I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I love a TJ Klune book and its inevitable theme of found family, but this wasn't my favorite. Some of the scenes were a little TOO much like Stranger Things (one of the book's comps) and felt almost like a copy-paste. I did love the characters (especially Artemis Darth Vader), but I'm sensing a theme with Klune's age-gap love interests (at least these ones were both legal at the time they met!).

Again, this was certainly still a fun book that I enjoyed reading, but by far not my favorite of this author's works.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I like TJ Klune. He has a great way of showing flawed characters going through pain and grief and hard stuff.

But this one just didn’t land for me. Artemis was cute at points but mostly annoying.

Nate and Alex were okay, but meh. I don’t know. I never really felt their relationship even though I’m supposed to believe they fell for each other.

I think my main critique is that this took so long to set up, almost 40 percent in the cabin until they started running and I was waiting for some action. And the action never really took off.

For characters supposed to be on the run from government and cults, the characters seemed to have really easy breaks and I was bored.

TJ Klune shines when he’s writing about a whole cast characters living in a setting together, but the on the run travel book didn’t work for me in his style unfortunately.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up

First of all, this book does have the characteristic charm and found family I have come to expect from T.J. Klune. That being said, the source of the quirky whimsy…Art… drove me up a wall at some times with the absurd levels of her precociousness. It felt forced and jarring at times. That being said, the relationship between Nate and Alex is really what had me turning the page. Watching that develop was a joy. Also…there was one spicy scene that had me quite…intrigued 😜would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, action-packed Sci-Fi story that features a Male-Male romance and found family and just buckle up for Art.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy to review on NetGalley.

I’ve read all of Klune’s newer books, and absolutely loved them. This wasn’t exactly what I was looking for in a book but I thought I would give it a shot anyway.

This book follows Nathaniel Cartwright, after he’s been disowned by his family for being gay, lost his journalism job for an affair with a senator, and found out both of his parents are dead. Hoping for some quiet and time to figure out what he’s going to do with his life, he heads to his family’s cabin in small-town Oregon … only to find it occupied by a handsome man with a gun and a little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader.

What follows is a twisty, weird, emotional book about humanity, found family, love, and the lengths to which people will go to to protect those they care about. Yes, it’s about intelligent life from outer space, but also deals with loss and grief, love and family, and what it means to be human. There were several parts of the book where I felt like Klune was telling more than showing - flashbacks, ‘mind reading’, etc - but overall I enjoyed the book. It’s not my favorite by him, but one that I think is interesting and novel.

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune is the story of Nate, trying to recover from his life and Alex and a girl called Artemis Darth Vader. When Alex and Art end up at his cabin, Nate is thrown into a whirlwind of emotions and conflicts and has to decide whether to save himself and Alex and Art or let them be destroyed by the people looking for them. This is a wonderful book with lots of action, love and hope.

TJ Kline is always a win and this held up! The world building was top notch and the story moved at a comfortable pace.

TJ Klune does not disappoint. I am not usually a thriller fan, but this one sucked me in. I did not expect anything that happened in this book, but I loved every minute. This has found family, slow burn romance, supernatural elements, whats not to love.

Silly me to think that I would get out of a TJ Klune book unscathed.

I don’t know how to even begin trying to explain the premise of this book. I almost recommend going in knowing as little as possible so that you’re learning things at the same pace as Nate, the main character.

I’ll say this: I was so tense during this book. We’re talking flop sweating and pulse racing. It is suspenseful and a real thriller.

And yet, through all of that, TJ Klune still writes the most beautiful and emotional sob-worthy stories about love, acceptance, community, and hope.

Always, always, so much hope.

This book is like if *Stranger Things* went on a road trip with a queer twist and a whole lot of heart. Set in 1995, it follows Nate, a washed-up journalist seeking solace at his family's cabin, only to find it occupied by Alex, a mysterious man, and Artemis Darth Vader, a ten-year-old girl with extraordinary abilities. What unfolds is a genre-blending adventure filled with government conspiracies, cults, and the formation of an unexpected found family.

Klune masterfully balances thrilling action with deep emotional resonance. The dynamics between Nate, Alex, and Artemis are both heartwarming and complex, showcasing the author's talent for creating relatable characters in extraordinary situations. While the plot has its intense moments, it's the quieter scenes—the shared glances, the unspoken understandings—that truly shine.

This book was written for you if:
- You're into stories that mix sci-fi elements with heartfelt character development.
- You appreciate narratives centered around found families and personal redemption.
- You're looking for a queer-positive story that doesn't shy away from action and suspense.

Adequately charming, if a little bit repetitive. TJ Klune tends to stay in the same thematic zones with all his books which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just something that can get kind of monotonous. But if you like that found family, cozy vibe then this is a great pick.

I can’t even remember if I finished this book. It is very reminiscent of Stranger Things, which I like but I already know that story. Just a meh for me.

It's been a little while since I've read (or re-read) a TJ Klune book and I'm so glad to be back. <3

TJ has such a singular way of storytelling and it's the most gut-wrenching combination of humor, fantasy, and a breathtaking and courageous commentary on the world and the human condition. As with TJ's other books, I laughed, I cried, and I finished reading viewing the world differently. I love these characters -- guarded, protective Alex, lost but loyal Nate, and bacon-loving, out-of-this-world (literally) space princess Artemis Darth Vader. I immediately lost myself in their journey and read the last page with a broken -- and put back together -- heart.

