🛻🦴 The Bones Beneath My Skin 🦴🛻
By TJ Klune

✨Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC of this rerelease! Available February 4th!✨

🦴 Gay MMC
🛻 Military
🦴 Mysterious
🛻 Action/adventure
🦴 Romance

🛻 I’ve only read one other book by TJ Klune before this but I LOVED The House in the Cerulean Sea so I knew I had to apply for this ARC.
✨ I will officially be adding this author to my “must read” list.
🦴 This book grabs you from the very beginning with fast paced storytelling, intriguing characters and a mysterious vibe that feels a bit like you’re reading a thriller.
✨ Maybe this is considered a thriller? But a cozy one?
🛻 With themes of grief, love, found family and so much more, there is something to be loved within these pages by all.
✨ I am so thankful that when told “this book is weird” by his publisher he took it upon himself to get this in the hands of readers.
It is weird. It is different. And that’s EXACTLY why I loved it so much.
♥️ And thank you for Tor for picking this and countless others up and CELEBRATING weird.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️: Yes

So incredibly sweet and earnest and full of heart. While the relationships are built beautifully, the actual sci-fi element is kinda hand wavey, and reminded me of properties like The OA.

This was such a great read! I absolutely love T.J. Klune's books and this one did not disappoint! This was a love story in several different ways. Was definitely worth the read!

TJ Klune is re-releasing this, I think, and writes in an afterward that it had to be self-published because his publisher thought it was too weird. I disagree.

The main character is going to a cabin in the woods to lick his wounds after a scandal in Washington DC. The cabin is not empty and he ends up with a gun pointed at him. Eventually he befriends the man and the girl who are on the run in his cabin. The girl is quite unusual and is a super-fun character who loves Western novels and bacon.

TJ Klune just may be one of my favorite authors and this is the only book I’ve read!

The writing is exceptional and the mix of found family, romance, humor and some action I was continuing to be intrigued by the story!

This really snuck up on me! I wasn’t sure at the beginning how I was feeling about it, but I ended up really enjoying it!

The story was quite different than I was expecting with a T. J. Klune novel. A lot darker and steamier than his usual stories.

It still has the wonderful found family vibes I’ve come to expect, and that was my favorite part!

Overall, I don’t think it was my favorite novel from this author but it was great and well worth the read.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is not what I expected it to be (more paranormal/supernatural Pacific Northwest), but it's still a good story. This is basically Stranger Things where Hopper and Steve are on the run with El, and they are slowly falling for each other while trying to escape, survive, and keep El safe. It's fairly predictable, but well-told, endearing, and well-paced.

TJ Klune has been on my radar for a while, but this is the first of his books that I've read. Grief and trauma feature heavily in the slower parts of the story, and while I don't think it's doing anything particularly unique with the themes, it's handled well with strong emotional moments. The other half of the book is a lot more action-y than I expected going in, and the action plays well with those themes to explore desperation and the incredulity of how the characters got into this situation, and their surprising determination to overcome their fears and disbelief to do the right thing.

I think the tone will be the major make-it-or-break-it decision maker for many readers. There are lots of grief and tragic pasts, and then there's a ~10 year old girl named Artemis (Art) Darth Vader who talks like she's straight out of a western and gleefully embodies the cliche of bacon being the best thing on earth. It's corny sometimes, but it's self-aware of the corniness and I found it endearing mostly. Art's levity is justified by her character, and complements the grief themes with hope and a childish (in a good way) awe. I think the tonal contrast is less successful in the action moments, where the stakes are high, but the quirky humor can seem out of place. In a sense, the humor could be seen as a coping mechanism for the two men protecting Art, who both need a coping mechanism for their grief and don't have one (but are slowly finding it in companionship/found family/love), but it didn't always work as well for me.

Underpinning everything else, this is a romance story, and how much you enjoy it will probably correlate with how the tone works for you. Romance, romantic love, and familial love are the answer to grief, to finding yourself when all you have known is loss. It's a fairly slow burn that feels well developed. The characters grew on me at the same pace that the developing romance made sense and grew on me.

Overall, this was a good story. I don't think it was the most original or creative story, but I think TJ Klune is a good enough story teller to pull it off. My favorite parts were the slower moments where we got intimate with the characters grief and flaws, but saw their growth and potential and hope, which makes me look forward to checking out more of Klune's work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for sending me an eARC of this novel for review!

