This is the prequel to Legends & Lattes (L&L), which I read earlier this year in March. It was my very first cozy fantasy. I gave it four stars on GoodReads, but said it was more like a 3.5; however, this one, for me, was a solid four stars. I will say that this book could be read as a standalone if you haven’t read the first one. There are a few things that are explained in this prequel that you wouldn’t catch until you read L&L, but it’s not something you would miss. And if you haven’t read either, I think you could read the prequel first and then the original if you wanted to read in order based on timeline. However, the epilogue in the prequel is set a few years after L&L, which could ruin it a little bit for you, so if you read the prequel first, then skip the epilogue until you read L&L, then go back and read it, which totally sets up what could be book three. I think I saw somewhere that Travis Baldree plans to write four or five of these books in this series. 

I really enjoyed this story. I liked it a tiny bit more than L&L. It’s very cozy, endearing, and funny. It’s a light-hearted read that gives all the warm feels. If you like books and bookstores, then you will absolutely love this book. I loved being in the bookstore and seeing the business and marketing side of it. This business kept my attention more than the coffee shop did in the first book. 

I also enjoyed the characters in this book more than in the first one. I thought they were funnier, more interesting, and more likable. Like in the first book, I enjoyed the found family element as this group of misfits came together. The banter is comical as well. There are quite a few quirky characters that are very sweet, endearing, and funny. I also liked how they were supportive and encouraging of each other, from life lessons to business ups and downs to romantic feelings. 

Speaking of romance, there is a bit more in this book between Viv and a dwarf who owns a bakery shop. They were really cute together. There was a lot of queer pining and flirting. It’s clean as far as no spicy scenes, just a few kissing scenes, which I appreciated. I prefer closed-door romances. I still think making a female orge a lesbian is stereotypical, boring, and bland, but it was a sweet summer fling. 

I thought the storyline was more interesting in this book. It was very easy to read and quick to get through. There is a bit of a mystery going on, and some interesting things happen in this seaside town of Murk. There are more action sequences, and it’s not as slow-paced as L&L. There was a lot more going on, which kept my attention. I also liked learning about this town, and we got more food descriptions, which is always a plus for me (a foodie)! 

However, since this is a younger Viv, we don’t see her maturity, like in L&L. She is a bit of a rebel, more careless, and quick to react before thinking. She makes more mistakes and poor choices, but we do see her grow as the story progresses. I wish we had gone a little deeper into her thoughts and motives. I also hoped to learn more about her, to get more of a fully fleshed character with deeper emotional growth and development, but we don’t. Everything is left on a shallow surface. I also wish we got more backstory on some of the characters, especially the villain of the story. If we knew more about the antagonist, it would’ve felt more dangerous and risky, but since I didn’t know much about her, I didn’t see her as threatening, and then I didn’t care as much. 

Also, there is a lot of language in this book – way more than in book one. I was surprised by how much language was in this one, and it immediately turned me off. Aside from the cursing, some of the dialects felt like an odd choice because some characters’ dialogue read like Southern or country, but it’s a seaside town, which didn’t make sense to me. 

Even though this book didn’t seem to have as much heart and charm as the first book, I still really enjoyed it and will read a third book when it comes out. Definitely recommend a charming, warm, and cozy read.