Once in a while a book comes along and absolutely floors me with its excellence, makes me so appreciative of being a reader and embeds itself in my heart. Under The Whispering Door Is that book for me and I feel like I could talk about it forever, however whatever I say could never do this book justice.

Wallace is selfish, unkind and self absorbed, successful in work but not in the things that truly matter, love, friendship, family life. When he has a heart attack and attends his own funeral he meets Mei, a reaper, who rather than assisting him to the afterlife takes him to a teashop – one that lies between life and death.
He is about to undergo a journey that he could never imagine. He's about to meet people that will make him challenge everything he thought he knew, about life but most importantly himself.

These beautiful characters didn't just affect Wallace, they stole my entire heart, from the wisdom of Nelson to the kindness of Hugo, this beautiful book is life affirming in the most stunning way. It makes you truly appreciate the beauty of life and what a gift it is to be you. Under The Whispering Door broke me just to put me back together. Every sentence is exquisite, the way life and death is explored and what it means to be able to love. Nothing made me happier than watching Wallace find himself, and love.
I cried and I laughed but oh how I cried because this book. This book is so bloody special. Do yourself a favour and pre order it. Please talk to me about it. Thats all. Oh obviously this shot its way into my top books of 2021.

Wallace Price, a hot shot lawyer nobody really liked, suddenly dies of a heart attack. He’s faced with the complex journey of the navigating the afterlife, namely, making peace with his death. To do this, he unwillingly goes along with his appointed Reaper and Ferryman, and finds his life in death might be more meaningful than his life alive.

This book shook me to my very core of being. I laughed, I cried, I mourned, I celebrated. I loved this book with every fibre of my being. I was worried I was taking a risk reading this book when I did (I’d just lost my furry best friend of nearly 14 years) but T.J. Klune helped me cope with my grief, even in the face of a little pain. Despite the pace being a little tricky at first, the story is full of wit, humour and true joy, with a climax that had my gut in knots and heartstrings aching for happily ever after.

The characters are purer than pure and feel like family the more the book goes on. I kept imagining Alan Cumming as Wallace and Five from the Umbrella Academy as the Manager! Wallace faces the hard truths of what he did with his life; perhaps realising he lived quite a selfish and meaningless life. Wallace is helped by his Ferryman, Hugo Freeman, who is patient and full of warmth. Their interactions were comforting and, as the story progresses, simmering with chemistry.

Alongside Wallace and Hugo, there’s Mei the Reaper and Grandpa Nelson; both bring the sass and comedy to make many laugh out loud moments. Nelson and his dog Apollo have taken a wee piece of residence in my heart, they were my fave! And in the background but at the helm of it all, is the ever powerful and ominous Manager, who seemingly controls life and death.

The outlooks, philosophy and heart within this story is phenomenal. Under the Whispering Door brings a lightness to the sadness of death like nothing I’ve ever read. The closest has been The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and while I think fans of that book will love this, it remains singularly unique.

On that note, the story broaches the topic of death on multiple levels. There’s sudden and unexpected death, from accidents to deteriorating health, to getting older, suicide or dealing with terminal illness. It also deals with the grieving process in all its ugliness and naturalness. It was a little tough to read at points, but worth the sadness for all the goodness the story delivered.

This book will have you holding on tight to those nearest and dearest; checking in on loved ones who are placed far and wide. To describe my reactions as smiling ear to ear and floods of tears is most definitely an understatement. It’s one of my favourite reads of 2021! I didn’t want it to end and I’ll happily reread it in future. Under the Whispering Door was such a cathartic experience and T.J. Klune has my eternal gratitude for writing such a wonderful story. If you love the likes of It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol or The Midnight Library, you’ll not want to miss this.

Thank you kindly to Tor for an e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

“I see it now. It’s not always about the things you’ve done, or the mistakes you’ve made. It’s about the people, and what we’re willing to do for one another. The sacrifices we make. They taught me that. Here, in this place.” - Under the Whispering Door

If you loved Kline’s previous book, this will not disappoint. It is full of the same heart - themes on love, sacrifice, and healing. It is a bit sadder, for sure, and there was something that didn’t click with me in this relationship as deeply as in The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it’s not really fair to constantly compare even if I can’t help jt. This story is deep and lovely and though provoking. It’s full of lovable characters and comfort and TEA! Love all the important moments that taking place over a comforting cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

let’s get this out of the way, Cerulean Sea has been my favorite book of 2021 and there was no way for TJ Klune to top himself. keeping that in mind helped me enjoy this one more.

the beginning was slow and I don’t think I really got into the story until around the halfway mark. that being said, after that, I really loved the story. the characters were so lovable and TJ Klune’s ability to write in a way that squeezes my heart is unparalleled.

overall, I think what helped me with this book was that it was refreshing. i’ve read a lot about death and grief recently and while they were moving and powerful books, having a more lighthearted and growth focused story was a nice break.

while I think the synopsis is a little misleading, I still really enjoyed the themes and if you’re expectations are managed, I would recommend this!

