How do you put into words what this book is for people? These books are a balm. They warn the soul. These stories are so full of heart and resilience. All of the characters have a special place in my heart and will forever be literary favorites.

I received an advanced copy of this beautiful book. All opinions are my own.

I can already feel how unpopular of an opinion this is going to be (not my coworker literally staring at me with glowing embers for eyes)…..but I will speak my truth gosh darnit. This book was ALL fan service. Don’t get me wrong, I ate it up like 300 pages of Lucy the Antichrist?! Say less brother. But what made House in the Cerulean Sea so unique and special just doesn’t hit the same here. It does make sense because Cerulean Sea was very unique to its time, being the first really inclusive “cozy fantasy” to hit the mainstream, but I don’t think that’s an excuse for this one to not be as good. There was little to no real plot or character development, and while the overall message of “sometimes you can’t change people’s minds and you just have to stand up for yourself and what you know is right” is REALLY good and present - the conflict or resolution to make it hit home just feels inevitable and 2D. I’m not trying to take away from the absolute WHIMSY of it all, and maybe if I just wanted to feel good this would be 5 ⭐️s, but I was promised Arthur’s deep dark past and I got Arthur being an incredible dad to his kids for 300 pages. I’m not complaining I stg I’m just saying 😭 i did love David the yeti, he was fantastic and his dynamic with Lucy was everythinggg. Overall though, I was a little disappointed by the epilogue-esque feeling of it all. Sorry ☹️

Was not able to read the whole book but the beginning few chapters were incredible! It was amazing to hear the characters again and see where their story is going to lead!

A wonderful follow up to the House By the Cerulean Sea. It's a sequel I didn't know I needed. I wouldn't mind if there were more books set in this world.

*Somewhere Beyond the Sea* by TJ Klune is a beautifully written, heartfelt journey of healing, love, and acceptance. Klune's signature blend of humor and tenderness shines through, crafting a rich, immersive world filled with characters who are impossible not to root for. The emotional depth, whimsical charm, and life-affirming messages make this novel an unforgettable, five-star read.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea, the highly anticipated sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea, takes everything readers loved about the first book and amplifies it with new layers of heart, humor, and magic. TJ Klune’s signature warmth shines through as he explores deeper themes of healing, acceptance, and the power of found family, while introducing some unforgettable new characters—like the lovable David the Yeti.

Arthur’s personal journey really stands out in this book. While helping the magical children at the orphanage, Arthur is forced to confront some painful parts of his past. Through his connection with the kids, he starts to heal his own emotional wounds. It’s a beautiful process of giving and receiving love, where Arthur realizes that by supporting the children, he’s also giving himself the chance to heal. Watching his growth and the way he helps the children navigate their own struggles is incredibly moving. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to work through our own issues is by being there for others.

Then there’s David the Yeti— David is a gentle "monster" with a heart of gold. He struggles with being misunderstood and tries to find his place in a world that’s often fearful of him. His interactions with the children are full of humor, warmth, and tenderness. Through his bond with Arthur, both characters work through their emotional scars, showing that even the most misunderstood creatures deserve love, acceptance, and a chance to heal.

Klune’s writing remains as captivating as ever, with his knack for creating richly layered characters and emotional moments that feel both magical and relatable. The world of Somewhere Beyond the Sea is vibrant and filled with fantasy, but what really sets this story apart is the emotional depth. It’s a perfect balance of the whimsical and the profoundly personal. The pacing keeps the story moving, and you’ll find yourself equally invested in the magical world and the personal growth each character undergoes.

At its core, Somewhere Beyond the Sea is about healing and forgiveness. It’s a beautiful reminder that the connections we form with others can be life-changing. Arthur’s emotional journey, paired with the introduction of David the Yeti, makes for a deeply moving and magical reading experience. If you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, you’ll find this sequel to be an incredibly satisfying continuation of a world that celebrates love in all its forms and proves that even the deepest wounds can heal with time and care.

I want to thank Netgalley for ARC

Book one lives in my heart forever and what a joy it is to revisit this world! I will read anything Klune writes but to be able to jump back into this world with these characters is extra special! I was so excited to get this excerpt and immediately had to get the entire book!

Marvelous. Sad this was only a snippet but none the less. This book is going places and this author has continued to write such beautiful stories filled with details and rich world building.

This book truly encompasses finding true family and the magic within. A beautiful, heartwarming cozy read.

A beautiful sequel, fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea will not be disappointed by this newest release. Filled with the comfort of found family established by the first installment coupled with new intrigue. This book truly feels like a warm hug and wonderfully captures the magic of finding true community and family.

Disappointed it was only a taste of the whole story. I need to read the whole thing! Looking forward to the rest of a hopefully wonderful story.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

The experience of reading this was like swimming through molasses. 3 stars is generous; this was one of my biggest disappointments of the year.

