady doesn’t talk about her maladies," she said primly.
Viv barked with a laugh, to the old woman’s great annoyance.

"I don’t know. I kind of like it. It’s more exotic that way."
"Ladies’ stockin’s and exotic bean water.
God help us."


Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Profile Image for Nicole.
596 reviews15.4k followers
February 12, 2023
Kocham Cię książko. Jesteś moim kocykiem na deszczowe dni.
Profile Image for carol..
1,625 reviews8,817 followers
May 24, 2023
It all depends on your definition of 'cosy,' I suppose. I've been wrapping up George Saunders' A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life in which he takes seven short stories and dissects them for meaning and demonstration of craft. I mention this because one of the common descriptions of Legends will almost always contain variations on the phrase 'low stakes' or 'cosy.' 'Cosy,' of course, usually applies to amateur female-sleuth mysteries of a certain type, and honestly, seems kind of diminutive. Perhaps it refers to the atmosphere of a pleasant coffeeshop? Regardless, as there is no mystery and the coffee shop is a process in execution, I hesitate in that word choice. But, moving on. Are stakes low? Does nothing happen?

It strikes me that what Saunders says about Chekhov's 'Gooseberries' can be said about Legends:

"A story means, at the highest level, not by what it concludes but by how it proceeds... The story is not there to tell us what to think about happiness. It is there to help us think about it. It is, we might say, a structure to help us think."

Legends thinks very hard about what it means to reinvent one's life and to take unfamiliar risks. It uses an extremely familiar characters--orcs, elves, gnomes, dwarves, and humans--and an equally familiar setting--a generic fantasy world with a touch of 19th century technology. In short, if you've spent an hour playing Dungeons and Dragons or in World of Warcraft, you'll fill in the blanks just fine. In fact, I think you are expected to: Baldree focus most of the narrative on Viv's quest to build her dream coffeehouse. As common as that sounds, coffee is unheard of in this part of the world, so she reaching her goal will require some clever approaches. She's got an ace up her sleeve to help her succeed.

'Low-stakes,' I think, mislead my idea of what to expect. For Viv, these are very high stakes: she's walked away from her friends and a lucrative career as a mercenary to settle down in a new city and open the coffeehouse. The events in the story continue to challenge Viv, both emotionally and socially. Her new role as business owner means she can't resort to swinging a sword every time trouble appears.

"I’m just saying that … maybe, if you treated the rest of your life the same way you do the shop—invested in it the same way—then the cost would seem less.”

Is it then, cosy? Despite the clear roles of a D&D adventuring party, there are no adventures and the solution to the plot will not be slaying the Big Boss. There is a notable absence of horror which, frankly, is a relief, but don't interpret that as a lack of threat, violence, or physical danger. There is pervasive humor, both in a gentle way and in a more ribald fashion, particularly from the old woman living down the street:

“I don’t mind tellin’ you, this beats the smell of horse apples, any day of the week.” Her eyes disappeared in the dried-fruit crinkle of her grin. “I’d always hoped we’d clear the high bar set by horseshit.”

Should you read this? Maybe. There's perhaps a few flaws. Personally, I'd think it'd be a stronger work if it went through the writing mill one more time, but perhaps someone said, "hey, this is about an orc. We're not talking Tolstoy, here. No need to get fancy." But you know, in some ways we are: we're looking at how one person steps out of the system and changes their life. I think it's worth my time re-reading, and I look forward to the next installment Baldree releases.
Profile Image for Nataliya.
840 reviews14k followers
August 5, 2023
I suppose it all comes down how much you like cozy books and reading about cozy coffee shops and pastries, and the cozy loveliness of found families. I do find all these lovely, but after a few pages I really really really want more. A book equivalent of a warm hug by a fireplace is not my cup of latte, I suppose. It’s not my croissant. Yeah.

I think it’s what I’d call a post-pandemic book. A cozy sort of literature that, despite being billed as “high fantasy and low stakes” really has barely a fantasy gloss and is mostly about those low stakes, about virtually conflict-free feel-good book hug. And I’m too scruffy for that.
“After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end—but she’d be damned if she’d let hers finish that way. It was time for something new.”

