I loved this book. When I read Legends & Lattes I felt like it was the perfect book and I feel the same about Bookshops & Bonedust, I think the characters are described perfectly and you get to know each of them and their personalities. I don't feel like any part of the book is over done. At the end of reading I was completely happy with the ending and didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. I would absolutely love to read more books about Viv. I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author and recommending them to my customers, friends and family.

Fun, cosy, sweet prequel of Legends & Lattes that I loved so much.
I have listened to the audiobook and it was okay.

This is my first cozy fantasy that is a full length novel. I was enjoying the cozy vibes at first but it lulled at some points, and the main issue of the book I just didn’t find compelling. Note that while this is a low stakes fantasy in the sense that the world is not going to end at any action made, the character’s lives still are still threatened.

I listened to this on audio which Travis narrated himself. He did an excellent job and made each character come to life with a distinct voice. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with an author reading their own book. He knew exactly how to execute his own story & did so beautifully.

I read this before ever diving into Legends and Lattes, and I will be continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'd like to express my gratitude to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! It was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I could truly sense the growth in Travis as a writer. His confidence shines through in this work.

The story was incredibly charming, striking the perfect balance between cuteness and a touch more action compared to the first installment. The infusion of mystery and adventure into the cozy narrative was executed flawlessly.

The banter between Viv and her newfound friends was heartwarming, and their playful teasing, particularly about her penchant for romance novels, provided a delightful nod to the spicy book community. Additionally, Travis's narration as the audiobook narrator was remarkably smooth and soothing, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the story.

In summary, this book is a delightful, wholesome, and campy treat. I eagerly look forward to another installment – please, may I have another?

First things first, this was one of the cutest books that I have read this year. That being said I did knock off a star because I wasn't the biggest fan of the narrator, but I still loved the story. This was a super cozy book and it definitely lived up to what I expected it to. I really appreciated that we got to see Viv’s past. I would have to say that my favorite character was definitely Fern and the fact that she had a bookstore made me love her even more

There is nothing quite like receiving the ARC for a book about books that you’ve been waiting months for on a dreary fall afternoon. This was fantastic, it lived up to the hype, and it is a worthy successor to Legends and Lattes. I couldn’t put it down and I finished the audiobook in a single sitting. Please tell me there is more coming from this world!

Viv is back, well this is actually before, so future Viv is now past Viv. She has injured her leg battling a necromancer and has to do some recovery in a small town and some how entertain her self while not going stir crazy till her crew comes back for her after her recover. But she also has the lady necromancer leader some how still in her life due to her assistant running away and coming to the same town Viv is in and ends up dead. Now their is a bookshop that needs drastic updating, and bakery with a lovely lovely baker who likes viv, a gentleman skeleton, and a gnome who wants to fight battles. This book has the same vibes as legends and lattes just a different story line but with a lot of similarities on how characters personalities are. Still has the cozy fantasy vibes as before but for me wasnt quite as great as the first book but still had a feel good story and relaxing read.

A fun, cozy fantasy with low stakes. I loved that the author narrated the book, it was so well done! This was a good one to put on while I worked. It was easy to listen to and easy to understand. I'd highly recommend the audiobook!

That said, it was a little harder for me to be invested in the story and characters but this didn't take away from my understanding of it. I liked it but it wasn't groundbreaking, that's why it got 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced listener copy of Bookshops & Bonedust. This is my honest review.

Unfortunately the audiobooks didn't quite do it for me. The narrator just wasn't right.
However I didn't let that stop me from listening to this one- I just think reading it would have been better. The story was still cozy, and had the same vibes as the first one. I may have to do a re-read once its released in print.

I received this ARC on the 24th and finished it in about 6 hrs so it is safe to say I loved it!
Every book lover needs someone like Fern in their lives, I want the reading skills of Satchel. Being a book lover reading about someone falling in love with reading is such a heartwarming feeling. The characters are relatable the story is captivating and I hope we will be getting more of this universe. The blurb on the cover is completely true I felt like this book was a hug you never want to end when you are saying good bye to a really good friend.

4.5
The audiobook is definitely the way to go with this story as Travis does an excellent job of narrating his own book and the accents he does for his characters add to their charm. This is just as sweet and comforting as you'd expect, however I would've liked a few more tie-ins to "Legends and Lattes." The ones we got were great though and I loved all the friends Viv made while stuck recovering from an injury in a small seaside village. There's a bookstore in need of saving, but first Viv must discover her love of fiction and that it's okay to slow down sometimes. Overall, very enjoyable, just doesn't add too much relevant backstory and is more like a cute little side-quest for Viv.

A delightful sweeping soft prequel to a book that completely rocked the idea of "cozy fantasy" in the best way. I was truly a delight and the audiobook rivaled Jim Dale.

