I love that even in Viv's backstory, Baldree is serving us small business owner problems. There is an evil necromantic sorceress lurking on the fringes but Viv's crutch chafing her underarm is so much more an immediate conflict to be overcome.

Viv, a hot-headed young mercenary, has gotten herself injured in her first battle and is stuck in a sleepy back-water to recover. While there, she falls into friendship with a bookshop owner who needs a fresh pair of eyes to help her make the shop appealing and profitable. Similar to Legends & Lattes, if you're familiar with contemporary bookshop culture, the characters' innovations will make you cackle with recognition.
Over the course of her stay, Viv collects and crew's worth of friends, allies, frenemies and antagonists who are all fully-fleshed out. Apart from the necromancer, she's mostly just evil with some witty repartee but, despite her impending threat permeating the whole book, she really isn't the defining conflict for most of our heroes.

I was struck on multiple occasions by just how female-heavy this society is. The hardass gate-warden who has no patience for young tearaway mercenaries is female as is the dwarf mercenary turned baker who has a somewhat motherly vibe, the annoyingly persistent young gnome and the rattkin bookseller. There's such a panoply of female characters and none of them feel like archetypes.
Also, the male characters who do appear are totally non-threatening. Starting with the innkeeper who doesn't even force Viv to climb back upstairs to fetch her purse to pay for breakfast, through the physician who could bear Viv animosity for attacking him in her fevered state to the male servants of the necromancer. Even the men who are trying to kill Viv and her friends are not threatening in their maleness of the spaces that are female-dominated.

It's extremely cosy to enter a universe where I can switch off the constant worry for women experiencing violence, micro-aggressions or exclusion, just for being women. There are some speciesist micro-aggressions of the "an orc who reads?" and "gnome mercenary?" type but anyone who makes such comments is immediately ashamed of themselves and there are no comments along the line of "why are you associating with that [species]?".

Also, this book has my second-favourite animal companion. Potroast is utterly adorable, albeit gluttonous.

Amazing. I love being in this world. It was as cozy as the first book and the fantasy side of the story was even better. I wish I could live here.

Book one convinced me I could enjoy cosy fantasy. The prequel has me wanting to get inside Travis' brain to find out about the entire world and series. There HAS to be a follow-up.
This book in three words:
Cosy, bookish, whimsical


If you enjoyed Legends and Lattes, then run to preorder this now! It is more of what we all loved in a new, wonderful setting.

Travis captures the readers' hearts for each character from the first meeting. There is more Viv, more cosy, and even more baked goodness. It lays the foundations to the series well without retelling anything we already knew. The writing style is very relaxed and easy to read. This book epitomises cosy and gives you the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket in front of a log fire on a dark winter night with a mug of hot chocolate.

The characters are all as lovable and the kind of characters you want to keep reading about and never end. It's a book worms dream being set in a bookstore, and if I could become Fern, I would. I have never loved so many characters in a single book so wholeheartedly. I wish they could all have their own book.

As for the plot, it is so well paced that you never feel bored or rushed. It is a standalone story with the door open for so much more. Younger Viv gets waylaid in a small city due to injury during her adventures. During her recovery she discovers books, romance, and adventure of her own kind. The lovable orc still gets herself in trouble inadvertently and makes new friends along the way. I honestly can not sing its praises enough.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the audiobook via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc, all thoughts are mine.

Well I’ve read Bookshop and Bonedust and I cried.
Legend and Latte was one of my favourite book from last year and I was so excited to read this, I’m super happy to report that I wasn’t disappointed at all. I think this one solidified my love for Viv, like, damn. I want one too.
I loved how vibrant the town of murk felt like, I absolutely adored the new characters and listening to this was the highlight of my week.

This book felt like a summer holiday, a sort of time out in Viv life, allowing her to see how things could be. Seeing her so young and reckless was refreshing when you remembered older Viv, our coffee shop owner!

ALSO, Don’t read this if you’re hungry, the food description are sooo good.

In this book Viv fell in love with reading books and to be honest I want to read the books she read I there, they all sounded so good 🥹.

I can’t wait to have it in my hands and reread it.

Once again thanks for the arc NetGalley!!!

