I really enjoyed this. Plot wise, I wasn't completely blown away, though I did like it. But what Klune has done exceptionally well, as usual, is create absolutely fantastic characters. Artemis was nothing short of brilliant - I laughed at her dialogue with Nate and Alex on multiple occasions. I also loved the budding relationship between Nate and Alex. I could definitely see it coming but was so glad when they finally gave in to each other.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I’ve not read much sci-fi before, but I read one of TJ Klune’s other books last year and LOVED it so I was drawn in!

The story is set in 1995 and follows Nate, a man in his late 20’s who after a series of events has retreated to a cabin left to him by his parents… where he finds a man called Alex and a little girl called Artemis Darth Vader (name choice - impeccable).

This was a slow paced read for me but thoroughly enjoyable throughout. I especially loved Art’s insights (and adoration of bacon!)

To me, this felt like a cross between The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery and The Host by Stephanie Meyer, but with a bit of that TJ Klune magic sprinkled in.

Some lovely memorable quotes in here which I will be adding to my reading journal (may update here post-release date) about the beauty of being human.

I would absolutely read this book again!

After losing his job and grieving the death of his parents, Nate decides to visit his family’s lakeside cabin for some peace and a much needed reset. But when he arrives, the cabin is not empty and he finds a strange, impossible young girl, Artemis, and her fierce gun-weirding protector, Alex. Nate soon learns that Artemis is not what she seems and the government will stop at nothing to get her back under their control. Now Nate finds himself on the run with this unlikely but endearing pair, united by their determination to save Artemis…and he might just save himself in the process.
✨
T.J.Klune’s books are always so strange and unique, and this one didn’t disappoint. It definitely has some dark elements, but the found family vibes were really cosy and the characters were loveable. There is a sub-plot romance between Nate and Alex (and one spicy scene) but this is definitely not the focus of the book. The plot was fast moving but easy to follow and kept me hooked throughout. I thought it was really interesting how it has the theme of conspiracy theorists throughout and how some actually hit the mark whilst others were deemed crazy. Overall, I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend to fans of the genre.
✨
Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Diverse Rep: gay MC, bi MC, mlm romance
Content warnings: homophobia, slurs, grief, suicide

I went into this audiobook blind and was not disappointed.

This was my first foray into TJ Klune and won’t be my last.

Sci-fi, sort of thrillery, found family, romance…

The narrator does a fabulous job.

I love Art she is a whole vibe and constantly had me laughing out loud.

I even shed a wee tear at the end

Wholesome 🖤

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy (approved after I preordered the special edition hehehe)

Overall the story was pretty nice. I love the parental love they have for Art, and she is just so sweet!
In my opinion the last few chapters are unnecessary though. It would have been better to end it right after the tunnel.

I'd imagine this one will be a hit with fans of TJ Klune who enjoyed the found family of The House in the Cerulean Sea. The audiobook narration was very well done.

Thank you for my copy of this audiobook. While I did enjoy it - the narrator was excellent - it isn’t one of my favourite by TJ Klune. I enjoyed the suspense, I somewhat enjoyed the characters, although, again are not as memorable as others from previous Klune books. I would recommend it, particularly the audiobook, as the narrator was very engaging. I would say it’s a sold 3 stars.

4.5 stars

Headlines:
Stockholm sweetness
Wholesome weirdness
ET phone home

What a ball of gorgeousness this book turned out to be, while placing me in full-on tension in the latter half of the story. Klune did a lot with this sci-fi plot, taking us on a tour of hostage situations, cult crazies and the most adorable person shining through the whole thing in Art.

I like how this author presents flawed characters and finds them an authentic space to be who they are without redeeming their messes in the past. Nate was such an endearing character from the start. This guy had not known love and nuture in his past but he sure could show those facets of himself to the two other MCs of this novel, Alex and Art. Alex was all hard edges and protective guarding and Art wasn't just likeable immediately, she was loveable.

Art's dialogue was something to behold. Her obsession with 'western' veranacular, straight talking without tact and the ability to trust and love was the core of this story. This was a weird plot on the one hand but tangible to things society is fascinated about in terms of other beings from galaxies far away. You don't have to believe in extraterrestrials to be down with this book, this was as much about connection and love as it was about the plot.

In some ways this story got super weird towards the end but I was there for every page and devoured this book in a day. It was captivating, beautiful and quintessentially found-family Klune.

