Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a fantasy novel following Wallace, a hardened lawyer who doesn't seem to have a heart for anyone in his life. However, when Wallace passes away suddenly from a heart attack, he runs into a stranger named Mei at his funeral. Soon he must come to terms with the fact he has died and must move to the whispering door with the help of Mei, a reaper, and Hugo, the ferryman. Will his time at the teashop with the other inhabitants help him get closer to the next steps or will he remain a shell of who he could be even in death?

This cover is fabulous and as soon as I saw this book I knew I needed. to read it. Although I have heard of the author's most recent book, this was the first time I've read their work. Needless to say I am so pleased, this book was such an experience and I am so excited to read more from this author.

To start, the setting was fantastic and I loved seeing the daily life of the characters in the tea shop and some of the guests that came into the shop. The setting definitely made it feel so cozy! However the book does tackle difficult topics such as death, suicide, grief, trauma, and much more. The difficult topics were still handled thoughtfully and added to the story rather than feeling dramatic or overwrought.

What is most compelling about this book is the characters. It was fantastic to see the character growth from Wallace and how he made sacrifices at the expense of himself for his found family. I also loved seeing how his relationship with Hugo developed during his time at the teashop. Their relationship was so heart-warming and I loved to see the longing that was so clear between the two. However, this book would not be the same without wonderful characters like Nelson, Hugo's grandpa, who has decided to remain a ghost at the teashop with Hugo.

Overall, I highly recommend this heartbreaking, then heartwarming book for anyone I know!

Many thanks to the publisher Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was so lovely. It well exceeded my expectations. Although it dealt with heavy topics such as death and grief it was masterfully well balanced with the humor and light hearted moments. This is a book that takes you apart and puts you back together again. I experienced a whole emotional rollercoaster of a journey. It was heartbreaking, uplifting, and funny. I was invested from the first page to the last. This book wholly has my heart, and i highly recommend it if you're a fan of Klune's previous works or if you want to be introduced.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, This book was everything and more. TJ Klune does an excellent job maneuvering the plot and its characters to create a story unlike any other.

This is my first book by the author and what a treat. So this is probably the only review that won’t compare and contrast it to The House in the Cerulean Sea. Wallace was a self-centered jerk in life, but when he makes his way to the way station on his way to the afterlife, he meets a cast of quirky characters that make him rethink everything he’s believed.

I love a book about second chances. From Mei to Hugo and Apollo to Nelson, I was invested in the cast of the book. And while the lesson is as old as time and not incredibly subtle, I was still drawn in and shed a tear or two. The book is fantasy without seeming too out there to the casual reader and was a joy to read.

When I first heard this described as a “comedy about grief” I would’ve been put off if it had been penned by any other author. But since TJ Klune had yet to lead me astray, I picked this up and I wasn’t disappointed.

From the startling opening with a character so unlikable the only way I could describe him was actually “comical”.

Along this journey I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced in the humanity and also sat down in the fetal position for long stretches of time.

While I urge you to take care of yourself if you choose to pick this one up, I can also guarantee the warmth and vulnerability you’ll find within these pages won’t be something you’ll soon forget.

Let me start off by saying that this book is, by far, my favorite book of 2021 so far. The impact it had on me is comparable to The Nightingale. If you know me, you know that's a BIG statement.

This book changed me. It spoke to me. It also really kind of scared me. Going into this book I was nervous, because even the mere thought of my mortality usually sends me into a spiral of anxiety. I don't like to think about death, and have far from embraced the idea that we're all slowly marching towards it.

The letter from TJ Klune that came with my arc copy of this book calls it a "comedy about death". Still, I wasn't convinced. A character-heavy book? About death? I could see it going very, very badly.

This is a book I want to hug. I want to read it over and over and over again. I want to bring it to my classroom and analyze it to pieces with my students. I want to sing about it from the rooftop. This book made me feel a little bit less scared of the idea that life may just be a part of the adventure. Enveloped in hope and grief, humor and heartbreak, this book is just as much about death as it is about learning to appreciate every moment of your life.

This broke my heart many times over, and will continue to do so again and again.

Unpredictable, whimsical, and poignant, this one will leave you with a book hangover you don't want to miss.

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!

