The long and short of it is this: T.J. Klune has done it again.

In Under the Whispering Door, Wallace Price is a terrible person. And then… he dies. While attending his own funeral, he sees a young woman who can also *see* him. Mei, his reaper, brings him to Charon’s Crossing, an in-between for souls who are not ready to cross over just yet. It is there that Wallce meets Hugo, a ferryman. It is there that Wallace learns about life, afterlife, and all the things in between.

I loved this book from page one. Klune’s prose and voice are both so distinct and unique to each book he writes. This isn’t a new idea. I even wrote about it in my review for Flash Fire. It’s the fact that both can be different from book to book while still being quintessentially Klune is what’s most remarkable. Sure, this feels and reads more like Cerulean Sea than the Extraordinaries. But the heart of it all? That’s Klune through and through.

The best books are the ones that challenge your preconceived ideas and beliefs. That’s what this one did for me with the ideas of death and grief. I know it’s why it was written, and you can’t get a story like this without going through it, without seeing people you love leave before you’re ready to say goodbye. The question becomes this: What if they leave before *they’re* ready to say goodbye? And what happens when they finally come to peace with it all?

This book gives the same warm and fuzzies that you get from The House in the Cerulean Sea. This will also tug at your heartstrings more. None of the emotion is done in a manipulative way as if to say, “Hah! You’re crying! That’s the point!” Any emotions that come while reading I think are more rooted in the reader’s own experiences with grief and loss. This book is just a ferryman to process it all.

5 stars.

Under the Whispering Door is a heartfelt, and occasionally heartbreaking, story following Wallace.

Wallace was a wealthy workaholic in life, who upon dying, starts trying to learn what life is all about.

The story features a found family and a slow burn romance.

I really think you should go into this book knowing only what I have put in this review about the story. In my opinion, the official story blurb contains a big spoiler.

This story has its light moments, and it’s moments that had me crying. The story does deal with death and running out of time, so keep that in mind if death os hard for you to read about.

I received this arc from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful surprise UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR turned out to be. Yes, it deals with death, grief and the afterlife but it is actually a very uplifting book about life and what really matters. Wallace is an overworked, demanding lawyer who's life has devolved into nothing but work and more work. Then, he has a heart attack and dies. After some anger and denial about his life being over, he is able to have a life.

I know, it sounds bizarre but it works so well and TJ Klune did a wonderful job making this fantasy seem real. I for one wouldn't be afraid of death if it could be like this book!

The characters are so well thought out and entertaining, his Reaper, Mei, his Ferryman, Hugo, and of course fellow ghost Nelson and Hugo's dog. They all work together to help people cross over. All I can say is that it is very uplifting and beautifully written.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read in exchange for this honest review.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Whispering is similar to Scrooge's story except Wallace is dead. Grief takes on many forms, it can transform you for the good or bad. It's your choice. Take the journey with Wallace and decide if you agree with their choice. A thought and emotion provoking book. It will stay with you.

After reading "The House In The Cerulean Sea," I had high hopes for T.J. Klune's next masterpiece and "Under The Whispering Door" did not disappoint.
Once again, we start off with an unlikeable character, Wallace, who seems to have no redeeming qualities. Wallace is very disciplined and has no patience for people who aren't by the book. It's not till Wallace passes away and starts his new life as a ghost that the reader sees Wallace's old persona start to shed and he starts growing and developing into a kinder, gentler "human."
I really enjoyed the major characters - Wallace, Hugo, Mei, Howard, and Apollo.
Unfortunately, I had to give this story only four stars, because I felt the author didn't fully flesh out the major characters. I feel like the minor characters - Desdemona Tripplethorne, The Manager, Cameron, Naomi, and Nancy took away from the over all picture a bit. I feel like although they helped move the story along, because of the focus on the minor characters, the major characters didn't flesh out as much as I would have liked.

I think this is a book everyone should read and I thank T.J. Klune, NetGalley, and Tom Doherty Associates for giving me a free arc to read.

