Legends & Lattes was a really fun, cozy fantasy, and it's sequel is just the same. Travis Baldree has made a fan of a new genre, and has brought me back from the edge of dismissing fantasy for it's incredibly intimidating worlds.

I feel really bad, but I just found this story to be really boring. I also thought legends and lattes was pretty boring, so I think maybe this author just isn’t for me.

I also had a hard time with some of the narration, the voices he did for certain characters we were very grating and annoying, and It made focusing on the story really hard.

The narrator of course is excellent!! The story was perfect, I loved everything about it! I think I liked this book even more than book 1.

I really liked this story. I enjoyed it more than Legends & Lattes, but I think that is because you learn more about Viv and see more of her growth in this story. I loved the characters, and the friendships she makes in this book, and how they shape her as a person. I will be going back and doing a reread of Legends & Lattes now, and feel like I will enjoy it more this time. I am hoping for a third book now.

I’ll always love a story about a bookstore, and one in a fantasy world is no exception. Bookshops and Bonedust is a great companion to Legends and Lattes and I’ll be recommending both of them to anyone looking for a cozy fantasy.

Bookshops and Bonedust was an absolute treat, even though I tend to shy away from prequels. Travis Baldree has a gift for creating characters that feel like old friends, and that talent shines through in this story. Viv’s journey of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a sleepy beach town and a quirky bookshop, hit all the right cozy notes. It’s not the high-stakes adventure you might expect, but it’s a warm, comforting tale with plenty of charm and a touch of magic. While I didn’t love this as much as Legends & Lattes (which I will forever recommend, just a flawless book) I still found myself completely drawn into Viv’s world and felt comfort in getting to know her more. If only this one had preceded Legends, I think it would have worked better. Regardless, the small-town dynamics, the blossoming relationships, and even the sneaky bits of action made this prequel worthwhile. Plus, Baldree’s narration in the audiobook, as always, is fantastic—there’s something special about an author bringing their own story to life. I could happily read or listen to a hundred more installments in this series no matter what order they arrive in.

The sequel/prequel to Legends & Lattes, this cozy fantasy was delightful. I didn't realize initially that it's the author who's narrating it - he is SO good. Definitely upped my enjoyment and I sometimes struggle with audiobooks. If you enjoyed L&L I suspect you'll enjoy this too.

There's a bookshop, a mystery and budding friendships all around. It's also a really sweet bookend to L&L because that one's about Viv getting to the end of her mercenary career whereas B&B is about her start! I can't say enough good things about this low angst, chill adventure that's really mostly about friendship, community and getting to know yourself and the people around you better. Loved it and I'll definitely be looking out for more magic from Travis Baldree!

My thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

In Bookshops & Bonedust, we get a peak at Liv's life before she opens her coffee shop in Legends & Lattes. It was a quick read with a fun look at where her journey starts. The side characters are unique and add so much to the story. I look forward to reading more of this cozy fantasy, especially on audiobook because Travis narrates it and draws you into the world.

This was such a treat! I love Viv and company. How she was introduced and fell in love with reading, finding friends, enemies and adventure where she least expected it. Baldree is a talent and uses it wonderfully to bring this group to life on the pages. I loved every minute spent with this audiobook.

Let’s start by saying this epilogue is 5 star worthy alone! This one is a sweet cozy prequel to Legends & Lattes. If you loved book one you’ll love this one as well. A sweet cozy fantasy listen in a bookshop, say less! I was totally here for it!

Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ALC to listen to through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series and quite literally anything Travis Baldree puts out next! Such a magical fun time.

Despite not typically enjoying slice-of-life stories, this book captivated me with its unique blend of everyday warmth and fantasy elements. It's a refreshing departure from complex epic fantasies, focusing instead on good people being kind to one another. While the plot lacks complexity and can be predictable, the novel serves as an excellent palate cleanser for fantasy fans. The integration of fantasy aspects elevates the story, making it appealing even to readers who don't usually gravitate towards slice-of-life narratives. Although not perfect, it's an enjoyable read that fantasy enthusiasts should consider essential.

This is the sequel to the hit 'Legends and Lattes.' HOWEVER, it is chronologically a prelude/happens before the events of that story. Viv is once again the protagonist, but instead of retiring from the mercenary life, she's just beginning her life as a mercenary.
The audio format was A GREAT experience. The author is also the narrator, and the author's talent as an audiobook narrator is on full display.

Overall, it was great to revisit Viv on one of her various adventures. While I did miss the atmosphere of the Legends & Lattes coffee shop the next best thing was a bookshop. I think this one definitely had more of a plot which may be a good or bad thing when it comes to cozy fantasies. I think this could of ALOMOST been too much action to be considered cozy but I think the addition of the books and their excepts made for a more cozy read.

