TJ Klune delivers a heartfelt, genre-blending story in The Bones Beneath My Skin, mixing sci-fi, found family, and deep emotional resonance in a way only he can. This book feels quieter than some of Klune’s other works, but it still packs an emotional punch, exploring themes of love, loss, and what it means to protect those we care about.

The characters are the standout here—Nathan is a beautifully flawed protagonist, reeling from grief and directionless until he finds himself drawn into an unlikely bond with Arthur and the mysterious, luminous girl, Olive. Their dynamic is tender and compelling, with Klune’s signature warmth shining through. The sci-fi elements are intriguing but take a backseat to the character relationships, which might not work for readers expecting a faster-paced plot.

At times, the pacing drags a little, and some moments feel more drawn out than necessary. However, the emotional depth, lyrical prose, and powerful themes more than make up for it. This is a book that sneaks up on you, burrowing deep and leaving a lasting impression.

A beautifully written, bittersweet story of found family and hope—perfect for those who love character-driven narratives with a touch of the extraordinary.

This book was just fine. I think I went into it thinking it would be like House in the Cerulean Sea or Somewhere Beyond the Sea, and it just wasn't on that level for me, but it wasn't bad, so I think this is where I landed.

I don't know what I was expecting, but I should just accept every time I read a TJ Klune book that I am going to cry. I am a sucker for found families and road trip narratives, so this book was right up my alley. The end had me feeling so many feelings. I was not expecting a spice scene in this book though, and I don't know how I liked that personally, but that is not a gripe against the book as a whole. That being said, this book had everything. Bacon? Check. Cults? Check. Aliens? Of course. A good time that had me laughing and crying all at once.

T.J. Klune’s The Bones Beneath My Skin was an unexpected yet thrilling departure from his usual style, blending suspense, sci-fi, and deep emotional resonance. While Klune is known for his heartwarming stories, this book introduces a gripping thriller element that kept me hooked from start to finish (with of course, some heartwarming elements that I absolutely adored!!)

The story follows Nate, a man struggling with his past, who stumbles into a life-changing situation when he meets Alex and Artemis Darth Vader, a young girl with extraordinary abilities. Their journey is filled with tension, mystery, and moments of breathtaking humanity. The supernatural aspect is seamlessly woven into the narrative, enhancing the stakes rather than overwhelming the story’s emotional core.

What I loved most was how Klune maintained his signature focus on found family and connection while exploring a darker, more suspenseful tone. The writing is immersive, the characters are unforgettable, and the pacing is just right to keep the reader on edge without sacrificing emotional depth.

This novel proves Klune’s versatility as a storyteller and delivers a thrilling, heartfelt experience that lingers long after the last page.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I thought I would be reading a heartwarming story on what it means to be human in a world filled with pan, grief, and suffering. I was expecting the same nostalgia and comfort that I got from Cerulean Sea.

Sadly, this one just didn't work for me. It took me forever to read, which is unheard of, but the chapters were SO incredibly long, and in something marketed as a thriller, I need short and to the point to keep me engaged. Additionally, this book was far too long, and I was disappointed that so much of it read as filler.

Were there passages that took my breath away and made tears spring to my eyes? Most definitely. There were some truly beautiful moments in this one. I can't wait to see what's next. Thank you so much to Tor for my early copy. 2.5 stars rounded up.

This book was humorous, heartwarming, and full of classic TJ Klune charm. While it wasn’t my favorite of his novels, I still really enjoyed the blend of sci-fi thriller and emotional depth.

The story follows Nate, a man at rock bottom, who unexpectedly finds himself protecting a mysterious and powerful 10 year old girl named Artemis Darth Vader (yes really). As danger closes in, Nate, Artemis, and her guardian Alex form an unlikely found family.

Klune balances heavier topics such as grief, identity, and healing with witty dialogue and a sweet romantic thread. It’s a strange, tender, and surprisingly hopeful story. A solid 4 stars for me.

I love TJ Klune. I’ve yet to find a TJ Klune book that I didn’t rate infinity stars. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. That’s a lot to put on a book! But thank god this delivered. Infinity stars, yet again. This book was incredible. Just incredible. The story, the characters, the way my whole heart was invested for every single page. TJ Klune is pure magic and I feel so fortunate that he shares his gift and talent with the world!

This book was different from the Extraordinaries series and the House on the Cerulean Sea series, but I loved it. Artemis Darth Vader is fantastic! I love how she looks at the world, and while I don't share her love for bacon, I understand it. Alex and Nate are super cute; both checking each other out and taking their sweet time acting on their feelings. I am glad that TJ Klune believed in the power of his story enough to self publish it the first time and I am extra happy that Tor saw how awesome this book was and gave it a second publishing.

