Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

 

"You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown."

Release Date: February 2022 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating:

Summary: 

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 rivals old and new stand in the way of success-not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea of 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, a flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed up, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

Review:

This book is the embodiment of warmth. Warmth from a fuzzy blanket, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, pastries out of the oven, a big hug. 

I have fallen absolutely head over heels, so deeply in love with this book and its characters. From start to finish, it was the perfect escape from reality to this comforting, slice-of-life story. 

This book is not about epic battles and bloodshed. Those are stories from a time long ago. This is about re-writing your storybook. "Things don't have to stay as what they started out as." This book is about discovering your family, choosing your family. It is about finding home. All beautiful themes nestled between scrumptious descriptions of aromatic coffee and mouthwatering pastries.

Fun fact, when I am not reading and posting bookstagram content, I am a gamer. I won't spend too much time discussing gaming (as that is for an entirely different Instagram account of mine) but for 14 years, I played World of Warcraft. I grew up playing this magical game. I have since stopped playing the game but I have such fond memories. Legends & lattes immediately conjured those nostalgic memories. It felt like no time had passed at all. I really appreciate this book for transporting me to such a wonderful time in my life that I was always worried I'd never get to experience again. 

When reading this book, I always made sure to be accompanied by a warm beverage, tavern ambience music in the background, and dim-lighting. It really set the perfect scene for reading this beautiful story. I highly recommend. 

This book is comfort. It is warmth. It is peace. It is home. I urge you to take a break out of your busy schedule, pull up a cozy seat, and disappear into this wholesome tale. 

Quotes: 

"Things don't have to stay as what they started out as."

"After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc's life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end-but she'd be damned if she'd let hers finish that way. It was time for something new."

"People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and...it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it's something else."

"Well, shit. Milky bean water. I'll be damned." 

"The combined aromas of hot cinnamon, ground coffee, and sweet cardamom intoxicated her, and as she brewed and smiled and served and chatted, a deep contentment welled up. It was a glowing warmth she'd never experienced before, and she liked it. She liked it a great deal." 

"She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this place...felt like hers. A place she'd still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year...home."

"You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown."

"What flames could not consume, never shall be extinguished."