I absolutely loved The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, so I had very high expectations of Under the Whispering Door! THe audiobook delivered!

I'll be honest, I had a hard time getting into the ebook version, however, the audiobook had be falling in love! There are parts that are a bit slow as characters and story develop, so the ebook didn't move quickly enough for me but the audiobook moved at a clip that kept me totally engrossed.

This story and the characters are so incredibly lovable. You will want to jump into this world and meet them, hug them and sit down for a cup of tea with them! The atmosphere is soothing and welcoming as well. This may be an odd thing to describe a book environment as, but I mean it! The tea shop is simply serene.

The story tackles tough subject matter delicately and portrays an all inclusive group of characters.

3.5 stars - I knew going in it wouldn't be another Cerulean Sea, so I didn't set my expectations high. It took the first half of the book to really start getting into the story. It makes you question how you live your life, but this story was so drawn out and predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

Klune's newest novel is heartwarming, earnest, light, and sweet, with a vision of an in-between afterlife that is surprisingly romantic, redemptive--and centered around tea.

"...we have to let go, no matter how scary it can be."
I love an exploration of mortality, and in T.J. Klune's newest book, Under the Whispering Door, the author offers a heartwarming story that does just that.

Klune's story features the selfish, narcissistic, workaholic character of Wallace, who notices one day that things in his life seem awry--and who is beginning to suspect that he is in fact dead. In a nod to A Christmas Carol, the Scrooge-like beginning to the book shows the insufferable, lonely Wallace witnessing his own sparsely attended funeral and hearing cutting remarks about his own outrageous rudeness and significant shortcomings.

Before crossing over from the living forever, Wallace spends time in a mysterious in-between place (a tea house) in the form of a ghost and attempts to come to terms with his demise--and also possibly redeem himself a little bit before it's too late.

Klune, the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, offers another whimsical, tender, light-LGBTQ-love story about finding your true self, recognizing what you love, and treasuring friends who feel as precious as family.

The inclusion, loyalty, and friendships here were heartwarming. The story's characters are full of love. Because even the grumpiest characters have soft, kind inner selves that emerge and act according to motivations that are often predictable, the characters often feel caricature-like. The book offers a handful of moments that felt too easy, and there's some significant repetition (for example, the idea of “you’re allowed to ask questions, it would be strange if you didn’t, and you're not supposed to know everything…but don't ask that question!”)

Much like The House in the Cerulean Sea, the tone of this book for adults was earnest and felt to me to be geared toward a more juvenile audience than the story (it is at heart an exploration of mortality and what might happen after death; sex is alluded to; and characters fall in love).

The first half of the book felt slowly paced and was spent with Wallace in limbo, being told how many things aren't known about the in-between state--and how little is known about what comes after. The last quarter of the book involved some transformation, action, and surprises, and the ending is very sweet.

Although the tones of the two books felt different, the explorations of mortality and redemption here reminded me somewhat of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. If you're interested in memoirs that explore similar themes, check out the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Powerful Memoirs about Facing Mortality.

Klune is also the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Wolfsong, and The Extraordinaries.

I received a prepublication digital edition of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Tor Books.

This book had a whimsical voice that grabbed me from the get go. I can see why this author appeals to so many people and will now be putting his first book on my tbr list. Great story, excellent characters you can't help but love and a story that grips you, page by page.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I don't even know where to begin!

Once upon a time, I DNF’D T.J Klune, putting him in the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ basket. Boy am I glad I decided to give him another go because Under the Whispering Door blew me away.

I laughed, I cried, and it tugged at my heartstrings one too many times.

A true masterpiece that will really make you think about the meaning of life.

I will forever be a fan of TJ Klune’s quirky, heartwarming writing style. Actually, can I leave this world and join one of his? The House in the Cerulean Sea was my all-time favorite read of 2020, and his latest, Under the Whispering Door, is a nourishing, serotonin-boosting, introspective look at life and moving through grief.

