When things go wrong on one of her first jobs as a mercenary, Viv finds herself laid up in a quiet seaside town with little to do. An accidental step through the boardwalk outside of a bookshop leads her to becoming unlikely friends with the bookshops curator, a small mouse woman who swears like a sailor. Over the course of her stay Viv manages to make more trouble, for herself and everyone else, and possibly even save the world.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a dungeons and dragons-esque cozy fantasy and a perfect follow up to the first book, Legends & Lattes. It’s a perfect mix of adventure with cozy vibes and a wonderful glimpse into Viv’s past that will leave fans wanting more.

This felt like a wholesome fantasy novel. Enough fantasy and fun to keep you enchanted. I would recommend for those that do not like fantasy and those who do! Definitely a good one for any reader, but especially a "cozy" read. I listened to the audiobook and do wish that it was narrated by a more feminine voice, but it was nice that it was read by the author so everything was delivered the way it was intended. I laughed, I smiled. I would listen again.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Legends & Lattes. It was such a low stake light fantasy book that gave each character a voice. This book, however, is a disappointment. It is a great book in terms of plot and dialogue, but it being a prequel was a little weird and didn't give us anything to really hold onto in the end. Viv doesn't really change in this book - she is a pretty flat character - I mean she learned that she liked to read. I guess that is all.

Long before opening her coffee shop, Viv sustains a stab wound while hunting a necromancer, leading her to be stranded in the remote town of Murk. As she recovers, she is drawn to a decrepit bookshop owned by a foul-mouthed Ratkin, which may sow the seeds of unexpected change. Viv becomes entangled in unexpected adventures involving a mysterious traveler, an overzealous gnome, a fleeting summer romance, and an abundance of skeletons, making Viv's stay in Murk far more eventful than she could have imagined.

I'll admit, that before starting Bookshops and Bonedust, I was worried magic wouldn't strike twice. It did, it 100% did. While Legends & Lattes centered around finding stability and moving forward, Bookshops & Bonedust beautifully discusses passing friendships/people in your life who may not be there forever, yet leave an indelible, positive impact on you. We face a series of goodbyes at the end of this book that makes for the most bittersweet ending. Brace yourselves for the deeply moving nature of this story—it's bound to resonate deeply.

A standout element for me was the portrayal of Viv's blossoming love affair with reading, a journey that's likely to strike a chord with any reader. Viv's habit of carrying a book everywhere and seizing every opportunity to read is endlessly relatable.

Baldree's signature writing style continues to shine as one of the highlights of his novels. It's whimsical and delicate while never sacrificing intricate detail. This approach paves the way for a swift and engaging read, never feeling overwhelming. The epilogue's emotional impact left me in tears, and I cannot wait for whatever Travis has in store for us next.

Bookshops & Bonedust ~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I enjoyed reading of Viv’s experience getting into reading and finding her voice in explaining why she liked the books that were being recommended to her.

I was interested in the beginning even if that wasn’t the main story I think I’d enjoy a book of her actually battling and stuff but I know that’s not the point of these cozy fantasies. But I did enjoy it! Maybe not as much as Legends & Lattes, I enjoyed the talk about books, the wanting to save an independent book shop and theirs methods for that.

The characters were each unique and cute and I liked them all. The relationships that were built were sweet even if you knew Viv would leave.

I love the writing though, it’s quite charming. Although I got the audiobook from NetGalley for this, I enjoyed that as well, the author does great voices and obviously gets what he pictures as the characters and expressions across perfectly. It was really fun and sweet, and had a great cast of characters.

Plus the epilogue tie in was cute and I wonder if we’ll see more of Viv in the future.

Did I drop everything I had going on to start this audiobook yesterday? Hells yes, I did:)

This is the story of Viv, before she builds her dream coffee shop, ‘Legends & Lattes’, the prequel we all dreamed of. It’s a new crew of charming fantasy beings, to steal your heart. It’s cozy and sweet and is a perfect weekend audiobook (read by the author *swoon*).

All fans of the first book will Adore this Bookshops & Bonedust.

I picked up the first book in this series when I wanted something light, easy, and happy when my brain was fried after work, and L&L delivered. With #0 in the series, I thought Travis took his initial premise of cozy fantasy and expanded into cozy fantasy plus more mystery and action — I loved it. I also love the juxtaposition of going BACK in Viv’s story versus forward (and the epilogue was everything too). I think the characters in B&B were so well done with great voices, and of course a great overarching message of being yourself, pursuing your dreams, letting go of grief, and giving everyone a chance.