It's taken me longer than it should have to get this book read. The first book is one of my favorites, I gave it 6 stars. I was so excited for this, to be back with these magical children I fell In love with. They are still the stars of this story. Their wit and charm are amazing. I'd adopt any of these kids. It was nice to get some insight into Arthur's pov and backstory. The found family and message of family being more than blood is a favorite. I loved the inclusion of David and they're impending adoption. I did feel like this story wasn't really needed. The plot is basically a repeat of book one with a government rep coming to the island and outside forces trying to tear the family apart. The message, although an important one, lacked the subtlety and heart that the first book gave. It felt way too heavy handed and preachy and as a reader who already agrees with the messaging it was too much like preaching to the choir. The story itself also dragged on longer than it needed too. At one point I asked myself if it was over yet. All in all, I love the characters and the message but this wasn't nearly as great as book 1. 4 stars.

Thank you to TJ Klune, Tor Publishing Group/Tor Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of Somewhere Beyond the Sea!

""Lucy tilted his head back, staring up at the ceiling.
'It's hard.'
'What is?'
'Being alive.'
'It is,' Arthur Agreed, 'But perhaps that's the point. The trials and tribulations of life weigh heavily upon us, but we find people to help lighten the load...'"

I was so thrilled to get an eARC of this book because I absolutely adored The House in the Cerulean Sea. This book brought back all the quirky characters and added a few more. There were so many amazing moments. Moments where I laughed out loud. Moments where I wanted to reach into the book and give the characters a big hug. Moments where I wanted to jump to the characters' defense. And moments where I cried. TJ Klune has the ability to evoke so many emotions with his writing and this novel was no exception.

The only thing I would critique is the resolution of the book. I felt like it was a bit unrealistic (I know, I knowwww this is fantasy) to have this secret be revealed when it was never even alluded to in the books.

With that being said, I still absolutely adored this book and would 100% read it again. 4/5 Stars.

The House in the Cerulean Sea was my first T.J. Klune book and the one that solidified his spot as an auto-buy author for me. When I found out that there was going to be a second book, I was absolutely ecstatic! I must admit, I was a tiny bit nervous that the second installment wouldn’t live up to the magic of the first, however Somewhere Beyond the Sea exceeded all my expectations.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea felt like revisiting old friends. I loved seeing all our favorites from the first book with the inclusion of a few new faces. Klune excels at writing such memorable characters that you cannot help but fall in love with. I also really enjoyed getting this story from Arthur’s point of view and getting to learn more about his backstory.

The chosen family theme that was first explored in the first book continues on in Somewhere Beyond the Sea. The love between Arthur, Linus, and the children reminds us that family doesn’t have to be defined by blood, but can be those who choose to love you. The interactions between the characters, their banter, and the way they supported one another made for such a heartwarming read.

The humor in Somewhere Beyond the Sea is quintessential Klune that we’ve come to love - quirky, clever, and so very entertaining despite some of the heavier moments. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and left me feeling uplifted.

Klune's ability to write authentic child characters that are three dimensional while also entertaining is what keeps bringing me back to his books. The relationships between the children, and the children and their fathers, is what gives this story its resonance. The story tackles themes of identity, belonging, and dignity through the lens of the children's unfiltered honesty and their fathers' evolving understanding, offering hope without minimizing the fear and weight of these very relevant issues.This book is a much needed balm to the soul. T.J. Klune never disappoints.

I am not leaving a review since I received an excerpt instead of the full book. This feedback will be based on the excerpt I received.
I was excited to return to the world of The House on the Cerulean Sea when reading this book. I was not expecting a jump in time as long as this one. Nevertheless, I was happy to return to the world and revisit some beloved characters. I hadn’t expected the island to be abandoned but loved the idea of one of the previous characters coming back to revitalize it. I look forward to reading the full book soon.

I loved the House in the Cerulean Sea and I am excited to read more from this world. The snippet just made me more excited to see what happens to my favourite little found family

TJ Klune is a favorite author of mine. I was so happy to return back with these characters and this storyline. Truly such a gem of an author. Don't miss this series!

While initially I was only given a 4 chapter excerpt to review, I have since read the full book.

After the charm and magic of *The House in the Cerulean Sea*, I was excited for this sequel, but it didn’t quite live up to the original. While *Somewhere Beyond the Sea* revisits the lovable characters of Arthur, Linus, and the children of Marsyas Island, it felt more forced at times. The story still has heart, and the themes of love, acceptance, and found family are present, but the messaging felt more heavy-handed compared to the first book’s subtlety. TJ clearly wanted to make sure that nobody left this book without getting his message ((which I agree whole heartedly with, I just feel like I'm mature enough to get the message without it being so spelled out.))

That said, TJ Klune’s writing remains warm and tender, and the characters—especially the children—continue to bring joy and mischief. It’s still a delightful read, with plenty of heart, and the Character "David" was an excellent addition!

I can not speak highly enough of t j Klune as a person or his story telling abilities. This book is pure joy and magic and struggle and triumph and accomplishment and acceptance. I love it to the moon and back