Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

Under the Whispering Door is the latest novel by bestselling author, T.J. Klune- great for fans of The Good Place!

How would you spend your life if you only had seven days left to live? Under the Whispering Door follows Wallace Price, an insufferable lawyer, who prioritizes efficiency and productivity above all else. When a reaper shows up at his own funeral, Wallace realizes he must be dead and is whisked away to mysterious tea shop, where he must confront his life’s greatest failures.

This novel is a stunning exploration of what it means to be “human.” {Think: a spunky retelling of The Myth of Sisyphus with a healthy abundance of tea and pastries.} Without reading as overtly philosophical or existential, Klune captures the essence of the human spirit, highlighting the importance of relationships, trust, and empathy. All of the characters (even the most ~realized~ ones) consistently consider life’s most important question, “How do I give meaning to a seemingly meaningless life?” The reader hangs on to every word as they witness each character’s journey to actualization.

This is my first T.J. Klune novel, but it certainly won’t be my last. The nuanced appreciation for life conveyed in Under the Whispering Door is a once-in-a-lifetime reading experience I’ll never forget.

CW: Mental Health

5.0/5.0

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

In a way only T.J. Klune can do, he made what could have been a dark and distressing book truly beautiful. This is, however, a VERY heavy read that focuses entirely on death and what comes after.

Klune does such a spectacular job of creating stories that make us reflect on ourselves and every life affected by the choices we make. I found this book to be a beautiful dive into the power of the people we surround ourselves with and the ability to find strength in yourself when you need it most.

It did take me longer to form attachments to the characters here than in The Cerulean Sea, but I ended up loving them all just as deeply. And even with the heavier content, I found this book to be incredibly sincere and soul-stirring.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this e-ARC!

Once I started reading Under the Whispering Door, I couldn't put it down, and finished it in two days.

Though the character of Wallace begins as quite nasty, the writing is so lovely and the pull forward so strong that I was willing to accept his rudeness.

It's hard to write about this book without spoiling it, but it is such a thoughtful exploration of life and death that it becomes tremendously meaningful and impactful. Klune has written another amazing book that moved me.

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!

Death means something different to everyone. Under the Whispering Door was a lot to take in and then formulate those twirling thoughts into some coherent form of a review. But here goes nothing:

Under the Whispering Door is thought-provoking with loads of questions from several characters dead or alive. Each seeks or has sought to understand (come to terms with) the new reality they find themselves in. But some questions just don’t have an answer. For some of the characters, things are what they are until they make that next choice. As with Wallace, I found myself engaged in retrospection with each new question and perspective proposed to Wallace.

Under the Whispering Door is depressing and sad (but not in a bad way, I’m just an emotional reader). Some chapters were harder to read than others. Raw, cutting emotions color those characters who find themselves “dead.” Even Hugo, the ferryman to the newly dead who come his way, can’t help but feel a shared agony for them. He has a big heart that makes him uniquely ideal for this line of work.

Under the Whispering Door is a home filled with the most delightful people you will ever meet. Wallace Price was a ruthless attorney and pragmatic ass when he was alive. As the story progresses, I grew more and more fond of him and was captivated by the ultimate transformation he undergoes. Hugo - sweet, benevolent sweet Hugo - is one of those rare individuals you’d be lucky to know and even luckier to call a friend. I loved Mei (Wallace’s reaper) and her energetic and sometimes brash demeanor. She’s a fascinating person who’ll always have your back. Nelson (Hugo’s grandfather) is hysterical, always bringing a certain lightness and wisdom to break the tension or delivering funny reality checks.

These characters were wonderful to get to know. They’re very well-rounded: flawed and real with such incredible emotional depth. I can’t imagine any other types of characters for this particular story.

Klune impressed me with how he wove this novel together. I really enjoy his writing style, humor, how he develops the plot/characters and makes me care greatly about everything going on. I highlighted a lot of great quotes and passages. There were various moments I didn’t expect or actions certain characters chose to take. I also liked the quiet, unassuming impact tea had on the story.

I was most surprised by Wallace and Hugo’s relationship, who also seemed surprised by what they felt for each other. It was beautiful. I loved seeing them together.

