I surprisingly enjoyed this book! It is out of my comfort zone, but after reading the authors last book I wanted to give this a try.

I definitely suggest finding out what the trigger warnings are before jumping into this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book!

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. Interested in trying it again though and hopefully it will take.

Have you ever read a book that arrived when you needed it most? After Thanksgiving, I started Under the Whispering Door; unbeknownst to me that I would need this story desperately on December 2. My sister suddenly and tragically died that night, and inconsolable can’t even capture all of my feelings.

This book was heavily character-driven and helped me a lot through my grief. I felt there were many gold nuggets of wisdom throughout the novel, and for that, I will cherish it. I highly recommend reading this as a healing method through the loss of a loved one.

This was my very first audiobook, and I truly loved it. It just happened to be a book that I didn’t know I needed, and ended up being the thing to bring me the most peace.

Her funeral was today, and I will miss her for the rest of my life.

This book was truly amazing. I had read House by the Cerulean Sea by TJ Kline as well so I had high expectations to begin with. Somehow it still succeeded in surpassing each and every one of them. The writing was lyrical and beautiful while the story line was constantly engaging. The characters have stuck with me and I cannot recommend this more!

TJ Klune writes such great books that make you feel so much! His writing is amazing and it pulls you into the story. Under The Whispering Door is my second by TJ and like The House In The Cerulean Sea, it was a 5 star read. This story is emotional and funny and moving and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the slow burn romance and all the supporting characters made the book even better. I also enjoyed how it depicted such heavy subjects (death and loss) but still made the story funny and hopeful. The ending was perfect for me! I highly recommend this book to anyone!

I absolutely loved this book! It was humorous yet it dealt with tragedy in a way that meant something to the reader. I liked both of the MC's a lot and I thought the characterization and character development was particularly well-done. Wallace undergoes some real changes as the plot thickens, which I enjoyed watching come to fruition. I also am one who really enjoys a romance that builds more slowly rather than sex/lustful thoughts the minute they lay eyes on each other. I thought Klune did a fantastic job with the topic of death in ways that made me question some things myself, and I assume it will do the same for others.

I highly recommend this book to others, even if death is a subject one doesn't typically like to read about.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an e-ARC of this book.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing an ARC for me to review.

After the phenomenal success of 'The House in the Cerulean Sea', a follow-up would be eagerly anticipated. It didn't disappoint.
Whilst the main character isn't immediately likeable, the writing is and I loved it from the first few pages. Something about the Author's writing really connects with me.
On the surface, the book covers the subject of death. This is a brave topic to take on but eventually, you begin to see that it's so much more than that. It becomes about emotional experiences, love, regret, fear, anger whilst being full of humour. It's expertly crafted.
Shortly after completion, I preordered a physical copy as I know I want to revisit this book many times in the future.
My review can also be found on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26094184-cadguycad

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing an ARC for me to review.
After the phenomenal success of 'The House in the Cerulean Sea', a follow-up would be eagerly anticipated. It didn't disappoint.
Whilst the main character isn't immediately likeable, the writing is and I loved it from the first few pages. Something about the Author's writing really connects with me.
On the surface, the book covers the subject of death. This is a brave topic to take on but eventually, you begin to see that it's so much more than that. It becomes about emotional experiences, love, regret, fear, anger whilst being full of humour. It's expertly crafted.
Shortly after completion, I preordered a physical copy as I know I want to revisit this book many times in the future.
My review can also be found on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26094184-cadguycad

Tj knows how to write beautiful journeys. This is such a whimsical, but strong story about how sometimes life isn't what we expect and grief isn't always linear. It's about learning to forgive yourself and others even when it doesn't seemed earned. I loved these characters so much. No one was quite like each other but their found family ties couldn't be any stronger by the end. I'll never stop loving this story or telling others to pick it up

This book is like a warm tea, on a cold sunday morning. It warms my heart.

I love everything about it, the character development, the plot, the world building. I love how easily I fell in love with all of the characters. And the mystery too!

But the ending is kind of predictable, in a way. It soothes my heart but in reality, that ending is a bit too magical. But who says a little magic is bad? Surely not too great either though.

The way T.J. Klune wrap up all conflicts with all characters are great, and I wish all books that I read, provide that kind of closure to every characters, not only the main characters.

