Klune strikes again! Okay, you guys are going to need a bit of context for my reactions to this sad, funny, intricate gem of a novel (which I received as a free eArc from Netgalley). I have, for years, had quite a bit of trouble with authors (especially those that aren’t associated with the diverse aspects they claim to represent) creating supposedly diverse characters that are flat or one dimensional. You all know what I’m talking about, that character that is described as being African American, or Muslim, or some other underrepresented characteristic and…that’s all. There is nothing else interesting, or complex, or even human about them, they are a cardboard cutout designed to provide “diversity” to the novel.
Okay, background having been properly provided, let me continue with the review. I have now read two of Klune’s novels (this title and The House in the Cerulean Sea) and I am over the moon about one thing in particular, all of the characters – no matter what their backgrounds – are intricate, human, and thoughtfully portrayed! On top of this astounding feat of writing skill and human empathy, both novels were well-written, funny, and exciting to read. I cried, I laughed out loud, and I honestly believed in the characters and their motives. Definitely an author to watch going forward.

TJ Klune is a masterful writer and one that I will be needing to add his entire backlog to my TBR shelf.
Under the Whispering Door is a book about death. It focuses on what comes after the act of dying.
We meet our main character Wallace at the end of his life and we soon find out just exactly what kind of person Wallace is, and that's a not-so-great one. Wallace is escorted to a tea shop run by Hugo, who is a "ferryman" for the those in the afterlife. His job to help Wallace and other recently departed to accept their deaths, and be ready to go through a door to what awaits next.

Klune has such a fun writing style and his books have such important messages that need to be read and absorbed by everyone. Even in a book about macabre subjects, he injects a breath of life into the story and has such wonderful character development. His previous book, The House in the Cerulean Sea, is widely loved and enjoyed for many of the same reasons listed above. This book is of the same vein, but ultimately I think some will have challenges with this story. If you are a person that has a religious-backed idea of the afterlife, you may not find this book suitable. Klune presents us with a new idea of what happens after the act of death and I think this is best suited for those with open minds about the subject.

This book made me laugh, cry, remember my own loved ones who have passed and most importantly, made me stop to think if I am happy with my life so far. Bravo to Klune and I cannot wait to read more of his work.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge publishers for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

"You have questions"
In a shaky voice, Wallace replied, "That is quite possibly the biggest understatement ever spoken by the human tongue." --Chapter Five, Under the Whispering Door

I had super high hopes going into this novel because I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, it currently stands as my favorite read of 2021 so far. Where The House in the Cerulean Sea had majority of joyous moments with serious commentary scenes mixed in, Under the Whispering Door has several heavy moments with ice breakers throughout. Although these books are so polarizing in theme, I found I was engaged from the very first chapter just like in The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Wallace Price is undeniably selfish and prior to his death, he saw no fault in that. Following his death he meets Mei, a Reaper, who takes him to this quirky teashop run by a ferryman. Hugo is the person that'll help Wallace cope with his death and cross over. Wallace is quite angry and still his egotistic self when he meets Hugo. He also hasn't entirely accepted that he's dead. While not giving too much away, Wallace has one of the best character arcs. I think it had to do with the Freeman family and how many other spirits and human beings he encountered at his prolonged stay at the cafe. Realistically, he needed that time and those "eye-opening moments' Don't be fooled by the synopsis, Wallace is given an ultimatum but this novel occurs over a span longer than seven days.

It was wonderfully done but possibly triggering for some readers, this book's commentary is on more than just Wallace's death. It's to be expected that a book discussing death and grief would have heavy commentary but I do want to give a Content warning: Discussion of suicide, murder, death of child (previous to book timeline/death from childhood cancer), unexpected deaths, and stages of grief. TJ Klune does give a content warning at the beginning of the novel and does a fantastic job illustrating all of these discussions. It flows so well as Hugo is a ferryman, Wallace isn't the first or the last spirit Hugo has helped, learned throughout the course of the novel.

The whole Freeman family was a delight to read about with all the different personalities. The clothing fiasco and other ice breakers like it, allowed some parts to ease the tension the topics of the book had without taking away any messages of grief or death the author was portraying. This next quote is pulled from an ice breaker moment about Mei hating on fake psychics and while I realize it's dark humor (given the themes of the book), it a note to Hugo and Mei's interactions (and reminded me of Arthur and Lucy).

