I didn’t realise that this was a prequel to Legends & Lattes – if I had I would have read this one first and I definitely recommend doing it that way round to anyone who hasn’t already dived in.

This feels more like a stretched-out novella than a full-length novel, mainly due to it providing background and bonus insight into Viv’s early adventuring days, before she had a regular ‘crew’ and decided to retire to run her coffee shop.

In a way, watching her work on the bookshop and build her friendships in Murk felt like a re-treading of the same ground she laid in the chronologically later story – which all felt new at the time to both reader and Viv.

That said, I loved all of the characters again here – Fern, Satchel, Potroast Maylee, Gallina, Pitts et al – and did thoroughly enjoy this further slice of cosy fantasy found-family which Travis Baldree has established as a solid and much-loved sub-genre for all of us ‘mild peril’ fans!

There is a little mystery, around an evil necromancer, and a little romance, of the sweet and tentative rather than spicy kind, and just lots of warm, cosy vibes. I didn’t know I needed this series so much until I started it and now I hope it never ends!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into the story, but once I got through the first 50 pages and accepted that this truly is majority vibes, minimal plot I ended up enjoying it a great deal.

Having now also read Legends & Lattes, I'm not exactly sure this prequel was necessary but it was nice to learn more about Viv's life. The characters were sweet, the setting was cosy and the primary conflict was resolved neatly.

The prequel to Legends and Lattes is just as much fun as the original book. Our unlikely heroine, Viv the sword-wielding orc, finds herself injured and left in a strange town to recover. In this cosy fantasy tale she makes new friends, discovers a love of reading and baked goods, as well as facing down a peril that could destroy them all. I would absolutely read another in the series. The characters are a lot of fun and reading the book was a delight.

With this, Baldree moved into the halls of my all time fave authors. Will read anything he writes. If he’s writing it I’m seated.

I loved this prequel! For fans of Legends and Lattes, or cosy fantasy in general, this is a must read! While it had big big shoes to fill following on from Baldree's outstanding Legends and Latte's, I think Bookshops and Bonedust definitely held its own.
The pace was a little slow at times, but that gave plenty of opportunity to really enjoy the scenery and brilliant descriptions within.
Really enjoyed this book, would definitely recommend.

I really enjoyed Legends and Lattes when I read it several years ago, so was excited when I discovered there was a prequel. And the author absolutely delivers with this. It's funny, cozy and best of all spent a lot of time in a book shop; although I'm incredibly disappointed that the books mentioned here don't actually exist. Baldree needs to create these novels.

When Viv, our Ork protagonist, gets injured in the line of duty - aka gets herself stabbed in the leg - she gets to take an unwanted extended vacation in a sleepy port town. This isn’t how she was planning to spend her time. It’s also incredibly boring to someone who just wants to find and kill the local necromancer. In her aimless wandering around the town, she quickly finds the bookshop with it’s foul mouthed Rattkin owner who ain’t so great at running a bookshop, but sure is good at recommending books. And so Viv finds an unlikely friend and an even more unlikely interest in reading, particularly if it involves swords, blood and dead folks.

This is very much a cozy read, with a little bit of action and more than a hint of romance. The characters are portrayed wonderfully and I particularly liked the Rattkin bookshop owner and the wanna be mercenary gnome. It's got an interesting plot which tied the whole thing together as well. All in all, a lovely read that I very much enjoyed.

This book was a lovely return to the world of Legends and Lattes. While I do not rate it as highly as it's predecessor, this prequel delivered exactly on what it offers, with low-stake cosy vibes throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this entry into the world, and highly recommend for anyone who enjoyed the first book.

Not as good as LEGENDS AND LATTES but still comforting to return back to the cosy cafe vibes. It was great to meet Viv before she opens the cafe and at the end of her adventuring days. It' a very easy going read, low stakes, but personally did not enjoy it as much as it's sequel

Just not quite as good as legends and Lattes mainly because it lacks the originality of the first book. Still fantastic, and the new characters were a great addition particularly Satchel.

Looking forward to the third book to bring it all together.

