Challenge Corner discussion

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.

The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[I love the idea of bringing coffee to a fantasy city, and I can't believe she already has to deal with the gangsters (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[I like how the coffee shop is coming along and the interesting characters it's attracting. I don't really know what instrument the kid was playing but I feel bad that he got really embarrassed I hope he comes back (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[Viv and Tandri are really cute together and I feel for bad for Tandri that receiving end of prejudice because she's a succubus (hide spoiler)]

sorry I'm late, I unexpectedly needed to travel yesterday!
Starting now!

That's fine I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ I can't believe you burnt down the shop at least she was able to save her money and Tandri wasn't hurt (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5

I do too! (view spoiler)[I'm a huge fan of coffee so I love that that's the shop she's opening.
I'm not sure what this rock she dug out is doing but it seems to be good luck
I like Cal, he's a adorable. and Calamity Coffee is so fun! what a great name! lol we'll see if she keeps it!

I like the new employee- we'll see how she works out as well

sucks about the gangsters!! I'd hate for them to burn the place down. . . (hide spoiler)]

I also love coffee and it's the reason I read this book

It is a wonderful book, I finished it back in June and loved it!

Tori ann wrote: "It is a wonderful book, I finished it back in June and loved it!"

I'm really liking it!

20 chapters

(view spoiler)[ it's still really cute
I like Viv and Tandri too! They are cute partners in the business. Are they going to be more?

I love Thimble! He's adorable!
I love Amity too! So cute, this big rumbling creature!

but what's up with the chess player? What's up with Fennus? Is he going to come for the stone thing? And Cal was odd the last time he stopped by, why?

and interesting about the ley lines and the symbols and Hemingway being there every day. I wonder how that will all work out (hide spoiler)]

super cute so far!

and I'm done
this one was so cute!

(view spoiler)[ oh my gosh, the fire made me so mad. I hope Amity ate him!

I love how they rebuilt and that she gave them all a piece of it! such a good ending!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-4: (view spoiler)[Can’t say I am a huge fan of this already but it’s turning out to be a fairly decent book and I am finding myself growing fond of both Viv and Cal with every chapter. I wonder what role would Lack play in everything and I am not yet sure what kind of character he’d turn out to be. Nevertheless I really enjoyed Viv and Cal fixing up the place and Cal trying coffee for the first time. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5-11: (view spoiler)[oh I am loving this right now!! Viv found Tandri and then Thimble and it seems like she is now building up a new crew for herself. Cal came up with the name for the cafe and that’s just so cool. I didn’t like the looks of the strange man that visited Tandri and I hope he doesn’t cause trouble in the future. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12-18:(view spoiler)[Little additions to the cafe as it becomess more and more popular in the town is quite entertaining to read about. I also like how well Tandri and Viv get along with each other but I share Viv's sentiment of it all going too well to not be worried. I wonder if Fennus will show up to cause trouble and what was the deal that Viv just agreed to with Madrigal (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19-23: (view spoiler)[It was great that Viv is ready to buy the stove that Thimble wanted despite running out of her savings, it just goes out to show how much she cares for her employees and Pendry was just another beautiful extension to the cafe. I can't believe that only the stone is responsible for their success and I wish Viv removes it to check this once. Fennus seems dangerous ngl (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Everyone coming together to rebuild the shop really made me emotional, Viv had lost all hopes as expected but as the friends she made along the way showed up with determination, I had no doubt the cafe would be up and running in no time. I didn't understand whether Fennus was really an evil character towards the end or just someone enormously jealous of Viv's success (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING APRIL 14th, 2025

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I was about to start this one when I realized there's a prequel. Haley, if you're still planning to read this one, do you want to read the prequel first or have you already? I think I'll read it today if you want to join.

I didn’t even realize there was a prequel! What’s it called? I can try to check out from Libby. Working through Grace year & will hop onto the prequel before if you’re good to read that one?

Yes! I didn't realize it either. A friend of mine pointed it out right before I was about to start. I'm definitely down to read it! Do you want me to request a thread?

Yes please if you’d don’t mind! On the phone app right now

Sounds great! I'll request it now and can share the thread here.

Do you guys just want to change this to a series thread so you can also read that first one and keep it all on here?

Great idea! Let's make it a series thread. Thanks Jamie!