[Mei] crossed her arms and pouted "Nothing's stopping us. You told me that we should always try and achieve our dreams."
"I didn't have murder in mind when I told you that," Hugo said dryly --- Chapter 11, Under the Whispering Door

If you're a fan of TJ Klune's works, you're not going to be disappointed. Comes out September 21st, 2021!

I was beyond thrilled to get approved for T.J. Klune’s upcoming book Under the Whispering Door. He has a writing style that is whimsical and easy to read while also making me feel a wide range of emotions. Once again I was immediately drawn in and invested in the story from the start.

This is a story about death, loss and grief, but it’s also about friendship, hope, love, and family. While it deals with sad and darker content, it is done in a delicate manner and is also very funny and moving in ways you might not expect. There is a one scene in the middle of the book that had me cracking up so much I had to go back and read that section again! All of the characters are amazing - they are well developed, memorable and just fantastic. This isn’t surprising given I’m still thinking about the kids from The House in the Cerulean Sea (hi Chauncey!!). Nelson was my favorite - his sarcastic attitude and jokes brought levity and made me laugh so many times.

My expectations for this book were sky high and I am so glad that this book lived up to them! It is a charming story that I know I will be re-reading in the future. This is very different from The House in the Cerulean Sea, but similar in that it will transport you and immerse you into the story while taking you on an emotional journey with some great characters. 5/5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Tor for gifting me this eARC to read and review. Under the Whispering Door will be out on September 21.

This wonderful book took me on an emotional and whimsical journey with a character I disliked, but who warmed my heart little by little along the way! From the blurb I knew this book would crush me as it speaks about the afterlife & if you were given a chance to change would you? And though this is a tough topic, the story is entertaining and funny - Patricia Ryan oh my! A reaper, Mei, comes to collect Wallace Price at his own funeral and to his surprise only five people were in attendance! Mei brings Wallace to a small village in the afterlife to Hugo, a tea shop owner and a ferryman to souls who needs to cross over. Having questions - Wallace is adamant on staying put so he’s given seven days to cross over. With Hugo’s help and gentle guidance, Wallace experiences love and life! Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

*Reviews on Goodreads, BookBub, and Instagram; will post on Amazon on publish date.*

Stunningly beautiful and deeply profound. This book resonated in the deepest parts of my soul. It’s about the power of relationships. It’s about allowing yourself to be loved. And it’s about the possibility of change and learning from mistakes

How do you write a review for a book that is absolutely, completely, and utterly PERFECT? Klune has somehow taken the topic of death and made it endearing and whimsical with just the right touch of self-reflection. He’s created characters that are both impossibly loveable and ones you can’t imagine life without. And he’s done it all with charm and wit and beautiful prose. If this doesn’t exhibit writing at its best…if this doesn’t denote an author that is an absolute master, I’m at a loss for what does!

Wallace liked to think of himself as intelligent, hardworking, and successful. Others saw him as a crotchety, self-consumed asshole. But death is an equal opportunity taker. What kind of life did all of that hard work and privilege really afford him in the end? After a massive heart attack, Wallace finds himself at an afterlife way station, imbedded in a tea shop, where he must come to terms with his life and death with help from Hugo, Mei, and Nelson. Wallace may be the main character, but it’s Hugo, Mei, and Nelson that delight! They create a warm, safe space for Wallace to let go of fear and embrace kindness. Ultimately, it took dying for Walter to find his humanity and to learn how to let people love him.

Klune explores the hard topics of death and grief through quirky, easy to love characters that are real and relatable while delivering important life lessons through the whimsical backdrop of this afterlife way station. I couldn't have loved this book more!

Thank you TJ Klune, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

4. 75 stars

<b>Heart-warming, poignant and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster,</b> Under the Whispering Door is TJ Klune's latest release, probably one of my most anticipated books of the year and safe to say it did not disappoint. It is a very gentle book, exploring darker themes in a very delicate way that feels like having a shoulder to cry on when you are in desperate need of a friend.