Under the Whispering Door
By TJ Klune
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•••
Summary:
Dead and alive. Wallace Price’s life as he knows it is over. Wallace’s life has ended unexpectedly and now he’s sitting at his own funeral watching on as just a few people show up. Wallace notices a woman he’s never seen before and quickly finds out that she’s here to help him navigate life after death. Her job is to deliver him to the ferryman. Hugo’s job as ferryman is to help those who have recently passed to cross over to whatever’s next for them. But once Wallace meets Hugo, he starts to understand that maybe he didn’t live his life the way he should have. For weeks to come, Hugo helps Wallace come to grips with his past and helps him prepare for his future. The Manager’s patience is wearing thin with Wallace. He’s given him one more week and then he has to cross over. With one week left, Wallace sets out to live a lifetime before he’s forced to cross over.
•••
My thoughts:
Okay lots of thoughts and emotions about this one. My favorite book in late elementary school was “Elsewhere” by Gabrielle Zevin and this book gave me very similar vibes. Let me just say, I read “Elsewhere” and loved it so much that I made my mom read it. Less than a year later, she passed away and I had so much comfort after knowing we both read it and it gave me a different perspective on death. This novel is the adult version of “Elsewhere” for me. It’s been 12 years since my mom passed, but once again I’m finding comfort in the ideas presented in this book. TJ Klune’s newest novel is super cute and the characters are so lovable. After reading “The House in the Cerulean Sea” earlier in the year and loved it so much. I wasn’t sure how UTWD would compare, but I really enjoyed it. I read this one in about 24 hours because I just had to know what would happen with Wallace!
•••
Read if you:
- Know a lot about different teas
- Have ever struggled with what death might be like
- Want a read that has diverse and lovable characters
•••
Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for an eARC of Under the Whispering Door in exchange for an honest review! TJ Klune’s newest book is out on September 21, 2021!

I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book from NetGalley. This was my first read from Klune and it was really excellent, I need to read more of his books ASAP. Y’all this book was so good! I really need to branch out and read stuff other than contemporary romance more often.
I don’t really want to give too much of a synopsis but basically the overall of the book is that Wallace died unexpectedly and finds himself between life and death. The book is about reflecting on your life and choices and accepting death and what comes next. Also I’m always happy to read a book with queer representation.
My favorite character was Nelson. We love a feisty wise old grandpa!
It was a pretty quick read for me but I wouldn’t say it was fast paced. For me, the slow start and build up made sense for the subject matter. It was a very good book, well written, emotional, the works. I am definitely an idiot for not reading any of TJ Klune’s books sooner. I will be doing that for sure!

✨𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝐖✨

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐉 𝐊𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐞

Happy pub day!! 🙌🏼 📖 I’ve seen many mixed reviews about this new release, but I ended up enjoying it overall 💙

This story centers around Wallace, a real a-hole 😂 who suddenly passes. He isn’t immediately taken to the afterlife, but to a small village with a tea shop & quirky characters where he reflects on his past life and what it means to truly live.

👍🏼: I really enjoyed the overall concept of the story with dark, emotional moments surrounding death/grief paired with light, heartwarming moments as Wallace transforms & forms relationships in this new, strange environment.

👎🏼: The middle of the story did seem to drag, with some unnecessary plot lines. I had to push through the middle, but overall enjoyed the last few chapters of the story. I wasn’t blown away or deeply moved by the ending, but thought it was an interesting, comical, thought-provoking read about what happens after we pass ✨

Thanks to @torbooks @netgalley & @macmillan.audio for both the ebook & audiobook advanced copies in exchange for my honest review! I enjoyed both reading and listening to this story 📚🎧

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy.

If you like heartwarming and character-focused stories with great representation, you'll probably like this one.

The book starts with the introduction of Wallace Price, a very selfish man, who dies after a heart attack. At his funeral he meets a reaper (Mei) who takes him to Charon's Crossing, a tea shop, where he'll find a ferryman (Hugo) responsible for helping souls to cross over.

During this journey we see Wallace grow into a very caring man. Also, we get to see a romance between two of the main characters that made my heart melt. Although the story is focused on Wallace, we have a very diverse cast of characters, each one bringing something to the narrative. Nelson had me at his first line, basically, the wise – yet funny – grandfather.

At the end, one of the strongest messages I took from this reading was the importance of having people in your life that you care about. (Sorry for those who don’t like it, but found family is one my favorite tropes.)