Reading this less than a fortnight after losing my beloved dog was certainly an experience. Exploring grief and the meaning of life, the reader is introduced to ferryman Hugo, reaper Mei, and the ghosts of his grandad, Nelson, and dog, Apollo. It employs the found-family trope which TJ Klune writes so well and there's such a sense of cosiness to this story.

Yet it deals with heavy topics and ones that left a grieving reader broken and then set on the path to healing. There were pages that hurt to read and left me sobbing and others that had me laughing out loud or quietly smiling. It was thoughtful and thought-provoking and urges the reader to ask what makes a life worth living? Highly recommended.

Wallace Price is high-powered, NYC, lawyer and he is a terrible person. He is also dead. He is taken from his funeral to a way-station of sorts until he s ready to move on. There he meets an interesting cast of characters that help him realize that there is more to life and death than he ever imagined.
Another wonderful book by TJ Klune, full of rich characters and a fresh way of looking at the world. It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry. I was grateful for the epilogue. I will miss Wallace, Hugo, Nelson and Mei and if course, Apollo.

Okay, full disclosure...I received an arc (thank you!) from the publisher for an honest review. HOWEVER, when I saw that Kirt Graves was doing the audiobook narration, I decided to wait for the audio. It's actually the first time I've preordered an audiobook. I knew that I would enjoy TJ Klune's book, but I knew I would love it even more, with Kirt's narration. And thanks to these two men, I spent the better part of 3 hours crying...all in the name of a true HAPPILY EVER AFTER.I'm not even sure where to start with this book. The author's world building is so incredible, bringing life to what should be a dead place. All of the characters were rich and nuanced, not only the main characters. In fact, there really weren't two main characters in this romance, but five total, and we learn so much about them throughout the book. Meanwhile, Wallace learns a lot about himself, who he was before he died, and who he really wanted to become. And in the end, he did all he could to redeem the wrongs that he did in life, as well as the ones that he saw after his death.I loved that Hugo couldn't touch Wallace...it was such a small thing, but it really spoke to what these two men were dealing with as they fell in love. Their lives were going in separate directions, they couldn't touch, only see and talk, so Mei had to be the one to make any contact...well unless you could Nelson's cane (haha). On top of it all, this book was hilarious. I'm still working from home, and was super glad that I was not at work listening to this book, for all the laugh out loud moments...as well as the bawling I did for the previously mentioned 3 hours.There were so many little scenes in the book that moved it from an average book to amazing. Wallace playing with Apollo out back, or hanging out with Nelson and just talking all night. Even how much he clearly grew to respect Mei and all she did for her found family. Seeing Cameron's life, and doing what he could to help in the tea shop. Every small step Wallace made brought him from a man everyone hated in the first chapter, to someone who you rooted to find his happy ending. Wallace built himself a family simply by being the man he wanted to be.The narration by Kirt Graves was spot on once again. I enjoy the little inflections he adds to each and every book he narrates. He takes something mildly funny, and with just a simple pause, or a tiny gasp he turns it into a laugh out loud moment. His vocal range always allows me to know which character is speaking, even if the words don't, something that is much appreciated. Kirt is definitely my top 3 narrators in this genre, and I'm always happy to spend a few hours in the world that he works so hard to recreate from the author's vision.In the end, you could not have asked for a happier ending, or a more fulfilling ride along the way. Full of humor, joy at the little things (like tea!) and so uplifting. I may have had puffy eyes for a full day after, but it was all well worth it. Story: 4.5 pieces of eye candy Narration: 4.5 pieces of eye candy

This is obvious just a me thing but I did not love this book. I read The House In The Celuran Sea and felt the same way so not sure why I thought this one might be different. I find the writing overly saccrine and the themes very repetative. I am definitely in the minority for these.

Man… I was SO excited to read this one. I hate spoilers, so I’ll just briefly say this: if you’ve lost someone and you don’t find the comfort that many people find in a belief of a religious afterlife, read this book. It’s such a fun and whimsical story, but it also brought me out of an anxiety-filled month. I struggle often with my thoughts about what happens next, and the lack of control that is life. It’s sometimes suffocating. But TJ Klune has a unique way of writing a captivating story that gives me an alternative to fear and anxiety about death and what comes after. I’d like to think that a ferryman is ready and waiting when my time comes.