In "Bookshops and Bonedust" by Travis Baldree, we are reintroduced to our beloved character, Viv, who finds herself recovering in the quaint coastal town of Murk after a harrowing encounter with nefarious necromancers. As she heals, Viv grapples with the challenge of staving off cabin fever in this tranquil locale. Fortunately, her serendipitous discovery of a humble yet enchanting bookshop and its vivacious owner injects a new sense of adventure into her life.

This prequel adeptly maintains the essence of what captivated us in the first installment. It's a tale filled with a delightful ensemble of characters who effortlessly draw you into their tight-knit circle, making you feel like an integral part of their world.

One of Travis's standout strengths lies in his ability to paint vivid, transporting scenes with his words. From the picturesque landscapes to the tantalizing descriptions of food and the evocation of Viv's deepest emotions, his literary craftsmanship shines through, immersing readers in a sensory-rich experience.

What distinguishes this book from its predecessor is its slightly more adventurous tone. While it retains its cozy fantasy charm, "Bookshops and Bonedust" explores a younger, less seasoned Viv at the outset of her mercenary career. It marks the genesis of her legendary journey, adding an exciting layer to the narrative.

In sum, "Bookshops and Bonedust" is an enchanting and heartwarming read. Travis Baldree once again demonstrates his ability to craft compelling characters and transportive settings, all while taking us on a fresh adventure with our beloved protagonist, Viv. This book is a delightful addition to the series, providing readers with a heartwarming and captivating experience from start to finish.

There’s no narrator quite like Baldree that can create such a cosy & magical vibe when telling a story. His voice acting & tone fits his stories so well. I think it’s absolutely fabulous that the author is the narrator for his own books, it really gives another level of insight into the creation of this story, characters & world. Truly entrancing!

Amazing! I absolutely adored the 1st one and this is just as brilliant!

The writing as always is superb and just so cosy! Love love love

This book is fun and heartwarming. The fantasy genre is utilised so well by the author. You are transported into a world of vivid characters and creatures. The cozy vibes, mild peril and low stakes action mix together magically. The book is like a love letter to reading. What I really liked was the exploration of how connections with others can change our paths in life.
Read this when you are sad, stressed, lonely or happy - basically the perfect read for anytime and any emotion.
The author is the audiobook narrator, who better than to read the book to us? He did a great job at bringing the characters to life. I recommend the audio option of this book for full immersion.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan UK audio for an Audio-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

3.5 stars -
Here you will absolutely find the cute and cozy vibes that you will be expecting. The prequel to Legends and Lattes is similar in tone and vibe, but I think overall I slightly perferred it because of the bookshop setting. It has the expected cute and varied cast of characters, and you see a younger and slightly more unsure of herself Viv, which is very cute. The epilogue was also adorable. There was nothing unexpected or intense here, which is very much the point, but also the reason I can't rate it higher, due to my personal preference for a bit of strife in a story.

** spoiler alert ** I received a copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have the hardback of on pre-order at my local bookshop and after listening to this audiobook I still have it on pre-order. It's that good.

For those familiar with Legends & Lattes this is everything you could want. Set 20 years prior to the first book, we meet a young Viv shortly after joining her first group of mercenaries. She's recuperating in a sleepy seaside town, after learning the hard way why you don't rush headfirst into a battle and separate yourself from your fellow sellswords.

Bored out of her mind, by chance Viv ends up in a dilapidated old bookshop where she discovers the joy of reading. Throw in a romantic fling with the local baker and Viv's forced respite starts to look more palatable. That is until the necromancer she was injured hunting starts looking for her.

There are no major surprises here. From the outset it's clear what we're going to get. It's not zero stakes fantasy, but for the most part it's a low risk, slice of life tale. That's not to say that there isn't some real emotional heft. We care about the people we meet and what happens to them.

From what we know about Viv's later life this story can at best only have a bittersweet conclusion, but there is an epilogue, set back in the coffee shop, which helps tie things together.

If the above doesn't make it clear, I loved this. It's a warm hug of a book and sometimes that's exactly what's needed.

On a technical note, the Audiobook is narrated by the author and it's no great surprise that he does an excellent job. I still want the dead tree version on my shelf though.