When a reaper collects workaholic Wallace Price at his funeral, he’s far from ready to leave his life. But Wallace doesn’t really have a choice, does he? That’s how he ends up at Hugo’s teashop, a waystation for those who have recently passed before they move on to what’s next. Thus beings a story of healing, finding one’s place, and love.

Read this if:
-you like crying and laughing at the same time
-you’re in the mood for something feel-good
-you want an easy, fulfilling read

If you're looking to get into TJ Klune, I recommend this book. As someone who's read (almost) all of the backlist, I think that this is a tame, but still sweet and heartfelt way to dive in.
We're following Wallace, who has recently died, and the ferryman who's preparing him for whatever comes after life.
I understood that Wallace had to basically relearn how to be around other people, but there were times where it felt like they were beating it over my head, and the characters acted like they were dialed up to 100.

This book is a lot heavier than I thought it would be. This book has a "Christmas Carol" quality to the plot. Wallace is an unlikeable character but it was interesting to see him process everything. The book also felt slow-paced and some parts felt long and I never felt like I was fully immersed in the story. The romance was nice. I loved the addition of a friendly ghost dog named Apollo. TJ Klune is a gifted writer. I was excited about this book because I adored The House in the Cerulean Sea. That book was a hug of a book and full of comfort. This book still has that lightness but is darker at the same time. I enjoyed this book, it's not a favorite; however, I will continue to read TJ Klune's works.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.


I was so excited for this book, I loved House in the Cerulean Sea so much. But, unfortunately, this one didn't do it for me quite like that book did. It had the same quirky vibe, with different characters, but it lacks connection (for me anyway). It started off interesting, where we meet Wallace, the uptight, lawyer main character who dies. He is quite unlikeable, but that's the point. However, as character driven as this novel is, and as much as I like Hugo, Mei, Nelson, and Apollo, the growth of Wallace and connection with all the other characters just wasn't there. It was, at times, a bit hard to get into and lacked anything profound by the end. I felt like I should have felt more than I did. Should have connected more than I did. Unfortunately, I did not. It wasn't a bad book, I did like it, I just didn't love it. I did really like the last quarter of the book though.

TJ Klune has such a unique writing style, full of whimsy but also beauty, and I simply adore everything he writes! This book was one that tugged all of the heart strings - in some ways, it reminded me of THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig - wholly different books but fans of one will adore the other I think :) one of my favorite reads of 2021!

I absolutely love TJ Klune! He brings you into these beautiful, moving, and emotional worlds. He really finds a way to engross you in this magical place that you never want to leave. This book is different than the House in the Cerulean Sea, but just as magic. It breaks your heart, but it a special and heartfelt way. I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone!!

Excellent collection of short stories about Cambodian Americans coming of age. They are all dealing with the reason why their families migrated to America, the Khmer Rouge. The parents are still haunted by what they witnessed, but the kids want to live their lives their way.

"I'm still here. I'm still here."

I've been reading about death lately.

Coping mechanisms come in all sorts of shapes and forms, I guess, but reading is what gets me to successfully acknowledge and process my emotions toward loss.

I put off reading this book after receiving a free arc of it due some of the things I heard and read about the author in association with his more popular novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea; but a friend reach out to me and told me I should give it a go. She said, and I quote, "I think you need to? It's a bit about mourning for a ghost," which threw me for a loop because isn't that what grief is?
Mourning for ghosts?

There's a line repeated a few times in the book, something along the lines of 'You died but you still exist' that just... got to me. Got to the root of a lot of internal stuff I was processing through and led to the first of many bursts of ugly tears. Hell, I'm crying right now as I type this because this isn't a book review. It's a journal entry. Reading this book felt like necessary therapy work for me, which is why I decided to post about it.

It's not the best book on the planet, nor does it have the most refreshing dialogue or tropes, but it settled something for me, which is why I will always be grateful for the experience the story provided.

