This started out pretty good. It was well written and unlike anything I've listened to before.

About a quarter of the way through, I realised it was very similar to Stranger Things. I found myself wanting to rewatch ST and not very interested in the story I was listening to. Art was quite annoying and the plot was moving very slowly.

I did make it to the end but found the story a bit "twee" and lacking originality. Kirt Graves did a good narration but I didn't like how he narrated Art.

Overall, it's a cute and cosy book, but I don't particular love either of those. I appreciated the LGBT+ rep, but the story wasn't for me.

Thank you to Macmillan UK audio and Netgalley for the ALC.

This was such an unusual story. Very surreal, but immensely enjoyable. The characters are so quirky, Art made me smile every time she spoke. The kindness and patience shown by Alex and Nate was adorable. I really didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I was surprised to find it a gripping read. I just needed to know what what going to happen next. I was invested in these characters, and I wanted them to be ok. The love shared was so moving.
I loved this book. The audio version just made this book even better. Why read when you can be read to.

What to say about this book? I adored Artemis Darth Vader. She's cheeky, clever, meddling, funny, curious, and thoroughly obsessed with bacon (I can relate). I thought her character really made this book. It was interesting to see her discovering more of the world, gaining more of an understanding of humanity, but also revealing her not-human powers. Sometimes it's easy to forget Art isn't simply a sheltered little girl and that this book has a Sci-Fi element. There's a mix of action and adventure in this book to keep us on our toes, and some great and some awful characters along the way. It was also frighteningly believable. Yes, the government would probably do something sinister and appalling if the situation were real. While I did enjoy the story overall, it's actually my least favourite TJ Klune book so far. I couldn't get myself to like Nate, I found him a little bland and whiny, and though I felt like Alex's character had more potential and enjoyed seeing his interactions with Art, but also how he changed with Nate through the story. He has some great character traits, as well as a lot of feelings on the inside, but I wanted his character to be developed a little more. I didn't feel I connected with either him or Nate in the book, which was such a shame and a first for a TJ Klune book but on the flip side, there were scenes with their characters which I did enjoy so it wasn't all like that! Also, the audiobook is a good read, with the narrator giving the different characters their own voices which were easy to distinguish.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to listen and review it if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review, please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media: The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

TJ Klune's writing always hot me on my heart and this book is no different. Another emotive and inspiring piece.

What a gorgeous book this is. Told in classic TJ Klune style, with all the warmth and humour we’ve come to expect from his stories, but this time wrapped in a different shell. A Sci-Fi Adventure with a whole lot of heart. The characters here are whole, and they are complex, and they are utterly loveable. There’s a whole lot to love here, and this is definitely among my favourites of his. Perhaps only beaten by the House in the Cerulean Sea, for which I have a particular fondness, but that aside this is my favourite of his other stories and I think it will have such broad appeal. Everyone should be picking this one up, and it’s one I will recommend widely.

The audiobook was also impeccable. If audio is your chosen medium; or even in the mix, then do give this one a try. The narrator is perfection, and really adds a lot to the experience. I read this audibly in tandem with the physical copy and it was an utter joy from start to finish.

Wow - what a book!

I have read a few TJ Klunes and have always enjoyed them, but I think this might be my new favourite! This book wasn't necessarily what I expected, but I ADORED it. It is equal parts Sci-Fi, Thriller and wholesome with the lovable characters I have come to expect from this author. I laughed and cried (multiple times each) and it really made me think.

The audiobook itself is incredibly done. I was captivated throughout, and the voices - 10/10. One of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to.

Thanks to Macmillan UK Audio, TJ Klune and NetGalley for the free e-audio book. All opinions are my own.

This was another hit from Klune. Alex was everything you wanted throughout the story. i was swept away with this one as usual and adored every moment.

Absolutely loved the writing, story, characters, narrator and the lil hidden Easter egg <3

Thanks to the publisher for the eAlc through NetGalley.

5 glorious rashers of bacon

Another wonderful book by TJ Klune. Nate,in an attempt to sort out his life , goes to the remote cabin which he has inherited from his estranged parents where he meets an extraordinary little girl and a man named Alex who are hiding in the cabin. However everything is not as it seems and we are taken on a rollercoaster ride of a journey across America as secrets and stories are discovered as the group tries to escape from those who are tracking them down No more spoilers! This genre of science fiction is not my usual read but the compassion and love that TJ Klune writes into his books had me hooked. I will remember Artemis Darth Vader and her quirky view on humanity and the world we live in for a long time. . I was also lucky enough to be able to listen to the audio of this novel and the narrator does what can only be said to be a fabulous job and this added yet another dimension to this marvellous book. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

Incredible narrator on the audiobook, for another T.J. klune heartwarming, high stakes and an emotional LGBT story.

I 1000% recommend the audiobook for this book, the narrator does a terrific job of voicing a cast of characters and perfectly embodies a unique personality and tone.

We follow a trio of characters, each character is well crafted with unique backgrounds, personality and motives.
Nate finds himself inheriting a cabin and a truck, with his truck he takes an adventure to some time in his newly acquired cabin, and whilst at this cabin some strange people find themselves entering Nate’s life- changing everything he ever knew.

