LEGENDS AND LATTES, by Travis Baldree, is a cozy story about a D&D-style orc who, after one last job, quits the adventuring business to open a coffee shop. As you might guess, her old life catches up with her, but it's not anything cliched. This novel's drama has more to do with figuring out interior design and architecture than fighting monsters ... which I loved! It was a refreshing story in a great setting.
I liked the characters; I liked the setting; I liked the story beats. The writing could sometimes feel ... i don't know how to put it, pedestrian? It wasn't always glittering. But I can forgive that easily. The one other thing I was nervous about was the romance subplot, which I was worried would feel unearned. Rest assured that it did not.
If you like light intrigue, coffee, and a touch of life lessons wrapped up in a fantasy setting, LEGENDS AND LATTES is for you.
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