Legends & Lattes

A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes

By: Travis Baldree

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

"Even nonfantasy listeners will enjoy hanging out at the intersection of coffeehouse culture and Dungeons & Dragons, and hope that Baldree fails to shake his new writing habit." - The Seattle Times

This program is read by the author.

The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes is novel of high fantasy and low stakes.

Come take a load off at Viv's cafe, the first & only coffee shop in Thune. Grand opening!

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start filling mugs instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners, and a different kind of resolve.

A hot cup of fantasy, slice-of-life with a dollop of romantic froth.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

Critic reviews

"This is a story about following your dreams, even when they take you away from who you thought you had to be. It's sweet, beautiful and, most of all, kind. I hugely recommend this book."—Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart A Doorway

“Legends & Lattes is a uniquely beautiful book. Its cast of endearing characters have no interest at all in killing one another. There is no Great Evil, no bloody battles, and yet the pillars of great fantasy—resilience, fellowship, and a desire to make the world a better place—are all here. It’s wonderfully wholesome, and I hope heralds the rise of a 'slice-of-life' sub-genre in modern fantasy.”—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. Legends & Lattes is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what's advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart

“Legends & Lattes is a big-hearted story about the small things in life. A lovingly written ode to the genre, it is a must-read for every D&D player who has ever wondered what happens after 'happily ever after.'”—Cassandra Khaw, USA Today bestselling author

The Book of the Year!

The best narrator ever narrating his own book - what a gift!

Sweetness, love and optimism all the way through! From the dedication to the last words, this book (and Travis's voice) is like being wrapped in a warm hug. I could not love this book more.

A comfy wholesome ramble

If you enjoy slice of life or coffee shop au fan fiction i cannot recommend this story highly enough. Its an very enjoyable. A relaxing comfy story read by one of the best audio book narrators in the business.

A Cozy Read

I’ve read many books while being cozy but I’ve never read one as mentally cozy as this one. It gives your brain a big warm hug.

a warm hug and a steaming cup of coffee

This book is a warm hug and a steaming cup of coffee and a group of friends. The pace is perfect, a slow day-to-day blossoming of an orc who dreams of spending the rest of her life doing something more meaningful than swinging a sword and the coffeeshop she builds from nothing.

I was sick in bed and I tried to listen to another more action-based audiobook and I couldn't focus on it, so I bought this one and I'm so glad I did. It was perfect for a day of feeling sick, lying in bed, letting myself get swept away in the warmth and the building and the companionship.

I can't believe I waited so long to read it, but then I also feel like I read it at the perfect time.

The audiobook is excellent; the author does a fabulous job reading it and bringing the characters to life. The voices are a little hard to differentiate, but it's clear who is speaking and I was never tripped up by it.

"Things don't have to stay the way they are."

One phrase that stuck with me from Chapter 1: "Things don't have to stay the way they are."--a feel-good theme for a feel-good book, about new beginnings and finding your true place among like people.

The antagonists give good tension to the story while still maintaining the slice of life feel. "Insurance" hustlers, folks trying to drag the past back in the door--they gave good anticipation feels rather than dread ones.

Things I enjoyed:
The voice Baldree uses for the ratkin baker (and other voices too, but this was just too cute)
Lack reminds me of Badger in Firefly, even though he has a big floppy hat instead of a bowler.
The slow-burn romance
The ever-expanding menu and fun descriptions.
Sweet and shy bard.
The loyal and varied customers and patrons.
Viv's gnome friend's love for knives.
KITTY.

Overall a nice wholesome story. Great for an afternoon's listen.