I finished this book on a snowy day in Indiana, and it was the PERFECT read for a cold snowy day. It is beautifully written, slow-moving, and haunting. I love Adrienne Young’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. This one definitely takes some time to get into. It starts out pretty slow, and I wasn’t sure I was going to love it. But then the pace picked up and there were some twists I didn’t see coming. I loved the small town setting, the atmospheric writing, and the small touch of magical realism. I definitely recommend this one if you love slow, dark, atmospheric reads! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this beautiful book.

Adrienne Young is quickly becoming a must read author for me. Her writing style is beautiful.

In this story, she tells the story through James Golden, returning to the small town after her twin mysteriously dies. The psychic connections, past trauma, fractured relationships, small town trust, and scenery all made me think this could go a number of ways - ultimately the way it did wasn't the one I was leaning toward.

I loved this blend of mystery, suspense, and strong storytelling - thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC.

Adrienne Young’s newest novel is a slow burn mystery that focuses on James, an artist who travels back home to northern California to find out why her twin brother Johnny tragically died in Six Rivers National Forest, where he worked as a photographer for a conservation project.

Fueled by an inner sense that her twin did not die of natural causes in the forest, James enters back into the world of the small logging town of Six Rivers and its inhabitants, after she left years ago when she was awarded a coveted art school scholarship. The reunion is bittersweet and full of tension, as the reader learns that James’s exit left behind feelings of betrayal and abandonment in some of the residents in Six Rivers. As she navigates through Johnny’s belongings in the cabin where she grew up, she is hit by memories and emotions that she knows only belonged to Johnny, and realizes that she knew little of his life as an adult. The only person she can depend on to learn more about Johnny in the last few years of his life is his best friend Micah, the man she loved as a teenager.

As James and Micah investigate Johnny’s life and death, she realizes that there is so much more to his death, and that it may be linked to a tragedy that happened years ago when they were all teenagers. James must confront a past that she tried to forget, in order to truly know what happened to Johnny and bring closure to his death. Meanwhile, her connection to Micah deepens once again, and she must decide for herself where her future lies.

Adrienne Young is a master when it comes to creating atmospheric and slow burn suspense, and this book exemplifies that once again. I absolutely loved the setting of an isolated, small logging town set in a mysterious forest, coupled with the magical realism involving the intuition that twins have. I have twin daughters and have seen this intuition firsthand, so enhancing that particular element with magical realism created an unexpected personal connection to this novel. There are some twists that come towards the end that I somewhat expected; however, they played well into the slow burn narrative. Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

She does it again. This was a breath of fresh air and I absolutely loved the twists and turns that were taken. The book is very much like her book Spells for Forgetting or even Unmaking of June Farrow.
The atmosphere is was spectacular. I felt like I was in the woods with the characters.

I was definitely in suspense trying to find the answers with James.

I was flipping the pages and couldn't stop and highly recommend this books.

3.5⭐️

“We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other”.

This was my first book by Adrienne Young so I went in completely blind, not even reading the blurb! This read as a mystery/thriller with a subplot of romance in it but I felt a little disconnected with the characters. The plot was a bit slower paced than I would have liked but Adrienne’s writing was truly the star of this book. A Sea of Unspoken Things is filled with atmospheric writing and storytelling. I truly felt like I was with James throughout the book. The first 60% was slower paced but after that the reveals started coming and I couldn’t put the book down from that point on! The romance felt a bit lackluster to me but it’s not the main focus of the book so I didn’t mind it too much. This was still a really fun read with beautiful writing/lines but just fell a bit flat for me. If you want a quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher—Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for the e-ARC copy🩵

Adrienne Young hits books out the park for me every single time. The town of Six Rivers feels like a character in itself. The forest and mountains nearby come alive while reading, making me wish I could visit to feel see the mangled trees and feel the mountain air. Main Street is painted clearly with a Stars Hollow vibe resting in the mountains of Northern California. Everyone knows everyone, and outsiders are not easily accepted, which means investigating mysteries and disappearances gets complex.

I loved joining James as she followed breadcrumbs to understand Johnny's last movements and decisions. Her grief is raw but does not cloud her judgment about calculating what might have happened and why leading up to Johnny's death. Micah, Sadie, and Olivia remind James of the life that she left behind and who she could have become if she stayed/returned to Six Rivers. Home is as much about the people and the life we build as the place where we live. Among finding answers about Johnny, James also must discover what home means for her now. The story is as much about her and her place among the people of Six Rivers as it is about Johnny's death. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good small town mystery with an element of the supernatural, because Johnny's presence is felt throughout the story.

I can never get enough of Adrienne’s atmospheric writing. She creates amazing characters and complex storylines that are so captivating, I’m always drawn in from the first page.
It’s been 20 years since James has been back to her hometown, but when her twin brother Johnny dies, she returns to finish a project for him, and to find out what really happened. They have always shared a close connection, that could be described as somewhat supernatural, and she knows his death wasn’t an accident. Going back means confronting a lot of ghosts from the past, including her first love, Micah. I loved the pace, sifting through the town’s many secrets, and the intertwining of mystery, grief, love, and closure.

