3.5 stars

Very cute read, not a lot of stakes. I'm not one for cozy fantasy with little-to-no plot so I found myself losing a bit of patience. Just need more drama in my escapism.

But the book is funny and wholesome and the writing is great. Since this is a sequel the romance was hard to get into, not because it wasn't believable (because it really was) but because I knew it would have an expiration date and that for me is crushing.
I miiiiight read the sequel.

I find this book hard to get into. The first didn’t hit me in the cosy feels as much as I wanted it to but I wanted to give the author another shot with the promise of a cosy fantasy. Sadly missed the mark for me.

This was a complete delight from start to finish. Bookshops and Bonedust is everything you could want in a cosy fantasy read. It’s full of heart, humour and a touch of adventure, all wrapped up in a beautifully written story that feels like a warm hug.
The characters are charming and memorable, with plenty of emotional depth and endearing quirks. I especially loved the setting and the way the bookshop became such a central and comforting space. There is a wonderful sense of community throughout that adds to the joy of reading it.
Baldree’s writing is warm and witty, with just the right amount of action to keep the pace moving while still giving time for quieter, character-driven moments. This book is a brilliant prequel that stands on its own just as well as it complements Legends and Lattes.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves character-rich stories, a cosy fantasy setting and a celebration of books and belonging.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou for letting me read this book. I loved Legends and Lattes and was excited to get to this one. I love the writing style that Travis brings and they bring a plot line that just makes you want to read more.

Mercenary Viv is forced to recuperate after being injured in the hunt for a powerful necromancer. She finds herself stuck in the sleepy town of Murk and finds herself turning to the local bookshop for something to do. She’s startled to find that adventure can happen in the most unlikely places

CW: injury detail, blood, medical content, violence

I loved this prequel to Legends and Lattes so much that I immediately bought the beautiful hardback edition on release day. Explain to me then how somehow it’s taken me over 18 months to actually write a review?!

This book takes us back to the early days of Viv’s mercenary career and I loved getting to know the younger Viv and exploring the background to her character. Also pretty much any book featuring a bookshop is likely to be a winner to me! I loved the new cast of characters and the continued world building. At this point I think I’ll buy anything Travis Baldree writes, his characters and stories are brilliantly charming and inventive.

A beautifully atmospheric blend of magic, mystery, and a love for books that truly shines. ✨🔮

Travis Baldree crafts a quirky, enchanting world filled with charming characters and subtle twists. The story’s pace is measured, drawing you in slowly but surely, with moments that sparkle and surprise.

Not a perfect five, but a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who loves a bit of magic woven into their storytelling.

#BookshopsAndBonedust #TravisBaldree #FantasyReads #FourStarRead #BookstagramUK #MagicalReads #MysteryAndMagic

A really lovely, properly cosy fantasy, with characters it's easy to love. I think I liked Legends and Lattes a little bit more, due to the romance aspect (there is romance here, but since it's a prequel, I was very much aware it would be short-lived), but there's plenty to love in this instalment of the story too. I particularly loved Satchel!

Bookshops & Bonedust is a warm, wonderful prequel that deepens everything great about Legends & Lattes. It gives all of the cozy fantasy vibes while also delivering a touching glimpse of Viv before she knew who she wanted to be.

Younger Viv still struggles with uncertainty, just in what she’s doing, but in who she even is, which was a lovely contrast to the more reflective, decision-weary version of herself in Legends & Lattes. The doubt was still there, but in this book it felt rawer and more foundational. The love of books and stories also runs deep through this novel, and the way that tied into the broader theme of finding one’s path felt meaningful without ever being heavy-handed.

If you’re someone who loves books about books, with a healthy dose of found family and just enough action to keep things moving, this is a must-read!

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto an old device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.

If Legends & Lattes was a cozy cup of coffee, Bookshops & Bonedust is a warm, spiced tea on a rainy afternoon — equally comforting, but with a different flavour.

This delightful prequel takes us back to a younger, more impulsive Viv, a battle-hardened orc who finds herself sidelined by injury and forced to convalesce in a sleepy seaside town. What starts as an inconvenient detour turns into a transformative journey, as Viv discovers unexpected friendships, a charming bookshop in need of help, and a different kind of adventure — one involving dusty tomes, mysterious necromancers, and just a little bit of romance.

