Every book TJ Klune puts out is full of heart, humour, and adventure. The Bones Beneath My Skin demonstrates how opening our hearts up just a little bit can yield great joy, and maybe even unlock some secrets of the universe. At the very least, it always comes back to life being all about meaningful connection-- eathly or otherwise.

Coming off of a X-Files series watch, this was a perfect bow in my extra-terrestrial media consumption saga.

This book was so unique! I really enjoyed it, I hadn’t heard of it before. I love TJ Klune’s creative mind, the Cerulean Sea series is my favorite. This book was just as unique and interesting!

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy! This book was amazing. TJ Klune has very quickly become a must read author for me. This book was funny, heartfelt, action packed, and so full of love! It was a beautiful story of finding your chosen family, processing grief, and the true meaning of love. Artemis Darth Vader was the light of this story. Alex and Nate were the heart of the story. I was on the edge of my seat during all of the action scenes and trying not to cry during the emotional ones. Also, respectfully, screw everyone who gave this book low ratings solely for the reason of it not being a romance. When in fact, it is very much a romance. This book literally portrays love in every way, shape and form.

*The Bones Beneath My Skin* combines romance and found family—hallmarks of TJ Klune's storytelling—with the tension of a suspenseful action story. The novel follows Nate Cartwright, who inherits his family’s cabin in Oregon’s Cascade Range after losing his job in Washington, D.C. Though the cabin stirs painful memories of his family’s rejection upon learning he is gay, Nate decides to go there, seeking solace. Upon arrival, he encounters two unexpected squatters: Alex, a former Marine, and a precocious ten-year-old girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader, or Art for short. The duo, on the run from the government, bring Nate into a situation that challenges everything he thought he knew about the world.

Nate’s character is richly developed, with the third-person narrative offering intimate insight into his thoughts and emotions. The dynamic between the three main characters balances humor with poignant moments of vulnerability, contrasting sharply with the dark undertones of trauma and the intensity of the story’s climactic confrontation. However, the dialogue can feel repetitive and lacks the polish seen in Klune’s best works. Where the novel truly shines is in its exploration of connection and healing—broken, lonely people finding one another and building a chosen family.

Recommended for fans of TJ Klune’s other books, *The Bones Beneath My Skin* delivers a heartfelt, action-packed tale that resonates with themes of resilience and belonging.

TJ Klune is such an amazing author! I hadn’t heard of this book but was excited to read it! It was, like all his books, so unique! The Cerulean Sea series is my favorite. But I really liked this one because it was so different.

Thank you Tor Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Another stunner by TJ Klune! Nate has lost his parents and his job. The only family he has left isn’t speaking with him. Hoping to get some much needed clarity, he returns to his families cabin. However he’s surprised to find he’s not alone. There’s a man named Alex and a girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader there. As the mystery of who these two are unfolds will Nate find more than he bargained for or will they be the missing pieces in his life? I will always love the humor that Klune uses in his books! It adds to the engagement for me! I love the characters in this one, strange, fun, and super charming! A story with a lot of heart, hope, and just feel goods! Highly recommend!

*The Bones Beneath My Skin* by TJ Klune is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that blends mystery, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. Klune's distinctive voice, infused with both humor and tenderness, makes this book an engaging and immersive experience. Set against the backdrop of a small coastal town, the story unfolds with a slow, simmering intensity that builds to a satisfying emotional climax.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the complex relationship between the two main characters, Noah and Oliver. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, and Klune’s careful attention to the nuances of their bond—how it deepens and shifts over time—is what truly elevates the narrative. A particular standout moment occurs when Oliver, a man with a mysterious past, reveals the emotional scars that have shaped him. The rawness of this confession is both heartbreaking and redemptive, showcasing Klune's skill at balancing vulnerability with strength. The way Noah, the more grounded of the two, supports Oliver through this moment of revelation is tender without ever feeling forced or melodramatic.

The book also shines in its exploration of themes like trust, healing, and the weight of past trauma. The small-town setting works wonderfully to create an atmosphere of intimacy, and the dynamics of the local community—full of quirky, sometimes suspicious characters—add both charm and intrigue. There’s a particular scene involving a town-wide event that serves as a turning point for the characters, where Klune’s knack for combining humor with emotional depth comes through brilliantly.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. While the pacing generally works well, there are moments where the plot feels a bit drawn out, especially in the middle portion of the book. The tension that builds up in the earlier chapters can lose some of its momentum, and the story occasionally becomes bogged down in secondary subplots that, while adding flavor, detract from the core emotional journey. The resolution of these subplots can feel a bit too tidy or convenient, especially given the darker themes that run through the narrative.

Overall, *The Bones Beneath My Skin* is a novel that resonates long after the final page. Klune's ability to blend heartache with hope, along with his vivid characterizations, make it a powerful read. Despite a few pacing issues, it remains an absorbing and moving story that explores the complexities of love, identity, and the weight of the past. Fans of Klune’s previous works will find much to enjoy here, and newcomers will likely be drawn in by the deep emotional core of the novel.

This book blew me away! This is my first book by T.J. Klune and is did not disappoint.

I found this book to be emotionally compelling and thought provoking. I love a good sci-fi and this book really checked all the boxes for me. I appreciated that we got to see some backstory of what happened under the mountain, and what happened with Oren. That was a crazy turn of events!
I was a bit annoyed by Art for the first handful of chapters, and she actually isn't my favorite character, even if she is the main catalyst of the story. I adore Alex and Nate. I found their story to be endearing, and funny, and steamy. They are just everything to me. I am so glad that they all got some kind of happily ever after. they deserve it after that journey.