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

The Bones Beneath My Skin is the story of Nate Cartwright, a journalist whose life has recently been upturned and who returns to his family's cabin to reevaluate things. He is not expecting to encounter, in his cabin, a young girl who seems to marvel at mundane things and the older man whose muscles Nate is definitely not checking out.

"'Are we going on an adventure?' Art asked him, eyes wide. Nate nodded. "That we are hoss.'"

I loved this book and the adventures of Nate, Alex and Art. TJ Klune's found family trope is unmatched, and I love how his characters find and support each other in dark and vulnerable moments. (Slight spoiler ahead!) I could have done with slightly less cults and slightly more outer space, but overall I really enjoyed the way our world and Artemis's were woven together. It was a beautiful exploration of humanity, love, family, what it means to care for each other, and what it means to not be alone, in this world or in the universe.

Thanks to Tor Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
4.5/5

"Aliens."
He breathed heavily through his nose. "Big heads. Big black eyes."
"What about them?" she asked.
"Are they....are they real?"
She looked up at him. "You really want to know?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yes. They're real."
"Oh," Nate said, unsure what to do with the information now that he had it.
"Yeah, but honestly? Those guys are jerks. Seriously. If you ever meet one, just punch it in the face."

I so adore Artemis Darth Vader......and of course, TJ Klune. I've only started into his catalogue, but so far, every book makes me laugh, think, cry and just fall in love with these characters. This story is a wonderful combination of science fiction, tense thriller and finding your family in the most unexpected way. After the deaths of his estranged parents, Nate has inherited the family cabin in the remote mountains of Oregan and he goes there to try and straighten out his life after losing his job as a journalist. Once there, he finds that the cabin has been broken into, and a man and young girl are hiding out there, Alex Delgado and Artemis Darth Vader. And in TJ style, this is where the tale goes in unexpected directions and the tension ramps up all the way to the end. Both Nate and Alex are trying to deal with grief and in Artemis these men find their way to each other and a shared purpose in protecting Art.
I was hooked right from the start and delighted in Art's discovery of new things, her steadfastness in trusting both Alex and Nate and her absolute love of bacon!! The story has a terrific pace, and the action and tension are well written with well-timed bits of humor throughout. I listened to the audiobook, and once again very much enjoyed Kirt Graves narration, it's well worth the listen. I will certainly be reading many more of TJ's books in the near future and highly recommend this story to all!!

Nate Cartwright is in a transition point in life, after the death of his parents and the loss of his job he decides to head to his inherited cabin in Oregon for some solitude. When he arrives, he finds out he's not alone - a man and a little girl are already there, squatting and refusing to leave. Something seems off about the pair, and as he connects with them more he finds himself in the middle of a truly out of this world adventure.

This book has a little bit of everything - suspense, thriller, mystery, sci-fi, and romance - really something for everyone! The setup takes a bit of time, but once things pick up they really take off. In typical TJ Klune fashion, the dialogue is witty and humorous, and the characters are flawed but downright lovable.

My feelings about the book fluctuated quite a bit. Sometimes it had my heart racing and other times my heart melting. There are some parts that I found either confusing or just over-the-top, but overall a good story.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love TJ Klune’s writing. The way it plays with my brain is magical. This did not disappoint. I loved every page from start to finish. A beautiful story that was beautifully written.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is a quiet, powerful marvel—achingly tender, deeply human, and utterly unforgettable. TJ Klune strips away the whimsy of his more fantastical works to deliver something raw and resonant, a story rooted in grief, connection, and the fragile hope that blooms in the darkest of places. Set against the backdrop of a tense and uncertain world, the novel hums with vulnerability and quiet wonder, offering a meditation on what it means to love, to lose, and to choose softness in the face of chaos.

Klune’s characters are richly drawn and emotionally magnetic. The bond that forms between the world-weary narrator and the mysterious, luminous child at the center of the story is profoundly moving—built not just on protection or obligation, but on shared pain and growing trust. Every interaction feels charged with meaning, and the prose glows with quiet lyricism. Klune doesn’t need spectacle to keep you turning pages—just honesty, heart, and a gentle hand guiding you through the ache.

There’s a reverence to the storytelling here, a kind of stillness that invites you to breathe a little slower and feel a little deeper. The Bones Beneath My Skin isn’t just a story—it’s a feeling, a space to sit with sorrow and hope in equal measure. It’s one of Klune’s most intimate and emotionally resonant works, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary stories are the ones grounded in love.

This book took me by surprise in many ways. When I felt like I had pegged its genre and created my expectations accordingly, it shifted on me again. Somehow it’s science fiction and romance, plot and character centered. The closest media I could compare would be Stranger Things or ET, crossed with the queer episode of The Last of Us season 1. Overall, I loved it. 💗

I love TJ Klune, but I didn't love this one. That has less to do with the writing and more to do with the type of book that I enjoy reading. This one leaned more into the thriller/mystery vibes, and that's just not the kind of book I gravitate toward. TJ is an extremely talented writer, and if you enjoy those types of stories, you will love this one!