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.

TJ. I just love you always. This book was incredible, as always, 10/10 no notes.

Ok for real - this was so weird and so fun. Can't say much without spoilers, but having read a slew of TJ's books thus far, I've finally come to expect and LOVE the strange and out there plot points and this one was certainly no expection. This whole book was written with so much heart and the relationships between the three main characters was jus the most adorable and heartwarming.

Absolutely pre-ordering a finalized copy of this to add to my collection and counting down the days until he announces his next book.

Right out the gate, a 5/5 -star rating slips its way into my very small list of 2024 5 star reads.

Are we surprised with T. J. Klune? No, no we’re not. His stories are always very lovely and enjoyable. What I am surprised about is that, even though this is one of his older books, I still loved it as much as I did his newer works. It’s insane guys. He’s always been this good?!?!

Buttttt, to give a little hindsight into THIS story, we follow Nate. (I’ve noticed I haven’t been writing brief summaries of the story in my reviews for the people who read reviews first before reading the actual book. I’ve decided I’ll do this from time to time.) In his need to start over and find himself after some LARGE things happen in his life, he takes the old truck his father gave him and goes out to stay in their family’s vacation cabin in the middle of nowhere. It’s been years since his family has been there. It should be empty.

It is not.

Nate finds that quite a pair has broken into his cabin: a large brooding man and a strange little girl. Before long he finds out that this pair is not only stowing away in a place they don’t belong, but they’re also on the run from the government. How could his life get any worse?

This is a ‘Found Family’ trope story with a little twist! If you know you know lmao XD
‘The Bones Beneath My Skin’ had all the best feels, from the humorous squabbles between Nate and Alex (Our Brute) to the warm bittersweet heartbreaks. I loved reading it and hated that it took me so long to welcome it into my life lol

A little tidbit I didn’t realize before going in: This title was originally released in 2018! So, though the rerelease isn’t out yet and won’t be out until February 4th in its stunning Hardcover edition, you can still buy and read this now through Amazon Kindle. (Unfortunately, I have no idea of the rerelease is different then the 2018 version, but I don’t think it is? Someone should let me know 😂) Here’s a BIG thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the Digital ARC of this beautiful rerelease. EVERYONE, go check it out and all of Klune’s other stunning works!

If you ever read firestarter by Stephen King and watch Stranger Things and put those two things together, that would be this book. The Bones Beneath my Skin is a vulnerable achingly, beautiful found family where two men adopt a space princess. If that premise isn’t interesting enough, you will absolutely fall in love with Artemis Darth Vader.

Dealing with heavy themes of tragic loss and identity the respite of having a child like character who gives these two men purpose was so beautifully done that I recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through a change in life or just needs a little pick me up.

I think this was a great novel. It is different than TJ Klune, usual style but I really think this book needs to exist some thing about it is so pure and delightful.

After a four day journey I have finally gotten to the Last Page of this book. I have read many of TJ Klune’s novels, 6 to be exact. Which if I am going to be honest is a lot seeing as how many authors I have read and how little I tend to stay interested in their work. But you if you have read The House in the Cerulean Sea then you understand why I have read 6 book by this wonderful man. So when I saw this book I lept at the chance to read it and I am glad that I did because it really is a different type of work by Mr. Klune.

If you have read In The Lives of Puppets, then you are prepared for this novel for out of 6 that I have read this is the most unlike the others that I have taken the time to read. That may sound like a bad things but this book still very much feels like a TJ Klune novel, the queer, the found family, the heartbreak but love, type vibe that he is known for. But it is wrapped up in such a different bow that it takes a second to get into the book and to feel Klune again.

I enjoyed the read, and the plot felt inspired by many sci-fi movies that I have watched but it felt new and exciting. I am not sure of the work that was done to the novel from its first self-publishing back in 2017/2018 and current 2025 edition of the novel but it read well. The plot moves along, the characters feel developed, and the writing flows. I do have some comments on the novel as it is not a 5 star, no notes, type of read but one I think fans will enjoy, as long as they are prepared for an adventure, and I mean that in more ways than one.