This review originally appears at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5867318462

Having only recently read Legends and Lattes I was intrigued by the prequel. I both listened to the audiobook of this one whilst reading along on an ebook. I love Viv as a character and the introduction of a love interest for her was really nice. Travis also did a fantastic job of narrating his book.

This is purely a personal thing but I don’t think ‘cozy’ fantasy is for me. I spent the whole book waiting for something more to happen.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc to review.

4 stars!

What an amazing prequel story to Legends & Latte! It was great to see Viv again at a very different time of her life, and see how she helped a bookshop owner this time.

I loved hearing about all the ideas they had to increase traffic at the bookshop, such a great cosy read, and Travis Baldree’s voice is amazing for the audiobook!

This book captivated the magic of book 1, and I especially likes Fern and Satchel! However, I did find the beginning lagged a bit… it wasn’t as easy to get into but then it only got better.

I think cosy fantasy books are even better as audiobooks and this one did not disappoint!

In this perfect prequel to Legends & Lattes, Baldree takes us to back to Viv’s world as she recuperates in Murk having been wounded. This quiet little town has much more offer Viv than first meets the eye. Baldree has a knack of making the most fantastical story feel like home, and the wonderful characters and perfect setting make for the the most cosy and wholly enjoyable listening experience. The chapters are the ideal length for stop and starting on my commutes without missing a beat, and the story is narrated with perfect comedic timing.

Bookshops is easily as good as Legends, and with necromancers, wights, and assassins abound, no one can accuse this book of not having high stakes. Yet I think what keeps the book feeling grounded are the very personal stakes of the bookshop itself.
I love how Murk isn't necessarily painted in the most glamorous light. It's isolated, run-down, and structurally unsound in places, but it's so utterly charming, you can't help but fall in love with the place.
It was so nice to be back with Viv, even though this was a different Viv to the one we know. She's younger and dumber and making reckless choices but as she gets to know the locals, she slowly becomes our Viv. Patient, helpful, kind, selfless.
The writing is high quality with fantastic descriptions that really bring Murk and its quirky inhabitants to life.
The epilogue was perfect. Beautiful. Had me both tearing up and filling with hope for the future of these characters. Even if we never see them again, the ending gives me confidence that Viv and the gang will do all right and that the best is yet to come. And that's a rather comforting thought indeed.

I came for the cinnamon rolls and stayed for the cozy vibes.
I had been completely swept away by Legends & Lattes, so this book had to meet my high expectations. And did it? Well yes, it's been warm and cozy but it wasn't a highlight either. However, it had me completely sucked in again by the end of the book (epilogue OMG).
But from the top now: it's nice to see a young Viv settling into a small town, making connections. We've kinda been there before (or...you know...after), but it's always nice to take baby steps with her. In addition to books and bakery, there's also some great new characters (Fern and Satchel won my heart). The stakes are higher in this book, and I had the feeling it kinda took away from the cozy, but all in all it's a great balance.
Now I'm all hyped for the next book, because please please let it be what has been hinted at in the epilogue. I so wanna see that.
At first I was a bit in doubt about the narration of the audiobook - stupid me thinking it gave the wrong vibe - but then I learned that it's Travis Baldree himself narrating, which made me completely hop on board. This is his interpretation of his own book - what could possibly be more valid? He gives great voices to the different characters.

4/5 stars

Thank you so much @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the ALC!

First of all I need to mention the audiobook experience of Bookshops & Bonedust. This is the first time I’ve listened to an audiobook where the writer is also the narrator (except for memoirs), and it was very special to hear the author narrate his own book, it felt much more authentic and engaging so I definitely recommend this format.
I am a big fan of Legends & Lattes and this prequel had big shoes to fill.
I love the set of characters we meet in B&B, obviously my personal favourite being Potroast (I also freaking love the art on the book cover).
I absolutely adored the bookish references throughout. Viv reading romance?! I was kicking my feet, giggling, smiling from ear to ear. Also, we have a bakery featured in this town, Murk, which is such a sweet nod to Viv’s future.
This book had great humour (another advantage of listening to the story audibly) but also had some incredibly emotional parts where I was sobbing 😭 the epilogue was the perfect end to this book!
I highly recommend this book if you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, it is a fantastic prequel and insight into Viv’s life before L&L. The main takeaway from both of these novels is the importance of friendships, it’s heart warming and the perfect cosy fantasy series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan UK Audio and Travis Baldree for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy.

