TBH I couldn’t bring myself to read the excerpt. I knew it would be too hard to not get to finish. So I waited until it’s released and bought this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. If you loved the first book this will leave you feeling like a proud parent watching all their kids grow up and do all the right things even when it is sooo hard.

Run and buy this. Don’t even dare do an excerpt. It’s too good to read in part.

(And the authors note?!?!? 🫶🏼)

The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my all-time favorite books! The characters, the world, the magic, the found family, I truly love everything about it. So I listened to the audiobook as a re-read prior to picking up the 2nd installment - Somewhere Beyond the Sea - and the audiobook was FANTASTIC! The narrator really brought me back into this world and made me fall in love with the characters all over again.

So I went into the sequel with so much excitement and also trepidation because I wanted it to live up to my expectations! AND IT DID! Well done TJ Klune! I don't know how you do it - but I just loved it so much. Being back in this world with these characters - and the amazing new character David who I instantly fell in love with - just brought so much joy to my heart and, of course, tears to my eyes. These characters - the kids Chauncey, Phee, Talia, Lucy, Sal (I loved Sal even more in this one!) & Theodore (and now David) and the adults Arthur, Linus, Zoe and so many side characters - they just all have a forever place in my heart.

I will forever read anything that TJ Klune writes. He puts so much love and joy and acceptance and magic into his novels and I am HERE for it!

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for this ARC of an excerpt of Somewhere Beyond the Sea. I waited until the full book came out to read it and post my review so I could do the story justice.

Sequels make me nervous because, if I loved the first, they rarely live up to my expectations. But, while the House in the Cerulean Sea will always have my heart, this was a very solid follow-up!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea was a bit less cohesive than the first (there were a lot of meandering side stories that were fun but didn’t really advance the plot), but the main storyline was strong. All of the aspects that made up the heart of the first book were still there - amazingly unique and thoroughly depicted characters, witty dialogue that will make you cackle, and a powerful overarching message that’ll make you cry. In his author’s note, Klune talks about wanting to be the anti-You-Know-Who (you know, she who will not be named who created You-Know-Who), and I can tell he pulled some aspects of one of the books from that series, which I found really interesting. I appreciate that he is using his platform to lift up the stories of the LGBTQ+ community.

The ending was lovely, but I really hope the fact that it wasn’t fully wrapped up means we will get another book - I could read a million set on Marsyas. If you loved the first book or are looking for a heart-warming found family story, check this out!

Out now!

4.5/5

House on the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books of all time. I am so excited to read this next book in Arthur's story. We are back on Marsyas Island with Arthur, Linus, the children, as well as Zoe (the island sprite) and Mayor Webb. They hope to bring a new child to the island named David who is a yeti.

They are also waiting on the paperwork to formalize the adoption of all the kids. When Arthur is summoned to make a statement about his past, it is clear that not everyone supports Arthur and his family. The Department in Charge of Magical Adults and Youth may no longer have the best interests in mind for magical people. Although Extremely Upper Management has been dismantled, what is left may not be better.

David arrives on the Island along with a new investigator from The Department in Charge of Magical Youth and the new investigator is no Linus.

The House on the Cerulean Sea felt like a much lighter book than this one. However, this book delved deeper into the stereotypes against magical people. I laughed a lot while reading this book but my heart also ached for some of the experiences the children had- especially David the Yeti. He did not grow up at the orphanage and experienced a lot of trauma. Despite some of the dark moments, the book is lovely and wonderful and everything I hoped it would be.

Trigger warning: Child abuse and discrimination

Thank you to TJ Klune, Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" for an honest review. It was lovely to return to Klune's adolescence level sequel to "The House in the Cerulean Seas." It was sweet to see the flourishing relationship between Arthur and Linus. It was great to see more of Arthur's background. It was such a sweeping, beautiful display to see how loved the kids are by both their Dads, their sprite, and her Mayor girl friend. I loved seeing this one being more about taking on the big fights and messages to create safe spaces that embrace more (and all) lives.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a heartwarming and inclusive story that will stay with you long after the final page. With his signature wit and emotional depth, Klune weaves a captivating tale of love, loss, and finding your place in the world.

