This was a lovely follow up to Legends and Lattes. I don't think I loved it as much as the first book but I did enjoy my time with these characters as we revive the book shop and look at Viv early on in her career before she gets to the person we meet in legends and lattes. I might be done with following Viv as a character but would be happy to read other works but out in this world when I am in the mood for a more low stakes halmark movie like fantasy story.

4.5/5 ⭐️

My heart, oh my goodness. I just love Viv so much and truly this book was a delight. Although different than legends and lattes with a more bittersweet ending (as we know this is a prequel) and more stakes it still had so much heart. It was so fun getting to see Viv in her younger years so very contrary but also so many parallels to the Viv in Legends & Lattes. Besides Viv, Fern was such a fun addition to the story and just a hilarious ratkin with a sailor's mouth and I love her even more for that. Also, we meet someone from Viv's past and future in this story and it was so exciting to see and understand that background more. Outside of the characters I also loved the higher stakes involved including the bits of magic we got to see included as well. The only piece that was a little lacking for me personally was in parts the pacing at the beginning was a bit on the slower side, still very enjoyable but that was my primary reason if I had to name one of why this wasn't five stars. Overall I absolutely loved the book and I NEED more stories with Viv and Fern!

"Because I'm headed down the hill, and you're headed up it. I'm just glad we chanced to meet on the way."

This book has left me sobbing with a full heart.

Bookshops & Bonedust takes us back to the L&L world but during a time when Viv was just getting into her mercenary work.

She got a little ahead of herself and ended up hurt and needing some recovery time in a small town. With nothing to do she got up and found a bookshop that needed some help.

We follow viv as she falls in love with reading, friends, and her first love. The story that was told was beautiful and by the end I was so invested in the characters I was crying from saying goodbye.

I cannot wait to see what Travis releases next and hope we get to see more of this world!

Thank you so much for the ARC through NetGalley! I had some issues with the digital copy and waited for release (and life) before I had a chance to read it!

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Travis Baldree’s debut novel Legends and Lattes marked him as one of the leading voices in cozy fantasy—tales that focus as much on the relationships and day-to-day lives of fantasy characters as they do on traditional fantasy plots. In Bookshops and Bonedust, Baldree revisits his main character, an orc adventurer named Viv, but at a much, much earlier point in her career.


After charging headlong into battle against an undead army, Viv’s injured, and her company leaves her in a small port town to recover while they pursue the bad guy. Annoyed and impatient, Viv ends up making the best of her stay by getting involved with some of the locals—she befriends ratkin bookshop proprietor, Fern, and decides to help get Fern’s business off its feet. She also embarks on a romance with Maylee, a retired dwarf adventurer who has started a bakery in town, even though both of them know they have an expiration date. The sense of found family (and the perils of small business ownership) that made Legends and Lattes so fun are both here in spades, but a more traditional fantasy subplot weaves together this adventure with the Viv readers met in the first book, and gives Viv something concrete to triumph over. Definitely keep this one on hand for a cloudy day (and make sure to smell the pages of the book for full immersion).

I read Legends & Lattes over the summer and it instantly became one of my favorite reads of 2023. I’m so glad cozy fantasy became a thing because it is just what my heart needed this past year.

Bookshops & Bonedust takes place before the events of Legends & Lattes. While you do not necessarily need to read Legends & Lattes prior to reading this, you will need to in order to understand the epilogue.

After an injury sustained during her time in a mercenary group, Viv is forced to recover in the seaside town of Murk. Here Viv befriends the owner of a rundown bookshop, Fern. The story revolves around Viv discovering the joys of reading, helping Fern revitalize her bookshop, and small town living.

I really enjoyed that this story focused more on friendship than romance. These characters, and their dynamics, make this book an absolute joy to read. It really was a charming slice of life type of book that is best enjoyed cozied up with a warm drink in front of a fire.

The ending to this one made my heart so happy. While Baldree could end the series here, I’m hopeful for at least one more installment. One thing is certain, Baldree has solidified himself as an auto-buy author for me moving forward. I cannot wait to see where he takes us next.

***Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eArc in exchange for an honest review***

Another hit by Travis Baldree!! I think it lived up and surpassed my expectations of a prequel from Legends & Lattes! I thoroughly enjoyed the backstory they gave Viv and her adventures before settling down in L&L. The coziness continues with this one, and something about it being around a bookshop made it even more enjoyable. Although I’m not a big fan of fantasy, Baldree’s books always have a hold on me and allow me to escape to other worlds. Hopefully we see more stories in this world!

What a delight it was to return to these characters in such a heartfelt way. I loved the new characters, and the epilogue had me crying happy tears.

Baldree's latest work is fantastic. This prequel to Legends and Latte's delivers the same heart, lovable characters, and feel-good moments.

Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it. Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine.

Fern, the bookshop owner, is one of my new favorite literary characters!

I look forward to Baldree's next work.

