The audio of this book, performed by the author, is fantastic! The story itself is as perfect as legends. Cozy characters, setting and connections. This prequel features Viv in another small town, with more unlikely friends, this time nurturing a bookstore. If you loved Legends, you’ll love this!

This world Baldree has created is so whimsical and charming. If you liked Legends & Lattes, of course you’ll love this one. Cozy with sweet characters. Read it!

I can't believe I got to listen to this audiobook early. First of all, Travis Baldree is not only a fantastic author but a fantastic audiobook narrator as well. He did a great job with everyone's voices and really made you feel like you were right in the middle of the action. Now on to the story itself. I worried that it wouldn't live up to the first one but I was completely wrong. It was so much fun. I loved our new cast of characters so much, of course in particular Fern. The story this time still remained cozy (just at a bookshop instead of a coffee shop). However, if you thought the first book lacked in action then you will be happy to hear that this book had quite a bit more action going on. I thought it fit this book nicely. Viv was younger here, in her prime, wanting to fight, so more action makes sense for this story. If you come for the romance you'll probably be a bit disappointed though. This is first and foremost a story about friendship. Viv collecting a beautiful group of friends together in this small seaside town. Overall, without giving too much away, this book was absolutely perfect and just what I wanted it to be. I look forward to more works by Travis Baldree in the future.

After having read Legends and Lattes, I knew exactly what I was getting myself into for the vibes of this book and I'm so glad for that. I highly recommend reading Legends and Lattes before reading this one. Especially the epilogue as it does contain spoilers for Legends and Lattes.

That all said, I absolutely adored this book for vibes alone. The best way I can explain it is that you go in knowing that you're not going to be getting anything completely wild. You can sit down with a puzzle or a sudoku or coloring book and just listen. A hot cup of coffee or tea, next to an open window or on your porch on a fall day. That's the vibe these books give, no matter the actual time of year it takes place.

I absolutely adored all of these characters. They were a ton of fun and watching them all interact was lovely.

I will say that I really enjoyed the experience of listening to this book, but I do also want to physically read it still.

Travis Baldree has done it again ! In "Bookshops & Bonedust", the cozy prequel to his well received "Legends & Lattes Baldree brings us another charming and comfortably paced tale about Liv, the fierce but lovable Orc mercenary. Although more high fantasy oriented then the previous book this one still maintain a cozy vibe. The book also exerts the same strong focus on creating community, kindness and acceptance whereas, Liv, herself comes of as intellectually curious and nurturing in addition to being a natural leader who draws people together wherever she goes. Finally, for an extra treat consider listening to the audio book version which is skillfully and lovingly narrated by the author himself.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, MacMillan Audio, for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

For someone who's life was changed by The Hobbit, I don't read much fantasy. The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, the first 21 or so Xanth novels, and that's about it. Legends & Lattes was one of the few exceptions that I decided I must read, except for the fact that my TBR list is so very, very long. Then, Bookshops & Bonedust was announced. What's a girl to do? Macmillan Audio to the rescue, allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

And, oh, I didn't want it to end! I can't think of anything I disliked about the book, from the characters to the story to Travis Baldree's top-notch narration. What a cozy world Travis Baldree has conjured. Characters that are both fun and relatable, and a story that you know will end as well as possible (but, no spoilers, boy, were there a few moments when I was worried).

I understand completely why there are now close to 50 Xanth novels and the number of Middle Earth spin-offs seems to grow by the day. When you create a world this compelling, readers will come. Will Bookshops & Bonedust be Travis Baldree's last official visit to Viv's world, or will he continue to give his readers what we crave? If more is to come, I promise to try to be there.

A bookshop pet that is a griffin named POTROAST! Say less!!
This was a fun and quick read. Gives all the cozyish vibes and it's a perfect read for fall.
Travis Baldree does a great job reading for the audiobook.
I'm so happy with how the epilog summed everything up so well and ties in Legends & Lattés as well.

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree is a prequel to Legends and Lattes, and I did not realize how much I needed this prequel until I dived into it. Viv is injured while her and her comrades are searching for a necromancer and is laid up in the sleepy port town of Murk while she heals. While staying there, she befriends the local bookseller and offers to help, while also mentoring a young wannabe mercenary, and finds a romantic interest!