I loved this!!! Also highly recommend the audio - the author’s narration is 10/10

In short: If you liked Legends and Lattes, you'll like this too. It definitely won't let fans down.

I actually liked this more than its viral predecessor, since the stakes are a little bit higher, which was my main gripe with Legends and Lattes; that the plot was so cozy it was almost boring sometimes. This one is equally cozy, in my opinion, but with a more compelling plot. Usually I find "a book about a protagonist who reads" books to be unbearably navel-gazing, but Travis Baldree makes it work. I still love Viv, but now I also love Fern and adore Satchel, and if there's more books in this universe, I hope we get to see at least one of those two again.

I was able to listen to an early audiobook copy (via NetGalley) and it's a treat to hear the book narrated exactly as the author wanted. Either he's just that good, or Travis Baldree being both the writer and narrator really does make a difference. It's a great listening experience, and highlights his skilled wordcraft, which isn't something I noticed in the author's first book.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it did not disappoint. Can't wait to pick up a hard copy when it comes out.

Another super cozy fantasy, this time for book lovers! I love Fern's ability to find everyone their perfect book. Her bookshop is every book lover's dream with cozy vibes, baked goods, blind date with a book sales and more! We learn a little about about Viv's past with this book being a prequel to Legends and Lattes and the epilogue ties them together beautifully. I know this is a book I will continue to come back to.

When I found out that there was a prequel to Baldree’s cozy fantasy debut and sneaky hit, Legends and Lattes, I have to admit that I was skeptical. How could they match its warm vibes and inclusive sweetness? And what of the baked goods?!? But yet, I think I ended up liking this follow-up even more than the first! In both, there is a feeling of something being built, and the reader is a part of it – kind of like those mobile games where the “quests” involve fixing up a mansion with a sideline of why-is-grandma-acting-shifty. In this book, however, as opposed to Legends and Lattes, Viv is young and fully enjoying her mercenary’s life of adventure. When she is sidelined by an injury, her crew leaves her in a sleepy seaside town while they continue to hunt down the necromancer who wounded her. There she finds a new friend in a foul-mouthed ratkin who owns a failing bookstore, and falls for a older dwarf who runs the local bakery (and here I was worried there’d be less mouth-watering descriptions of baked goods…). Plus, it seems like the necromancer might not be as far away as her mercenary crew thought she was, and I was just as engaged in the tension raised through that plot as I was in seeing the bookshop get fixed up. (Possibly even more so than I was in the problems and pitfalls Viv & co. went up against in Legends and Lattes…) Readers get to see the origins of Viv’s friendship with Galena, her sword, and possibly even the planting of the seed that would become a small coffee shop in the far-away town of Thule.

This lovely little audiobook is read by the author, and his narration is enthusiastic and utterly charming. He brings life to his own characters in a way that is effortless, and makes their struggles seem surprisingly authentic. My thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and the author for providing an e-arc for review.

I'm really sorry to say that I found this book so boring. I love the narrator I love this author I love the warm hug that this book portrays but Viv in this one was really boring so were all the side characters the actual mission was so boring I would give this a two stars. I didn't hate it I just lost interest and I don't think I can even recommend it. Especially compared to the first one Legends and lattes is amazing and this one just didn't hit the mark for me.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for the ALC

POTROAST!!!!

If you haven’t checked out this series, do so. It is a charming combination of sweetness with just a touch of action. Even if you aren’t a big fantasy buff, the lovable characters, supportive friendships and loving romances are a nice balm in a reality that feels, well unreal.

This is a prequel to Legends and Lattes, but can be read in either order without any real story ruining revelations. The characters could just as easily not be orcs and rats and griffins and the story would stand, the addition of these fantasy elements just make it a little richer. I do have to say that I want a tiny griffin that sounds more like a bird/pug combo running around my house, and naming him Potroast was just perfect.

So, if you need a little break and want a story with real friends helping each other out, journeys of self discovery, adorable pets, talking skeletons obsessed with order, bookstores, delicious pastries, sapphic romance, and steaming mugs of tea with a dash of danger, here you go! It’s kind of like the book equivalent of petting a cat, most of the time it is warm, purring, delight with a little bit of claw every once in a while.

Thank you to Netgalley and Travis for the arc audio of this book in exchange for honest review.
My husband and I have been listening to this in the car. I wasn't sure how he'd feel about it since Legends and Lattes was more cozy. But this story did not disappoint!
We live getting this backstory to Viv and all the action! Definitely plan to read it again in cooler months.
It does still feel cozy but has action and high stakes. It's so well balanced.
Travis voice fits well with the characters for the audio.