I have not read the Green Creek series yet so I will not speak to those but be warned this is not the soft core novels that you get from THITCS, TLOP, UTWD, or the superhero series he wrote. It is a little more graphic both in violence and spice level. Funny enough I saw someone gave Cerulean Sea a one flame in spicy, and I am sure they were forced to put something because that book has ZERO spice. This however have a graphic spicy scene, mention of another, and gun violence (which isn’t spicy but a warning area). So know that going into the novel.

Beware Spoilers
Let’s Talk
This book opens quiet quickly and Nate’s parent should have come with a trigger warning. Not only was there a murder/suicide where Nate’s Father was the aggressor but there was also the drop of the Faggot word. So yeah there was a bit of a trigger warning to begin with. Not only that but Nate was found with his pants down around his ankles and his member being taken within a mouth. Which was a shock to read from a TJ Klune novel but immediately told me this book would not be like the other 6 that I read.

Nate, our protagonist, is 27 come the beginning of our story, an age I also lost my father at. Now what the two of us went through is so vastly different but the void and lost sense that came with my lost made me connect to Nate in a quick way. This is where I think people are going to struggle connecting with him because he just goes along with the adventure. Completely lost within himself due to trying to find himself, Nate become a victim to his own lack of desire. I mean he did just become okay with a random man and girl in his cabin with a gun, but grief can and will do weird things to you. I mean I was in a job that was sucking the life out of me when I first lost my dad, but I just let it happen. I allowed someone to talk sexually about a customer because I did not feel up to defying the world. There was a quote that got me.

“Nate just take it for what it is. Kindness. Sometimes people need it, even if they don’t know how to ask for it.”

Page 14
Like come on… this was so true for me, and I think this tells us about Nate more than most descriptions about him. He lost his parent far before their death and in that I think he learned he was the only one that could protect him.

It’s what he wanted now. Quiet. Room to think. To figure shit out. He needed to decide what was going to happen next.

That was another quote that just made me feel more connect to Nate.

When I first met Artemis (Art) I thought she belonged on Marsyas Island with all of those special children. And when she made a comment about how Darth Vader chokes people with his mind not being correct, I knew she should go meet that family. She was a weird child clearly meant to be more than just some Stranger Things clone but I was here for her optimism and love of bacon.

The story feel into the classic Sci-Fi trope. A non believer stumbles upon a secret, they get swept into it, regardless of their desires. There is a standoff with the government, huge action scene and the characters are on the run until the final standoff. That is the whole book, it does not reinvent the genre, but it does fuel it with a change in sexualities, and the bonds that are created.

Over all the book was predictable. I had guessed what Art was, I had not likely Peter when I met him along with other little things that I do not want to fully ruin, on the off chance you have not finished the book yet.

The Good
We have a cast of three main characters told from the 3rd person perspective where one is the focal point in which the story is happening too. Our cast is

Nate Cartwright

Alex Delgado

Artemis Darth Vader (yes… you read that correctly)

Nate and Alex felt real most of the time. And I am thankful for that.

The romance between Nate and Alex thankful was not painful for me. I am the type of person that hates when romance is thrown into a story just for the sake of the Romance tag and chatter on BookTok, so I was scared when I saw a review mentioned romance. BUT it was done well. It built naturally, two lost men finding themselves in a action movie, each having a missing piece of themself. Nate – an urgency, a purpose, a spark, and Alex – kindness, thoughtfulness, safety. So when it started with the sugar in the coffee (Page 104) I knew where this was headed. Klune did a great job of not forgetting about this arc, clearly (I mean at one point Nate noticed the hair on Alex’s feet or something).

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. My science brain nearly screamed when I read that word because I remember reading that in a textbook years ago. I was happy with the mention and TJ Klune did a great job of explaining it so props to that.

Something that made me laugh was that Art called the Greys (a type of alien) Jerks, which is now the second time I heard that, the first being in the TV show Resident Alien. Which if you like this book I recommend because it too is about an alien trying to figure out humanity and trying to find their own.

“I can like dolls and study UFOs at the same time. Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I’m not capable of deciding what my interests should be.”

Though I will never recommend this novel to a child I liked to see this type of thought process in my books. TJ Klune is known for his queer takes on things and because of that I love him. A girl can be whoever she wants to be, just the same as a boy can be too.