A retired orc mercenary opens a coffee shop. Oh, that’s the idea that can be fun with the right ingredients mixed in. (Damn, these lengthy food descriptions really got into my brain). Just add a little humor or sarcasm or anything, really.

But instead it treats its premise with such wide-eyed earnestness that it’s almost painful. I mean, for a bit I was thinking it was cozily overdone on purpose, with subversion right around the corner — but no. It’s earnestly sincere and full of food porn. It’s a barely disguised Starbucks menu (or you can really just insert your preferred coffee joint here, it wouldn’t matter). At 55% we actually discover iced coffee and to-go cups and my eyes have finally terminally glazed over. But it’s me — I find reading about food and drink incredibly boring.

Caffeine — I prefer to drink you, not to read you.



I’ll just put my own reading status updates here:

“40% in and nothing has happened except for a retired orc mercenary setting up a Starbucks in a quasi-medieval city. It's indeed low stakes, huh? Hoping for eventual infusion of a plot other than "lattes are so cool we don't even have a different fantasy name for them".
Admittedly, lattes ARE awesome...”

“55% in and the biggest plot twist is discovery of iced coffee 🤦‍♀️
(I’m awaiting the advent of cold brew. Then it’s 5 stars for sure.)”

And the earnest moral here is — pursue your dreams, and found family is lovely, and why don’t we all just munch on pastries and drink a latte and listen to live music and life will be good. Which is probably true, but also quite snoozy to read about in a book that can’t disguise itself as a fantasy enough to even rename lattes.

But that’s just me and my crusty soul. To those of us with different tastes this will be a lovely read. If you loved Becky Chambers’ The Galaxy, and the Ground Within or T.J. Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea, you’ll likely to enjoy this as well as those are soul cousins. They are like lattes from the same coffee shop, one can say.

2 stars. Looking forward to a cold brew coffee tomorrow.
(To drink, not to read.)

——————

Also posted on my blog.
Profile Image for myo ⋆。˚ ❀ *.
991 reviews7,555 followers
December 27, 2022
i’m in the minority here but i just don’t like this book, i think this book could’ve benefited from being shorter, i can’t just read 300 pages of just vibes and characters talking.i need plot! i get the point is that this is a cozy fantasy but this could’ve had a plot. i was bored out of my fucking mind and the more i read it, the more i hated it. i understand this was more a character driven story but i couldn’t even really bring myself to care about the characters because there was nothing about them that made me love them. i just don’t get the hype on this one, sorry :(
Profile Image for Leah.
32 reviews
December 7, 2022
If this is the future of fantasy, then count me out.

There is just nothing to this story, no imagination, interesting relationships, intriguing themes, etc. The characters all begin and stay one-dimensional, and instead of a fantasy version of a café, we just get a replica of Starbucks or any contemporary café chain with the exact same menus, equipment, social norms, and patterns of café interactions. I want to see more kindness and collaboration in fantasy, but here, we got artificially sweetened wish fulfilment where nothing felt earned.

The whole premise is basically that the characters reinvent Starbucks – they "invent" takeaway coffee and writing someone's name on the cup, and the idea of having a pastry with coffee, and then invent cinnamon rolls (complete with frosting), biscuits, etc. – instead of actually engaging the imagination of what a fantasy café might be like, what kinds of fantasy ingredients could be available, how they could adapt to having very diverse creatures as guests, how to make it accessible for all kinds of sizes, how to make the best mugs for different kinds of hands/paws, coffees for different dietary restrictions & preferences, etc. etc.
Finally, the repetition of the menu in audiobook format drove me insane – we have to hear it recited at least 5 times.

In summary: cute premise, but it delivered watery instant coffee instead of a cinnamon latte with cream.
Profile Image for Bookishrealm.
2,343 reviews5,735 followers
January 14, 2023
I think I now understand what everyone meant when they said this book is cozy and perfect whenever you need a pick me up.

Legends & Lattes follows retired orc, Viv, who decides to settle down and open a coffee shop. Readers follow every single step of the process from the creation of new drinks and foods to finding shop entertainment.

