I was enjoying this a good bit until the last couple of chapters tanked it. The small-town atmosphere worked for me (though it felt like Young couldn't decide if said town was supposed to be creepy or wholesome) and trying to piece together what happened was interesting. I had guessed the "who dun it" part fairly early on but seeing all the pieces come together worked well.

And then those last two chapters hit. Oof. There's suddenly a huge retconning of Johnny's character--from a huge asshole to a guy who just had "a wild heart." Which, no. Just because he DIDN'T start a sexual relationship with a teenage girl doesn't suddenly make him a good guy. He was a poacher. He was the type of guy who his sister LITERALLY said would turn up at a charity event, get blasted, insult everyone, and get thrown out. He KILLED SOMEONE AND COVERED IT UP. These are not the makings of a good person.

And then there was the ending for James, who abruptly decided that cities and everyone in them are "soulless" and the only way to be truly happy is to move back to your middle-of-nowhere small town that doesn't even have INTERNET and become immediately impregnated by your high school sweetheart (even though she had evinced NO desire for any of that at ANY point in the book). If this had been built up as something James was considering/longing for throughout the story it could have worked (though I wouldn't have loved it) but as it was, it just came out of nowhere.

A Sea of Unspoken Things:⁣
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Thank you @prhaudio #PRHAudioPartner @delacortepress for my gifted copies.⁣
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“Maybe we were made in the dark, like Johnny said, but we’d found a way to create our own kind of light.”⁣
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ASOUT was eloquently gritty. I thought it was going to be a bit more like Spells for Forgetting, but it was a bit darker, and I loved it. I don’t know, it kind of brought me back to Sky & Sea type grit, and I welcomed it with open arms. ⁣
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Our characters are messy, flawed. James loving with regret of not really knowing her brother as well in the past years before his death. She also is torn, she’s “the one” that got to leave, but did she miss out on not staying? There’s a bit of a mystery of what happened to Johnny. The onion layers are peeled back and it’s a haunting beautiful reveal. ⁣
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Christine Lakin is the audio reader. She gave this haunting approach to really feel Johnny’s presence like James did. I started this on my way to work, and I finished around 11pm that night. There will never be an Adrienne Young book I will not give a chance, and her adult magical realism books are really getting me in my feels these years. Another hit. Out now.⁣
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QOTD: If you could disappear for a bit, where would you go? Fiji? Your bedroom?

In A Sea of Unspoken Things, James returns home to Six Rivers, an isolated logging town, in order to settle her twin brother’s affairs after his accidental death in the woods. She hasn’t been home in years, and not only is she having to face long buried emotions and secrets from her own past, she is starting to realize she may not have known her brother, Johnny, as well as she thought she did. Worse, she has a sinking feeling - an intuition - that his death wasn’t accidental. As James investigates Johnny’s death, she connects with faces old and new, as she tries to uncover the truth of what happened, and who Johnny really is.

While this novel is a short and engaging read, it has a slower pace. It has an intricate plot that slowly unravels, and there’s a lot of atmospheric writing and attention paid to the setting. You’ll enjoy this if you like books that take place in the sort of classic archetypal small rural towns. This novel also features some very minor elements of the supernatural, but they don’t feature prominently. Some themes include interconnectedness with one another and nature, familial relationships, returning home, grief and loss, and family secrets.

My personal favorite aspects of the books were the strong sense of place and the plot. I was especially entertained by the plot as the book got rolling, and I was drawn in by trying to solve the mystery of what happened (and the twists and turns that popped up along the way). I will say, there were a few times where I felt like the dialogue, small town elements, and romantic subplot got a bit corny and clichéd. But, the plot overshadows all of that, and I think the romantic subplot isn’t the main attraction anyway.

This is my second Adrienne Young novel. My first was The Unmaking of June Farrow. Both had intricate plots, so I think that is definitely a talent of hers. So far this book is my favorite of hers, and I look forward to trying more in the future. I would recommend to any readers who enjoy slow burning suspense novels with intricate plots, especially with small town settings and/or atmospheric settings.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine for providing an eARC to review!*

Adrienne Young continually writes some of my favorite books and A Sea of Unspoken Things continued the trend. An eerie, atmospheric mystery is my favorite type of thriller and this absolutely nailed it.

The story revolved around James going back to her hometown to investigate her twin brother’s mysterious death and in turn is forced to face all of the secrets she fled from.

A Sea of Unspoken Things really kept me on my toes. I was very shocked by the twists, the pacing was great, the secrets were revealed excellently. There were chapters that gave me literal goosebumps.