Like the warning at the beginning of this novel states, this is a book about life and the various forms of death - "quiet, unexpected, and death by suicide." Please read with care.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an e-galley of Under the Whispering Door.

I don't know where to begin with this book. First, I would grab the tissues as this book is now on my "So You Want to Feel All the Feels" list. TJ Klune knocked it out of the park with this unique exploration of what happens when we die. I still have no idea how they can evoke such feelings for characters I have only met on the page. From start to finish, this was a wonderful journey and I am so glad that I took my time savoring this read.

10/10 stars - will be reading again soon.

3.5 - This book!! It was thought provoking, charming, moving and creative. There were parts (it felt a little full and messy to me) I didn't enjoy but overall it was truly good. I enjoyed the character building and the way you're led to a "conclusion". Thank you NetGalley for the free copy!

This is my first outing with TJ Klune, and after hearing SO much buzz about The House in the Cerulean Sea I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of his new novel.

His writing is everything people say it is; it is cosy, it is whimsical, it is easy to fall into and be absorbed by.

In this one we follow the recently deceased Wallace Price and his coming to terms with his own passing. The characters are at utter delight, especially each of the side-characters, and I will admit to sobbing more than once; this author really knows how to tug at the heart-strings!

That being said, I do also have some issues with this one; predominantly with the pacing. It wasn't at all 'even' to read; in places this is the slowest of slow, and in others things are rushed and crammed in. Overall it felt a little drawn out in terms of plot, but just right in terms of character development. The time we spent with them is what makes me love them so much, I just wish the plot had lived up to expectations too.

3.5 heart-warming stars.

I don’t know if there is a way to describe the utter beauty and calm of this book. It has you laughing and crying with joy one moment, and contemplating the complexities of grief in the next. I shed tears for almost every character, I giggled, I loved every moment. There is something profoundly calming about the whole book despite it coving topics such as grief, death, murder and suicide (to which the author has included a trigger warning for in the authors note).

The worldbuilding is just gorgeous, I could imagine every inch of Hugo’s Tea shop to me it was a haze of well worn pastel painted furniture that seems to fit no mater the season. It also elegantly sidesteps the questions of the afterlife, allowing for both religious and non-religious beliefs to co-exist and discusses all these possibilities in a respectful and peaceful manor. It sets no definitive leaving the reader to keep there questions open or their beliefs as to what is after. Instead it gives a beautiful rest stop in which to explore the meaning of both life and death. To think about what grief means to people and what life means to people. The whole thing is just packed with emotion that it radiates out and you can’t help but feel it all too.

Wallace the main character is just amazing, he has a very obvious character arc but it works perfectly. He is a dick, completely and utterly and therefore as a reader you don’t feel so awful witnessing his death in the first few pages of the book. TJ Klune masterfully makes you despise Wallace and yet twists it so you fall in love with Wallace in such a short space of time. The other characters are just such cinnamon rolls, they are witty and wistful and just so much fun to read about as they help Wallace on his journey. There are real moments of sadness and reflection brought on by some of the interactions, where others had me sniggering with laughter.

While the plot is the redemption tale we have probably encountered before TJ Klune’s writing, characterization and worldbuilding make this just a magical read. It is one of those warm blanket of a reads where you feel safe and secure and can loose yourself in the thoughts it provokes and the quiet calm it instils. Its just a beautiful book.

Ok. House in the Cerulean Sea was my favorite book of 2020, so I was extremely excited to pick up Under the Whispering Door this year. However, I’ve had it through NetGalley for many months, and hesitated to pick it up.

Do you ever do that with a book you know you are going to love and don’t want to ever be over? I’ll never be able to experience this book for the first time again, and I’m so sad about that.

Whispering Door was so magical. The difficult topics tackled were handled with such brilliance and care. I adored the characters immensely and wanted to hop into their little world for three rounds of tea. My heart was so full by the end of this, I hugged my kindle. Not the same as a book, but I went with it.

