Book: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
Reviewed by LexNichole
Rating: 4/5
I really enjoyed sinking back into the cozy, low-stakes world Travis Baldree created. The little bookshop in this prequel feels just as charming and lived-in as the one in Legends & Lattes. All those warm descriptions of dusty shelves, fresh ink, quiet afternoons with tea, and the slow joy of fixing up a struggling store hit that perfect cozy-vibes sweet spot. Viv’s gruff, but softening personality, the orcish crew, and the small-town fantasy atmosphere are all delightful.
That said, it didn’t quite pull me in with the same magic that Legends & Lattes did. Maybe because I already knew where Viv’s story was headed, or maybe the stakes and pacing felt a touch gentler this time around, but I never got quite as emotionally hooked or eager to keep turning pages late into the night. It’s still a lovely, comforting read! Perfect for curling up with a hot drink, but it fell just short of the “instant favorite” feeling I had with the first book.
Solid 4 stars. If you loved the warm bookstore energy of Legends & Lattes, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy here, even if it doesn’t quite reach the same heights.