Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for a review.

This book is incredible. It’s dark and beautiful, cozy and emotional. It deals with death and what comes after, so I knew it was going to be dark. But what I didn’t expect was falling head over heels for these characters and their story. It’s found family and learning how special life is. Making the most of each day and making everything count as best you can. It’s heartbreaking, hilarious, but will break you. The tea shop gave me all the cozy feels I’ll ever need. I know this book is going to stick with me for a while.

“Death has a beauty to it. We don’t see it because we don’t want to. And that makes sense. Why would we want to focus on something that takes us away from everything we know? How do we even begin to understand that there’s more than what we see?”

What a way to live. Yikes. To have to die to fully grasp the meaning of life, and to realize what’s important. That is Wallace Price, the grumpy workaholic who is sometimes an asshole and almost always unlikable, grabbed by a reaper at his own funeral. He is brought to a small tea shop buried in the woods where he meets Hugo, a ferryman tasked with helping souls cross over. Wallace is stubborn, though, and he is not ready to abandon the life that he is now realizing he barely lived. Can Hugo help Wallace accept his fate?

I was so excited to read this! I absolutely adored The House in the Cerulean Sea, so I snatched this one up with lightening speed when I saw the ARC available for request. Unfortunately for me, this one did not quite hit that level. I loved the premise of a grouchy and uber successful lawyer who doesn’t learn about the important things in life until it’s too late. The characters in this one are fabulous and so real! But the book was a bit too long and a bit too slow. The underlying meaning though? That one hit home. Tell your family you love them. Treat people well, no matter what kind of day you’re having. Appreciate and understand that life isn’t about a successful career or how much money you make, it’s about connections. It’s about love and family and dogs. Always dogs. Although not a 5 star read for me, it left me feeling appreciative of my life. You can’t ask for more than that from a story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan/Tor Books, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵?”

Wallace Price is dead, a fact he refuses to acknowledge. Struck down suddenly by a heart attack, Wallace is at a loss of what to do with himself until a Reaper arrives to escort him to Charon’s Crossing Tea and Treats, a little tea shop in the middle of a forest. There he meets Hugo, owner of the shop and ferryman to souls. It’s Hugo’s job to help souls come to terms with their death until they are ready to cross over on their own terms. But Wallace is a stubborn individual and refuses to cross, convinced there must be a way to get back to his body. Stuck in the tea shop until he finds a way out, Wallace has nothing but time on his hands – and for the first time, realizes that maybe that when he was alive, he wasn’t actually living.

UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR is a charming standalone story that continues T.J. Klune’s tradition of writing cups of cocoa in book form. The fantasy here isn’t truly wrapped up in the ghosts and reapers, but in the magic of having a safe space where everyone is supportive and has near infinite patience while you work through your own issues. Hugo, the owner of the shop, is warm and inviting and has no judgement about a ghost’s problems, even when they emotionally (or occasionally physically) lash out. Mei, his Reaper assistant, is a little more brash and willing to tell people off, but is also willing to sit quietly while a ghost accepts that they have died. It’s almost too saccharine, but the dream of having a place where you can offload all your emotional baggage without judgement is one I was willing to embrace.

The tale begins in an almost CHRISTMAS CAROL fashion, with Wallace playing the role of Scrooge. In this instance though, rather than being visited by three spirits who give him a chance to live differently, Wallace jumps straight to seeing the miserable affair that is his funeral before being whisked away to contend with the fact that there is no second chance at life for him. But Wallace can still become a better person, not through an overnight epiphany, but through weeks of slow learning and gradual shedding of his old ways. He’s obnoxious when the story begins, arrogant and demanding and generally awful, but he does change with time.

Some of his learning comes simply through long conversations with Hugo, and it’s amazing how engrossing such conversations can be. UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR is not an action-packed book, but I was more than content to sit and absorb the ambiance as two people wrestle with life and how to live it. And of course, those conversations are the basis for the slow-burn romance that gradually builds across the story. I love tales where two people grow closer over time, where love evolves out of friendship, and UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR is here to deliver on that trope in spades. This time, though, there’s an added dash of star-crossed romance, because how long can a relationship go on when one party is dead?

