This book is as whimsical and cozy as the mysterious tea shop where it takes place. Under the Whispering Door follows the store of lawyer Wallace Price after his death. Wallace discovers that there are people called reapers and ferrymen who are tasked with guiding the recently departed to the afterlife. Wallace is taken to a tea shop owned by ferryman Hugo that is is filled with a cast of lovable, quirky characters. They teach Wallace more about love, friendship, and what it means to be human than he ever learned while alive.

The story is written in the zany but sweet style of T.J. Klune's modern fantasies and LGBTQ+ romances. Grab a piping hot cup of tea and curl up with this novel that tenderly explores themes of love, grief, death, and what it means to be human.

I will be recommending this book to fans of The Cerulean Sea, slow burn romance, and anyone in need of a comforting, but thoughtful read. I will admit that the pacing was slow for me at times. Even though I adored the characters, I still felt that the book occasionally took a meandering pace. However, that also fits with the overall theme of the book. (3.5 stars)

I did a read/listen with this wonderful story and have been thinking about it since I finished. I know my review will not do this book justice. First I want to say that as a Christian I was a bit worried about this depiction of life after death, but it was not the case. This was a beautiful story that had me near tears several times. Wallace Price is not a very nice man. He has dropped dead of a heart attack at the age of forty, and he is not willing to accept that his life is over. His funeral is a sad affair with only four colleagues, an ex-wife and a strange woman in attendance. It turns out that this woman is a reaper, Mei, and is there to take him to a waystation between Life and Death, a quaint tea-shop run by the Ferryman Hugo. He also meets Hugo’s dead grandfather and Hugo’s dog. That is all I am going to say about the plot of this story, as you must experience it for yourself.

As the blurb says, Wallace wants to live a life that he never had, but only has a week to do it. With only a few souls around he learns what he has missed, what real emotion feels like and what his life could have been. The secondary characters are amazing, they answer Wallace's questions when they can, but it is his journey and they do not interfere. I am glad I was on this journey. T.J. Klune had me near tears at some points and laughing at others. We see how people can be so different from one another, yet still learn from them and know that they will influence out lives. This is a book I recommend to anyone and everyone. It is a beautiful, heartfelt story that will leave you thinking about life. I enjoyed the narration of this book performed by Kirt Graves. Mr. Graves has a rich tone and uses that to pull you into the story. He uses his pacing and expression to add interest and I sat back and enjoyed his reading. He doesn't go voices, per se, but I was able to differentiate who was speaking by the tone he used. I will definitely add Kirt Graves to my list of narrators to watch for.

It took me a couple of tries to get into this book, but it's the author's fault for including easter eggs that made me long for other beloved characters... That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

However, Kirt Graves's voiced lured me deeper and deeper into this tale of the redemption after death. It's not a book I devoured, but it is a book I'm still savoring. Wallace and Hugo are unforgettable characters, but it is the minor characters that enrich the story; this is very much an ensemble piece.

TJ Klune novels provide a truly unique reading experience, from the title and cover to the quirky cast of characters. This is certainly true of Under the Whispering Door, the author's newest novel. It tells a story centered in death and grief. This difficult, often taboo, topic is addressed as only TJ Klune can.

Main character Wallace Price, a workaholic attorney, dies unexpectedly and is shocked when a reaper transports him from his funeral to a cozy tea shop nestled in the mountains, run by Hugo. The people he encounters there (living and dead) will change him far beyond his expectations.

The storyline swings from sad, heavy sections to farcical interludes, such as Wallace attempting to change his clothing. While these abrupt changes in tone take some readers out of the story, I feel they provide a "relief valve" to the tension and weight of the primary subject. As an avid tea drinker, I really appreciated the role tea played in this story.

My feelings about this book are very similar to those for The House on the Cerulean Sea: this wasn't an outstanding read for me personally, but I'm so thankful it exists for people for whom this is a life-changing, life-affirming read. While my beliefs about death and what comes after don't align with those in this novel, I hope this will provide comfort and peace to other readers.