Baldree’s writing continues to shine with humor, heart, and a refreshing gentleness that’s rare in fantasy. The world is lovingly detailed, the characters instantly endearing, and the stakes are personal rather than epic — which makes them feel all the more real. If you loved the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes, you’ll fall head over heels for this quieter, more introspective story.

Bookshops & Bonedust is a reminder that even warriors need a break, and sometimes, the most powerful journeys begin with a good book and a bit of rest.

This was my second chance for Travis and sadly I think he’s just not the author for me.
I can see how people love his cosy fantasy books so I’m sad I wasn’t one of them

I adored this prequel to the cozy joy that is Legends and Lattes. I l love how Baldree writes high fantasy and getting to see a younger Viv was so heartwarming and it’s fun to see she has always loved a baked good.

Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher Tor and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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.

I adored this. Legends and Lattes was such a lovely place to exist in my head, i jumped at the chance to return. This book is perfect for a cosy read on a midsummer night with a mug of tea. The story is the same low-stakes, high character driven vibe from the first book, which i loved.

Perfect if you find some fantasy books a bit too intense sometimes and just want more of slice of life view of fantasy.

A sweet prequel to Legends and Lattes, following a young Viv as she finds her feet after a serious injury. Full of pastries, vulgarity, strange creatures and, of course, books, I found this wonderfully engaging.

Ebook provided by NetGalley. Thank you.

The prequel to Legends and Lattes showing orc Viv's early life at the beginning of her mercenary career.

Viv's enthusiasm to get the job done maybe without thinking too much about it leads to her getting a nasty leg injury which results in her group leaving her to recover in Murk, a dismal little seaside town.

On her explorations Viv comes across Fern and her dilapidated inherited bookshop. Fern loves the place but customers are very thin on the ground and Viv takes it upon herself to help once Fern's book recommendation inspires her that is...

An excellent and diverse cast of characters: Viv is an orc, Fern is a rattkin, we also have a dwarf, a gnome and some other beings. Each character is written so well with a distinct personality and I loved the way they all came together.

If I had one criticism it's that the "big finale" took a while to come and was over a little too quickly. I also wanted more of the end!

A great cosy ready. So much fun, low stakes and great characters. I really want to meet satchel…
Featuring a really interesting world, beautiful descriptions and just so much fun (even the dark stuff), this is a cosy fun read you won’t regret.

Yet another cosy fantasy masterpiece by Travis Baldree! I thoroughly enjoyed Legends and Lattes so this was a welcome treat back into the world of Viv. This felt like having a warm hug and a nice warm cup of tea (and a yummy bakery treat from Maylee’s!); plus some of it took place in a bookshop which was perfect for a bookaholic like me. I love how there was some low stake problems but there was still an element of mystery and danger amongst the bookshelves. I really enjoyed this and it was the perfect little cosy treat to read.

I found this book very middling. There isn't anything particularly memorable for me but I enjoyed it as I was reading it. As a prequel one of the places it falls flat for me is with the romance. With Legends and Lattes you know the relationship wont last so while it plays a part in helping the characters grow I found it hard to enjoy knowing it wouldn't last.
I wonder if cosy fantasy is not for me. My opinion seems to differ from the majority. This book is beloved by so many I fear I am in the wrong.

*Bookshops & Bonedust* by Travis Baldree is an absolute delight—an enchanting blend of cosy fantasy, heartfelt storytelling, and a deep love for books. As a prequel to *Legends & Lattes*, this novel offers a glimpse into Viv’s early days as a mercenary, but at its heart, it’s a story about unexpected friendships, self-discovery, and the quiet magic found in a good bookshop.

Viv’s journey to the sleepy seaside town of Murk wasn’t her choice, but it turns out to be exactly what she needs. I loved seeing her character at a crossroads, forced to slow down and find meaning beyond the battlefield. Her growing bond with the gruff yet endearing bookshop owner, Fern, was one of my favourite parts of the story—it’s a beautiful reminder of how books can bring people together.

Baldree’s writing is warm, witty, and effortlessly immersive. Murk, with its quirky inhabitants, mysterious travellers, and occasional skeleton-related surprises, feels like the kind of place I’d love to visit. While there’s still plenty of adventure and action, the novel’s true charm lies in its quieter moments—the comfort of good company, the joy of discovering a great book, and the unexpected ways life can surprise us.

This book is pure escapism, wrapping you in a world that feels like a warm hug. If you loved *Legends & Lattes*, or if you simply enjoy cosy, character-driven fantasy with heart, *Bookshops & Bonedust* is a must-read. A glowing five stars from me!