I’m basically a TJ Klune stan and so far have fallen hard for each book of his I’ve read. While I still really enjoyed this one, getting sucked into the story and needing to know what would happen next, I didn’t fall as deeply for the characters as I have with those from other books. Don’t get me wrong, I liked them - especially Art, and I’m a sucker for all the found family vibes that are front and center in Klune’s books, but I wanted the chance to get to know the characters better. All the action in the book kept things exciting and introduced some interesting elements as pieces of the larger picture fit together, but it left me feeling like I wanted more when I got to the end - I felt like I still didn’t know that much about Alex and Nate as people. I think what I tend to love most about his characters are how much they come to life/feel fleshed out by the quiet moments/interactions, but with the more intense/thriller/action story there wasn’t as much time or space to build those connections. That said, it was still a good story with quirky characters that kept me invested, I just like other Kline books/characters more. Thanks for NetGalley for the book, though I ended up listing to the audiobook (and the narration was great!)

I truly enjoyed this sci fi book by TJ Klune, it was light hearted with the small banter between the 3 characters. the story was amazing and sad at the same time that I kept rooting for them to get to their next stop without any hassles. I agree with author note that this is a different story but it was a great story and i am looking forward to reading more of his work.

As always, TJ Klune is fantastic at crafting a cozy, interesting, fantasy world. This wasn’t my favorite book by him, but I will ALWAYS pick up his stories whenever they are published. Thank you!!!

THE BONES BENEATH MY SKIN, TJ Klune ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫⁣
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Thank you @torbooks and @netgalley for this advanced copy.⁣
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Anyone who has read TJ Klune before knows that he is the king of found family stories. I’ve never read anyone before who could write such meaningful stories of love and make me fall in love with the most interesting of characters. Cue Artemis. She’s strange and she’s the best. The reason I marked this at 3.5 (which was hard to do) is because there’s one relationship in here that didn’t quite live up to Klune’s amazing storytelling. He’s usually so great at growing each relationship, but I felt like one in particular could have used more of his time. It was abrupt and I missed the build-up of it.⁣
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What’s really cool about this book though, is it’s a rerelease. Klune originally self-published this novel in 2018. I’m happy he decided to reshare it with the world.

I am a huge TJ Klune fan and all of his books have been amazing for me. This one was just as good as all the others if not better! The way he can tell a story through fictional character characters and make you feel the way you do is something I’ve not discovered from any other author. The story is truly beautiful And deserves nominations and awards.

A cosmic transcendence of the physical boundaries of being human.

Heartwarming yet action packed - full of thrilling adventure and astronomical entertainment.

Thanks Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

I’ve read several Klune books, but this is undoubtedly very different to his usual writing and storytelling. I am so used to his creations of endearing eccentric beings woven with life-affirming/uplifting tales or werewolf shenanigans wrapped in deadly mafia/family drama. But here, Klune has expanded his imagination literally to a galactic level.

I would refrain from giving the synopsis here and will recommend heading in blind for an all immersive experience which will allow for more marvel , curiosity and appreciation for this book.

The underlying trope however is worth considering. Klune explores the “found family” concept by delving deep into every primal human need of love, food, home and fitting in as well as our basic instincts of adaptability, learning, language, self preservation - ultimately resilience and survival.

The book also presents a refreshing perspective about symbiosis, acceptance, compassion, the idea of human bonding and the level of attachment we are capable of.

The narrative doesn’t lag even for a moment - for there is always a chase round the corner, cars flying off the ground, or even for that matter comets and helicopters falling from the sky.

I’ve always loved believable sci-fi and although this book veers far far away from the earthly possibilities of realism, I did quite enjoy it - albeit quite perplexed about some of the revelations that were seemingly beyond my brain’s grasp.

But the premise and originality with the storyline, however deserve all the attention and recognition they can get.

#TheBonesBeneathMySkin reminds us of our insignificance and smallness in the scope of our gigantic universe, that we are all made of dust and stars, how ‘home’ can just be one person, one true love and what a family really means.

Definitely give this a shot if you are Klune fan.

Thank you @torbooks @tordotcompub for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Here's your favorite unsponsored segment you didn't ask for where my only two friends get to hear my word vomit about books I think are 🧡 w o r t h 🧡 it! Now I can feel you rolling your eyes now because you see the Tj Klune book. I may be biased, but holy geez this book is awesome.

I need to take a moment to say I had a whole photo shoot planned where I'd go to @chamblinsbooks and take a picture of it in front of their HUGE selection of Louis L'Amour books in honor of Artemis Darth Vader but you know life.

If you guys are addicted to Stranger Things like me, this is your ticker into the Tj Klune-averse.

This book is (no surprise) wicked awesome. It has all the elements of all the past books we loved... characters who spend the rest of your lives in your heart (Nate, Benji and Art...I love you) Whimsical and magical worlds far beyond our reach. Dialogue that will leave your sides sore from laughing so much.