While the true fantasy may be how accepting Charon’s Crossing is, there are still plenty of fantastical elements throughout the story, from the magical tether that keeps Wallace spiritually grounded to this plane of existence to the imposing Manager, the entity who oversees the cycle of death and steps in when anything seems to upset the balance. There are some darker moments peppered throughout, enough to ground the stakes without overwhelming the reader. All of this is conveyed with Klune’s trademark whimsy that is somehow surreal while still emotionally relevant enough to make you care about the characters. Trust me: I 100% cried at the ending.

Once again, Klune has created a heart-warming fantasy, complete with slow-burn romance. The whole premise of Hugo’s tea shop is that it’s a place for humans and spirits alike to have a cup of tea and process their troubles. So if you’re looking for a quiet, loving place to curl up while you set aside the world for a bit, UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR is here to serve.

I’m still mourning this book which is apt considering the theme. I cried so so much, and look I’m crying again writing this, but I also laughed, and felt a profound happiness reading this book, it was just beautiful. T.J. Klune was born to write masterpieces and I just wish every single person in this world got to read it, that’s how much it touched my heart, it is already one of my favorite books of all time.
The setting was amazing and magical, and the writer also used the smell sense to give the book an upgrade, it felt like I could smell the tea and the pastries, it was just perfect.
The characters were wow, I don’t know how to describe them seriously, just perfection, I loved them all, and my heart breaks only thinking they are not real and that the book is finished. Wallace’s development was fascinating to read about, he found his family after death and seeing him grow into this amazing human being was so worth it and his relationship with Hugo was so damn cute!!!
About the dog, I lost my doggies not so long ago and this hit hard, I cried a lot because of Apollo and I also loved how he portrayed that dogs are just this pure soul, with only love in their hearts which I couldn’t agree more.
T.J. Klune described grief so well but so well, it hurt and each person deals with it differently and in it’s on timetable. He took this taboo and scary theme and wrote this masterpiece, because I don’t know how else to describe it, it still felt uncomfortable for me, because death is scary, but I loved this book nonetheless.
Another thing to mention, is how well he described panic attacks, it feels so good to see this being portrayed, I feel seen somehow, since I’ve had my share of panic attacks and just recently discovered what they were. Mental health is important, especially in YA books and I appreciate seeing it on this book.
I’m so thankful for NetGalley, Tor Books and T.J. Klune for giving me the opportunity to read the E-Arc of this wonderful book. The author got a fan, whatever he publishes I’ll read, no matter what.

Thanks again to Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
As I have read The House on the Cerulean Sea, my expectations were high for this book and still this book blew me away. Be prepared to cry and cry again because this book is heartfelt and makes you feel so much love for the characters. Starting off with the death of Wallace Price, a corporate lawyer who fits that stereotype of overworked and the bottom line is all that matters. In the beginning, as he is being brought to the Ferryman by his Reaper, I don't feel much sympathy for Wallace because he is exactly the type of person I would hate. But this drastically changes as he is at the waystation and he gradually becomes a better person and comes to love and think of those around him as family.

Nelson was a CHARACTER and the best grandfather you could ever ask for. Apollo the dog, also stole the show and I cried at just the thought of him leaving Hugo and others. This book made me question more on what I believe happens after death and am hopeful that it is just being at peace and seeing those you love who have passed. This book will stick with me and is one of my favorites I have ever read. I am so happy to have found this book.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to read Under the Whispering Door. While it isn’t the whimsical, flowing read that Cerulean Sea is, it is beyond special in its own way. It’s a character-driven book about life and death, and I think that every reader’s reaction will vary greatly because it is such a personal book. For me, it forced an examination of beliefs about loss, grief, personal legacy, and making the most of the time that we all have here on earth.

The book started off slow for me, but as it went on, I fell so completely in love with the characters and their journeys. Klune is a master of creating realistic, relatable characters. Even though the book deals with dark, heavy subject matter, there is still so much humor, love and hope woven into it. It’s about finding yourself, and finding your family, even when you think all hope is lost. I also loved the representation of queer characters and love in this book.

Just a warning – grab your tissues before you sit down with this book. I cried… and I cried… and I cried. I can’t remember the last time that I got so emotional reading a book, but like I said, I think it’s so personal that it will impact each reader in a different way. If you are sensitive to triggers around death, grief, suicide, child/parent/partner loss, depression, anxiety, I would perhaps pass on this book for now.

