Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, No. 0) by Travis Baldree
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐬: Fantasy, Cozy, LGBT
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Audio

QUICK BITS
•Cozy adventure
•Prequel
•Bookish

REVIEW
Legends & Lattes truly took me by surprise in the year of 2022.

I have never been one to seek out a cozy reading experience, but L&L showed me that I could enjoy a low stakes, high vibe kind of book.

Going into Bookshops & Bonedust, my expectations were still pretty minimal. Being a prequel, I really just wanted that aha moment that leads us to L&L and just more low stakes vibes.

Surprisingly, for me, there was just a little bit too much going on. I wanted less action and more settling in. I wanted more books and less adventure.

Although, the stakes and vibes were just a little off, I just knew that by the end I would get that settling moment of clarity where Viv meets the perfect cup of joe and begins her new life away from the action...I'll just say it didn't quite give me that.

All and all, I think this book will be loved by most.

Although, it didn't quite give me what I needed, I still appreciated the story as it pertains to Viv finding herself. There is still a lot to love in this little prequel.

RATINGS
8 Characters
8 Atmosphere
7 Writing Style
7 Plot
6 Pace
6 Intrigue
6 Enjoyment
TOTAL= 48/14= 3.43

3.50/5.00 Rounded Rating

A big thank-you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Travis Baldree is a talented narrator and I’ve been listening to his work for years. I guess after reading so many other author’s works he decided try his hand at it himself and last year he came out with Legends & Lattes. It got raves reviews upon release but it wasn’t until this summer that I finally got around to reading it. And I immediately fell in love with Viv and Co. Her tale of opening a coffee shop was so different for a fantasy novel, relaxing and yet fully engaging. So I was thrilled that Travis was coming out with another book. And yet I couldn’t help being a bit disappointed when I first started Bookshops & Bonedust. You see I absolutely loved the cast from the first book and since this is a prequel and not a sequel I instantly missed those characters I’d gotten to know from the first book. Of course I needn’t have worried as Travis quickly introduces us to a whole new cast of lovable characters.

With Bookshops & Bonedust Travis Baldree delivers another wonderful cozy fantasy. (I know you’re saying ‘is that even a thing?’ Well, yes. Yes it is.) In this prequel we once again journey with Viv. Well, no we don’t journey actually. You see Viv, a rather pleasant Orc, has been injured during her latest adventure and has been sidelined, forced to remain in a quaint little town while she recovers and awaits the return of the rest of her companions. Of course sitting around and doing nothing isn’t exactly Viv’s style. Remember this a younger Viv who is still longing for adventure. She ends up befriending a rather sassy bookshop owner among other fun characters and her time of ‘rest and relaxation’ ends up being sprinkled with a fair bit of action. I don’t want to spoil the story but I will say what Viv did for her own coffee shop in the first book, she has a similar effect on the bookshop, and the bookshop owner for that matter (as well as the other friends she makes). While I think I prefer Legends & Lattes a bit more, Bookshops & Bonedust is a worthy addition to the series, and if Travis continues serving up more of Viv’s adventures I’m more than happy to go along for the ride. Those familiar with his work already know Baldree is an exceptional narrator but there is just something extra special about hearing him read his own words. I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of the audio version of Bookshops & Bonedust.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RHA3XIXJSEQ8A/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Travid Baldree does it again. I love this world so much and Baldree's storytelling delivers. Officially an auto-buy author and I hope he always narrates his own work. Pure magic.

This was absolutely everything I needed.

Legends and Latte’s has a bit of a cult following as a cozy fantasy, and for good reason. Bookshops and Bonedust also completely hit the nail on the head and I loved every moment, maybe even better than the first release.

