Ever since I listened to the audiobook of Legends & Lattes, I have considered myself a dedicated Baldree listener. His audiobooks do NOT disappoint. Baldree narrates them himself, as he has experience narrating audiobooks - and that truly shows in his narration skills. Being a consumer of media himself, I certainly see how Baldree can shape a narration so well, giving us perhaps the best parts of a story. Baldree is not just an author, but a storyteller in his own right.

Brigands & Breadknives is certainly different from Legends & Lattes and even Bookshops & Bondust. So if you are looking for that quintessential cozy vibe a coffee shop or a bookstore will give you, you may not find it in this book. That is not to say it is bad, just different from Baldree's other books. This book steps a bit away from the familiarity of its predecessor and takes us on a real D&D-esque journey, complete with some of our most familiar characters, talking blades, epic battles, ratkin monks - the works. However, if there is one thing you can guarantee of a Baldree book, by the end you will be felt with warmth. A warmth that encompasses friendships (new and old) and budding, hopeful beginnings.

If I were to fault Brigand & Breadknives for one thing, it is that the book is a bit slow to start. I took it at a much slower pace than my usual read, and it took a few chapters to really capture me, but by the time we were about halfway, the pace began to pick up. I also wished I got a BIT more from our main characters, and sometimes the friendships felt a bit flat, but by the end of the novel, you could really see the subtleties of their growth.

Book Review 📚
Title: Brigands & Breadknives
Author: Travis Baldree

I absolutely loved Legends & Lattes, so I was really excited to dive into this one—and it did not disappoint! It’s the perfect blend of cozy and adventurous, making for such an enjoyable audiobook. I especially loved Fern as a character; she really grew throughout the story. Listening to Travis narrate his own work added so much charm to the experience—he’s a fantastic writer and storyteller. I can’t wait to read more of his books!

Thank you NetGalley, Travis Baldree and Macmillan Audio for the eALC!!

Publication Date: November 11 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨✨

I loved this sequel to Legends and Lattes. I loved getting to know Fern better while meeting new characters. I'm never disappointed when I enter this fantasy world. It's easy to get lost in the journey.

I was given the opportunity to this ebook to read in exchange for an honest review by the publisher.

Travis Baldree is an auto-buy author for me, and he’s proving me right for that yet again. He weaves together incredible stories of unlikely acquaintances forming untreatable bonds. This one definitely had less romance, but regardless I loved the adventurous aspects of the book, especially paired with the witty humor. As strange as it may sound, experiencing Fern’s foul mouth again felt like stepping into a familiar, warm embrace.
Also, for being such a cozy book/series, the author did a phenomenal job of drawing me into the action scenes. Spoiler, but the scene where Bucket almost went over the cliff had me on the edge of my seat.
Will be continuing to recommend Baldree’s books to anyone who will listen! I love that he narrates his own books and he has the perfect voice for it.

I wanted to love this one so badly like I did the others. I just couldn't get into Ferns story. Maybe I missed something. I did like how it ended though.

Brigands and Breadknives is another cozy, heartwarming addition to the Legends & Lattes series. It was such a treat to go on a new adventure with familiar characters, while also catching glimpses of some old favorites along the way.
I received an advance audiobook copy from NetGalley via Macmillan Audio—thank you! As always, the production quality was excellent. This time, the narration was performed by Travis Baldree himself, which made the experience even more immersive. Hearing the story told in the author’s own voice gave the characters and world an extra layer of authenticity.
I thoroughly enjoyed returning to this charming world, and I can’t wait for whatever comes next.

All three books are light and easy to read. There’s not that much worldbuilding/lore and not so many characters, so reading doesn’t require much brain power---a nice break from epic/high fantasy! But short and sweet doesn’t mean dull or surface-level: the characters are well rounded and there are so many great themes like friendship, found family, self-discovery, midlife crisis, healing and starting over, which makes every story wholesome and heartwarming. And the humour! Love it.

Brigands & Breadknives. 4.25⭐ rounded down to 4.

