One of my favorite reads of 2024. I found myself totally in love with all three of the main characters and their developments. I loved the story so much, a little bit of action, a healthy dose of romance, large scoop of found family, and plenty of emotions around the board. Loved the pacing, and loved the ending. Recommend to anyone and everyone.

This is another win for me with TJ Klune. For fans of Stranger Things, Interstellar, Contact, or anything relating to the question: "Are we alone in the universe?". This story has a definitive ending and a happy one at that. It has a beautiful slow-burn romance that is LGBTQAI+. I love the main female protagonist, Artemis Darth Vader, and Nate and Alex as her partners in crime (literally) keep the story flowing. My main critique is I would have loved to learn more about Art's people.

I loved this book. One of my favorite Tj Klune books. Tj Klune has such unique writing style. He is a great story taller

I’m not sure this book can be boxed into any one genre. It’s part thriller, part sci-fi, part fantasy with a dash of romance. It has the suspense of a good thriller but also weird and fantastical. Klune was able to create such vivid pictures in my mind that it felt like an action movie playing in my head. He also writes the most beautiful characters. It’s impossible not to fall head over heels in love with them. Not many authors can pull that off.
My only negative is the detailed sex scene felt very out of place within the context of the rest of the book. There isn’t much focus on building the romance between the 2 MCs so to suddenly throw in this explicit sex scene felt like an odd diversion. I don’t know, a fade to black would have been better in my opinion.
Overall 4.5 stars, highly recommend.

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming and action-packed tale of found family, self-discovery, and forbidden love, with a dash of science fiction and adventure, that will leave them rooting for the underdog and cheering on the unlikeliest of heroes.

I read this book years ago when it was first published and I am glad to see it's getting recognition now. The fun and interesting character of Art juxtaposed with the two men who argue about everything except what keeps her safe brings this book to a different level of understanding what you will do for someone you love. Learning to love yourself and others, learning how to move forward after tragedy, and learning to let yourself live the life you never thought you wanted is beautiful to read. TJ Klune does a wonderful job with character development and connecting the bond between the characters and between the characters and the reader. Will recommend.

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.