Meow

Yes, yes. Lots of reviews coming in at once but I did mention I was sick.
First five star of the year, here. Funnily enough I was scrabbling about trying to find a reason not to give this 5 stars, mostly because I feel I should be stingier with that rating. Couldn't find one.
And yes, this is 5 stars for a fantasy. Not like me at all. I have definitely had enough of gods, dragons, interminable hero's journeys and the chosen one hidden in a dungheap or something. This book had none of that tosh. It was a book about making a place, not smashing it up. As such its probably the most adult thing I have read in that genre for decades.
There was a lovely, light touch about this. A hint of steel too, when needed, but mostly this was about growth and making a new home after all the bashing with swords stuff is done.
Highly recommend.

After my previous book, I decided that a slice of life fantasy book might just be the thing, and it really was. Legends & Lattes is low-stakes fantasy, with barely a plot but a huge chunk of coziness.

Viv is an orc warrior who is retiring from adventuring, and she wants to start a coffeeshop. She's brought a good-luck charm from her adventures, and then just builds it up, until she is the proprietor of Legends & Lattes. She gathers a cozy cast of characters who work for her, or learn to love coffee and cinnamon rolls.

Reading this book was like drinking a good cup of coffee and munching on a piece of pastry. Just comfy. It read a lot like a fanfic coffee house AU of a fantasy story, Viv might be freshly retired from a DnD party. But that's all not bad stuff. Sometimes we need something uplifting and cozy, especially in 2022. Just don't go in expecting an epic story, it won't be your cup of coffee.