Allll the feels. It was so nice to ease back into the world and voice of the author, even as we were introduced to a completely different setting and cast of characters. Gorgeous.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to Travis Baldree other novel Legends & Lattes. Just like Legends & Lattes, this is a light fantasy and cozy read. I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. I also enjoyed reading about the aspect of opening a bookshop, just like the coffee shop in Legends & Lattes.

Would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, light-hearted fantasy especially as we move into fall!

Solid 4.5!

This book was an amazing prequel to Legenda & Lattes, but what really made this story for me was the epilogue. I don't usually read epilogues but something about B&B made me need to know how Viv got from a Bookshop to a Coffee shop, and it was so worth it.

The connection you feel to the characters especially as you see their stories through "the story beyond the story" was heartwarming.

I never knew I needed 'cozy' books until I discovered L&L and now I feel like I simply can't live without them.

B&B follows Viv at the beginning of her fighting and adventurous career, after an injury she is forced to recover in a small sleepy town where she soon discovers a failing bookshop. Through unlikely friendships, a newly discovered passion for reading, and a touch of magic, Viv finds herself torn between her potential future and fighting an evil force the Raven's have been hunting.

I absolutely would recommend this book as a staple cozy read, and I ABSOLUTELY would be first in line for a sequel to see Fern and Viv reunite.

Travis has done it again!! We are absolutely obsessed with these cozy fantasy novels! The way he writes his characters and settings keep us engaged and invested throughout the story. These books feel like a warm latte, a comfy sweater, and a hug from your best friend. We can’t wait to listen to the audio book for this one since Travis does a phenomenal job at narrating, and we’ll be keeping an eye out for his next release!
Thank you NetGalley for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m making this a spoiler free review because I got to read the ARC. While I usually read my ARCs in publication date order I was weak and jumped ahead to this one because I knew it would be delightful.
I’m going to read a bunch of other books marketed as cozy fantasy thanks to this author and they’re probably mostly going to disappoint in comparison to these gems. We may all get lucky and have another author come along in this shiny new sub-genre though to offer him a bit of competition! We can hope so anyway while waiting impatiently for him to finish another book. Seriously, if you like character driven fantasy and want something low key to relax with buy these two books. You won’t be disappointed.

This was cozy and cute. Very reminiscent of its predecessor Legends & Lattes. The vibes are very warm and perfect for the upcoming fall/winter season. I was a little disappointed it was a prequel, only because I was eager for the story from Legends and Lattes to be expanded on. But it WAS fun to see a younger Viv. She’s such an interesting character to follow.

A lovely, soothing, wonderful read. It's hard to explain the feeling, but when I finished this book, I just sighed and felt happy. This is the kind of gentle book that is perfect for whiling away the hours on a perfect day.

I really loved first book in the series (Legends & Lattes) and was quite apprehensive when I realized that Baldree had written a prequel, as I can count the number of prequels that were good on one hand. However, this was a wonderful story about a favorite character when she was younger and a different person. Highly recommended.

This book was so cozy! The characters and setting are truly what sold me on this book and made it such a great read. There is the perfect amount of depth to the characters where you find yourself attached and rooting for them. This is a cozy fantasy. Therefor, the conflict should be low stakes while still providing room for a climax and some really good tension. This book did just that. I loved it and highly recommend!

I was hoping this would be a good intro to adult fantasy for stronger teen readers, but it still had enough romance bits that I am not sure it is a good fit. I loved the lack of gruesome violence, just not sure how many teens would really enjoy it. It is so hard finding adult fantasy that is still appropriate for middle grade to feed the appetites of readers who rip through shorter books. I preordered a copy for myself though!

This book is a cosy fantasy that I loved. Legends and Lattes is the perfect autumnal book to cosy up to and if you enjoyed then Bookshops & Bonedust is 100% a must read. Cannot wait to see what Travis does next.

I feel terrible giving negative feedback on this book because I loved LOVED Legends and Lattes. And I wanted more in that world, but not a pre-quel. This felt like the author totally missed what it was that we loved about L&L and gave us something totally different. I will continue to read anything Travis writes, but really hoping he goes in a different direction in the future.

If you loved Legends and Lattes, you will immediately fall in love with Bookshops and Bonedust. Written with the same boundless passion and deep sense of home, you well want your coziest blanket and warmest drink as you sink into this magical story.

The definition of a cozy read. For all the bibliophiles who need a little adventure in their lives, while sharing it with the motley crew from the quiet town Murk.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for providing this title.

I've decided I love anything by Travis Baldree. This lives up to the high, high expectations set by "Legends and Lattes". Cozy and fantastic. This book will be featured on an upcoming episode of Your Rainbow Reads podcast.

So readable and well written. Easy four stars, five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

Bookshops & Bonedust was an excellent prequel to Legends & Lattes! It kept all the same cozy charm and fairly low stakes, and still kept things fresh and interesting as Viv tries to adjust to not doing anything while healing from an injury. The fact that this takes place at the start of her adventuring career and not the end really adds some depth to her, and I really enjoyed reading about a younger, more adventurous Viv, and all the friends she makes while helping out at a seaside bookstore! Overall, very enjoyable read. 4/5 stars!

Perfectly good prequel that checks the same cozy fantasy boxes as the first but with a bit more action in terms of the whole necromancer plotline

COVID recovery necessitated a treat, and this book absolutely fit the bill. What a lovely companion to LEGENDS AND LATTES.

So quirkey and fun!!! Loved every second!! So quirkey and fun!!! Loved every second!! So quirkey and fun!!! Loved every second!! So quirkey and fun!!! Loved every second!!

For lovers of Legends and Lattes, this book will not disappoint! It is a sip of warm coffee of a cool fall day and poised to be the perfect fall cosy read. The much loved themes of food, friendship, and family that brought so much to the original are back at it again in this one with an added bookshop. Viv is back at it again but with a new prequel angle.

Smash success for me.