I'll try to keep this short and sweet as I believe this is the kind of book best enjoyed without knowing too much about it beforehand. This is a wonderfully whimsical novel, the writing is beautiful and the characters truly come to life (or to death I should say), each chapter is proof that TJ Klune knows how to write and has figured out his style to a tee. However, the pacing at times seemed a little bit too slow and I felt as though the plot didn't quite land as it could have. To be honest, I am being a little nitpicky, since I did thoroughly enjoy this book and can't wait for whatever this author comes up with next. Fans of A Monster Calls are sure to enjoy this novel about love, grief and the importance of being your truest self while you still can.

The book was amazing. I know that's not probably the best description to give, but I don't wish to give away any part of the plot. Each page is magical, but dealing with the basics of life on this planet. Highly recommended.

[E-ARC was sent for review by NetGalley]

𝐖𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞. 𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐢𝐬.

#WickedReviews: Under the Whispering Door by @tjklunebooks

This book. Gah. If home was a feeling, it would be this book. Reading it just makes you feel so safe, protected, and calidated for everything that you’re feeling. It comforts you and lets you know that you’re never alone and you don’t have to go through life alone.

For a book about life after death, it still had its predictable moments but I honestly didn’t care about it because of how well crafted the characters were and their own journey in the book. Every character has their own shining moment in their book, and even the side characters that enter have their own purpose in the story. They aren’t randomly placed there for whatever reason. I loved their dynamic and each of them was unique in their own way.

TJ Klune has this way of writing that’s easy to grasp but it still has that whimsical atmosphere to it. It immediately transports you to the setting and makes you feel like you’re there with everyone. I particularly noticed how his ‘quotable’ lines didn’t seem out of place but rather, it just fits perfectly within the dialogue.

Honestly I don’t have a lot to say about Under the Whispering Door aside from how wholesome it was and how it felt like home. It makes you think about how to continue to live your life and just what exactly comes after death.

4.5/5 🌟

If you enjoyed TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, you will also adore this new book of is! The two have some similarities, but the story is a complete different adventure.

Wallace Price is a hard-working, cut-throat, Lawyer and you do not want to get in his way... that is until the day he dies. Everything changes when Wallace learns of his death and that there is no way to go back. Enter Mei, his reaper, who take him to the tea shop where he meets Hugo. Hugo owns the tea shop and is a ferryman into what comes after death. This is where Wallace's story begins to unfold.

Klune's character building is always a treat to see!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books, and author TJ Klune for this ARC!

Three cups of tea to become family. The family in this story was everything. Hugo, Mei, Nelson, and Apollo were a perfect chosen family. I loved the story of Wallace's death and his growth afterwards. Mei is the reaper that takes him to the Tea House to meet Hugo, the ferryman. There were times throughout that I giggled and laughed out loud. There were other times I wanted to cry. There was so much hope and love throughout the story. It was a sad, but somehow a feel-good book. 4.5 stars!

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is worth ALL the stars!! A beautiful emotional read! Just be sure to have several boxes of Kleenex available and close by when you do read this one.

A book about death and lessons and love and regrets. It’s a M/M Paranormal Romance need I say more?!! If you love audiobooks I HIGHLY recommend listening to this one. The narrator made this story come to life!!

This story is beautiful, heartbreaking and so much more!!! It had me all in my feels & left me hella book hungover!!!

This book was absolutely wonderful! T.J. Klune does a beautiful job of writing characters that are incredible & full of warmth. His latest book deals with grief, death, & making the most of the life we have. I highly recommend it. That you NetGalley for an e-copy!

This book was absolutely heartbreaking in the best way. I havent read something this amazing in quite a while, and Im so glad I did. The journey of every character was so well thought out, and it made me wish there was more. I loved Wallace’s redemption, and probably my favorite part was how the tea saying fit into the story. I would recommend this to everyone I know, and I will now go read the author’s other book as Im sure it is just as good.

This was a hard one for me. I love the premise, love so much of the characters (I mean, Hugo is probably my favorite fictional character of the year) but the book itself? It didn't always deliver the promised "heart and wit" that is the author's signature. The plot seemed muddied, at times jerking forward at breakneck speed and at other times meandering around unsure of where it wanted to go. The humor had me laughing out loud at times, and sighing at the too-on-the-nose-ness next. There's a lot of heart and feel-good moments, but even those at times veered into the melodramatic for me. The voice, though, the voice is absolutely stellar, and if I was rating on that alone it would be 5 stars. The House in the Cerulean Sea is the superior story to this one, but I will say that even for a "miss", this book is still well-crafted, unique, and is a fun read that I would tell others to pick up.

3.5 Stars

"We're all on different paths, but death doesn't discriminate. It comes for everyone."

I will say one thing, TJ Klune tells the stories he wants to tell and I commend him for that. He is in no way a cookie-cutter writer, nor does he follow any kind of formula. Every book of his is a unique experience. Also, there is a poignancy to his writing that leaves me speechless. Some of the lines in this book were so powerful, that I just had to pause and bask in their greatness for a hot minute.