Ok, changed to a series thread :)

Ok, I'm so behind (thank you child who brought home Daycare Plague). I'm happy to start with the prequel, just have to finish one other buddy read first.

Thanks Jamie!

End of Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[Ok so...it's cute but I'm a little bored. Maybe it's because I just read some more wild books.

It has started to pick up and things are happening but I'm not overly invested in the story right now for whatever reason.

I do like Viv. I feel for her being injured, but I'm glad she's finding people, a community, and that she's healing. It's cute that she's reading these kind of spicy books and feeling a little awkward.

Some of the names are hilarious. Potroast haha. I'm mostly listening to audio, and when I first heard Rattkin, I thought he had said raccoon in an odd way, but no, it's a Rattkin. I looked it up to try to visualize this character.

I think I'll continue as it's starting to get a little more interesting now. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 35

(view spoiler)[I don't know about this one. I'm really not invested in this at all. I'm feeling bad because I think I'm doing the book a disservice by reading it when I'm clearly not in the mood for the cozy fantasy.

I really hope others end up enjoying it!

It isn't pulling me in the way I hoped it would. I don't find myself invested in any of the characters all that much. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Ok...Because I haven't read L&L, I didn't realize this was the same character as the second book. The epilogue kind of gave away what was going to happen in L&L but I assume it's pretty obvious where the book is heading once you start reading it.

This one didn't pull me in the way I wanted. I did like Viv, and I appreciate how frustrating it would be to have an injury and want to be fighting instead.

Some of the side characters were fun. I liked Fern, and there were some fun quotes, her expressing the feeling you get when you suggest a book to a friend and they enjoy it. It's so fun when that happens!

Overall, it was an ok book, but I truly felt so checked out of it. It wasn't overly captivating. (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm going to finish with this one in the series and not read L&L, at least not right now. I don't think I'm in the right mood for this style of book and would be doing it a disservice by reading it.

I really hope everyone else reading enjoyed it and looking forward to seeing your thoughts!

ch 1 - 10 (view spoiler)[ at first I wasn't quite sure how I felt about this book and the writing style, but now I'm flying right through it!! It's a cute fantasy read and I'm hoping the bookstore comes together nice with Fern getting everything back in order. the gnome giving the the dirtiest side eye is making me laugh HAHA staring across the table (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "

ch 1 - 10 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm glad you're enjoying it! It was such a slow one for me!

The side characters were definitely pretty funny at times, and I really liked Fern. (hide spoiler)]

I tried to listen to the audiobook version and found myself extremely lost lol, and been liking it so much more on kindle

Maybe that's my issue! I felt so removed while listening to it and felt like half the time I was lost like you said!

I may give L&L a try, but perhaps I'll read it instead.

I typically can listen to up to 2x speed but even at 1x & 1.25x speed I could NOT understand or get into the world…

I’d love to hear what you think if you end up getting to read the physical or ebook of L&L

ch 11 - 20 (view spoiler)[ maylee and Viv so so cute together!! also liking the growing friendship between Gallina and Viv. if she doesn't end up staying here?? i swear...

I really don't know which way it'll sway. also the grey man, who killed him?? who would be the one behind it?? (hide spoiler)]

ch 21 - 30 (view spoiler)[ waiting for the necromancer to show up, I mean practically been waiting all book lol. but it's not necessarily drawn out because of the setting and friendships being built in the storyline.

Viv isn't going to give up her mercinary skills, unless she's severly injured in any upcoming fighs.. but even then i doubt it (hide spoiler)]

Brittni wrote: "Finished

Ok...Because I haven't read L&L, I didn't realize this was the same character as the second book. The epilogue kind of gave away what was going t..."

(view spoiler)[ I'm happy you recommended starting this one prior to L&L, it gives more of a background on character building with the main character Viv.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it too much. typically I'm not a fan of cozy mystery, so I was a bit worried about this one. but it ended up being cuter than I expected .

I'm curious to see what characters will show up in L&L (hide spoiler)]

Finally starting this one! Onwards to Bookshops and Bonedust!

Haley wrote: "I typically can listen to up to 2x speed but even at 1x & 1.25x speed I could NOT understand or get into the world…

I’d love to hear what you think if you end up getting to read the physical or e..."

