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Under the Whispering Door - TJ Klune

5/5 ⭐💜 

Possible Spoilers - Read with care

Whatever I expected before picking this one up was thrown out the window and obliterated. I had known that TJ Klune was a popular and well-written author. I knew that this book was going to be good. I just didn't realize how good it would be.

There is something reassuring about his writing that doesn't drag you down into it or anything like that. Rather it welcomes you in, offers you something comforting, and invites you to stay. And that is an invitation you can't turn down. Because you don't want to.

You want to sit and stay and feel every emotion and feeling he writes, the happy and the sad. Because it feels genuine. This is a story that talks about death at length and at points in vivid detail. It walks you through the five stages of grief in such a way that you almost forget that it is essential to the story. Not that it becomes insignificant, rather it happens so fluidly and naturally. It's never choppy or overly in your face. You are gently guided through each phase. You feel the characters, anger, and depression just as much as their joy and happiness.

Getting to read Wallace's journey through these stages and watching his character grow and change was beautiful. There is no other word for it. You can't help but to root for him and want things to change for him. Especially with Hugo standing by his side. What a loveable (and cute) character. Their budding relationship was also the most adorable. And it never felt like it was overshadowing the main storyline. I don't know how, but Klune was able to perfectly balance the romance aspect with the death aspect and not make it seem like a doomed relationship.

Klune managed to create a cast of characters so amazing, so adorable and funny and charismatic I just wanted to meet them. To talk with them. To high five Nelson, who is probably my favorite.

When I finished this book, all I could think about doing was giving it a hug. I was tearing up and yes, I did start to cry at least twice while reading it. But I wanted to hug it and give even just a smidge of the comfort it gave to me back.

9/21/21

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site.

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