For example:

"In death, Wallace had never felt more alive."

I am just going to come right out and say it... this book is ALL about death. Not in a dark, depressing, morbid way... but in a Klune way. He does a great job with the vivid world building that brings this afterlife idea, as he sees it, to life...no pun intended!

Without giving away any spoilers, I will say this: this book was like if the films Scrooged, City of Angels, Beetlejuice, and Ghost all had a polyamorous lovechild.

Wallace Price has died and he doesn't know what to do about it. Life was a job for him. He was all work and no play. He was so blind to how much he was giving to the things that didn't matter, that he let his whole life pass him by, until it was too late.

“I don’t know if I was a good person.” He let the words float between them for a moment, bitter though they were.
“What makes a good person?” Hugo asked."

I LOVED the beginning and end of this book. But during the middle...I kind of got super bored. Besides Hugo, I found the secondary characters to be very one-dimensional. I loved the Cameron/Zach story (like, hard), but the rest...did we really need it? I felt like Klune could've shaved like 100 pages off this and the book would've been better for it.

And for all my fellow romance lovers out there, there is a romance plot line in this story, but I felt like it needed way more attention than what it received.

Overall, the message of this book is a powerful one. I do think it will be widely loved and very popular. I love the found family trope, and am a huge believer in it. (TMI: I am blessed to have a wonderful, all-up-in-your-face family, but my found family are the people who know me better than anyone on this earth and are the people I know I can always count on).

I just felt like there was more the author could do with the middle of this book. Particularly the dynamic between Hugo and Wallace. It was there, but it could've been stronger. I felt like I was being told about their connection, rather than shown. I still totally ship them though!

“You’re not alive, Wallace. But you still exist. I don’t think you realized that until today.”

All in all, this book had moments that made me laugh out loud, (one word, Patricia Ryan and Applebee's) and other parts that made me cry, damn it! (That phone call to Naomi...aghh!) So, there is definite greatness in that. And as I said before, there is no denying T.J. Klune's talent with words. Death is like the mother of all challenging subjects to cover, at least in my opinion, and he did so with grace and humility.

This is a unique, hopeful, and inspirational read, and as I said in my brief Bookstagram review of this book, I hope the afterlife is exactly as T.J. Klune describes it.

I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have tried to read this book off and on for over a month. And unfortunately right now is a time where i need to put it down and take a step back from it and come to it again maybe in a few months, when I’m able to give it more time and attention. What i read was really good, But for me to hold on to it for so long and not move forward would do this book injustice. Only rating it a 3 because that’s just where I’m at at this point.

This book reminded me of the movie Soul (Pixar). It's about enjoying life.

I loved the house in the cerulean sea and was super excited for this one. It was just ok. I got a little bored and it was dragging a little bit.

This is probably one of the most heartbreaking book I’ve read. Totally unexpected, but so great in all the good things that matters in the end.

I haven’t read the first book by the author and I know how hyped and well acclaimed it’s that one because every other person will recommend it. But, to be honest, I don’t think I’ve missed much and we might read this story as a stand-alone.

The writing was exquisite and the characters are so amazing pictured that I felt like actually seeing all the words on a screen, like in a movie. I was sad with them; I cried a bit at some chapters, but I also cheered them out on every occasion.

What a beautiful story.

Arc review . Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

After months of trying to read through this one, I finally had the courage to DNF it at 70%.

Story time: I absolutely loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, so when T.J. Klune announced that he's having another book that is as magical as that one, I got really enticed. I requested an advanced copy from Netgalley and got approved (yay!).

However, when I tried to read it, I got to 10% and enjoyed. After that, it was just plain and slow. It was so uneventful that I do not have something to look forward as to why I should read till the end. It was supposed be magical as it was described, but it was just so flat and even the funny parts feels bland.

The romance is forced and confusing, it did not give me the same warmth and cozy feeling I had from his previous book. I think that I just have too much expectations for this one because THITCS is my go-to light and feel-good read.

I'd still give it a 3-stars because they have dog ghost and that means there is a dog heaven.

A ​copy of this book was provided to me by Tor-Macmillan through Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

Although I wasn't as big of a fan as everyone else for the Cerulean Sea, I still was very interesting in reading Klune's new novel Under the Whispering Door. So glad I did, because I enjoyed it way more. 

 After Wallace's unexpected death he ends up in a small village with a unique cast of characters tasked with getting him to "the other side" 

This story kicks off with a scene that truly shows us the kind of man Wallace is. He is a money hungry, unhappy, mean business man. When he dies, there is a sad showing of guests at his funeral and no tears shed. 

I loved the characters in this book. They are so well written and my fondness for Wallace quickly grows as he interacts with these characters and he shows his true loving self. I was really invested in Wallace's journey. There is such a warmness to Klune's writing that brings these stories to life. 

Although this touches on death, loss, and grief- it also brings up joy, and hope. Its sad but life is sad sometimes. The ending is one that I won't forget.

This book is weird. Also funny, sad, and though provoking. I love the characters and character development and wish I had a book club to discuss it with.