I can even believe it… I loved this book even more than the first. It was just perfection. That ending had me oohing and awwwing.

"Bookshops & Bonedust", like its predecessor, is like a warm hug from a good friend, and just what I needed right now.

this book was so cute and just so good. i loved legends and lattes, so i was really excited to read this one, and bookshops and bonedust did not disappoint. i loved the characters, i loved the little town of murk, i loved thistleburr, i loved the plot, i loved everything. getting to see how this book ties into legends and lattes in the epilogue was really nice.

i'm also very happy that viv and tandri got married omg!

anyways this book was a really good time, and i highly recommend it along with legends and lattes!

Like he accomplished with Legends & Lattes, Baldree creates a world that not only embodies coziness but he writes a love letter to books, finding joy and acceptance, and creating lasting relationships. Bookshops & Bonedust felt like all the best parts of reading.

Prequel sequels are always a grey area because the fear is nothing will be as good or too the first in a series, but that is an unfounded fear when it comes to Baldree’s series. He’s successfully created the story of a brash young Vic looking to prove herself and finding who she is and a love of reading along the way. Itms a gorgeous story that truly proves you’re never not changing and you’re never wholly sure of anything but what really matters is the trying. There are honestly so many lovely things we could say about this book, but really they all boil down to absolutely read it. The whole book is beautiful, and I unashamedly squealed at the epilogue. I can’t wait to see what more Baldree has in store for this world, where he’ll take us on the way, and who we’ll meet as we go. 

This has such a lovely vibe to it, the atmosphere of this book was much cozier than I was expecting it to be.  I loved the story and the narrator did a wonderful job with bringing each character to life.

I actually haven't read Legends & Lattes yet but after this am definitely going to have to pick it up.  I loved the worldbuilding and the character development, the writing style was so pleasant.  This is the type of fantasy for me, there wasn’t a bunch of character names I needed to learn on the first page, and the plot was slow-paced in such a good way.  I was able to fully follow along and everything unraveled really well, the ending really brought in all the feels and I couldn’t be happier with it.  This book was amazing.

     

Thank you so much to the author, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

Release Date: 07, November 2023

POV: Third Person

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Rep: Queer (MC)

Let's start with the most important things, shall we? I absolutely adored the heck out of Legends & Lattes. It took me far too long to actually get my hands on it, but once I did, I inhaled it--never wanting it to end. It provided precisely what I wish every single "cozy fantasy" book would. It's low-stakes perfection and ideal for coffee-loving fantasy readers both young and old (and everything in between).

So naturally, when it comes to the books that I love with all my heart, it can be a little bit nerve-wracking picking up a sequel, prequel, spin-off, and the like. Once you've put that initial book on a pedestal, you don't want anything related to it to fall flat...
...let me reassure you right this very second that Bookshops & Bonedust lived up to every single expectation I set for it (and then some). It was precisely what I hoped a prequel to Legends & Lattes would be!

In my opinion, these books should be read in publication order rather than chronologically. My first reason for that has to do with the fact that this is a younger Viv than we meet in Legends & Lattes, and so she isn't the same, mature character who wants a life of peace, calm, and coffee. She has growing up to do and she does a lot of it in Bookshops & Bonedust--but I only appreciated the character development because I'd already read Legends & Lattes. My second reason is due to the epilogue, which actually made me get a little weepy! That final chapter wouldn't hit the same way if you haven't read the first book, but it's so incredibly precious if you have.

While the first book felt like it was written with coffeeholics in mind, this book was definitely written for the bookworms. My, oh my, the quotes about books, reading, and escapism got me in my feels (in the best way possible). I found myself highlighting and making notes like crazy in my Kindle copy!

A few reasons why you should pick up Bookshops & Bonedust:
› It's so funny! I can't count the number of times that I laughed aloud at Viv's sarcasm, Fern's surprising potty-mouth, Satchel's stoicism, Potroast's... well, just Potroast himself... and all of the bizarre scenarios the whole gang found themself in.
› It's filled with so much warmth! Travis Baldree is an expert at the found family trope, that's for sure. There were moments that really made my heart swell with happiness and I may or may not have had to wipe a stray tear once or twice.
› I don't care if you already think you love books, it is possible to love them more and you will find yourself doing just that by at least the halfway point in this book.
› It has ALL the cozy vibes you could possibly ask for. Reading this was like getting a big hug, having a warm cup of coffee, and sitting by a beach campfire all at once. It was just completely wonderful.

If I had to think of one word to describe this book, it would be "precious." When I set it down after spending an entire weekend wrapped in its embrace, I was (understandably) sad to return to reality, but I also found myself sporting the cheesiest grin because it just made me so dang happy the whole time I was reading it! There's simply no way you could possibly regret reading Bookshops & Bonedust, so do yourself a favor and dive into this world as soon as you can!