We follow Wallace, who at the start of the book is an absolute asshole. Honestly the first scene where he just absolutely tears into an employee and fires her shouldn't have been funny because it was an awful situation but for some reason I found it hilarious lol, and at that point I think I knew I was going to love this book. Wallace is someone who is very career driven and extremely meticulous, with little time for any sort of life. After he unexpectedly dies and wakes up as a ghost at his own funeral, we follow him on his journey to Charon's Crossing, a tea shop run by the ferryman Hugo who helps ghosts on their journey into the beyond.

I loved the themes of death, dying and what makes a good death in this book. I thought it was explored so well and there were so many touching passages just contemplating on what makes a good life, what comes right at the end of life, and what happens after. As someone who finds palliative care very interesting, this is always a theme I love exploring in books and how we can best help people at an extremely vulnerable stage of their lives. In a way the whole reading experience feels like a giant therapy session, and deals with some quite heavy topics such as grief, loneliness and regret. I especially loved the exploration of what it means to grieve for yourself (I think we all go through stages of grieving for our past lives and holding onto things we maybe shouldn't) and Wallace coming to terms the fact he is dead.

Wallace as a character reminds me a lot of Scrooge from a Christmas Carol, he starts the book as very unlikeable, cynical and bitter but throughout the book we see him go on a beautiful journey as he slowly reflects on his life and the poor choices he has made. We also see him start to slowly assimilate into the little found family at the Charon's Crossing tea shop, which is so adorable to watch. I think TJ Klune really excels at writing found families and seeing Wallace slowly make friends with Mei and Nelson, and start to develop a blossoming relationship with Hugo was so heartwarming to watch. The first moment Wallace laughs was such a turning point for his character - as a reader you are so proud, and the book is filled with moments like this.

The side characters are a real strong point in this novel, alongside Wallace and Hugo (the charming ferryman with a penchant for tea) we also have Nelson (Hugo's grandfather and your typical sassy elderly character who is an absolute ICON, and also happens to be a ghost), Mei (a reaper who helps guide ghosts to the crossing and definitely has a attitude problem whilst also having a very kind soul) and Apollo (the ghost dog uwu). I loved exploring all the different kinds of love we experience in life, through all their eyes - platonic, romantic, familial, self-love and worth. I also really liked the tea shop setting as this explores the love and care we can have for strangers and the joy in helping them even a little bit on their journey, the simple act of making someone a cup of tea can have such an impact even if it just brightens their day a little bit, because you never know what that person is going through.

There is an interesting contrast in the book between humour and heartbreak. TJ Klune's book are always filled with wit, charm and some great humourous moments and this book is no different - there were so many moments when I was laughing out loud. However there are also a lot of emotionally charged, painful moments which remind you this is actually quite a sad book. It's definitely darker than House in the Cerulean Sea, but I think I enjoyed it more both due to the themes, which resonated a lot with me especially as someone who is planning to spend my life caring for ill people and also the fact that whilst dealing with heavy topics it does it in such a tender and hopeful way, that I think will be very healing for a lot of people.

The last 30% of the book was quite an emotional ride, there may have been tears lol but I thought it ended on such a beautiful note that fit perfectly with Wallace's character growth throughout the book. Also the angst of a ghost romance will always be unparalelled.

<b>In conclusion, this is a book about healing, hope and finding light in tragedy. It reminds the reader to live their life without any regrets, because you never know what path your life could take next and to cherish the love and joy you have in the moment.</b>

First of all, if you read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, this one is for you. If you enjoyed A Man Called Ove, this one is for you. If you stan Hades from Lore Olympus, this one is definitely for you.

Here's a synopsis, so you know what you're getting in for.

Wallace Price is mean. There is no way around it. He is a mean lawyer, and one day after being particularly mean, he wakes up and realises he is dead. He didn't die because he was so mean, he just died because it was coming his way anyway.

His suspicions about his being dead are confirmed when a reaper appears at his funeral, and takes him to a tea shop in the mountains, which is run by a man named Hugo. Hugo helps people cross over to the afterlife.

