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A review by theteaisaddictive
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Well. I was promised low stakes, and low stakes were certainly what I received!
This book has such a fun premise, and the first few chapters are really wonderful — seeing Viv make friends, find her venue, and source the various ingredients to start the cafe. Unfortunately I found the story a tad repetitive from there — Viv and co will add something to the menu, it’ll be well-received, and the next day they’ll notice they need a bigger kitchen, or some live entertainment, add it to the cafe — and it’ll be well received. Rinse and repeat. (the gigantic direcat and the electric guitar-playing bard were very fun to read about, though)
The one main source of tension in the book is very quickly revealed to not be a big deal after all, and in fact very helpful in the denouement of the story. The Big Setpiece at the climax of the story is at least dramatically pleasing, albeit fairly easily recovered from. I know it’s ‘low-stakes’, but SOME stakes would’ve been nice, you know?
Additionally, I found the romance in this book was lacking both chemistry and tension. I honestly thought the two worked much better as friends, especially given the way their last scene plays out (bar the kiss). It’s not objectionable in any way, just . . . not especially engaging.
Really, this book could’ve done with being longer, or even just with a structure less endlessly repetitive. The writing style was fun and engaging, and I loved reading about the fantasy world, but it felt too short. This book wasn’t bad, or unenjoyable by any means — but it could have been much better than it was. This edition included the short prequel story Pages to Fill, which I found just as enjoyable because of the stakes! The tension! The conflict! And, of course, the promise of Viv’s choice to pursue Legends and Lattes.
Extra 1/4 star added on Storygraph for including a recipe at the back of the book. I love a book that includes recipes in the back.
This book has such a fun premise, and the first few chapters are really wonderful — seeing Viv make friends, find her venue, and source the various ingredients to start the cafe. Unfortunately I found the story a tad repetitive from there — Viv and co will add something to the menu, it’ll be well-received, and the next day they’ll notice they need a bigger kitchen, or some live entertainment, add it to the cafe — and it’ll be well received. Rinse and repeat. (the gigantic direcat and the electric guitar-playing bard were very fun to read about, though)
The one main source of tension in the book is very quickly revealed to not be a big deal after all, and in fact very helpful in the denouement of the story. The Big Setpiece at the climax of the story is at least dramatically pleasing, albeit fairly easily recovered from. I know it’s ‘low-stakes’, but SOME stakes would’ve been nice, you know?
Additionally, I found the romance in this book was lacking both chemistry and tension. I honestly thought the two worked much better as friends, especially given the way their last scene plays out (bar the kiss). It’s not objectionable in any way, just . . . not especially engaging.
Really, this book could’ve done with being longer, or even just with a structure less endlessly repetitive. The writing style was fun and engaging, and I loved reading about the fantasy world, but it felt too short. This book wasn’t bad, or unenjoyable by any means — but it could have been much better than it was. This edition included the short prequel story Pages to Fill, which I found just as enjoyable because of the stakes! The tension! The conflict! And, of course, the promise of Viv’s choice to pursue Legends and Lattes.
Extra 1/4 star added on Storygraph for including a recipe at the back of the book. I love a book that includes recipes in the back.