Oh and a nod to the drive through Green Creek :)

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review. I am always amazed by TJ Klune and this new story has to be one of the best books I’ve ever read. An amazing magical masterpiece that had me hooked straight away. The characters Alex, Nate and Art were written so beautifully and I fell in love with them early on. It’s difficult to review this book without any spoilers so I will just say that you have to read it! I laughed and cried and absolutely sobbed my heart out at the end. A beautifully written story that I will remember for a long time. 5 stars

This book was exceptional - a new favourite - such a unique beautiful story with so many poignant messages.

Book review: The Bones Beneath my Skin by T.J. Klune⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you could pick any name, what would it be?
Artemis Darth Vader is the most precious alien space princess alive. Eleven from Stranger Things meets E.T!
TJ Klune made me care about robots, ghosts, the anichrist and now an alien.🙌
Just like every other TJ Klune story at the heart this novel is a found family. However, in this one the military gets involved and our precious family is not safe due to it being a crazy government project from "the mountain".
We have a budding queer romance and a crazy alien cult. This book has truly everything and honestly the banter and dialogue with Artemis Darth Vader is to die for.💕
This precious book is coming out next week February 6, please pick it up if you love a cosy read with high stakes!

Thanks to the Author, Pan Macmillan Tor and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC.

T.J. Klune has an incredible talent for taking dark, weighty topics and presenting them in a lighthearted yet never dismissive way. It’s a delicate balance, but Klune handles it with grace, ensuring the story's emotional depth is never overshadowed by its humour or charm.

At first glance, the plot may feel familiar, especially to fans of Stranger Things. The story follows Nathaniel, a man struggling to piece his life together after a series of personal failures. His world is turned upside down when he meets a mysterious young girl named Artemis and her fiercely protective guardian, Alex. The trio embarks on a road trip, fleeing from sinister forces determined to capture Artemis and exploit her unusual abilities.

While the premise and some narrative beats echo elements of Stranger Things, Klune’s distinct voice and emotional depth make The Bones Beneath My Skin a unique and unforgettable experience. The bond between the characters, particularly the tender yet complex relationship between Nathaniel, Alex, and Artemis, is beautifully written and deeply moving.
The tone of the book is another standout feature. The first half carries a surprisingly light and whimsical feel, even as danger looms. But as the story progresses, the back half takes a sharp, dramatic turn into much darker territory. It’s a shift that feels natural and impactful, pulling the reader deeper into the emotional core of the narrative.

One of the most memorable lines perfectly encapsulates the book’s blend of wonder and heartbreak: “And strangely, somehow he was okay with it. He was okay with all of it. He’d been lonely. He’d been sad . But he’d found a purpose . He’d found a reason. Two, in fact. If he died right here, right now, there was a very real possibility that he’d done something good. That his life had mattered. That he’d loved and been loved in return.”

The audio production on the ALC was excellent and the ARC also had excellent font choices and chapter graphics. The upgraded cover art (by Chris Sickels) is always a joy on the Author's books.
For readers familiar with earlier self-published versions of the book, the updated author notes provide an intriguing insight into Klune’s journey as a writer. They shed light on the struggles of self-publishing and the hard-earned lessons he’s gathered along the way. These reflections give a new appreciation for the challenges of bringing a book to life and highlight the author’s gratitude for the process.

Overall, The Bones Beneath My Skin is a compelling read that blends heart, humour, and darkness in a way only T.J. Klune can. It’s a testament to his growth as a storyteller and a reminder of the unique perspectives he brings to the genre. Fans of heartfelt sci-fi with a touch of the strange and poignant will find plenty to love here.

#TheBonesBeneathMySkin #NetGalley

DNF at 16%. I tried this from 24/01/25 to 27/01/25. I requested this arc because I wanted to try this author’s work but this is just fine and I cannot be bothered to finish it. It seems promising at times but I am becoming annoyed by Art and I’m just not feeling this at all. I also didn’t realise this was a re release.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is my first 5 star book of the year, and I loved it so much! The characters were fantastic, and I kept smiling while reading. It was both cute and emotional. I definitely didn’t expect to cry at the end, but here we are. T.J. Klune's writing is amazing; he creates very unique characters, and the found family aspect of his books always feels so cozy. Apart from the story, the narrator was phenomenal. Each character had a distinctive voice. Artemis, Alex, and Nate will stay with me forever, and I know I will reread this book in the future. I highly recommend it if you enjoy wholesome sci-fi or are looking for an incredible found family story featuring an alien and a crazy cult. Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan UK Audio for an audio arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5-4⭐️. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher of the audiobook for an arc of this book.

I was so excited to listen to this audiobook, having absolutely loved The House on the Cerulean Sea and much of the same charm of that novel is also present here.