The climax had me on the edge of my seat! My emotions were high and all over the place. I was crying by the end - pleasantly surprised, incredibly moved, and oh-so happy.

Klune has once again crafted an outstanding and memorable novel. 5 stars!

I absolutely LOVED this book. So whimsical, beautiful, and emotive. Klune created a universe within that tea shop and I honestly wish I could visit it, as a living tea-drinking, scone eating guest, of course.

This book can sit with the greats like The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. As soon as it publishes, I’m buying a copy for my shelf and copies for every gift giving opportunity for years to come. Excuse me while I go buy The House in the Cerulean Sea right now.

It is a rare treat when you come across a novel that is so perfectly written that you know you are going to be buying copies and recommending it to everyone you know.

TJ Klune in Under the Whispering Door weaves an incredible story of Wallace Price, an asshole lawyer who dies unexpectedly and ends up at a waystation for the recently deceased. Accompanied by Mei, his Reaper, Hugo, the ferryman, and a few friendly ghosts who have chosen to remain on this plane, Wallace learns through death what it is to truly live.

For fans of A Man Called Ove and Grumpy Old Men, this is a heartwarming tale you surely do not want to miss.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. Personally, I don’t have the unconditional attachment that many seem to have to Klune’s work. Before reading this, I had finished three of his previous novels, having only enjoyed one of them. So, I was a little hesitant to read this latest advanced copy. But I did. And I’m happy to report that this is possibly the best book I’ve read by him so far. The flow is exceptional. The style is clean. The characters are endearing. And the premise is powerful. What happens to us after we die is certainly the ultimate mystery that authors have investigated over and over again. Klune’s version here is both hopeful and powerful. The idea that it’s never too late to own up to our failings and be better humans is certainly a message worth exploring and repeating. Now, for me, Klune still relies too much on his favourite devices, like repetition and slightly cheesy nods to his other books (how many times can he refer to a house on an island or describe something as cerulean?), but I’m pleased to see that the “Gilmore Girls” dialogue style issues that I normally have with doesn’t seem to be a problem in this story at all. Overall, I see a lot of maturity in this work. It’s sentimental, sensitive, captivating, and creative. Highly recommended.

This book is completely magical. I read it as a fan of Klunes other books and even then it delivered full heart and humour.

I am a huge fan of dark fantasy and dark fiction and this beautiful book about what happens when we try to move on after death ticks off so many boxes, some I didn't even realise I wanted.

The characters in this are intriguing and heart-warming and it's the character building and their relationships they share that truly make this book shine.

It has some trigger warnings to take note of particularly given the nature of the plot.

Overall this was an utterly delightful read and I cannot wait to get my hands on a hard copy once it's released

If you're wondering, after reading and absolutely adoring Cerulean Sea, if there was any possible way that Klune could once again reach into your heart and squeeze every possible emotion out of it. If you saw the upcoming publication of this book and thought, "He can't, and won't, make me sob uncontrollably again. He CAN'T, he just....no, he can't, right?". Well, I am here to tell you that 1. YES, THERE IS A WAY. And it's with this here book. And 2. YES, he CAN, and he DID. I am destroyed. There is no way I should be allowed to write this review in my current state, but I had to share these raw emotions. I had to forgo my rule of "waiting a while, and sitting with my thoughts" because my thoughts are "HOLY HECK, HE DID IT AGAIN!".

Under the Whispering Door had a lot of the same elements that made Cerulean Sea both so heart-wrenching, and warming: found family, profound realizations about life (and in this case, death), quirky and irresistibly infectious characters, a quiet and humble setting, and a storyline that was nothing like you expected but ended up being more than you could have ever asked for. I will admit though, that this one had an Epilogue that, while appreciated because I adore Klune's writing, could have been left out and it still would have been a perfect book.

I'm not sure my heart can handle any more Klune books, but if he ever stops writing, I will literally grieve. I can't wait for everyone to experience this one!

After T.J. Klune's last novel, I knew that his stories would always have my heart, and I can definitely say that Under the Whispering Door delivered all that I expected and more.

This incredible story about life, the afterlife, and even love, completely blew me away. I love the characters and Klune's fantastic storytelling. He weaves a story like no other.

