I'm very disappointed to say that I genuinely struggled to get through Under the Whispering Door because I was so excited to finally read one of T.J. Klune's books. However, it would have benefited from much more development in some areas. I didn't care much for the main characters. Their personalities and their relationships with one another were underdeveloped─Wallace's romance just seemed to come out of nowhere, in all honesty. Furthermore, I'm aware that this book is meant to contemplate what it means to be alive and how to come to terms with death, but nothing much seemed to happen throughout the entire book. It just follows Wallace whilst he learns to become less awful. Of course, there were some funny bits that kept the book entertaining, but even they would feel forced from time to time. For example, the scene in which Wallace learns to change his clothes would have been much better suited for the big screen. Of course, this is not to say that Under the Whispering Door was bad, because it was most definitely not. It was simply not the kind of book that I typically enjoy, but I would not want to discourage anyone from picking it up and reading it. In the end, T.J. Klune is simply an amazing author, so I am looking forward to picking up and reading The House in the Cerulean Sea soon.

Under The Whispering door by TJ klune was the first I had read by this author. I really tried to connect to the story, like the plot, or even the characters, but ultimately it was not for me. I ended up giving up on it half way through with no intentions to read further. I found the pacing atrociously slow and the characters unlikeable. Which for me was odd, because I normally enjoy characters meant to be hated, but definitely not this one.

I don’t think I am going to pick up another TJ klune book as I didn’t enjoy the writing either.

What would you do if you found out you had a week to live? What if this discovery was made after you were already technically dead? T.J. Klune's new novel does it again, taking a slightly unlikable protagonist and showing him what life is really all about. Wholesome and heartwarming, even in the face of death and what comes after.

Gosh, this book hits pretty hard right now. At the (hopefully) tail end of a worldwide pandemic, when so many of us are grieving one or more people we’ve loved who are gone before their time, a book about what comes after we die, about the nature of grief and acceptance… it hits pretty hard. If you’re anything like me you’ll find yourself tearing up more than once while you read, whether it’s while reading about the therapy dog who wasn’t going to leave his master behind or the grandfather who refused to move on while his grandson still needed him.

There’s a remarkable love story at the heart of this book, as well as a story of redemption for Wallace, who doesn’t realize until after his death what an absolute jerk of a human he was in life. Collected from his own funeral by delightfully sarcastic (and occasionally wannabe homicidal) Reaper Mei, he’s taken to Charon’s Crossing Tea House where he meets Hugo, the ferryman whose job it is to help Wallace cross through the door to the afterlife. The more time he spends with Hugo, though, the more Wallace realizes he doesn’t want to cross over anywhere. And while originally he wanted to go back to his old life, now he wants nothing more than to stay with Hugo and his family, found and otherwise. But the all-powerful Manager has the final say, and he says there’s no place for the dead in the land of the living.

If you have grief you’ve yet to process, you might find this helpful even while it’s heart-wrenching. It’s more than a little heavy at times, being literally a story about death, but I found it extraordinarily beautiful and I put the book down with a smile on my face, happy with the ending and how things turned out. Five stars for a beautiful, tragic story which I’ll certainly be revisiting in the years to come.

DNF Review- Under The Whispering Door

Welp, this one just wasn't for me. I enjoy TJ Klunes writing style & I was hoping to love this one but after reaching 50% I just couldn't anymore.

I was confused as to when the point of the story was going to be made and 50% is a long ways in (in my opinion) to still not be drawn in. Maybe one day I will come back to this one and understand the hype but sadly today is not that day.

Thank you to NetGalley, TJ Klune, and Tor Books for the chance to review this one. I hope my review doesn't deter you! This one can be picked up anywhere books are sold now! ✨

Under the Whispering Door is a gentle fantasy about life after death--but also about family, learning kindness, and finding love. Wallace Price in introduced in the act of coldly firing a longtime employee at his law firm. The next thing we know, he is at his own funeral, with no idea how he got there. His Reaper explains that he's dead, and transports him to a strange, distant tea shop. It's a waystation, run by a ferryman named Hugo (whose grandfather and dog are both keeping him company as ghosts).

After a spectrum of emotions--anger, denial, bargaining--Wallace accepts that his death is real, and begins to find a place in this blended human/ghost family. The expectation is that he will use the titular door to cross over into the afterlife when he is ready. But an odd thing happens: he begins to bond with the family, and to grow as a person in a way he never had in life. The unusual situation draws the attention of the Manager, a mysterious (and extremely powerful) figure who is not God, but certainly seems god-like. Wallace is given a one-week deadline to cross over, and uses that time to attempt to experience a lifetime of living.

Ultimately this is a love story in which a straight-laced gay man finds love, which is starting to look like a Klune trademark. The ending is a bit of a deus ex machina, but is nonetheless sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy.

Oh my, what a beautifully poignant, emotional, and heartbreaking book wrapped up and presented as a warm hug after a long day this was! The prose was beautiful, the ultimate message was touching and so moving and it make me think about what I want my afterlife and my regular life to look like

10 Stars please! T.J. Klune is an amazing soul. He is the only author who can make me cry while reading.
This story is everything you need in life. You need to read Under The Whispering Door!