If you liked Legends & Lattes, I personally think Bookshops & Bonedust IS EVEN BETTER!! I love the cozy fantasy, the witty banter, and the mutually respectful friendships between characters who are inherently different! 5☕️

I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I looooooooooved the narration of this book. It fit the setting and characters perfectly. I think that his voice is made for this genre. It was a cute story and the absolute perfect type of read for a cozy fantasy fan, I think that the overall book was 100% low stakes- very mild with not a ton of action. Just an easy read with character building.

Bookshops and Bonedust is simply an adorable adventure in facing what is before you, learning limits and changes inside and out. Fantasy, slice of life and crime drama with some warm fuzzy moments.

I got to experience the audiobook and it is soooo good! The voices, because it's the author I felt like I could read more into the characters because of his intonations and tone.

The characters are robust, not overly built with trope or stereotypical and fun to "interact with" as you read about them. I didn't emotionally invest in the story till we met the bookstore owner and then I was hooooooked!

The world building is contained to a pretty small area, mostly in a town, but I felt like I had a good balance of framework and space for my imagination to help fill in, and new breadcrumbs to help make it more robust.

I cannot recommend this book and the audio version enough.

As someone who didn’t really love legends and lattes I LOVED THIS.

Disclaimer: I was provided an audiobook arc by netgally! Thank you netgally.

The author reads his own works in this audiobook and I ALWAYS think that’s the best route. Everything comes across perfectly, 5 stars for narration.

Most of my complaints with legends and lattes was solved in this book. We got more action, no repeating menus, no repeating scenes of discovery and resolution in the coffee shop- this read like a cozy fantasy novel that won’t put you to sleep.

I loved the characters in this one even if they did feel kind of similar to the characters in legends and lattes ( I.e. quiet guy who’s grumpy but helpful, sassy/sarcastic love interest ) I thought the ‘rest and recovery’ plotline was done so well as a prequel and we get to see into the past in a very fun way.

The action was great, the repair of the bookshop didn’t see repetitive, and the romance was super cute. The descriptions were absolutely amazing ( where are my buns. Seriously. How do I get my hands on one of those ) overall, I can see myself picking up more works by this author ( especially the audiobooks ) and will be recommending this book! I may even give legends and lattes another chance?

Travis Baldree has done it again! Bookshops & Bonedust is, if possible, even cozier than its predecessor. I loved every second of this prequel staring everyone's favorite lesbian orc Viv. I was curious to see what adventures we'd see her engage in, and I was not disappointed to find it was full of bookstores, baking, and found family. The mystery subplot was layered in so well and I really enjoyed what this story had to say about the value of relationships with an expiration date, the magic of storytelling, and the vibrance of community engagement and mutual aid. This book is an utter delight!

3.5 rounded up. I loved the first one from start to finish and was super excited to read this one. I can’t exactly pinpoint what was so different but it took me ages to get into this. Honestly until Satchel appeared I was having a hard time sticking to it. But after he got there everything picked up and he was just adorable and hilarious. And whereas the love story in L&L felt well developed and the pacing was on point, this one felt thrown together abruptly and I just could not bring myself to care or believe that they cared for each other. Whereas I could absolutely see and believe in the friendship connection between Viv and Fern.

Everything else was great and I hope Fern opens up a bookshop next to legends and lattes.

Well, this was a delight.
Ok, let me back up a little.
I absolutely adored Legends & Lattes, so much in fact that when I finished it the first time, I went right back to the beginning and started it all over again. So when I heard that there would be another book centered around Viv, the orc and mercenary, I all but jumped for joy. Then I heard it was a prequel and I was just a little less excited.
I don't very much enjoy prequels in general. While I always want more of any story I love, I very rarely find myself longing to learn more backstory. Furthermore in an already low stakes situation, the stakes seem even lower (even tho per the plot in Bookshops & Bonedust they technically weren't) because we already know our characters make it out alive. These minor (personal) grievances aside, I absolutely adored this book. Every single one of these wonderful characters (with the exception of the necromancing villain) is now a friend for life and I wish I could carry them around with me in a satchel (IYKYK) wherever I go. Can't wait to get my hands on an actual paper copy of this gem, so I can visit with my newfound family whenever I feel like it! This was cozy, warm, fuzzy, loveable, a little exciting and a whole lot of fun!
But, yes there is a but, I wish there hadn't been this monstrosity of an epilogue. It felt entirely unnecessary and will keep people from reading the books out of order, which I would otherwise recommend they do, because, as stated above, I do not love a prequel.
So overall we are deducting a star from what could have been blissful cozy fantasy perfection, because it is a prequel and the epilogue spoils parts of the next book. Still love it tho, and I will certainly read every single thing Travis Baldree decides to add on to this universe!
Final note: Listen to the audiobook. Treat yourself. It's phenomenal.

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree has immediately become one of my favorite reads of the year. I received a free digital audio book ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review and have already preordered a finished copy to reread upon release.
The story has all the elements that made Legends and Lattes so cosy and enjoyable but managed to feel fresh and original. This book is more plot driven than the first in the series but still has the loveable characters and beautiful descriptions that you expect from this world. I really loved learning more about Viv's origins, past loves and old friends. I very much hope this series continues in the future.