This was the cozy fantasy I never knew I needed. It is all coffeeshop vibes and light menacing, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

I ended up binging this book in a day and it’s absolutely what I needed. It’s as the author describes, a low stakes high fantasy novel. I loved the friendships in the story the most and honestly it felt like the coziest fantasy novel.

What a joyful read! This was so so needed in my life after reading so much dark, horror fantasy. I am so beyond happy to have picked this up. I would recommend this to everyone who loves romance, possibly DND (not that this is an intense adventure with friends, but it’s like the end of an DnD adventure which was so nice), and cute stories in general!

Seriously so light and heartwarming. The only downside is that you will find yourself wanting... LONGING to be in a cafe while you read this, enjoying a cuppa with some thimblets or midnight crescents. I seriously would love to have this animated, I think it would lend itself very well to a Studio Ghibli like production.

I can understand why this book is so popular! Very cozy and low-stakes; for the most part you're just sitting back and enjoying the view as our very likeable heroine (with equally likeable companions) invents the coffeeshop in a fantasy city. A little bit of romance, but not so much that I would describe the book as a romance novel. The forthcoming edition from Tor has an additional short story about Viv deciding to leave the adventuring business to start a coffeeshop, and I enjoyed it as well.

I saw Seanan McGuire's enthusiastic recommendation of this book when it was self-published but didn't get around to reading it, so I was happy to see that it's getting a bigger shot. Very cozy Terry Pratchett - I enjoyed it, it was lovely, it will not change anybody's world but it will make them feel nice.

The richness of coffee, the richness of friendship; I think that describes this book in a nutshell. Viv, Tandri, Cal and Thimble know nothing about opening a cafe, but together they begin, adjust and succeed at the venture, Coffee is an imported delicacy in Thune enhanced by Thimble's baking. Starting individually but working together they build a successful business and successful relationships.of course there is a little mayhem thrown in for good measure. A cozy fantasy if ever there was one, this was such an enjoyable, slice of life read. I strongly suggest this one for readers of T.J.Klune. You won't be disappointed.
#Legends&Lattes#TorBooks#NetGalley

Definitely a cozy, slice of life fantasy story that is the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads/heavier fantasy. A simple, warm story that will leave you desperate for a cinnamon bun and latte, but I did find the story to drag at times under the descriptions of making said cinnamon buns, said lattes ... rinse, repeat day after day after day ... which kept me from fully loving the story.

The action/stakes did come in around the 3/4 mark and the ending was satisfying while still setting up the potential for more within the series. Overall, an enjoyable, escapist read with warm, loveable characters.

Received from NetGalley, thanks!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I mean, what’s not to love about an orc who sets up a coffee shop in a town where they don’t know what coffee is?

And while this is definitely a fantasy book, and there’s some drama, it’s mostly a light read about friends and found family. Viv has spent her life as a mercenary/bounty hunter, but decides she’s had enough, quits her band of mercenaries/bounty hunters, moves to Thune and opens a coffee shop.

This is just a heartwarming book that has made me want a good quality latte. This appears to be Baldree’s first book, and I will definitely be on the lookout for his next one.

Also, I freaking love the cover! It totally looks like an old school fantasy, maybe D&D inspired, cover and I am totally here for it.

Legends & Lattes is a quick, sweet read. We follow the orc Viv as she attempts to put her adventuring life behind her and open a coffeeshop with the help of a magical artifact. It's a perfect story for anyone who's ever dreamed of opening their own cafe/bakery and wants to spend some more time in a lush, D&D-like world. The relationships between characters really feel like the heart of the story, and I particularly enjoyed the handling of Viv's romance, which came as a natural extension of an existing friendship. This isn't a book that asks you to think so much as it invites you to sit down, relax, and enjoy for a little while. A delightful read.

Totally delightful. I totally understand why this has become something of a quiet cult favourite. Funny and cozy, but with stakes (however low) enough to make it compelling.

Compelling characters within a magical, cozy setting. This is a book I will personally buying a copy of to reread. An excellent novel and hopefully the beginning of an emerging genre of cozy fantasy.

This book was an absolute delight and does exactly what it says! It is indeed a high fantasy with low stakes and was what I never knew I wanted until I read it. I loved the characters, each of which had their own foibles and all of which felt utterly authentic (Thimble is my personal favourite). The plot was straightforward and linear, making the narrative very easy to read and I flew through the pages. There is nothing earth shattering here or wildly original, but I guarantee you will read it with a smile on your face and an overwhelming desire for coffee! I loved it!.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cozy Fantasy indeed.
The type of read that makes you feel like you're curled up near a window and a fireplace on a rainy day with a cup of coffee and chocolate croissant. AKA just the best feeling ever.
Very mild peril and romance, which is definitely refreshing. I didn't ever feel remotely stressed reading this.
If you like bakery/crafty themed mysteries, you would probably like this.
If you like your D&D campaigns to be a little more slice of life, you would probably like this.
I would love to read more stories that take place in this world.

