This was one of my favourite reads of the year! TJ Klune has such a way with words and his characters are all so loveable. I adored this book and had a good cry in the last few chapters. A must read!

I love TJ Klune books because the way he writes and develops characters is pure magic. Under the Whispering Door did not disappoint. However, don't go into this book expecting the same tone of the House in the Cerulean Sea.

Under the Whispering Door tells the story of Wallace, a very unlikable lawyer who has a heart-attack and dies. His death was very unexpected so he is struggling to come to terms with it. At his funeral a girl named Mei shows up and leads him to a unique looking Tea Shop owned by the ferryman named Hugo, explaining that they will help him cross over into the afterlife.

This book will make you laugh, cry, break your heart then put it back together. It is beautifully written and you need it in your life ASAP. This will be one of those books that sticks with you for years and years after reading.

Trigger warnings:
Death. Child death. Suicide. Cancer. Ghosts.

I discovered Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune on Netgalley by accident when it was being promoted on the home page. And wow, I'm glad I requested a copy!

Under the Whispering Door is the story of Wallace, a very dislikeable person who, without much warning, found himself dead. While coming to terms with the fact that he died, a girl shows up to lead him to the person who will help him cross over to the afterlife. This person is Hugo. Hugo owns a tea shop in a remote little town, and when not picking the perfect tea for the living customers, helps souls to come to terms with being dead and to escort them to whatever comes next.

This book follows in the trend of others exploring the afterlife and/or living forever (Addie LaRue and Midnight Library). It does vary in the way the subject is approached, though. The book is kept light even when dealing with really heavy topics. Life lessons are discussed in matter of fact ways, and the reader learns as much about their own motivations in life as much as Wallace does.

Under the Whispering Door was by no means action packed, but it never meant to be that kind of book. This book opens up discussions about life, what we are doing and why. My favourite part in the book involves a meddling medium who gets what she rightfully deserves. But the entire book has such a heart to it that it will inevitably break the reader's heart itself. Definitely a book I will be recommending to any reader who loved Midnight Library and wants something a little bit lighter!

My very first Klune book and it did not disappoint.  Under the Whispering Door was a beautifully written novel that had me laughing, reflecting, and even tearing up in a few places.  I was pulled in with Kune's different perspective of what occurs after death and continued because I became vested in the characters and cared about what happened next. While this novel is light and witty in places, it also is deeply moving in others.  Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions.

Another work of brilliance by TJ Klune. This is a very special book. Early on, it feels like a spiritual/tonal sibling to his ‘Blasphemy’ short stories. Same irreverence and wicked sense of humor. I laughed my *** off so many times. But then it becomes more of a sentimental, introspective piece in the vein of The House in the Cerulean Sea. Wallace takes a similar journey to Linus, I think. Has similar revelations about himself and about life in general. Discoveries about what’s really important.

But make no mistake; this is NOT The House in the Cerulean Sea. As the book goes on, it goes deeper into more difficult territory. It has a delightfully weird and quirky charm but it is so much more than a fairy tale. It’s a meditation on death, dying, loss, grief, love, living a meaningful life and the preciousness of our humanity. You’ll laugh a lot while reading it but you’ll probably cry a little, too.

This is the 6th book of Klune’s (if you don’t count Blasphemy 1 & 2) that I’ve read and I’m always impressed at his ability to create a whole slate of vividly rendered characters who are engaging and make you care about them immediately. The Mei character is a riot, I love her attitude. And Nelson with his bunny slippers, and Hugo with his tea plants and his big heart. And Wallace. Wallace is an a-hole who has taken his whole life for granted and never actually learned a thing but Klune has a knack for making even the biggest a-holes totally and completely sympathetic and likeable. It almost feels like a privilege to watch Wallace go on this afterlife journey.

I think this is going to be one of those books I recommend to everyone I know. I don’t know a single person who couldn’t stand to hear a little of what this book has to say. It’s so profoundly beautiful.

[Also: Loved the little nods to The House in the Cerulean Sea. And am I reading too much into it or was there also a Wolfsong easter egg? I’d like to think it was.]

