I adored this prequel to Legends and Lattes and it gave so much more depth to Val's character. I loved meeting new characters as well! Definitely recommend.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5774070098

I wsh there were more high fantasy, low stakes stories like this series!

I enjoyed Legends and Lattes but wasn't sure what to expect from this prequel about Viv in her early days, especially when she was injured in the first chapter! But I was charmed as once again, Viv found friends, possible romance, and amusement (*gasp* reading!) while she healed from her injuries. The mystery moved the story along in the background, but this was really a tale about friends coming together to build a better bookshop, so I didn't mind the mystery taking second place. I liked all of the characters -- Gallina, Maylee, Fern, Satchel, Pitt, and Potroast -- and liked that each felt like a character with their own life, not an NPC. A cozy quiet fantasy story about characters I was pleased to meet.

A charming addition to the series, Bookshops & Bonedust follows a younger Viv when she's forced to rest in a small town after a leg injury sustained in battle. While there she befriends the owner of the local book shop, helps the struggling store improve, has a summer romance with a dwarf who runs a bakery, and gets into a bit of trouble. It's fun and cozy and offers a look at who Viv used to be, before she was an orc who could settle down and run a coffee shop. While perhaps nothing will quite match the magic of Legends & Lattes, I really enjoyed this and hope we get more stories in this world! I love the idea of these quieter tales found in-between the adventures. The author also narrates the audio book and does a fantastic job. If you liked Legends & Lattes you should pick this one up as well! I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

”So you want to do battle with the bookselling business?"

If you loved legends and lattes - you're gonna love this one. If you like cozy fantasy - you're gonna love this one. If you like bookstores - you're gonna love this one.

Bookshops and Bonedust is the perfect follow up (prequel) to legends and lattes, following a younger Viv as she's stuck in a small town, Murk, resting off an injury she got from being too headstrong in a battle. Originally bored out of her mind and wanting to leave - she does loops around the island until she finds a small little bookstore in disarray and promptly puts a hole in the floors.

One thing leads to another and suddenly Viv finds herself not only in the floor repairing business but also an avid reader of sapphic enemies to lovers fantasy books. Viv comes around on this small town not being so bad and decides to spend her time getting this bookstore running again with new paint and a blind book sale.

Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Bookshops and Bonedust is the perfect cozy book that you just want to binge read under a blanket and then go buy 15 new books. Travis has done it again.

rep// sapphic MC

cw//brief violence, alcohol, death

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! Maybe not quite as much as I loved Legends and Lattes, but it was close.

This story takes place prior to Legends and Lattes and is about Viv's time as a mercenary. At the start of the book she gets stabbed through the leg, so this story follows her as she is recovering. She makes friends with the local bookseller and starts reading all kinds of adventurous and steamy books while she's healing. There may be a necromancer who shows up because someone has stolen something from her? And Viv is obviously the only one who can help with that situation, regardless of her current physical condition. In a similar way to Legends and Lattes, there is action and adventure in this story, but it's fairly low stakes.

Also, I have to say that my absolutely favourite character in this story is the homunculus, Satchel. He is named Satchel, because when he is not animated he resides in, you guessed it, a satchel. It's ridiculous, but also perfect.

A great story to add to this universe, and I really hope that Baldree continues to write stories in this universe, because I think there is a lot of them to still be told.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating

“Every book is a little mirror, and sometimes you look into it and see someone else looking back.”

This was an amazing prequel to Legends & Lattes! I loved getting more of Viv and her adventures before her cafe! I loved seeing her finds found family in a small coastal town. Travis yet again gives you a low stake adventure, witty banter and humor wrapped into such a cozy read. I could read anything in this universe and hope we get more!

I know you all have heard it before, but I am here to say that this is a hug of a book. There is just something so lovely about cozying up to these low stakes fantasies that just fill me up with complete joy,

This one is a prequel, we see Viv as she is recovering from an injury and she ends up in a cozy little bookshop working to save it from being closed down. The characters are wonderful, my favorite being Pot Roast the cutest not dog but dog character around.

I just loved all of this, I loved the idea of stories continuing past the final page and what our past brings to our present/future selves. I will read anything by Travis Baldree and this one was just so heartwarming. ❤️❤️

I read this one on audio and in ebook form but this audio is read by the author and I found it to be absolutely wonderful!

5/5 stars! Read this one!

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copies in exchange for an honest review!

Travis, you masterful storyteller and stealer of hearts!!

