wing_san's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I cried with and for the characters. A lovely cozy story outside of my usual reads. The premise drew me in, but it was the characters that kept me. The ending tied loose ends a little too nicely for my taste, but I think that's more on the cozy low-stakes vibe the story has than any fault of the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny and Murder
Spoiler
Arsonchoicepotatoes_20231023's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
everyone who said this is the cutest, coziest book was 112% correct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Violence
the short story in the back has slightly different content warnings.sariereads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gore
lacrimaeignis's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you want a relaxing slice-of-life style fantasy novel about someone who decides to completely change their life's path then give this book a try. The main character Viv is an orc who decides to retire her sword and mercenary lifestyle and decides to open up a coffee shop in a city. The only problem is that no one knows what coffee is where she decides to set up shop. The novel is mainly about building the shop from the ground up (literally) and the connections Viv makes along the way and how she learns to expand her business.
The story was cute and I enjoyed my time at Legends and Lattes with the cast but the story was way too low stakes for me. As such, it took me quite a while to read because it wasn't an attention grabber but I couldn't stop smiling every time I picked up the book (and I carved coffee/pastries every time I picked this up so yes, I did actually end up reading portions of this at a cafe definitely recommend trying that to add to the ambience of the novel).
I wish we had been given more about Viv's life when she was working as a mercenary and what led her up to deciding to open the shop. I was thankful for the extra story about her adventures before but I felt like it would have been better as a lead up to the events in the novel rather than as a bonus. But still, the novel was well written and it is such a rarity to find a book where the characters actually talk things out and strive to understand where others are coming from instead of drawing their own (often wrong and/or biased) conclusions. It was quite refreshing and I can't wait to read the next installment!
The story was cute and I enjoyed my time at Legends and Lattes with the cast but the story was way too low stakes for me. As such, it took me quite a while to read because it wasn't an attention grabber but I couldn't stop smiling every time I picked up the book (and I carved coffee/pastries every time I picked this up so yes, I did actually end up reading portions of this at a cafe definitely recommend trying that to add to the ambience of the novel).
I wish we had been given more about Viv's life when she was working as a mercenary and what led her up to deciding to open the shop. I was thankful for the extra story about her adventures before but I felt like it would have been better as a lead up to the events in the novel rather than as a bonus. But still, the novel was well written and it is such a rarity to find a book where the characters actually talk things out and strive to understand where others are coming from instead of drawing their own (often wrong and/or biased) conclusions. It was quite refreshing and I can't wait to read the next installment!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Death
shipqueen394's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Death
My new favourite book! And I don’t say that lightly! Content warnings of blood, death, and gore are fantasy setting and for first chapter/preface only.alibrarymouse's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
For lovers of cozy fantasy, this one absolutely defines the genre, but takes it one step further by saying you are what you make of yourself and your circumstances.
After a slightly surprising beginning, Baldree tackles hard subjects like racism, reinvention, and restarting after loss, but in the most lighthearted, cozy, soft way that the whole book feels like spending time in a liminal space. That magical moment when life isn’t entirely real stepping into a coffee shop on the weekend, but anything is possible because there aren’t any expectations.
The characters are gorgeous in their own ways, and come together beautifully as a ragtag team that works. I am biased: Thimble is absolutely my favorite and I want to hug him so badly. He’s a literal cinnamon roll, and the description of his makes me want to try them and bake from scratch myself.
Motivations were realistic, the book was so sweet and so easy to submerge yourself in.
After a slightly surprising beginning, Baldree tackles hard subjects like racism, reinvention, and restarting after loss, but in the most lighthearted, cozy, soft way that the whole book feels like spending time in a liminal space. That magical moment when life isn’t entirely real stepping into a coffee shop on the weekend, but anything is possible because there aren’t any expectations.
The characters are gorgeous in their own ways, and come together beautifully as a ragtag team that works. I am biased: Thimble is absolutely my favorite and I want to hug him so badly. He’s a literal cinnamon roll, and the description of his makes me want to try them and bake from scratch myself.
Motivations were realistic, the book was so sweet and so easy to submerge yourself in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Gore
Minor: Racism
erebus53's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't know what to think going into this title. It was one of the most read books in my book club so I assumed it was an easy read and was not disappointed.