Ok, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I had to slow it right down, trying to follow what in the world was going on. I typically listen to 2x as well with no issues. I was listening along with another friend as well, and she had the same issue, lots of difficulty following the story. I'm not sure I can pinpoint what it is about the audio, but it just wasn't working.

yeah I couldn't quite determine what it was about the audiobook, but typically I have a hard time with fantasy or even high epic on the audiobook. I can't connect nor do I understand what's going on half the time, so I'll stick with physical / ebooks

started (works for a challenge this week)

**this spoiler includes B&B spoile btw!!
only 50 pages in (view spoiler)[ liking it already so far, I kind of like how the spoiler at the end of B&B gave away that her new "assistant" is who she ends up married to.

also it sounds like an Italian mob but fantasy style lol. the concept of coffee and how no one knows what it is, so funny to me. but I love it! (hide spoiler)]

Working on

Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[I'm getting serious Hallmark movie vibes: A New York Corporate Executive (Orc adventurer) finds themselves trapped in a small midwestern town (backwater harbour). Will they be able to find the meaning of Christmas (new purpose in life due to injury)?

I'm finding myself able to follow the plot and world so far while listening. I'm not listening to the official audiobook though, just having Siri read the ebook to me while I drive. I also actively play TTRPGs so maybe I'm just better able to follow some of the races and moments that feel like role play?

I love Fern and her potty mouth! Fantastic introduction to her. Looking forward to that relationship growing. (hide spoiler)]

Jessie (Saffity) wrote: "Working on

Chapter 5

I'm getting serious Hallmark movie vibes: A New York Corporate Executive (Orc adventurer) finds themselves trapped in a small midwes..."

yes!! (view spoiler)[ hallmark is the perfect way to describe haha ! I hope you enjoy it!! I felt it got better and better with the storyline. (hide spoiler)]

40% done

(view spoiler)[Well, we've met this book's big bad and ended up in the dungeons (what's a story like this without a visit). I was actually unsure of which way the relationships were going to go, at one point it seemed like she had the interest of many of the villagers. I find myself just smiling as I get through this book. Super sweet with just enough action to keep things rolling. (hide spoiler)]

60 %

(view spoiler)[I kind of love Satchel, he's such a sweet homunculus. Getting the store all tidied up for Fern.

The sword though.... is it cursed or is it not. I'm wondering if the necromancer is already in town, just laying low.

I really like how there's a bit of community building, like, they were a small close community, but Pit had never got a book from Fern before, and now he's helping out a lot. Same with some of the other villagers.

It will be interesting to see how this ends up, but I'm really enjoying the cozy slowness of it. (hide spoiler)]

75%

(view spoiler)[The tension of the pull of the sword and the comfort of the town continues. Still love Satchel. The dreams, the threat, all of that is fun and gives the good anticipation. Really liked the meeting with the local author. Looking forward to the book signing. (hide spoiler)]

Done
(view spoiler)[What a great way to deal with the big bad! So glad I'm going to get into Legends and Lattes after this. What a wonderful cozy fantasy. Just all around fuzzy feelings to this one, and thinking that this was the second book written, makes me even more excited for L&L (hide spoiler)]

updates for Legends! I was able to finish

up to ch 18 (view spoiler)[ loving this cafe come together with Thimble the baker, pendry the musician and cal helping the remodeling. another wholesome start so far (hide spoiler)]

up to ch 26 (view spoiler)[ wow how sad things changed so quickly, but I'm sure it can be rebuild even better than before!! poor thimble came and went just like that... now viv better open her eyes to tandry. I mean she's been right in front of her this entire time (hide spoiler)]

finished (view spoiler)[

so so happy with how this one wrapped up, I didn't expect to tear up the way I did. the entire town coming together to help rebuild and finding out it wasn't the stone all along (more so gathering like minded people together) ugh how sweet!!
(hide spoiler)]
I'll be keeping an eye out on the 3rd book when it comes out this year

10%

(view spoiler)[Loved seeing Galina again, sad it was just a second, I hope she shows up again later. Viv's beginning connections with the townspeople are cute as always, and the cozy feelings begin. I really love how coffee has been introduced to the world, I wonder if potatoes will also show up. The carpenter is sweet, gruff, but in a good way. The city official has something going on. (hide spoiler)]