Review posted to Goodreads, Instagram Stories and Threads. Review to be posted on Amazon and Waterstones on publication date.

La primera novela de Travis Baldree que leí, Legends & Lattes, me causó una muy buena impresión, en ese estilo de fantasía confortable que en broma di a llamar “libromanta”. Debido al gran éxito del libro y de sus personajes, Baldree también ha escrito una precuela con la misma protagonista, pero al principio de su carrera como mercenaria.


Las sensaciones que despierta el libro son muy similares a las del anterior, pero lo cierto es que resulta menos inmersivo. Hay escenarios similares como la pastelería o la amenaza que pende sobre un pequeño pueblo y por supuesto los personajes y sus relaciones son entrañables, pero quizá el falta ese poso de madurez que con el que Viv afronta sus actos en Legends & Lattes, ausente aquí por el propio momento vital de la protagonista.

Lo que es innegable es que la novela es un canto de amor hacia los libros, tanto como objeto preciado como portal a los mundos más diversos. Viv visitará una librería donde recibirá recomendaciones personalizadas que la harán descubrir (y a nosotros con ella), nuevos horizontes. Me encanta cómo el autor ha logrado plasmar esa sensación que da recomendar un libro y acertar. Los pequeños párrafos de cada obra que podemos atisbar son un poco arquetípicos, pero sin duda era la intención del propio autor que pudiéramos reconocer la novela romántica, la de aventuras… solo con unos pocos párrafos.

Me resulta especialmente entrañable la presencia de una escritora afamada que vive cerca del pueblo y que es Corín Tellado en versión fantástica. O quizá debería modernizar la comparación y hablar de Megan Maxwell.

La narración del audiolibro, del propio autor, es simplemente magnífica. Está especialmente brillante en la caracterización de los personajes más serios y carismáticos, pero en general, es una delicia oírle.

Quizá el hecho de que sepamos que todo lo que se va creando en el libro tiene fecha de caducidad sea lo que provoca menos adhesión hacia la historia en sí. Si se hubieran publicado en orden distinto, es posible que este libro me hubiera llenado más, gracias al incertidumbre de saber qué iba a pasar con la protagonista.

Another great story by Travis Baldree!

There’s a very cosy-fantasy-mystery vibe in this book, but I think that comes with the small town close to the sea and a run-down bookshop. It simply matches the previous book perfectly.

All the characters are well developed and are unique in their own way. Every single one of them adds some spice to the plot and the story. Their interactions and relationships made me smile the whole time, particularly Satchel, who just become one of my favourite characters for his witty comments. It was also great to discover more of Viv’s past before she met Tandri and before the adventures of Legends & Latte.

For the narration, I love that it’s Baldree reading his own book. His understanding of the characters, allows him to create different voices for each, including the change of intonation between Viv’s inner monologues and external talks. His tone and voice made the book an absolute treat.

If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, then this prequel will live up to your expectations.

That was fun! Quintessential cosy fantasy, more so than Legends & Lattes, I thought. While that had fantasy creatures, there wasn't a lot of (any? can't recall) other magic, but there is more in this prequel.

Viv is injured and stranded in a quiet seaside town, where she makes new friends and discovers a passion for reading. The new characters are all very charming and endearing, as are their interactions with Viv.

There's also a mystery and the threat of a necromancer to spice things up a bit. Also, spicy books :P

I did think that some of the book-ideas where a bit too on the nose. Author signings, book clubs, blind date books...it was a bit too contemporary. Then again, that's true of coffee shops too.

I wasn't a huge fan of Travis Baldree as the narrator, though. He sounded a bit too like a film-trailer voice, a bit growly, elongating the last syllable in words. Personal preference, though.

Very enjoyable, overall. The way this ended, it sounds like there will be more books, so looking forward to that.

(Full review on TikTok)

This was such a lovely cosy read. I found it had more plot than legends and lattes did which made it a perfect book for me 😊