I don’t really feel like I have a huge amount to say about this book to be honest. It didn’t blow me away, but it delivered exactly what it promised, and I had a really nice, cosy time with it.

I loved the bookshop setting. I will always have a soft spot for books about books, and especially books about cute little bookstores. I also really enjoyed all the descriptions of the baked goods that Maylee made, it almost had me drooling.

My favourite character was absolutely Potroast the gryphet (his name is POTROAST, how could I not love him), followed closely by Satchel.

I’ve seen some criticisms of this book saying that there was no point to it becasue it is set before Legends & Lattes, so you know where Viv ends up and it takes away the stakes, or something like that. I would argue that it doesn’t matter, the point of the cosy fantasy genre is just to be nice, and this book 100% achieved that.

Overall, this was a lovely read, and the way it ended really made me want another book following Viv.

I really enjoyed Legends and Lattes but I just can’t get into this one. It’s just not grabbing me in the same cosy way. Maybe it’s just the wrong time for me as a reader!

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! I think I even liked it better than Legends & Lattes. I loved it so much I bought a signed copy!

Whilst this definitely live up to the masterpiece that is Legends and Lattes, I still adored this book. I think it would be disappointing to anyone who didn't love the first book, and would only recommend for big fans as some extra lore to our characters. I felt so emotional reading this and the epilogue made me tear up so much. A lovely story that I will re read in the future and I can't wait to see what Travis Baldree releases next!

I love being given sequels/ prequels to books that are on my to read list, it forces me to read book I was desperate for but gets pushed down the list! This book was utterly adorable, cute cosy vibes and a heartwarming story! So satisfying and everything you need from a fairytale!

I really enjoyed this prequel, though that may have been because I was already connected to Viv - I loved seeing where she began and where she picked up her coffee knowledge .

Super cute ! I loved all the characters and the backstory of how Viv got to where she is now. I hope we get more in the future !

Bookshops & Bonedust is a charming and heartwarming novel that will appeal to fans of cozy fantasies and character-driven stories. This is a delightful prequel to the highly successful Legends & Lattes, and it continues to showcase Baldree's talent for blending cozy, slice-of-life storytelling with fantastical settings. This novel is a warm, engaging, and often humorous tale that provides a charming escape into a world where the mundane meets the magical.

The story follows Viv, an orc mercenary who finds herself sidelined in the small seaside town of Murk during her early adventuring days. After suffering a serious injury, Viv is forced to take a break from her usual sword-swinging activities and instead finds herself drawn into the quiet life of a bookshop. The plot centers around her relationship with the bookshop's owner, Fern, and a colorful cast of characters.

However, some readers may find the novel a bit too laid-back, especially if they are looking for high-stakes drama or epic fantasy battles. Bookshops & Bonedust is more about the journey than the destination, and it is best enjoyed as a comforting, low-key read rather than a thrilling adventure.

But Baldree has once again crafted a world that feels both magical and familiar, filled with endearing characters and a comforting sense of place. Whether you've been a fan of Viv since book 1, or are new to Baldree's work, this book is a delightful addition to the cozy fantasy genre.

3.5 ⭐️ Enjoyable like the first book but I felt this wasn’t that necessary for a sequel. If you liked the first book, I’d still recommend reading this!

I loved the cosy feel of Legends and Lattes that made it so easy to read and this prequel delivered that just as well. While the romance was bittersweet to read, it was still lovely to see it unfold and the friendships Viv made were so lovely to see. Just like with the first book, the low-stakes mystery and simple magic really helped with keeping the cosy vibes of this story.

I absolutely loved this book! Thank you, NetGalley & Pan Macmillan, for approving the ARC!

I loved Legends & Lattes, and this was just as brilliant we meet Viv years before Legends & Lattes is set where she is left by her crew on a remote village after a serious injury and they will be back to collect her once she heals.

This had the same low stakes, cosy fantasy, and brilliant side characters that you can't help but love.

Viv being recommended different books and then helping the bookshop get on its feet was just so charming, and with the slightly more serious plot running alongside, it was just brilliant.