Klune is incredibly talented at creating characters that are lovable and idiosyncratic. They are also usually damaged and this is true of Alex, Nate and Artemis Darth Vader.

After a family tragedy, Nate retreats to the remote cabin that he has inherited. He wants nothing more than to be alone and lick his wounds and ponder on how his life has gone so horribly wrong.

It’s a Klune book and so you know that an introverted outsider is never going to be left to his own devices. Sure enough, it isn’t long before Nate realises that he isn’t alone and that the cabin isn’t empty. Before he knows it, Nate is on a journey that will change his life forever, forging bonds with found family and finding love along the way.

There’s lots to like but I think that the book was much longer than the plot demanded and I did find myself getting bored in parts. I’m also not a great fan of sex scenes in books - especially audiobooks that I’m listening to on a speaker because it had all been pretty tame until then 🙈!

Final shoutout to the narrator who did a great job.

This was everything I needed it to be!!!

If you read this blurb and think “sci-fi isn’t for me”, read it anyway! TJ Klune’s books are notoriously cosy and wholesome and The Bones Beneath My Skin lives up to that.

Blended in with the cosiness you’ll find a girl named Artemis Darth Vader, as her name suggests, she brings a lil bit of humour and quirk to the book that makes it the perfect read.

The Bones Beneath My Skin will make you believe in humanity again.

I’m a relatively newbie to TJ Klune having only read/listened to a handful of his books in the last 12 months, all of which I have absolutely adored, and he is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Superb writing which encompasses suspense, romance, love, heartwarming and reminds us that falling in love and being part of a family isn’t all about where or who we are born into, which makes this book so special.

Kirt Graves narrates this book beautifully, he really makes the story and characters pop and come to life with feeling, an excellent listen.

Nate travels to his family cabin, that he has inherited from his parents, but when he finds a man and little girl already living there, a lot of questions need to be answered. 

But the child and man are mysterious and soon Nate will find himself in danger.

Caught in a life he never expected he will find a way to repair his heart and love a family that he chooses. 

This novel has a narrative that you won't see coming. I love the characters, who were all unique and heartbreaking in their own individual way.

Klune's writing is captivating and easy to follow. This is definitely an author that I can read again and again.

Another Klune story that just got me in the feels. I wasn’t sure how this book was gonna go for me, on the one hand i’m not really into sci fi thrillers but I just had a feeling this was going to be more sweet than scary and i’m so glad I was right. It was found family done wonderfully with a lot of focus on love and what it means to be family. I love the 3 main characters especially Art and her really unique way of viewing the world, it seemed so innocent and refreshing. It did get tense throughout aswell which kept it exciting but still having that cozyish feel to it

TJ Klune can always be relied on to write a compelling, emotionally engaging romantasy novel, and this is no exception. 'The Bones Beneath My Skin' has as its viewpoint character Nate, a recently bereaved and unemployed journalist. He travels to his remote cabin in the Oregon mountains, hoping for solitude, but finds it occupied by a man and child. Alex and Artemis are fugitives, unwilling to explain what they are running from or why. Despite himself, Nate begins to sympathise with and like the strange pair. But the people hunting them are closing in, and the truth of their flight is stranger than Nate could possibly have imagined.

There's a lot that's good about the book, but a few flaws as well. As with all Klune's novels (and indeed, any romance/romantasy story), the fact it is set around a budding romance means you always know roughly the shape the story is going to take. That can be comforting, but also stifles originality even when the specific circumstances around the love story are quite different from one book to another. Neither Nate nor Alex were characters I particularly liked, meaning I was less invested in their stories and potential love than I would have been otherwise. There are a couple of strong supporting characters, but they were dropped before the book was halfway through, which was a shame. Artemis was the best character, and certainly the funniest. Klune is a brilliant comic writer when he isn't being overly earnest, which is most apparent in 'In the Lives of Puppets' with the nurse-robot character. Artemis has flashes of that, although she's not in the same league.

Plot wise, it's gripping and exciting, again as I'd expect from Klune. It's also not got the edge of melodrama that some of his books slid into, which is a good thing. However there were a few plot holes/inconsistencies/things that just didn't ring true which bothered me. I can't describe them as it would give too many spoilers, but they did annoy me and make the story less believable. I have no problem with the supernatural elements, which he does well, and in a fantasy story it's strange to say the implausible bits were nothing to do with those that were clearly made-up.

If you enjoy fantasy/romantasy, this is a good book and well worth reading. It's not outstanding and there are a few issues, so I wouldn't recommend it to people who only dip into the genre occasionally (the quality of the alternatives is just too high in this area). It works well as an audiobook, and the narrator reads it well and at a good pace.