Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for granting an e-arc of this book! I am big fan of TJ Klune’s books and I was so excited for a new release and this one didn’t disappoint I LOVED IT! this gave me 90’s and stranger things vibes which is my fav all time tv show! I loved the found family in this and Art was my fav character she hilarious and the romance in this I loved so much as well please go and pick up this book 5 stars!!

3 stars

I liked it but I didn't love it.
This was a bit more action packed that I expected, but it was enjoyable.
I love romance, yet here it felt a bit forced and the steam... I don't know, but it felt out of place.
Still, this was a fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

“You can fear what you don’t understand, but in the end, you can still be brave. You can still stand up for what is right.”

The Bones Beneath my Skin made me travel in a lot of directions and feelings. The story bounces around several genres and atmospheres and it is for the best. Starting page one, a nostalgic feeling seized me in the best of ways, and it felt like being in several episodes of the X-Files (which was my fav TV show as a teen in the 90s) as a red string for the story. Everything felt “90s” in this book, and it was so good!
Like in any other TJ Klune’s novel, the bigger strength are the characters. While being very different, with their voices, they perfectly complete and balance each other. Nate, the curious but who puts blinkers over his problems and traumas. Alex, the former military always on watch, ready to intervene, his gun within easy reach. And the “little girl” for whom they would both give everything. Incredible little Artemis Darth Vader. She gives us a lesson of poetry, humanity… and weirdness. Her voice is just perfect, and as a ND person it was so easy to identify with her. She’s probably the most human among them all. And that’s the main question of the book. What does it mean to be human? Choices are particularly important in the story, how we have or don’t have a choice, how and why we make choices, the consequences they have (until the ultimate choice in the climax scene, oh, brilliant scene). That was one of my favorites themes in the book, and –IMO– one of the answers about the definition of Humanity. Having a choice. Exercising that choice, following your mind, heart and soul. Doing what you think is fair. Making mistakes, sometimes.
I loved being in Nate’s head, the claustrophobic atmosphere that comes and goes several times in the story, the calm (that trunk scene!), the tension , the people they met (OMG the climax scene! –yes, again). That book will linger a long time with me, and I am so, so glad about that.

Thank you tor/Mc Millan, NetGalley and TJ Klune for the eARC. My opinions are my own.

“We are all made of dust & stars”

What a special story! What a unique premise! At the end of the day, this book is quintessential found family with a good dose of romance between our two MMCs. This is my first read of TJ Klune (having somehow missed the Cerulean Sea wave) and so I have nothing to compare it to. However, the way he has written the love, loyalty, loneliness & heartbreak of each of these characters, as well as their love for and devotion to each other is absolutely masterful.

Nate is a fun character to be in the head of - he’s witty, self-deprecating, funny & on an intense journey after a harrowing incident leaving him hollow. Seeing Alex & Artemis from his POV is wonderful. The pacing of the book was quick, but not so fast that it felt rushed - it had an “action movie” feel to it. All in all a wonderful read.

Thank you to Tor, Klune & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Bones Beneath My Skin prior to its rerelease.

A wonderful story of found family that turns misfits and outsiders into a strong unit that protects each other and are capable of anything. First off, I absolutely love Art! With her knowledge of wild west phrases (due to all the books she read) but still an innocence and ecstatic happiness when finding out new things (like bacon!) and her love for her father, Alex. All of that is not what Nate might have been expecting when he retreated to the cabin left to him, but it was precisely what he needed and what Alex and Artemis need too.

This story would best be described as a cozy action book, an odd combination but it works very nicely. Sweet moments of discovery of each other, humorous situations, while being chased by shadowy government enforcers and finding a safe home make for a story that is hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this heartwarming and wonderful book!

TJ Klune has smashed it out of the water once again.
Now I am not a huge sci-fi fan, but when 1) TJ Klune is the author and 2) it has a character called Artemis Darth Vader consider me intrigued.
Think The Bourne Identity with Aliens.
Klunes incredible writing style, amazing characters and the ability to make my laugh out loud and sob uncontrollably make this book absolutely phenomenal.
Following a grieving Nate as he searched to find a life for himself, and instead gets caught up with Artemis and a man named Alex in the unbelievable adventure imaginable.
With grief, love, joy, sorrow and found family, The Bones Beneath My Skin is a book you won’t be able to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for an unbiased review! Rating:3.5 stars

As someone who had read some of T.J. Klune's work before (the House in the Cerulean Sea), and very much enjoyed it, I was so excited to receive this ARC. The premise of the story is that Nate, our mid-twenties protagonist who is taking a break from the world to recentre himself, finds a strange man and a young girl in his remote cabin. The blurb probably does a better job than me at summarising the story, so I'll stop there and give my thoughts- this was a solid book. The characters had nice depth, and I can definitely see why it was described as being for fans of Stranger Things (same sort of base story). As with the author's other works I have read, the book was more about personal growth and the relationships between people (think heart-warming, emotional etc), than the plot or action scenes, but for me there was a bit too much of this. The Bones Beneath My Skin dragged a little because of the focus on emotions and the characters' feelings, and personally given that I didn't feel too attached to any of the protagonists, this made the book less enjoyable. I would also have loved more sci-fi/ fantasy elements, as a lover of escapist fiction, but I understand that others feel differently.

