was thrilled to dive into this advance review copy, and while it didn't entirely resonate with me, the book's unique concept and jaw-dropping plot twists kept me hooked.

At times, I found myself puzzled by the main character's focus, and the choice of the name "James" for a female protagonist which did throw me off. However, these minor quibbles didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

The narrative follows James Golden, who receives devastating news about her brother's passing and inherits his final, mysterious project. As she delves deeper into the project, she uncovers disturbing clues that challenge her perception of her brother's motives.

This gripping tale took me on a wild rollercoaster ride, keeping me guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of twisty, suspenseful stories, this one's definitely worth checking out.

Overall, I really enjoyed Young's latest work. As always, the writing is beautiful, the story mysterious and engaging. It is definitely an everyone is a suspect, yet doesn't give too much away so you are not left figuring out the mystery before it is time to figure it out, if that makes sense.

I liked the twin relationship/aspect explored.

If you liked Spells for Forgetting, this one is definitely for you!

This story revolves around James and Johnny, twins who share an uncanny connection that transcends ordinary sibling relationships. When tragedy strikes and Johnny is shot, James experiences a visceral sense of loss that pulls her back to the small-town life she left behind.

Returning to her rural hometown is not just about uncovering the truth behind Johnny's death—whether it was a murder or a hunting accident—but also about reigniting a romance with her first love, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the plot. The author deftly weaves together themes of grief, nostalgia, and the struggle for closure, making readers feel every ounce of James's turmoil.

The small-town setting serves as a character in itself, with its close-knit community and secrets lurking beneath the surface. As James reconnects with familiar faces, the tension builds when another girl goes missing.

It is a heart-pounding read that blends mystery with a profound exploration of love and loss. You'll laugh, cry, and hold your breath as James unravels the truth behind Johnny's death and confronts the shadows of her past. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a compelling blend of drama and suspense. Highly recommended!

This was my first Adrienne Young book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the plot was so interesting and I was hooked from the beginning. I think the one thing this book was lacking was the magical realism element that is teased. I understand which parts were meant to be magical realism it just didn't feel very magical. Overall, I really enjoyed this story!

This one was moody, sad, and intriguing in the best ways. The small-town setting and the twin bond between James and Johnny? Heart-wrenching. I really felt James's grief—and something about her knowing his fate before anyone called gave me chills. The mystery of Johnny’s death had me curious, and the story slowly pulled me deeper into secrets and suspense.

That said, the first half felt slow and a bit repetitive, and the supernatural hints (like the psychic bond) didn’t get enough follow-through to feel satisfying. But once the plot kicked into gear and the pieces started unraveling, I was hooked—and the ending twist definitely stuck with me.

In a nutshell: Gorgeously written, emotionally rich, with a mystery that delivers—just be ready for a slow-burn start.

DNF for me. I think it was me though, not the author. The writing was good, but the style was not for me

I was completely swept away by A Sea of Unspoken Things. Adrienne Young’s prose is hauntingly atmospheric—Six Rivers feels alive with fog, redwoods, and secrets. When artist James Golden returns to town after her twin brother Johnny’s tragic death, her grief—brimming with eerie twin-bond intuition—propels her into an emotional, supernatural tinged mystery that kept me rooted to the page.

As James delves into Johnny’s hidden life—his missing camera, a student named Autumn Fischer, and a long-buried tragedy from two decades earlier—the tension ratchets up beautifully. The slow-burn mystery unspools with precision, revealing layers of guilt, love, and unspoken truths that twisted my heart in the best possible way.

Ultimately, what made this novel stick with me was the emotional truth at its core: grief doesn’t fit tidy boxes, and healing can look like returning home—roots and all. James’s journey toward forgiveness, love, and making peace with the past is such a luminous conclusion that I didn’t just finish the book—I carried it with me. A Sea of Unspoken Things is beautifully eerie, heartbreakingly honest, and utterly unforgettable.