🌛 The moment I finished reading The house in the Cerulean sea, I was eagerly waiting for this one. Unlike the previous book, which dealt with children and life, this one dealt with death and after life. However, it was quite beautifully executed by the author. It can be rightly claimed that only T J Klune can take up such a sensitive theme of grief and trauma and turn it into hope and healing.

🌛 Under the whispering door is a humorous tale of life after death with queer protagonists. The story is narrated in third person, starring a grumpy middle aged lawyer, Wallace Price. The story starts when he dies and finds himself in a strange place that apparently is impossible to explain with logic. There he meets Hugo, who is known as a ferryman. A ferryman is someone who is supposed to help you move forward through a door in the ceiling post your death. At first, Wallace is reluctant to accept the reality of his death but eventually he not only changes his attitude towards life but also find a family. A beautiful saga built from elements which are otherwise considered as disturbing or triggering, this book is a must read for everyone. It was published on 21st September. It takes approximately 9 hours to complete the book. The cover, the characters and of course, the typical slow burn romance are sure to keep you hooked to the book, just like Wallace was hooked to Hugo.🤭

🌛 To sum up, this book feels like a home, a lovely family and a warm, tight hug. All in one combo. The lesson that this book teaches us is that sometimes we need to die in order to truly live. Highly recommended!

Once in a while a book comes along and absolutely floors me with its excellence, makes me so appreciative of being a reader and embeds itself in my heart. Under The Whispering Door Is that book for me and I feel like I could talk about it forever, however whatever I say could never do this book justice.

Wallace is selfish, unkind and self absorbed, successful in work but not in the things that truly matter, love, friendship, family life. When he has a heart attack and attends his own funeral he meets Mei, a reaper, who rather than assisting him to the afterlife takes him to a teashop – one that lies between life and death.
He is about to undergo a journey that he could never imagine. He's about to meet people that will make him challenge everything he thought he knew, about life but most importantly himself.

These beautiful characters didn't just affect Wallace, they stole my entire heart, from the wisdom of Nelson to the kindness of Hugo, this beautiful book is life affirming in the most stunning way. It makes you truly appreciate the beauty of life and what a gift it is to be you. Under The Whispering Door broke me just to put me back together. Every sentence is exquisite, the way life and death is explored and what it means to be able to love. Nothing made me happier than watching Wallace find himself, and love.
I cried and I laughed but oh how I cried because this book. This book is so bloody special. Do yourself a favour and pre order it. Please talk to me about it. Thats all. Oh obviously this shot its way into my top books of 2021.

Wallace Price, a hot shot lawyer nobody really liked, suddenly dies of a heart attack. He’s faced with the complex journey of the navigating the afterlife, namely, making peace with his death. To do this, he unwillingly goes along with his appointed Reaper and Ferryman, and finds his life in death might be more meaningful than his life alive.

This book shook me to my very core of being. I laughed, I cried, I mourned, I celebrated. I loved this book with every fibre of my being. I was worried I was taking a risk reading this book when I did (I’d just lost my furry best friend of nearly 14 years) but T.J. Klune helped me cope with my grief, even in the face of a little pain. Despite the pace being a little tricky at first, the story is full of wit, humour and true joy, with a climax that had my gut in knots and heartstrings aching for happily ever after.

The characters are purer than pure and feel like family the more the book goes on. I kept imagining Alan Cumming as Wallace and Five from the Umbrella Academy as the Manager! Wallace faces the hard truths of what he did with his life; perhaps realising he lived quite a selfish and meaningless life. Wallace is helped by his Ferryman, Hugo Freeman, who is patient and full of warmth. Their interactions were comforting and, as the story progresses, simmering with chemistry.

Alongside Wallace and Hugo, there’s Mei the Reaper and Grandpa Nelson; both bring the sass and comedy to make many laugh out loud moments. Nelson and his dog Apollo have taken a wee piece of residence in my heart, they were my fave! And in the background but at the helm of it all, is the ever powerful and ominous Manager, who seemingly controls life and death.

The outlooks, philosophy and heart within this story is phenomenal. Under the Whispering Door brings a lightness to the sadness of death like nothing I’ve ever read. The closest has been The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and while I think fans of that book will love this, it remains singularly unique.

On that note, the story broaches the topic of death on multiple levels. There’s sudden and unexpected death, from accidents to deteriorating health, to getting older, suicide or dealing with terminal illness. It also deals with the grieving process in all its ugliness and naturalness. It was a little tough to read at points, but worth the sadness for all the goodness the story delivered.

This book will have you holding on tight to those nearest and dearest; checking in on loved ones who are placed far and wide. To describe my reactions as smiling ear to ear and floods of tears is most definitely an understatement. It’s one of my favourite reads of 2021! I didn’t want it to end and I’ll happily reread it in future. Under the Whispering Door was such a cathartic experience and T.J. Klune has my eternal gratitude for writing such a wonderful story. If you love the likes of It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol or The Midnight Library, you’ll not want to miss this.

