Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a warm cup of comfort in book form. From the very first page, it delivers exactly what it promises: a cozy fantasy about an orc adventurer who decides she’s done with all the blood and glory, and instead wants to open a café. A café café. With coffee. In a town that’s never even heard of it.
Viv hanging up her weapons for a life of espresso and pastry is such an unexpectedly refreshing premise that I found myself grinning like an idiot as I kept reading. It’s not just that the idea is charming—it’s that Baldree commits to the vibe. The stakes aren’t super high here. They aren’t about saving the world or defeating a dark lord. They’re about whether or not your new espresso machine works, whether customers will come back, and how many cinnamon rolls are too many.
The real magic is in the relationships. Watching Viv slowly build a circle of friends was like watching a found-family bloom in real time. I loved getting to know the surrounding cast of characters and by the time we hit the ending, I was crying happy tears in the way you only do when a book feels like a warm hug after a long day.
Legends & Lattes isn’t here to shock you with plot twists or pull you into a gritty political game. It’s here to wrap you in a blanket, hand you a cafecito, and remind you that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is start over and build something beautiful. I think we could all use some more of that. If you like cozy vibes in a fantasy setting, this one’s for you.
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