A thought provoking read about redemption and belonging and how our past experiences have formed us. The characters in this story are flawed, quirky and loveable. It tackles the inevitability of death for all of us and made me contemplate what it is to have had a 'good life'. It made me consider why other people are aggressive, mean or rude, what happened to them to become that way?

I loved the setting of the story, but the characters are what draw you in and your heart just aches for some of them.

Ultimately this is a story of hope, friendship and the bond of family.

Klune's latest standalone novel begins with Walter Price's death. Walter wasn't a good person, but he wasn't an evil person either. In his afterlife, Price meets and ultimately falls in love with the ferryman, who is also a tea shop owner. Fans of Klune's The House on the Cerulean Sea will likely enjoy this one, as it is very similar, even in its plot (mediocre man goes to strange house, falls in love with keeper of house, changes his ways). It was perhaps for that reason that this book didn't work for me, though I love The House on the Cerulean Sea. It may also have been because the characters were all so good--for a book about the afterlife, it is very rosy. I particularly did not like the end, which seemed to me to treat death in an unrealistic and unhelpful manner. The book is very gentle, which will appeal to many readers, just not me.

What can I say about this book? TJ Klune is a masterful writer, and I will forever be indebted to him for sharing his works with the world. I first encountered Klune when I found "The House in the Cerulean Sea," and this newest title hit so many of the same good spots:

-Found family? Check.
-Queer representation (including bisexual protagonist)? Check.
-Protagonist finding himself through strange circumstances? Check.
-Light-hearted banter paired with devastatingly-poignant reflections on life and what comes after? CHECK.

As a study in grief and the ways that we deal with loss, this book is a gem. I wept through the last 40 or so pages, and I cannot wait to recommend it to absolutely everyone I know. It's a delightful mix of "A Christmas Carol" meets "The Good Place" with the most lovable cast of characters and a central setting in a tea shop that has made its way into my top 5 fictional locations I wish I could visit.

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I knew going into it that this book had some very large shoes to fill. After last year’s The House in the Cerulean Sea, which was one of the easiest five star ratings I’ve ever given, I knew it would be hard to top that. And while I don’t think it did, this book was absolutely beautiful in its own unique way.

There were quite a few similarities between the two, such as:
- The writing style
- The relationship between Wallace and Hugo reminded me a lot of that between Linus and Arthur.
- The character development of the protagonist
- Touching on deep life issues in a simply profound way

I love that TJ Klune put his own disclaimer in the front of the book as the story does discuss death (natural, mister, and suicide) throughout and gets pretty deep in some places.

I loved the overall messages of appreciating what you have right in front of you before it’s too late and death not being an end but rather a beginning of something new.

I have heard some people describe this as a slow burn. While I don’t believe I would necessarily describe it as that for myself, the pace did feel different from his prior novel, but I loved it in a completely different way.

If you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, I highly recommend reading this one too. You will not be disappointed!

Under the Whispering Door is delightful. But of course it is- it’s basically The House in the Cerulean Sea, remixed.

The formula:
Grumpy man falls in love with benevolent caretaker figure.
Everyone affectionately rolls their eyes at a curmudgeonly mentor.
Outwardly crusty characters have insides of gold.
Upper management provides a common enemy to rail against.
Beings from diverse backgrounds find family and acceptance.

Charming magical creatures, check. Hilarious hijinks, check.

Easy character analogs- Linus/Wallace, Arthur/Hugo, Nelson/Zoe, Talia/Mei, and Theodore/Apollo if you really want to stretch it.

But for me, this book was a lot darker than Cerulean Sea. It took me a solid 25% to really fall into a groove. But it was well worth it in the end. Klune has a lot to say about mental health and grief. Super duper kudos for inclusion of panic attacks and appropriate responses. He has also written a new take on limbo and the afterlife, and in my opinion handles a topic that has the potential to be sticky with a lot of respect and grace. And humor. There is some lovely and seamless world-building here with many unexpected (IYKYK) touches.

Klune is excellent at writing physical comedy. Someone should probably hire him for sitcom writing. I don’t laugh out loud a ton at books, but a few scenes in Whispering Door had me giggling- such as Mei with the knives and Wallace floating around like a balloon. No spoilers here, I promise, just look out for the slapstick if that’s something you like. I love it.

