**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree was as enchanting and endearing a cozy fantasy as I was hoping for, maybe even more so. It follows an orc adventurer named Viv who is ordered to take a break at a small coastal town after acquiring an unfortunate injury in battle. She is forced to meet and get along with several of the village's residents, as well as get exposed to the delights of reading, baking, and friendship. This entire experience was a delight, even enhanced by the narration of the author which is something I'm particularly fond of. The plot was quiet at times, but also mysterious, funny, magical, ominous, and heartwarming at many others. Those who cannot find pleasure to be had in a novel such as this I cannot fathom.

This was honestly difficult to get into. I think the low stakes is just not for me.
I probably won’t be reading anything by this author, but I know a lot of people adore this style, and to each their own.
Unfortunately not my vibe

I liked Bookshops and Bonedust MORE than Legends and Lattes.

Bookshops and Bonedust gives you the cozy vibes, the quirky cast of characters, the found family, and the lovely world of L&L. But it adds a bit more stakes, and (for me, anyway) a deeper and more interesting setting. Getting out into Murk and the surrounding area really worked to set the scene in a way I didn't quite get in L&L. And Viv isn't just working to build up her coffee shop but to save a bookstore as well as the town of Murk. A pleasant surprise was Viv discovering her love of books, while we get excerpts of the stories she is reading.

The biggest plus of all? Potroast. If you know, you know.

Ok but really, there's so much to love here. Once again, this story is so sweet, the characters are so kind, and it's a perfect balm for a bad day or a mind in turmoil.

Finally, Travis Baldree is such an amazing narrator! It was such a joy to hear the different characters through his voice. I am going to have to seek out other books he has narrated because it was just such a good listening experience.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for access via NetGalley.

✨ Review ✨ Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree; Narrated by author.

The prequel to Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust brings us back into the world of our beloved Viv. After an injury in her first battle as part of the gang, she's left to convalesce in a small town where she befriends a delightful cast of characters (shout out to Potroast and Satchel who were the stars of this story).

Yet again, Baldree brings this "cozy fantasy" genre to life where you live and breathe the coziness of building a business, making repairs, sprucing things up, finding new recipes, etc. etc., all while protecting the ones you love. The "adventure" plot I think could have had a bit more oomph to it, but overall this book was a total delight -- perfect for a slow winter day!

Baldree's narration was excellent - he brought the characters to life, and I binged this in two sittings!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: cozy fantasy
Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
Pub Date: out now!

Read this if you like:
⭕️ books and baked goods
⭕️ found family
⭕️ fantasy with a bit of fighting and adventure but lots of coziness
⭕️ the Legends & Lattes world

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Tor and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I see why everyone is referring to this as a cozy fantasy because it definitely fits that description. While I thought it was well-written and the narration by the author was great, nothing really happens for the majority of the book until about the remaining 10%. This was like 90% the story of how Viv helps remodel and revitalize a failing bookshop in the small town she is stranded in. If you're into that, then this is the one for you.

This is such a cute series! I love Viv! Baldree is really great at making a reader feel for his characters and their lives. I really enjoyed Legends & Lattes, and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed getting to see a younger Viv who is less sure of herself and her abilities. She is uncertain of what she wants in life beyond being a bad ass bounty hunter. This adventure really plants that seed of belief that she could have a life outside of bounty hunting, which is the center of Legends & Lattes. The message of something and someone coming into your life at the wrong moment really resonated with me. I truly believe that people come into your life for a reason, but sometimes, when you meet those people, it's just the wrong time in your life. My only complaint is that I wish this book would have been released first. I would love to follow Viv along on her adventures that lead up to L&L, but I was very happy to see this story get wrapped up in the epilogue.

I would highly recommend this book. It is a quick, easy, and fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a chance to read this story in exchange for an honest review.

This was not the prequel I imagined it would be. However, I was not disappointed in this at all. I love the way the author makes the characters so lovable and their emotions fly off the page in vivid colors and creativity. I did enjoy learning more about the world and Viv. The story is well told and makes you feel like you’re inside the book with the characters. But, I did enjoy Legends a bit more.

This prequel to Legends and Lattes was a heartwarming and cozy tale of books, found family, and finding one’s purpose in life. If you loved Legends and Lattes, this book is the perfect follow up. I totally cried at the end!

Complete gem! Baldree’s thorough descriptions of cozy settings and wonderful characters pull you immediately in. I felt, once again, that I was a part of this little town and surrounded by new companions of Viv. The plot flowed nicely and even came with a little surprise at the end! If you loved Legends and Lattes, you will not put this one down!

I loved this one as much as the first. A lighthearted fun fantasy read. If you enjoyed the first you’ll enjoy this one for sure. Great characters and stories.

I loved Legends and Lattes. It was one of my favorite reads of 2022, and I was so excited to get my hands on Bookshops and Bonedust. Unfortunately, I was left a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this was super cute and cozy, and I had a good time. I think lovers of Legends will enjoy Bookshops a lot. However, I feel like Bookshops is missing the magic that made Legends and Lattes a hit.