What Worked: This is definitely what I consider to be an accessible fantasy book for those who don't typically read a lot of fantasy (I'm talking about me!). There isn't necessarily a lot of world building, but readers get the chance to see the charming step by step process that Viv goes through in creating her very own coffee shop while also falling for her unintended business partner that just happens to be a succubus. As they kept recreating the menu and adding different elements to the shop, I couldn't help but smile especially since coffee and some of the snacks they offered weren't well known to their cliental. Another highlight of this book was the character development. There were so many sweet and charming moments (even in the face of conflict) that just made the story even more enjoyable especially that hinting of a sapphic romance.

Overall, this was a comfy read. I wouldn't necessarily go in expecting a lot to happen, but if you're truly into reading something for vibes I wouldn't look past this title. I'm looking forward to seeing more in this world in the future.
Profile Image for Gillian.
181 reviews264 followers
January 15, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! This was such a kind and heartwarming cozy fantasy about friendship, family, love, and finding your purpose in life. Legends and Lattes follows Viv, an orc who retires as a bounty hunter and follows her dream of opening her own coffee shop. Along the way she makes friendships that will last a lifetime.

I was immersed in this beautiful and cozy world that the author created from the very beginning. I appreciated that this book moved away from intense battles and focused on friendship and the little things in life. I loved the inclusion of fantasy characters including orcs, dwarves, hobs, elves, gnomes and other unique creatures. This book felt like a warm hug. I couldn't stop smiling while reading this book, it was so wholesome. I loved the characters so much! I love Viv, she is strong, kind, hardworking, persistent and caring. I also love Tandri, she is helpful, mysterious, sweet, charming and artistic. I really liked the side-characters especially Cal, Thimble and Pendry. I love Viv and Tandri's relationship, they are so patient and perfect for each other. I will definitely remember this story and the message for a long time.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy fantasy, great characters and wholesome vibes.
Profile Image for Júlia.
230 reviews5,356 followers
March 13, 2023
Listen, the reality here is: this is a book for middle schoolers

I keep telling people that the only reason books get hate is because they’re advertised by tiktok under the wrong premises.

This is a 300 page book where the characters just hangout and chat, and do their own thing. Mind their own business.

There’s not much plot, you are just following our main character along while she tries to put together her own Coffee Shop and makes tons of friends along the way.

No hate towards it, but set your expectations straight.

If you have a 10-14 year old, this would be a great book to gift them. This is a low-stake, chill vibes book and they do teach some valuable lessons like: being yourself, chasing your dreams, apologizing to friends, making new friends, self-acceptance, taking risks, seeing through a person beyond misconceptions and many other adorable things.

Not for me, but definitely for your teen/student/brother/sister/niece/nephew and so on.

Profile Image for Elizabeth (Plant Based Bride).
484 reviews5,848 followers
February 29, 2024
This was so wholesome - as cozy as a steaming cup of coffee!

If you like coffee (and cinnamon rolls and giant cats) and feeling happy, you should read it.

....

After re-reading this one for my book club, I have a few more points to add!

While the beating heart of this book is its peaceful, heartwarming atmosphere and incredible cast of characters, it has even more to offer:
- beautiful writing that is incredibly evocative without taking away from the narrative;
- masterful pacing that makes this book a rapid read that, nevertheless, is never rushed;
- deeper themes of understanding, kindness, enduring friendship, rejection of stereotypes, and perseverance that (while simple) are no less poignant and important;
- a general lightness and ease that makes this the perfect comfort read while still targeting an adult audience;
- complex and complete worldbuilding that is never dumped on the reader or over-explained;
- a beautiful example of the "found family" trope that will leave you smiling to yourself at minimum once per chapter;
- a conflict that is not an overblown misunderstanding or other frustrating plot convenience but an event that spurs on the transformation of not only the main character but those around her;
- a sapphic romance that not only doesn't take the spotlight away from the most important relationships in this novel (the friendships) but is also incredibly natural and free from angst or external judgment/obstacles;
- varied and diverse characters that each have their own moments to shine, coming into their own and finding purpose in a new phase of their lives;
- and so much more!

This truly is such a gem of a book, and I have only come to love it more the second time around. Learning that this is Travis Baldree's debut novel has completely blown me away! All I can hope is that Baldree never stops writing so I can continue to live in his peaceful, happy little world full of loveable misfits finding belonging together like a slightly unexpected yet breathtaking jigsaw puzzle.



