This was a fun read! It’s been trending all over Tiktok as well as in fantasy circles for a while now. This is the epitome of a cozy fantasy—set in a coffee shop, the main characters have to deal with smaller problems rather than having to fight, but they still go through changes big and small. Personally, I feel like I had heard so many people praise this book so highly that it was a little bit of a let down but I definitely still had fun.

I really enjoyed the coziness of this book. The quaintness of the coffee shop in the fantasy setting was so special and I loved each of the different aspects and how the author incorporated them into the story.

This books was the lighthearted read I needed to get me through the last month.

It was perfect to dive into a world that just felt silly and fun!

Legends & Lattes has the tagline of "high fantasy with low stakes" and that is a perfect way to describe this book! The story follows Viv, an orc who leaves her mercenary life behind to open a coffee shop in Thune, a place where no one even knows what coffee is. The book follows Viv as she turns an old stable into the coffee shop she's already built in her imagination. Viv meets and befriends a lovely group of characters that help her make her dream a reality. This is a cozy fantasy full of magic, friendship, and coffee. If you are looking to read something light and enjoyable, I would highly recommend this as it is well worth the hype!

Just a soothing, fun, sapphic coffeeshop fantasy. Undemanding but gives plenty to the reader. Felt great. I have recommended it to a dozen people

What a dream, what a lovely joy, what a perfect quiet comfortable read! Does everything it says on the tin and wow how good it made me feel. Who knew this was the warm-blanket of a book I needed?!

I am going to be honest, I was greatly sceptical. As a scifi and high and epic fantasy reader I lifted my eyebrow with everyone loving this one. But, oh well, dear gods, this was incredible. It is a joy that such a wasted genre can still surprise and be original, bringing in new stuff, ideas and writers. Travis Baldree is a pure soul and the book was funny, character driven, lovely and warm. Like a great cup of coffee by the window on a stormy afternoon, chatting about books with your best friend. Loved it so much.

I'm so glad this was chosen for my book club! Although yes, I originally picked it up because of Seanan. What it says on the tin, truly cozy fantasy. Just lovely.
Thank you very much to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC!

I wanted so badly to like this book. I saw it literally everywhere. It was what booktok claims it to be: a cozy fantasy. Apparently that is not my genre. It was a bit to slow for me. Read if you like low key fantasy romances. I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley, thank you to them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Legends & Lattes is Dungeons & Dragons for the cozy gay gamers. Major Stardew Valley feels. If you are generally stressed from – points outside – than please read this. Travis Baldree really just wants us all to rest at a cozy medieval inn, receive a pat on the back from an orc, and a magical cinnamon roll from a pastel pink succubus.

Rating this four stars because, while the book wasn't for me, I think it is perfect for SO many people. Warm and cozy and safe, this is the perfect story for someone who is looking for a character to relate to in a magical world they'll never see. Also the perfect book for coffee nerds.

This was worth all the hype. It was so cute and cozy. Fast-paced. Highly recommend. I really liked the idea of the adventurer settling down and just doing something they enjoy.

God, I loved this book, I just want more books that take place in this cozy universe. I was excited about this book from the moment I saw the cover and read the premise. Legends and Lattes is an absolutely delightful treat, and great for those who love high fantasy but need a book with low stakes. I'm a fantasy lover but I can admit that the genre can be exhausting. This book was a breath of fresh air, I just know that my patrons are going to love it!

Legends and Lattes is a warm hug in book form. I’m often turning to romance when I need a break from fantasy, and this book was a reminder that we can get that same joy, that same cozy, sated feeling from fantasy, too!

I adored everything about this one. There’s characters you not only want to root for, but want to be friends with, too. There’s a strong sense of community formed throughout the book. This book is a kind reminder that sometimes it’s okay to make big, scary changes and take leaps of faith. But on the other hand, don’t ask too much of yourself, take things at the pace you can.

Just, a really wonderful, very heartwarming book, with the perfect fantasy setting.

