With his impeccable atmospheres and lively characters, Travis Baldree has not only done it again, but done it beautifully -- this time finding the beauty in the temporary stories we live and the impact they carry through our lives in ways we might never imagine.

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST stands tall on its own, but pairs even better with LEGENDS & LATTES by strengthening Viv's character and adding a new layer of depth to her story. There's a nugget in BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST about how we all see the world (and, really, each other) through "little-bitty" windows, and what B&B does is take the little-bitty window that readers got to peer through in L&L and expand it unexpectedly, adding context and perspective that makes the first story and its heart even stronger. I hope one day to see even more of these characters -- "in the story after the story".

I really do love this series and every character in it. While it wasn’t quite as good as Legends & Lattes, this still captured a lot of the essence of what made L&L so charmingly adorable. I’ll never be able to engage as successfully with a prequel knowing that things won’t last, but it was absolutely still worth the read.

A thoroughly enjoyable prequel to Legends & Lattes! I actually ended up liking this one a bit better than the first book. Travis continues to do a great job of creating interesting and lovable characters in this series. Where I found the first book to be a bit more plot driven, this book is more of a mix of plot & character driven. So even though this is still Vic’s story, I felt like I got to know all the characters better in this one. While this book definitely still has the cozy fantasy vibes, this has more adventure elements so the plot is a little more exciting. I really enjoyed getting to see this younger, more brash Viv. My favorite part of the book was watching Viv fall in love with books. It’s such a beautiful thing that I think will touch the heart of every reader, because it’s something we all have a personal connection to. Fans of this series will not be disappointed with this book. I also think it’s a great entrance to this world for anyone new to the series.

Thank you Tor Books & NetGalley for the ARC!

This was really cute. I actually liked it better than Legends and Lattes. The plot was smooth and the pacing quick for it being a fantasy slice of life story. If you enjoyed Legends and Lattes, this is a "don't miss" part of the series/

A charming feel good prequel to the equally charming feel good Legends & Lattes. It is the story of how Viv , whilst injured, takes a break from being a hero to discover her love of reading and how to be a good friend along with a little romance. Honestly never thought a romantic scene between an orc and a dwarf could bring me to tears. Ultimately Viv has to take the mantle of hero back on to fight a necromancer and save her new friends.
Lovely way to spend time reading! Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I'm not sure what to say about Bookshops & Bonedust that hasn't already been said. It is wonderfully cozy, full of interesting characters and a heartwarming plot.

Some people might not like this book because of the lack of "High stakes" but I think it holds up really well to the first one. It isn't a copy. Although Travis has recycled a few themes (Instead of opening a Coffee shop, we are helping save a bookshop, found family and communities coming together) I didn't mind this, because they weren't the same. Instead, these themes played out more as Travis' style that he is finding/developing, and cresting a comfort read for those that love the genre.

Second (Sophmore) books for an author can be really tricky, as Travis explains in his Author's note/acknowledgments. I personally didn't like this prequel as much as I liked Legends & Lattes, however there isn't anything to call out why. The story captures what it's like to be young, to have dreams and wonder if they should be followed. It plays on second guessing yourself and having a "for now" plan. I think these are all amazing paths to explore, but I definitely connected more with Older Viv. (Maybe because I am older too?)

Special call out to the supporting characters in this book. Fern is perfection, and I want more of her story.

Cozy fantasy adventure! Seriously a perfect prequel to Legends & Lattes! I absolutely loved it! Atmospheric and such well developed characters.

3.5 Stars

Cozy fantasy returns in this prequel to Legends & Lattes! This is more of a small beach town, library type of coziness versus the coffee shop/gourmand coziness of L&L and this book was written for book lovers! I appreciated the nods to the book community in this book, some were quite funny! This book did have a bit more adventure than the first as well. The only element I wasn’t crazy about here was the romance, as given that this was a prequel, I already knew it wasn’t going to last beyond the end of this book. I really loved the epilogue at the end and hope it signals a sequel in the works!

Travis is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. This book was another giant warm big hug of a book. The characters are heart-warming.

This is a prequel story to the hit cozy fantasy book Legends & Lattes from last year. We meet Viv at a younger stage in life, still selling her sword for a living. An injury sidelines her in a small coastal town, and the inactivity frustrates her to no end. True to Viv, she winds up backing her way into friendships and changing the lives of those around her. There's so much to love in this book. It was my wind-down before bed book and I was so sorry to finish it. The epilogue brought a sweet surprise that does contain a spoiler for Legends & Lattes, so I recommend reading this book second.

Highly recommended to everyone looking for a low-stakes, warm read in an otherwise exhausting world.

Travis Baldree did it again and, boy, was it a delight! It was so nice to pop back into this world for a little while and I absolutely loved the new characters we met along the way. The story felt fresh, grounded, and filled with so much love. The found family was spot on and gave the book plenty of warmth. The stakes were higher than Legends & Lattes, but it didn't affect the overall coziness level. If anything, the plot enhanced the connection to these characters and made me care deeply about their outcomes. The moment that took it over the top for me was the ending and epilogue. I was in tears and it made me fall in love even more with Legends & Lattes because we now know how far Viv has come and what led her to that coffee shop. It was beautiful and kind, endearing and daring. Can't suggest this duology enough! 5 stars!!