The biggest reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because of how similar it was to Spells for Forgetting and ultimately I liked SFF more. I also wish there was a little more romance between the two characters. I live for a second chance romance and wish it would have been fleshed out a little bit more (but really this is such a personal reason and the romance aspect did not take away from the plot at all).

Adrienne Young continues to wow with this book. She truly has such a mastery of language and storytelling that never fails to impress.

I appreciate that this novel, like The Unmaking of June Farrow, brings magical elements into realistic themes and weaves the two seamlessly, creating an entirely unique world. The atmosphere is so incredibly immersive that you’ll get lost in it, only to come up for air when the last page has been turned.

Past and present come together to form a stunning tale of family, grief, and the claustrophobic and distrusting nature of small towns. It begs the question: how far are we willing to go to protect the ones we love, and at what detriment to ourselves?

The mystery in this story is perfect for me, as someone who typically avoids the mystery/thriller genre, because not only is it a search for the truth, but it is about self-discovery, facing and overcoming the past, and being brave enough to love, too.

Thank you, netgalley and Random House for this arc. All opinions are my own.

i was so excited for this book after reading the unmaking of june farrow (which was one of my favourite books of last year) and then reading spells for forgetting. and after reading this book, i don’t think i’ll ever read an adrienne young book that i don’t like! exploring the connect that james and johnny had added depth to the layers of mystery in this book. james protected her brother from so many things, and now that he’s gone, she is learning who he was without her, all while feeling a deep connection to him even in his death. the story had so many twists that i truly did not predict. not a single one of my theories on where the story would go were true. i actually really missed the mark.

the story started a little slow for me, but once you start to peel back the layers of history that james has in her hometown, it really picks up. and because i love a good love story too, the romance in this story does take a backseat to the rest of the story, but in a lot of ways it plays a pretty big part in the overall story. because at it’s core this story was about a girl who loved her brother and a guy who loved his friend like a brother

the magical realism throughout this book is such a staple of adrienne’s writing and is truly something that i love about her story telling.

Adrienne Young is my god tier author. She could write her grocery list and publish it and I would purchase it. This book was truly an incredible book. Up until the 86% mark, I had no clue what was going to come next. The beauty about Adrienne’s writing is that she leaves breadcrumbs for you to follow, you just might not pick up on them until the end. I always love that little bit of magic that she weaves into her stories. The other thing that astounds me about Adrienne‘s writing is she writes second chance romance so well, but it’s almost a sub plot and all of her books that it’s a bonus you get that story in addition to the main story.

Most amazing quote from the book
“You were right you know”
“About what?”
“That we could fill an ocean with the things we never said”

This book was a good read. I went into this book blind and in hindsight, I probably should have read the summary. For the longest time, I was expecting or waiting for the characters to go to the ocean lol.

Adrienne Young truly has a special talent of transporting you into the story and being totally immersed in the setting, and this one is no different. Six Rivers is so vivid - it feels like a real place that you could drive to on vacation if you’re wanting to spend some time in a remote town in the Redwoods.

I also thought the relationship between James and Johnny was really well done. Trying to navigate through grief while looking for answers and remembering the good and bad parts of a person - that all felt very real and a true depiction of grief.

For me, this started out slower than I wanted or was expecting it to. I think it really started picking up for me at 50% and was totally gripping by 70%. I also wasn’t totally sold on the romantic element in this book. The relationship felt very surface level, which was a bit of a contrast to what the whole premise of the story is.

Overall I enjoyed this one. I will always be curious and anxious to read whatever Adrienne Young puts out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)

Adrienne Young's A Sea of Unspoken Things is a spellbinding blend of thriller, mystery, and rekindled romance that kept me gripped from the very first page. The novel centers around James, who returns to her small hometown of Six Rivers after the death of her twin brother, Johnny, in what was initially thought to be a tragic hunting accident. But as James digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding Johnny's death, a web of secrets starts to unravel, and she begins to suspect that his death was no accident at all.

The dynamic between James and Johnny’s past — their strained relationship due to an unresolved tragedy — is beautifully portrayed. Young perfectly balances the emotional weight of grief, the guilt of unspoken words, and the tension of unresolved family history. James, as a protagonist, is incredibly compelling; she’s driven, intelligent, and deeply conflicted about returning to a place that holds so many painful memories. At the same time, the reader feels her pull toward her hometown, the characters she left behind, and the haunting questions about what really happened to Johnny.