Bookshops and Bonedust has all the cozy vibes you loved about L&L, not make it the restoration of a failing bookstore (and a dash of necromancy). The characters are so charming and lovable, and it was so moving to get a background story for how Liv may have been convinced, over time and through various experiences, to change the course of her life and slow down. There are a lot of quiet and meaningful lessons to be learned from this tale, as well as some great humor, truly heartwarming friendships, and sweet supportive romances as well. I loved how the (low stakes) conflict came to a head at the end, and Liv’s process of leaving this short interlude of her story behind was bittersweet but so perfect.

I think anyone who is a fan of cozy fiction, specifically fantasy or sci fi, will adore this. Legends and Latte’s fans will definitely not be let down, if anything they may love it more. Thank you so much to Macmillan audio for the audiobook copy!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bookshops & Bonedust, the prequel to Legends & Lattes that everyone's been waiting for! It's like a sneak peek into the life of our main character, Viv, before she got caught up in the coffee shop business.

In this story, we find Viv taking a breather in a small town, on account of being injured. That's when the adventure begins. She mingles with some interesting folks and stumbles upon a bookshop that's seen better days. The plot has its share of mysteries, a dash of romance, and plenty of snappy banter. The story, to be honest, didn't have me on the edge of my seat, but the characters were an absolute hoot. My personal fave? Fern. She's the snarky bookshop owner who just oozes a passion for books and knows how to hook readers up with the perfect book. Viv wasn't much of a bookworm, but Fern shows her that she simply hadn't met her book soulmate yet. As a fellow book lover, how could I not relate?! I loved it!

So, I'd say it's a cozy read that gets a 3.5 out of 5 stars from me. The plot might not be the most gripping, but the characters are a riot. If you're into Legends & Lattes and cozy mysteries, this is one you'll probably want to dive into!

Thank you NetGalley & Travis Baldree for the opportunity to listen to the second installment of Legends & Lattes.

I really enjoyed the continuation of learning more about Viv. She’s a very lovable character.

Bookshops & Bonedust was such a cozy slow read. If you loved Legends and Lattes, you’ll definitely love Bookshops & Bonedust.

This book is the prequel to Legends and Lattes, and details the origin story of Viv the orc’s early days, as a notorious mercenary and the events, the precipitate her wanting something more than a life of a mercenary on the road.

✨Before I go any further, I need to say that my opinions are based on only reading this book, and not Legends and Lattes first.✨

This cozy fantasy starts out with a Viv getting injured in the middle of a battle and being sent off to the nearby seaside town of Murk to recover for the rest of her troop, continues on their mission with the plan of picking her up on the return through the town.

Bored and out of place, Viv explores the tiny village, and finds a haven in the dusty old bookstore and an unexpected friendship with its owner.

She ends up, befriending other residents of Murk, and appreciating what a quiet, sanitary life can bring with the right companionship! These friends come in handy when the necromancer she’s been hunting becomes a hunter when Viv acquires something she wants!

This is a cute and easy fantasy story that hovers around the need for friendship and companionship, really highlighting that no man is an island. As a reader, that doesn’t do a lot of fantasy I had found this easy to get into. I did wish that the romantic elements had planned out differently, but not being a Romance, I can’t ask for much more than was delivered.

As for the audio narration, I didn’t realize until writing this review that the author, Travis Baldree did the narration- I think I love it even more now! Baldree had a real sense of the characters and was able to deliver the narration in such a way that is added to each of the characters personalities. With clean delineation between the character parts, and good pacing, this was a book you could easily turn on and not want to hit pause on! So this was a typical narration without any extra sound effects I did find it very immersive.

Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book and it made me want to finally pick up my copy of legends and lattes and get reading!

❤️Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the alc. Opinions are my own.

Cozy, warm, funny, and a quick read. Travis Baldree does a wonderful job narrating as usual, and his inflection for each character is both unique and creative.

I couldl ive happily in this world, opening up bookshops and cafes and listening to stories of travellers and adventurers.