Overall, this book is a feel-good book, even if its theme relates to death and afterlife. It's heartwarming. ❤️

Original rating: 4.25⭐️

It was utterly charming! I loved the characters, the romance (and I’m not usually a romance fan) and I want to visit the tea shop!

Under the Whispering Door had me crying from start to end, and yet somehow, I feel better than I have in weeks. TJ Klune's masterful empathy is on full-display in his latest adult novel and anyone who can get their hands on this book will be better off for it.

Let me start off by saying I loved the House by the Cerulean Sea. So don't come for me on this one.

Wallace is not a good human being and when he suddenly dies, he is thrown into a new reality of passing on to the other side. Thus begins the journey from life to death through the door of a tea shop and the quirky characters employed to help him pass on.

T.J. Klune is incredibly talented. I give him so much credit for original and beautifully written story lines. His book covers are by far some of the loveliest I have ever seen. But Under the Whispering Door dragged for me. I was honestly surprised every time I realized how long it was taking me to get through this one. The beginning and ending were interesting but the 30%-80% chunk in the middle was lackluster. I was surprised that I didn't get more involved with the tea shop or more in love with the characters. I just felt a disconnect and was bored.

I am still a Klune fan. I will always read his books. But this one isn't a favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy for an honest review.

The cover is definitely misleading on this one. It feels like it should be a middle grade, when in reality it’s about death and grief. Although it was beautifully written, it was just so slow. I am very much a plot driven reader and this was 100% character driven. If you loved the other TJ Klune novels then you will love this one because his writing style is impeccable. I just wish it had a faster storyline.

Thank you ti NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

TW: death, murder, death of child, grief, suicide, loss of a loved one

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop's owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.But Wallace isn't ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo's help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.
Release Date: 09/21/2021
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 373
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
• The cover reminds me of a Baba yaga house
• Book has serious laugh-out-loud moments

What I Didn't Like:
• Wallace is completely annoying
• Some parts felt repetitive
• Insta-love

Overall Thoughts: This book had me cracking up at work over how ridiculous Wallace was as a character. Sometimes he was annoying and sometimes I could understand where he was coming from. I was seriously laughing out loud.

I loved the progression of change that Wallace was able to go through as the book continues. At one point he’s lecturing Allen to calm down and even chuckles to himself at how crazy it is.

Some parts felt as though they went on much too long and I found myself kind of wandering in the brain.

Final Thoughts: This book was so heartbreaking but sweet. I loved it so much.

I’ll be honest, I adored T.J. Klune’s “The House In the Cerulean Sea”, and was very excited to read “Under the Whispering Door”. Unfortunately, the novel wasn’t as much fun for me in this very formulaic tale of the afterlife that tries to be lighthearted. This is very much a redemption story concerning mean, nasty lawyer, Wallace Price. I felt the character building was good, Wallace’s experiences change him for the better and this doesn’t happen quickly. Klune also brings along some fun characters that move the storyline along. That being said, the explanation for the Grim Reapers and how they participate in the world of the living, was a bit confusing for me and the pacing was a bit slow. There were some very sad moments concerning a child’s death, but I felt the conclusion was satisfying.

This one started out really good. I enjoyed the stuck between life and death scenario and all the characters were charming. But it went a bit too long and became too repetitive. By the end I just wanted it to be over. With that said, I will still be reading any of TJ Klune's books.

Full review to be posted soonish. I'll update review with links to socials.
I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well that was one heck of a wonderful, creative book. I fell in love with all of the characters and found myself hilariously laughing out loud and sloppily crying my heart out. I don’t want to give the story away but if you’re in the mood for a cup of tea and someone to be there for you, pick up this book. It’s brilliant. Just all the more reason for me to read all of Klune’s books.
Full review to come on YouTube.

I have taken a long time to review this book. I have a lot of strong and mixed feelings about this author and their works. I requested this arc MONTHS ago, before learning things that I personally cannot see past. I am trying to come at this review from the most objective perspective possible. If you like other novels from this author, I think you will enjoy this book. I found Under the Whispering Door to be too similar to previous books in tone, style, plot, and characters, so it was difficult for me not to draw connections between the two. The book is very well written and the characters have that same loveable charm you come to expect from TJ's novels.

I think this is a good book, it is just not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.