One of the book's strengths is its atmospheric setting. Six Rivers feels almost like another character in the story — a small town where everyone knows each other's business, but secrets run deep. The town's charm and tight-knit, sometimes suffocating community add layers of intrigue and suspense to the mystery. Young’s description of the landscape and local characters gives the story an immersive quality, making it easy to lose yourself in the world she’s created. The town’s blend of small-town warmth and hidden darkness is a perfect backdrop for the unraveling mystery at the story's heart.

As James works to uncover the truth about Johnny’s death, the book also delicately explores themes of love, guilt, and forgiveness. The mystery itself is tightly plotted and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The way Young crafts the slow reveal of Johnny's death is masterful, and the final twists are both shocking and satisfying. The resolution ties everything together in a way that feels natural and impactful, without ever feeling forced or contrived.

If I had to offer a critique, it would be that the pacing, while generally strong, slows down a little in the middle. There are moments where the tension could have been heightened a bit more, but this is a minor quibble in an otherwise tightly written narrative.

Overall, A Sea of Unspoken Things is a deeply emotional and suspenseful read that blends mystery, romance, and small-town intrigue in a way that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. Adrienne Young’s ability to balance these elements is impressive, and the book’s emotional depth makes it more than just a typical thriller. I highly recommend this to fans of atmospheric mysteries with a touch of romance and a lot of heart.

Definitely one of my top reads of the year and its only January 6th!

an immersive setting and interesting mystery!

A great story with a really gripping start! The PNW setting made this Oregon girl feel right at home. I loved Young’s ability to make you feel like you were there trying to solve the mystery with your main character. I wouldn’t fully call this a thriller, mostly due to pacing, it leans more towards being a family drama. Loved the eerie setting and owl motif. Hauntingly beautiful discussion of losing a loved one and how complex relationships are. Definitely worth the read, just be prepared for it to be more setting and description driven vs plot driven in the middle!

Be careful entering if you’re dealing with loss.

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Random House for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC!

I read The Unmaking of June Farrow last year and immediately fell in love with Adrienne Young's writing, so I was SUPER EXCITED to read this! A Sea of Unspoken Things does not disappoint! Young continues to wow with her ability to write atmospheric, emotional, thoughtful, engaging stories.

This story follows James Golden, who escaped the small town of Six Rivers, CA to chase her dreams of being an artist, and leave her demons in the past. Now, twenty years later she is back to settle her brother's affairs following his unexpected accidental death. James, who suspects there's more to the story, begins to unravel the threads of Johnny's last days and discovers she didn't know her twin as well as she thought. As James reckons with her and Johnny's past, she begins to heal from the things she thought were better left unsaid.

Some notes: The characters felt a little bit less developed here (I still barely understand where James and Johnny's dad went? We know very little about their childhood yet it was clearly so important. I wish I understood Johnny's background better). It was a little slow at the beginning, and the chapter and scene cuts felt jarring (would be aided by timeline chapter subheadings). If you don't like miscommunication or angsty characters, you will probably be pretty frustrated by this book, but since it's a mystery-esque novel, I think that's just part of the genre. There was a lot of exposition that got repetitive... I wish some of that space had been used for more self-reflection on James's part about her trauma and relationships with Micah, Johnny, Sadie, and Olivia.

HOWEVER. I still felt captivated by the story and was interested to see where it went, particularly because of the magical realism that Young always does so well. Her ability to immerse you in a foggy, dreamlike world and portray the idiosyncracies of characters is amazing. Even if the book isn't my favorite, it's a great read and I highly recommend it! I thought the development and resolution of the plot kept me guessing and was really thoughtful and well done.

This was not the book for me /: I love Adrienne! I think she writes beautiful stories with compelling characters…but this one fell so flat for me. I was looking forward to a story following a strong fmc healing from her brother’s death with touches of magical realism. Instead it seemed like a hallmark style thriller with no plot twists…no depth…and no magical realism??? Also the cover makes you think an ocean or large body of water will be involved (there is no water to be found)…I know it’s a metaphor for something “bigger” but cmonnnn I wanted angsty small town sea style magic! I’m just disappointed.

Interesting tale of twins and their connection even during death. The author does a good job with the mystery and not making anything obvious. It was easy to get invested in Micah and her relationship. Some surprising reveals even after you think it is over. Nice change of pace from her recent fantasy novels.

Adrienne Young's ability to transport the reader to a time and place is masterful. Her worlds are immersive, atmospheric, enchanting, and lush. Her settings become characters. The small mountain town of Six Rivers has not left me since reading A Sea of Unspoken Things.

James and Johnny Golden were made for the dark, born to thrive in the forest shadows, until James flees their small mountain town, leaving her first love (Micah) and her beloved twin behind. Twenty years later, tragedy strikes, and James must return to the forest to bury her brother. James' feels Johnny everywhere. Uneasy about the circumstances of Johnny's death, James begins to investigate.