Oh my god, this book is a rare treat. Legends and Lattes is warm fantasy unlike anything I've ever read - like if my Dungeons and Dragons party were the characters in a cozy mystery. Baldree has taken a typical fantasy setting and created something truly magical in its unique characters and a community I am dying to be a part of. Not to mention a coffee shop that I could easily imagine will all of my senses; the evocative language the author uses to describe his story elements builds an immersive, imaginative reading experience I never wanted to be over. Honestly, I'm not sure how much coffee I went through during the one sitting in which I read this book, because the language describing aromas and white curls of steam kept me craving cups of real world coffee (that never quite delivered on the books delightful promise). This book is perfect and I love the new story in the re-release so much. While I would give much to read more about these characters, I hope this book remains a standalone, because I can't imagine anything ever being as good.

Thank you for this copy of Legends & Lattes! I had so much fun reading this sweet story. It was a great break from heavier fantasy, a real slice of life type book with an Orc just wanting to get out of the killing business and start her own coffee shop.

I have heard so much about this book and it lives up to the hype for sure! Viv, an orc looking for a change of pace as hired muscle, seeks to open a coffee shop in a small city. The relationships she makes and cast of characters that are introduced wraps up beautifully in this cozy fantasy tale of friendship, love, and coffee.

I read this book along with several members of my dnd group, partly because the cover art just grabbed us, and partly because certain similarities in the description to members of our own party resonated enough to make us curious.

This book is just a purely delightful slice-of-life in a fantasy world. Viv is an orc and retired adventurer who wants nothing more than to open a coffee shop, and she happens to be in a part of the world where no one has encountered coffee before. She is a lovable character, even if she doesn't fully realize it, and that makes her very relatable. It takes hardly any time at all for members of her new community to pull towards her and start to form real bonds of friendship, and to share in her dream.

It's a cozy, low stakes read. The perfect escape for when reality feels a little too much and you need to dive into a book that takes you to another world, and just feels like a warm hug. I enjoyed seeing the way certain appliances and technology were handled in the book. (Not gonna lie, my bard character is now very interested in an Arcane Amplifier). As well as the very obvious love for both coffee and pastries that just permeates the pages, and the emphasis on community and found family that is so sweet and heartwarming. In short, I absolutely adored this debut novel by Travis Baldree, and am hoping to see more in this world (or others!) in the future.

For fans of House on the Cerulean Sea, another cozy fantasy read!

An orc retires from the questing life and opens up a coffee shop. Literally sweet and left me smiling at oh so many scenes. There is a little romance but no hints on who or how. Spoiler free makes it so much better. The characters are charming and well developed. The plot unravels at a good pace. The world building is easy to visualize. The ending left me wanting to know more about the characters but also happy with the ending. Wholesome <3

If you need a book that warms your heart like a hot cup of coffee on a cold day, pick this up!

I really needed Legends and Lattes last night. It’s a gently domestic fantasy about an Orc who retires from the mercenary life to open a café. It asserts in the very best way that the true treasure is the friends we make along the way. It’s a hug. It’s a cuddle. It’s the smell of coffee and cinnamon, and the rumbling purr of a cat.

Viv is ready to hang up her sword. She wants to spend the rest of her life serving coffee, a drink few people have heard of. She has a secret ingredient, a magical McGuffin that she thinks will bring her luck.

Viv is kind and patient. She draws to her people who value her kindness and patience. She offers people opportunities and let’s them know they are valued. There is a very sweet Sapphic romance, but the book itself isn’t a romance (the romantic relationship is not central).

Years ago when I was doing research for the Master’s thesis I never finished, I interviewed an American living in Ethiopia about how to do business ethically in a country where bribes were considered a normal part of business and life (there’s a whole conversation to be had about corruption and colonialism, so no judgement on the Ethiopians). He said the key to getting by without paying bribes was to be consistent about not paying bribes. You could not pay one bribe to expedite some thing you needed, and then go back to not paying bribes. If you were known to not ever pay bribes, you would get what you wanted eventually.

One of Viv’s challenges is to keep her sword on the wall. As she is challenged by the local crime syndicate and a mercenary she used to work with, she can solve her problems with her familiar tool – violence, or she can try a new and unfamiliar approach that involves talking. She has mixed success, but in the end, she comes out better off.

The love for coffee, pastries, and kindness came shining through. I could smell the café as Baldree described it’s wares and feel the warmth between characters. I hope we get more stories from this world.

Review update: Legends & Lattes made such a delightful splash that it was picked up by McMillan-Tor/Forge for rerealease in November. I am delighted that the wonderful story has been left untouched, but a short story from Viv’s mercenary days has been added. In the short story, “Bodkin,” Viv is working with a team, including Roon, Gallina, and Fennus, who we met in Legends & Lattes. Viv has already started thinking about life beyond being a mercenary, but hasn’t met coffee yet. The group is chasing down a shape-shifter who stole something of value. The group is tasked with bringing back both the thief and the stolen item. They can bring back just the stolen item, but that’s of less value financially and for their reputation. Through the short story the pieces of Viv’s retirement and next life start to come together.

I hope the acquisition and release by Tor.com means we will get more from the Legends & Lattes world.

I received this as an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My opinions are my own and freely given.