I highly, highly recommend this book.

Picked this one up because I've loved Klune's last two books and I was not disappointed! In this one, we follow Wallace who has recently died and is being taken to a tea house. This tea house is a waypoint for the dead, a stop before they move on to whatever comes next. Wallace isn't ready to move on, so he decides to stay for as long as he can. He soon meets the other residents of the tea house: Nelson, an elderly ghost, Mei, a reaper who helps bring people to the waypoint, Apollo, a ghost dog, and Hugo, the owner and ferryman of the tea house. Wallace soon begin to see that maybe you can learn more about life in death.

The tone of this book was very different from the previous ones I had read by this author, but I still really enjoyed it. It still had Klune's signature humour woven throughout the narrative, but it also dealt with topics of death, grief, murder, suicide, and what it means to truly live. There were some parts of this book that were pretty heavy but there were some important conversations had that I wasn't expecting to see. We also see themes of found family as well, which I loved. My one criticism of this book is that the ending, for me, was pretty predictable and I saw it coming from a mile away. That's not to say that I didn't like the end, but I would have liked to have been surprised more by it

As with most of Klune's books, it was the characters that made it. They all were super well developed, even the dog, and the relationships between them seemed very genuine. I loved the character arc that Wallace went through and how he realized so many things about what it means to be happy. Hugo was such a wise person for his age and I loved seeing just how big his heart was. Mei and Nelson we so great, and brought in comedic elements and serious elements. And don't get me started on the characters who would visit the tea shop! I could seriously sing the praises of every character forever, and still have more to say.

Overall, this was a really deep and heartfelt story about death, family, and what it means to be alive.

TJ Klune's Under the Whispering Door is lovely, heartfelt, and meaningful. I have to admit I wasn't sure how I would feel about this, as House on the Cerulean Sea is a hard act to follow. Klune did not disappoint. I love the character development and he has a way with making you laugh and tugging at your heartstrings simultaneously. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to @netgalley and @TorBooks for this ARC e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, so I was SO EXCITED to get a chance to read Under the Whispering Door early - thank you! And needless to say, I am NOT disappointed!!! Under the Whispering Door made me feel so many feels, and just perfectly imagined this unique post life experience. I loved it!

I love books where death is almost a character, and we definitely have that here. While some of it felt a bit trite, this book moved me in many ways and I was bawling by the end of it. Fans of Klune's other work are sure to love this too.

Enjoy the characters and the humor between Nelson and Wallace
The setting is just a house and tea garden. I like the fireplace. It seems to be a location in the house used the most.
Chapter 16 after Why? Next paragraph needs a "know"
Alan jumped up and down wavings his warms instead of arms.
The unknown always brought fear. I like this statement.
There are lots of teaching moments with Wallace and Nancy where they are taught acceptance. Nancy is taught she has to accept the fact that her daughter is no longer among the living.
Great story which may help some people think about how they are living and want to change.

I thought after The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune couldn’t get any better and yet he managed to knock it out of the park yet again. But this book is quite different from The House in the Cerulean Sea in that it is sad. Very, very sad. It’s a book about death and grief and growing as a person, even after your life has ended. This is one of Klune’s most personal books, so expect to end the book a teary mess.

Wallace Price is a horrible person. He’s a self-interested lawyer who wants things done in a certain way, and when that fails, he usually fires the first person next to him. So when he finds himself at his own funeral and a Reaper shows up to tell him he’s dead and a ghost, Wallace doesn’t believe her and thinks that if he can just speak to the manager, this whole “being dead thing” can be sorted out. As Wallace is taken to a cute little tea shop, a way station before the afterlife, Wallace meets the shop’s owner, Hugo, and starts to form relationships with the humans and ghosts that live there. Pretty soon, Wallace has other reasons for not wanting to move onto the afterlife, but when a powerful magical being tells him he only has one week left before he must move on, Wallace must learn how to live in just a few days.

Under the Whispering Door could almost be called a queer retelling of A Christmas Carol: we have a horrible, cruel and wealthy man who refuses to help the people around him, a whole cast of quirky humans and non-humans alike who strive to teach him how to be a better person, and a lesson learnt by the end of the novel. A Christmas Carol is one of my favourite books so reading the comparisons between the two was fun — especially adding Klune’s fantastic queer take on it.