NetGalley ARC | I cannot even begin to imagine the immense pressure that Baldree felt after how viral Legends & Lattes went on social media (but hey, maybe he was just fine).

However, I was personally worried that a prequel - I don't usually love prequels - might destroy my appreciation for this just-getting-started series.

Spoiler: I loved Bookshops & Bonedust just as much.

We follow Viv in her earlier days as she recovers from a battle injury in a small seaside town.

There are even more great friendships, queer romance, and - this time - a bookshop in need of some TLC.

If you love books about reading and already required more green orcs in your life, Bookshops & Bonedust won't disappoint.

Plus, the ending hinted at what we can expect from a third novel, and I am here for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Tor Publishing Group, for a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

You can see our complete review here on The Uncorked Librarian: https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/new-book-releases-2023/

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree is a wonderful prequel to Legends & Lattes. As an avid reader who likes making reading books a major part of my personality, I found this one to be an absolute must-read.

I loved learning about Viv's past, reading about her apprehension of reading, and finding her future path. Viv's involvement in the bookstore had the same flavor of her coffee shop but we know that that would be in the future and not in this book. The adventure that surrounds the town is exciting and the introduction of some very interesting characters really set this book apart from the other book. Like Legends and Lattes, this was a safe and comfortable book. The relationships between the characters were sweet and I couldn't put it down so I could see how it was all going to end, and it did not disappoint.

I love this series Travis Baldree! Please keep it coming with more Viv stories!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free and give my honest feedback and review.

Bookshops and Bonedust was everything I wanted and more. I went in expecting a cozy, fun read and I did get that. However, I also got Viv’s first experience that shaped her love for life outside of being a warrior. This story felt incredibly special and heartwarming.
This book had the cutest characters, a quaint bookstore and bake shop, a mystery book sale, magical skeletons, and life-long friends. This cozy fantasy was different enough from the first book, Legend and Lattes, but gave more context into why Viv made the choices she did in Legends and Lattes.
I’m hoping there’s another book in this series because I would like more cozy adventures with Viv and friends.
This book ended with the quote, “Viv was grateful for all the wrong times that had led to this right one”. And I feel like this is the best outlook to have in life. Even when things don’t go the way you want or go “wrong” you still never know what the future holds and how each of those moments could lead to something even your wildest dreams couldn’t think of. I loved this book and would recommend it to everyone!

I love everything about this. Cozy fantasy is truly bopping it’s way to the top of my favorite genres. It had all of the cozy feelings the first book brought but an even more likeable story this time around. Big fan.

“Sometimes, it’ll never be the right time.”

“And sometimes, we aren’t the right people yet…”

Have you ever felt the realization that you’re far from your final destination, from settling down? How about the aching beauty of making connections that will stay with you for a lifetime, even when life’s path takes you from those you’ve grown to love? Have you ever had to rebuild from the ground up after a great setback? Has life ever happened while you were busy making other plans? Okay. So take all of that, and make it a cozy fantasy.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a love letter to readers and those of us familiar with the pains of growing. In a salty coastal atmosphere, an orc injured in battle helps give an old bookshop new life, making meaningful connections in an unlikely place along the way. Summer romance, friendships, and unlikely alliances lead our main character Viv, through one of her many great stories that was very much “for the plot” of her life.

If you’re someone familiar with meeting the right people at the wrong time, or have ever felt like a side character in someone else’s story, this story may touch you as much as it did me.

Travis Baldree has done it again. Bookshops & Bonedust was the perfect mixture of beautiful writing, fantasy world building, found family, plot, and making a reader feel seen. I left this story feeling better about life’s ups and downs than when I started, and I didn’t even realize that I needed that.

Bookshops & Bonedust succeeded in interlocking its story with that of Legends & Lattes, in a way that strengthens both stories. Five stars.

P.S. I would now, really love that sequel to Legends & Lattes. Pretty please!

I don't know how I keep picking these up at exactly the right time when I need them, but it's some kind of miracle. I wasn't sure I would enjoy this one as much as the first book, but this was just as much of a delight and a great look into Viv's backstory. Still chock full of endearing characters that you are rooting for the whole time. It's just a wholesome cozy fantasy and I could read Baldree's work forever and ever and never get tired of it.

Well I just ended this book with tears in my eyes. How does this author bring these characters to life so well that I will actually miss them when I close the book?!  I was absolutely captivated and transported by this writing and so immersed into the story.  The writing is cozy perfection and even when there is danger, I felt calm in the knowledge that the author was going to guide us in just the perfect way that was both exhilarating and interesting. Unlikely friendships and bonds, a touch of romance, and the best inclusion of bones and magic!  I adored every page of this book.

A fun and worthy successor to Legends & Lattes. Just as cozy, though the stakes are a little higher in this one. That said, because it's a prequel, readers can rest assured knowing that everything turns out okay in the end. Ultimately, it's a nice way to have some stakes in a cozy read while still feeling "safe." Looking forward to getting more of Viv's adventures!

This book was such a comforting read. I absolutely loved the bookstore aspect and the seaside village town. I found the characters to be just as charming as the ones in Legends & Lattes, and enjoyed seeing a younger version of Viv. You’re definitely going to need a pastry and some bacon when reading this book - it made me so hungry.