Viv is back, back again. Viv is back, tell a friend.

This is equally as cozy as Legends and Lattes but with more at stake as our gal, Viv, is still very much in the booming business of swording it up. That said, I didn’t love it as much as the first book and was looking for those cute lil Easter eggs we got sprinkled into the coffee shop - all we got was the invention of “blind date with a book” and author signings.

I really liked that we ended on an epilogue that brought us forward in time, a few years down the road from where L&L left off and hopefully setting up another book in the series.

CW/TW: war, injury, violence

I was very excited to receive an ARC of Travis Baldree's second book. I enjoy Legends & Lattes, and was eager to learn more about Viv and her life.
This is the prequel story that tells how Viv, an orc mercenary, was wounded in battle and was forced to convalesce in a small town named Murk. Viv is surprised to find herself making friends, voraciously reading books recommended by the bookshop owner who talks like an educated sailor, and maybe falling in love. Humorous encounters with townfolks give her a different perspective on what her future could be, and the battle-hardened orc leaves Murk with a books, friendships, a career change, and a love of coffee.

This is definitely a cozy fantasy read! Listening to the audio was also a pleasure! It turned out the author also narrated the novel! Excellent job!

It was just what I needed after a bunch of busy books and a very good and welcoming listen. Caught my attention and was very enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the arc!

If you loved the adventure Viv went on in the first book, you'll love the prequel as well. This is where the entire cozy adventure began and it's simply lovely. Grab your blanket, a cup of coffee, and a tasty pastry and transport yourself in the world of Viv and the friends she makes along the way. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me the ARC and allowing me to on this delightful journey.

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook ARC!!
Oh my goodness. This was wonderful. Young Viv realizing there’s more to life than being an excellent warrior, falling in love with books, and being an all around “useless sapphic” was everything I wanted and then some. Fern, Pot Roast, and a certain charismatic baker captured my heart right away, while many other characters worked their way in later. Just the right amount of action and relaxation. And that epilogue? 😭❤️ 10/10

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio , for the ARC.

"Bookshops and Bonedust" provides an enchanting prequel to "Legends and Lattes" that is both fun and heartwarming. Narrated by the author, Travis Baldree, it introduces us to Viv, the orc barbarian, in her prime, recuperating in the sleepy beach town of Murk. The story balances charm with higher stakes due to Viv's youth, seamlessly fitting into the larger narrative. It's a top contender for my best reads this year, with well-developed side characters and emotional depth. Baldree's narration and the production quality are exceptional. A delightful and emotionally resonant audiobook that I wholeheartedly recommend.

In this prequel, Viv is young and ready for battle, also injured from her last battle. While she recuperates in a sleepy town, she accidentally befriends the local bookseller and baker. Of course, even while helping bring some life to this sleepy town, Viv is a mercenary at heart and always finds her way back to adventure... This audiobook captures the range of emotions from the downtrodden realization that recovery is necessary, to the quiet joy of making new friends, to the thrill of a hunt, and it's all exceptionally well done!

I liked Legends & Lattes a lot, I LOVED Bookshops & Bonedust! Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to listen to an advance copy of the audiobook!

After devouring "Legends and Lattes," I was eager to dive into its prequel, "Bookshops and Bonedust," and it proved to be another magical trip into this world. Viv's early career with Rackam's Ravens takes a twist when she's sent to recover in the uneventful town of Murk. Or so it seems.

Baldree's narrative style is, once again, masterful. Their language is so soothing it felt like an adult bedtime story, effortlessly lulling me into the world of Thune. This tale dives even deeper into Viv's history, adding layers of complexity and making her eventual success in "Legends and Lattes" all the more satisfying and sweet.

Speaking of sweetness, "Bookshops and Bonedust" elevates the sugar confections that become a hallmark in Viv's coffee shop to a whole new level of importance. It's as if all the pastries come with a whole new backstory, adding depth to something as simple as a cinnamon roll.

