🌟Book Review🌟 Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune ~to be published 2021

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely loved this peak behind the curtain of what life might be like after death. It is everything you would expect from TJ Klune and more.

Page count: 384 pages
Publication date: September 21, 2021

My sincerest thanks to @torbooks, @netgalley, and @tjklunebooks for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wallace Price is the archetypal big firm lawyer— unsympathetic, a workaholic, and utterly ruthless. One minute he is working, and the next he finds himself watching his own funeral (we learn soon after that he has had a heart attack). He is incensed when none of the four people in attendance (!) have anything nice to say about him, but then he notices a fifth person who he has never seen before. From there, the reader is transported into Klune’s beautiful fantasy of what the afterlife may be like. Can Wallace accomplish everything he realizes he needs to before it is too late?

I absolutely LOVED this one. For me, it is even stronger than Klune’s much-hyped The House in the Cerulean Sea. It is deeper and more complex, dealing with the granddaddy of all subjects, life and death. Grief is front and center in this book, but it also has all of the lighter elements that readers of Cerulean Sea will find familiar — a heartwarming redemption arc, a beautiful queer romance, thoughtful representation of diverse characters, and a satisfying (if predictable) ending. And the humor! OMG I was laughing out loud 👙 🤠. A couple of minor critiques: Wallace’s evolution from total jerk to incredibly decent guy was a little abrupt, and I was confused as to why everyone was so upset with the manager when he hadn’t really done anything wrong (what am I missing?). I do still feel that Klune’s work is pretty conventional and skews YA, but going into this novel with those expectations in place allowed me to accept it for what it is and completely fall in love with it. Highly recommend!

This review will be posted on Instagram and Goodreads — @sanfranliterarygal

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the e-Arc.
This is my first TJ Klune book I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved it. The story was beautiful, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. I also read this book without reading the full description which is something I recommend you do if you want to cry at 3 a.m because you didn’t know something that was already in the blurb.

I picked this book up because the cover was so odd but when you actually read the book you start to understand why all these elements are there and I loved that.

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Under the Whispering Door follows Wallace Price, a selfish and ruthless lawyer who dies unexpectedly at 40. Whilst watching his own funeral, he meets a reaper who takes him to the one person who can help him move on, a ferryman named Hugo. This takes Wallace through a journey from denial to acceptance. TJ Klune's writing makes this reading experience feel almost personal and the way he introduces the other characters makes it so that you can't help but fall in love with the little teashop and its occupants.

At its heart, this is a book about dealing with grief and accepting your life for what it was. It was filled with characters overcoming trauma and learning empathy. But this book was also full of funny moments and dry humour that just fit perfectly even if in-between were some actual soul-crushing scenes that had me crying at 3 AM (Most of it was because of Apollo and Cameron).

Without spoiling anything, the ending of this book might not be for everyone (especially if you're cynical by nature). Or maybe I just spent so much time preparing for the book to end one way that I wasn't prepared for how it actually finished.

I’ve had a fantastic reading year so far in 2021. Unfortunately, that means I’ve had a lot of book hangovers. You know. You have a fantastic 5-star read and you want to stay in that world. You don’t want to move on to something else. I’m also one of those “highly sensitive humans.” The kind that escorts ants and flies out of the house. That means that books that really make me feel (my favorite genre— “All the Feelings”) give me the worst book hangovers of all. I am now currently nursing one of those bad ones courtesy of the charming new book from TJ Klune, the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea.

I never heard of TJ Klune until I took a leap out of the box (not really a fantasy fan here) on the wildly popular The House in the Cerulean Sea. Kudos to me for grabbing that one. I loved it enough to dive into fantasyland again with Under the Whispering Door. And again, I was rewarded. What a sweet, quirky, affecting read. It’s about death and the transition to one’s next life, but it’s not what I would call religious in nature. It touches more on how people react to death and even more so on the reapers and ferrymen who work out of waystations that help the ghosts along to their final destination. Themes include denial, anger, acceptance, cruelty, the power of discussion, love, families of fate, Ouija boards and other ghostly matters.

The writing is simple but endearing. I could read Mr. Klune’s writing for hours and hours. There is whimsy, wit, and poignancy. More importantly, there is originality. The book is not predictable at all and has a moving epilogue that made me cry.

If you are in the mood for a whimsical yet touching and very human story, pick this one up. I highly endorse it for everyone.

