In case you’ve never read a Klune book before, let me set the scene: extremely diverse, queer, and lovable cast of misfits become a found family while you get slapped in the face with emotions you thought you were prepared for but you really weren’t. And scene.

You would think after years of reading Klune’s stories I would have learned my lesson but nope. Tears and book hangover every damn time. This time especially.

This is a story about a Scrooge-type character who dies. Boom. The end. No just kidding. But like, not really. Wallace is an unlikeable dude who kicks the bucket and is sent to this tea house that acts as a temporary holding place for those who need a little help processing before moving on to the afterlife. While there we meet the most wholesome band of characters and inevitably fall in love with each of them as the plot slowly moves along. This is definitely a story about processing death in all fashions so that needs to be clear in the trigger warnings. This is also a story about humanity and life and it’s just goddamn beautiful.

Klune’s characters always hit different than any other book. They are very real and vulnerable and authentic. They never feel like stereotypical book characters who fall into normal beauty standards or expectations, they feel like real every day people. It brings such a relatable factor to his stories. I’m going to be thinking about Wallace, Hugo, Nelson, Apollo, and Mei for weeks now and wishing that I could hang out with them a little bit longer. But thus is life…and death.

Going in I knew enjoyed this author before and laughed aloud from his books. What I wasn't expecting was a beautiful story about family, grief, life and death, and love.

The main character, Wallace is not a good person. He is selfish and only thinks about work and nothing about the people around him. When he suddenly dies he arrives at a strange tea shop that is more than what it seems. There he learns that there is more to death and life than he could even imagine.

Of course, this charming book has the whit and humor that T.J. Klune is known for, but it touches a lot more than that. There were a couple of times that I felt annoyed at characters belittling and making fun of Wallace for his understandable confusion and stress when he first arrives, but by the end, it was all good. Reading this book made you attached to all characters and grow with them.

I definitely recommend this book!

WOW!!! This book was gorgeously written, TJ Klune was able to bring me to tears multiple times throughout this book. Even a week later my eyes welled up when I was describing it to a co-worker. EVERYONE MUST READ THIS BOOK, it talks about life, love, grief, and death in a way that makes you feel everything the characters are feeling.

This is my third TJ Klune book and they have all been five star reads. I cannot wait to read book #3 in the Extraordinaries series and I need to read The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Thanks to NetGalley & Tor Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, DNF at 50%.

Wallace is a typical lawyer, soulless and heartless. Until he dies. Then he's hit with the concept of death and mortality. And the fact that he was a total jerk when he was alive doesn't help either. Wallace, with the aid of strangers, slowly comes to terms with his death and what happens after.

Don't get me wrong, I love TJ Klune's books but this was definitely a darker one in tone and I wasn't really expecting that. I didn't read the summary beforehand like a fool, so, my bad. The writing's still snappy and deep like TJ Klune's other stuff but I just didn't really like the story in general. If you're fine with contemplating the existence of life and death with witty dialogue, then this is the book for you.

To start off, I think this book is an interesting commentary on death. I found it really interesting to see death from the other side. So often in pop culture ghosts and spirits and view as vengeful, angry things. Or they are used as plot devices to help the main character through trials, et cetera, et cetera.
This story is about the ghosts, it's about Wallace dealing with the fact that he died and realizing how he lived his life. It's about dealing with regret, sadness and acceptance. This time the human is the plot device, he's used to help the ghosts move through their feelings and I think that's beautiful.

The only other thing I have to say about this book is that it's slow burn. There's nothing wrong with that! And I do seriously enjoy slow burn romances, but I prefer to be expecting them. I almost gave this book 4 stars because I was expecting it to be a bit more fast pace and get to the things we're expecting fast, but you don't. It really takes it's time and when I finished it I did debate for a minute, but I think the pace was right.
The problem is more in the synopsis making you anticipate things too soon. At least that was the problem from me, not the book itself.

And finally Wallace and Hugo. Oh my, their developement was just so amazing and wonderful to read and even if you get the book just for them, it's totally worth it. T.J. Klune is quickly becoming a favourite author and I cannot wait to read more from him.

I'm struggling a bit to get through through this book. I'm about 30% in and everyone keeps telling me it's so worth it so I'll hopefully have a thorough review soon!

Wow. This hit me like a ton of bricks. It was very heavy and thought provoking but has such a deep and powerful meaning. I took my time going through this book as to absorb as much as I could and I’m so glad I did. I fell in love with all of the characters (especially Apollo — for obvious reasons [he’s a dog]) and the character development was great. I wish I hadn’t read the synopsis before going into this because I felt like I was waiting for something specific to happen and the book would have been ever better going in blind.

“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.”

I was so excited when I got approved for this e-arc! I loved THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA and I was looking forward to reading Klune’s next release.

