Looking for your next cozy found family read? TJ Klune has got your back. Author of books such as Under The Whispering Door, In The Lives Of Puppets, and The Extraordinaires series, TJ Klune knows how to make you feel at home. 

One of his most popular books is New York Times bestselling novel The House In The Cerulean Sea, the story of a government caseworker being sent to investigate an orphanage on a far away island to make sure that it is up to code and that the children are being treated well. This isn’t an ordinary orphanage though, the children who live there are extremely powerful magical children that the world is trying to keep hidden away.

While reading, it was a constant stream of humor, loveable and relatable characters, and learning to love yourself as you are. There was never a dull moment with the fast moving pace and a witty narrator.

The book also has great LGBTQIA+ representation, the narrator being a gay man and there being many other queer characters you meet along the way. 

While there are many LGBTQIA+ characters, it’s not the point of the story. 

The House In The Cerulean Sea does a good job of letting characters exist. Some things I’ve watched and read have shoved a character’s queerness in my face, like ‘look at them, they’re gay, LOOK AT THEM!’ but this book doesn’t do that at all. 

The characters can just exist without their sexuality being constantly brought up and the main focus of the piece. It’s very refreshing. 

But, no book is perfect. I found the ending to be predictable and caught on to the ‘big reveal’ almost immediately.

 However, other people I know who have read the book didn’t have the same issue with the ending and the twist so it depends on the type of reader that you are and how deep you read into things. 

Overall, I would highly recommend The House In The Cerulean Sea if you’re looking for a feel good book that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.