I received this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Thank you in advance for giving me the opportunity to read this book in anticipation of its release!
After seeing all of the hype surrounding "The House in the Cerulean Sea", I knew I needed to get my hands on TJ Klune's newest release! Just after reading the first page I was immediately hooked. Wallace was a super unlikeable main character, but his humor had me laughing from the beginning. This was obviously a very hard-hitting and heavy book, but I think the added mix of sarcasm and banter helped to alleviate some of the seriousness. I really loved the tea shop atmosphere; it had me wanting to move to the middle of nowhere to open a tea shop. I really appreciated the diverse cast of characters and the LGBTQ+/race representation that TJ Klune included. The only issue I had with this book was the lack of plot. Under the Whispering Door is definitely a character driven story without much of a plot, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book at all. Overall, this was a really amazing book focused on grief and death, but also love and friendship.

I was so excited to read this book after falling head over heels in love with "The House in the Cerulean Sea." And while "Under the Whispering Door" didn't surpass that love, it certainly lived up to expectations. This book is a meditation on death and grief unlike any I've read. It is honest and brutal at times while maintaining the signature quirky quality of Klune's writing.

Klune continued his expert use of character-driven stories by making me fall in love with the main residents of the tea shop. I will say, however, the first several chapters bored me and I almost put down the book. I was unable to get on board with Wallace's character, even though I knew where his character arc was headed. He was an unlikeable protagonist to the point that I didn't even want to see how he changed throughout the book.

On a related note, the book's structure feels a little bit recycled from House in the Cerulean Sea. 1. Grumpy man's life gets upturned by powers outside his control. 2. He meets a cast of characters whose personalities are in direct opposition to his own. 3. Due to spending time with them, he changes his worldview. 4. He falls in love with the leader of that group of people at the same time. Even though I didn't know exactly where each twist and turn led in this specific book, I probably could have correctly guessed at the major plot points.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be recommending it. However, I did not enjoy the predictable nature of the story, even though I loved individual elements of it.

Wallace is greeted by a reaper at his funeral and instead of going onto an afterlife he is hanging around an odd tea shop. A ferryman is running the tea shop helped by the reaper that collected him there is also the ghost of the ferryman’s grandfather and the ghost of his dog. Wallace was a self-absorbed jerk in life but bit by bit that changes as he deals with being dead. Something happens and I will not say what but now Wallace has a week left to his existence in the tea shop as he is learning to be a better person and go through the final door. This book left me crying in public more times than I like to think about. It is a sweet story that tugs on the heartstrings and some people may not want that if they are dealing with grief in their lives. Needless to say at some point this story will bring a tear to your eye and if you can forgive a book for doing that then this is a great read.


Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley

Echoing others, Klune's trademark cozy and mystical found family feelings are all present in "Under the Whispering Door." Klune tackles dark topics such as death, grieving, and self-harm from the warm confines of a tea shop, a feat that is not easy to do. While I immensely enjoyed the read, at times I felt this novel echoed "House in the Cerulean Sea" too closely. The stuck-in-a-rut protagonist-who-changes-their-ways-right-away and the warm-love-interest-here-to-offer-you-a-lovely-home-and-a-found-family rang slightly repetitive to me, though I really did enjoy this novel. After publication, I am curious to discuss with other readers whether a platonic rather than romantic relationship may have served the novel better? I also felt like some threads were left loose. I would have loved more information about the manager, husks, hooks, and the whole organized institution of dying.

There are two parts to this review- the first is more generic and if you just want an idea or feeling on this book then don't read past the first paragraph. the second is more personal but also important for those of you worried about the personal impact of the book.

1. This book is so different, yet incredibly similar, to House in the Cerulean Sea. Unlike HitCS, this book isn't a literary hug. Instead, it feels like Klune was pulling taffy with my soul. Once again Klune perfectly balances depth with coziness in a way that is frankly baffling. The character development was strong, the storyline solid, and the feelings were very very real. If you loved HitCS and the plot of this book interests you, give it a try. if you didn't like the style of HinCS but are interested in the plot-this might not be for you.

2. Mental health-wise this put me through the wringer. I don't usually read books like this but I was entranced by Klune's style and thought this would be great for me. Quite frankly it was not. I won't deny the book its well-deserved five stars- but this put me through the wringer. I cried the last quarter and left the book (which spoilers- ends happily) fighting my depression. This book sparked feelings and thoughts which frankly I try to avoid. If you suffer from depression or dark thoughts- Please don't read this book.

Oh my goodness but TJ Klune writes the most magical incredible stories! I absolutely loved this one... It was a difficult read for me - my dad died a year ago, and I've been struggling with grief for some time now. A book focused on death and the afterlife may seem like a strange choice as a result, but I found it therapeutic and delightful and hopeful all at once.