Read this: if you want to cry on your commute home (like me😂!) & I never get emotional from books! This book is filled with so much love and discussions about life and death but it never feels too heavy.

This novel is very character driven! I honestly struggled with the pacing, but I’m glad I stuck it out to the end. The writing was beautiful and I loved all of the characters and how different they were. My only real complaint was that the ending was kind of too perfect, but id rather that than the opposite! I look forward to reading the next Klune novel!

If you’re looking for an imaginative read, this newest book by TJ Klune will certainly fit that description. Klune spins a unique take on death and what happens in the days following.

We’ve all heard of the grim reaper and heaven and hell, but each of us most likely has a unique view of the afterlife, whether you are Christian or not. Klune steers away from any religious ideas about death and refers to it as crossing over to a different place.

Wallace, our main character, has died of a sudden heart attack. Wallace was a high-powered attorney and is very much similar to Ebenezer Scrooge. His entire life was consumed with work. He had no special relationships and was not well liked.

When he wakes up one day and realizes he has died, he just can’t accept it. Mai, a reaper, shows up to help Wallace, taking him to a house where he will stay until he is ready to make his crossing. The house belongs to Hugo and he is the one that helps people get ready to cross over. Other residents in the house are Nelson, Hugo’s grandfather and Apollo, Hugo’s dog. All of these characters help to soften Wallace’s heart and open his eyes to the life he had lived.

My favorite part of the book was the interaction between Wallace and Nelson, along with Apollo. I love a story with a good dog in the midst. This is a story with great characters, much imagination and an a hopeful ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan-TOR/Forge for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

TJ Klune is at it again! Firstly this is not the same wholesome content that The House in The Cerulean Sea was. This book follows death, grief, and what come after. I felt like this book found me at an appropriate time and giving me a friend to be with.

We follow Wallace Price, who in the beginning is a huge asshole, and when he suddenly dies he finds himself at a tea shop in the middle of nowhere. Throughout the book Wallace grows a lot. Hugo (the ferryman there to help Wallace pass over) is such a sweet caring man!

The side characters are phenomenal! Mei (a reaper), Nelson (Hugo’s grandpa who is a ghost and sassy as hell!), and Apollo (Hugo’s old almost service dog turned ghost).

I honestly could not put this book down. I think TJ Klune does an amazing job with found families and acceptance. Truly going in you think this is about Wallace’s journey to the next stage, but in a way almost every character you meet in on their own journey and it was a pleasure seeing it.

10/10 will cry during the last 30%

5/5 stars!!

Under the Whispering Door was beautiful and heartbreaking. I kept thinking “how is a story about someone dying so funny and addicting?”

Wallace didn’t live his life to the fullest and now that he’s passed, he’s finding out just what was missing. As he’s in limbo, waiting to cross over, he forms a friendship with the ferryman, Hugo, and the rest of the gang. It is a little predictable, how Wallace learns from his mistakes while living and does his best to be a better…ghost.

The romance felt minimal to me. I wasn’t sure where it came from. It felt like they were becoming friends and then BAM.

But none of that really matters to me because I still adore Under the Whispering Door. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking, funny and sad, beautiful and crushing. It is still so surprising to me that a book about death could be so sweet and insightful and make me feel so much.

Lastly, Nelson may only be a side character, but he may be one of my favorite characters to ever grace a page. Under the Whispering Door was so well written and enjoyable and I’ll look forward to more by T.J. Klune.

If ever there was a fiction novel that I wished was nonfiction....

Beautiful interpretation of a period of the cycle of life as its focus. Whimsical with magical realism that comes across more YA than A, but still a heart warming tale that gives all the feels.

My only concern is that the cover will make this a hard sell to adults. I've already run into this problem recommending it to patrons.

I think my love for TJ Klune's books is not as much as before because I can't feel the excitement whenever I am reading his book anymore. I really thought that this book was going to be a five-star like his other books, but it was more like 3.5 stars. I feel like the writing for this book reminded me a lot of the Wolfsong series and his other books in general. Also, I wasn't really into the concept of this book like I was with his other books. I don't know if his next book can amaze me, but I have hopes for it!

It's such a sweet story! A life lived poorly can still be turned around. Redemption, even in death, is possible.

Wallace Price was grumpy, mean, and not very kind in life. In death he listened, learned and changed his way of thinking. Hugo was so confident in helping people, even if he wasn't always confident in himself. And he surrounded himself with the best kinds of people to help him where he had weaknesses.

The characters come alive on the page, and the vivid storytelling makes you feel like a fly on the wall of the story. I loved it!

It's never too late. Listen. Change. Improve.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This was my first TJ Klune book and I was not ready. This book SHOOK ME. I just finished about 30 minutes ago and I had to sit and process for that entire time before I could write a review.

