I didn't love this book as much as the other TJ Klune books I've read, but I still liked it a lot. It just gave me this low level of anxiety the whole time I was reading it, which I think is the author's intent, so good on him for successfully making me feel anxious that something bad is going to happen to these characters at any moment. The things I enjoyed are Klune's humor. While I wouldn't say the romance was central to the plot, the science fiction thrilled part was, this was definitely a book about love. Family love and romantic love, and as with the best science fiction books, what it means to be human.

In a slight departure from the cozy fantasy readers have come to love and expect from TJ Klune, The Bones Beneath My Skin is a suspenseful, cinematic roadtrip thriller, bordering on the edge of science fiction. As always, the storytelling is beautiful and I loved the intentional, humorous, and emotional way Klune crafted the budding connection and strong bond between Nate, Alex, and Art. I'm not normally a sci-fi reader, but I was hooked on this story from the very beginning. So glad Klune and Tor re-released it!

Oh TJ Klune - how I love you! I thought this was a NEW book from Klune so was so interested to find out that this is actually a backlist book that he had self-published that has now been published by Tor in 2025. That made a lot more sense to me because this book definitely felt like what I expect from Klune - fantastical elements, unforgettable characters, and a storyline that is incredibly unique and different from anything I have read before. But I did feel that it fell a little short compared to my favs of his - The House in the Cerulean Sea, Somewhere Beyond the Sea and Under the Whispering Door.

But even in saying that - any Klune book is unforgettable and beautiful in my opinion! This story deals with grief in a way that was really beautiful and compelling and also had those classic Klune moments where I was laughing and tearing up on the same page. In true Klune tradition, this book featured a character that now has a forever place in my heart - something that has become a staple in every single book I had read by him. 10 year old Artemis Darth Vader - yes you read that right - stole my heart completely and will live forever right next to other classic Klune characters like Nurse Ratched & Rambo, Apollo the dog, and basically everyone in Cerulean Sea!

Is this my favorite book by TJ Klune? No.
But ANY book by TJ Klune is better than a TON of other books I have read - he truly can do no wrong in my eyes. His characters and the worlds he creates pierce my heart completely and never let go.

Thank you to Netgalley & Tor Books for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. TJ Klune's characters are always incredibly well written and you just have to love them. This book gives all the feels.

Oh my heck, TJ. How do you do it? How do you give us these characters that take up so much of our hearts?

Artemis Darth Vader will live with me forever. She had my heart from the very beginning, hoss. This book was everything you love about Klune's books with a little more grit. If you're looking for Cerulean Sea, you won't exactly find it, but you will see where it came from. If you've done your research, you will see this was a book written while with another publisher and I am oh so glad TJ was feeling petty (read the author's note), because it allowed Tor to share this book with us.

So many points in this book are still relevant today from when it was written. The characters forming like a friend in your mind, you see them clear as day, and care for them as only Klune can make you. He has a way with creating these souls that reach in and become a part of us.

I don't think I've really told you that much about the book. But I don't think I need to. My rambling says what needed to be said. Read the book.

"She told me once, a long time later, that when she made me laugh for the first time, it was the greatest thing she's ever done."

I received an advanced copy of this rerelease. All opinions are my own.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

First book by T.J. Klune I’ve read after hearing so many good reviews from friends and staff. Nate is left the cabin that his parents owned upon their deaths. Losing his job sends him to the cabin to regroup, but when he gets there he finds Alex and a young girl called Artemis living there. The two are running from the government and Nate gets caught tagging along. I’m not a big sci-fi/fantasy reader so take my rating with a grain of salt.
Goodreads

This is my second TJ Klune book and oh my goodness, they have found themselves in my heart as such wholesome and heart tugging stories! This is different than Klune's more popular books but don't let that stop you from giving it a chance and push yourself through it. I promise it's worth it!

TJ Klune’s The Bones Beneath My Skin is a heartfelt, genre-blending novel that seamlessly weaves sci-fi, found family, and emotional depth. The story follows Nate Cartwright, a man seeking purpose, who stumbles upon an enigmatic girl named Artemis and her fierce protector, Alex. As they evade mysterious forces, Klune crafts a narrative rich with tenderness, humor, and poignant themes of love and belonging. The novel’s vivid characters and immersive storytelling make it a gripping yet deeply emotional read. Fans of Klune’s signature warmth and humanity will find this novel both thrilling and profoundly moving.

I absolutely adore TJ Klune! The Bones Beneath My Skin has the same heart wrenching and heartwarming moments you’ve come to expect in his books, but with a totally new and unique setting and storytelling. Even though it takes place in a more true-to-life world, it certainly has some weird, quirky and supernatural elements. The relationships between the three main characters are beautiful and Art is a character I’ll be thinking about for a long long time.

TJ Klune is a master of quirky queer lit, and The Bones Beneath My Skin is no exception. This is the sort of book you should go into blind. Don't read the flap, just know that Klune is going to take you on an blockbuster style adventure. This book was the literary equivalent of a movir car chase screen. Just hang on and enjoy the ride. Oh, and you might want to have a box of tissues ready because in typical Klune fashion, the ending will get to you. All the stars for TJ Klune's weird little book!

2.5 rounded up to 3. I have really enjoyed TJ Klune's books. This one just felt a bit off and didn't quite click for me. I was super invested in the beginning and excited to see where the story would go. I loved seeing how Nate, Alex, and Art got along with each other and their dynamics. However, the middle kind of dragged on and I found I was forcing myself to read at times. Some things didn't quite make sense or connect, and I guess aliens aren't quite my thing.

✨ Publication date: February 4, 2025✨

The Bones Beneath My Skin is a refresh and republish of a coming of age sci-fi adventure my TJ Klune.