Thank you kindly to Tor for an e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

“I see it now. It’s not always about the things you’ve done, or the mistakes you’ve made. It’s about the people, and what we’re willing to do for one another. The sacrifices we make. They taught me that. Here, in this place.” - Under the Whispering Door

If you loved Kline’s previous book, this will not disappoint. It is full of the same heart - themes on love, sacrifice, and healing. It is a bit sadder, for sure, and there was something that didn’t click with me in this relationship as deeply as in The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it’s not really fair to constantly compare even if I can’t help jt. This story is deep and lovely and though provoking. It’s full of lovable characters and comfort and TEA! Love all the important moments that taking place over a comforting cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

let’s get this out of the way, Cerulean Sea has been my favorite book of 2021 and there was no way for TJ Klune to top himself. keeping that in mind helped me enjoy this one more.

the beginning was slow and I don’t think I really got into the story until around the halfway mark. that being said, after that, I really loved the story. the characters were so lovable and TJ Klune’s ability to write in a way that squeezes my heart is unparalleled.

overall, I think what helped me with this book was that it was refreshing. i’ve read a lot about death and grief recently and while they were moving and powerful books, having a more lighthearted and growth focused story was a nice break.

while I think the synopsis is a little misleading, I still really enjoyed the themes and if you’re expectations are managed, I would recommend this!

I'll try to keep this short and sweet as I believe this is the kind of book best enjoyed without knowing too much about it beforehand. This is a wonderfully whimsical novel, the writing is beautiful and the characters truly come to life (or to death I should say), each chapter is proof that TJ Klune knows how to write and has figured out his style to a tee. However, the pacing at times seemed a little bit too slow and I felt as though the plot didn't quite land as it could have. To be honest, I am being a little nitpicky, since I did thoroughly enjoy this book and can't wait for whatever this author comes up with next. Fans of A Monster Calls are sure to enjoy this novel about love, grief and the importance of being your truest self while you still can.

The book was amazing. I know that's not probably the best description to give, but I don't wish to give away any part of the plot. Each page is magical, but dealing with the basics of life on this planet. Highly recommended.

[E-ARC was sent for review by NetGalley]

𝐖𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞. 𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐢𝐬.

#WickedReviews: Under the Whispering Door by @tjklunebooks

This book. Gah. If home was a feeling, it would be this book. Reading it just makes you feel so safe, protected, and calidated for everything that you’re feeling. It comforts you and lets you know that you’re never alone and you don’t have to go through life alone.

For a book about life after death, it still had its predictable moments but I honestly didn’t care about it because of how well crafted the characters were and their own journey in the book. Every character has their own shining moment in their book, and even the side characters that enter have their own purpose in the story. They aren’t randomly placed there for whatever reason. I loved their dynamic and each of them was unique in their own way.

TJ Klune has this way of writing that’s easy to grasp but it still has that whimsical atmosphere to it. It immediately transports you to the setting and makes you feel like you’re there with everyone. I particularly noticed how his ‘quotable’ lines didn’t seem out of place but rather, it just fits perfectly within the dialogue.

Honestly I don’t have a lot to say about Under the Whispering Door aside from how wholesome it was and how it felt like home. It makes you think about how to continue to live your life and just what exactly comes after death.

4.5/5 🌟

If you enjoyed TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, you will also adore this new book of is! The two have some similarities, but the story is a complete different adventure.

Wallace Price is a hard-working, cut-throat, Lawyer and you do not want to get in his way... that is until the day he dies. Everything changes when Wallace learns of his death and that there is no way to go back. Enter Mei, his reaper, who take him to the tea shop where he meets Hugo. Hugo owns the tea shop and is a ferryman into what comes after death. This is where Wallace's story begins to unfold.

Klune's character building is always a treat to see!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and author TJ Klune for this ARC!

Three cups of tea to become family. The family in this story was everything. Hugo, Mei, Nelson, and Apollo were a perfect chosen family. I loved the story of Wallace's death and his growth afterwards. Mei is the reaper that takes him to the Tea House to meet Hugo, the ferryman. There were times throughout that I giggled and laughed out loud. There were other times I wanted to cry. There was so much hope and love throughout the story. It was a sad, but somehow a feel-good book. 4.5 stars!

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is worth ALL the stars!! A beautiful emotional read! Just be sure to have several boxes of Kleenex available and close by when you do read this one.

A book about death and lessons and love and regrets. It’s a M/M Paranormal Romance need I say more?!! If you love audiobooks I HIGHLY recommend listening to this one. The narrator made this story come to life!!

This story is beautiful, heartbreaking and so much more!!! It had me all in my feels & left me hella book hungover!!!

This book was absolutely wonderful! T.J. Klune does a beautiful job of writing characters that are incredible & full of warmth. His latest book deals with grief, death, & making the most of the life we have. I highly recommend it. That you NetGalley for an e-copy!