The audiobook narration of Kirt Graves expertly led me through this long and emotional novel. His range of distinct voices made it easy to track the cast of characters.

Thank you to Macmillar Audio and NetGalley for the review copy of the audiobook.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At times hilarious, sad, and hopeful, Klune has created complex, richly developed characters. If you enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, this should be another warm hug of a read. Chosen family isn’t the main focus but it’s the thread that pulls it all together and what a precious family it is.

Kirt Graves is the perfect narrator for this story. Each character had a subtly different voice that felt very much their own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the book early. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Great narrator of this audio book. This book was a little slow for me, but I did like the growth of Wallace and his effect on the people around him.

I appreciated the audiobook starting with a message from the author as to some of the triggers included in the book and giving the reader a heads up to proceed with this knowledge, I first read this book in the ebook format and thoroughly enjoyed it. When given the opportunity to experience it in an audiobook version, I jumped at the chance and I am glad I did. It is beautifully done and, I feel, easier to follow in the audio format. This was my very first Klune book and it did not disappoint. Under the Whispering Door was a beautifully written novel that had me laughing, reflecting, and even tearing up in a few places. I was pulled in with Kune's different perspective of what occurs after death and continued because I became vested in the characters and cared about what happened next. While this novel is light and witty in places, it also is deeply moving in others. Prepare for a roller coaster of emotions.

Okay, I LOVE TJ Klune. Loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, so I had really high expectations for this book.

It took me a while to get into it (actually, around the 40% mark), but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Like… really, really, REALLY enjoyed it.

The details are immaculate, and Klune does a great job of making me feel like I was there with Wallace and Hugo and everyone else, even though the concept of this story was unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

When I got to the 90% mark, I had to put the book down several times because I couldn’t stop crying. I was crying ugly tears, and at times, I actually thought I was going to start hyperventilating because of how hard I was sobbing. In the best way possible. I don’t know how TJ Klune does this every single time, but best believe I’ll be purchasing every book he ever writes.

I will be the first to say that I did not think I would EVER like Wallace Price.

UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR is A Christmas Carol meets The Good Place - we start by meeting Wallace, a cranky lawyer who truly has never done anything selfless in his life, and he's proud of it. The reader is then thrown into Wallace's own funeral as we watch through his eyes what the people in his life have to say to him (and it's all bad) - he then gets picked up by Mei, the reaper who is to bring him to Charon's Crossing. Our journey unfolds as Wallace struggles to find the meaning of life and death, and finds pieces of himself.

When I started reading this book, I almost put it down (but am so happy that I didn't). I wasn't too fond of the first few chapters of the book, as it really took its time getting started and setting the stage for what would unfold, but as I got past the initial worldbuilding and story set-up, I slowly started to fall more in love with everyone. The story revealed its underbelly and ended up being about a lot more than I thought it would be - there was grief, loss, sadness, but also hope, humour, and love. This was a book that found me at the perfect time in my life, right when I needed it. The narrator was excellent, I teared up many many times, and it was, all in all, so heartwarming.

OK. I know now that TJ Klune does not disappoint! I have no clue how, but he managed to keep a depressing topic so light, fun, and hopeful. Dare I say he made death whimsical?!?! Each of the characters are perfect and I want to squeeze them tight.

I left the book feeling hopeful and so pensive. Similar to Cerulean Sea, I find myself pensive and thinking about the story a week later. Highly recommend!!! ♥️

This is a whimsical, heartfelt, funny novel. I felt like parts of this book were 4 star quality while other parts just dragged and were filler. I would still recommend this, but House in the Cerulean Sea is still my favorite.

I love TJ Klune books because the way he writes and develops characters is pure magic. Under the Whispering Door did not disappoint. However, don't go into this book expecting the same tone of the House in the Cerulean Sea.