As a huge DND nerd, I really enjoyed spending time in Baldree's cozy world.

I will say, the writing is a little hard to get into at first, (both with this book and the Legends and Lattes.) It reads very much like a DM setting a scene -- theatre of the mind, making sound effects, describing All of the Things.

Once I reframed my expectations of the writing, I did really enjoy Baldree's story. But I do think that I'd want to give readers that heads up while recommending/handselling this.

I'm deeply curious about the audio recording for this, just based on how the writing reads so much like a DM setting a scene in a game and I'm already used to listening to that style of setting a scene (opposed to reading it with my eyes), if that makes sense?

I'm just not a fan of cozies, but the Orc thing got to me. I enjoyed it, tho I did struggle getting past the cozy thing. I like my UF dark, and this didn't do it as much as I wanted to, but enough that I'm hooked.

Thanks to Netgalley, Travis Baldree, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest option.

Since this title has been out for a little bit, I can firmly say that the Legends and Lattes series is now one of my favorites. I reviewed it separately on Goodreads upon completion, and it's one of the few fiction series that I'm both excited for and will continue to read until it is finished.

B&B picks up the exact same feeling of whimsy and low-stakes fantasy/romance that L&L had, but seeing the younger version of Viv was really encouraging. She felt exactly like the novice version of L&L Viv should, which isn't always an easy thing to capture.

I've already recommended this book to dozens of people, and I really hope that they enjoy it as much as I did.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre/tropes: fiction, cozy fantasy

I fell in love with 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 & 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲 earlier this year. Reading and listening to the prequel, 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 & 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁 felt like donning a familiar sweater - all cozy comfort and warmth.

We get more insight into our favorite orc, Viv who has to recuperate in the town of Murk after sustaining a serious injury in battle. Not one to just sit around twiddling her thumbs, she makes her way around town getting to know it, and ends up befriending a bookshop owner, Fern. She encourages Viv to read, and you know what folks? It’s so awesome to see someone (fictional or not) fall in love with reading because someone has the magical ability to read that person, and know exactly which book to thrust into their hands. That’s Fern! She’s become one of my favorites. Since Viv is staying around, she helps Fern with her shop, gets close with a few more adorable characters, and also helps fight off a menacing threat.

I can’t express enough how much I love this book. Travis Baldree’s narration was absolutely delightful, and I loved hearing the characters come to life through his voice, the way he saw them. The story is heartwarming, and inspiring. The world within so inviting. It feels like a massive hug.

Of course, I had to obtain my own copy of the book which will go in the ‘happy section’ of my bookshelf. Read this if you love books about books. If you love stories set in bookshops. Read this if you want cozy good feels, and to warm your soul.

My thanks to@netgalley @torbooks & @macmillan.audio for my ARC & ALC. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 & 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁 out now!

I was worried the second book wouldn't live up to my expectations after the first. It did and so much more. This is just wonderful cozy fantasy, like a nice cup of tea on a rainy day.

Sorry my review is so late, I got way too behind on my ARCs. But oh. My. Goodness! Bookshops & Bonedust was everything I hoped it would be and more. I loved getting this glimpse into what Viv was like pre- Legends & Lattes, and I loved how beautifully the two tied together there in the epilogue. Fern was amazing, and I loved watching a tentative relationship with Maylee bloom, even though they knew from the beginning that it wouldn't last. Seeing Viv become a reader, while already knowing what her personality becomes further down the road, was wonderful. I cannot wait to see what Mr. Baldree comes up with next.

a good prequel to the first one. i highly recommend this cozy book! it pairs well with coffee and the reader truly delves into the adventures deeply, feeling encaptured fast.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of “Bookshops & Bonedust” by Travis Baldree in exchange for an honest review. Absolutely adorable! Very heartfelt, warm, and cozy feeling. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a found family trope, or loves the video game “Skyrim,” “Baulder’s Gate 3,” and “Dungeons & Dragons.”

I was so happy to get my paper book signed by Travis on release day. While Legends and Lattes will have my heart forever, I loved getting back into that world here and enjoyed Viv's story before the story.

Travis Baldree picks up from where he left off in Legends and Lattes-- it's more of our fave cozy romance genre! This gives the same warm fuzzy feelings, but this time with books! I mean, first it was coffee, and now it's books. Is there any better combination? Anyone a fan of the first book will definitely fall in love with this one. Just an overall enjoyable, warm read!

I cannot recommend these cozy fantasy books by Travis Baldree enough!!! Bookshops & Bonedust is just as delightful as Legends & Lattes! I know this is a bit outside of most of your comfort zones but at its heart it’s a small town, cozy comfort read that will absolutely warm your heart! Although these characters aren’t exactly human, they have all the same feelings and emotions and humor!

They’re also quick reads so you can fly through them!

I didn't think that I would like a prequel as well as the first book. I was wrong. It was as beautiful and charming as the first. This series will forever be comfort reads for me.