Author Travis Baldree does a wonderful job narrating Bookshops & Bonedust, which gives us a look at a young Viv (set 20 years before the events of Legends & Lattes) who's just suffered an injury, derailing her current career plans. Forced to take a minute and recover, she stumbles upon the simple beach town of Murk. Viv initially hates this because she’s one about action, and Murk seems to be anything but that; however, she soon discovers that this seaside town might be just what the doctor ordered. I really loved this. It was cozy and all about finding family and helping those in need. I also loved that it tied in the beginning events of Legends & Lattes perfectly. If you're looking for a cozy fall read, I’d highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This one just really took me by surprise! I’d read Legends & Lattes last month and was not the biggest fan. I thought it was cute, but lacking, kinda boring and didn’t really believe in the love story. I requested this audio ARC before I finished that first book and realized I wasn’t a fan and I’m glad I did because I might have passed on it and missed this magic! Travis Baldree really spun it out for this prequel and won me over.

Bookshops & Bonedust has our main girl Viv stuck in the town Murk while recovering from an injury in a hunt gone wrong for a powerful necromancer. There she finds and befriends a foul-mouthed ratty Fern (HILARIOUSLY bad mouthed, loved her) and becomes invested in fixing up her struggling bookshop with her while also reading her adventurous and spicy 🌶️ 😂 novel recommendations. While there a romance with a neighbouring baker and retired mercenary blooms which has her thinking about what she wants from her own life. FORESHADOWING. But, when a creepy stranger appears she’s pulled back into a dark and dangerous mystery that threatens everything around her, and her own abilities and desire to protect her friends.

So everything that was charming about Legends & Lattes was here but mixed with a better setting (in my opinion—bookstore over cafe any day), funnier more endearing characters with better inner lives, and a not SUPER high stakes plot but high ENOUGH that it was interesting and mysterious, never boring. Add to that a more believable romance, though it still had some issues for me, and a great narration, this prequel just did for me what everyone was hyping L&L for but didn’t deliver. I really loved it. So much fun.

And I’m still saying someone better make a video game based on these books because I want to PLAAAAAAAY!!!

Thanks so much to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

Favorites of 2023!
Upon receiving approval for an advanced audiobook from Macmillan Audio on Netgalley, it's safe to say that my day was made. My boyfriend and I had thoroughly enjoyed the first installment, particularly as he's a staunch fantasy enthusiast, nudging me to explore the genre further. Hence, fueled by our mutual admiration for the initial book, I embarked on this one with a hint of skepticism. Could the secondary characters in this prequel capture my heart as Thimble, Cal, and Tandri had? To my delight, the characters in this narrative, particularly Satchel, proved just as endearing and charming.

I found delight in witnessing the younger version of Viv, still the same individual yet somewhat inexperienced and impulsive. The presence of mystery and a touch of suspense in this narrative managed to captivate me more than the first book. Moreover, the writing appeared more refined, further surpassing my expectations. As much as I cherished "Legends and Lattes," this prequel has effortlessly become my favorite.

In terms of the audiobook narration, Travis Baldree's exceptional rendition added an extra layer of enjoyment, particularly when voicing his own characters. This recommendation stands firm for devotees of "Legends and Lattes," cozy fantasy enthusiasts, and anyone seeking heartfelt reads akin to a warm embrace. Personally, I am eagerly anticipating a potential third installment, as these characters have truly become my friends, and their story has captured my investment. Waste no time in acquiring this book—whether through the printed version or the audiobook. From the first moment to the last, it's a guaranteed five-star experience. Many thanks to Netgalley for this opportunity. To embark on this enchanting adventure, follow the link provided below.

Not going to lie, I completely forgot this was a prequel to Legends & Lattes when I first started reading it and I was thoroughly confused. Once I figured out what I had forgotten, the story took us on a fun adventure with Viv while she healed from her injury. Viv is a horrible patient, she does not actually take the time to rest. Instead she single-handedly brings a town back to life.

