A review by belleanndthebook
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Personally, I don’t drink coffee, so I resonated a lot more with this book with its celebration of bookshops and reading when compared to Legends and Lattes. The plot and characters were very compelling and, since Viv is still a mercenary in this one, we get more action than Legends and Lattes, which I found quite enjoyable, although the vibes are still very much warm and cozy. 
 
I definitely think you could pick up this book having never read Legends and Lattes. I listened to and enjoyed the audiobook, which was read by the author, Travis Baldree. I think that when the authors narrate their own stories, they tend to enhance the experience and this was no exception. Additionally, Travis Baldree has prior experience working as an audiobook narrator so the quality of his narration is incredible! (And yes, I actually looked that up after finishing this because his voice sounded so phenomenal.) 
 
Personally, I also really loved the themes (mild spoilers on the themes discussed in the remainder of this paragraph.) The book really centered on the value and importance of transient experiences and relationships within shaping our lives, which I found to be incredibly unique and refreshing. Additionally, these themes add a lot of value to this story considering that it is a prequel and we already know where Viv will end up long-term. 
 
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the arc!
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