One of Klune’s greatest strengths as a writer is writing about really difficult topics but in a sweet, hopeful way — through humour and loveable characters. And in Under the Whispering Door he tackles perhaps the most difficult subject: grief. Losing someone is the worst things to imagine, and in this novel, Klune discusses what it would be like to realise your life has come to an end and you realise you didn’t enjoy a single moment and that you were someone that most people detested. Here, in this book, Klune asks, what if you were to mourn yourself, mourn the person you wish you were? Only in death does Wallace get this second chance, but hopefully you finish this book with a different outlook on life: understanding that you can start to change things in your own life that you might dislike before it becomes too late.

At the heart of this book, though, is a beautiful love story. Wallace and Hugo are two very different people, but with Hugo’s help, Wallace begins to learn how to be a better person — ghost — and they connect in truely lovely ways. But I also admire how Klune spends equal time focusing on other forms of love too: the love between a grandparent and grandchild, between two best friends, and between a human and their dog. It’s wonderful seeing so many different types of love being celebrated.

Under the Whispering Door is a book that many people are going to resonate with. If you’re looking for another comfort read like The House in the Cerulean Sea, you might be a bit disappointed, but this book is unique and original in its own way and deserves to be recognised the same. It will make you cry, laugh, cry and then cry some more.

Wow. This was so amazing. All if the characters were so well developed. It was so sweet and all of the moments of humour and live were perfectly balanced with the stories of grief and death and afterlife. This book was constantly smashing my heart into pieces but it was well worth it in the end

•A R C • B O O K • R E V I E W•
2021 Book #63 out of 80
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UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T.J. KLUNE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars
Publication date: September 21, 2021
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QUICK SYNOPSIS:
Wallace Price appears to be one of the worst people to work with and a horrible husband. When Wallace dies, he is left as a ghost that feels unsatisfied and eager to return to the living world. It isn't until he arrives at Charon's Crossing that he meats the ferryman, Hugo, who helps him on his journey into the beyond.
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T.W.: Death, Suicide, Murder
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STORYLINE & THOUGHTS:
~ Hope. Wholesome. Exceptional.
~ ANNOUNCEMENT: This book goes on my TOP 5 FAVORITES OF 2021! This book had me smiling, laughing, and crying from the very first page to the last. I can't believe this is my first ever read of a T.J. Klune book! I have been missing out for sure. Sorry, T.J.!!
~ I loved the way the story was written so that the reader could experience and see how Wallace navigates through his post-death journey.
~ I thought this book really encapsulated the whole 2020 and 2021 experience with grief and death. Like many, my life has not been the same since. I feel like I'm frequently going through the various steps of grieving. Sometimes the grieving steps feel like they're never going to disappear. This book really helped bring the discussion of death to light.
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Thank you to @netgalley and @TorBooks for this ARC Ebook. All reviews are fair and honest reviews. All opinions are my own.
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#ARC #AdvanceReaderCopy #Netgalley #Bookstagramfeature #Bookstagram #Goodreads #TBR #ToBeRead #InstaBook #readersofinstagram #readersofinsta #bookreview #bookish

A cute and kitschy read. It wasn't particularly plot- or character-driven, so a lot of it felt like characters just talking to each other. I'm sure a lot of readers will enjoy this, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Hi. I’m Lizzie and I love T J Klune (everyone responds hi Lizzie). I may have begged the lovely people at Tor Books for a copy of his newest coming out in September. I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea it is the book I recommend the most. I think everyone should read it. No one should skip it. Move over Linus-Wallace is new in town.

This book y’all. If you are expecting the same magic as Cerulean sea, it isn’t the same. It’s different and it’s just as good. The magic struck again. There is a found family, there is lgbtq themes, there are characters you will fall in love with, take my word. The ugly cry was real. This is spoiler free and in fact it won’t hurt you at all to go in blind. Enjoy it. Live in this world. It’s a good world.

Thank you to the publishers and the author for allowing me the privilege of reading this early. I hope everyone reads this. I hope it makes you feel as good as it made me feel.