Reviews with content warning for Stalking - Legends & Lattes

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.

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gildedspines's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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immovabletype's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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retto314's review against another edition

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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.

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daniellekat's review

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This was so charming! Not something I would normally pick up, but I felt left out from all the hype. I can absolutely understand the hype now though! The characters were well thought out and interesting, although I did have a hard time understanding and imagining some of the 'species' (What is a hob?). The plot moved well and the descriptions of the coffee and treats had me drooling. The writing was good but didn't blow me away, and there were a few choices that mildly annoyed me....the constant repetition of the cost of items comes to mind. Overall, this was a light and easy read that I would recommend to just about anyone.

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robin1010's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

I adored this book. It does cosy fantasy excellently, without losing the sense of being immerse in a different world.

First and foremost the writing was very enjoyable. It wasn't particularly dense, but still descriptive and rich, and appropriately humorous where it was needed. I definitely got strong DnD vibes, though I think the author has mentioned that they themself have not played much DnD, just helped design games in similar worlds. I was a bit nervous reading a book about sapphic women written by a man, as historically thats had some issues, but I had no issues with Baldree's writing of women. I know someone I was buddy reading this with mentioned he excessively uses 'the woman' when referring to Tandri, to the point that it felt a bit out of place.

The characters were heartwarming, I genuinely adored them and was rooting for them every step of the way. All had distinct voices and motivations that were similar enough that you can see why they were brought together. The only place this falls a bit flat is with the antagonists.

The threat of the madrigal dissipates far too quickly and easily, and for the rest of the book shes a staunch ally. I understand the intention and the bounds of cozy fantasy, but it left tension hanging and no way to deal with it. It felt strange. Fennus fared a lot better, until the epilogue. Tandri's message of nonviolent resolution and finding a way to live without permanently ridding the world of your enemy is immediately thrown out the window for a comedic scene of Fennus getting his butt handed to him by a dire cat. Making it so light hearted also undermined him as a villain - the damage he did to Viv and her dream feels less weighty, somehow. I much preferred the vague, ominous sense the Scalvert's stone brought that he would reap what he sowed in a more subtler sense.

The romance wasn't as much of a focus as I thought it was going into it, but that's not a bad thing. It was sweet, and there were some really beautiful moments between the main couple. I would have preferred if there was more lead up, and some fluffy padding, as it seems to happen rather suddenly. But 'dollop of romantic froth' on top does seem to describe the romance well.

I liked the way the plot unfolded and the mystery of

the Scalvert's stone unravelled.

Each bit felt progressive, and yet there was a tension to it because of its rocky foundations. The pay off was excellent.

Viv carrying the coffee machine out through the fire is a scene that really stuck with me, and felt very powerful. And up to the loss of the stone, Viv's constant fear and imposter syndrome regarding her success and her friends carry over to the reader - you are genuinely worried she will lose it all and more as soon as that stone is gone. The later discovery of what the Scalvert's stone actually does is well done, I feel, and the ominous fate left to Fennus (Despite later being undermined) was a great way to end a villain.

Overall, I am very glad I bought a hard copy, as this is now one of my favourites and one I believe I will reread when I want to feel the cosiness of Viv's coffee shop again.

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jameyer1216's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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maidinnah's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cozy, cute, and comforting; a fresh cup of coffee in book form. Legends & Lattes relishes the small joys, clean slates, and the company we keep.

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