This story has a fascinating premise, a mysterious twin connection. Johnny is dead, and his twin, James, is left to finish the research he started. Along the way, James uncovers even more than expected, which kept the book interesting.
It’s definitely a slow burn, and while that suits the atmosphere of the story, I personally wished for a bit more vroom. James was a solid character, easy to follow and well written. Even though Johnny is gone and doesn’t get his own POV, his presence is strongly felt throughout the book, and the way his character unfolds adds some twists by the end.
One of my favorite details was the film development scenes in the darkroom, they added a touch of nostalgia that fit perfectly. The setting itself was uniquely described and gave the story its own personality.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read, a little quiet, thoughtful, and intriguing. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press for the ARC (though my review is a little late).

This was my first Adrienne Young book I have read, she quickly became one of my favorites. Her writing is so descriptive, this book played out like a movie in my head. Transporting me to the empty hallways of the high school or the local diner for coffee, walking through the forest to the gorge. I fell in love with her storytelling and I can't wait to read more.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC read.

Amazing!! It was beautiful and gripping and I couldn’t put it down. This one felt similar to Spells for Forgetting which I absolutely loved and read pretty much in one sitting.

Adrienne Young has a beautiful way with words. She creates worlds that feel magical or super natural and yet very realistic all at the same time. In A Sea of Unspoken Things we meet James, twin to Johnny. James has returned to her hometown of Six Rivers after her brother died in a tragic accident. James is not happy about returning home where all the baggage she left nearly 20 years ago still waits for her. Six Rivers is a town nestled in thick forest and I could feel the presence of the trees all around while I read. Johnny's death has been declared a hunting accident but James is not ready to believe this and she herself goes looking for clues to find out what really happened that day. Along the way she uncovers more truths that could be best left hidden from others, and she must decide whether to share what she has learned. Then there is Micah, the love of her high school life. Is there more to uncover with him? I highlighted a lot of phrases in this book that were related to James' grief over the loss of her brother. There were a couple twists at the end that I didn't see coming, and the ending made me very emotional. So many tears.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ughhhhh!
I so so so wanted to love this.
I think my expectations of what I expected really held me back.
I expected magical realism, and there was none.
So the entire time I was reading, I was just waiting for the magic, and it never happened.
I think if this hadn't been marketed using June Farrow, I would have had different expectations.

Big Adrienne Young fan. I assumed going in that this would be a 4 or 5 star read. I just fell a bit short. I think the first half was a bit slow, dragging on. That what hurt it in my opinion. But then, after that, things started speeding up a lot, and the reveals started coming at a breakneck pace. I'm just waiting anxiously for her next book that i'm sure will redeem her place in my upper stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy to review.

This is an Adrienne Young story so you kind of know what you are in for . . . Spooky setting, tortured romance, grief, and mystery as well as an air of a Hallmark movie. I eat it up every time. The FMC has returned home to discover what kind of life her brother lived and what got him killed. Of course, her first / only love is there which brings up all kinds of feelings. Her books are always enjoyable for me and familiar enough to be comfortable without being too predictable.

I don't know what I was expecting, but this book just wasn't a hit for me. The writer's descriptions were wonderful, but the characters left a lot to be desired. Maybe my expectations were too high after reading The Unmaking of June Farrow.

dnf @32
while i enjoyed the overall mystery of this book, i was extremely bored and the flowery language just took away from the whole reading experience.

I thought the writing was beautiful but unfortunately I didn't find the murder mystery or the characters interesting. Without spoiling anything, some plotlines never got wrapped up or they didn't matter at all. I also thought the "magical realism" part was lacking.

I loved the twin connection. i have twin boys.

➼ Magical Realism
➼ Supernatural Twin Connection
➼ Murder Mystery
➼ Buried Secrets
➼ Small Town
➼ Romance Subplot
➼ Second Chance
➼ Atmospheric
➼ First Person POV

I love everything Adrienne Young and this was no exception. She is a master at setting the scene and making you want to plan your next vacation to the places that inspire her stories.

As the oldest sister I felt connected to the story due to always worrying about my siblings. I loved the story so much. Thank you net galley