This book made me cry, laugh, ache, and everything in between. Honestly, I’m not sure I even have the words to describe how much I loved this one, so you’re just gonna have to trust me. Go. Read. It.

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune is a beautifully crafted novel that blends elements of fantasy, romance, and self-discovery with deep emotional resonance. Set in a world where magic and monsters coexist, the story follows the journey of a young man named Nolan, who must confront both external dangers and the inner turmoil of his own identity. Klune’s signature warmth and humor shine through even in darker moments, creating a compelling narrative that explores themes of acceptance, love, and personal growth. The relationship between Nolan and his mysterious love interest, along with the colorful cast of supporting characters, adds layers of complexity and heart to the story. With a perfect balance of humor, tenderness, and adventure, The Bones Beneath My Skin is a heartfelt, captivating read that will resonate with fans of Klune’s previous works while also offering a fresh and enchanting experience.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this phenomenal book, The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune.
In return, here is my honest review.

Wow. The story follows Alex, Nate and Artemis Darth Vader. Nate has lost everything. He lost his job as a DC journalist. His brother isn’t interested in a relationship with him. His parents, from whom he is estranged, have passed in a very tragic way. After their passing, he learns he has inherited an old pickup truck from his father and a remote cabin from his mother. He takes off for the cabin to evaluate his life and ponder next steps. Arriving at the cabin, he learns that two squatters have taken up residence in the cabin while running from the Big Baddies. We have Alex, a surly military man who has been shot, and Artemis Darth Vader, a little girl enthralled with the most mundane things. When the Big Baddies show up at Nate’s cabin, chaos erupts and they must flee for their lives. What we end up with is love, found family, acceptance and hope.

TJ Klune‘s writing and story telling feels like a comforting blanket encapsulating you in all the feels. No one does found family better . I laughed. I cried. I didn’t want to leave these fabulous characters and their story.

As you start, you may hear Artemis whisper to you, Are we going on an adventure?” Yes, Art. We are.

Highly highly recommend.

Is this a typical Klune story? I think so. Did I love it? Absolutely! We've got Nate, a journalist recently fired from his job in DC, who is escaping to his family cabin in the Oregon Cascades to "regroup." Once there he discovers that squatters have been staying there. Enter a strange young girl who calls herself Artemis "Art" Darth Vader and her "bodyguard" Alex. We later learn that Alex and Art are on the run from bad guys from a top secret location called The Mountain, where Art has been held captive for the past several years. This is a story of romance, found family, a bit of sci-fi and a dash of thriller. This was utterly unputdownable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the eArc of The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune in exhcange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow. What a book! Every new TJ Klune book quickly becomes my new favorite book. I don't think this man can do a literary thing wrong. The Bones Beneath My Skin was thrilling, so fun to read, and a heartwarming found family story that I already cannot wait to re-read. I am very grateful for Klune's commitment to telling stories centered around queer relationships as I believe this kind of representation within popular literature will only further the normalization of families that don't necessarily reflect the cis-hetero status quo of our time. It's important that people can see themselves within the books they read and I can't believe I am 31 years old, I read 60-100 books a year, and this is the first time I have seen a gay-male-sex-scene in a book. Klune is moving our culture forward with every letter he types out and his stories are impactful and uplifting and I can't wait to see where he continues to take us in the future. The Bones Beneath My Skin will be a book I read again, and it will be a book I gift to friends and family and encourage others to read.

This was actually my first TJ Klune book. I now wonder “why did I wait so long to read their work!?”

This book really had a little something for everyone. Opposites attract, a charismatic and funny 10-year old girl, aliens, secret government cover ups, a comet, a cult, dealing with grief and the 1990s. The 90s nostalgia wasn’t too strong, so if you’re not a late 1900’s junkie like me, not to worry. It’s there, but not overpowering (personally speaking, I would have loved more!) If you enjoy Stranger Things, this one is for you, too!

The story starts off with Nate, a down on his luck man in his mid-late 20’s heading “home” to collect himself. He heads to the family cabin in the middle of nowhere and finds it has some squatters. A former Marine and a 10 year old girl, called Artemis Darth Vader, Art for short. Nate allows himself to get involved in the business of these two and the adventure really kicks off. Alex’s mission is to protect this girl at all costs & Nate joins in and finds purpose along the way.