This prequel only intensified my yearning to see a bookshop open next to Legends and Lattes one day. If you thought the original book was a cozy, immersive experience, this prequel will feel like coming home. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have become a cosy fantasy fanatic! I credit several authors and some co-workers/friends, but especially Travis Baldree.

This book is a gem! It takes all the descriptive fantasy elements I adored in L&L and gives a peek at the main character's life years prior. A whole new town, new cast of neighbors and folk of all sorts and a lovely story to unfold. I recommend listening to the narration as the author does an excellent job telling his own tale and setting the tone. Ideally, looking at a copy of the book while listening allows the reader to see the spelling of names, which in fantasy can be unique.

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me an ARC audio to return to a now beloved universe/storyline.

If you liked Legends & Lattes, you’ll like this. If you don’t have any idea what that is, you’ll still probably like this. Bookshops & Bonedust is the prequel to Legends & Lattes and manages to be just as cute despite the extremely high bar. Viv, a young orc injured in battle, must use her time in recovery to engage in a journey of self discovery despite her determination to be out proving herself. Nonetheless, trouble finds its way to her. If you’re looking for something funny, comforting and low stakes, this is it. 

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ALC!

“𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃”

This was as cozy as Legends & Lattes but instead of coffee we have BOOKS and a PugOwl (that is what i am calling it) !!!

The audiobook narrator was Travis Baldree which is the author of said book and i freaking love when the authors read their own books to us. I mean he does each character so well, the fact you can tell that they have their own tone and know who is who.

“Sometimes, it’ll never be the right time. And sometimes we aren’t the right people yet.”
– Travis Baldree, Bookshops & Bonedust

I swear if Travis is going to be writing more books each one will indeed be a 5 star, this series is just the cozy fall type books i will always want to have on my shelves. I mean you have an Orc who is obviously going through some things after they have been given an injury in battle. Where they are then stuck in a strange town doing nothing so of course there is going to be books because what else is there really to do then read some juicy and adventurous stories. The certain friends Viv meets are always so adorable and you just want to love them all.

I can not wait for what Travis writes next, hoping for another Viv adventure to be honest.

A prequel to the lovely story of Viv settling down (Legends and Lattes), Bookshops and Bonedust is another cozy fantasy set around a break in Viv’s adventures years prior.

After an injury leaves Viv stranded in a small town until she is healed and her crew comes back to get her, we follow her journey meeting all kinds of new people and even doing a little saving the day with her newly found group of friends.

A story for lovers of books, fantasy, and all things cozy, we get a dungeons and dragons-esque tale of found family, new love, and a little bit of monster slaying.

If you loved Legends and Lattes, you’ll love this new insight into Viv’s history.

Travis Baldree writes comforting and cozy tales and narrates them just as well in this audiobook filled with unique characters and even more unique voices.

It's rare when I come across a book that I desperately want to live inside. I'm going to start this out with a confession... I enjoyed this one more than Legends and Lattes. But I mean, when I say enjoyed... I mean I want to force everyone I know to read this book. You, dear reader. I am attempting to peer pressure you into reading this gem of a cozy fantasy.

A young Viv gets the taste of the slow life after she is forced into a somewhat lengthy convalescence when she is injured. I really do think this time in the sleepy Murk is what plants the seed of a quiet life post-mercenary adventures. Our time is spent with Viv in dusty bookshops, between the pages of a book, and experiencing a sweet hint of romance.

I would happily keep Fern and Pot Roast company. Much like it's predecessor, Bookshops & Bonedust has all the goodness; found family, friendships, first loves, and a hint of action and adventure. Truly, I think this read is in contention for my 2023 Favorite Read!

Travis Baldree, along with a couple other authors, have convinced me that I love cozy fantasy. If you loved Legends & Lattes, you will love getting to spend more time with Viv here. If you haven't, but you are curious about cozy fantasy? Allow me to peer pressure you. I highly recommend the audiobook as it is expertly performed by the author. This was the quickest I've listened to an audiobook all summer!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced listening copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, Macmillan Audio!