I love that Travis Baldree narrates his own novel. Travis does a great job narrating, it is easy to keep the characters straight and you know the character names are being pronounced correctly.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Bookshops and Bonedust is a prequel to Legends and Lattes and it is really meant to be read after Legends and Lattes when we already know Liv the main character. It has a few of the same problems most prequels do, you know the character is going to survive and move onto something else so it is a little harder to build any kind of of climax since we know everyone is going to survive and what happens to them next. It is a challenge and I will say the plotting is better in this book than Legends and Lattes but it didn’t quite overcome the hurdle of building suspense.

Liv, hurt while in battle, ends up recuperating in a small port town. She has never been one for standing still and so it is a struggle to just hang out all day waiting to heal. While convalescing, she meets a lovely Ratkin, Fern, with a down and out bookshop who gives her a book to read with a bet to make it more tempting. Liv discovers a whole new world in reading books and wants to help out Fern, who is struggling to keep her shop running. There is also a cute little baker, Maylee, who Liv is trying to date, but she really is clueless about how to do that as well.

Danger comes to town in the form of a necromances searching for something he has hidden away. Liv ends up in the middle of it as trouble just seems to find her. With the assistance of an interesting band of characters, including a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, she will endeavor to protect her new friends from the evil Necromancer, dabble a bit in some interesting reading and begin her journey on wondering if there is something beside being a mercenary she would like to do.

All and all this was an interesting book. I didn’t care as much about the relationship with Maylee that was explored as if you have read Legends and Lattes, you know it isn’t going anywhere. The Necromancers magic was interesting and so was Liv’s help in bringing the bookshop back to life. Still it lacks…something. This is probably because it is a prequel and we know Liv isn’t going to stay and she will definitely survive what is happening in the book so you can’t really build tension.

I would say if you haven’t read Legends and Lattes yet to start with this book, however the epilogue is a pretty big spoiler for the next book. It is a conundrum on how I want to rate this because of the issues I mentioned above. I really liked the characters and the plot but the prequel-ness of it did affect my reading. Perhaps going into with that kind of expectation will make sure that you don’t have interpretation as I did.

Definitely looking forward for what Liv and her coffee shop have in store for us next and I’m hoping a little bone creature and certain Ratkin and her griffin dog find their way there.

Narration:
Bookshops and Bonedust was narrated by the writer, Travis Baldree. Normally I discourage this, as there have been quite a few times that it really doesn’t go well. Exceptions to that rule are Julia Quinn (who is beyond a fantastic narrator) and now Travis Baldree who does a great job with this narration. I was actually surprised to find he has over 300 narrations to his credit, most in the D&D fantasy quest type realm. Which would explain why this was an effortless listen with him as the narrator. His voice and performance were fantastic and he was able to bring all the characters he created to life and give this a good D&D type vibe. I definitely enjoyed his narration of the world he also created.

Viv is my newest comfort character. I will protect her with my life (like she even needs protecting).
Travis Baldree didn't invent the cozy fantasy but he create a world I would love to live in.
This is a wonderful prequel to his first novel and I would read 100 more adventures of Viv's.

So when I was approved on Netgalley for this advanced audiobook from Macmillan Audio, it's fair to say that made my day. Since then, I've listened to it *twice* completely. First just myself, then with my husband on a road trip... and he enjoyed it too. (This is high praise.)

I want to come right out and say I approached this book with some skepticism. I mean, how could these supporting characters latch onto my heart the same or even close as Thimble, Cal, and Tandri. Well, I'm happy to report the characters in this prequel are just as loveable, charming, and endearing (especially Satchel).

I also enjoyed the younger Viv, the same gal but a bit more green (figuratively speaking 😄) and impulsive. There's also some mystery and just a lil bit of suspese that kept me hooked, more than the first book. I also found the writing a bit more polished. Point being, this exceeded my expectations and as much as I loved Legends and Lattes, this one is my favorite.

And as far as audiobook narrations go, Travis Baldree is exceptional. Super fun hearing his voice interpretations for his own characters. Can't recommend enough for fans of Legends and Lattes, cozy fantasy, and just wholesome and heartwarming books that feel like an embrace.