For anyone who said there was not enough plot in Legends and Lattes, you will not have that problem here as there is a larger issue growing in the background amongst the frolicking among the stacks in the foreground. I actually found the eventual conflict to be more detrimental than pleasurable as I had enjoyed all of the customer interactions in the bookstore, the warm chest feels I got from people getting excited about reading and talking about books, and of all the ways Viv was helping to revive the bookstore from the brink of financial collapse.

As was the case in the previous book, Baldree does a fantastic job of creating character archetypes that readers love to experience, whether it be the cranky elf healer, the scrappy gnome sidekick, or the crumb-stealing griffin, each character is painted with such richness that they leap off the page. Along with the quality narration (and excellent accents), there is never a question as to who is talking.

My one main gripe in the novel is when the characters talk about romance books and they start to use the word "moist" to describe the steamy novels in particular. Moist is such a triggering word for some people, so to have to hear it spoken over ten times (if not twenty!) was quite taxing, and I can only imagine how difficult it was for the narrator. I could have accepted "saucy" over moist any day.

Overall, the listening experience was quite enjoyable, like a cup of hot chocolate on a fall day and I loved sinking into the town of Murk and wishing I could relax in an armchair in the bookstore, scone in hand. The epilogue was a nice surprise as well! I hope we get another book in this series, but understand if Baldree wants to move on to new, charming characters.

Travis Baldree does it again!

I loved Legends & Lattes and I can promise that Bookshops & Bonedust does not disappoint. I love how he mixes a fantasy world with all the cozy stuff of our world in order to create such a heartwarming story. The adventure is fun but the best part of these books are the characters and the relationships they develop with one another. Unlikely species unite and come together to create a wholesome tale.

This can be read before OR after Legends & Lattes (in my opinion) but be sure not to miss either one!

This might just be my favorite book of the year, and it is definitely in my top 10 of all time!

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect of a prequel to Legends and Lattes, which I absolutely adored! I was hoping it was going to be just as cozy and lovely as Legends and Lattes, but I was worried that, with it being a preqeul and it opening up to a battle scene it was going to be more action and less cozy.

This was absolutely not the case. Viv's story in this one is just as cozy and heartfelt- if not more so than L&L. I just loved all of the characters- especially Satchel!! There were baked goods, and action, and books SO MANY BOOKS! Laughs and beautiful moments and character development. The ending got me right in the feels and left me hopeful for a sequel! Typically when I love a book this much I hug it, but unfortunately I listed to an advanced audio copy (Narrated by the author, who does a phenomenal job!!!) and I'll have to impatiently wait for my physical copy to arrive!

This book and series is like a snuggly warm hug- definitely a comfort series that I will be returning to frequently. ALL THE STARS TO THIS ONE!!!

** Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**

As a long time video game and D&D player, it's so easy to appreciate the range of voices Baldree can make. Pair that with his awesome stories, I knew I would be in for a treat and I was absolutely right! Auto-buy and auto-listen author for me!! Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this one!!

My first love is books, and it's closely followed by coffee—Travis Baldree has written stories that combine both of those loves.

If you loved the first one, you're going to love this one. It hits all cozy fantasy feels us cozy fantasy lovers look for. And like the Legends and Lattes, Travis Baldree has written a group of loveable creatures that I instantly adored.

If you love cozy fantasy as much as I do, Bookshops and Bonedust absolutely will not disappoint.

A great introduction to the fall season. I loved the bookshop setting, the discussions about books, and the overall bookish vibes. It was nice to follow Viv once again and I enjoyed the side characters, especially Fern. Everyone bonding through books and relating it to their lives was my favorite part to read. I also liked the action sprinkled in between and getting to see Viv in motion. But I was underwhelmed by the romance with Maylee. I felt it was unnecessary in the story.
The audiobook was amazing, I think it was the best way to consume the story. It made the experience that much more immersive.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the arc.