This is the perfect cozy fall-time read! Just as wonderful to sip up as a warm mug of coffee or <i>Legends & Lattes</i> itself.

A prequel to <i>Legends & Lattes</i>, <i>Bookshops & Bonedust</i> follows a young Viv as she is stranded by her crew in the town of Murk after an injury. There, she meets a new lovable cast of characters, from the enchanting baker with whom she feels a spark, to the nosy bookshop owner whose literary recommendations keep Viv coming back for more.

All the while, shady figures are drawn to Murk, and a mystery stirs that may just lead Viv to the very necromancer that escaped the clutches of her mercenary crew.

I just loved this so much! The found family elements are here, although it’s a lot more bittersweet this time knowing that they’ll be parting ways. That element is executed so beautifully in an exchange between two side characters.


<i>“Then why does this have to be the end of it?”

The plaintive note in her voice almost made him reconsider. Almost.

It took him a while to reply, patching the last cracks in his resolve.

“Because I am headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.”</i>


So much of the end was wrapped up in sweet sadness, but the epilogue flashes forward to present day, with Viv and Tandri at Legends & Lattes. Let’s just suffice it to say that there is a note of hope, and an echo of familial love, that makes me want for more cozy low-stakes adventures in this series. Baldtree just does them so well!

<b>Overall Rating:</b> 5 stars!

<i>A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!</i>

I found this book to be just as delightful as Legends and Lattes. Travis Baldree is a very niche writer but this is a very appealing storyline. It is easy to become invested in the events of the novel. I also love that he chooses to narrate his own audiobook. It brings a unique life to the characters. Definitely recommend to fantasy lovers!

A prequel to Legends & Lattes, Bookshops and Bonedust was a very satisfying read that delivers just the same mix of cozy comforts, adventure, and just the lightest sprinkling of romance.

The audiobook is again narrated by the author, who gives us another excellent performance - very highly recommended!

This is probably it's not you it's me who didn't enjoy it book. With the hype that came from legends and lattes and the huge wait list to get them me seeing a prequel be available was a chance I had to take. However I don't like the genre "cozy" I tried it with cozy mystery and it didn't work for me and this is cozy paranormal. It felt there was a good story, great narration, fun characters especially potroast haha. It just felt there wasn't enough adventure or paranormal more so just a normal day for everyone type of story. For that reason it felt too long and drawn out. However if you like those cozy vibes you will enjoy this

I absolutely adored this book!! Personally, I preferred it to book 1 as a bookshop setting will always make its way into my heart.

As with book 1, I loved the characters and it was beautifully written. Better than book 1 (for me) the side characters absolutely won me over and I felt like while it was low stakes, we still had some really tense moments that I look for in my fantasy.

My draw back on this book is the fact that it’s clear it wasn’t originally intended to be written, in the sense that it doesn’t make sense that Viv wouldn’t have gone back to Murk once she decided to hang up her sword. I also felt like the added romantic relationship wasn’t necessary, I would have preferred having those pages dedicated to Fawn and Viv’s BEAUTIFUL friendship.

100% recommend. Apologies for any names spelt incorrectly, I received an audio arc from NetGalley and so I don’t know the exact spelling.

The narration was amazing, as expected front he wonderful Travis Baldree.

It was an amazing prequel to Legends & Lattes. I really loved the Bookstore and how Viv’s role helped the cast of characters on many different levels, while figuring out herself. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bookshops & Bonedust felt like a story being told that didn't truly have a direction for 90% of it. It really did just feel like you were following a character around in every day life while they read books and met various new characters that didn't really contribute to the plot.

I truly think I was not the right audience for this story, and I also think that had I read Legends & Latte's, maybe I'd be more invested in this book, but overall, the story did not hold my interest, I caught myself rushing through it and just waiting for it to end.

I wish I had enjoyed it more, and I think maybe reading it on a physical book, I may have. I just didn't feel connected with this audio book at all.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.