After falling head over heels for Viv in Legends & Lattes, I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy to this prequel story. In Bookshops & Bonedust, we get to learn more about Viv's days as a mercenary orc and the injury that landed her in a small seaside town where she meets eclectic characters, including local Bookseller named Fern who changes Viv's life trajectory. Fern is such.an.amazing.character. and book enthusiast extrordinare, but her bookstore is a hot mess. Viv (with some town help) start to refresh the space with success while spreading the joy of reading to the community. Ultimately, as Viv's time is limited in this town, this story is about the different paths we can take and different people we meet along the journey of our lives. I was once again charmed by Baldree's atmospheric settings and insightfully unique characters. And the Epilogue; BLESS you Travis for that glimpse of L&L Viv and the hint at what is to come in the next book of the series. It was so joyful to hear you narrate your own story as well.

Thank you so much to TOR publishers and MacMillan Audio for my e-arc and alc in exchange for my review.
I will be posting to my social accounts closer to release day!

If you’ve read Legends and Lattes you will enjoy this and if you haven’t read the prequel. It’s the story you just might need.
In this story we have an injured Viv who is sent to recuperate in a town that doesn’t have going on.
I enjoyed this it was a cozy read. It’s makes you feel like your nice and comfortable in the book shop with your side kicks. I hope to read more about Viv and this world.
Author Travis Baldree is one to keep your eyes out for if you want an enjoyable and fun read.
Thanks netgalley

This is absolutely delightful! I didn't think Legends and Latte's could be topped but Travis Baldree has done it. What could be more appealing and cozy to book lovers than a coffee shop? Why and old bookstore of course! Here we find a young Viv, forced to convalesce in a small town after taking a good bit of damage in one of her early adventures. With little to do she befriends Fern, the owner of an old and failing bookstore, and in the process not only finds for herself the joy of reading and adventuring in other worlds, but also helps her new friend make the bookshop more appealing to the public. Personally, I enjoyed this one even more than the first. It's everything you would expect from a cozy fantasy; humorous banter, a lovable cast of characters, problems to be solved, a bit of romance, some heartwarming scenes, a few high stakes battles, and of course, tea.

I was thrilled to see that Baldree is also the narrator on the audiobook. It definitely added to the experience to hear him read the story and bring all of the characters to life. I would highly recommend doing so if you are able.

Thanks to Netgalley, Pan MacMillian and Macmillan audio for access to an eACR and audiobook in exchange for a fair review.

I am not surprised I loved this. It was cozy, cute, and I couldn't put it down. This prequel was something I didn't think I needed but um wow was I wrong! Similar in feels to Legends & Lattes, this one delivered on first love, new beginnings, friendship, and fight that each of these characters had within them. I need an owl/dog. I could definitely picture myself in this dim bookstore with a cup of hot coffee or tea curled up in an armchair that has been so well used you sink in the perfect amount. These books are comfort reads for sure!!

Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars - This is a successful follow up to the smash hit debut that was Legends and Lattes. Was it AS good? No, I think not because the nature of it being a prequel made the stakes even lower than the first book. In the first book, I was invested in Viv building a life for herself, but in this one, I knew she wasn't going to stay so I didn't care as much about her relationships that she was forming. This could have been solved by bringing the letter in the epilogue up as a prologue IMO
With that being said, this was still super charming and fun. I really enjoyed the bookshop element and seeing Viv being totally clueless with Maylee. Very enjoyable overall. Thank you!

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Books for the eARC of one of my most anticipated releases of 2023!

After loving Legends and Lattes, I felt fairly certain I would love Bookshops and Bonedust...and I was right. This has everything L&L did, but with a bit of a twist, which I think is fine considering the subgenre. I want cozy fantasy to give me the same thing each time, just with some fun twists.

I especially enjoyed the romance aspect of this because it really highlighted a different type of relationship than is normally portrayed. And the larger focus on friendship rather than the romance was also great. Once again the romance is more of an understated aspect of the story and I like that.

I NEED more Satchel. I love him with my entire being.

A worthy prequel to Legends & Lattes. A young Viv is laid up in the quiet seaside town of Murk after her enthusiasm and inexperience lead to a serious injury during a raid. She gradually assembles a group of friends that includes a swear-happy ratkin bookshop owner (with bonus gryphon dog!), an erstwhile mercenary turned baker, and an irrepressible Gallina eager to join Rackham’s Raiders. Murk doesn’t stay quiet for long with Viv around, but there’s plenty of coziness in cleaning up the bookshop, eating delicious baked goods, and flirtations with a new friend.

This prequel to Legends and Lattes is even better. Love the characters to include the little town of murk. I hope this series will continue for a long time.

It's cute. But it's not really anything special. I loved Legends and Lattes, and what made that book special was how it wasn't QUITE a regular fantasy book. This is just a regular fantasy book. Is it perfectly nice, sure, but it doesn't have the first one's magic. That's not the wort of thing that happens twice in a blue moon, though, so I'm not surprised or anything. I would happily recommend anyone who has read Legends and Lattes to read this one, but it's definitely a little bonus story in addition to that, versus a standalone start to the series.