I was SO EXCITED to read this book! I loved legends and lattes so much, it was my first read of the year and I can't toot it's horn enough.
Bookshops and Bonedust by @travis_baldree was a very cute and cozy read! I will say that I don't think it is a read-in-100-degree-swealtering-sweaty-summer read, so definitely save it for fall or winter if you're a mood reader. I think I wasn't in the headspace to read this one as much as the first one but it was still super adorable and I loved it so much! Viv is stuck in a tiny town after being injured waiting for her team to come back through, and she meets the lovely townsfolk and helps out at a local bookstore where they get into all sorts of mischievous trouble. My FAVORITE character is obviously Satchel.
Definitely give it a read but wait until it releases in October because it definitely fits that time of year better!!

I think I'll always read Travis' work, also love love love that he narrated himself. So genuine

First I'd like to thank Travis Baldree MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the review audiobook copy I received!

I'm going to admit that Legends and Lattes wasn't necessarily my favorite read. It was well written and definitely a cozy fantasy as advertised, but I felt that it was a little lacking in character development and needed a bit more "something" to push the plot.

Bookshops and Bonedust had everything that I found lacking in Legends and Lattes! It wasn't super high stakes, but it was definitely higher stakes than L&L. There was just the perfect amount of conflict, action, and character development. I absolutely enjoyed that we got to see a younger, mercenary Viv who hadn't yet decided to settle down and sell cinnamon rolls and coffee. The looming threat of a necromancer, and resulting final conflict, was a perfect back drop to the relationship building the book focused on.

Having now read Bookshops and Bonedust, and getting a much better feel for Viv and why she feels the way she does, I think if I were to reread L&L it would be much more satisfying.

And with that said, the only thing that I feel I should mention to a reader... Or listener... avoid if you don't like the word MOIST. Travis used it quite often, and now my view of spicy books is forever changed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me a copy of this audio arc in exchange for a honest review.
I really enjoyed this novel. A great continuation of Viv’s story, giving readers insights to her life before opening Legends & Lattes. Providing once again that bounty hunting is a job to her, but not all she is.
This novel has much more bounty hunting and overall adventure than L&L. I would not necessarily consider this solely a cozy fantasy. I think it is a good mix between traditional fantasy and cozy fantasy.

This is the sequel to Legends & Lattes, a cozy fantasy book I enjoyed immensely - although really, its a prequel. I was hoping for a direct sequel, but still found myself completely charmed and drawn in by a young Viv's backstory. There are great new friendships, a good romantic subplot (that's a little more in the foreground than the prior book!), comical and sympathetic side characters... what more could one want? The first book was heavier on the baked goods and cozy factor, whil this one is a little lighter on pastries (but they're still there!) and has a little more emphasis on plot with stakes/action. But all the bones of the first book are still there, and anyone who enjoyed the first will also be delighted by Bookshops & Bonedust.

Oh, and Travis Baldree is a very capable audibook narrator, which cannot be said of all authors.

Thank you NetGalley , Tor, Macmillian audio, and Travis Baldree for an audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

In this prequel Viv gets hurt fighting a necromancer and is laid up with an injured leg in a small seaside town. While recovering she makes a few friends, like the ratkin Fern who owns the bookshop and she reads some books and helps Fern remodel and get customers in the shop. Theres also the baker, and a dwarf that wants to join the adventuring gang and a skeleton.
Fern is really excellent at readers advisory, they also do blind date with a book, get a local author to come visit, and start a bookclub.
Seeing a younger Viv and knowing her better was so great, we even get to see how she acquired her great sword.

And that epilogue is just EVERYTHING! <3 <3

I cant wait for when my pre-order of the physical copy comes in and I will reread both books!

Have you ever wondered what younger Viv was like? Wonder no more with this follow up to Legends and Lattes. Bookends and Bonedust of course has the same wonderful coziness and wonderful characters. Ferns sailor mouth made me chuckle so much. Pot Roast is just an adorable griffith and satchel. I loved the little romance that we get too. The fact that most take place on a bookstore is just bonus. Oh man that epilogue!!
Thank you so much to Net Galley, Travis Baldree and Macmillan Audio for this audio Arc of Bookends and Bonedust.

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

If you loved Legends & Lattes, I think you’ll love this one too! If anyone knows their audience, it’s Travis Baldree. This is a prequel, following our beloved Viv as she recovers from a battle injury in a small town. Best of all, the bookshop! And we get to follow along with more sassy friendships and watch as Viv becomes a reader. Again, he knows his audience. There’s a conflict, of course, but just like Legends & Lattes, it feels low stakes and you know it will all work out while adding some excitement to the book. I love a found family, and the epilogue warmed my heart.