It was my first contact with the author’s work so I can’t compare with any of their previous books but now I want to read everything that has been published.

Those who’ve read Klune’s other works know that his stories are full of heart. His latest work, Under the Whispering Door, also has heart, but differs from his previous works; it’s a story about grief, a tale suffused with love but also tinged with sadness.

That’s not to say the story is a tragic one. It’s still uplifting, but it hurts at times, the very definition of bittersweet. Those coming to the story expecting something similar to his last adult novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea, will find something different here. Where Cerulean Sea is like a friend giving you a warm fuzzy hug, Under the Whispering Door is a friend hugging you while you’re in the middle of a cathartic cry.


In Under the Whispering Door, we follow Wallace Price, a Scrooge-like character who starts out as a lawyer with no empathy and little concern for others. It’s not really a spoiler to share that Wallace is dead by the second chapter. It’s his journey after his death that is the core of the story. Wallace meets a reaper named Mei at his funeral, and she takes him to his ferryman, a young fellow named Hugo who runs a tea shop in a curious building far from where Wallace lived.

[rest of review on tor.com]

“We aren’t supposed to force someone before they’re ready. That’s not our job. We’re here to make sure they see that life isn’t always about living. There are many parts to it, and that it continues on, even after death. Its beautiful, even when it hurts”
 
And boy does it hurt.
*NOTE TO SELF* do not read another TJ Klune on your break at work-or you will have to answer WHY YOU HAVE: tears cascading out of your eyes, snot sliding down your face and why you’re uncontrollably sobbing in the middle of the day.
 
Wallace was a tool: he didn’t care about anyone but himself. He won’t be missed by anyone when he dies because he never made one GOOD impact on anyone he came across. Did he care? No, he didn’t- but given the chance to reflect on his life and what he made of it, Wallace begins to see what life truly is about and how healing it can be to be vulnerable.
 
We follow Wallace when he is brought by Mei (the Reaper) to meet Hugo (the Ferryman who helps people cross), Nelson (Hugo’s adorable grand-father), and Apollo (Hugo’s sweet pup). He begins to understand what he missed out on while living, and how life isn’t about how much money or how many hours worked- it’s about the connections we make and how we have the ability to help others even in small ways.
 
The subject of death and grief is heavy-BUT Klune elegantly and insightfully touches on the importance of a life worth living and that death isn’t always an ending, but a beginning. That we should always say or do the things we want- we never know when it’ll be too late.
 
An amazing story of grief, loss, friendship and redemption-you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you won’t want to leave your new friends behind when it’s over.
 
THE BIGGEST TY to @netgalley @torbooks and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review❤️

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"'Sometimes, death is a blessing, even if we don't realize it right away.'"

Actual Rating = 4.5

Well, first things first - TJ Klune sure knows how to write a wholesome fantasy that fills my cold, dead heart with light and laughter. I knew this after reading "The House in the Cerulean Sea," and I sure as heck still know it after "Under the Whispering Door."

I don't want to get too in-depth on the plot in this book because I think going in relatively blind is the move here. Suffice it to say that our MC, a hardass lawyer named Wallace Price, kicks off the novel by dying and it gets weirder from there.

The shining star of this piece are the characters. Wallace, Mei, Hugo, Nelson, Apollo, and even the Manager are all fully fleshed out, dynamic characters that I honestly wish I knew in real life. The found family between them is so freaking heartwarming and I even teared up while reading this. It's very rare that I'll cry while reading, so that's really saying something.

If you creep on my review history, you'll see that I gave "The House in the Cerulean Sea" 5-stars, whereas this is a strong 4.5. The reason for the 0.5 star decrease is the ending. While this had a perfectly lovely ending that I'm obviously not going to spoil here, I did think it could've been slightly stronger. I'll leave it there but am interested to see other people's thoughts on how this concludes.

Overall, I definitely recommend this if you'd like your faith in humanity temporarily restored.

I'm not going to lie I was cautiously optimistic when I requested this book and boy am I glad I gave it a chance. I have read none of TJ Klune books but the hype of Cerulean Sea + the cover art and blurb of this book just drew me but I am NOT a fantasy reader so I was very unsure once I got my copy...