Under the Whispering Door tells the story of Wallace, a very unlikable lawyer who has a heart attack and dies. His death was very unexpected so he is struggling to come to terms with it. At his funeral a girl named Mei shows up and leads him to a unique-looking Tea Shop owned by the ferryman named Hugo, explaining that they will help him cross over into the afterlife.

This book will make you laugh, cry, break your heart then put it back together. It is beautifully written and you need it in your life ASAP. This will be one of those books that stick with you for years and years after reading.

Trigger warnings:
Death. Child death. Suicide. Cancer. Ghosts.

The topic of death and the afterlife depicted in this book do not follow my personal beliefs, but I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and give Klune a chance. I am so glad I did. I have to admit I was not really "into" the story following the initial scene. I felt the interaction of the characters at the tea shop dragged on too much. Upon completion of the book, however, I discovered this was necessary in order to develop the characters enough to have a thoughtful and emotional ending to the book. I cared for the characters so much, I actually cried for them. I felt as if I had drunk three cups of tea with them.

I don't even know where to start with this review. This audiobook hands down is one of my favorite stories of all times! Kirt Graves, did such a phenomenal job and I never wanted to stop listening to him voice, Wallace, Hugo and the rest of the characters. It honestly felt like you were listening to multiple people doing the narrations, he was just that good at it. I will have to go look for all the books he narrates now.

The story itself was so amazing too. I cried, I laughed and I shook my phone in frustration. I loved the whole world, TJ Klune created, and if I'm honest I could read another book devoted to all the characters again. I thought the ending was going to crush my heart into pieces, and while it was so bittersweet, I think it ended perfectly too. Now I'm going to sigh as I try to get over the book hangover.

Wallace is a business man who may manage many people at work, but he is lacking in the friendship department. Think Scrooge in A Christmas Story, but he actually dies and also falls in love. Hand to fans of The Good Place or anyone open to a sweet queer romance between the grumpy one and the sweet, golden retriever one who happens to be a ferryman to the afterlife.

I adored TJ Klune’s book The House in the Cerulean Sea and jumped at the opportunity to review his newest novel, Under the Whispering Door. If possible, I loved this book even more than the one before.

Under the Whispering Door is all about death. There are graphic tellings of different ways to die but this book focuses more specifically on what happens in the time following one’s passing. There have been other novels written on this topic but Klune’s impeccable ability to tell poignant and even tragic tales with a sense of levity and beauty brings this story to new heights. Bring your tissues, this one pulls hard at the heartstrings. I absolutely loved it as an audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the narrator, and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

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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 was just okay for me.
I think if I had read this before The House in the Cerulean Sea I might have rated it higher.
I found myself constantly comparing them to each other, and really, nothing could stand up to a character like Lucy.
Cool premise, and solid characters, just not as good as The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Much love to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for my DRC.

What is the sign of a good writer and book? For me it’s a few things, someone who paints a world I can picture (Klune does), has characters I care deeply about (these characters are truly ones I cared about, even if I didn’t at first, you know who you are Wallace Price), and can make me laugh and cry several times while reading and/or listening (truth with this book, sometimes ugly tears of happy and sad). Overall I say this book has Klune’s charm, charisma, and empathy you expect from him to make an amazing book. I didn’t give it 5 stars mostly because there were a few things that were a little less desirable and made me roll my eyes and a little slower paced in parts than I would prefer, but overall it gave me ALL THE FEELS, excellent book!

This book is such a joy! It centers on a sad and difficult topic of death. However, it is done with just tenderness, insight and kindness; it so hard to be sad while reading it. I was able to enjoy this book on audio and it is one where the audio makes the story that much more wonderful. The narrator is the same as The House in the Cerulean Sea and he continues in this book to genuinely connect to the tone of the story and can still manage to create unique voices for all of these characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope that everyone will as much as I did. I highly recommend it.