Under the Whispering Door will absolutely have a place among my most favorite books of all time – it’s beautiful, hopeful, sad, and sweet all at the same time. I hope that you read it and love it as much as I do!

This is honestly one of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars, because it would deserve it.

Equally heartbreaking and joy inducing, this book was like reading a letter from a friend, filled with beautiful prose and vivid imagery. Part House in the Cerulean Sea, part A Man Called Ove.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. There are very few authors who could write a gentle romantic comedy about a ghost falling in love with the ferryman, and TJ Klune is one of them. Under the Whispering Door is a lovely story about a man who didn't realize until after his death that it was time to learn to live. Wallace started the book as a man who was not particularly nice, rarely thought about others, and lived according to a rather boring regimen of work, frozen dinners, and then more work. He had no friends, no family, and only his fancy suits made him happy. The journey he took to become a better person after death is a joyful view into the importance of love, found family, and big goofy dogs. I happily stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to read this because I could not make myself stop reading, and despite the subject matter (Dead people! Ghost puppies! Profound grief!), I finished the book with a smile on my face. This was a wonderful addition to the author's canon, and I highly recommend it.

As you’d expect in a book about death, the story has very sad moments. But it is also sometimes funny, with a gentle romance and, yes, a happy ending.

Wallace Price is a heartless person, and that’s putting it mildly. He reminded me of quite a bit of Ebenezer Scrooge, in that they are both impatient with the weaknesses of others to the point of cruelty. They also both gave up on human relationships to focus on being successful, in Wallace’s case as a lawyer. However, unlike Ebenezer, Wallace actually has to die of a heart attack to learn how to live. His teachers consist of only two ghosts (one of them a dog), plus a novice Reaper named Mei and a Ferryman, Hugo, who helps the deceased accept their deaths in preparation for their transition to the afterlife through a door located in the tea shop he runs.

As in many of T.J. Klune’s books, there’s humor to be found in the story. Mei can be a hilariously feisty hothead, and Nelson, Hugo’s ghostly grandfather, regularly plays pranks on Wallace and others. Neither one of them has any patience with Wallace’s attitude and put him soundly in his place whenever needed. A fake medium and an overly officious health inspector also bring some additional comedy to the plot.

The novel is an exploration of death in all its forms, though, so it’s unavoidably dark at times, to the point that it might be triggering for some people. Wallace died relatively easily, but others who turn up at Hugo’s door have more tragic ends involving murder and suicide, and their torment isn’t glossed over. The story also includes a grief-stricken mother who made her way to the tea shop after the death of her daughter, and her suffering adds more pain before Hugo and the others help her come to terms with her loss. All that, plus Wallace’s anguish about having to move on before he’s ready to let go, and . . . Well, I don’t ugly cry over books very often, but I certainly did with this one.

As much the story is about death, it’s the lessons Wallace learns about life that really made me think. Like Wallace, we get caught up in the minutia of our everyday existence and forget to appreciate the people who share our lives. We focus on the ordinary and don’t take advantage of all the opportunities we have to experience the wonders of living. And in the end, what does that get us? What is a successful life, anyway?

As Wallace comes to terms with his life and death, he and Hugo fall in love. Since the two of them can’t touch and Wallace will soon be gone, their relationship involves a lot of pining. It’s quite sweet, though, and their romance does come to a happy end. As for how that happens . . . no spoilers!

Given the subject matter, this book won’t be for everyone, but it’s an absolutely terrific read for anyone interested in pondering the nature of life and death and what might lie beyond.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Wow, this book!! It was unlike anything I've read and it was completely beyond my expectations. There were emotional depths that I wasn't expecting and it really made me think about things bigger than myself. Have you ever wondered or questioned what lies beyond your last living day? This book explores the idea that death isn't an ending, it's a new beginning, and an opportunity to evaluate the life that you lived. Death, in this book, is a chance to create a new narrative, right wrongs, create new relationships and contemplate old ones. The bonds between the characters were so profound, meaningful, and just outright emotional. Every interaction, with every person, pulled at my heartstrings. This book was odd, bizarre, funny, thought provoking, and emotionally charged. If you are currently experiencing loss, I would proceed with caution. This story can either be comforting or triggering, depending on what you are going through.

I was so thrilled to get an advance digital copy of Klune’s newest novel, especially after reading #TheHouseintheCeruleanSea last summer.