I requested the audiobook version of this book, prior to having read the first book in the series, Legends and Lattes. I had heard great things regarding this series and figured I would give it a try. Prior to reading this edition I did listen to the audiobook of the first through audible.

After having listened to both books, I don’t believe I would have missed anything had I not read the first book before this one. This is a cozy fantasy series, that puts the fantasy world in a very calm light. I applaud the author for trying something outside the norm with the fantasy genre, however it did not work for me.

My issues with this book specifically it is very similar to the first, aside from the fact that the location has changed. It follows a very similar plot and storyline, which some people enjoy. This novel feel flat for me as it did not hold my attention and I felt the characters were lacking.

The author himself, isn’t necessarily the worst as the narrator,, however I found his reading not consistent and if I understood the storyline of this series, as it is a prequel, it might have been nice to have a different narrator for contrast.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced listeners copy.

Thank you to Macmillan for the audio ARC!

I absolutely loved Legends & Lattes, so I was really excited for this book. This was absolutely delightful.

I love cozy fantasy so, so much. This was such a good, slow, warm fantasy novel. It was a remarkably quick listen, and I devoured it in a day and a half. The author did a wonderful job narrating.

There are so many things that I love about this. The different fantasy races, the critters, the characters. Viv is a great main character and I really enjoy her. The side characters were lovely (Fern!! Pot Roast!! Maylee!!). I loved the bookshop setting and the plot surrounding it. The conflict, while "big," didn't overwhelm the cozy aspect. There are parts of this that are bittersweet, but this still left me feeling happy overall! The epilogue tied things up so beautifully.

This is definitely a new comfort book for me. I'm 100% picking up whatever this author writes next. I would read dozens of these d&d type cozy fantasy novels. I desperately hope there is a sequel set after Legends and Lattes.

Since I'm on a Baldur's Gate kick, I think maybe I'll make Viv my next character.

I got this book for free from the publisher for the purpose of review.

This is the sequel to the hit 'Legends and Lattes.' HOWEVER, it is chronologically a prelude/happens before the events of the story. This is the story of Viv when she first becomes a mercenary, as opposed to at the end of her mercenary career in Book 1.

The TLDR for this will be: if you enjoyed book 1, you'll like this too. I personally enjoyed book 1 more, but I think this is of similar quality.

The protagonist must make friends with people in a small town, while she tries to recover from a wound. She befriends a local bookshop owner, even as she she aids the local town guard investigate a cult of necromancers.

Like book 1, this has a warm and fuzzy feeling reading it, but with more of a focus on action and mystery. I'm glad I read it. It's not High Art, but it was a good afternoon's read. The author has a talent for characterization and dialogue. I thought the book had a fairly slow start. The plot was entertaining, even though it only gets into gear about 100 pages into the 350 page book.

One last thing, I listened to the audiobook of this book and read the ebook of book 1. The audio format was A LOT better experience than ebook. The author is also the narrator, and the author's talent as an audiobook narrator is on full display.

I loved the first one and I loved this one as well. The setting was so cozy and the characters make you fall in love. I could read this over and over and still find it so welcoming.

If you never read book one that's OK. This can be read as a standalone or even in a mixed up order.

This comes out just in time for the cold to set in. Grab a cup of tea and this book and enjoy!

What an amazing book and world to get lost in! Bookshops & Bonedust is set prior to Legends & Lattes and focuses on Viv just after being injured in battle. She’s sent to the coastal town of Murk to recuperate against her will. To her surprise she finds herself spending a lot of her time in a bookshop with its foul mouthed proprietor.

This book was full of cozy vibes, discovering the world of books, finding new friends & love, delicious baked goods and a little adventure and danger as well.

I listened to this on audiobook and highly recommend. It was narrated by the author himself and listening to it swept me away to Murk. He was so animated and brought everyone to life.