Read/Listen if you like ⇣
•Second chance
•Small town
•Magical realism
•Sibling connections
•Mystery
•Closed door romance

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

First off, thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC of this book to read and review!

I'm not normally someone who reads mysteries and going into this I guess I wasn't fully convinced that's what I'd be getting. I've read Adrienne's Fable series so this was a change of pace. I will say that as someone who normally doesn't read mysteries because they can sometimes be too predictable, this kept me on my toes.

The pacing at the beginning was a tad slow, but enough started happening about 40 minutes in that I was entertained. At one point, there was even a chapter I read right before bed that made me go "well how am I supposed to sleep now?". Each chapter managed to present a new piece to the puzzle without being overwhelming or unrealistic, which I think are two areas that other mystery books struggle in.

There was enough resolution from the characters in the past and present and I feel that, again unlike other mysteries, this book was left in a completely wrapped up package. I have no questions left and I'm not left wondering about anything. I loved the ending.

Adrienne Young’s A Sea of Unspoken Things explores deep familial bonds, grief, and hidden truths as James Golden navigates life after the sudden and tragic loss of her twin brother, Johnny. The story begins with James arriving in Six Rivers to settle Johnny’s affairs, but what unfolds is far more complex than she anticipated. James's unique connection with Johnny—feeling his emotions even after death—draws her into a web of secrets that challenges everything she thought she knew about him. The narrative also brings her face-to-face with Micah, the only man she’s ever loved and the keeper of their shared, ominous past.

While the premise holds promise, the execution falls short in several areas, much like Young's Spells for Forgetting. The pacing is sluggish, bogged down by long stretches of internal monologue and atmospheric descriptions that, while beautifully written, do little to propel the plot forward. Dialogue is sparse, making the story feel more introspective than engaging. The focus on Johnny’s secrets rather than James’s personal journey diminishes the emotional impact, leaving the protagonist feeling overshadowed by a character who isn’t even alive.

The romantic subplot with Micah lacks the emotional depth needed to be compelling, coming off as underdeveloped and predictable. Additionally, the plot is riddled with inconsistencies and unanswered questions, such as the inexplicably long lifespan of a large breed dog, which detracts from the story’s credibility.

Despite these criticisms, Young’s ability to craft an atmospheric setting is undeniable. The prose is evocative, painting a vivid picture of the small-town setting and the weight of grief that James carries. However, the lack of substantial plot progression and the underwhelming climax left me disappointed.

Having loved The Unmaking of June Farrow, I know Young is capable of delivering powerful and engaging narratives. Unfortunately, A Sea of Unspoken Things didn’t meet my expectations. That said, I remain optimistic about her future work and hope her next book will recapture the magic that made me a fan of her writing.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I gobbled this one up! An “accident” that doesn’t make sense bring James back to her hometown to manage the estate of her twin, Johnny. This is part thriller, part mystery, part love story. It’s a fun ride but I wanted more emotion from James. She felt flat and some of her backstory wasn’t flushed out enough for me. That being said - super fun and the pages fly by. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!

Merry Christmas & Happy Belated B-day to me! This arc showed up in my bookshelf right before Christmas and what a fantastic present!

A slow burn literary suspense/mystery. I loved it. So atmospheric. Adrienne Young writes like no one else. Her words bring you into the book and make you feel like you're right there with all the characters.

This one is much different than her previous novels. It does not have the same fantasy/magical elements. There is just a *touch* of magical realism, but it was so good (I wish there were more interaction between characters-in terms of that).

Cannot wait for her next novel. In order here are how I rank them:
1. The Unmaking of June Farrow- THE BEST! 5 Stars
2. A Sea of Unspoken Things- Loved 4.95 Stars
3. Spells for Forgetting-loved but not as much as A Sea of Unspoken Things 4.90 stars

You can't go wrong with any, IMO. Also- all are great on Audio!

I was super grateful to be given an advanced copy of Adrienne Young’s newest through Net Galley. This was a fun, easy, atmospheric read. I did miss some of the magic and immersive character development that made The Unmaking of June Farrow so special but would recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet mystery!

Adrienne Young did not disappoint!

This was a page turner (at least it would have been had I had the time to sit and ignore life and just read, but alas.) I would have finished this is one sitting if I could!

The narrative follows James as she travels back to her childhood hometown of Six Rivers CA to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding her twin brother Johnny's death. Here, James doesn’t just encounter her brother’s secrets, but she confronts her own buried past. The secrets of the past converging with secrets of the present combined with a touch of magical realism really made for compelling, intriguing storytelling. It kept me turning those pages while adding depth and layers to our main characters.

The emotional depth was an absolute strength here as we pull back layers of grief, guilt, and loyalty(but at what cost?). It was gritty and messy but laid out in a nuanced way that made it relatable and allowed for connection and empathy.

This had the evocative storytelling that I absolutely love- utilizing rich imagery and vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses, pulling you right in and making the setting come alive. I was immersed in those California redwoods. I could see them, smell them, and feel them as if I was there.

If you love moody, rich, deeply textured prose with mystery, magical realism, and a slow burn romance sprinkled in: you should definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for providing a copy for review consideration!

