Honest Reviews- Legends & Lattes

Firstly, the nitty-gritty:

Pages: 308

Genre: Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Low Stakes

Legends & Lattes hit the cozy reading scene hard in early 2022! It was advertised as a cozy fantasy lesbian mystery that fans of Animal Crossing and Dungeons & Dragons would love. Given the book's title, one can expect an easy yet intriguing tale to enjoy whilst curled up with a steaming drink in hand.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree was published in February of 2022, but really found its footing in the summer of 2022 on BookTok. The book quickly grew a dedicated fanbase who felt that they had found the perfect low stakes mystery.

Legends & Lattes follows Viv, a fierce orc warrior who just wants to settle down. She decides to do a full 180, move towns, and open up a quaint little coffee shop. The story follows her and her employees' adventures in trying to open up and run a successful café all while Viv's old life continues to haunt her doorstep.

Is it any good?

Legends & Lattes is definitely a read for a specific audience. The pacing is slow and meandering, but that's the point. The book is low-stakes, meaning that it isn't trying to race to a climactic conclusion. The narrative takes its time. There's certainly a plot, but it isn't the primary focus.

Baldree works with world-building to create a cozy aesthetic. Building this aesthetic seems to be the primary function of the text. I found this to be an interesting way to structure a story as opposed to a book like Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. Priory of the Orange Tree is a master class in world-building, but it takes 800 pages to do so. It utilizes world-building to enhance its intricate plot, whereas Legends & Lattes doesn't use it for the same purpose. The plot is almost an afterthought wherein the world-building doesn't strengthen it or even contextualize it.

The key to reading this book is to go into it with the right expectations. It's not a harrowing adventure, it's not a sweeping romance, an intriguing mystery... it's a comforting story with good vibes and that's all it wants to offer.

My rating:

I read this book in the evenings before going to bed and in the mornings just before waking up. I'm not sure if this is because it played into the cozy aesthetic or if I simply forgot about it during the daytime. After all, it was low stakes.

This is a book that has hundreds of amazing reviews from readers who just want to slip into this world and enjoy the ambiance that it provides. I'm just not one of them. I went into this book hoping for a nice steamy borderline cottage-core mystery, which is why I think going into it with the right expectations is so important.

I was actually shocked by how little romance there was in this book. I fully expected the romance to be at the forefront of the narrative. That being said, I appreciate what the story is attempting to do. I just don't think it held my attention in the way that I had hoped. In fact, I often paused my reading to go play Animal Crossing to get the cozy vibes I was missing from this story.

I gave this book 2/5 stars, but don't let that deter you!

I think it is a good book for many readers. You just have to be in the mood for what it has to offer.

Overall, Legends & Lattes was a pleasant read.

Readers who're looking for the lowest of low stakes books this one is for you or if anyone is just seeking a warm and comfortable place to rest at the end of the day, Legends & Lattes is offering you a home.

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