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

Under the Whispering Door is the latest novel by bestselling author, T.J. Klune- great for fans of The Good Place!

How would you spend your life if you only had seven days left to live? Under the Whispering Door follows Wallace Price, an insufferable lawyer, who prioritizes efficiency and productivity above all else. When a reaper shows up at his own funeral, Wallace realizes he must be dead and is whisked away to mysterious tea shop, where he must confront his life’s greatest failures.

This novel is a stunning exploration of what it means to be “human.” {Think: a spunky retelling of The Myth of Sisyphus with a healthy abundance of tea and pastries.} Without reading as overtly philosophical or existential, Klune captures the essence of the human spirit, highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and empathy. All of the characters (even the most ~realized~ ones) consistently consider life’s most important question, “How do I give meaning to a seemingly meaningless life?” The reader hangs on to every word as they witness each character’s journey to actualization.

This is my first T.J. Klune novel, but it certainly won’t be my last. The nuanced appreciation for life conveyed in Under the Whispering Door is a once-in-a-lifetime reading experience I’ll never forget.

CW: Mental Health

5.0/5.0

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

In a way only T.J. Klune can do, he made what could have been a dark and distressing book truly beautiful. This is, however, a VERY heavy read that focuses entirely on death and what comes after.

Klune does such a spectacular job of creating stories that make us reflect on ourselves and every life affected by the choices we make. I found this book to be a beautiful dive into the power of the people we surround ourselves with and the ability to find strength in yourself when you need it most.

It did take me longer to form attachments to the characters here than in The Cerulean Sea, but I ended up loving them all just as deeply. And even with the heavier content, I found this book to be incredibly sincere and soul-stirring.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this e-ARC!

Once I started reading Under the Whispering Door, I couldn't put it down, and finished it in two days.

Though the character of Wallace begins as quite nasty, the writing is so lovely and the pull forward so strong that I was willing to accept his rudeness.

It's hard to write about this book without spoiling it, but it is such a thoughtful exploration of life and death that it becomes tremendously meaningful and impactful. Klune has written another amazing book that moved me.

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!

Death means something different to everyone. Under the Whispering Door was a lot to take in and then formulate those twirling thoughts into some coherent form of a review. But here goes nothing:

Under the Whispering Door is thought-provoking with loads of questions from several characters dead or alive. Each seeks or has sought to understand (come to terms with) the new reality they find themselves in. But some questions just don’t have an answer. For some of the characters, things are what they are until they make that next choice. As with Wallace, I found myself engaged in retrospection with each new question and perspective proposed to Wallace.

Under the Whispering Door is depressing and sad (but not in a bad way, I’m just an emotional reader). Some chapters were harder to read than others. Raw, cutting emotions color those characters who find themselves “dead.” Even Hugo, the ferryman to the newly dead who come his way, can’t help but feel a shared agony for them. He has a big heart that makes him uniquely ideal for this line of work.

Under the Whispering Door is a home filled with the most delightful people you will ever meet. Wallace Price was a ruthless attorney and pragmatic ass when he was alive. As the story progresses, I grew more and more fond of him and was captivated by the ultimate transformation he undergoes. Hugo - sweet, benevolent sweet Hugo - is one of those rare individuals you’d be lucky to know and even luckier to call a friend. I loved Mei (Wallace’s reaper) and her energetic and sometimes brash demeanor. She’s a fascinating person who’ll always have your back. Nelson (Hugo’s grandfather) is hysterical, always bringing a certain lightness and wisdom to break the tension or delivering funny reality checks.

These characters were wonderful to get to know. They’re very well-rounded: flawed and real with such incredible emotional depth. I can’t imagine any other types of characters for this particular story.

Klune impressed me with how he wove this novel together. I really enjoy his writing style, humor, how he develops the plot/characters and makes me care greatly about everything going on. I highlighted a lot of great quotes and passages. There were various moments I didn’t expect or actions certain characters chose to take. I also liked the quiet, unassuming impact tea had on the story.

I was most surprised by Wallace and Hugo’s relationship, who also seemed surprised by what they felt for each other. It was beautiful. I loved seeing them together.