Nate has come to his family's cabin in the mountains of Oregon after the horrendous deaths of his mom and dad. On top of his grief, his only brother no longer talks to him and he has lost his job as a journalist in Washington, DC. He figures he will start over where his family used to vacation. When he gets there, his plans are upended by a man named Alex and a young girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader. But Artemis is not what she seems and soon Nate is on an adventure he never thought was possible.

I know this is a re-release but it just shows you how great he is at world building and the found family trope that he is so good at. I would love to see this as a movie.

This book was definitely unique, but in a good way!

The story starts with Nate, who's lost everything, trying to figure out his life by going back to his family's cabin. Unexpectedly, he finds a strange man named Alex and a little girl named Artemis Darth Vader - and that's where things get weird - but also really sweet. Artemis is such a fun and mysterious character, and I loved how Nate slowly finds something worth fighting for as the story goes on.

The plot was exciting, with some suspenseful parts (which is a little unlikely for TJ Klune books) and a bit of a magical feel, but what I liked most was the heart behind it which is on brand for Klune. It's really about second chances, family, and finding hope, even when things feel hopeless.

Sometimes the story was a little too strange for me, but it all came together nicely in the end.

Klune's writing is so heartfelt but also so dang funny. He can leave you in tears from heartbreak and laughter and it happens all in one chapter. This book is no exception. This book is a a beautiful example of found family and I loved every word of it.

Klune is a talented writer, which keeps this book going, but he does the same things in more effective ways in his other books.

TJ Klune continues to prove why he’s one of my all-time favorite authors with this kind of book. Every story he writes promises a rich emotional journey, and his signature touch with found family dynamics is unmatched. While I do enjoy his cozy fantasy tales as much as any fan, it’s his darker works that truly captivate me, refusing to let go until the final page.

This book carries echoes of his Green Creek series—there’s even a delightful Easter egg for fans that made my heart soar—but with a distinct sci-fi twist instead of fantasy. It also has some strong Stranger Things vibes, not only because of the compelling female lead but due to the strong relationships between the characters. Set in the ’90s (a nostalgic parallel to the ’80s setting of Stranger Things), the story’s atmosphere is both gripping and immersive. I devoured it in just two days, utterly compelled to discover what would happen to these characters I quickly grew to love.

Now that I’m finished with the book, I’m satisfied with a great story but mourning the fact that my journey with these characters is over.

Also - I did not expect to find a new book boyfriend in a TJ Klune book, but here we are. Alex, I love you! 💕

TJ Klune has done it again! Few authors capture the essence of found family and the beauty of humanity quite like he does—and the incredible part is how he achieves this with inhuman characters. One of TJ's standout talents is crafting lovable and hilarious child protagonists, and Artemis Darth Vader might just be one of my all-time favorites!

Another cozy found family story. I actually finished the first half of the book quickly. Immediately loved the characters and the mystery. I think what lost me a bit was when they arrived to the obvious cult. It seemed random and out of character. In fact there’s no strong reasoning behind it and then Alex not realizing it right away was also strange. I enjoyed the slow burn romance. Perfect for Stranger Things fans. I think it could have been slightly shorter but otherwise an enjoyable and heartwarming read. Thank you TOR for the ARC.

I didn't know until the Author's Note at the end that this was a previously self-published book. Even though it came out 6 years ago, it still is one of TJ Klune's best. He is just so good at writing an fast paced, compelling story, and finding the beauty in human relationships along the way. I can't think of another author that has this talent.

Love love love! This book was weird in all the best ways. TJ Klune continues to prove why he is my favorite author.

Artemis Darth Vader is an out of this world character. She is funny, lovable, inquisitive and a badass.

This story has the same charm that TJ is known for, but this one is packed full of action. Think exploding helicopters, running from secret agents, and so much more. I loved this story so much and am sad I hadn’t read it before now.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for an ARC of the rerelease of The Bones Beneath My Skin!

First, thank you @torbooks and @netgalley for the chance to read this book ahead of its pub date on 2/4/25.

This was a wild, emotional ride - a supernatural thriller with a tender heart at its core.

Set in the mid 1990s, the story follows Nate, a man broken by loss and haunted by family trauma, who stumbles into an unexpected, life changing journey.

When he returns to his family's remote cabin in Oregon, Nate isn't expecting company - especially not Alex and a quirky, fierce 10-year-old girl named Artemis Darth Vader.

Oh, and Art isn't exactly human...

Klune weaves themes of identity, love, and belonging into a tense, high stakes chase - when Nate decides to join Alex and Art as they run from government agents who want to control Art.

Along the way, the trio forms a fragile yet profound connection, and there's an aching beauty in watching Nate rediscover his sense of purpose.

🔑 Fave quote: "It's better to be happy a little bit than to not be happy at all." (Art to Nate)

If you're into TJ Klune, books with positive queer representation, complex characters, and a touch of extraterrestrial mystery, this one's for you.

And yes, I promise there's hope in the end.

I found this one to be too slow-paced. The plot felt like it was dragging along too much, particularly in the first 40%. I struggled to connect with the characters or the story, despite the premise being very cool and intriguing.

I absolutely loved this book. After reading TJ's author note at the end I was blown away that he had self published this previously. I am hoping now that Tor is publishing it, it will get the recognition it deserves.

I knew nothing going into this book and was so pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a Sci-Fi fantasy story. And this is for whoever criticized Klune's one spicy scene... You're high, because that was one of the hottest sex scenes I've ever read in my life and it was so unexpected for me after reading The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea (among his other books.)

The characters in The Bones Beneath My Skin are so lovable, which tragic pasts that make you FEEL. Artemis Darth Vader is the star of the story in my opinion, and the humor was of course on point considering this is a Klune book.

I am going to be recommending this book to any/everyone that will listen.

5 million stars.