The Bad
The one sex scene was so out of place. Do not get me wrong I love a gay sex scene as much as the next gay man, but I would love there to be a little bit of a build up. Not so much a will they or won’t they vibe but a thick tense chemistry that makes me sweat. I will say I did not get that, it was very blunt and very quick (kind of like Nate himself, lol). I mean Nate got woken up from sleep while there were sleeping in a barn and Alex all of a sudden had to get one off? I mean it was sexy, and there was consent, and also realistic. I mean they had no lube so they just made due with a little spit and elbow grease.

Another things that rubbed me (hehe) the wrong way was that it took quite a while for the story to really get moving. I mean it took until Chapter 9, well over 100 pages to get to the action part. Up until then it was just Nate, Alex, and Art cohabitating in this cabin and us getting no answers.

The setting, 1995 does not really come up. Yes there is mention of the technology, the lack of phone service on a Nokia but it did not play a huge role in my opinion. I think the time period allowed for the crew to go unnoticed for a long period of time but outside of that there was no pro or con of that time.

Lastly the pacing was off. It felt like a long EKG reading, just up and down. Forward and regressive in character choices. For me this is Klune first full attempt at an action sci-fi, which I think he confirmed in this acknowledgements, and it struggled in places. Not nearly as bad as Infinity Son was for Adam Silvera. The book leaned on the tropes found in the sci-fi realm but did not bring too much new to the genre. That being said I think it was a great first attempt, and a book I recommend you getting through.

Rating
I liked this book. Will it be one that I turn to reread, most likely not but I am thankful that I got a chance to read it.

I happily give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Maybe its because its queer, or a plot of a movie I would have watched with my father but the book resonated with me strongly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Final Thoughts
I wonder does that reference to Green Creek mean that these books are set in the same universe or are they different?

We need more books like this. queer rep and found family rep. A book that comments on government’s belief that they can take whatever they want and that anything different from them they was to harm and control. The ride may have been bumpy but I am glad that it exists. Thank you TJ Klune!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with a copy of this book to review. Its expected (re)publication date is February 4, 2025.

I’ve given Klune a few too many tries since the magic of the Cerulean Sea, but it doesn’t seem to be replicable. Each subsequent work has felt more and more rushed and reaching, and unfortunately this was no improvement.

TJ Klune is an auto buy author for me, and this book is no exception. In true Klune fashion he pulls hard at your heart strings until you weep with both sadness and joy. Nate has lost everything, and he inherited a cabin in the woods. However, when he gets there a man and little girl named Artemis Darth Vader are squatting in his cabin. He learns that Artemis has powers, but the Big Baddies are after them. This was reminiscent of Stranger Things, but only in a way that Klune could tell it. Klune is the guru of found family. This book is definitely worth the read, and it is something magical!

TJ has been a favorite author of mine for awhile, but the last two books have left something to be desired for me. In the end, I did like the book, and characters it revolved around. It took me longer than usual to become invested though.

This story may have a quieter tone compared to some of his others, but it’s no less captivating. It’s an emotional journey, blending humor with moments of real tension and danger. The action, the dramatic twists, and the heartfelt connections between three strangers who find the family and love they’ve been missing—it all comes together so beautifully.

Klune has once again delivered a contemporary sci-fi romance that’s everything you could want: a slow burn with just the right touch of spice, suspense, comedy, depth, and above all, heart. I cherished every moment of this read.

If you’re already a Klune fan, you know you’re in for something special! And if you haven’t read his work yet, do yourself a favor and dive in. Truly, what are you waiting for?

What a wonderful adventure. Fast paced and beautifully written.
This was my first book from this author but it won’t be the last.

I really enjoyed this book from TJ Klune!! He has a knack for writing young characters that will make you laugh and your heart melt, I read nothing about this one before starting, and was so pleasantly surprised! It is an adventure-sci-fi mash up like ET meets Stranger Things. Let this book take you on a wild ride, and your heart may just break open on the journey.

Many folks seem to have discovered TJ Klune with his novel The House In the Cerulean Sea. I haven’t read that one yet, although it is in my TBR stack. As usual I blame all the fabulous authors out there. Too many books, too little time. No, my first experience with Klune’s singular talent was the novel In the Lives of Puppets. Here’s what I said about it in my review:

… it’s in the small strokes, the fine details, that In The Lives of Puppets truly sings. It’s about the importance of found family, and the power of loyalty and love. It’s a tender, sensitive exploration of Ace and LGBTQ representation. Perhaps most surprisingly to me, it’s laugh-out-loud funny.

