This was such a sweet, quick read! I'm a big fan of 'Legends & Lattes' so I was immediately on board when it came to the prequel. I wasn't looking for anything else rather than a palate cleanser, a cosy read that explored Viv's backstory a little bit more and gave me similar vibes to book 1, and Travis Baldree DELIVERED! The descriptions were delicious, the pastries and the smell of the books, the fixing up of the bookstore and the small interactions between characters as they learned more about each other... the vibes were right for me. Sure, this didn't dig deep in any of these fronts, but it's what I came for; light, cosy, short and satisfying.
The descriptions of the beautiful pastries, the smells of the sea and the parchment and the wooden creaks of the shop, the cosy environment of the book signing and patrons shyly coming to visit their favourite "moist writer. The vibes were impeccable. I've chuckled out loud a few times already and this exactly what I needed after my last read. Baldree's descriptions are juicier and more evocative this time around. I also enjoyed how it felt like I’m reading a book that could very well be in the bookshop! It’s narrated by the author so it’s interesting to hear his interpretation of the voices—especially his inflictions that reflect sizes of each type of being. Galinda referenced their walks and hanging out but we haven’t been privy to any since the boat, which was sweetly intense. I also wanna taste that gin they were sipping on!
I wish this could have been a little longer as I would have LOVED if Baldree dug a little deeper with some of the interactions, backstory and Murk in general, but overall this was a 4.5 stars for me! It was a lot more fantasy and a lot less romance than I initially anticipated tbh. It was a fun read. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone who is looking for a book that explores deep and complex characters.