Klune did a really great job world building and with character development in this book, both were super enjoyable. I also really loved how Klune described extraterrestrials. While it wasn’t completely original, it was really well done and special.

Many thanks to TJ Klune, Netgalley and Tor for the advanced e-copy!

Wow what a roller coaster this book was! I love TJ Klune’s writing, always. This was a beautiful story about finding yourself and your tribe through the hardships and curveballs life throws your way.
The characters were top tier. Klune is a genius when it comes to creating loveable, silly side characters. I honestly think Art is one of my favorites of all time.
I couldn’t give this book a full 5 stars because at times it did feel quite repetitive (yes we understand he showed up to his cabin and a gun was drawn on him.) Also, the sex scene felt very out of place. I felt as if there should have been more or none at all. It just didn’t fit with the vibe for me.
PLEASE make sure there are trigger warnings put at the beginning of this book, as it does touch on very dark topics.

TJ Klune is one of those authors who writes in such an achingly beautiful way. However, most readers were introduced to Klune through House in the Cerulean Sea and to compare these two works would be a mistake.

The Bones Beneath my Skin does have some familiar themes such as found family, romance, and fitting in. In the afterward, Klune describes this book as being an action movie in book form and that is an accurate description.

The action, once it begins, is intense and full bore. The romance is slight, but due to the longing throughout, makes sense.

Leave the expectations of another Cerulean Sea at the door and enjoy this wonderful story!

Thank you to Tor and Net Galley for the eARC! All opinions are my own!

I’m keeping this review spoiler-free, but if you’re a fan of sci-fi with a twist, this one’s for you. The book’s blurb hints at something beyond the ordinary, and it absolutely delivers on that promise with a story that’s part sci-fi, part thriller. If you’ve read other works by TJ Klune, you’ll recognize his signature themes here: a heartfelt found family and gay main characters. (If you haven’t read TJ Klune’s other books, go read them. Now. Go go. Shoo.)

I really enjoyed this one, especially as a sci-fi lover. Art is such a standout character—her banter with the two main characters is both hilarious and heartwarming. And Bacon. Together, they create an adorable found family dynamic that just works.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for the review copy! This book is set to (re)release on February 4, 2025, so keep an eye out!

Book was fantastic. Kline's writing id magical no matter what and transports you to the books world constantly. The characters come alive and this one is no different.

Thank you to Tor Publishing for this digital advanced copy via NetGalley.

TJ Klune honestly has a gift in that his writing just transports you into the story. The characters' feelings and the world building atmosphere he creates are so immersive with every story I've read from him.

Like many of his stories, this is a story of grief, loss, love, found family, and self-acceptance. You follow Nate as he heads to his family home to process some very big losses muddled with complicated feelings - except things aren't what he expects when he arrives. He finds a gun pointed at his head and a little girl who calls herself Artemis Darth Vader.

This story is filled with a lot more action that I am used to in his books but still manages to keep that deep and impactful love and the struggle with grief throughout. If you're looking for a SciFi road trip filled with adventure and unbreakable bonds, then your next adventure is waiting with this one!

T.J. Klune’s* *The Bones Beneath My Skin* is a beautifully heartfelt story about healing, self-acceptance, and the power of love. As always, Klune’s writing is rich with warmth and emotion, capturing the complexities of grief and personal growth with both tenderness and honesty. The protagonist’s journey toward understanding and embracing themselves is deeply moving, and the evolving romance is touching and authentic.

While the emotional depth of the story is compelling, there are moments where the pacing slows down, and the narrative takes introspective detours that may feel a bit drawn out. The blend of magical realism with the book’s more grounded themes can also feel uneven at times, but for many readers, this combination adds a layer of whimsy that enhances the story’s charm.

At its core, this book is about finding hope in the darkest times. It’s a cozy mystery with all the feels and just a touch of magic. Even if the pacing isn’t always perfect. It’s a beautiful, hopeful book that reminds us of the power of love and self-acceptance. Fans of Klune will find this an emotional and unforgettable read.

If you are a fan of stranger things you will love this book. It was a beautifully written found family trope. Sometimes love is found in the most unlikely places. The author does such a great job at creating conflict to get your heart racing and you just can't flip the pages fast enough to see what happens next.