“𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃”

This was as cozy as Legends & Lattes but instead of coffee we have BOOKS and a PugOwl (that is what i am calling it) !!!

The audiobook narrator was Travis Baldree which is the author of said book and i freaking love when the authors read their own books to us. I mean he does each character so well, the fact you can tell that they have their own tone and know who is who.

“Sometimes, it’ll never be the right time. And sometimes we aren’t the right people yet.”
– Travis Baldree, Bookshops & Bonedust

I swear if Travis is going to be writing more books each one will indeed be a 5 star, this series is just the cozy fall type books i will always want to have on my shelves. I mean you have an Orc who is obviously going through some things after they have been given an injury in battle. Where they are then stuck in a strange town doing nothing so of course there is going to be books because what else is there really to do then read some juicy and adventurous stories. The certain friends Viv meets are always so adorable and you just want to love them all.

I can not wait for what Travis writes next, hoping for another Viv adventure to be honest.

A prequel to the lovely story of Viv settling down (Legends and Lattes), Bookshops and Bonedust is another cozy fantasy set around a break in Viv’s adventures years prior.

After an injury leaves Viv stranded in a small town until she is healed and her crew comes back to get her, we follow her journey meeting all kinds of new people and even doing a little saving the day with her newly found group of friends.

A story for lovers of books, fantasy, and all things cozy, we get a dungeons and dragons-esque tale of found family, new love, and a little bit of monster slaying.

If you loved Legends and Lattes, you’ll love this new insight into Viv’s history.

Travis Baldree writes comforting and cozy tales and narrates them just as well in this audiobook filled with unique characters and even more unique voices.

It's rare when I come across a book that I desperately want to live inside. I'm going to start this out with a confession... I enjoyed this one more than Legends and Lattes. But I mean, when I say enjoyed... I mean I want to force everyone I know to read this book. You, dear reader. I am attempting to peer pressure you into reading this gem of a cozy fantasy.

A young Viv gets the taste of the slow life after she is forced into a somewhat lengthy convalescence when she is injured. I really do think this time in the sleepy Murk is what plants the seed of a quiet life post-mercenary adventures. Our time is spent with Viv in dusty bookshops, between the pages of a book, and experiencing a sweet hint of romance.

I would happily keep Fern and Pot Roast company. Much like it's predecessor, Bookshops & Bonedust has all the goodness; found family, friendships, first loves, and a hint of action and adventure. Truly, I think this read is in contention for my 2023 Favorite Read!

Travis Baldree, along with a couple other authors, have convinced me that I love cozy fantasy. If you loved Legends & Lattes, you will love getting to spend more time with Viv here. If you haven't, but you are curious about cozy fantasy? Allow me to peer pressure you. I highly recommend the audiobook as it is expertly performed by the author. This was the quickest I've listened to an audiobook all summer!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced listening copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, Macmillan Audio!

This is the perfect cozy fall-time read! Just as wonderful to sip up as a warm mug of coffee or <i>Legends & Lattes</i> itself.

A prequel to <i>Legends & Lattes</i>, <i>Bookshops & Bonedust</i> follows a young Viv as she is stranded by her crew in the town of Murk after an injury. There, she meets a new lovable cast of characters, from the enchanting baker with whom she feels a spark, to the nosy bookshop owner whose literary recommendations keep Viv coming back for more.

All the while, shady figures are drawn to Murk, and a mystery stirs that may just lead Viv to the very necromancer that escaped the clutches of her mercenary crew.

I just loved this so much! The found family elements are here, although it’s a lot more bittersweet this time knowing that they’ll be parting ways. That element is executed so beautifully in an exchange between two side characters.


<i>“Then why does this have to be the end of it?”

The plaintive note in her voice almost made him reconsider. Almost.

It took him a while to reply, patching the last cracks in his resolve.

“Because I am headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.”</i>


So much of the end was wrapped up in sweet sadness, but the epilogue flashes forward to present day, with Viv and Tandri at Legends & Lattes. Let’s just suffice it to say that there is a note of hope, and an echo of familial love, that makes me want for more cozy low-stakes adventures in this series. Baldtree just does them so well!

<b>Overall Rating:</b> 5 stars!

<i>A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!</i>

I found this book to be just as delightful as Legends and Lattes. Travis Baldree is a very niche writer but this is a very appealing storyline. It is easy to become invested in the events of the novel. I also love that he chooses to narrate his own audiobook. It brings a unique life to the characters. Definitely recommend to fantasy lovers!