The plot is well crafted with a story filled with heart pounding stakes, mysteries and a slow burn romance.

Reading about the relationships between these character grow from stranger to family is a heartwarming experience to read.

I think going into this book blind is best but what I can compare it to is the plot has sci-fi elements that are reminiscent of earlier stranger things.

Some parts in the middle/ earlier beginning started to feel a little slow but picked up again shortly.

4.5 ⭐

I really enjoyed this book but you can definitely tell this is Klune's earlier work. There is some repetitive language within the story which can be a tiny bit annoying "Nate didn't know what to say to/do with that" - that being said the story still has the usual heartwarming magicality to it 🥰

The first section does start a little slower but once you settle in the story just washes over you like a warm glow.

Artemis Darth Vader is my favourite of all of Klune's characters I think I've read so far. She reminds me a little of my youngest Raffael 🥰

There are some profound thoughts/statements as with all of Klune's writings and things that make you reassess your own thinking on matters, which I think is the sign of a great book!

This is a beautiful story of found family and one that has found a place in my heart ❤️

The narrator was great - I find a narrator makes or breaks a book for me and so is always really important. This narrator was great in differentiating characters enough for me without being too over the top.

I'd recommend this book to a "Stranger Things" fan. The tone and setup of the story have a lot in common. The novel covers themes such as found family, healing from loss, and the importance of human connection. It takes a lot until the story reaches that "discovery phase" aka the actual plot of the book (around 30-35%).

It was a very beautiful book. We return to the reflections on what it means to be human, love and family, but now from a perspective that is more science fiction than fantasy.
I really enjoyed the setting of the book, the reflections on feelings and of course, as always, the trope of the found family that this author's books always bring us. Heartwarming and sweet.
I really enjoyed the narrator too!

Nathaniel Cartwright has his truck and his cabin. His parents are dead, his brother wants nothing to do with him and he’s left his career in disgrace. Heading to the cabin, he plans to take some time to recover, reflect and plan his next steps. But when he gets there, there is a stranger man, and an even stranger girl…….

To say much more about this book would be to give things away.

This is quite a slow burn, or so I found. It took a little while to hook me. Once things started moving a little more, I became more invested in the story and characters.

I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated really well. The dialogue was generally good but I found the repetition of “Nate didn’t know what to say to that”, “Nate didn’t know what to do with that” a little jarring, though this may have been more evident in the audio than it would have been on the page.

This was my second book by the author and whilst I enjoyed it, I didn’t find it as charming as the previous read. I was quite moved by the end of though, as we’d really been through a journey with the characters by the end.

I really loved this book. As always with TJ Klune it was the characters that really drew me into this book and I loved the dynamic between the 3 leads and how it developed throughout. As they grew to love each other more I was loving their relationships more and more. I found myself laughing and crying at various points as Art was navigating her way through the world. I will definitely recommend this book to others.

I also really enjoyed listening to the audiobook for this. Big fan of the narrator.

This novel is a blend of heart-breaking and heart-warming unique to TJ Klunes books. It’s an action-filled thriller that is engaging and hard to put down. It will make you laugh and cry, possibly at the same time.

If you’re a fan of The House in the Cerulean Sea, there’s a chance you will love this novel as well. It’s more action-packed but has a remarkable child and found family trope at its centre. Artemis Darth Vader, or Art, looks at the world from a unique perspective, and many of her observations are hilarious or frank but also refreshing. The plot explores themes of love, friendship, and what it means to be human.

I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys found family trope.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan UK Audio | Tor and TJ Klune for the audio Arc of The Bones Beneath My Skin .
Narrated by Kirt Graves.

I love TJ Klune's books and I enjoy his writing style. He has a way of being poetic about life, love and the connections that we need for us to thrive in life. The Bones Beneath My Skin, has this and more. Our MC's Nate, Alex and Artemis felt real, flawed. At the beginning, they are closed books, but by the end, they are wide open. I loved the dynamics between them all, their personal journeys as well as the adventure they have been thrown into. Its has everything and its guaranteed to be an emotional ride.

5 stars

I initially started this as an audiobook, but I had to switch to an ebook at around 20%. This was mainly because I felt like I couldn’t connect with the narrator’s voices and the 45 minute chapters felt more like a chore to complete, even listening to them on 2x speed. I started to like it more after the 40% mark, but I feel like the beginning section could’ve been a bit shorter. My favourite part was in the middle where the action scenes felt like something from a movie. The ending seemed quite cliché and too easy for me. I also didn’t feel like I had that much connection to Alex and Art throughout the story so I was a bit surprised that I got a bit emotional near the end of the book

Overall, I think this book is 3.5 stars for me. As much as I enjoyed the middle part between 50% and 85%, I don’t think it’s enough to balance out how I struggled through the first 50%. That being said, this was the first book I have read by T.J. Klune and I’m looking forward to reading more by him in the future.

Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with an audio arc. My review is left voluntarily and all thoughts expressed are my own.

T J Klune is one of my favorite authors. This book will not be one of my favorites of his, yet that doesnt mean that it was bad. the book has this "wierd" Klune charme that i appreciate and Kirt Graves does a marvellous job in bringing the characters and the story to live.