Great prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES (2022); Baldree presents Viv, everyone’s favorite barbarian orc, at the beginning of her life as a mercenary warrior - with new characters, plenty of humor, & book advice for aspiring readers!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I truly enjoyed Baldree’s first book, Legends & Lattes, and I think he’s made another wonderful cozy fantasy for everyone who loved Viv’s story in the original. Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel rather than a sequel, so we get to see Viv before she settled down in Thune.
Viv is young and eager to prove herself to the group of mercenaries she’s just joined, but during a battle with a powerful necromancer’s wraiths, she’s wounded and has to be left in Murk, a quiet seaside town, to recuperate. Viv worries her group will never come back for her. To distract herself, she decides to explore and surprisingly makes some new friends, but she quickly learns the sleepy town of Murk might be more exciting than she expected when a mysterious stranger shows up and starts causing trouble.
I’m a fan of high-stakes fantasy and horror stories, but sometimes it’s nice to read something light and fun. Bookshops & Bonedust certainly meets that criteria while also keeping your attention. I don’t think there was one character I didn’t like, including the main villain of the story. The book also manages to have that same comfortable feeling as Legends & Lattes while still having some unsettling moments to keep the reader on their toes. On the other hand, there were a couple of moments that dragged for me, where I would have liked to see a little more action. That being said, Baldree is excellent at world-building. He makes everything about his fantasy land seem completely natural.

The legends and Lattes universe is my all time cozy fantasy favorite! I adored the first book and went into this one with high expectations that were exceeded!

Again, my heart is full of love for the ratkin character, Fern you are an absolute QUEEN.

Ooof... absolutely EVERYTHING that I was hoping it would be and SO MUCH more!

I was almost nervous to pick this one up because of how much I love Legends & Lattes. I thought there was no way that Travis could give us a prequel that would stand up to the original story... but I somehow enjoyed this one even more?!? Just as sweet and cozy and comforting as L&L, and filled with just as many validating conversations around humanity and existence! I just loved it!

If you enjoyed L&L, rest assured that you will ADORE this one too! And if you have yet to try it out ... what are you waiting for?!?! This is the perfect time!

"Bookshops & Bonedust" by Travis Baldree is a charming and cozy fantasy novel that explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the unexpected joys of life. Set in a world connected to the universe of "Legends & Lattes," this book offers a delightful escape into a world of magic, adventure, and second chances.

The story follows Viv, a battle-hardened orc warrior who finds herself injured and far from the frontlines of battle. Sent to the quiet town of Murk to recover, Viv's life takes an unexpected turn as she befriends a foul-mouthed bookshop owner and becomes entangled in the quirky happenings of the town. As she navigates new friendships, a summer fling, and an unusual abundance of skeletons, Viv discovers that sometimes the greatest adventures are found in the most unexpected places.

Travis Baldree's writing is warm and inviting, creating a cozy atmosphere that envelops the reader from the start. The author's vivid descriptions bring the town of Murk and its eccentric inhabitants to life, making it easy to immerse oneself in the story. The bookshop setting adds an extra layer of charm, appealing to book lovers and bibliophiles.

Viv is a compelling protagonist with a strong personality and a distinct voice. Her journey of self-discovery and growth is both relatable and heartwarming, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the challenges and surprises that Murk has to offer.

The supporting characters are equally memorable, each with their quirks and complexities. The interactions between the characters are a highlight of the novel, filled with humor and genuine emotion. The friendships and connections that develop throughout the story feel authentic and well-developed.

The plot is a delightful blend of low-stakes adventure, magical occurrences, and heartwarming moments. While there is a touch of fantasy and mystery, the focus is more on the characters and their personal journeys, making it a perfect comfort read for those looking for a break from epic quests and battles.

Overall, "Bookshops & Bonedust" is a heartwarming and feel-good fantasy novel that offers a delightful escape into a world of magic, books, and unexpected friendships. Travis Baldree's storytelling and the cozy atmosphere of the bookshop make this a perfect read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and enchanting tale.

This was a nice follow up to the pervious hit, but it just wasn't for me. It ultimately just felt too much of the same as the first. Not my genre though, so there's that.

Since Legends & Lattes became a comfort read of mine almost as soon as I finished the last page, I was thrilled to see that Travis Baldree was writing another book set in that world.

Bookshops and Bonedust did not disappoint. It's a prequel to L&L, so we see Viv as a very green (hah!) mercenary and her effect on a small town. This is cozy fantasy at its best – the writing is superb and you come to care about every character and their fate, even though no-one is searching for the Great Treasure of Zyquist or attempting to wield the Blood Sword of Thunder Fate. Sometimes you just need slow, intimate stories about orcs.

Definitely recommended and Baldree is now on my automatic to-buy list!

I received a free copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

#BookshopsBonedust #NetGalley

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the author's first story! I love the character Viv and reading her backstory explains so much more of her choices. My favourite character of all in the story is Satchel - such a unique character! I loved all the bookish references in the story as well - they really spoke to this reader's heart. I definitely recommend this read.

