Review: Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree

My non-spoiler review of the follow-up to one of my favourite books of last year, Legends and Lattes. Spoiler for the video only: I didn’t love it - find out why!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree published 9th November 2023 and available for pre-order
uk.bookshop.org/a/1839/978103...
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[@novellenovels]

Teachers are amazing and I’m so grateful for them. You are amn incredible lady 💜

[@BandanaBookmom]

Completely agree with your thoughts! I read B&B and it just fell short of what I wanted it to be!

[@spreadbookjoy]

I am glad I wasn’t the only one! It just wasn’t what I wanted either, nice as it was. I wanted more of the original characters!

[@Bessie-On-Wheels]

I liked your review

[@spreadbookjoy]

Thank you, Kate! 🤍

[@novelideea]

I have had zero draw to read this one. I liked Legends but it doesn’t feel like something I need to continue. Now I’m really not feelin’ it!😂

[@spreadbookjoy]

I think I’m probably in the minority being disappointed in it - I guess I kind of wanted the same thing which is more my fault than the book’s

[@toweringtbr]

I think I'll still pick it up. Depending on my mood, I might like more plot.

[@spreadbookjoy]

I think people will probably really like it! I may well be in the minority! It was enjoyable though, just not what I wanted

[@lynnstewart7034]

Hi, Jack! Glad you enjoyed B&B. I LOVED it. I actually loved it and was glad/relieved that it was set in a different location and had different characters to L&L - possibility for fear that it wouldn’t live up to L&L. It’s funny how we all want our own thing from a prequel/sequel. xx

[@spreadbookjoy]

Oh I am pleased that you loved it! I think most people will and it’s definitely my expectations that got in the way of me loving it - something I’ve been pondering recently as I’ve noticed it seems to be a fairly regular issue that affects my enjoyment of certain books.

[@GemofBooks]

Shame it didn’t quite live up to your expectations. I have L&L on my shelf still! I think I’ll still start with that one if it’s the better of the two

[@spreadbookjoy]

Oh yes! Save L&L for the autumn or winter months when you need some cosy escapism - just perfect! 🤍🤍

[@ameliabarlowbooks]

think I might read Legends and Lattes at Christmas! the more I’ve seen people talk about it, the more I think I could love the vibes ☕️🍪🥧

[@spreadbookjoy]

I read it in the winter and it was great - I was surprised how much I enjoyed it because it’s really light on plot and more about the warm, cosy atmosphere.

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

It’s hard with expectations and sequels/prequels. I especially don’t really want prequels to series I’ve loved. For example, I’ve not read the prequel one that came out for The Hunger Games. Sometimes I don’t want earlier revisits of different characters in series. 🤷‍♀️

[@spreadbookjoy]

Yes! I don’t think there is a prequel that I have ever truly enjoyed when I think about it, though I’m probably forgetting something!

[@andrewpbjur]

What do you think about reading B&B before L&L? I haven't read Legends and was saving it for fall/winter but now this is coming out, wondering if I should start with it first?

[@spreadbookjoy]

I would read L&L first because there is an epilogue in B&B that has minor spoilers in it for L&L.

[@andrewpbjur]

Thank you! I will start with L&L first!@@spreadbookjoy

[@CharlieBrookReads]

Great review sorry the book wasn’t everything you wanted. ❤

[@spreadbookjoy]

Our expectations can sometimes be unfair on books!

[@CharlieBrookReads]

@@spreadbookjoy if I see it at the library I will try it.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

Love this - it's always personal and it's great to talk about that in the reviews. I liked the first one, not sure if I'll read the prequel but might do - I was impressed by how different it was for fantasy.

[@spreadbookjoy]

The first one was so refreshing and I read it at just the right time because it was winter and miserable and dark so it just warmed me up! This one will probably be preferred by people but was not what I was looking for. Enjoyed it but didn’t love it

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

@@spreadbookjoy when I get my thoughts together I’m going to do a video about ‘the cozy read’ and why it’s not always cozy….lol

[@spreadbookjoy]

Interesting! Look forward to it!