I received an ARC of this audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a fantasy lover, if you want something hilarious with some mystery but also feel good story? This is it! heart-warming and delightful.

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I think you can read this without reading Legends and Lattes. BUT, skip the epilogue, and come back once you’ve read L&L.

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I really enjoyed Legends and Lattes. I read it when I needed a break and wanted something that I would just vibe with and wouldn’t be stressful. Bookshops and Bonedust has all of that great found family/community feeling, but has a little more plot - so if you thought L & L didn’t have enough going on, you might still like B & B!

🎧 I think Travis Baldree does a fantastic job narrating his books. I love when books are read by the author if they enjoy it!

I started off strong with Legends and Lattes last year and couldn't wait to get my eyes on this book. We see Viv as a young warrior orc, wounded in battle, forced to slow down and appreciate the slow and lovely life in a small sleepy town. I loved being along with her as she made friendships, learned lessons, and opened her heart to books. Is there anything sweeter than someone learning to love books? There are small conflicts and things to overcome, but overall this book is a warm hug. The narrator was awesome and kept me deeply entrenched in the story.

Bookshops & Bonedust occurs chronologically BEFORE Travis Baldree’s intensely popular debut novel Legends & Lattes. In both books, we follow Viv who is an Orc swordsman for hire but we find a much younger and more impulsive Viv in Bookshops and Bonedust, whose reckless behavior leads her to be left behind in the town of Murk by her band of fellow mercenaries to heal from a severe leg injury. As she gets to know the Murk townsfolk and develops beautiful relationships, we meet a quirky group of companions: Fern the ratkin with the mouth of a sailor, Gallina the gnome who is persistent in her desire to be accepted by Viv, Maylee a dwarf baker who may be interested in being more than friends with Viv, and my personal favorite, Satchel who is significantly more than the satchel of enchanted skeleton he seems to be.

The only aspect of this book that I wasn’t overly fond of was Fern’s swearing. It was a bit jarring at first and while I did get used to it by the end and could see the use of her language as a humor device, I think her cursing could have been dampened.

Other than that, I was enthralled with the mystery and the cozy feel of Viv carving friendships in the seaside town of Murk. While this prequel is less cozy and feels like a higher stakes plot, Baldree certainly has mastered the found family feelings in this series. I loved the description of food, as well as the books that Fern recommends to Viv.

At this point, I would say you could read either book in any order, but as readers are told to expect to see Fern again soon, the order may become more important as Baldree progresses through this series.

The audio version provides a phenomenal reading experience, as it is narrated by Baldree himself (as audiobook narration is his career).

Please note that you will find the following in Bookshops & Bonedust: same gender relationships, cursing, violence, dark magic such as necromancy

Thank you to Travis Baldree, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

Whether you've read Legends and Lattes or have been living under a rock and this is your first dive into the imaginative world that Travis has built you'll be warmly satisfied. This can be read as a standalone or as the prequel to Legends and Lattes. This novel like the former has a warm cozy feel but a bit more adventure and layers than the first book. For fans of books, stories around finding oneself, and making new friends in a new town. As for narrator Travis can do no wrong. He's an audiobook narrator and the author. He truly brings the characters to life.

This was a cute little read.
Sometimes I'm in the mood for low angst and a story that just flows without much complication and this was it. It was like reading the cat cafe of novels. I liked that.

QOTD: What has been your favorite read of 2023 so far?
My favorite book this year has hands-down been Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, which was my single most-anticipated release of the year as well! While I had extremely high hopes for this book, I loved it even more than I ever could’ve imagined. I have both read the physical book and listened to the audiobook, because I just cannot get enough of this world and these characters!

As the prequel to Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust tells a story from earlier on in Viv’s life, exploring her time stuck in a small town while injured during combat. Bookshops & Bonedust has all of the cozy, magical charm that made me adore Legends & Lattes, but with a touch more adventure mixed into the story. Viv meets a new cast of characters, some of whom carry over as minor characters in Legends & Lattes, which was exciting to see as a fan of the first book. Baldree struck the perfect balance of creating an exciting plot without losing the easy and comfortable world characteristics that set his novels apart.

Travis Baldree was already on my list of favorite authors before reading Bookshops & Bonedust, but now I think I’ll have to make a special new list for the best of the best, and his will be the only one on it. I especially loved listening to the audiobook, as it was read by the author, who has the perfect voice for crafting an engaging and comfortable fantasy world in my mind. I would give anything to get to read another book set in this world, but regardless I will be following Travis Baldree wherever his writing goes!

My Recommendation:
If you have been hearing about “cozy fantasy” recently, and are curious about the genre, I cannot recommend this series enough! I would especially recommend these books to fans of Dungeons and Dragons, but who prefer their adventures to be a little more low-key!