This is the only book in the series that I listened to, and I absolutely loved the voice acting and pacing. The voice actor is none other than the author, so it makes sense that the performance is perfectly on point. There are some things I preferred in this book (quest-like plot, more action), but also some irritants (I didn’t enjoy Fern’s character as much as I did in book 0, and I was also a little angry at the ending). Still, it was very entertaining and wholesome. After reading these three books, I’m adding Travis Baldree to my list of auto-buy authors! (Also, I need a full book on Zyll yesterday!)

🤍 Great voice acting and pacing
🤍 Side characters (gaahh Zyll!)
🤍 Well-rounded, flawed characters
🤍 Interesting and fun dialogues
🤍 Complex relationships
🤍 Focus on healing, self-discovery, and friendship
🤍 Faster pace with more action
❌ Sometimes-hard-to-like MC
❌ No Satchel! :(((
❌ The ending

Tropes to expect: midlife crisis, accidental adventure, legendary warrior, journey to self-discovery, ragtag bunch of misfits, “The Troublemaker”

I'd like to thank Netgalley for the advanced listener copy of the book. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

First off, I'd like to say that the audiobooks for this series are excellent. I would strongly recommend them as Travis Baldree does an incredible job with the narration. His voice is perfect for the cozy atmosphere that he creates in his books, with well-rounded and interesting characters and moments that are sometimes witty and other times very poignant.

This series is incredibly comforting, and it is the perfect read for any time of year, but I feel like it would be best experienced in the fall or winter in front of a fire wrapped up in a blanket with a mug or hot tea. Granted, I listened to it during the summer, so none of those things were appealing in 80 something degree heat. But since this comes out in November, you can have the full luxury of a cozy experience.

I look forward to whatever comes next in this series. It's so well done and so charming.

Travis Baldree has blessed us again with his storytelling. I loved this third installment in the world of Legends and Lattes. This book felt like The Witcher meets Legends and Lattes and I loved every minute of it.

This story largely revolves around Fern, the ratkin bookseller we meet in Bookshops and Bonedust, and she is easily my favorite character in these books now. Her colorful language made me laugh so much. Her sass, sarcasm, and banter with the other characters was so fun. But she’s also fiercely loyal and this book is largely based around her self discovery as she finds herself relocating to Thune to open a bookshop next to Viv’s coffee shop, Legends and Lattes, and the adventures that arise from this journey.

I could have binged this book in one setting, it was so good. I smiled and laughed so much. It felt so good to be back in this world with old friends and discovering new ones.

I listened to the audiobook (thanks to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for the ALC!) and I wholeheartedly believe these stories should be experienced in this format if possible. Travis Baldree narrates the book and the story truly comes to life in a way I don’t think is possible any other way. It’s such a joy to listen to the author tell the story he created with the voices for each character. His narration is superb and adds an extra special touch to an already wonderful story.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it turned out. It is set to be released in early November.
Preorder this now!

This installment felt very different from the previous two, both because there was a POV change and less staying in one place. What didn't change was the introduction of a new cast of lovable characters. I especially loved Zil, the perfect little chaos goblin who was exactly what this story needed. And I loved Fern's deep dive into figuring out herself, and how real it all felt. I will say this book felt decidedly less cozy, but it was still comforting.

This story was very touching and it was definitely a journeyman's tale. I got weepy at parts and it really hit the mark when describing the restlessness of feeling lost in your mid-late career. There was a lot I loved, but in the words of everyone Hmm I don't know how I feel about the epilogue. I think the ending itself was kind of perfect and the epilogue left me kind of bummed out? I just don't know. Ignoring how I feel or am still considering how I feel about the epilogue, I think this deserves a 3.75-4.

As always I think Travis Baldree did a nice job and it's always something special when the author narrates the audio

I had a great time.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor/Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC of Brigands & Breadknives!

4⭐️
This was delightful as always! We follow Fern the rattkin bookseller from Bookshops & Bonedust as they hit their midlife crisis, and try to find a sense of identity!

