Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

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Title: Bookshops & Bonedust
Author: Travis Baldree
Series: Legends & Lattes #0
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: November 27, 2023
Format: Audio ALC
Narrator: Travis Baldree
Length: 8 hours and 1 minute
Genres: LGBT, Cozy Mystery, Fantasy
Source: Audible, NetGalley
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2023 Audiobook Challenge, Lenoreo's 2023 COYER Chapter 3, Lenoreo's 2023 Diversity Reading Challenge, Lenoreo's 2023 Netgalley and Edelweiss Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iTunes ✩ Libro.FM ✩ Chirp
My rating:

Blurb:

When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek.

In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & Lattes, New York Times bestselling author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

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.

What's a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine.

Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

“Take a break from epic battles and saving the world. This is a low-stakes fantasy that delivers exactly what's advertised: a wholesome, cozy novel that feels like a warm hug. This is my new comfort read.”—Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart, on Legends & Lattes

My Review:

I received a free copy through Audible, NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — I’m always wary of prequels.  Will they live up?  Will they fundamentally change the character?  This one was spectacular.

We got to see a much different Viv, but the fundamentals are still the same.  And not only that, we got to see glimmers of her changing into the Viv we meet in Legends & Lattes.  I loved seeing her once again forming friendships with other misfits — sometimes reluctantly, but she just can’t help herself.  And all of her friends were so different, but all brought something to Viv’s growth.  And Viv herself goes through growth just on her own as well — learning to slow down, learning to think, learning to lean on others.  Understanding the importance of connections.

Fern was absolutely delightful and definitely my favourite in this series.  I would LOVE to see a Fern story.  She was such a contradiction in some ways, and I loved her filthy mouth.  She had her own growing to do, and it was delightful to see the way Viv opened her eyes and her heart, shook her out of her slump.

Maley (no idea spelling) was complicated, especially knowing how things would go with Viv eventually, but in the end she really brought her own things to Viv’s life.

Satchel was fantastic, though I was definitely wary of him.  Pitt was adorable (and I wouldn’t mind a Pitt story too).  And I loved meeting Galena so early!  There were lots of other little characters in the town that all brought their own element to the story.

It gave me a lot of what L&L gave me, that feeling of happiness and connection, with a little more action, a little more mystery, a little more brashness.  I can’t wait for more from Mr. Baldree.