I was nervous to read the prequel to Legends & Lattes because not only is it one of my favorite books I've ever read, it completely shaped this new and growing cozy fantasy genre. I shouldn't have worried! Bookshops & Bonedust is more than worthy of its place alongside Travis Baldree's first book. Much like the first, B&B is light on violence and heavy on baking and found family — now with even more books! Every character in this ragtag group of friends is so unique and lovable, though I'll admit to loving Satchel best of all. And oh, this epilogue had me jumping up out of my chair shouting with joy. Baldree's fans are going to love this, and I cannot wait to hold a paper copy in my hands and read it again. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little late to the Legends and Lattes bandwagon, but I am fully on the train now! Thankfully, NetGalley and Macmillan understood my needs and granted me advanced copies (both Kindle and audio!) of Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree.

Bookshops and Bonedust is a prequel to Legends and Lattes, and gives us a glimpse into Viv's life before she comes to settle in Thune and opening the infamous coffee shop we've all come to love. In Bookshops and Bonedust, Viv has been injured while on the job for Rackam's Ravens and is forced to recover in the quiet beachside town of Murk. To assuage the boredom of a life without battle, Viv wanders into an admittedly struggling bookshop where she befriends the owner, Fern. Just like in Legends and Lattes, this younger version of Viv immediately finds ways to help Fern improve sales, and hopefully, save the bookshop. There's still a necromancer on the loose, however, so there's no shortage of adventure, and even a little romance!

[STOP READING HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T READ LEGENDS AND LATTES. THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!]

I really enjoyed this prequel! Just like Legends and Lattes, it's a pretty low-stakes, cozy fantasy that is a refreshing break for someone who loves epic fantasies and romantasy. So much of this series feels like you're in a back corner of the bookshop (or the coffeeshop) watching everything unfold in a town that you love, knowing that everyone will be safe and happy at the end of the day. It's pure contentment in a way that's hard to explain other than to just reiterate that this is a very, very cozy fantasy.

So much of Fern and the bookshop in general will be relatable to book lovers; she has relatable relationship with books--even with books she didn't/wouldn't read or enjoy herself. There's a reverence in her that book people will find kinship with, and it's beautiful. I found myself whispering, "oh, me too, girl" quite frequently at Fern.

We know that Viv and Tandri end up together in Legends and Lattes, so it tracks that we know that the romance between Viv and Maylee is a bit bittersweet; we know it's "doomed." That being said, it's still sweet, and just because flings don't work out, doesn't make them not worth the time you spend together when things are good. Viv and Maylee both know that Viv's time in Murk is temporary, and they're both okay with that, even if they know that there will be some pain at the end.

There's also an adorable fuzzy companion in Pot Roast! He's my gryphet baby angel and I will die for him if needed.

After an injury leaves Viv waylaid in the town of Murk while her crew, Rackam and his ravens continue on hunting the feared necromancer Varine, she finds herself with a lot of spare time on her hands. Wandering the small town, Viv comes across the ailing Thistleburr bookstore run by the rattkin, Fern, and her gryphet, Potroast. After getting hooked by a few recommended books, Viv begins assisting Fern in cleaning up the shop to bring in more customers. Along the way she meets Maylee, a dwarf who owns the bakery Sea-Song, and Gallina, a gnome with something to prove. Of course, not everything can remain sleepy—even in a town like Murk.

When a stranger shows up carrying a satchel and the smell of winter blood coats the air, the necromancer Viv’s crew was hunting might be closer than she thought.

A dash of romance, warm friendships, some light adventuring with a healthy dose of mystery, and some familiar mentions from Legends and Lattes, Bookshops and Bonedust is a bear hug of a book that begs to be read with a lassy bun and a cozy blanket.

Being able to return to Viv's life was an incredible joy. In this prequel, we follow our favorite ork Viv as she gets stuck in a sleepy beach town after an injury on one of her mercenary jobs with her company leaves her needing to heal before going on her next adventure. Little does she expect to have one hell of an adventure in the little unseeming town.
Bookshops and Bonedust is a wonderful addition to Viv's story. You have a wonderful cast of wholesome characters, an unforgettable setting (a dusty bookshop that needs some tender love and care, not to mention and absolutely adorable magical creature/pet I wanted to hug all the damn time) and a mystery that ties it all together.
Seeing Viv find friends in this little town despite her grouchy, somewhat adversary attitude was just so lovely. This also included a bit of a sapphic summer fling that made my heart beat faster!
Honestly, first Baldree got us with a coffee shop and now with a bookshop. I wonder if there will be another installment that will make yet another place beloved to readers all over the world fall for Viv even more.
Absolutely cannot recommend this highly enough if you're a fan of cozy fantasy!