The story follows Simon, a young man who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and his father's recent death. When he inherits a secluded cottage on the coast, Simon finds himself drawn to the mysterious and charming Finn, who lives nearby. As their friendship blossoms into something more, Simon must confront his fears and insecurities while navigating the complexities of a budding relationship.
Klune's writing is both lyrical and accessible, drawing readers into the world of his characters and making them feel as if they are experiencing their journey alongside them. The chemistry between Simon and Finn is palpable, and their interactions are filled with both humor and tenderness.

One of the most powerful aspects of Somewhere Beyond the Sea is its portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community. Klune creates a diverse and inclusive world where characters of all sexual orientations and gender identities are accepted and loved. The novel offers a hopeful and uplifting message about the power of love and acceptance.

If you're looking for a feel-good romance that will stay with you long after you finish the last page, Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a must-read. It is a truly delightful and heartwarming story that will leave you smiling and reaching for your next Klune novel.

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC!

such a great addition to the first book with such a warm and lovely ending! if you read the first book you must read this one!

What a wonderful follow-up to The House in the Cerulean Sea! We get to learn and experience more of the heart-warming shenanigans that the children get into on Marsayas Island.

I absolutely adored this sequel. Almost better than the first. TJ Klune writes characters that are so deep, well drawn, and human. Reading this was like revisiting old friends.

I enjoyed this teaser a lot! I cannot wait to read the whole book. So far, this gave enough information to get you sucked in. Also, the cover is absolutely stunning.

I love TJ Klune, I love this fabulous series, and I love Netgalley....but was I the only one who felt bamboozled when I requested the ARC only to find out it was only an excerpt of the first 4 chapters? This very well have been user error, but damn was I sad when I made it to the end of the excerpt and couldn't keep reading.

This except from TJ Klune's sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea is four chapters of a reintroduction to the world and the children and their pre-dads we've grown to love from the first book, with the hints of the stressors of what's to come. I know I already have a colored view towards this book after having gone to one of Klune's talks about this book in my city a few months ago so my extra hype is already there, but when I finally sat down to read this teaser I really was brought back into that place of love and understanding from these damaged but dealing dads who are taking their experiences and views, apparently, to a wider stage. Looking forward to reading the rest of the book!

Thank you to TOR and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

This book was incredible! I love it just as much as the first! Being back with these characters was everything I wanted it to be a more. Lucy is still my favorite but all the children hold a special place in my heart! I will always recommend!

OH MY GOSH!!! The House in the Cerulean Sea is my favorite book, and the sequel did not disappoint!!! loved it

This is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. I was so happy to get to read about the children again! I love all their personalities and ADORED the new character, David! I listened to this on audio also and the narrator crushes it! Really makes it come to life. I can see this series becoming movies one day! Such a heartwarming novel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchanged for an honest review.

This excerpt was a perfect teaser for the second book of the Cerulean series! The House in the Cerulean Sea was an incredibly beautiful, cozy story of fighting for what’s right, growth, finding yourself, and love, and this book seems to be the same. I cannot wait to dive into this full book and see what Arthur, Linus, and the children are up to next.

Deeply excited for this book. I'm disappointed that NetGalley only held an excerpt, not a full copy of this book, as I was excited to read and offer a proper early review.

Sad this was only an excerpt but excited to read the rest of the book! I always love getting a new TJ Klune

I'm so happy to return to the house by the cerulean sea and revisit all of the beautiful characters while meeting some new ones. It's a lovely story with lots of heart. It's funny and sweet. I highly recommend it!

The House in the Cerulean Sea easily made it into my top 5 favorite books ever (I know, how does one even choose these?! It was easy with this one), so I cannot express with words how elated I was to see that there was going to be a second one. I've never cried so many happy tears and felt so much hope despite difficult situations as when I was reading this. Absolutely ecstatic that I got to read a glorious sneak peek of the second, but I'm impatient to read the rest!