Kelly McLeod reporting in with a review of Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree which released November 8th.
This book is made for every person who has ever wished for their long-suffering hero to have a peaceful, happy ending. The heroine, an orc woman Viv, has been adventuring for years and is ready to retire. After slaying one last deadly foe, she takes her prize and travels to the city Thune to open a coffeeshop, the first the city has ever seen. The book follows her as she braves the trials of entrepreneurship and the problems of establishing a market for a product no one has seen before, as well as problems with the local mob and a previous colleague that comes to visit with ill-intent in his heart.
The book is just a delight. Baldree wrote a coffeeshop AU (alternate universe) within the same universe, giving Viv a chance at the peaceful life of a business owner in a world of swords and sorcery. I sincerely hope this book opens the door to more cozy fantasy novels about retired heroes.
About This Book
A delightful fantasy debut for fans of TJ Klune and T Kingfisher, about a retired orc who trades the warrior life for the quiet life. Or so she planned…
The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree’s novel of high fantasy and low stakes.
This new edition includes a very special, never-before-seen bonus story, ‘Pages to Fill.’
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.
“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. Legends & Lattes is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what’s advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch’s Heart