I found Adrienne Young's books when Fable became a TikTok sensation and I've been hooked on her ever since. The way she writes is so vivid, that it takes only a few words of a sentence to transport me from wherever I'm reading to the mountains or the sea that her characters call home. A Sea of Unspoken Things is no exception. I had a hard time pacing myself through this book, I wanted to take the time to enjoy her writing and these characters and live in the pages unfurling before me. I also wanted to race to the conclusion to see what would happen. Adrienne Young is a pre-order as soon as I can author for myself, This book is stunning. Get on the Adrienne Young train if you're not already. I can't wait to see what she does next.

No one does beautiful prose in popular contemporary fiction like Adrienne Young - she is an auto-buy author for me for sure. You can get lost in her words (in the best way) and this book is no exception. The atmosphere is palpable and the mystery sweeps you along. An excellent book to read in winter while cozied up by the fire. Ultimately, this one didn’t have quite the same impact on me as The Unmaking of June Farrow (a 2023 favorite for me) but was still worth the read.

Pub Date: 1/7/25
Review Published: 1/5/25
eARC received from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3.5? This book had a major identity crisis. It’s listed as sci-fi/fantasy and mystery/thriller on NetGalley and Goodreads. It is most definitely not sci-fi/fantasy by any stretch of the imagination. There were more horror elements in it than whatever the publisher thought constituted sci-fi/fantasy. I rate books a 3 when I like the book but I had some major issues with it and don’t see myself rereading it or thinking about it again.

The overall story itself was great, but the pacing was all over the place. It started off interesting with lots of mystery and some almost horror aspects, was boring until about the 60% mark, and was back to faster pacing and thriller status towards the end. All the twists and action happened in the last 15%.

All the characters are very traumatized, so it’s a hard start if you’ve ever suffered a similar familial loss. I’m not sure how to put it but James did a lot of self-reflection without any actual change until the very end. It was repetitive and became boring. However, the plot was good! Just not the absolute best?

I also wish the owl motif was explored more.

Thanks to Delacorte Press for the advanced digital galley.

This was another amazing read by Adrienne Young!! I love that her stories have elements of magical realism and mystery. The mystery of Johnny’s death sets of a series of discovery for his twin sister James. I was intrigued and thoroughly enjoyed reading as James tied to piece together info to figure out what really happened. 4’

This was my first book from Adrienne Young, and I throughly enjoyed it. It definitely was more of a thriller with mysterious vibes. The story was fully engaging, with James trying to figure out what happened in her twin brother Johnny's unexpected death. The relationship between them was deep and I could feel the connection and how it continued to evolve and strengthen even after his death. The twists and turns throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending was unpredictable and chilling.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication, in return for an honest review.

James and Johnny Golden were once inseparable. For as long as she can remember, James shared an almost supernatural connection with her twin brother, Johnny, that went beyond intuition—she could feel what he was feeling. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life.

When James arrives in the secluded town of Six Rivers, California, to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to revisit the ominous events of their shared past and finally face Micah, the only other person who knows their secrets—and the only man she has ever loved.

But as James delves deeper into Johnny’s world, she realizes that their unique connection hasn’t completely vanished. The more she immerses herself in his life, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was hiding something, and he’s not the only one. The deeper she digs, the more she is compelled to unravel the truth behind the days leading up to Johnny’s death. Ultimately, James must decide which truths should come to light, and which are better left buried forever.

First of all, a woman named James? It's kind of weird. Besides that, I enjoyed this unusual mystery. I have twins, and I'm always fascinated with their connection, especially in fiction. I like the supernatural elements in this - the atmosphere in this book is its own character. I always love when authors can pull that off. Overall, fun magical mystery. 3.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Adrienne Young doesn’t pose the question, “can you ever really go home again?” But instead, “can you ever really leave in the first place?” Are the places we leave and the people we leave so deeply ingrained in us that there’s no moving on?

James and Johnny Golden are twins and they share a deep connection that’s beyond this world. James leaves at 18 after events in their small, forest hometown send her running. Twenty years later, she feels the moment of Johnny’s death even before getting the call that he’s gone. Only then does she return to the logging town with deep secrets forcing her to confront her past, a complicated relationship with her brother who was keeping secrets of his own and a man who she loves that she left behind, Micah. These relationships and the mystery surrounding Johnny’s death take center stage.

There is a sense of nostalgia that is a through-line in most of Adrienne Young’s work. That perfect combination of joy and deep longing for things gone. Young does a great job of providing a lush description of James’s forest hometown that at first is frightening and claustrophobia and by the end of the novel becomes comforting and quiet, a journey that aligns with her grief. Add in a touch of romance and magical realism. I also love how she intertwines the mystery in the novel with the real center of it, can you ever really leave your home and the people there in the first place?

Young typically leaves you wanting to know more about the characters in her work and openness about what happens in the aftermath. I love this bit of longing for readers that provokes a sense of nostalgia for the story itself, evoking the overall theme of her work. She writes with beautiful prose and detail of internal conflict.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC. I adored this book and am still thinking about it, absolute 5 stars. Young has fast become a favorite author and I immediately preordered a personalized copy.