“The Bones Beneath My Skin” would be a great place to start if you’ve never read a TJ Klune book before. It’s a stand-alone novel about a man who is coming to terms with the cross roads of his life, and sets himself on a course of self-reflection. Of course, if you’ve been around the block once or twice, then you know that you don’t just sit down and muse about what to do with your life — rather, you are faced with not one, but two difficult choices, and each one dictates the next direction your life goes in. In Nate’s case, his choice to stay Alex and Artemis Darth Vader leads him on a path that he’ll never be able to stray from.

If you’ve read and enjoyed “In The Lives of Puppets”, you might also find yourself loving Bones because the vibes of a cobbled together family on the run are similar.

“Nate didn’t need complicated. The reason he’d come to Oregon at all was to make things uncomplicated.”

Found Family Expert
TJ Klune is truly an expert at creating a found family. Not just in this book, but in all of his books. Found family is going to be a given, so if that’s your jam, you’ve come to the right place.

On the surface, Bones is a paranormal adventure story, but if you cut all the extraneous detail away, you’re really left with a story about humanity and human behavior. It boils down to this: people are afraid of what they don’t know, and they don’t typically take the time to learn or understand. They just fear and judge.

But… there are the exceptions to every rule. Nate, Alex, and even Artemis Darth Vader are the proof of that.

“You think yourself alone. You think yourself lost. We wanted to show you that there was so much more than this place. We didn’t come to hurt you. We didn’t come to save you. Only you can do that. We came to be your friend. To make you understand that, in the end, you are never alone.”

Final Thoughts (but I could go on and on and on…)

I love TJ Klune’s writing. I’m a huge fan, and I’m always going to want to read his stories. They’re strange. They’re weird. They push on people’s boundaries of what is right and good and sometimes even acceptable. Underneath, though, the messages are poignant to what’s going on in the world. Klune originally published this story in 2017, but the message is still relevant today in 2025, and I have a feeling that it’ll still be relevant in 2050, too. Family doesn’t have to be blood relatives. Keep your people close. Try to open your mind to things that are different. Different doesn’t mean bad, it just means different.

“You’re all capable of such great and terrible things. And in such a short amount of time. You are surrounded by millions of those like you, yet you can still feel alone. You’re so angry and powerful and wonderful. And so fragile. You can break into pieces and feel so lost. I didn’t get that. Not… before. I don’t think any of us did. You’re complex and yet so simple at the same time. It’s a dichotomy that shouldn’t be possible. When you smile, it’s like the sun is out. When you cry, it’s like you’re trapped in shadows and you can’t find your way back to the light…. You hate that others aren’t like you. They scare you, even though they want nothing more than to be you.”

This book was damn good. Read it. I hope you love it like I do.

TJ Klune is auto buy for me and at first I thought this was a brand new book, rather than a re-release. Regardless, I'll read whatever he puts out. The way he brings heavy life lessons into his story without it beating you over the head always leaves me feeling hopeful for humanity - even in a time when things feel less than hopeful. I do think this was less polished than some of his newer novels, but even so, the heart of what Klune does remains.

5⭐

My new favorite TJ Klune standalone?? You bet!!

The Bones Beneath My Skin is the adventurous, heart-warming, hilarious, and strange story I was hoping for, in all of the best ways. I truly didn't know what to expect, and I enjoyed every step of this adventure with Nate, Alex, and Artemis.

Truly, what ISN'T there to love about Artemis Darth Vader? She's forthright, peculiar, guileless, and just adorable. Her adoration for Alex is unmatched, as his is for her, and their character dynamic is so lovable I almost burst. When Nate joins them on the lam, shenanigans (both funny and dangerous) ensue, though I don't think there's anywhere else any of them would rather be.

You can expect your heartstrings to be pulled, a few tears to be shed, and sore cheeks from smiles. Make sure you have some bacon on deck for a snack, as you might catch a hankerin', partner.

**Thank you so much to Tor Books and TJ Klune for a copy of The Bones Beneath My Skin and the opportunity to leave my honest, voluntary review!**

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review "The Bones Beneath My Skin." Once again Mr. Klune creates an imaginative story with an adorable character in the center. I truly enjoyed the character Art, unfortunately I found the story to drag on in some parts which is why I only rated it 3 stars. Not a bad story but not one of his greatest.

TJ Klune does it again! I saw this billed as being similar to Stranger Things, but personally I was reminded of Race to Witch Mountain. It hooked me from the very beginning because I just had to know more about this mysterious child and her companion What is their background? Where did they come from? I thought the direction the story went was great and well-thought out. The romance was a sweet addition but didn’t overpower the overall plot. Definitely recommend!

𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:

This isn’t like other TJ Klune books.

It’s darker, messier, and more emotionally raw—but in a way that hit exactly right. The writing still carries that familiar heart and tenderness, but this time it’s wrapped in grief, isolation, and a sense of quiet urgency. At its core, this is a story about identity—how it’s shaped, how it’s hidden, how it survives—and the way love and connection can grow even in the most unexpected, painful places.

The found family theme completely stole my heart. Watching these characters, who have every reason to shut the world out, slowly find their way to one another felt so honest and earned. The dynamic between the hardened loner and the powerful, mysterious child is handled with so much care—never cheesy, always rooted in something real.

Yes, it’s eerie and intense in places. But it’s also about second chances, and choosing to show up for someone when it matters most.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and TJ Klune for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is available now.

It's so wonderful to be back with TJ Klune. He writes such interesting and compelling characters that you care about immediately.