As the tagline suggested, this was indeed a high fantasy with low stakes which nevertheless managed to leave a lasting impression. I would call this the perfect cozy read to curl around with this winter season with a hot cuppa mocha. I didn’t realise building a cafe with a bunch of fantasy characters would be soo comforting. Being a coffee lover to boots, Viv’s love and passion just made complete sense to me. I loved the found family vibe as well! If there’s one teeny tiny complaint, it would be that maybe the ending felt just a little rushed. Otherwise this was as cozy as cozy can get and definitely my go to comfort read from here on.

I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to this because it was wondeful and should have made my best of the year list!

Book Summary:

Viv is an orc barbarian needing a bit of a career change. She's tired of being paid to raise hell – and her blade. She's looking for something new...something different. And she knows exactly what it is she wants to do – open up a coffee shop!

Given Viv's history, it should be no surprise that this venture will not be as easy as she would like. Friends and enemies don't just disappear with a career change; even the city itself may create a few complications. But that won't stop Viv from chasing her cafe dreams; she might need some help to get it done.

"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."

My Review:

I have been hearing about Legends & Lattes nonstop for months! So I finally sat down to read, and let me tell you – it is worth the hype. Every positive thing you've heard about this book is probably right. It is such a cozy and fun fantasy novel to dive into. If you've been in need of a relaxing read but don't want to deviate from fantasy, I have good news for you.

In my mind, I just kept thinking to myself; this is what would happen if a D&D group decided to fantasize about running a coffee shop. It has charm, chaos, and brilliant characters. And those vibes! It's perfection!

This is the perfect book to read if you have just finished a heavy novel, as it is an ideal palette cleanser. I wish I could go back in time and read it for the first time all over again! I would have been more careful to place it between two of my darker reads, you know, to balance out my emotions.

Highlights:
Cozy fantasy
LGBT/Lesbian
High Fantasy

Trigger Warnings:
Stalking
Fatmisia

I loved this book so much! It was nothing like what I was expecting and everything I needed in a book when I read it. This whole story revolves around Viv, an Orc barbarian, leaving the questing life and opening a coffee shop in a city that doesn't know what coffee is.

As a lover of fanfiction, this read like a Dungeons & Dragons coffee shop AU meets a slice-of-life and I was here for it! Viv's transition from warrior to coffee shop owner was everything! I loved how she struggled to be the new Viv she wanted to be and to not rely on her old training. The first part of this book read like a home renovation show and it was so much fun!

I loved how throughout the whole process of getting her coffee shop up and running, Viv kept adding people to her circle. The found family aspect of this book was everything! I fell in love with Viv's new family in Thune and some of her old adventuring family. There's also a slow burn romance side plot that had me giggling like a teenager and yelling at the book for them to get together. It's a very slow burn but I shipped it the whole time.

This book easily made my top ten favorite books of 2022. I highly recommend picking this one up if you haven't yet! This is one where the Bookstagram/Booktok hype is spot on.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Omg that was so cute. I need another book by Travis ASAP! Definitely helped me while I was in a bad place.

Viv, the orc barbarian, decides to retire from warrior life. With her final score, a fabled artifact that brings the heart's desire, she heads to the small city of Thune where she hopes to open the first coffee shop the city has seen. Armed with nothing but her savings and a dream, Viv undertakes her final, personal quest of turning an old building into a hub of warmth, delicious drinks, tasty treats, and fast friends. But an old party member and Thune’s shady underbelly threaten her plans. To build something that will last and find her heart's desire, Viv will need some new partners and a different approach. These supporting characters are truly delightful. Thimble the rattkin baker, Tandri the wry-humored succubus, and Cal the hob who helps with construction, all make up a wonderful found family.

Baldree's themes of friendship, found family, love, and community set in this quiet fantasy world make this quintessential cozy fantasy. It is a story about starting something new, and finding those who will support you no matter what.