If that little snippet doesn’t make it clear, I absolutely loved the novel.

Now comes The Bones Beneath My Skin, a welcome reissue of a novel first published in 2018. This one is once again concerned with found family, loyalty, and love, and if anything it digs deeper—what exactly makes us human, and what are we prepared to do when all hope seems lost. I loved this novel just as much.

Nate Cartwright is estranged from his brother, and his parents have died, leaving him only a dilapidated truck and the remote lake cabin in Oregon his family visited in happier times. When he loses his Washington D.C. journalist job, he retreats to the cabin, hoping for solitude to lick his wounds and do a little bit of soul searching. Instead he finds squatters—An armed man named Alex, and his charge, a strange young girl named Artemis Darth Vader. Neither of them are what they seem.

What follows is a small miracle, a story that starts out strong and gets better and better as it goes. Part road trip, part government conspiracy, part—nope, that’s all I’m telling you, this novel has secrets you should discover for yourself. It’s a heart stopping roller coaster of action, mystery, and emotion, but more than that, much more, The Bones Beneath My Skin introduces three characters that I would gladly follow anywhere. In particular, Artemis Darth Vader is a delightfully unique, original character, full of love and loyalty and more than a little snark. Klune has created someone truly special here.

Klune masterfully combines breathless suspense with large dollops of humor and a tender slow-burn romance. The Bones Beneath My Skin is a wild ride that’s well worth taking. It debuts on February 4th 2025, and is available for pre-order now.

TJ's most cinematic read to date with things blowing up on one page and endearing moments the next! I loved this sweet story from start to finish and think others will too.

A supernatural road-trip thriller featuring an extraordinary young girl and her two unlikely protectors on the run from cultists and the government.

I really enjoyed this read. I found the premise to immediately draw me in and Klune's bingeable writing to keep me going.
The characters are well developed, endearing, and hysterical in their unique way. I loved how they loved each other and couldn't help falling in love with them myself. The premise is one that is familar (for fans of Stranger Things!) but Klune puts his own spin on things that make this familiar idea feel renewed and refreshing. And of course the romance and found family aspect make this reminiscent of previous Klune work in the best way as it's done well, while not overpowering the fun action packed, sci fi plot.

Highly recommend. Someone turn it into a Netflix movie please.

READ FOR
- Chosen One Trope
- Found Family
- Sci Fi Elements
- Action Packed Journey Across the U.S.
- "Recent" Historical Fiction (1990s)
- LGBTQ+ Representation

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

📣 a fantasy with romance that takes you on a journey across the US & touches space, too

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s something you’re looking forward to today? I have a big day in teaching & I’m excited for it to be over 🤣.

If emotional fantasy is your jam, I highly recommend TJ Klune’s books. Ditto if you’re looking for a highly versatile writer who takes on unexpected subjects with every book.

In The Bones Under My Skin, Klune crafts a striking story about mysterious people on the run, a man who seems to have lost it all, & something else we’ve only dreamed of.

One question that Klune often considers is what makes us “human.” If those virtues we identify with humanity can only be found in humans.

There’s no possible way I can describe this book & the epic project it took on & takes the reader on, but if this sounds at all compelling, pick it up & give it a try.

5 ⭐️. Out 02/04.

[CWs: Murder-suicide of parents. Homophobia & homophobic language on page. Violence & death. Estrangement from parents.]

[ID: mural in Knoxville, TN, by Paris Woodhull]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for a digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Bones Beneath My Skin was previously self-published by TJ Klune because his prior publisher thought the book was too weird. Thank you, Tor Book for picking this up and giving it a beautiful cover and new life.

For fans of TJ Klune, this book has the familiar found family element. However, it has more romance, more science fiction, and less cozy fantasy than his recent books.

Klune is very gifted at creating memorable characters, and Artemis Darth Vader, Alex Weir, and Nate Cartwright are unforgettable!

If you are as old as me, you might remember the 1984 movie called Starman with Jeff Bridges. This novel reminded me a lot of that movie. If you are looking for a fun road-trip adventure with a lot of heart, a little romance, and a girl who loves bacon, you might just enjoy The Bones Beneath My Skin. I did!