There was a wee romance arc with the baker Maylee . Maylee was an ex warrior and instantly was intrigued by Viv. I liked their relationship and how they bonded over a shared past despite being in different phases in their lives.

I was so happy to see it pop up in my Kindle yesterday, like a surprise birthday present, but your birthday isn't for six months. There was also some excitement - what food/drink would Travis Baldree describe in such ways as to make me visit the kitchen more often than usual? LEGENDS & LATTES had me consuming extra cups of coffee and cinnamon rolls - turns out BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST took a more savory approach - lots of breakfast foods and bread. As a Southern girl, I tell you that I treat bread as a dessert. ALL bread - I love it and the more butter the better! Gallina was initially a little bit annoying but, like the rest of the secondary characters, I grew to love her. She dreamed of joining Viv’s gang and while she annoyed her, they grew to be friends and equals. I read Legends & Lattes in about two sittings a couple of weeks before it came out in November 2022—and then, well… life happened. We got a puppy; my first MFA thesis of the academic year was due two weeks after that; and then I was overwhelmed with work, gearing up for my second thesis of the academic year, and trying to handle the landshark that had taken up residence in our once-peaceful one-bedroom apartment.The most fun I've ever had in a coffee shop.”—Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London Bookshops & Bonedust takes the world of Legends & Lattes and weaves it into a universe. It does the impossible: showing us a character twenty years before her story, and making us hold our breath to see what happens next. It's the rare prequel that beautifully adds depth, power, and love to the lore. This is a book for those who were once young and pulled between fighting the world with all they had . . . or curling up in a dusty bookshop with a good story." - J R Dawson This is a strange one to review. I went into Bookshops & Bonedust not expecting to care for it much. I didn’t think that a prequel to Legends & Lattes was a story that really needed telling. Legends & Lattes was perfect for what it was, a charming, cosy slice of life fantasy story with a unique twist. I didn’t think a prequel detailing Viv was particularly necessary; as flavourful and cosy it may be. However, I did very much enjoy what we got here, but it’s handicapped greatly by being a prequel. Thank you to Tor Books for sending me a copy of Bookshops and Bonedust in exchange for an honest review.

While I do regret holding out so long on reading LEGENDS & LATTES, the silver lining is I was still riding that 5 Star High from finishing it so recently and getting to start the next one - the one I thought was a sequel, but when I got it in my hands, I realized that it's a prequel. One of Travis's standout strengths lies in his ability to paint vivid, transporting scenes with his words. From the picturesque landscapes to the tantalizing descriptions of food and the evocation of Viv's deepest emotions, his literary craftsmanship shines through, immersing readers in a sensory-rich experience. Because I'm headed down the hill, and you're headed up it. I'm just glad we chanced to meet on the way." This gorgeous B&N Exclusive Edition includes French flaps with illustrations by author, an exclusive map and in-world bonus content.

This is genuinely the most pure and wholesome series I've ever read. There's nothing to overanalyze or stress over. It's just a sweet small-town story, full of adorable characters, just a dabble of romance, and a cozy mystery to keep things a little more interesting. I even cried a little at the end. To be perfectly honest, though, it isn't a perfect story. Similar to the first one, a large part of it is a little slow and dull. Nothing of significance happens other than a few sightings of the mystery man in gray, a possible romance brewing, and Viv's new-found love of books. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it immeasurably. While my beloved Thimble was not present in this story - or Cal and Tandri - Baldree introduced me to a whole new set of characters to cherish and love. I don't know how this author writes such endearing characters - but I wanted to move to this little sleepy beach town of Murk - and never leave. Well, I lie, I would want to go visit Thune. Often. Bookshop was an exceptional read. We got to see another part of Viv's life, how she got started on her road to the character we know and love. How the friends she made made her.

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. Legends and Lattes and Bookshops and Bonedust, Travis Baldree truly knows the secret recipes for crafting wholesome cozy fantasy novels.

The relationship between Viv and Maylee was probably the most poignant when it came to working the theme. Maylee has already traveled Viv's road and is on her way down the hill as Viv is making her way up. They've met in the middle, and even though they both know it is doomed to fail, they still decide to enjoy whatever time they have together before life pulls them in different directions. It's sad, but it's also beautiful, and it plants the seed for who Viv would eventually become.