This story was full of adventure, doubt, unlikely friendship, believing in others (as well as yourself) and finding your place in the world. Fern really had to dig down deep and decide how they actually wanted to live their life, and not bow to others (and their own) expectations. Zil was such a chaotic and fun character, and the sentient sword (and knife) were hilarious.

I will say I wasn’t necessarily expecting the choice Fern made in the end, but ultimately the whole book was about learning to choose your own path and choosing what would bring you joy and fulfillment!

It did seem as though cutting Asterix off was an odd choice, but it makes me wonder if we might see her in future books??

After falling in love with her in Bookshops and Bonedust, I was delighted to see that this book featured Fern. The foul-mouthed Rattkin bookseller stole my heart then, and she continued to squeeze it in this cozy adventure. Travis Baldree yet again delivers on amazing new characters, making me smile, laugh, and get just a touch teary-eyed.

While I would still consider this cozy fantasy, it does toe that line. Unlike the first two books which were anchored in fortifying and protecting a home of sorts, this is the first real outward adventure that we experience in this series. The catalyst of Fern’s crisis of life fulfillment is all-too relatable. There are outside forces working against this trio of unlikely companions, giving the reader a fair amount of action and a few twists. But overall, it’s a low-stress, low-angst, and just overall fun read that I enjoyed start to finish.

This was a cozy joy to listen to! Foul mouthed Fern, the rattkin whose bookshop that Viv found a new dream is back for a real adventure this time. This additional chronicle to the Legends and Latte world does break with tradition a bit because while Fern does set up a new bookshop right next to Viv's, it does not help the emptiness Fern feels. You get the good message of maybe other peoples' dreams are not the same and sometimes you have to go looking for that. Maybe not the best to get drunk and hide in a stranger's wagon though! Lol

But that leads to an excellent adventure where Fern learns she is capable of more than she thought, fighting alongside Astryx, keeping track of the completely chaotic yet hilarious Zill, and meeting both nice people and others with plans to capture Zill for the bounty on her head. Add in Nigel and Breadlee and it completes the cozy sweet story which still has books read (throwback to the old bookshop!) and letters that Fern writes to Viv in the quiet moments between battling marauders and vine bodies controlled by a sentient tree.

This was an excellently fun audiobook to listen to and it captured my attention the whole time. The narrator/author, Travis Baldree did an excellent job in bringing Fern and the other characters to life in this fascinatingly cozy world. I look forward to seeing more stories written in this world now that it has been explored more by Fern, Astryx, and Zill! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to get lost in this audiobook!

4.75 ⭐️ Thank you so much, NetGalley for making my year and giving me an Advanced Listener Copy of my most anticipated release of the year!

In this story, we follow Fern, our favorite rattkin bookseller. Fern and potroast find their way to Thune to open up a new bookstore next to Legends and Lattes. Eager to revive her friendship with Viv and hoping to fill a void she's been feeling for some time, she embarks on a new venture. She soon discovers, outrunning her ennui might not be that easy.

After a drunken night, she awakes in a moving carriage alongside a goblin and an infamous warrior. With no option to immediately turn around, she's along for the ride of a lifetime that she never asked for. Will she discover what she really wants and needs along the way? How can she come to grips with temporarily leaving all she has ever known behind? Will she return as the same rattkin at the end of it all?

This book, while still cozy, had a much different feel than books one and two of the series. In Brigands & Breadknives, the world vastly expands outside of a single town. The stakes feel higher, there is more action, and somehow, our characters experience more emotional depth, as well.

I can see Fern's inner conflict being deeply relatable to many. Her battle to find who she is and a life that sets her soul on fire feels like an uphill battle and such a necessity at the same time. There is simply no way she can not grow and evolve during this unexpected journey.

Throughout the book, I was so unsure of how this could possibly end in a satisfying way. It felt as though any road taken would result in disappointment and heartbreak for some. Yet, Travis Baldree managed to give us a deeply satisfying ending that made sense. Yes, there was some emotional heartache. But it was everything I needed, as a reader. I did indeed, cry.

