Reviews with content warning for Murder - Sagas & Sable d'Os

Not quite as cozy as Legends and Lattes (there’s a bit more action and tension), but still a good read with lots of homemaking and found family vibes.

Content Warnings

itsheyfay's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I think I enjoyed this one more than the first 🤭, but it helped to have some recognition of the world were in and who Viv starts out as before opening up her coffee shop. This was adorable and action-packed, and I hope we get to see more of Viv and company in the future.

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letopotato's review against another edition

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hopeful relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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

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sonatica's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Legends & Lattes has been my favorite audiobook since I've listened to it, and I anxiously awaited the prequel when it was announced. And while it took me a while to read, it was certainly not because I didn't enjoy it!

I love Viv as a protagonist! And I dare say I might even love her more in Bookshops & Bonedust! Seeing the character development in this book was a fun and emotional ride and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships she formed within the story and quickly grew attached to all main and side characters.

The story was more 'intense' than that of L&L, so if the pacing in that book was a bit too slow for your tastes, then I'd still recommend Bookshops & Bonedust for a cozy read with lovable characters and slightly higher stakes!

The ending felt very emotional and I might have shed a tear or too, in the best way possible! And the Epilogue gave my heart the rest. I 100% would recommend this book :)

(There might be Spoilers from here on, so read with caution)

I gotta admit, I was thrown off by the promise of a 'summer romance' in this book, because I love the relationship of Tandri and Viv in the first one and generally don't like to read about one of the characters having a romantic relationship with other people, even if it was in the past. But I was pleasantly surprised by how well this was handled and I ended up really loving the romantic interest of Viv. If this was something that you might have been discouraged about, I suggest to still give it a try.

Gallina's appearance and role in the story made me giggle on multiple occasions and seeing her and Viv's friendship blossom made me appreciate her character in the first book even more!

But my highlight were absolutely Fern and Satchel (and Potroast!) and the deep platonic relationship between them and Viv. I found myself rooting for their own respective storylines and the epilogue made me tear up even more after the ending and feel all warm and fuzzy at the same time.

I loved this book and I'm sure this was not the last time I've read it!

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thebooksanctum's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Absolutely loved this, I loved seeing Viv again and why she decided to open her coffee shop and the adventure that eventually led her there, and the epilogue made me so happy!

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queerreaderchaos's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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leweylibrary's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I hope Baldree writes more books, especially about Viv, because I just adore them so much. I somehow loved this book even more than I did Legends & Lattes which is saying a lot because I loved L&L 🥰 They're both just so dang wholesome and lovely. The humor is perfect, there's just enough intrigue to keep you invested, and the characters are just lovely. I think what put this one over the edge for me was the overall theme of timing especially in relationships, the bookshop/books focus, and the tie-in to L&L. That epilogue was so fucking adorable I can't even stand it. What a perfect book to end my 2023 with! 🥰

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