The slow-paced mystery of this story was fantastic. I prefer my mysteries a bit slower. The twists also worked for me. Readers who love fast-paced page-turners may struggle with this one. For the romance readers, note the romance is minor. This story definitely leans into the mystery element, but I enjoyed Micah and James' rekindled romance.

If I have any complaints, I will note that the ending felt rushed, but not so much that it ruined the story for me.

Perfect for fans of mysteries, magical realism, paranormal, small-town stories, second-chance romance (only a minor plot point), twins, slow-paced books, dual timelines, and older main characters (early 40s).

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

the unmaking of june farrow was one of my favorite books from last year and i was SOOO excited for this new release. it is about a woman who is investigating her twin brother’s mysterious death while confronting the ghosts of her own haunted past.

i love adrienne young’s writing style so much. between the beautiful descriptions and prose, i found myself immediately transported into the story.

the first half was a tad slow for me but then it definitely picked up with several twists and turns (more than i was expecting!). this is a mystery romance, with the romance taking a backseat to the mystery plot. the sibling relationship was by far my favorite part of the book!!

thank you to delacorte press/random house for the advanced copy!

Thank you for NetGalley for the e-arc of A Sea of Unspoken Things.
This took me forever to get into this book. I don’t know if I didn’t connect well to the characters or what. Once I was finally hooked I read it pretty quickly. Towards the end the pace picked up and it made you want to know who killed Jonny. I think James’ relationship with Micah could have been further developed as they were kind of slapped together in the end. Overall an okay book.

A gripping small-town mystery that entangles readers in the life of James and the haunting death of her twin brother, Johnny. This story weaves together mystery, suspense, and the complexities of lost and found love, all set against a backdrop of a town where secrets run deep and often stay buried.

From the unraveling of small-town secrets to the emotional rollercoaster of love and loss, this book keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Its brisk pace makes it a quick yet thoroughly satisfying read. Another stellar addition to this author's collection, delivering yet again on their promise of captivating storytelling.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adrienne Young can always be relied on to craft a moody, twisty, ethereal tale and "A Sea of Unspoken things" fits the bill here. Before I became a die hard romance fan, mysteries were my first bookish love, so I really did enjoy this story. It did start out a little bit slow but it ramped up very quickly and I couldn't stop thinking about it. In fact, I started reading it last night and finished in just under 24 hours! The mystery (ies!) kept me guessing for most of the book, and the romance was good but I wanted a little more. And let's not forget the setting! A spooky small town in Northern California? Yes please! All in all, it was a great read! One warning though-you have to be in the mood to read this book. You can tell that Adrienne Young has a twin because she absolutely wrote this story from the heart but it made me feel melancholy because the book is literally about a woman solving the mystery of her twin brother's death. So, begin reading with that in mind (and praise Adrienne Young while you're at it for making us feel all the emotions over fictional people!)

Beautiful and atmospheric novel. This book really made me feel like I was right there in it. I loved the story and it had me feeling so many different emotions.

Format:📱 Ebook

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ PERFECT 5!

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ Some sexual tension, 1-2 scenes, but not descriptive

🤔 Murder mystery
🌊 Coastal small town
🌲 Forest & mountains
🦉 Owls
🐶 Dog companion
😍 Second chance romance

Adrienne Young easily became my favorite author after getting back into reading during the fall of 2023 with a book I immediately fell in love with, The Unmaking of June Farrow.

A Sea of Unbroken Things is without a doubt another excellent book to fall in love with by this author. It's an enchanting and atmospheric murder mystery set in the small town of Six Rivers in northern California.

James has made a life for herself in San Francisco, but returns to her childhood home 20 years later following the death of her twin brother, and with an aching feeling she can't shake that something is wrong.

✴️ World building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the first few pages, you are immediately drawn into the world of James while she is reflecting on the connection she's always had with her twin.

✴️ Writing style/ flow: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adrienne Young's writing style is unique and beautiful in the way it transports you into the world of the pages you are reading. The flow is slower-paced, yet so captivating.

✴️ Character development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I could feel the emotions experienced in the story told from the perspective of James. I also absolutely adore Micah, the sultry yet enigmatic former love of James.

✴️ Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just when you think you know what is happening, it turns out there is more to the story with unexpected twists and turns.

✴️ Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adrienne Young ripped my heart out and put it back together again! I completely immersed myself in this book!


*** I am extremely grateful and honored to have received an advanced copy. Thank you so much Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to review. All opinions are my own.

#Netgalley #AdrienneYoung #ASeaOfUnspokenThings