Book Review :: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
ISBN: 1250886082
Published by Tor Books
on 22 February 2022
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 294
Goodreads

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.

Last updated on 3 July 2023

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What is Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree about?

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree is the story of Viv, an orc who is sick of being on the battlefield all the time and decides to retire from a life of bloodshed to pursue her dream of opening the first-ever coffee shop in the city of Thune.

But of course.

But starting a coffee shop in a city where there is a severe (almost concerningly so!) lack of familiarity and understanding of coffee, poses a rather large challenge. How do you open a coffee shop in a city that not only doesn’t know what coffee is but is going to be rushing through the doors to try something new? Viv, however, is determined to make her dreams a reality, but she can’t do it alone.

“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.”

Brought together by magic, pastries, and freshly brewed coffee, Viv brings together a bit of a motley crew to help her in the coffee shop, and as they journey together in a caffeinated daze, these unlikely companions become more than just business partners—they become a found family. Naw.

Legends and Lattes is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of friendship, love, and a little bit of entrepreneurship. And coffee, of course. A lot of coffee.

My thoughts on Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

After hearing about Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree on the internet quite a bit recently (recently being June 2023) months, and a few friends and Bookstagram peeps telling me I should pick it up, I finally did. And it was super fun.

It’s a cosy fantasy, and I haven’t really read anything that would be described as cosy fantasy before (at least, not that I can think of), but it really was a heartwarming, short fantasy that was a joy to read. It still had all the wonder of a fantasy book – with orcs and trolls and elves, and magical things – but it had those coffee-shop vibes you’d get if you were reading a small-town autumn-themed romance. Or something similar.

Despite it being just a wee book (Legends and Lattes has a page count of just 294 if you’re reading the paper, and it comes in at only around 7 hours if you’re reading it on audiobook), it packs a punch in terms of themes. Friendship is a biggy, as well as a found family, building relationships, finding each other’s strengths and little teamwork. There’s a sense of camaraderie that’s found in bonding over coffee (something I’m sure we can all appreciate) and a little romance sprinkled in there, too.

It’s a super easy-to-read (and listen!) book, with engaging characters, and a real sense of wanting Viv’s coffee shop to be a success in a city that doesn’t even know what coffee is, and you sort of find yourself cheering her on as you go.

Again, it’s a cosy one. Perfect for bundling up under a duvet cover with a cup of hot coffee (on theme!) or hot chocolate and reading the night away. I think, even if you don’t like fantasy books, this still might be a goer for you!

Have you read Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree? What did you think?