One thing that I was seeing a lot in earlier reviews, was that many people made the distinction that this was not going to be Cerulean Part 2. Knowing this, I was worried about how this would compare.

Would I still enjoy the fantasy element? Would I still feel the same connection to each of the characters? For me the answer was a resounding YES.

This was certainly a much darker book, focused on the question of what happens to us when we die. Klune creates this vivid world that tackles that question and builds this elaborate system for how people are led after their deaths.

This was unlike any book that I’ve read and it combined serious topics, along with humor, to create a heartfelt story with lovable characters.

I thought Klune did an excellent job of creating a variety of different characters, some that were extremely unlikable but who were still pivotal to the story. I also enjoyed the transformations you saw throughout the book, something that Klune does extremely well with his characters.

Overall, I really loved this book and would recommend reading this, especially if you’ve enjoyed Klune’s past work.

#UndertheWhisperingDoor is out in the world today, so we sure to grab a copy!

Thank you to @torbooks and @netgalley for my advance digital copy!

Beginning a novel with a . . . let’s just say, an unpleasant protagonist, is a bit of a risk. Wallace Price is a lawyer, he’s cheerfully callous and woefully insensitive, and if I hadn’t believed beyond the shadow of a doubt that TJ Klune would, at some point, give me a redemption story that would leave me in tears, celebrating all the ways in which Wallace was made different, better, during his time in Charon’s Crossing Tea and Treats, I might not have been so determined to give him the chance to win me over.

But he did. Of course, he did. The getting there in the early going was a study in patience, though.

Wallace learned many things upon his death; how little he was going to be missed was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. For Wallace, life was transactional, nothing more, nothing less. He never did anything for anyone without being certain he was going to get something beneficial for himself in return. He was unrepentantly cutthroat that way, which made him a successful attorney, it made him a ruthless boss, but he was an abject failure as a human being and a husband. Wallace’s divorce was acrimonious, to say the least, but deep down he knew he’d done wrong by his ex-wife, Naomi, neglecting her and their marriage in the pursuit of his career, so, in this single moment in his adult life where he got nothing useful in return for his actions, apart from placating himself, he gave her everything she asked for in the settlement.

The afterlife has long been a staple of speculative fiction. It’s one of life’s great, if not the greatest, unknowns. Is death the end, or is it merely a transition to a new beginning? Klune chooses to explore the potential that death is just a brief stopover on the way to something powerful and profound in Under the Whispering Door, when Mei, Wallace’s Reaper, appears at his pathetic little funeral—where not a single one of the handful of attendees shows even a modicum of sorrow for his passing, not even Naomi—to gather him up and escort him to Charon’s Crossing to meet the man, Hugo Freeman, whose job it is to ferry Wallace on to the next life.

Wallace was a reaper of sorts himself, in that he reaped what he sowed while he lived—lots in the way of material possessions but little in the way of those things that don’t come with a price tag: friendship, love, compassion and kindness—but accepting these lessons in death, let alone accepting that he was even dead, becomes a long and painful lesson where he goes through the stages of grieving his own failures and losses, and, eventually, he grieves the person he could have been had he not been so driven and self-centered. Through the kindness of strangers—Mei and Hugo (who is also the proprietor of the tea shop), along with Hugo’s grandad, Nelson, and the loveable pup Apollo—Wallace learns how to not only mourn for himself and the opportunities he missed in life but to become someone better in death because, through patience, kindness, and the offer of friendship, Hugo and company made Wallace want to be a better person. Wallace will ultimately go on to accomplish the most selfless and generous act of his life, and afterlife, which is the moment he understands what it means to give unconditionally with no expectation of reciprocation.

Despite its weightier themes of death, grief, anger, regret, and the question of what lies beyond, Under the Whispering Door is a gentle story full of grace and wonderment and, above all else, love: love of family, love of friends, and the sort of love that means sharing everything you are, and were, with one special person. Hugo is made of warmth and peace, not a perfect person, but the perfect person for Wallace as Wallace learns to slow down and appreciate the little things he’d always overlooked along the way.

And in the end, he learns that being tethered to someone doesn’t mean being chained down; he learns it means being wanted, and wanting in return.