In all, this was a very solid book, just not quite my personal choice as someone who prefers more action/plot and escapism, but I'm sure that fans of T. J. Klune or heart-warming stories of personal growth and romance will love this. Thank you again to the publisher and Netgalley!

I think this may be my favourite T J Kline book yet. The characters, the emotions, everything about this story captured my heard right from the beginning and I couldn't get enough of Nate, Art and Alex

Wow what a story! An emotional thriller that takes you on a wild journey with some lovely and memorable characters.

This is the most moving book, which sits in its very own genre. The characters are so delightfully written and the story so beautifully told, I will be recommending this to all my listeners.

Title: The Bones beneath my skin
Author: T J Klune
Pages: 416
Rating: 4/5

"a 10-year-old girl with an impossible power, her father, and an unlikely stranger, who come together to confront the dangerous forces that want her at all costs. A strange story of family, love, comets, and bacon"

This wasn't what I was expecting in comparison to the other books I've read by TJ Klune. However, it was such a lovely read of family, love and friendship. The intense intimacy between Alex and Nate and the innocent humour of Art.

As always with Klune's books I found myself smiling all the way through. Gripped with government conspiracies and cults and just loved the weird and wonderful topsy turvy stand alone!

I really enjoyed the setting of the scenes. The broody flashbacks.

Some reviews are saying this isn't a romance, but I beg to differ. It's a slow gentle bloom romance with a very spicy part midway!

I poured over the pages of my kobo and was sad when it came to an end!!

You'll love this book if you like
- romance
- queer fiction
- cosy sci-fi (is that a thing?)
- grumpy x sunshine
- slowburn
- found family

Another great one by Klune. I much preferred this over Puppets. A beautiful story that has me on the Klune train

Are we going on an adventure?

Beautiful. I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did, but I couldn't put it down. I loved Art, Nate and Alex and how they came together. There were some predictable moments, but it didn't take away from the story.

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.

“The Bones Beneath My Skin” by T.J. Klune is a sci-fi thriller with romance.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for a digital review copy. Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Nate returns to his family’s summer cabin after being fired, only to find a man named Alex and a little girl, Artemis, who isn’t what she appears. So that I keep this review spoiler free, I will not say more about the story.

The beginning was a bit slow, but the pace increased after about 30%. There are a few action scenes, twists and adventure. I liked the writing, the characters and the ending.
The romance is subtle and the characters don’t get to know each other well as they are on the run, but they manage to form a connection that lasts.
It is not my favorite book from the author, but it was an enjoyable read.

The Bones Beneath My Skin is a re-release of one of TJ Klune's earlier self-published novels. That said, it still has all the hallmarks for which he is now famous: found family, a message of tolerance, and the capacity to make me sob like a little baby.

In this book, we follow Nate Cartwright who moves to the family cabin he inherited in disgrace after losing his job. There he meets former military Alex and his ward, a little girl who says her name is Artemis Darth Vador. This chance encounter will change his life forever.

I don't want to say too much about the plot, as I feel it is better experienced than described! As we discover the story through the eyes of Nate, the plot slowly builds up as do the emotions.

Here is my favourite quote, which is repeated throughout the novel, and sums it up well: "We're not alike. Not really. We're separated by time and space. And yet, somehow, we're all made of dust and stars."

A recommend read for fans of TJ Klune, Stranger Things, and found family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is quite rightly not like anything I've read before.
The Bones Beneath My Skin blends sci-fi and a fresh take on alien first contact with Klune's signature heartwarming queer found family. As much as the plot was more action/adventure than expected, I still couldn't take my eyes off the page until I finished.

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

Wow this is my first ever Tj klune book and it didn’t disappoint, it’s a sci fi romance book that packs a lot of action but also packs a lot of emotion I absolutely adored all the main characters, to the point I had tears in my eyes, this is a beautiful weird book but I would 100% recommend its masterfully written and opens your eyes to new ways of writing and the world

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