The climax had me on the edge of my seat! My emotions were high and all over the place. I was crying by the end - pleasantly surprised, incredibly moved, and oh-so happy.

Klune has once again crafted an outstanding and memorable novel. 5 stars!

I absolutely LOVED this book. So whimsical, beautiful, and emotive. Klune created a universe within that tea shop and I honestly wish I could visit it, as a living tea-drinking, scone eating guest, of course.

This book can sit with the greats like The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. As soon as it publishes, I’m buying a copy for my shelf and copies for every gift giving opportunity for years to come. Excuse me while I go buy The House in the Cerulean Sea right now.

It is a rare treat when you come across a novel that is so perfectly written that you know you are going to be buying copies and recommending it to everyone you know.

TJ Klune in Under the Whispering Door weaves an incredible story of Wallace Price, an asshole lawyer who dies unexpectedly and ends up at a waystation for the recently deceased. Accompanied by Mei, his Reaper, Hugo, the ferryman, and a few friendly ghosts who have chosen to remain on this plane, Wallace learns through death what it is to truly live.

For fans of A Man Called Ove and Grumpy Old Men, this is a heartwarming tale you surely do not want to miss.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. Personally, I don’t have the unconditional attachment that many seem to have to Klune’s work. Before reading this, I had finished three of his previous novels, having only enjoyed one of them. So, I was a little hesitant to read this latest advanced copy. But I did. And I’m happy to report that this is possibly the best book I’ve read by him so far. The flow is exceptional. The style is clean. The characters are endearing. And the premise is powerful. What happens to us after we die is certainly the ultimate mystery that authors have investigated over and over again. Klune’s version here is both hopeful and powerful. The idea that it’s never too late to own up to our failings and be better humans is certainly a message worth exploring and repeating. Now, for me, Klune still relies too much on his favourite devices, like repetition and slightly cheesy nods to his other books (how many times can he refer to a house on an island or describe something as cerulean?), but I’m pleased to see that the “Gilmore Girls” dialogue style issues that I normally have with doesn’t seem to be a problem in this story at all. Overall, I see a lot of maturity in this work. It’s sentimental, sensitive, captivating, and creative. Highly recommended.

This book is completely magical. I read it as a fan of Klunes other books and even then it delivered full heart and humour.

I am a huge fan of dark fantasy and dark fiction and this beautiful book about what happens when we try to move on after death ticks off so many boxes, some I didn't even realise I wanted.

The characters in this are intriguing and heart-warming and it's the character building and their relationships they share that truly make this book shine.

It has some trigger warnings to take note of particularly given the nature of the plot.

Overall this was an utterly delightful read and I cannot wait to get my hands on a hard copy once it's released

If you're wondering, after reading and absolutely adoring Cerulean Sea, if there was any possible way that Klune could once again reach into your heart and squeeze every possible emotion out of it. If you saw the upcoming publication of this book and thought, "He can't, and won't, make me sob uncontrollably again. He CAN'T, he just....no, he can't, right?". Well, I am here to tell you that 1. YES, THERE IS A WAY. And it's with this here book. And 2. YES, he CAN, and he DID. I am destroyed. There is no way I should be allowed to write this review in my current state, but I had to share these raw emotions. I had to forgo my rule of "waiting a while, and sitting with my thoughts" because my thoughts are "HOLY HECK, HE DID IT AGAIN!".

Under the Whispering Door had a lot of the same elements that made Cerulean Sea both so heart-wrenching, and warming: found family, profound realizations about life (and in this case, death), quirky and irresistibly infectious characters, a quiet and humble setting, and a storyline that was nothing like you expected but ended up being more than you could have ever asked for. I will admit though, that this one had an Epilogue that, while appreciated because I adore Klune's writing, could have been left out and it still would have been a perfect book.

I'm not sure my heart can handle any more Klune books, but if he ever stops writing, I will literally grieve. I can't wait for everyone to experience this one!

After T.J. Klune's last novel, I knew that his stories would always have my heart, and I can definitely say that Under the Whispering Door delivered all that I expected and more.

This incredible story about life, the afterlife, and even love, completely blew me away. I love the characters and Klune's fantastic storytelling. He weaves a story like no other.

I highly, highly recommend this book.