Quick-take: Fantasy bookshop remodel.

Dan's Review

Book 2 is actually a prequel to Legends and Lattes. However, I feel like I was lied to. I was expecting to see Viv slashing down baddies and then stumbling into the coffee shop that inspired her to eventually open her own.

Instead, we have Viv helping to revitalize a failing bookshop. She took an injury early in the book and then was sidelined while waiting for her leg to heal. Her motive for helping is not really clear, but my best guess is boredom. She is not used to idling, which I can relate to.

In some ways, I would argue this story is better than book 1, but it is still the same story. Just swap the coffee shop with a book store. Viv is dreaming up ideas to help the business while the owner is stuck in a rut.

The first book covered a lot of logistics, business ideas, and renovation efforts. This book has a bit more fantasy elements in it. Bookshop business was not quite the primary story. It was just Viv's primary hobby. Fantasy characters did drop by and there was some trouble with the law.

Score: 4/5. Book 2 is just book 1 rewritten, though written well. If that is what you want, you will appreciate it. I wanted something else. I also could not get over seeing a couple bounty hunters sitting around a bookshop, eating pastries, and discussing feelings.