Five orcs out of five for this book!!

I should have read this book ages ago, it was a freaking delight.

Viv is a retired adventurer who took an arrow to the knee- I mean, decided she'd had enough of the adventuring life and decides to open a coffee shop in a little town. With the help of a magic item she begins to draw a group of allies around her while pushing back against a local 'protection' racket.

The characters in this book are the real delights. We meet Cal, a hob building who helps Viv turn an abandoned stable into a gorgeous little cafe, Tandri, a succubus who left college because of shitty treatment, who signs on as Viv's assistant and brings an amazing creative business sense, and Thimble, a little spoken rattkin, who can work magic with pastry and cream.

The feeling of found family gathering around and the familiar comfort of old friends who are breaking new ground are wound through this story in a way that makes it feel like spending an afternoon at your favorite cafe with some delicious to eat, the best music, and your best friends.

Seriously, read this. If you're a fan of DnD games, this is a book not to be missed. I can't wait for the sequel.