This is the story of Nate Cartwright, who is on his way to his newly inherited cabin to lick his wounds after being fired from his job and losing his parents. When he arrives at the cabin, in the remote mountain town of Roseland, Oregon, he finds that he has some squatters - a man named Alex, and a young girl named Artemis Darth Vader. Art is special... very special, and the US government is after her and Alex for reasons that Nate doesn't understand, and then just might not believe. Plenty of shenanigans are had from beginning to end. 

I didn't know what to expect here, because The Bones Beneath My Skin managed to fly under my radar. I knew of it, but never managed to read it until it was offered to me as a NetGalley. I honestly wish I had gotten started on this one much sooner (but isn't that always the hope?). This was the first book in a while that has kept me captive from beginning to end. I picked this one up one evening and didn't put it down until I was finished. Art and Alex were absolutely the best characters, and I latched onto them, especially Art, from the very beginning. I could absolutely see how Alex came to love Art like he does. 

Watching the relationship between not only Nate and Alex but Nate and Art was sweet and made me smile often. 

This book wasn't at all what I thought it would be, but I absolutely loved what it was. I loved the characters, I loved the journey, and I loved the ending. 

TJ Klune made me cry once again... something that doesn't happen often. So, I suppose that for that alone, this one gets a full 5/5 stars.

Get ready for a heart-pounding, emotionally charged tale with an unexpected trio of characters. Klune beautifully explores the nature of the human heart in this sci-fi/fantasy/thriller!

4🌟

There is something so captivating about Klune's books... I have loved every single one of them! He always knows how to nail the whimsical fantasy/sci-fic genre with the BEST found family feels and a dabble of romance. I will happily continue reading everything he comes out with!

Thank you so much Tor Books for my #gifted early copy!

Once again Klune has stolen my heart, put it in a blender, and then made a masterpiece of putting it back together. I thought Nate was such an interesting and multifaceted character. I loved that he just rolled with what was happening even when things got weird. Alex was a great character and I he wormed his grumpy self into my heart. Artemis was such a delight. I instantly fell for her and her quirky self even before the big secret was out. This was a little different than most of the books that I read even the ones by the same author. And I loved it. I was completely drawn into this adventure and invested in the well being of Art. This book had me feeling everything I laughed, I gasped, I cried. I fell in love with two men and their Space Princess.

TJ Klune books have this warm, sad feeling throughout- and this one is no exception. Quirky characters you come to love- Nate and Artemis and Alex quickly stole my heart. An adventure- with helicopters galore. And all the feels and one or more good cries!

Thank you, Tor Publishing Group | Tor Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book.

Nate Cartwright had his heart broken. His parents are dead, his only brother doesn't want to have anything with him, he's been fired by his job as a journalist in Washington. Trying to find some peace, he returns to his family's summer cabin in Oregon, but finds it occupied by a man named Alex and a ten years old, who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. And she's more than she seems, she's special. So Nate has to make a choice: drowning in the past or trying to fight for a better future, because there are forces who wants to control and get the girl.

Set in 1995, The bones beneath my skin is a brilliant, supernatural road trip thriller about an extraordinary girl and two unlikely protectors, against goverment and cultist who want to control her and her powers. And I LOVED everything. TJ Klune never misses it. Their books are absolutely amazing and I fell in love with their characters over and over again. This book is funny, heartfelt, sweet, extraordinary and I loved every single page. TJ Klune has a way of writing characters and dialogues that truly hit my heart and I love every single book!

This book is out already I finished it late, but hands down yes please. any of this authors books are a automatic and then they come out with sprayed edges and I buy them for pretty book shelves.

I love TJ Klune and this book was no exception. His words are beautiful and his characters always blow me away.

TJ Klune's books are always like a warm hug for me. I really love his writing, his storylines, but I especially love his characters. The Bones Beneath My Skin did not disappoint and I can't wait to read more from TJ Klune!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐰,' 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧.'
𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. '𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭?'
'𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭.”

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝. 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧. 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐰, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐞’𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞?”

wow. i don't think i can put into words what this book has made me feel. i genuinely did not realize the gut-wrenching heartache i was about to make myself feel with this story. i cried so many times over & over because the love between these characters is so vibrant & real.

easily will be something i remember for the rest of my life. i loved all of the characters. i love that again the main characters Nate and Alex are gay & bisexual men. Klune has a knack for creating amazing queer characters.

i also loved Art. she is the heart and soul of this entire story. she's genuine, so hilarious, and keeps you on your toes at all times. and while you only know her through the lens of Nate, you begin to remember what it really means to be human. to have emotional connection, to have empathy, and to be amazed at the earth around you. how wonderful is that to find written words who reminds you of that?

if you enjoy a heartwarming sci-fi love story, mixed in with a little action, you're going to love this one too.

While there were definitely some Stranger Things vibes, Bones Beneath My Skin is a story of what it means to be human: to be so flawed and horrible, yet beautiful. There were scenes I laughed out loud and scenes where I teared up. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to whatever Klune shares next.

TJ Klune's writing will always blow me away. His word choice is beautiful and I often leave his books with a new best friend.

What a ride!
I love everything TJ Klune writes - he's my auto-buy for an emotional book that still makes you smile and feel like you've been hugged.

Needless to say, a “spine-tingling thriller” is not what I usually read from him...but The Bones Beneath my Skin is still such a win! A little darker (more like Under the Whispering Door), with some sci-fi and extra quirky characters, and still holding true with that trademark found-family storyline that we love and have come to expect from him.

The action, intrigue, and a smidge of romance made it impossible to put down! I absolutely enjoyed The Bones Beneath My Skin, and would highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.