Not quite as good as "Legends & Lattes" because it has less of a plot. L&L was specific in its goal (to launch a successful coffeeshop as well as a new life) while this one is more of a meander. The plot is Viv is recovering from an injury and misadventures ensue. But this series is officially my favorite for road trips as audiobooks because it's anti-stressful and entertaining in all its rambles.

Listened to the audiobook as an arc via netgalley.

If you liked Legends and Lattes you will absolutely adore the follow-up. A prequel to Legends this introduces us to a much younger Viv who is just getting started in her adventuring career, and gets stuck in a small seaside village after an injury.

This book hit me hard and really connected with me due to the relatability of Vivs situation. I had a stroke and as such I have a lot of difficulty getting around. Another symptom is immense nerve pain that can basically sideline me for an entire day. To get through the pain, I often find myself curled up with a good book, using it to escape. This is a central component of this book, Bookshops & Bonedust highlights the power of the written word.

This entry has a bit more action than Legends and introduces a bevy of truly lovable characters. A must read.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I own a physical copy of Legends & Lattes that I bought shortly before being approved for this audiobook, and I had yet to read it, so it was fun to be able to read the prequel prior to the original novel. However, after reading other reviews, I found that my experience was common in that I felt it wasn't as low-stakes as I was expecting since I didn't have the foresight of how Viv's future would pan out.

I absolutely LOVED Fern and her foul mouth, I found myself cackling every time she spoke, and I related to her love of recommending books to her friends.

I will say that I did struggle to stay focused, but only because I am not used to male narrators, so I did actually re-start the whole thing after I got about half way through my first listen. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything, and that seemed to help, but it did take away from my experience overall though I do acknowledge that is a "me" problem and has nothing to do with the quality of the recording or the book's content. That being said, it was a fun book overall and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy fantasy novel.

I honestly went into this book expecting it to not be as good as Legends & Lattes. But it was just as good! And as always, Travis Baldree does an amazing job narrating his books!

Being back with Viv and learning more about her was so amazing. The nee friends we made in Merk and the cool new creatures introduced. Travis Baldree does an amazing job with cozy fantasy and it’s the perfect read for the -ber months!

This story was everything Legends & Lattes was but that epilogue had me in happy tears. I really hope we get a spin off book about the character mentioned (no spoilers here) based on that epilogue!

I think you're all going to be reading this one next month, let's be honest lol This is the prequel story to Legends and Lattes and yes you can absolutely start with this one if you are the rare human who hasn’t read legends and lattes yet. This book had over 100 reviews already when it was a month out from release so I know ya’ll are excited. This follows the brief time in Viv’s life before she arrived in the small town of Thune so it’s like an introduction to her character before we get those main events in book 1. It still carries all of the small town cozy vibes. I do wish we could’ve gotten a sequel but maybe there is one in the works. I still really liked this one! Just felt more like a repeat of book 1 with not a whole lot of differences but why fix what's not broken?

An absolutely delightful and engaging prequel to the beloved Legends & Lattes book, made only better by the vocal talents of the author. I was incredibly engaged and enjoyed listening to this book the entire time. A great follow up for this author.

Okay, now do a flower shop. Or better yet, crafts!

Legend has it that before Viv even tried her first latte, she busted her leg and ended up in a small town with a bookshop in need of her super-strong hugs. There's a dash of sapphic romance, yummy baked goods, and of course, a cozy bookshop complete with a shop pet (a dog/bird thing named Pot Roast!). This is still a sword and sorcery fantasy -- our protagonist is an orc, after all -- but it's mostly that feeling you get when you snuggle into a comfy chair with a warm cup of tea. If you're trying to organize your bookshelf, Travis Baldree belongs right between Alexander McCall Smith and your D&D manual.

Is it necessary to read Legends and Lattes first? Technically no, but there are a few nods to the first book that you won't want to miss. You should read both, though. No matter which angle you come from, you'll love Viv.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author/narrator, and publisher for providing an early copy of this audio in exchange for my honest review.

Once again, Travis Baldree delights with another tale featuring Viv, the sword-wielding orc whose heart is as big as her biceps. Here we see her before she chooses the quieter life of a coffee shop, in a situation where an injury forces her to rest - which leads her to adventures of a very different sort.

If you loved "Legends and Lattes", this one is such to please you just as much. I love how Baldree builds characters who feel so real despite being pure fantasy. His world-building is top notch.

I can only hope we see more of Viv and her cozy world in the future.

I was given an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review. Travis Baldree narrates, and he does an incredible job. Well worth listening to.

I'm glad this was a prequel, I missed out on Legends & Lattes and I look forward to picking it up next!
This is such a warm, cozy read, I'm adoring the cozy fantasy genre and need more right now!! I wish I could have a recuperation in a bookshop.

While I enjoyed the atmosphere of the story, I felt that the plot was lacking (perhaps this is an element of the cozy fantasy genre?) and the stakes were extremely low. As a lifelong book lover I cannot hate that this is a book about finding the joy of reading, but I just wanted there to be more... something.
Fern, the rattkin bookseller, was my favorite and I deeply felt the readers advisory love in this book. Travis Baldree certainly knows his audience.

I would revisit this when I need some mental peace, I think this story could provide a lot of comfort for many.