Content/trigger warnings: fire/fire injury


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Profile Image for ally.
87 reviews5,677 followers
Read
October 8, 2022
☕️ this comforted me to my bones ✨
Profile Image for K.J. Charles.
Author 63 books9,745 followers
Read
May 26, 2023
Extreme cosy fantasy in which a retired orc sets up a coffee shop, gathers a found family around her, and serves lattes and chocolate croissants. That's basically it. I believe the term is 'no plot, all vibes'.

It's very likeable. The characters are all very sweet, the mood is charming. There's a huge sense of being yourself, rather than the person the world tells you to be, and a sweet slow burn romance, and a general sense of the world rewarding decency, which is a lovely thing to imagine. I found the fantasy replication of a Starbucks a bit flat, down to the pastries and takeaway cups with your name on them, but I can entirely see how people who want a coffee shop AU would go nuts for this.

It's clear why people adore this, and I wholeheartedly love that there's books to scratch that itch. It's not my jam because I like builder's tea and plots, but if you like lattes and vibes you will be in heaven.
Profile Image for toointofiction.
250 reviews302 followers
December 29, 2023
“So. I might not deserve you. And you might forgive too much. But I’m damned glad to have you.”


This is exactly as adorable as everybody said. There is nothing but cuteness from start to finish, and just enough conflict and angst so it doesn't get boring. There isn't much plot, per se, it is heavily focused on Viv's coffee shop. Also, there is almost no romance at all, other than a few long looks, some moments of closeness, and a very brief kiss. All of them are heartwarming. What there is a lot of is the found family trope. It is clear that this book revolves around the wholesome relationships between the characters and what brings them together as much as it is about coffee. This is purely a feel-good book. However, I have one complaint. The beginning of the book is significantly slower in pace than the rest. There is too much focus on the building process of the coffee show. While I understand its significance as it comes back later, I think that fifty pages is too much of it.

Moreover, the characters are all amazing. Viv is the sweetest orc there is. All she wants is to make people happy with coffee. She has some people from her past she cares for as much as they care for her, and everyone she meets in Thune is adorable. Also, Tandri, Viv's assistant in the coffee shop, is thoughtful and loyal, with a dark past of her own. She is a succubus who just wants to be accepted and respected in spite of her species.

Besides, Thimble, the coffee shop's baker, might just be the best character in the book aside from Amity the dire-cat, who is basically just a giant cat. No more information is needed. Thimble is a small-statured, selective mute with insane baking abilities and a kind heart. There's also Calamity, Cal for short, a hob who is as equally shunned as orcs and succubi but hasn't let that affect who he is. He does honest work and is a wonderful friend. Not to mention Pendry, the bard. He is as brave as he is talented. He refuses to let his fears and insecurities win and I love him so much for it. All of Vib's customers are the same as well. In fact. even some of the antagonists are likable. I didn't hate them for long. I would literally die for all of them.

Lastly, what I loved most of all is obviously the relationship between the characters. That is the most important part of the book. It is pure and a cure for the soul. Even when misfortune found Viv, everyone stuck with her and helped her, even those who antagonized her. Even though there is little to no romance and I expected some more, I was perfectly content with the platonic love between all these characters. I didn't need anything more.
Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].
1,610 reviews592 followers
November 14, 2023
Okay, I think I see what all the fuss is about.

It's cozy, it's quiet. It takes conventional high fantasy tropes and spins them. It has coffee shops and orcs and elves and succubi and bards and direcats and dwarves, and tackles the logistics of living in a magical world where these things exist.

And the friendships and forging new paths and second (and sometimes third) chances, while also dealing with the frustrations of the past.

It was good and cute, but despite the way Baldree so aptly played with all of these elements, I felt like I was following along to a really cute and cozy D&D session. Which isn't bad, but I kinda wanted...more? But that is because this book has been SO hyped.

Edit (Nov 2023): Also--and this has been bothering me for literally an entire year, but the way Baldree wrote this sapphic relationship was very straight white man writing women. An attempt was made. It was a complete miss.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,776 reviews4,094 followers
November 20, 2022
4.5 stars - I know the pitch for this is low stakes and coziness, but folks, I cannot overstate how cozy and lovely this truly is. I want more in this world and I hope this portends more cozy fantasy writ large
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