That's totally down to the magic of Klune's storytelling skills. The book is, in a word, brilliant. It's original and clever and thought-provoking, all while being endearing and entertaining and running the gamut of emotions. I literally laughed and cried.

The characters are marvelous and totally human in all their foibles and frailties. Characterization is one of Klune's particular gifts, and that gift is on full display here. World-building runs a close second though, make no mistake, and that is managed deftly and with humility and humanity, as it was in Cerulean Sea.

It's a magnificent story and definitely one I'll read again and again... There is so much complexity here that I imagine the rereading will be every bit is delightful and feel every bit as novel as the original read did. That doesn't mean it's an overly complicated story - or one that you cannot grasp if you read it only once. You definitely can. But as with so many good things, I can tell it will only get better with time...

Klune has done it again! I never thought anything could top his “House in the Cerulean Sea” but this has done it. Great read and patrons are going to love it. Thank you!

Under the Whispering Door is a beautiful, tearjerker of a love story. The characters are well written and developed and even though the subject matter is dark, Klune still finds the light. Highly recommend to fans of House on the Cerulean Sea.

T.J. Klune has really got this wholesome books slap the hardest thing down, hasn’t he? Under the Whispering Door is just that kind of book. Ever wondered what happens after you die? This story has its own take on the idea. Mostly it’s about making the most of second chances, and that it’s never too late to change as a person and to turn things around. I love that hopeful message and I hope you do too when you pick this book up on it’s release date in September.

Wallace Price is the definition of all work and no play. He’s a named partner at a law firm that he started with his college and quite literally doesn’t have time for anyone but himself. The opening chapter paints him in his worst light – cruel, unforgiving, a perfectionist and not an empathetic bone in his body. Two days after he fires an employee (ruining her life in the process), Wallace dies of a heart attack and finds himself in the in between. Guided by the reaper Mei and ferryman Hugo assigned to help him cross after death, Wallace refuses to accept that he’s no longer alive. But there’s something about the little tea shop that Mei and Hugo run, and the people he meets along the way, the will change Wallace forever.

Where do I even begin? This book is beyond wholesome. It’s a masterful portrayal of character development – it has to be to take a reader on Wallace’s journey with him. As the focal character, Wallace is instantly dislikeable at the start, kind of like Linus in The House of the Cerulean Sea but worse. He is the cruel to Linus’ ignorance. He’s angry and difficult when he first arrives at the tea shop, but Hugo knows what he is doing as a ferryman. Along with Hugo and Mei, Hugo’s grandfather, a lingering ghost like Wallace, is also clinging to the tea shop to take care of Hugo. Nelson is one of the funniest characters, providing some much needed comic relief in a book that has so much heartbreak and sadness at the centre.

The world-building is so unique, with the characteristics of the living and the dead, of the people who can interact with both, and the way the laws of the universe work. I liked the gentle explanations and the fact that just like the characters experiencing it, we never know the whole truth of what happens when a ghost chooses to move on beyond the door. Wallace learns to enjoy being at the tea shop, growing in character with the help of his new friends. The book definitely has a childlike innocence about it mixed in with the tough topics, but I wouldn’t recommend this one for teens the same way I would The House in the Cerulean Sea because it touches on some intense topics like suicide.

Overall, I loved Under the Whispering Door a lot. T.J. Klune really knows how to write a seemingly uninteresting character and make them fascinating to read about. If you liked The House in the Cerulean Sea then I think it’s very likely you’ll like this one too. Similar vibes, completely different story. Shout out to the dog, Apollo. He really is the goodest boy.

Under the Whispering Door handles the topic of grief and death in a way that felt too on the nose for me.
Since this book is mostly character driven, there are plenty of pages full of dialogue that felt repetitive and unnatural at times. Every interaction between the characters felt like a thinly veiled metaphor that even the characters themselves tended to point out jokingly. Even the funny bits of writing felt too obvious and forced, resting on character's acting absurdly to gain a laugh.
While I am a fan of slower plots that focus on character development, I still enjoy well constructed world-building that Under the Whispering Door lacked for me. Since the book revolves around our main character Wallace dying, there are Reapers, Ferrymen, 'Manager's, and other supernatural creatures that inhabit this story. Yet, they never felt fully fleshed out. Wallace (our MC) would constantly be asking questions on the logistics of this new world only to be met with vague answers or little mottos like "Isn't it best not to know everything?" that left me feeling frustrated instead of being able to sink deeper into this tale.
I can certainly appreciate what Under the Whispering Door aims for in its story, wanting to tackle what it means to truly live and to comfort us within our sadness, but the heavy dialogue felt dense and overly metaphorical while the world-building felt too shallow for my personal enjoyment.

