Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Really cute and light read with a fairly universal and enjoyable premise. Viv, an orc straight off retirement from battling things with her mighty sword, has decided to open a coffee shop in a place that's never heard of coffee. She sets up in an old stable and livery, transforming it into a local café for coffee and baked goods with the help of some new friends. She also has to figure out a way of avoiding the local mafia-esque bullies who are looking to get a steady piece of her profits.

That's it. It's sweet and endearing as Viv struggles to get the ball rolling and get customers enticed enough to cross the threshold. Some of her new friends become more of a found family, and with solid writing from Baldree, nothing ever veers into the overly sentimental or sickeningly saccharine. The story lost a bit of its steam near the end, but it still held on and finished on a touching note.

Audiobook, as narrated by the author: I was completely unsure about a fantasy novel (Dungeons & Dragons inspired) with the audiobook narrated by the author — but, not only does Baldree do the book justice, his performance is just as easy as the story to enjoy.