A prequel to Legends & Lattes, Bookshops and Bonedust was a very satisfying read that delivers just the same mix of cozy comforts, adventure, and just the lightest sprinkling of romance.

The audiobook is again narrated by the author, who gives us another excellent performance - very highly recommended!

This is probably it's not you it's me who didn't enjoy it book. With the hype that came from legends and lattes and the huge wait list to get them me seeing a prequel be available was a chance I had to take. However I don't like the genre "cozy" I tried it with cozy mystery and it didn't work for me and this is cozy paranormal. It felt there was a good story, great narration, fun characters especially potroast haha. It just felt there wasn't enough adventure or paranormal more so just a normal day for everyone type of story. For that reason it felt too long and drawn out. However if you like those cozy vibes you will enjoy this

I absolutely adored this book!! Personally, I preferred it to book 1 as a bookshop setting will always make its way into my heart.

As with book 1, I loved the characters and it was beautifully written. Better than book 1 (for me) the side characters absolutely won me over and I felt like while it was low stakes, we still had some really tense moments that I look for in my fantasy.

My draw back on this book is the fact that it’s clear it wasn’t originally intended to be written, in the sense that it doesn’t make sense that Viv wouldn’t have gone back to Murk once she decided to hang up her sword. I also felt like the added romantic relationship wasn’t necessary, I would have preferred having those pages dedicated to Fawn and Viv’s BEAUTIFUL friendship.

100% recommend. Apologies for any names spelt incorrectly, I received an audio arc from NetGalley and so I don’t know the exact spelling.

The narration was amazing, as expected front he wonderful Travis Baldree.

It was an amazing prequel to Legends & Lattes. I really loved the Bookstore and how Viv’s role helped the cast of characters on many different levels, while figuring out herself. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bookshops & Bonedust felt like a story being told that didn't truly have a direction for 90% of it. It really did just feel like you were following a character around in every day life while they read books and met various new characters that didn't really contribute to the plot.

I truly think I was not the right audience for this story, and I also think that had I read Legends & Latte's, maybe I'd be more invested in this book, but overall, the story did not hold my interest, I caught myself rushing through it and just waiting for it to end.

I wish I had enjoyed it more, and I think maybe reading it on a physical book, I may have. I just didn't feel connected with this audio book at all.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

I received this book as an advance copy courtesy of NetGalley and Travis Baldree in exchange for my honest opinion. The title and the cover were what drew me to this book. I'm a sucker for a book about a bookstore... add in some black magic and you've got a happy reader! It was an interesting read from beginning to end. Viv, Fern and Satchel were great as core characters. I look forward to more from Viv in the future.

"Bookshops & Bonedust" is a highly anticipated treat for fans of "Legends & Lattes." In this charming prequel, listeners are transported to a quaint seaside town called Murk, set several years before the events of the beloved series. This tale falls neatly into the realm of cozy fantasy, a fitting descriptor for the heartwarming narrative that unfolds.

It begins with Viv, a valiant Orc warrior, gravely wounded during a perilous pursuit of a necromancer. Seeking refuge and recovery, she finds herself in the picturesque embrace of Murk. Here, Viv not only heals her battle-worn body but also forges unexpected friendships with the town's diverse mix of magical creatures.

The author's narrative prowess, which shines throughout the book. The storytelling is seamless, captivating readers with its enchanting blend of fantasy and camaraderie.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to review this!

YES! A terrific follow-up (though stands alone well) to Baldree's Legends & Lattes. Baldree wrote and narrated this book set early in Viv's life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and give it 4* out of 5*

I received an e-audio copy of this book compliments of NetGalley and the publisher.

I really enjoyed going back to this world and see the beginning of Viv’s adventure. It was just was cozy as legends and lattes but with a little more mystery and action which I appreciated. Having read the other book though I feel it took away from some of the relationships since I knew were everything was going so I wish this was published first, but I still enjoyed it and made the epilogue all the sweeter.

I really enjoyed this book! Had so many twists and turns and adventures!! This is a must read! Pick this book up today!!

“Bookshops and Bonedust” is a cozy fantasy that reads a lot more like a small town romance than the supernatural against good and evil that it technically is. It follows Viv, an Orce mercenary who is left behind by her troop while she heels from a leg injury. She is at first resentful to her time there, but eventually she befriends some of the quirky townsfolk and finds herself enjoying the quiet life of a small town. She splits her time between helping a local bookshop owner named Fern renovate her shop, enjoying baked goods (and a lil romance) with the baker, and lowkey crime fighting against a necromancer.