The first chapter had me in stitches; I loved "hating" the protagonist. By the end of the book, he grew on me. In fact, I even had tears in my eyes.
This book definitely makes you consider life, death and what might happen after. TJ Klune writes charmingly quirky characters like no other author I have experienced. It is a testament to his character development that I fell in love with them while reading.

Thank you NetGalley, TJ Klune and Tor Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The best way to describe this book is that it's quiet There's not anything fast pace or in your face. It's first and foremost a novel about grief and how we as humans deal with it. It follows Wallace, a man who has died and Hugo, a ferryman helping Wallace work through his death.

I'm a long time TJ Klune fan. I love his writing style and how he weaves worlds. For me, this was not my favorite of his books, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It was still five stars in my opinion, just not my favorite of HIM. TJ is a master at creating characters that make you feel something. You get inside their heads and live there. For Under the Whispering Door, you live in Wallace's head and watch as he slowly turns into a better person by just knowing Hugo and realizing that in life he was an ass, but in death he can become something much better.

I'm not going to lie, I bawled the last chapter and a half. It's hard not to cry when you're reading TJ Klune books and this is no exception. This book really speaks about death and grief and it's beautifully done. At first you don't even realize how much this book resonates with you. I'm positive that everyone can see themselves and their experiences with death and grief in this book. I highly recommend.

This is such a beautiful book and one I think I will reread numerous times.

Under the Whispering Door is not to be read lightly, in my opinion, it would help if you were in a space where you are ready to consider life and what comes beyond. Whilst this doesn't hold the answers, I felt a sense of catharsis. As many others will have experienced, I recently lost a member of my family and I could see my grief, my questions and a sense of peace in the journey of this book. It was almost a therapy, tread through the movement of Wallace.

This book is so rich: grab a cup of tea; a packet of tissues; and time.

TJ Klune continues to prove himself to be an incredibly gifted and talented writer. This lacks some of the humor and quirk of "Cerulean Sea," and is much more character driven. There were some particularly emotional moments as this book is a meditation on grief and death.

CHARACTERS- The author has some exceptional character work and all of them are so wholesome, so realistic and so, so precious. The story is told in third person + present tense.


The beginning was one of my favourite parts, filled with Klune's signature quirk and charm. It was a little funny seeing a kind of guy like Wallace who thinks he has everything just have to come to terms with suddenly being just dead, and coming to this strange tea shop where this person is supposed to hel him move on, essentially and he can't quite believe it. He just wants to get his life back.

The only complaints that I do have is that it felt quite drawn out at times. The middle bit is very slow. That was a point where the author could potentially lose a lot of readers. Unless you're starting to get attached to the characters, you might not even want to stretch it towards the second half of the book.

Nobody writes corporate humor quite like Klune does. The way he writes satire on the the desk jobs and the monotonous life is amazing. But at one point, it started feeling repetitive.

If you're the kind of person who loves a slow-burn romance, there's something for you here as well. Although it felt quite incongruous to me, I know objectively that it's very sweet and I didn't really mind that little additional angst and cuteness.

All opinions in this review are honest and my own. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for giving me this opportunity.

WRITING- If you have read the Cerulean Sea, then UtWD is going to hit a lot of the same spots emotionally. They don't have any similar themes at all, but the sort of calm and soft writing style that has been consistently maintained by the author. The writing style is so approachable and beautiful. It kinda gives you the feeling of sitting alone in the solitude of a beach and looking at the waves.

THEMES- This books has themes like death, grief, moving on, coming to terms with any kind of loss, and I think these are such relevant topics.

It talks about acceptance, belief in afterlife and freedom of choice as more of its secondary themes. The author weaves these so gracefully into the narrative, that is warm and heart-wrenching feeling all at the same time.

Overall, Under The Whispering Door was a beautiful reading experience and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a slow, comfortable read

I don't know what it is about TJ Klune's writing, but it's just.... cozy. Like sitting by the fire with a blanket and a hot chocolate on a cold winter day.

The first two chapters of this book were hilarious, but after that I found it kind of meh. It was a little drawn-out, and could have been much shorter I think.

That being said, how I would love to find a place like the Tea Shop with kind people there like Hugo, Mei, and Nelson (and near the end, Wallace.)!

This is one truly heartfelt book. Initially, I wondered what I'd gotten myself into. Wallace, an unexpectedly deceased attorney was ruthless in life. In death, he finds his way through his introductions to Hugo, Mei, Nelson, and Apollo. The tail from heartless attorney to helpful ghost is one of many emotions. I cried far more than I expected. This book could make a good bereavement gift for family of loved ones lost.