Most importantly, a message of giving love to all.

Consider this the prelude to my dissertation on how this book might take over The House in the Cerulean Seas spot as my favorite of his books. Truly, I could write pages about all the things there are to love about this. What keeps coming back to my mind is how much action and adventure are riddled throughout the pages. It's filled with moments that keep you on the edge of your seat. I seriously forgot I was reading and not watching an action movie half the time.

But what really gets the soft, mushy parts of my heart is the way Nate, Benj, and Art all accepted each other and created this beautiful little family. Happy sigh. Just writing this makes me want to go back and reread.

Mr. Klune is truly a master at his whimsical craft and there's a little section of my life savings dedicated to buying every single thing he publishes.

🧡 LGBTQIA
🧡 Fate
🧡 Found Family
🧡 Stranger Things Vibes
🧡 Extraterrestrial

❔️#QOTD What's your favorite TJ Klune book? Who's an author that you'd buy anything they publish?

Very fan fic.

It's not bad, but I wish it had stayed focused more on the main characters rather than diverting to a cult action movie. I recently read a different book about an alien coming to Earth and their reflections on humanity, so this book may have failed in comparison. I loved the characters and stayed invested in the story. The tone of the book felt a bit disjointed. I trust this book has readers that will be a perfect match, but it wasn't for me.

WOW.

I have read other TJ Klune books but this one, this one is probably one of my top favorite books of 2025. I should not be surprised based off his previous books but truly, his writing takes you into a completely different world. I was sucked into Nates world as Nate was sucked into Alex and Arts. I felt so connected to all three of them and to say that I was sad this story ended is an understatement.

TJ Klune says himself that this is a "weird" book. Is it? I thought it was "weird" but in SUCH a good way. I loved every second of the ride. It felt like every chapter there was a cliff hanger and I could not put this book down. The ending was *chef kisses* perfect. I loved how the author fast forwarded so you got the WHOLE story.

LOVE LOVE LOVE This book.

Thank you to Tor Books for the review copy! This was such a beautiful, quirky, romance that read like an action movie.

Check the CWs: The premise of The Bones Beneath My Skin was SAD, and I wasn’t really prepared for that.

If the only TJ Klune book you’ve read is The House in the Cerulean Sea, this is going to feel very, very different. Our main character, Nate, starts out in a pretty dark place. He’s just been fired, his parents have died horrifically, and he is estranged from his brother. Nate goes to his family cabin that he has just inherited, but is surprised to find a man and a young girl already there.

The young girl calls herself Artemis Darth Vader and at first Nate worries that the man, Alex, has kidnapped her. But she seems so comfortable and happy with him…

I LOVED all of these characters, especially Artemis, who was so funny. I devoured this one.

TJ Klune has a way of capturing the essence of what it means to be human—even when telling stories that are delightfully weird, heartfelt, and packed with sci-fi twists. The Bones Beneath My Skin is no exception. With its Stranger Things-esque energy, cult conspiracies, and a deeply emotional core, this book takes readers on an unexpected journey of connection, identity, and survival. The story follows Nate, a man who has lost his way, and Artemis Darth Vader (yes, really), a precocious young girl with a secret that could change everything. When they cross paths with Alex, a man running from his past, the three form an unlikely bond as they navigate government conspiracies and the weight of their own personal histories. Klune’s signature humor and warmth shine through, making the book as tender as it is thrilling.

Was this a perfect read for me? Nearly—though it had moments of inconsistency, and some aspects of the plot felt a bit scattered. But did I enjoy it? Absolutely--you have no idea! Art is an unforgettable character, and the relationships in this book, especially the found-family dynamic, are Klune at his best. Plus, the book asks some big questions about what it means to be human, which gives it a layer of depth beyond the sci-fi action. Is this book for everyone? Probably not. But if you’re a fan of found-family stories, love a good conspiracy theory, or just want a sci-fi novel that leans into humor and heart, this one is worth checking out. And if you ever find yourself in need of an Artemis Darth Vader to tell you when you’ve met the love of your life (and remind you to eat more bacon), even better.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!)

The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune is a story about found family and choosing the life you want. It’s part romance, part fantasy, part road-trip.

The Bones Beneath My Skin book cover.
Poor Nate feels like he has nothing left in his life, after losing his parents, and then his job. He heads to the family’s cabin, where he meets Alex and Artemis Darth Vader. Artemis (a 10-year old girl) and Alex are on the run.

Will Nate join them? You’ll have to read it to find out!

This book is a fantasy, so if you are put off by the paranormal, cults, or evil government forces, it might not be for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 out of 5)

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advance copy in exchange for sharing my opinions. All opinions in this review are my own.