It’s going to be hard to choose my favorite read of the year, but I guarantee this will make the top three.

This was a fun read! i didn't enjoy it as much as House in the Cerulean Sea, and I think that's because some of the elements from this book felt recycled. The dynamic between the two main characters felt very similar to HCS, and so did the whole "stickler-for-the-rules-learns-to-let-loose-in-a-quirky-location" scenario. The pacing also felt a bit off — one minute Wallace hated everyone, the next he was in love with Hugo.

That said, TJ Klune books are always so comforting, and if you enjoyed his previous books, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one too. It's heartfelt, charming, and well-written. It just gave me a bit too much deja-vu for my own liking.

Beautiful story, wonderfully written. This is about people meeting in the middle, between life, death, and what comes after, and being there for each other as they figure it out. It is heartbreaking, cruel, healing, funny, and loving. This exploration of death & grief will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book.

Wallace is a lawyer in a very important firm. He doesn’t have time to be dead and assist his very own funeral. He has work to do. The thing is, Wallace is actually really dead and a reaper comes and collect him. Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes Wallace to a small village, to a very particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. This man is known as the tea shop’s owner by the locals and as the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to leave behind the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help, he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

Ok everyone, this was an absolute gem. I enjoyed every moment of it. T.J. Klune did it again with his new book and I highly recommend it to you all. This book is funny, quirky and wholesome but it also dwell with serious subjects.

To be honest, Wallace starts as a despicable person. But he doesn’t think that about himself and him realizing he was an asshole was actually funny by how it was describe. But what makes Wallace likeable is that he grow and learn so much in his death and with Hugo’s help. These two together were so perfect and cute and absolutely adorable to watch. Wallace truly becomes a better person and it is heartwarming to read. 💗

I predicted the ending really quickly but not the tears and me just sobbing at the end. It was so good and satisfying and SERIOUSLY GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS. I don’t know what more there is to say 🙈

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange of an honest review*

What can I say? TJ Klune has once again done it with this one. This book really explores what it’s like to understand death, but with a very whimsical twist. I adored it and I’m looking forward to more of Klune’s future writings!

Rarely am I left speechless after reading a novel, this achieved did it! I’m having trouble putting into words how much I loved this book. Is it the best book I’ve read all year? Yes, yes I believe so!

There is a tremendous amount of compassion and heart between these pages to last awhile. I found myself bursting with laughter and pouring tears within single chapters. There is a misfit cast of lovable characters I want to know in real life. I can only dream this won’t be the last time we meet them. This novel is a gentle reminder to be kind, even when kindness isn’t returned. Those that can be mean, angry, and sometimes hateful, are more wounded than the poison they spew.
Also, everyone deserves grace and the chance for redemption.

I became anxious toward the end, never wanting this beautiful story to end. I plan to purchase as many copies and I can hand out to my students. I cannot wait to immerse myself in the rest of Klune’s library. He has earned a reader for life.

I was granted an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and TOR Books for this amazing opportunity.

Thank you to Net Galley and TOR Books for an ARC of this
amazing book- I fell in love with TJ Klune's writing after reading The
House in the Cerulean Sea. This novel had the same effect on me,
despite the story being very different. In this novel, Wallace, the protagonist,
is absolutely despicable. He is the lawyer that gives lawyers a bad name.
The day after firing a lovely employee, he has a heart attack and dies.
All alone, in his office, on the weekend. He comes at his own funeral, where
he meets Mei his reaper, who will guide him through the first part
of his death journey. She'll then pass him on to Hugo, who will
help him cross over to what comes next. Wallace, of course, just wants
to know how this can all be reversed as he has a very busy life awaiting
him. Once Mei and Wallace reach the tea shop where she, Hugo and
the remaining characters live, what ensues is the charming, funny, sad,
touching process of Wallace and the others exploring the meaning of life,
love, living, dying and crossing over. I really enjoyed this book. The author
did a great job of creating characters you could relate to and cheer
for. I deal with a few health issues and it made me think a lot
about how I live and about what's really important in life.
When a book can both make you feel good and think, you've got a
winning combo in my mind!