A prequel to Legends & Lattes! This is the story of when Viv was injured and learned to love books. I think it took a little longer to get into than Legends and Lattes because there was a lot of setup. But once we were in, I loved it! Baldree is so good at creating characters you love. I was so sad when Viv left at the end because I wanted more Fern & Satchel especially. It does seem like from the epilogue we will at least get more of this. I’d definitely recommend reading Legends and Lattes first or skipping the epilogue. It won’t spoil much but it does reference things from L&L. For the audiobook, I appreciate the author wanted to read his own book but I wish Viv had her own voice. The other characters each had a distinct voice (he did great with Satchel) but Viv was just his normal voice.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you are expecting sword fights and swashbuckling you will find disappointment here. This book, a prequel to Legends and Lattes, finds Viv holed up in a tiny seaside town with a bum leg. While her pals ride off to glory she’s stuck feeling sorry for herself. A chance meeting with a washed up bookseller, a homunculus, an evil wizard and other characters brings the story you didn’t know you wanted to life. It’s gentle, humorous and definitely a cozy fantasy.

This was a delightful story to listen to on my daily walks. Just pleasant characters in a bookshop and an adorable dog/owl named Pot Roast who stole the show. I truly enjoyed this prequel. And the narrator's very different voices used for each character were perfect.

Travis Baldree does it again! There’s something that’s just so comforting reading his books. Like a warm fuzzy feeling that overcomes you while you are transported to his world of Murk. It’s also so smart. I love how he writes other books within this one while you join Viv discover the love of reading.

This story resonated with me so much and definitely any book lover who’s ever dreamed of having their own bookstore or works as a bookseller will fall in love with this story. And especially love Potroast and Satchel. These were two such fun characters. The plot while being cozy fantasy, moved quickly for me.

I love these stories so much. The audiobook was as wonderful as the first one!

Audiobook 5/5
Story 5/5
Characters 5/5
Overall book 5/5

I received a gifted audiobook copy of BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST by Travis Baldree – thank you to Macmillan Audio!

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST is a prequel to the author’s LEGENDS & LATTES, following Viv’s recovery after the injury that side-lined her from the battles and the life she’s always thought she would have. While she tries to get back in prime condition, she winds up spending time at a bookshop and getting to know the locals in Murk.

I really wound up enjoying LEGENDS & LATTES more than I had expected, so I was excited to get my hands on the audio on this prequel. I was a bit worried going into this one that having it be a prequel and knowing that Viv wouldn’t be sticking around with these characters and relationships would maybe dampen the feelings a bit, but I needn’t have worried.

As with the first book, this is a very cozy fantasy setup and having it be set in a bookshop with book lovers really helped add to that for me. There is a bit of adventure, romance, and lots of friendship all of which really added up to an easy, bingeable read.

I think if you liked LEGENDS & LATTES, you will be pleased with this one! BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST comes out on 11/7/2023!

If you found 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘴 to be a thoroughly cozy comfort read like I did, then you will not be disappointed with 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 & 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭 (Pub 11.07)

”𝘚𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴?"

A charmingly diverse cast comes together to rebuild an adorable bookstore while experiencing first loves and adventure all while unsuspectedly soaking up life lessons. It made me smile, giggle and warm on the inside. I guess cozy, low stakes fantasy is this non-fantasy reader's cat nip.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃: Print and Audio. Thank you to @tor for the ARC and @macmillianaudio for the ALC.

𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐎: I knew that author Travis Baldree was an audiobook narrator but this was my first experience with his narration. WOW & OMG. All the stars. I would like to request that he record 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘰𝘷𝘦 for a re-release. Please and thank you.

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: While this is technically a prequel, I would read them in publication order. L&L first, then B&B.

Okay I am probably going to start a riot with this but I was a little disappointed in this book.... hear me out before you freak out! I still really enjoyed this book i did but I felt it just wasn't as good the Legends and Lattes. The first book was so warm; it felt like the first sip of coffee on a cold morning or reading a book during a gloomy day. It was absolutely perfect in its comfort. This book was lacking some of that. It was still good. I will always adore Viv with all my soul and young Viv is just was loveable. I just didn't feel this book in the same way I felt the first one. Please don't let that stop you though cause this book is still absolutely amazing!