Bookshops suffers from what I call Prequelitis. Getting a "before you loved them" view of your favorite character(s) seems like a good idea. However, due to their nature, prequels rarely work. The romance is always a bit bland when you know they don't end up together. It makes investing in the relationship hard. Further, the tension is lost when you know the character(s) are doing just fine. I have seen a few reviews note that if the Epilogue had been the Prologue, the story would have worked better, and I completely agree.

I also struggled some with the side characters. I liked them. They made me smile. However, they also made me miss the characters from Legends because they were basically perfection.

Again, if you liked Legends you will like Bookshops, but it might be missing a smidge of the magic you felt from the Legends. I look forward to whatever Baldree writes next, whether in this world or a new one.

I did this via audio. Travis Baldree's narration is impeccable.

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

Author Travis Baldree’s cozy fantasy Legends & Lattes introduced readers to a retired warrior who made a new life for herself in a small-town coffee shop. In the audio edition of the follow-up, Bookshops & Bonedust, readers get to explore one of her earlier adventures.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

I did not enjoy the plot of this book as much as I loved Legends & Lattes. However, the author who does the audiobook narration was fantastic and the only reason I kept going. I lost track after counting him do TEN different voices -super talented!

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.

I read Travis Baldree’s Legend & Lattes last month and really enjoyed its cozy fantasy vibes and of course the main character, an odd named Viv who runs a coffee shop.

Bookshops & Bonedust is actually a prequel to L&L and it’s another delightful read that gives us some backstory on Viv while she helps to renovate a bookshop while recuperating from an injury and takes time to boost her own love of reading. It also features a wonderful cast of characters and a fairly low stakes but very entertaining plot.

The audiobook is a real treat though because it’s narrated by the author, which I loved since he of course knows his characters better than anyone else. Thanks so much to @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy.

This takes place prior to the contents of Legends & Lattes and I can honestly say you don’t need to have read the first book in order to read this one (other than the epilogue content). This was cutesy again like the original book. I think it was my mood but I didn’t feel as engaged in this story until the second half!

If you haven’t read Legends & Lattes or Bookshops & Bonedust yet, I highly suggest you change that. I was late to the game, but if I had known book 1 was a love letter to coffee and pastries, I would have jumped in sooner! Book 2 is a prequel and love letter to book lovers and indie bookstores 🫶📚. (Oh, and there’s mythical creatures with a dash of adventure 🖤.)
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Viv is an orc who is forced to take a break from the mercenary life after an injury. While recuperating in the small sleepy town of Murk, she comes across a bookshop owned by a sweary rattkin bookseller named Fern. The two become fast friends as Fern recommends books to Viv, and Viv helps her spruce up the bookshop to attract new customers. Throw in a dwarf love interest, cute mythical pets, some dark forces tied to a necromancer, and all the cozy small town vibes 🧡. Will Viv return to her life as a mercenary once her leg heals and adventure calls?
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Look, I didn’t think “cozy high fantasy” was a thing. But @travis_baldree made it a thing and I am 100% here for it.
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I loved the reader references here. That feeling of utter blankness you get when someone asks what you liked about a book on the spot 😂. The joy of convincing someone to read from a genre they don’t usually dip into. (And then seeing them love it.) Book signings, blind date with a book, fangirling over an author, book club. All. The. Bookish. Things 🫶.
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I read and listened to this book. Baldree’s narration of his own book is phenomenal. I love when authors can narrate their own work because they are always able to add a little something special to it.
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Thank you to @torbooks @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the digital ARCs!
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“Never trust a writer who doesn't have too many books to read. Or a reader, for that matter.”
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Bookshops & Bonedust - Travis Baldree
4.5/5⭐️

Cozy fantasy has certainly earned its place as one of my favorite genres and this book continues that trend. This prequel to Legends and Lattes gives a deeper look into Viv's life as she recovers with the help of books and a cast of quirky characters. The narrator does a wonderful job of adding to the cozy atmosphere, as well.

Honestly - DNF’d this. I think the story wasn’t as compelling as the first but what really took me out of it was the narration from the author. Still willing to try it in print form but the audio was not for me

I was initially so apprehensive that I would not be able to enjoy this follow up as much as I loved Legends and Lattes. We go back in time to experience a younger Viv early in her mercenary career, sidelined due to an injury. With a new cast of characters, we get to witness the inate ability Viv has to draw people together. I slowly fell in love with this story. And by the end I was happy crying.

Another super cozy fantasy novel from Travis Baldree!

So fun to be back with Viv and see the connections to the first story, and get to experience things like her learning about coffee, etc. which then feeds into Legends and Lattes!

Travis writes characters that are so easy to root for and love, and the stories, although they have challenges within them, resolve so well and are the perfect book for a cozy day.