With Hugo's help, Wallace slowly starts to adjust to his new life- or lack thereof. But when a being known as The Manager appears, and tells Wallace he only has a week left in the tea shop, Wallace attempts to live a lifetime in a week- and realises that he isn't ready to go.

Haha so that was a really bad synopsis. But, that's the idea of the book. I loved it. I binge read this in a matter of hours. I can't wait for it to come out.

The characters are likeable, and so funny. There is a certain, uh, video lady, (I really don't know how to explain this woman) BUT THERE'S A BIT WITH A LUIGI Ouija Board, and that was really funny. I laughed out loud.

Despite the fact that the novel is largely about death, and dying, and what comes after, Under The Whispering Door was a surprisingly light hearted novel, and the general mood was quite cheerful. It was really nice, actually. Death, with tea and happiness.

The best character is Hugo's grandfather or Mei, and I'm sure you'll all agree with me when you read it.

You may now be wondering: hey, Paris, when can I read this?

Well, I'm sorry, people, but you're going to have to wait all the way until September 21st 2021 to get your hands on this book. Put the date in your calendar. Pre-order. Do whatever, but remember: SEPTEMBER 21ST 2021!!

As far as I'm concerned, you'll be able to get this book in Audio, Kindle, Electronic and Paper format when it releases, and it'll probably be available from Amazon and most bookshops. I have no doubt it'll be available second hand shortly after.

Lastly, I'd like to wrap up this blog post with a huge thank you to NetGalley, T. J. Klune, and Macmillan for sending me this ARC and giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

I guess I am no exception in why I wanted to read Klune's newest book. Like probably everyone else I loved "The house on the cerulean sea" and couldn't wait for this new story. While the "Found Family Trope" is still strong in this one ( What I liked most ), this one is a lot sadder. Yes, the last 30% of the book I basically cried constantly. That being said, I didn't like this book all too much. While you love Linus instantly and root for his happiness, I couldn't care at all for this Scrooge Copy ( Wallace ). I never got why Wallace was the way he was, so his "sudden" change wasn't something I could comprehend. This made me not like that first half of the book. Pacing of the first half is also something that could be revised before the publication. If this would have been a debut, I would have DNFed this at 40%.A minor blip that I found irritating: Wallace knows he cannot eat the Scones in chapter 8. In chapter 10 he is outraged when he learns he cannot eat? Some of the dialogue is quite repetitive and gosh does Klune mention cerulean seas a lot... in a book not about seas...Also Spoiler: I cannot believe that in all their time with Nancy neither Hugo nor Mei talked about telling Nancy about what they do and that Lea had moved on. It is quite obviously the only thing they can do to help that woman. I do not believe that they need Wallace to point that out. Oh and I didn't like his jab against cats. I am the owner of a very lovely cat, that is not an asshole, thank you very much. All in all this was a very mixed read for me, where I found myself quite bored at the beginning, but still somewhat loving the last half. The ending itself was too predictable ( but I expected it ) and the epilogue completely unnecessary.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

TJ Klune has done it again! Another five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star read from me.

I read this book in about a day and a half! I loved the story and the way the characters and relationships developed. It felt like an updated Christmas Carol but in TJ Klune's wonderful voice.

This book was every bit as wonderful as I hoped it'd be.

Honestly, what can TJ Klune NOT write? I didn't think I'd love anything as much as Cerulean Sea...and then I met the Bennett Pack. I didn't think I'd love anything more than Cerulean Sea and the Bennett Pack...and then I met Hugo and Wallace and Mei and Nelson and Apollo.

Y'all, this book is beautifully poignant and still has the pointed humor that I've come to love and anticipate in Klune's books; even in serious moments there will be a thread of humor that lightens the load just a bit, and it is so well done. This book is about grief and healing; it's about life lessons and seeing past the surface of someone; it's about fighting for what and who you love.

Wallace's journey was painful and raw, but oh how beautiful it ended up being. There are so many parts of this book that I think people will find solace in--so many instances where people will feel a bit less alone.

I cannot wait to have a physical copy of this book.

Love this book! After reading The House in the Cerulean Sea earlier this year I was so excited to read an early copy of Under the Whispering Door. This book is truly magical and if you let it will give you a new outlook on life. Halfway through reading it I went outside just to feel the sun on my skin. This is truly masterful work that will keep you up late at night sobbing both from grief and joy. I cannot recommend it enough!