First off TJ Klune does a phenomenal job at writing his characters. He really makes you love the ones you're supposed to and dislike the ones you're not supposed to like. For a fantasy style book there wasn't a single time I wasn't completely caught up in this story. What I was not expecting was this book to have any type of love story at all and even better for the love story to be a LGBTQ inclusive love story. I'm not a part of the community but I LOVE seeing representation since we know there's not enough representation in books.

The story, Wallace is living his life as a self centered character. He's kind of a jerk and honestly not many people like him. When all of a sudden we wakes up at his own funeral and there he meets Mei, his reaper. Mei is here to take him to the ferryman so he can cross to whatever is next except she takes him to a quirky little tea shop where Wallace must decide when and if he's going to cross. What comes after death though? This is a question most people have? Wallace isn't ready to find out? He's not ready to abandon all that he knows and all that he is.

Our Characters:

Hugo: I LOVED HUGO. He's such a charing, lovable and quirky soul. I love that Klune's "quirky" characters and places aren't over the top and annoyingly so. He just wants to help everyone find their way. Find their journey and find out who they're supposed to be and what they're supposed to do. He also just wants to be their support of that's what they need. He's such a sweet soul and deserves all the good things in the world even if he doesn't always get that.

Mei: Is our lovable reaper. She pretends to be a hard ass when needed. She's the stubborn one and loud one. When someone is messing with her or her people she'll make sure you know about it BUT deep down she's a the biggest softie.

Nelson: He's a "grumpy" old man. JK He's Hugo's biggest support system. Everything he does is for his grandson. He's everyone's support system. He's the teacher of the group, the wise one and it's clear as day that Hugo get's his caring soul from Nelson.

Apollo: WHO DOESN'T LOVE A LOYAL PUP.

Overall this was a 5 star for me. I loved this book and it really makes you think what happens after death and how we should be living each day as if it's our last. We should be letting our loved ones know how much we love and cherish them but also it's a cute book. The character arcs are wonderful. The writing is wonderful. 5/5.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books and TJ Klune for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Though this novel touched on difficult topics, I really enjoyed this read! I loved how thoughtfully grief and death is discussed throughout the book. Klune does a fantastic job of showing the reader that death is not always the end...but sometimes it is also a beginning.
This story was a great reminder of the fact that our days are limited, and we should spend our time on earth living to the best of our abilities. I enjoyed how Wallace slowly realized throughout the story that it was okay to be vulnerable- and you never truly start living until you share your life with others.
Another amazing read by Klune- I didn't want this book to end!

BOOK: Under the Whispering Door
AUTHOR: TJ Klune
GENRE: Contemporary fantasy
RATING: 9/10
4.5 stars rounded up

Purchased this one for my shelf! After reading The House in the Cerulean Sea, I knew I had to get my hands on TJ Klune's next novel. Going in with expectations as high as they were, it was hard to separate my conscious thoughts from the overlap comparison to THITCS. TJ Klune is a fantastic author that knows how to transform words into pure magic. His writing style aids to his quirky characters and charming plot to an extent that is simply magnificent. I am ecstatic that I was able to read this before publication date! Full review to come on https://instagram.com/booksbyheath/

Wallace Price can't believe it. Per the young woman who appears to him one day and claims to be a reaper, Wallace has died - in the most unceremonious way possible (heart attack while working late at the law firm one night). The young woman, Mei, doesn't bring Wallace directly to the afterlife. Instead, she takes him to Charon's Crossing, a small tea shop run by a young man named Hugo. But Charon's Crossing isn't just a tea shop, and Hugo isn't just the shop owner. Hugo is a ferryman, whose job is to help the dead cross over. But Wallace isn't about to make Hugo's job easy. He's not even ready to admit that he's dead!

Oh, this book! Where can I even begin?? I adored this book so, so much. From the setting, to the ragtag cast of characters, to the incredible prose, TJ Klune has created a beautiful story. I don't want to give too much away, and struggle really to even find the words to express how much this book meant to me. All I can say is, I am better for having read Under the Whispering Door, and would recommend it to almost anyone (there are definitely a few TWs). I laughed, I cried, and I hugged my family a little tighter after I finished reading. I haven't read The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it is definitely on my tbr after this!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

Under The Whispering Door was an enjoyable read! I liked the focus on life, death, and grief. Overall, a very sweet and melancholy story. A more in-depth video review can be found at the link below.