I was also hesitant to accept the expansion of the world to such a large degree. Part of the charm of the series so far, for me, had been the slower paced fantastical world. In the end, I was won over by the balance he managed to strike of a big world and big emotions. I once heard an author say, "High fantasy is about saving worlds. Cozy fantasy is about saving hearts." And while, this book felt larger than life compared to the previous two books in the series, in the end, it saved hearts. Which, in my opinion, is the whole point of the cozy fantasy genre.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the excellent narration of this book. Travis Baldree continues to surprise me with his range of voices. They are unique to one another and are performed perfectly. You can tell he was an audiobook narrator before writing Legends & Lattes. He is equally skilled as an author and a narrator.

I landed on a 4.75⭐️ for Brigands & Breadknives. Though, I could see myself changing my mind to land on a 5⭐️ as the story continues to sink in.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book to fans of the series, fans of cozy fantasy, or anyone who is looking for a book where a main character is seeking the answer to, "Who am I and what do I want out of my life?"

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree comes out on November 11, 2025. It is well worth your time!

This one hit in a really relatable way. I’ve gone through my own midlife crisis before uprooting my life, not exactly like Fern, but close enough to get it 😂 It doesn’t lean quite as cozy as the L&L, but it’s still fun and explorative.

What I loved most was the thread of possibility running through the story. Even when things got messy or uncertain, there’s this sense of renewal and of moving forward that kept me hooked. Maybe that’s why I enjoy fantasy so much.

This was also my first time listening to an audiobook narrated by the author, and it made such a difference. Travis clearly knows the characters inside and out, and that comes through in a way no one else could deliver. It made the audio feel extra special, and the pacing was smooth. Also, I was able to easily differentiate the characters.

I’ll definitely be picking up a physical copy once it’s out because I want to read it again. And now I’m tempted to grab the audio for Legends & Lattes too, since I enjoyed this one so much.

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
for the early listen! All options are my own ❤️

I just finished Brigands & Breadknives and… it was such a cozy return to the world of Legends & Lattes. This time we follow Fern on her own journey, with some new characters joining in. It felt like slipping back into a familiar place I already loved, comforting, warm, like catching up with old friends.

That said, it didn’t hit me the way the first book did. I enjoyed the story, and the narration was honestly amazing (highly recommend the audiobook for this series 👌), but something was missing that would’ve pushed it into 5-star territory. I can’t even explain what exactly - it just didn’t quite spark that same magic for me.

Still, I had a really good time with it, and if you loved being in this world before, you’ll definitely enjoy being back.

This book was super fun and cozy like the last book! I got the last book a long time ago and picked it up when I got approved for this arc! Super fun and I love that characters! It was really awesome to heard more from them. I do wish there was more plot though....I felt the same way about the last book as well which was sad. I think this series is perfect to pick up and finish in one day!

Listening to Brigands & Breadknives felt like getting a warm hug from a friend you haven’t seen in years — comforting, nostalgic, and full of heart. But this time, that friend showed up with a few more scars and a whole lot more fight.

The story carries the charm and wit you'd expect, but layers in a surprising dose of action and grit that elevates it beyond a cozy return. It’s fast-paced without losing its emotional depth, and the characters feel lived-in, like you’ve known them forever.

This book manages to be both familiar and fresh — a rare balance that makes it hard to put down. A must-read for fans of heartfelt tales with a bit of bite.

I loved this book so much!! It’s definitely a bit of a step away from B&B, L&L, but in a way that’s very fitting for Fern! The story starts off with a great (and funny!) fight and takes us on Fern’s journey to find herself. Fern’s voice is perfect, but the true star (for me) of the story is Zyll.

I loved meeting Zyll in Goblins & Greatcoats, Travis Baldree’s short story. And her…uh, goblin-ey ways?…propel the story forward while making me chuckle (and sometimes laugh out loud!) along the way. Oh and don’t get me started on Breadley …I mean, Bradley.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, read by the author himself, and it was pitch perfect. 5/5 stars without a doubt. Can’t wait to get my hands on the final copy in November!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.