Klune used humor to uplift while setting out to break hearts and then put them back together again. This story sparkles when it delves into those quiet moments where two people share their loneliness, and they become not quite so lonely anymore. It is exquisite when it reminds us to slow down and appreciate the little things, like a warm cup of tea and good company. It is exceptional when it dares to believe in miracles. It is gracious when it shares its characters’ love for each other. It is graceful when being generous and selfless in spirit.

Under the Whispering Door seemed to have a lot going for it out of the gate. Quirky, offbeat characters. Good LGBTQ+ representation. A found family trope. Ghostly humor. Paranormal phenomena. Existential musings about grief, regret, loss, love, and second chances. Not to mention a unique interpretation of the afterlife where recently departed spirits congregated at a tea shop called Charon's Cross, a waystation of sorts, where they would receive help from a Reaper (Mei) and a Ferryman (Hugo) so they could make peace with their lives, finding ways to learn from the mistakes they'd made as well as grow before crossing over into whatever came - or comes - next.

Unfortunately, I found these things only worked on the surface. I was bored for much of the book, unmoved, and felt that the commentary surrounding life and death was not only preachy and cliché but hackneyed. I realize I'm in the minority here but this one fell flat for me.

The story followed Wallace Price, an ornery and narcissistic attorney turned ghost, who had to come to grips with his death. Since his demise was quick, unexpected, he had a hard time accepting it at first. He was angry. He was in disbelief. His untimely death was unfair, yes, but at least he didn't have to process that alone. As he grew closer to Hugo, Mei, Nelson, and Apollo during his time in the tea shop, he was able to start to recognize all that he lost out on in life by keeping himself walled off from other people. He could learn to make more selfless choices, form connections, and reconcile to make the most of the time he had left, which he did.

I admit that I enjoyed the overall concept. It had wonderful potential. I think where it all fell apart for me was in the development of it, because not only did the plot feel drawn out to an infuriating degree (nothing much happened) but the humor ran stale and the philosophical answers to big questions were repetitive. They offered up nothing new. They didn't prompt any kind of prolonged reflection, which was disappointing.

The characters were one-note, too. So was much of the dialogue. Wallace went from petulant and selfish to considerate in a blink, Hugo had little personality besides being patient, self-sacrificing, or helpful; the big reveals were forgettable, and the romance fell out of thin air. Like, FLASH! And it was there. It had no development, no slow-build progression at all, and I admit I scratched my head a few times because I didn't understand how it got to be there. Let alone when it arrived in the first place.

It's not that I hated the book or anything. I just wanted to be ushered along--to be courted more than I was, is all. There wasn't enough nuance. I think the story would have benefited from either a faster-paced plot or more dynamic peeled-back characters. Other people are sure to take away a lot of warmth and sweetness from these pages, in fact, I hope they do, but this one just couldn't manage to steep me like a cup of honey tea.

2.5 stars

My earnest thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the ARC.

Thank you @torbooks and @netgalley for my e-ARC

TJ Klune has done a masterful job weaving heart and sorrow together in this story about found family, death, and truly living. Your heart with break in the most beautiful way.

Out today it is worth picking up a copy and journey through with these characters and as Klune does entertained by the humor (yes you will laugh at times too!)

So. I cheated a bit. I have his first book on my TBR shelf due to all the outstanding reviews it received. When I requested #underthewhisperingdoor from #netgallery I without doubt expected to be denied. However. Much to my delight I was approved for this glorious novel. #tjklune has such a gift with writing. It sucks you in and transports you to another world. What happens when we die? Where do we go? What becomes of us after? In this beautifully written imaginary tale we find out after Wallace passes. Where he finds out or discovers the life that he was living wasn’t much of a life at all. With the help of Hugo and many other characters you will fall in love with Wallace discovers what life really should be about. #death #afterlife #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #netgalleyreview #bookrecommendations #readingaddict #netgalleyarc

You are bound to be seeing this book every where right now and for good reason! Books rarely bring me to tears, but this one had me full on sobbing at the end. Get ready for another beautiful book by @tjklunebooks that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.
This story is such a unique take on death and grief and while there is some very heavy subject matter that may not be for everyone, interspersed with these tough topics is a lot of humor and joy. The setting itself is so magical and I would love to stop into Hugo’s tea shop! I truly fell in love with all of these characters, especially the dog, Apollo. Oh Apollo❤️❤️❤️

Lots of great representation in this one, which I LOVE! I wanted to see more of the romance between Wallace and Hugo, but I did love how their relationship wraps up in the end. Not a lot happens in terms of plot or action, but that isn’t the point of this book. The heart and soul of this story are the characters and I felt like I knew each one intimately by the end. They will stay with me for a very long time.

