This took me weirdly long to read (I think cause I was busy etc) but I absolutely loved this and am so glad I finally got around to finishing it!! And such a satisfying ending :) 

I loved this almost as much as the first one. Just what I needed. 

It was lovely to get some pre-history on Viv before Legends and Lattes! It was very sweet and soft. 

Such a cute world!! Tears during the epilogue, and I hope we get the second book in this world, to complete the crossover!!

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)

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for this audiobook ARC of Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree in return for an honest review!

In Bookshops & Bonedust we meet young Viv, an orc merc with a love of bashing skulls, in what at first seems like the lowest moment of her career. Injured and feeling abandoned, Viv is healing from a stab wound in the sleepy seaside town of Murk while her associates in Rackam's Ravens are off trying to hunt down a dangerous necromancer. As luck would have it, Viv's uncanny ability to make friends puts her firmly in the middle of a cozy business restoration (readers of Legends and Lattes will find this familiar, but no less charming) as well as in the crosshairs of trouble. 

The book brings all the cozy fantasy energy that Legends and Lattes was praised for, with a more adventurous and involved plot. The bookshop elements up the cozy and familiar factor for readers in the best possible way, and with the lovable characters that fill the shops walls, it's easy to cheer for the inevitable happily ever after. 

Travis Baldree's ability to create a fantasy world that feels believable without getting lost in the weeds of unnecessary/ excessive world-building is commendable and makes it easy for any reader to enjoy the novel without feeling out of depth. Readers need not enter into the book with a vast knowledge of fantasy creatures and tropes, as while the inclusions are fun for those familiar, it is primarily set dressing for the warm story of interpersonal dynamics. 

This is the perfect prequel to Legends and Lattes and can be read before or after the cozy coffeeshop fantasy. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a read that will make them feel warm and well cared for. This book, much like Legends and Lattes, is the literary equivalent of a blanket and cozy fireplace on a cold winters' night. 

You got me with the bookseller who just wants to connect people with books, honestly. That angle was absolutely my favorite part of this one, as Viv gets into all of the books that she's recommended. It's honestly quite adorable!

This book has the same cozy vibes as [book:Legends & Lattes|61242426], with the epilogue bringing the two full circle. I would definitely continue to read stories set in this world because it's just so cozy and fun and a delight to read. Loving the fact that cozy fantasy is making the mark that it is.

Also, Travis Baldree reads the audio and does a fabulous job, honestly. Sometimes it's hit or miss with authors reading their own books, but he has a great narration voice. I would listen to more books with him as the narrator!