If you LOVED Legends & Lattes, then you'll love Bookshops & Bonedust. It was really cool to see Viv at the beginning of her mercenary career. Words like charming, cozy, fun, and sweet come to mind, which is not typical when reading fantasy/adventure. I honestly had no idea before Legends & Lattes that cozy fantasy was even a thing! Now, like so many others, I'm obsessed! I can't wait to see Viv again!! To Travis Balsree, just keep writing... please :) 4.5

Thank you very much to Travis Baldree, Netgalley, and Tor Publishing for letting me read this ARC! I absolutely loved the first book, Legends & Lattes. This one had me feeling the same way. It was a feel good fantasy that felt like a warm blanket. If you love a good feel good book, you will love this one. The only thing for me was it is very predictable. But that comes along with a "feel good" book. I did have trouble connecting with some characters, but I think that is on me. I just did not have anything to connect with in the story. But other readers might have characters that they immediately connect to in the chapters. I loved how the author was able to put the "love of books" into the story. I love a good story about a library or bookstore! If you want a feel good fantasy, I recommend this one.

<b>This hit the spot!</b>

(4.25) I never thought I would be into cozy fantasy but the first book pleasantly surprised me so I was very excited for the prequel. Younger Viv is left behind in a small town to recover from an injury, makes some friends, a little bit of romance, a little bit of action and there's a bookshop.

I could have read 100 more pages of cozy bookshop tbh.

If you enjoyed the first one, you'll enjoy this one!

I really enjoyed this prequel to Legends & Lattes. Like the previous book, this is a cozy mystery that still has stakes. There is danger and intrigue even as our protagonists deal with other weighty issues like revitalizing an ailing bookstore and thinking about what it means to belong somewhere. I really liked the characters, and the tension and plot were well-crafted.

I said that this book would bring me out of my depression and I stand by that.

A cozy fantasy set around a bookstore that's a prequel to one of my favorite reads of the year? Uh duh. It was so enjoyable seeing Viv discover a love of reading and small town life (and I absolutely want to read that murder mystery book). Travis Baldree has such a skill at crafting characters that you'll instantly fall in love with, Fern and Potroast case in point. My kingdom for a lassy bun though, y'all. Murk is so charming and I would read a book about every single last one of the residents. Iridia? Like DAMN there's a story there. This is an absolutely fabulous prequel that I didn't know I needed but will be rereading STAT.

*Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I loved Legends & Lattes so I was so excited to get an ARC of this one from Tor/Netgalley.
I loved it just as much. So endearing and heart warming. Same feels. Only drawback is knowing it’s a prequel I didn’t feel as I vested in Viv creating a life when I knew where she’d end up.
Funny and awesome and I loved the bookshop aspect too. I’ve been on a cozy kick and this was exactly what I was in the mood for and that epilogue!

An absolutely delightful prequel about Viv, who readers got to meet in Legends and Lattes. As a fresh young mercenary, she's forthright,impetuous and brave to the point of foolhardiness, leading to a serious injury in battle. While on forced recovery in a sleepy coastal town, Viv stumbles into a musty, jam-packed bookshop and a friendship with the proprietor Fern that starts with reading recommendations and leads to helping to revitalize the bookshop and other new relationships while also investigating the death of dangerous stranger who seems tied to the necromancer she had been hunting. A cozy fantasy story about friendship, books, growing into yourself with romance and mystery.

Loved it! I absolutely loved this one almost as much as the first. It was so nice to see Vic back in her early years and see how she met Galina. I loved all the new characters and would love nothing more than continuing to read books set in this world forever. I think I would’ve enjoyed listening to this one like I did the first one but perfection. No notes. Looking forward to whatever Travis Baldree writes next!

Bookshops & Bonedust is the perfect companion to Legends & Lattes. While distinctly different from each other, they are both, in the end, about people and the relationships we forge and allow to flourish. Baldree has once again left his readers with the feeling of having luxuriated in a warm hug with grace and aplomb. Though this one is ultimately tinged by the bittersweet longing for those who had to take a different path from us on the hill. It is a gentle reminder of how precious each friendship is no matter how short lived. It has inspired me to adventure back into my own story after the story with the hope that I too will be as fortunate as Viv and Fern. I can think of no better way to reconnect with old friends, and make new ones, than sharing Bookshops & Bonedust with them.

This is the sequel to Legends & Lattes, a cozy fantasy book I enjoyed immensely - although really, its a prequel. I was hoping for a direct sequel, but still found myself completely charmed and drawn in by a young Viv's backstory. There are great new friendships, a good romantic subplot (that's a little more in the foreground than the prior book!), comical and sympathetic side characters... what more could one want? The first book was heavier on the baked goods and cozy factor, whil this one is a little lighter on pastries (but they're still there!) and has a little more emphasis on plot with stakes/action. But all the bones of the first book are still there, and anyone who enjoyed the first will also be delighted by Bookshops & Bonedust.

Somehow the second book in this series is even better than the original. Or at least 100% as good. I adored every moment of this tenderhearted yet powerful tale.

First of all, I want a Potroast in my life. I could picture him perfectly. This story was a great peek into Viv's life before she became the coffee shop owner, we all love. The story had all the small town cozy feels with some wonderful characters. It also emphasized how even though we might not stay somewhere forever; it still stays inside of us.

Now I want a story where Viv learns all about coffee for the first time.