This book will fill you with hope and remind you what life (and death) is really all about. Also, the cover is simply perfect❤️

I went in essentially blind to this one but I knew that I had to read it since I loved House in the Cerulean Sea so much. I also think synopses can't always capture how truly special a book is.

I love love love love this book. I don't really know how else to say it. The character growth over the course of this novel is amazing. The found family and friends that Wallace finally has are an excellent cast of characters. The side stories are phenomenal. The portrayal of the afterlife is nothing but happy. I cried all the tears. This book really warmed my heart.

Admittedly, the book starts off a little slow (for me) as Klune does his world building and introductions to the characters. But after about 50% in, I couldn't put it down. I was zoned in and nothing could distract me.

I highly recommend this book. In fact, I need to procure a physical copy for myself.

TJ Klune can do no wrong. This book was lovely, touching and philosophical. The writing is effortless to read, which allows your brain to contemplate life and death as TJ has created. His magic systems blend so perfectly into the story you forget he created them and he is so good at writing genuinely kind, loving and fun characters. The tea shop aspects specifically resonated with me as my family makes each other tea several times a day to show our love for each other. Klune was an instant buy author for me after the house in the cerulean sea, and this book is perfect for anyone who wants more.

Under the Whispering Door tackles a very heavy serious topic: death. Basically, there’s death, grief, and what comes next unpacked in this story. Honestly, if I hadn’t read The House in the Cerulean Sea and if this book wasn’t written by TJ Klune, I don’t know if I would read it considering the serious themes in it. But I’m so happy I didn’t miss this one.

This story is a journey. Wallace’s journey: alive, dead, and then to what comes next. I was hooked by the storytelling from the first page. Wallace was not a good person when he was alive and suddenly, very unexpectedly in his opinion, he is dead. He meets a reaper at his own funeral that takes him to the ferryman. The man who is going to help Wallace cross: Hugo. Hugo owns a tea shop in the middle of nowhere in the cutest house that remains intact defying gravity. The thing is… Wallace is not ready to abandon life and Hugo will help him through it, to get Wallace to where he needs to go.

TJ Klune is a master at creating amazing characters. The cast of characters in this book is fantastic. Wallace, the flawed lawyer that didn’t care for anyone other than himself and his job; Hugo, the ferryman with a huge heart and anxiety; Mei, the funniest, in your face, loud Reaper; Nelson the most mischievous, hilarious character ever and Apollo the clumsiest, sweetest dog. I loved every single one of these characters. All of them were so different from each other and yet they fit together perfectly. Wallace’s character growth while he was dead, the emotional journey, the connections he forges with other characters, how he falls in love with Hugo… everything was so well done. I couldn’t stop reading it. The story was beautifully written, it’s cozy and whimsical, sad and heartbreaking, funny and sweet, deep and emotional. I loved every second of it. The plot may be a little predictable but the journey is everything.

On a very personal level, as someone who doesn’t deal well at all with death, loss, and grief, Under the Whispering Door will stay with me for a long time. A must-read.

Is there more to life than work, sleep, repeat? Where do we go after we die? What comes next? TJ Klune's newest novel, Under the Whispering Door, addresses each of these deep questions.

Wallace Price attends his own funeral. There are very few other people in attendance and no one seems to see or hear him...until Mei looks right at him. Mei is a reaper and is there to take Wallace to the great beyond...or a tea shop called Charon's Crossing. Hugo, the owner of the tea shop and a ferryman, welcomes Wallace with a cup of peppermint tea that transports Wallace back to his childhood.

As Wallace begins to reflect on his life, he realizes that he never actually lived. Hugo, Nelson, Mei, and Apollo help Wallace realize what life is actually about: relationships. But, it's too late for Wallace. The Manager has arrived at the tea shop and tells Wallace that it's time to move on. What will Wallace do with the time that he has left?

Overall, this was an incredibly unique and original story. In typical Klune fashion, I quickly and easily fell in love with each of these characters and only wanted the best for them.

Favorite Quotes:
- "If we worry about the little things all the time, we run the risk of missing the bigger things"
- "What will you do with the time you have left?"