While this particular story felt a bit uneventful and monotonous, I see why this series has so many fans. It’s a quiet and peaceful read that really breaks up the nonstop apocalyptic dispare we usually find in fantasy. It’s wonderfully written and is a cute summer romance. It was particularly refreshing that this story had almost exclusively female characters and highlighted female relationships: romantic and platonic.

I recommend this book to fans of “Wheel of Time.”

I received this audiobook as an ARC. Thank you tl NetGalley and the publishers.

Loved, loved loved this audiobook!! Just like Legends & Lattes, it has loveable characters and will make for a perfect cozy fantasy during the chillier months. I loved the banter between Viv and her new friends while she recovers in Murk.

Bookshops & Bonedust was an excellent addition to Baldree's cozy fantasy world. The characters are loveable and Baldree's narration brings them so much warmth and life. A highly recommended title for anyone looking for fun, light, and cozy fantasy vibes.

An incredibly fun, warm-hearted, and entertaining cozy fantasy, reading Bookshops & Bonedust is like being wrapped under a blanket in front of a crackling fireplace on a rainy day.

The novel is about friendship and learning that, sometimes, what seems like a terrible situation can end up being life-changing. It’s like experiencing someone else’s life for a bit without the trauma of contemporary fiction and/or the murder and assault of thrillers. It's also not a comedy, though there are some funny moments, and it's not a Romance, despite a small subplot in that vein.

I love fantasy that doesn’t presuppose you need “medieval” ideas (or what we take to be medieval ideas, as there’s a lot we don’t know about the Dark Ages, socially) to be fantasy. By this, I mean sexism, racism, and homophobia - this book is very queernormative and the opposite of a sausage fest. I love to see women working and being friends together.

The writing is very engaging - it moves at a fast pace, the descriptions are detailed but not excessive, there are the odd lyrical bits of prose, and the dialogue is snappy.

The characters were excellent and very loveable. Everyone is small-town quirky, but they’re a mix of random fantasy races. Viv, the orc, has an unsurprising arc, but it’s one that gets out of the way really quickly, leaving us with the characters playing off one another in ways that are just delightful.

Back to the characters, I liked all of them, though, of course, there are two that I adored. The first is on the cover, a little critter called a Griffit named Pot Roast (who reminded me of my pug, Denny). My other favourite character comes in a little later (Satchel!). There was also a cute sapphic romance, a necromancer, and a small, adorable character (Fern) who swears a lot and is super feisty. I loved the accent Baldree gave the character Galina, and that most of it took place in a run-down bookshop.

It’s safe to say that I adored this book!

This book felt like a hug to my soul!!! If you loved the cozy vibes of Legends and Lattes but just wanted a little bit more plot, you are going to adore Bookshops and Bonedust. This new prequel follows the battle hungry Orc, Viv, twenty years before she decides to retire to open her coffee shop. When Viv suffers a serious leg injury, she settles down for a little while in the quaint town of Murc and befriends a sassy bookshop owner in dire need of help with her bookstore. While in the town, she falls in love with reading, has a summer fling with the bakery owner, and makes it her mission to renovate the local bookshop. I think I loved this one even more than Legends and Lattes!

This one is for the booklovers because it focuses so much on the power that books have to shape people’s lives. It was so endearing watching Viv fall in love with reading and how books were such a comfort for her during a tumultuous moment in her career. I just loved how bookish this one was!

Bookshops and Bonedust is a departure from Legends in Lattes because, between renovating the bookstore, Viv is trying to defend the town against a necromancer wrecking havoc. There’s a lot more action, plotting, and fight scenes than the first book. Although the heavier plot elements might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I personally found that Travis Baldree perfectly balanced the low stakes coziness with an action plot. Although I adored Legends and Lattes, I typically need a little bit more to my stories other than cozy vibes and Bookshops and Bonedust delivered magnificently.

In terms of the audiobook, it was perfect. Travis Baldree, who is both the author and narrator of the audiobook, is so talented and did an amazing job on the narration. Listening to the audiobook added to the cozy vibes and I highly recommend picking it up to read solo or alongside the physical copy.

This is a story that is going to stay with me for a long time. It was heartwarming, comforting, and charming. I cannot wait to see what Travis Baldree comes up with next. I hope this is just a taste of what is coming in this cozy world he has created. I would love to follow Viv on more adventures or follow the stories of people she has meet on her adventures.

Also, even though this is a prequel, I do think it is okay to pick this one up before Legends and Lattes if it sounds more interesting to you. There's a small epilogue at the end that you probably won't understand, but other than that I think they can be read in any order!

Thank you Tor and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook!