There truly was a lot to love in this book, in its explorations of grief and desolation and love and found family. I took me longer to come around on Artemis as a character than it did for the kids in Cerulean Sea, who are honestly hella similar in how blunt and confused by the human condition they are. I suspect it's because she was the lone character like that in the story. In Cerulean, it's a whole horde of them, and their interactions with each other made it easier. But I did get there. I loved how Artemis loved both Nate and Alex immediately, Alex fell in love basically against his will, and Nate fell in love accidentally and without even realizing it. This book had all the trademark stamps of a Klune book, his soft way of writing

One thing that was ultimately a strike against this book in terms of me being a core reader for it is that I'm not a fan of suspense. I don't do well with the feeling of 'This is not fine but we're not acknowledging it's not fine yet.' I had to fight myself to stop from skimming the parts of the book I actually wanted to enjoy (the small relationships, the casual moments, the joy) to go find the big bad thing that was lurking around the corner. I can respect that the element of suspense was done well even if it was not done for me.

I've always been a fan of TJ Klune, and I'm sorry to say I'm not quite 100% updated on all of their books yet but jumped at the opportunity to review their newest upcoming book, The Bones Beneath My Skin. I know the year is early, but probably one of my better book decisions so far this year. While slightly different than other books of his, I was immediately immersed into this most recent book.

This is slightly repetitive from the book blurb, but Nate Cartwright is someone who has nothing left, other than a cabin left for him by his mother after her untimely and horrific death. As with many LGBTQ people, Nate's relationship with his parents was complicated, not from his end but largely in part due to his father's response to finding out he was queer and his mother's tacit support of his father's decisions. The reader finds Nate brooding and revisiting memories as he makes his way to the isolated cabin that is now his.

No spoilers (as this is on the back of the book), but when Nate gets to the cabin, he finds that it is not as unoccupied as he originally believed it should be. A man named Alex, and his ward Artemis Darth Vader, have appeared to take residence in the cabin. Obviously shocked, Nate originally tries to get them to leave but slowly(ish) starts to come around to them. While adjusting to these new visitors and deciding what he's going to do, Nate starts to pick up on slight clues that maybe these two people aren't exactly what they seem on the surface.

What results is a fast paced, thrilling novel. As with other TJ Klune books, I was immediately immersed in the novel and the world building, looking up slightly irritated any time my reading was disturbed. The book makes it extremely easy to forget what's going on in the world around you as the reader focuses on what is going to happen next. The book had a slightly different tenor than Klune's other books, and mixed sci-fi elements with a thriller. I really recommend the book, I'm probably going to go on a Klune reading binge following this book as it made me want to revisit some of the other world's he has built previously. Definitely check it out.

Please be advised that I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Klune. Once again he has weaved together a found family. This was so different form his others ones and I think this is my favorite of his!

I enjoyed this book. It is darker with more swearing and sex than any of Klune’s other books I have read. There was still the funny and awkward moments that I’ve become accustomed to with a Klune book. How can you not love a character named Artemis Darth Vader? She was by far my favourite character. I chuckled many times with the things she said. As the author notes stated this one is a bit weird and not exactly like his other books. If you’re looking for the warm and cozy feel of Cerulean Sea this one isn’t all warm and cozy, there is action, death, sex, swearing but humour and warmth mixed in. I’d recommend this book to those who are looking for a bit grittier Klune, like action, sci-fi and a bit of romance.

I thought this book was so good! It is my first TJ Klune book and I had a really good time reading it. The writing was weird and the story was both thrilling and heartfelt at the same time. had such a good time reading it!

A surprising story of extraterrestrials, the government, drama, and romance. As usual TJ weaves together an extraordinary story with characters that will get under your skin. Lots of suspense is woven throughout this story, you won't be able to put it down.

This was a little weird and totally out of my wheelhouse, and I LOVED it. I cried, I was so tense I had to put the book down and take deep breaths, I laughed out loud. This was so sweet it was almost sickening, but it perfectly straddled the line without crossing it. The characters were INCREDIBLE, and I adored them with my whole heart.

This book was such a fun ride! After not being as engaged with Klune’s last release, I was thrilled to return to his writing for this one.

True to form, The Bones Beneath My Skin was a phenomenal mix of humour, heart, and plot. It featured my favourite sort of speculative fiction - that is, speculative fiction whose speculative elements are present to allow you to tackle a philosophical or mental problem through a deeper and more accessible route.

The characters were well written, the romance was incredibly sweet, and the plot kept me on my toes. I looked forward to picking up this book again each time I put it down.

One criticism was that the final third was a bit rushed for me, dropping it down a star, but altogether I was satisfied with the fun of it all.

DNFed at 33%. Despite the blurb saying it would be a supernatural road-trip thriller, I was getting none of that and instead was just really bored.

I generally adore most things TJ writes but I just couldn't get into this one in a written format for some reason. Planning to revisit when the audiobook becomes available because the narrator selections for his books are perfect and might help with the pacing for my brain.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Three things you’re gonna get with TJ Klune: good vs evil (or rather, the evils of human nature), heartwarming LGBTQ+ romance, and FANTASTIC covers. This one totally checks all of the boxes! This is a fantastical tale full of beautiful “weirdness” and suspense, with a little spice for those who enjoy it 😈 You can look forward to the re-release of The Bones Beneath My Skin on February 4th. Shout out to TJ Klune, @torbooks , and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!


SYNOPSIS: Nate is on a road to nowhere: jobless, recently orphaned, and headed to a remote cabin that he’s inherited but has zero interest in. When he arrives, he’s greeted with a gun barrel in his face from a gruff, built military-type and a little girl with oversized clothes and an overactive sense of curiosity to match. The moment they find some semblance of cohabitation, Nate finds himself in a pickup truck running from the government. What transpires next is a tale of found family, acceptance, and what it truly means to be human.

So typically LOVE everything that Klune puts out but sadly this one missed the mark for me. I just didn’t feel the sweet & magical vibe that I was expecting. The writing remains creative and immersive but the story line leans more seriously than magical.
I do want try it via audio when that’s available - sometimes a good narrator can add a level of enchantment.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is a gripping supernatural road-trip thriller that blends suspense, heart, and a touch of the absurd. Set against the haunting backdrop of a small Oregon town in 1995, the novel follows Nate Cartwright, a man trying to put the shattered pieces of his life back together after losing his family and his career. His quiet retreat to a family cabin is upended when he encounters Alex and the mysterious Artemis, a ten-year-old girl with extraordinary abilities—and a target on her back. Klune masterfully weaves together elements of dark fantasy, intrigue, and complex emotional layers, particularly in the bond that forms between the unlikely trio. The dynamic between Nate, Alex, and Artemis is both heartwarming and suspenseful, with each character carrying their own burdens while facing external threats from cultists and shadowy forces.

While the story is a page-turner, the pacing can feel uneven at times, particularly in its balance between action and character development. Artemis's mysterious nature and the looming danger create tension, but there are moments where the emotional beats might feel a bit heavy-handed. However, Klune’s talent for creating vibrant, quirky characters shines through, with Nate's journey of self-discovery and redemption providing a solid emotional core. The blend of supernatural elements with real-world struggles gives the novel depth, making it both a thrilling adventure and a poignant exploration of healing and connection. Despite a few pacing issues, The Bones Beneath My Skin is an engaging, heartfelt ride that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

so glad this getting re published! this story deserves it! such a good story and so heart warming. So original and stunning another TJ Klune classic!

The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune
Rating: 5 stars
Pub date: 2/4
Thank you so much to Tor Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy!

If you’re looking for a story that’s equal parts thrilling and heartfelt, this is the perfect pick. This book hits all the right notes with its mix of sci-fi vibes, family drama, and a touch of suspense.

It’s about Nate Cartwright, a guy whose life has fallen apart, finding himself in the middle of nowhere Oregon. What he doesn’t expect? A mysterious man named Alex and a 10-year-old girl named Artemis Darth Vader (yes, really!) hiding out in his family’s cabin.

Artemis is the heart of this story. She’s curious, clever, and completely unforgettable. Oh, and she has a power that makes her very special (and very sought after by some dangerous people). Alex is fiercely protective of her, but when Nate shows up, everything changes. Together, they form an unlikely team, facing both external threats and their own messy pasts.

Klune’s writing is fantastic—his ability to mix laugh-out-loud humor with moments of gut-wrenching emotion is unmatched. While there’s a bit of romance in the background, it’s the bond between these three characters that steals the show. The story is packed with suspense, surprises, and even a good helping of bacon.

If you’re into found-family stories with a touch of the supernatural, this book will leave you with a serious book hangover. It’s emotional, adventurous, and so, so worth the read!

I think Artemis Darth Vader might be one of my favorite characters. She's one of the 3 main characters in this book, and she's so much fun. Our trio is rounded out with Nate and Alex. After being fired from his job, and while still dealing with a complex emotional reaction to his parents' deaths, Nate heads to the cabin in Oregon that his parents left him. He is surprised to find it occupied by Alex and Artemis (Art), who are on the run and give vague answers to Nate's questions about why. But he lets them stay.

Art, who appears to be about 10 years old, is quirky and innocent and blunt. She wants to try new things, she's open about her reactions to what she observes, and her childlike wonder was a joy to witness. One of my favorite parts is when she discovers bacon, and the next time she's at a diner she orders "Pancakes. And bacon. In fact, please just cover my pancakes in bacon. I don't even want to be able to see pancakes because of all the bacon." Girl after my own heart.

Some of the events of the book were predictable. I correctly guessed what was going on with Art and wasn't particularly surprised by some events towards the end. However, I enjoyed the journey to get there, watching Nate start to care about and trust Alex and Art, watching Nate and Alex start to build a relationship, reading about Art calling people "hoss" because she's been reading and watching westerns. The heart of the book is the relationships among Nate, Alex, and Art, who find a home in each other.

I really enjoyed the emotional journey the novel took me on. There's tension, humor, and heart, with a focus on the importance of family, regardless of where you find that family. While the book isn't unpredictable, it's still an enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

TJ Klune's books are typically hit or miss for me. I also usually go into them blind because I trust him as an author to write an engaging tale. This book was no different. It was engaging and heavily focused on the plot (as opposed to the characters).

What I loved was that this novel had an element of suspense that I was not anticipating from his other books and this book description. The writing was beautiful, as is his norm, and the plot was paced perfectly to keep me interested. I read this in just a couple of days and regularly thought about where it was going when I wasn't reading it. It's always a good thing to have in a book!

All the typical elements of a novel by TJ Klune but this one was so much more. I loved the suspense, the intricacy and in case I haven't mentioned it enough, the writing!

I missed the romance though, the way he writes romance is usually a highlight of any of his books and this one was a tad light on it for my liking. Still a fantastic read!

This book is a little more action than what I expected for T.J. Klune, but it had the heart I've loved from his other books. Reading this book, I could see the seed of Artemis turn into The House in the Cerulean Sea. Her interactions with Nate, Alex, and the world in general are wonderful to read about. Her profound moments are mixed in with Klune's usual humor. This book is more sci-fi than I usually like, but it pulled it off without getting too abstract. I thought the action was well done and kept me at the end of my seat to know what happened next. There was a sense of urgency and unease that moved the plot forward. I do wish there was more time for the romance, but the action took center stage first. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot but it is not my absolute favorite.

This book by TJ Klune tells the story of Nate, who is dealing with the grief of losing his parents and his job. Nate inherits a truck and a cabin from his parents and heads up to the cabin to get away from the world. Upon arriving at the cabin, Nate discovers two people staying at the cabin who should not be there.

You really feel Nate’s frustration through the first half of this novel about not knowing who these people are that are staying in his cabin. I found myself unable to put this book down as I wanted to find out what was going on.

I have been a big fan of the other books I have read by TJ Klune, and though I really enjoyed this one, I did prefer The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea more. Still, Klune does an incredible job of creating characters you want to cheer for and end up caring about through the course of this book.

If you are a fan of other books by TJ Klune, or want a good sci-fi story that takes place on a modern-day earth, definitely check this book out.