I finished Bookshops and Bonedust, a prequel to the much-beloved cozy fantasy, Legends and Lattes. I hadn't read Legends and Lattes when I picked this one up, but it definitely didn't feel necessary to have done so, as I got my bearings in the universe super quickly. As I'd expected, this book was just pure cozy fun. I loved the characters and the setting most of all; picture a dreary, seaside town, populated with suspicious, small-town fantasy townsfolk. This universe truly had my heart. From what little I knew about Legends and Lattes, I'd expected this book to be bookshop-restoration from start to finish (which, to be clear, I would not have complained about). But, I was pleasantly surprised by how active and rich the plot ended up being. There's some real adventure and mystery here. On reflection, it's impressive that the more tense parts didn't feel at all jarring alongside the sleepy, cozy vibes. The book is narrated by the author. Sometimes, I feel disappointed when a book is narrated by its author but, as it happens, Travis Baldree is actually a veteran audiobook narrator with hundreds of audiobooks under his belt, so it's no wonder that he smashed this narration out of the park. Overall, I loved this one. Whether or not you've read Legends and Lattes already, I'd totally recommend Bookshops and Bonedust, especially for these dreary fall/winter days.

Bookshops and Bone Dust follows Viv’s final battle before she opens her coffee shop. It also delve into the relationships she made and her inspiration for the shop. I love this world and the character’s the author created. The narrator has a huge range of voices for a complex set of characters. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

One of the first books I fell in love with this year was Legend & Lattes. When I heard there was a prequel coming out, I was worried that it would not measure up to the first one. However, I was not to be disappointed, and absolutely loved this book as well! Picking my favorite of the two is kind of like choosing which one of my pets is my favorite though!

Bookshops & Bonedust opens up to Viv, the loveable orc from book one, being injured by a necromancer. She then finds herself in a small town to heal from her injuries and wait for her team to return. While she is there, she stumbles into a run-down bookshop that is in need of help to stay in business. Between assisting the bookshop and protecting the town from a mysterious stranger, Viv has plenty on her plate! She also meets all new characters, who are unique and wonderful in their own way.

If you have ever fallen in love with reading before, this book is written for you! There are characters finding their favorite books, author signings, book clubs, and more. This story is the perfect cozy fantasy book to curl up by the fire and read!

In addition, the audiobook is read by the author Travis Baldree and is absolutely fantastic!

Thank you to Macmillian Audio and Netgalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Everything I wanted I expected and wanted out of this book. I am so excited to buy it for myself. Thank you Netgalley.

Grateful for the opportunity to dive into the ARC of this book, though it didn't quite captivate me enough to reach the final page.

This book was amazing.
Pot roast and Satchel are my favorite characters in the book.

The mystery, adventure, romance, all of the things that made Legends and Lattes amazing seem to have increased for this book.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Can you capture lightning in a bottle twice? This book suggests that the answer is yes!

I first heard about Travis Baldree’s Legends and Lattes from Seanan McGuire’s Twitter account. She often will talk about upcoming books that she loves, and she described it in such a way that I was very much looking forward to reading it.

It didn’t disappoint- it was a very nice, sweet, cozy story, and I really enjoyed it. It might have bordered on being too twee, and the inventions of cinnamon rolls and other coffee shop staples felt a tad too convenient at times, but that didn’t detract from the joys of the book.

So I was overjoyed when Tor and NetGalley gave me an eARC of the prequel, Bookshops and Bonedust. Set years before L&L, this book focuses on a Viv who is just starting out in the mercenary business when she gets injured and stuck in a seaside town to recuperate. The cast of characters was even more fun than the last book, and Viv seemed either to be more well rounded or just better written in this volume.

I loved revisiting this world and I cannot wait for Mr. Baldree to let us know more of what’s happening with Viv. This is a must buy for anyone who enjoyed the original.

I listened to the audiobook of this novel, which was narrated by the author, and it is always interesting to see how an author interprets his own work.

I was beyond excited to be approved for Bookshops & Bonedust as my first audio ARC from Netgalley. I was absolutely enamored with Legends & Lattes, both the story and Travis Baldree’s narration, and couldn’t wait to read this prequel and return to this cozy fantasy world. I think if you liked L&L, B&B will be for you. I was nervous about this book being a prequel and not a sequel and what that would mean for it in the cozy realm given what we know of Viv’s past. But never fear, it’s got the same cozy feel, and having the bookstore setting was actually even more fun than a coffee shop for me, a reader and non-coffee drinker (the blind date with a book sale was probably my favorite part of the book!). I also felt like this book really gave insight as to how Viv chose her post retirement profession of running a shop. The actual conflict was not something I was as interested in since I was here for the vibes, but I can see how other readers need a bit more action than just hanging around a small town :). I will absolutely read anything else Baldree puts out, especially if he continues to narrate his books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! Bookshops & Bonedust will be published on November 7, 2023.

I absolutely adored Legends and Lattes, so I was equal parts excited and anxious about Bookshops and Bonedust - a second book by a favourite author is always nerve wracking! But there was absolutely no need because B&B was everything I could have wanted!

There was an adorable (foul mouthed) sidekick! There was a tiny griffin! Slow burn romance! A tiny little bookshop! I mean, what more could you ask for?

Getting to listen to the author narrate the book was an extra treat. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and this one really added to the cosiness of the story.

If you’re looking for another low stakes cosy fantasy, definitely pick up Bookshops and Bonedust. It’s a hug in a book; a cosy blanket on a cold day. Simply perfect.

If you liked the first one then hoooooo boy, you're gonna love this too. okay, so this has alla the same cozy-feeling themes of food, friendship, and family that made Legends & Lattes so dang comforting, but then it ALSO has a booknerdy readers' advisory angle? 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. However, being in this world again is absolutely worth reading the prequel.

I’m cleaning up my Feedback bookshelf and trying to give reviews for past books I’ve read. I listened to this as an audiobook and recall that I really enjoyed the narrator. The story itself was good, but I did find myself losing interest in what was happening waiting for what was next, and wondering where the story was going. I listened to this book first because I saw it was a prequel but now I’m wondering if I should have read Legends and Lattes first because this book didn’t pull me into this world like I thought a prequel would. I doubt I will pick up Legenda and Lattes.