This is a cosy novel. It's fairly short and is aimed at modern nerds. The main character is an orc fighter who is used to being the brawn of her adventuring party. During her travels she recently encountered, and was won over by, a strange gnomish beverage.. a stimulating bean water called "coffee".
Having saved up her plunder, and a magical stone rumoured to have fortune enhancing properties, she heads to the city to set up a shop.. but who will she sell to, considering nobody has even heard of her product?
Much of this story is the building of the shop, finding employees, making friends, designing a menu, and getting rid of people who want to intimidate, extort or stalk them.
As a result the aim of the game seems to be, leaning into friendships, and using your words, when your sword could be doing the talking.. if you wanted it to.. nothing says "not interested" like a couple of feet of steel.. I mean...
This story leans hard into the sort of personal loves and anachronism that roleplayers typically bring to a game. Mashing things into a high fantasy setting, like coffee machines, cinnamon pinwheels, electric- er.. "thaumic" lute, ceiling fans, and a pet interdimensional hell cat, make it a lighthearted adventure in.. interior decorating and urban marketing(?).
Not.. ultra-engaging, but exactly what I was in the mood for at the time.
This is a cosy novel. It's fairly short and is aimed at modern nerds. The main character is an orc fighter who is used to being the brawn of her adventuring party. During her travels she recently encountered, and was won over by, a strange gnomish beverage.. a stimulating bean water called "coffee".
Having saved up her plunder, and a magical stone rumoured to have fortune enhancing properties, she heads to the city to set up a shop.. but who will she sell to, considering nobody has even heard of her product?
Much of this story is the building of the shop, finding employees, making friends, designing a menu, and getting rid of people who want to intimidate, extort or stalk them.
As a result the aim of the game seems to be, leaning into friendships, and using your words, when your sword could be doing the talking.. if you wanted it to.. nothing says "not interested" like a couple of feet of steel.. I mean...
This story leans hard into the sort of personal loves and anachronism that roleplayers typically bring to a game. Mashing things into a high fantasy setting, like coffee machines, cinnamon pinwheels, electric- er.. "thaumic" lute, ceiling fans, and a pet interdimensional hell cat, make it a lighthearted adventure in.. interior decorating and urban marketing(?).
Not.. ultra-engaging, but exactly what I was in the mood for at the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Death, Violence, and Gore
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Legends & Lattes is such a cute cozy fantasy that I cannot help but recommend!
After in arriving Thune to live out her dream of running a successful coffee shop, Legends & Lattes chronicles Viv’s journey of bringing her dreams to life with the help of some new friends.
From the first page, readers are able to get right into the heart of the story. While I wish there was a bit more world-building on Baldree’s part to help readers understand the background behind Legends & Lattes, Baldree makes up for this by creating a found family made up of delightful characters that get their own moments to shine. I felt that Baldree does a great job of making this book feel like settling in a blanket after a long day and keep readers engaged throughout the book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel that’s good for fall, appeals to a cottage core aesthetic, and/or that’s similar to T.J. Klune, you might enjoy reading Legends & Lattes.
After in arriving Thune to live out her dream of running a successful coffee shop, Legends & Lattes chronicles Viv’s journey of bringing her dreams to life with the help of some new friends.
From the first page, readers are able to get right into the heart of the story. While I wish there was a bit more world-building on Baldree’s part to help readers understand the background behind Legends & Lattes, Baldree makes up for this by creating a found family made up of delightful characters that get their own moments to shine. I felt that Baldree does a great job of making this book feel like settling in a blanket after a long day and keep readers engaged throughout the book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel that’s good for fall, appeals to a cottage core aesthetic, and/or that’s similar to T.J. Klune, you might enjoy reading Legends & Lattes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Stalking
verinvaldez's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Utterly brilliant! I knew this book had been hyped up a lot and I was shocked at how well it lived up to that hype, I never expected to be so invested in a fictional coffee shop ran by an orc but here we are.
Even the side characters are completely loveable, the romance develops beautifully and I can't wait for the sequel.
Even the side characters are completely loveable, the romance develops beautifully and I can't wait for the sequel.
Spoiler
I did not expect Durias to be a time traveller!!! It's such a small thing that doesn't need to be there but the fact that it is makes me love this world even more
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Gore, and Death
retto314's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a lovely little fantasy. The writing was excellent, the characters interesting if a bit underdeveloped, and just enough action to keep things moving while still being a relaxing experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Stalking