First off, thank you so much to #netgalley and #tjklune for the eARC a while ago; this book is now published and available for purchase. I knew I wanted this as part of my home so I also bought the physical copy. The cover is beautiful to me.

That being said, I’m finding myself not in the headspace to process the tropes of death (and all its lessons) to the degree this novel has. I like to savor my characters in heavier content reads— not horse-pill swallow them just to say I did. It feels belittling to rush the read you know?

One thing I don’t see enough of is the allowance to walk away from a book (even when it’s GOOD like this one) and come back to it when it serves both the story and myself in an enjoyable, and more purposeful manner. I’m 100 pages in and loving the read, which feels rather quick-paced and engaging— Tj Klune has a real talent in weaving his characters’ emotions into one another that ends up giving us meaningful relationships.

If I had to star rate it it would be 4 stars so far. But I’ll circle back as I have paused for now… but I’m thinking this will be picked back up in November as there are also elements of gratitude and kindness spread across the story and it feels more organic to pick it back up then.

A beautiful book. It was well written and heartfelt. This will appeal to a wide audience especially to those who have loved and lost.

Many thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing my review copy.

TJ Klune is amazing at writing the most heartwarming, tear jerking, rip your heart out stories. You will cry with this one.

Wallace Price is not a good man. Wallace Price is a dead man. Quite literally, Wallace Price is watching his own funeral.

Wondering where all the mourners and crying assistants, Wallace meets Mei, his Reaper, who escorts him to Charon’s Crossing, a cosy little teahouse out in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere Wallace wouldn’t be caught dead…oh…

The teahouse is run by Hugo, the Ferryman, who helps souls with the transition out of life, through The Door, and on to…whatever comes next.

In a hauntingly feel-good novel, TJ Klune once again takes a man with flaws and teaches him that good people bring out the good in people. Much like The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door features the sweet charm and eccentricity that is Klune’s signature and tells the story of love, learning and life.

What I Liked: So much of this book – the dialogue, the interactions – is tongue in cheek. It gently pokes fun at a man who took himself too seriously in life, and with kind guidance, perfectly steeped tea, teaches him to accept himself for who he was, who he is and who he could be – and make the most of every moment he has.

Klune writes beautifully quirky, tight-knit characters who form their own loving families. In Under the Whispering Door, Mei is high energy, high strung and highly protective of her sweet little family. Nelson, Hugo’s grandfather, is the wily, cheeky and wise veteran who teaches Wallace everything he needs to know about being a ghost. Wallace finds that taking a step back from work and routine shows a whole other man underneath the suit – one that he likes a lot more than he expected. Hugo is the heart and soul of the teahouse, he shines with empathy, earnestness and easy affectionate for everyone he meets.

While the story is focused on Wallace coming to terms with his death, understanding what it means to be a ghost, and the Manager’s announcement that he has seven days to cross over or else – it very neatly combines Wallace’s growth with insights into what it means to be the Ferry Man, the draw of The Door and the threat of the Husks.

The romance! Oh, Klune does write very sweet, very heart-warming romances. The romance in this book feels like a warm hug. It builds up so gently – small smiles, stargazing and hot cups of tea – until you’re completely invested. Even the secondary romantic relationships – Wallace’s memories of his ex-wife, and Cameron’s memories of Zach – will give you the warm and fuzzies.

What I Didn’t Like: The Manager was a bit much. His….interaction form(?) felt a little cliche and his dialogue didn’t really fit with the way other characters were afraid of him. I liked where Klune took the character and who they behaved, but felt the representation was lacking.

Conclusion: Read this book. Buy this book. Read The House in the Cerulean Sea. Put these books on your shelf and reach for them whenever you need a pick-me-up.