Under the Whispering Door is an uplifting story that book deals with fear, acceptance, and death while telling a captivating story full of whimsy, enchantment, and some excellent laugh out loud moments.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

ALL OF IT!! The story, the plot, and the characters meant so much to me. I found myself laughing at all their unique quirkiness, crying tears of joy, and feeling the need to hug them and their tender hearts. Each character is endearing, and will move you and cement themselves in your heart before you turn the last page of the story. All through the book I wanted to go live in this magical and colorful tea shop (as an avid coffee drinker that should mean a lot).

I also love how Klune can write in a way the creates compassion within the reader.

This story deals with death…Was it a heavy and depressing story?

“Everyone loses their way at some point, and it’s not just because of their mistakes or the decisions they make. It’s because they’re horribly, wonderfully human.”

Klune wrote an insightful and deep, without being heavy, story full of love, whit and charm that made me laugh and smile over and over, and - for someone who doesn’t cry easily - made me ugly cry.

I also have so many tabbed pages that mark quotes that I found beyond valuable.

How was the pace?

Fast! As soon as I sat down with this book I knew I wasn’t going to want to put it down, and was moved by it in ways I didn’t expect.

Do you recommend this book?

YES!! I cannot express how much this is a must read book. It has a lot to offer and teach for all those who read it no matter their age, young or old. Do yourself a favor and go pick up Under the Whispering Door now! This is a story that will melt your heart and warm your soul.

Thank you Tor Books for the gifted copy of this book.

This book immediately dumps you into you the lap of the irritating Wallace Price. From the very first chapter you're introduced to his, well, "crappy ass" personality, and you already know that you're in for a very interesting ride. For me, Whispering Door didn't suffer with any excess nonsense. I liked that it took its time navigating through Wallace's daily struggle with being dead. This book centers around character development and relationships, which isn't always fast-paced and exhilarating. It's a slow process as the relationships Wallace's forms with the other occupants of Charon's Crossing Tea Shop transform him into a new person. Some may not enjoy that slower journey, but I was just as engrossed in it as I would be any plot driven story.

And a book driven by relationships must have an interesting cast of characters, with the star of this one being Wallace. Wallace is a workaholic who centers his life around being a partner in a well-run law firm. He doesn't accept any type of failure and sees personal relationships as an interruption. He's driven by his success, with the only measurement of that being his work. But watching him grow and his interactions with the others was such a delight. He's actually a pretty funny person.. for an attorney, haha! Then we have the loveable Hugo. He's the proprietor of Charon's Crossing, as well as the local ferryman. He has the softest heart and his ability to empathize and connect with others makes him one of the best ferryman that The Manager has. I loved getting to see the relationship between Wallace and Hugo blossom. They really embody the saying that opposites attract! Next is Mei, the resident Reaper. She's feisty, strong, and incredibly loyal towards Hugo. Her and Nelson definitely bring out the humorous side of the story. And speaking of Nelson, I'll admit that he's my favorite. He's Hugo's deceased grandfather who sticks around to keep an eye on things. He plays both the wise old man, and the jokester. I always caught myself really thinking over the things he would say because he has such gravitas. Out of all of the characters, he seemed most alive and real to me.

I've seen some people say that this story has a pretty simple message - be kind. But I don't necessarily agree with that. This is ultimately a story about grief and death and the long path to acceptance. I have always been scared of death and the unknown. I hate the idea of not being around to experience new things. But reading this book actually has made me feel better about it. SERIOUSLY. TJ Klune actually wrote a story about death that made me feel better about it. And oh yes, you better believe that I cried 3 times while reading it but it still gave me relief in a way that I wasn't expecting. It was profound and insanely bittersweet, and that's actually a lot like how death really is. He nailed it.

This may be my favorite book of the year so far. I can't find any faults with it, no matter how hard I look. If there's one issue, it's that it's only a standalone novel. I want more. I would love to follow this amazing little group of people and learn more about the world of Reapers and Ferryman. I feel like Klune did give us just enough room to possibly explore later down the road, though maybe that's just my wishful thinking. I can understand if that isn't the case, as the ending does have more weight this way. But come on, can't a girl get a little something extra?!