Perfect. This book was exactly what I was looking for, and I've been looking for it for a very long time. It's very rare that a book will provoke actual physical reactions from me but this had me smiling and laughing and feeling all warm and fussy throughout.

All the characters had unique and strong personalities and clear, defined voices. The café felt so real, like a place I've visited a thousand times. And my favourite element was the lovingly visceral descriptions of the mundane, everyday elements of life - the smell of brewing coffee, the processes of baking, and even the simple feel of a wooden table under the hand. If I can talk like a douchey literary critic for a second; it reminded me of the slow, meditative Japanese classics like The Master of Go, or Snow Country... Except with an orc.

I always try to think of something critical to say no matter how much I enjoy a book, but honestly I have no notes. My only complaint is that it wasn't book 1 in a series as long as The Expanse or Wheel of Time. I sincerely hope Travis Baldree writes a million books just like this one. They're definitely straight onto my 'buy without questioning' list.