I loved this book. I think it easily won the award of "book that made me cry the most in 2021" or maybe not even in 2021, just ever. What a deep and wonderfully heart breaking book. I am SO thankful I was given an ARC of this because this is probably one of the best books I've read all year.

Wallace is a man who is all business. He has let his work life of becoming a powerful partner at his legal consume his entire personality. He has lost his friends, his wife and all else to this, although he does not see it as a loss. He likes order and not having these distractions in his life has helped him focus on work and not feelings. Until one day, it all changes. Wallace finds himself at his own funeral, which only 5 people attend. He is forced to deal with his life choices when Mei, his Reaper comes to collect him to take him to the next step in his journey. Wallace is submerged in feelings he always pushed away and ignored when he meets his Ferryman, Hugo. This book tackles the reality of loss, death, suicide, losing a loved one, pretty much everything that breaks your heart and makes you want to cry. Words truly can not describe how amazing this book is.

I read the the first chapter of this book and literally laughed out loud. I had to read it to my husband because it was just SO GOOD. The humor that T.J. puts into this book that is literally all about death is so perfect that the first half the book was more of a "feel good" book. The second half of the book was equally as wonderful, but on a deeper level talking about death and dealing with grief. Being raised by my grandparents and being especially close with my grandfather, Nelson touched maybe a little too close to home for me. I think this book really made me reflect on what I would do if I lost everything like Hugo has and how much I appreciate the loved ones I still have.

I fell in love with all of our characters almost immediately. Nelson, Apollo, Hugo, Mei, Wallace and yes, especially Desdemona Tripplethorne. They were all so easy to love and connect with that I felt like I was apart of this cozy little tea shop and apart of their family. I cried about 75% of the time while reading because this book just touches on so many different level. Suicide, murder, unexpected death, losing your partner, child or parents. Dealing with your sexuality, accepting who you are and also allowing the path that the universe put in front of you unravel. T.J. touched on so much in this book but all these topics are blended perfectly in the book.

My only complaint (but not really complaint) is that I cried every time I picked up this book. I don't know if I necessarily was in the right head space to read such a deep book, but I am glad that I did. Before you pick up this book, please understand there are A LOT of trigger warnings, but they are never portrayed in a negative way. Hugo does such a fantastic job of comforting you while you cry so in the end I think I was ok.

Wow. This story was why I love to read. I don’t have the adequate words at this time to explain what a triumph this book is (mostly because I just finished it and I’m a sobbing mess). TJ Klune - you have an amazing gift and I want to thank you for sharing it with the world.

While I didn’t enjoy Under the Whispering Door quite as much as T.J. Klune’s previous novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea, it’s another very creative novel.

The characters are unique, each with a clearly defined personality that adds depth to the story (Wallace, Hugo, Mei, Nelson, the Manager, and even Apollo, the ghost dog.) There are people who are alive (and even some who are dead) who are unable to get over the loss of a departed loved one and it's Hugo's job is to help them face death.

Despite it all, the author manages to find humor amidst what might otherwise be a melancholy topic. There’s Desdemona Tripplethorne with her Ouija board who is determined to get the spirits to speak. (As Rocky J. Squirrel would ask, “Are they friendly spirits?”) I couldn’t stop laughing out loud at the line “I’m going to eat your diver.” (You had to be there!) And even though I figured out how the novel would end, it was a delight to find out how the author takes you there. Under the Whispering Door is a heartwarming, humorous, and poignant tale about grief, loss, building relationships, and moving on.

Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Wallace Price was not a kind man. When he died, it was more of a celebration than a time of mourning. Wallace wasn't ready to die so luckily, he ended up at an odd little tea shop. While there, he finally learned how to live.

This book is funny and charming and just a touch bittersweet. The more time that passes, the more fondly I feel about it. It's definitely unforgettable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an incredible and beautiful book. I absolutely loved this. You get the same vibe as House in the Cerulean Sea. Lovable characters, redemption, found family, and people just trying to be the best humans they can be. This book can make you feel good about life and death. It touched my heart and I even teared up at times. What a wonderful story with a very satisfying resolution. It’s definitely a buy not borrow for me

After cutthroat attorney Wallace Price suddenly dies and finds himself bound for the afterlife, he must learn to love in a life that only truly begins with his death. His time as a ghost in a tea shop/celestial door to heaven gives him a chance to find home.

This is a charming world, clearly written with deep love for the characters as the author processes their own beliefs about death and grief. Always here for a queer romance. However, I felt this novel was a little under-steeped for me. It didn’t have a strong enough direction to push a reader through many pages of long blocks of heart warming dialogue. Like a tea pot in a knitted cosie, my heart was way too warmed. It was in an inferno of inspirational monologues. I just needed more depth and stronger narrative structure for it to satisfy me.

Still, this book is sure to appeal to fans of this author’s earlier work and those working through their own feelings of loss and struggle of feeling displaced in traditional belief systems around death and grief.