In "Under the Whispering Tree" we meet Wallace Price, a less-than-good man who focused on the wrong things in life. Much to his consternation, one day Wallace finds himself dead. After meeting his Reaper, Mei, he is taken to Hugo Freeman, a man whose job it is to ferry souls from the immediate aftermath of death to the great unknown. While Wallace is at Hugo's house in the woods, he is forced to grapple with the way he lived his life and the person he ended up being. With Hugo's help, along with Mei, an ornery old ghost named Norman, and a goofy ghost dog named Apollo, Wallace begins to learn about everything he missed out on life.

Simply put, this book is incredible. I wouldn't call it light-hearted, but it is a heartfelt and thought provoking book about the meaning of life. Though the overall theme is death, grief, and missed opportunities, Under the Whispering Door is also full of hope, happiness, and finding a family in the most unexpected place. I alternately cried and laughed, sometimes from one sentence to the next. Klune did a masterful job of balancing the sadness with levity, and the result is a charming and compelling book that is so unique and wonderful that I can't say I've ever read anything quite like it. It moved me like no other book ever has, and it has taken up residence in my heart and makes me want to protect it at all costs.

Another beautifully unique book by Klune. The novel explores death, grief, life, and love in a fantasy setting that is as whimsical as the Cerulean Sea was. I loved it.

You’d think I’d learn by now that every time I read a T J Klune book I am setting myself up for an emotional rollercoaster ride ... but damn. Each one just hits different.

How do you prepare for a book like this? I honestly don’t think you can. All you can do is sit there, reading page after page and becoming lost in what was one of the most emotional, heart wrenching, hopeful pieces of literature I have ever read.

How can words written on a page effect me so much? How can he do this to me?

Those characters he created, their my family. It was slow at first but they worked their way into my heart and by the end of it I felt like they were real. They were a part of me and seeing them cope with death and grief and life... god it eased something in me that I didn’t even know was there.

Suicide, depression and anxiety have always been big things for me... in their own ways. They upset me because I don’t like knowing that someone is going through that incredible pain. That it can eat them up inside until all they can do is try and release it, to succumb to the numbness.

But this... this helped with that. The way it was handled was so beautifully moving that I am tearing up again. Because those people are still there. They are just waiting to be found to be given another chance ... to be helped. And gosh what a beautiful thing it is when they get it.

When they can breath again. This book means so much to me.. words can’t even describe it. The hope, the wonderful craftsmanship and sensitivity that went into creating it.

Oh oh oh

I am in awe. I am thankful. I am glad. Because this book has given me immense hope. I want this. I will believe that someone will always find me. Will show me the way and ultimately take me to my door when I am ready smiling as they see the look of awe on my face as I pass through.

Knowing T J Klune got it right.

An easy 4.5 ⭐️ book!

The book is about a ghost and a ferryman, who helps the ghost cross over. The novel is an endearing story of fear, hope, and love. The ghost must learn to “live dead” alongside family members in the same house.

All in all, this was a very well-written and an almost perfect book! This will definitely not stop me from reading the rest of Klune’s books, as “The House in the Cerulean Sea” has jumped to the top of my reading list. I will recommend this book to anyone in a heartbeat!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a positive review!

#netgalley @netgalley

This was beautiful and heartbreaking and comforting all at a once, in the best way. A story about death and the afterlife (of sorts) and what it means to really live, don’t be surprised if it makes you cry a little.

This was just so wholesome, fun and heart wrenching at the same time. I really enjoyed this exploration of death and fell in love with all of the characters at the tea house. I cried and smiled my way through a good chunk of this.

Wallace is realizing too late that he didn’t really live his life. When a Scrooge-like lawyer dies, his reaper picks him up a bit late (at his funeral) and brings him to a strange tea shop in a small village. There he meets his ferryman—meant to help his soul to cross on to whatever is next for him. But while working through the stages of grief, Wallace finds himself and a family at the tea shop. This is heartbreaking and beautiful. I cried and laughed out loud, and I highly recommend it. What great characters!