Nate Cartwright is starting over. Heading to the cabin he once spent many happy childhood summers at. Nate’s parents recently died, he lost his job and the only family he had left doesn’t speak to him. He needed a break and some time to figure out what was next.

Except Nate’s cabin isn’t empty when he gets there. He stumbles upon a man and his awkward of not a little strange 10 year old daughter who have taken refuge in his cabin. Their story is not fully believable but as the days go by, they learn to trust each other.

The moment comes when their trust is put to the test. When government officials show up at the cabin and the three are forced to go on the run, Nate starts to learn more about Alex and Art. Art isn’t what she originally seemed and Nate is going to have to open his mind and his heart if he’s going to help bring her home.

This is a sci-fi adventure with a bit of family and romance. This is set in the mid 90’s and has a Stranger Things vibe. If you’ve read this author, you will know to expect the unexpected. I really enjoyed this one, it truly has something for everyone. This was a 4 star read for me.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #tjklune #thebonesbeneathmyskin

T.J. Klune surprised me with this book. The first book I read of his was The House in the Cerulean Sea, and it took me a long time to read it because of the summary. It felt VERY different from any other book I’d read at that point. However, a coworker encouraged me to take a chance, and it turned out to be my favorite book of the year!

This book is a lot like that. I was lucky to receive a digital ARC of this, requesting it based on the author alone. When I read the description, I found myself putting it to the side for other books. It wasn’t until months later, feeling the pressure of reviewing before publication (missed that window), that I finally picked The Bones Beneath My Skin up. Within the first two chapters there was a shift where I felt pulled to this story. I found myself ignoring other books I had been waiting for to read this. I read it on my lunch instead of doomscrolling. This book was GOOD.

I should’ve known by now, that books are more than their description. In the author’s notes Klune describes an interaction with a previous publisher where he was told his story was weird (derogatory). I fell into that trap, forgetting that Klune’s best writing is when it’s “weird”.

I encourage you to just read this story. It’s not the cozy home on the hill, but an entirely different journey and vibe. Yet there’s still that wholesome wonder that Klune writes so well, a quippy character to make you laugh, and a lot of love to make you cry. Plus, ACTION. Just read this wonderful, weird, story.

Thank you so much for this ARC! TJ Klune is one of my favorite authors. This book was fun and suspenseful! I love the relationship between Nate, Alex and Art. Would love to see a sequel.

Unfortunately this is one book that I had a lot of trouble with. The premise was great and gave me stranger things vibes but I feel like it took too long to get anywhere and I just did not connect with the characters or what was happening. The fact that it took almost halfway through the book for Nate to get any answers was just too much.

Fracking TJ Klune!

I'm so jealous of his abilities.

This book was really good. It was totally, totally different from Klune's more popular works (Cerulean Sea, for example) but just as well-written and with characters you'll fall in love with just as much.

I don't want to go into too much detail because half the fun of this book is in not knowing the plot. (Or it was for me anyway.)

But I loved the characters. I loved the writing style. I loved the story. I loved the representation.

It was a wonderfully well-written book that's part sci-fi, part romance, part thriller. It has secret government agencies, shoot-outs, Stranger Things Eleven Flipping the Truck-style action, a lovable little girl, and a beautiful queer romance.

My only complaint, really, is that there were a couple of super graphic sex scenes. And while that doesn't bother me in and of itself.... they just felt forced and didn't vibe with the overall theme of the book.

Despite this being an action-packed, sometimes sad story, it's mostly lighthearted and fun. (I know. Just saying that doesn't make sense. Haha. But it's also true.)

And the sex scenes in the book were raw and gritty. To me, they felt completely out of place. Even the language he used during the sex scenes was completely out of tone with the language in the rest of the book. Again, I have no problem with sex scenes -- even male-on-male ones. (The Song of Achilles is one of my all-time favorite books, and I loved the BDB romance between Qhuinn and Blay -- and it gets graphic. Haha.)

They just didn't feel like they fit with the rest of the book in this case. So, that's what dropped my 5-star review to 4.

DNF at 77% - this book is not for me. I enjoy TJ Klune’s writing, and loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, but unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy this book, and I tried really hard to. The characters didn’t develop for me, in fact - I felt kinda uncomfortable. The plot also just wasn’t getting anywhere for me.

Thank you Netgalley and TOR Publishing Group for the eARC, though!!

TJ Klune is easily a favorite author of mine.
My first of his was Under the Whispering Door, which made me sob. My next was The Extraordinaries, which brought me to the Green Creek Series, and then it went downhill from there. As my 8th TJ Klune novel, I’d say I’m definitely a fan.
This one was very special in that it’s the group against the world. It reminded me of House in the Cerulean Sea a bit in that regard. On the run, working to get Artemis Darth Vader home. There were bits that were surprising- as sometimes we can get a little wild within Klune’s books. Honestly, from what I’ve read in the past, anything goes for our author. But I love that. I can generally expect to shed a few tears in Klune’s books, and this one was no exception.
There really doesn’t seem to be anything like these books. Klune’s writing is like a warm hug bringing readers to a place where everyone is accepted. Anyone who accepts people for who they are will feel accepted between Klune’s pages.
For the future: love big, and eat lots of bacon. Let’s go on an adventure.

TJ, you brilliant self proclaimed weirdo, making me cry at 6:30 a.m.

While not my favorite of his books (Cerulean Chronicles forever), this had his trademark quality of whimsy and wonder mixed with a little more spice and action. And so much love.

A little bit Stranger Things, a dash of The Last Of Us, and a whole lot of truly original storytelling, this book once again asks us to expand our understanding of “family”.