TJ Klune. You are pure magic wrapped up in human form. I will forever read anything you write. You are right up there with CoHo in my heart now ❤️ Thank you for your words.

Also big thanks to @torbooks and @netgalley for this arc and for publishing this phenomenal book ❤️

I received an audio version from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Honestly, if this had been a paper or e book, I wouldn't have finished it. I also didn't like the narrator's rather unusual voice for Wallace and as the narrator though his voices for the other characters were fine. Since it was an audiobook and was stored on my tablet, it was just easy to start when I got back in the car and to carry while walking to work. Essentially, sheer laziness got me to finish it. The occasional pause followed by the rare amusing comment kept me going. It reminded me of the tv show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sometimes the the little, almost after thought "bon mots" at the end (usually said by Spike) were better than the entire episode.

The book was slow and rather boring with familiar tropes retold in a slightly different way in an unusual tea shop setting. Truthfully, the setting could have been anywhere for all the teashop added to the story. Basically, like A Christmas Carol, an unpleasant person realizes what a jerk they'd been and changes for the better. The last 20% did move a long better and there was nice resolution for all the characters.

I read Cerulean Sea and saw a lot of similarities. Wondering if all the author's works have the same basic set up with a main male LGBTQ character that lives a less than ideal life, is forced to be around others and comes to realize what he's been missing and decides to make a change.

So, I felt the book was OK when I finished it due to the occasional use of humor to liven things up, the extra segments which made the story more involved than A Christmas Story and the satisfactory wrap up, but I don't know of anyone I'd say, "Read this, you'll enjoy it."

A whimsical, charming and soft exploration of death, loss and grief

Mean, cold and angry lawyer, Wallace price is shocked when he realises at his own funeral that he has in fact died. He then meets his reaper, who has come to take him to a ferryman, who will help his soul cross over. Wallace is appalled that he is dead, he can't be, he has so much work to do! Set in a cosy teashop in the mountains, Wallace soon realises that there is more to life than work, and as his new acquaintances get under his skin, he has to face up to the things he has missed out on in life.

I adored, so jumped at this one with both feet when I heard about it! The cover is gorgeous too! Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one as much. I liked it, but didn't love it, and that was for a few reasons. Firstly it just felt too similar to Cerulean. Wallace was Linus, Hugo was Arthur and they have their band of merry and adorable side characters living in a remote house. For the first part of the book, I kept hearing the narrator's voices for Linus and Arthur, which annoyed me! It was just too samey. Had I read this first, maybe I would have enjoyed it more, but I couldn't stop noticing the familiar characters, setting and tone.
I found the book predictable, and reminiscent of other stories, and do not get me started on that disappointing and frustrating ending, which I felt negated all the progress, and the message in the book?!
It was also hugely heavy handed in it's message, which I guess Cerulean was also, but I didn't mind it there because I was so charmed by everything else! This felt overly preachy, and grated on me with it's constant hammering home about the value of life, coming to terms with death, and being a better person. It felt repetitive and a bit cliché if I'm honest!

However, it was heart-warming, quirky and cute. Like a cosy blanket, it gave me warm, fuzzy feels and felt comforting. It was humorous, and I applaud T.J. Klune for being able to write about death, and make it emotional and uplifting, rather than depressing. It had a good balance in that respect.

I enjoyed the world building, and could really visualise the quirky teashop and all the characters. Perhaps it would make a good film?

The found family, as in Cerulean, were the best! They were my favourite part of this story! I loved sarcastic Mei, hilarious Nelson, and Apollo the ghost dog was adorable! Wallace I loved less, especially at the start, but I did begin to root for him as he started to show his vulnerability and true feelings. I didn't really buy the love story though, and didn't feel it was necessary.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this, but it just wasn't as good as I was expecting. It didn't move me like I thought it would, but I liked the overall message and the characters were wonderful! If you are looking for a familiar tale, which reminds you of cerulean, or are reading this one first, then you might love it, many others certainly did!