Hauntingly Beautiful. It’s hard to find words for this one. Small town, magical realism, slow burn mystery, atmospheric suspense, a suspicious death. Each chapter left you wanting more. The main character James Golden returns to the small town she grew up in to investigate her twin brother Johnny’s death. (Yes, her name is James) She ran from this town and the people there at the age of 18 but now needs to settle Johnny’s affairs. What she was told was an accidental hunting accident begins to feel off to her. The more she learns the more she knows she needs to know what really happened. I loved this book, the characters, the setting, the writing. 5 stars.

I was beyond excited to receive an early copy of A Sea of Unspoken Things. Not surprisingly, the writing in this book is beautifully done. The author truly works magic by immersing the reader in her writing. The story follows James, who reluctantly returns to her small California hometown after the sudden death of her brother. As she grapples with her grief, she begins to suspect that his death might not have been an accident. This sets her on a haunting journey back into a past she’s tried to leave behind. What unfolds is a slow-burn mystery that expertly builds tension and suspense, leaving the reader constantly on edge. I'd recommend this to fans of the Mare of Easttown, with its atmospheric small-town setting and layered characters. Buy the book for the gorgeous cover and stay for the beautiful prose! I'd give this book a 4/5.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by this author (Spells for Forgetting was my first) and I just don't think that her books are for me. I didn't hate this book but it's definitely not my favorite. I found it insanely slow and was very willing to take breaks while reading it. I really got into it at around 65% and at that point it got a lot more interesting for me.

Give this book a chance if it sounds interesting to you but I don't think I'll be reading this author again unless another one sounds truly amazing. Even then it probably wouldn't be at the top of my list.

As other reviewers before me have mentioned, this book can be a bit slow. I even know exactly what point they were referring to, when they said it only picks up around the 70% mark. Now, a slow pace may not be the end of the world, though having it misfiled as a thriller—a genre defined by its ticking clock—has done <i>A Sea of Unspoken Things</i> no favors. A slow pace can be comfortably mitigated by vivid characters, lush prose, and fantastic atmosphere. And none of these elements are <i>badly</i> done, per se. They're just nothing to write home about.

The characters are fine. They add to the plot and have dimension. However, I had a hard time caring about any of them on a deeper level, including our protagonist, James.

There are occasional beautiful passages. I particularly liked the flashback with James, Johnny, and Micah diving off the cliffs into the gorge. But just as often, the prose was humdrum, with a whole lot of tell-not-show frontloaded. There was also, I'm forced to add, a whole <i>whack</i> of typos and grammatical errors, not to mention at least one missing word and left-in notation symbol. This is an ARC, so I hope all of those were fixed between the ARC's release and publication.

I was hoping, going into this book, that the magical realism elements would lend the story a dreamlike, numinous atmosphere. The way James spoke of the forest, it feels like that was Young's intent as well. Unfortunately, while the magical realism forwarded the plot, it didn't transform it, feeling half-assed, if I'm quite honest.

The mystery elements were fine. The romance was mostly fine. If it didn't culminate in one of my least favorite tropes. Spoilers omitted, but what the fresh Lifetime hell. Ugh.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House—Ballantine for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.

✨ Atmospheric Suspense
✨ Small Town
✨ Magical Realism
✨ Suspicious Death
✨ Second Chance Romance
✨ Secrets and Lies

I’m convinced that everything Adrienne Young writes, I will love! This is a fantastic atmospheric suspense novel that follows James Golden as she refuses to believe the death of her twin was an accident. She returns to her small hometown after 20 years away to handle her twin’s affairs, to dive deeper into the circumstances of his death, and unravel the secrets that her town harbors.

I honestly couldn’t put down this book! I love Adrienne’s writing and how she pulls you straight into her story. I was instantly transported to the small logging town in Northern California and captivated by the small town life and the secrets that are hidden there. There are twists and turns at every corner as James reconnects with the people she left behind all the while digging into her brother’s life. Old memories and feelings are uncovered and she soon realizes that she may not have truly known her own brother or even herself.

I need to make a special mention of the relationship/tension between James and Micah! I love a good second chance romance and this was a definite will they or won’t they up until the very end!

Thank you so much to Delacorte Press for the advance copy! ❤️

An immersive mystery/thriller set in a very small town in California. James returns home to find out what happened to her twin brother after finding out that he was shot while he was in the woods. She has a feeling that all is not what it seems. Once in the town she starts to see his ghost as she begins reconnecting with people she has not talked to in 20 years. As James begins to dig deeper she finds that there is much more to the story than what she first thought and what has happened may somehow be connected to their past.

What I loved about this book is the imagery. I really felt immersed into Johnny and James' cabin in the woods. There was a dark vibe as well that really set the mood for this story. I also liked that there was much more to this story than I originally thought. Overall, a very solid thriller that mystery lovers will enjoy.

Thank you to Dell/Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

3.25 stars

This book, in my opinion, is 100% a thriller — and it absolutely delivers on that front. I went into it not knowing much about the author, but based on the covers of her previous books, I expected something more along the lines of literary fiction. I honestly don’t even know why I thought that, but I guess I was expecting something more introspective or character-driven (maybe because of the cover art or vibes I picked up on). But no, this was pure, gripping suspense. Mind you i dived in 100% blind without reading tropes or a blurb.

The story centers on James, and her journey is packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. I actually finished it in under three hours because I couldn’t put it down. The first 60% of the book was solid, with a slower build-up that worked really well for me. But then, after that, things started speeding up a lot, and the reveals started coming at a breakneck pace. For me, it felt a little rushed toward the end, and I would have liked the mystery to unfold at a more measured pace to really savor those twists and discoveries.

One thing that stuck with me is how much I wanted more depth from James. I was hoping for more of an emotional exploration — like some self-discovery, grief, or healing on her part. Honestly, her life felt pretty empty to me, and I’m not sure if that was intentional to reflect her inner state or if I just couldn’t connect with her. She just came across as… lifeless, which made it harder for me to fully invest in her journey.

Another thing that felt lacking was her relationship with Micah. It wasn’t explored in any meaningful way. We’re told they were close in the past and that they get back together quickly, but there’s no real deep dive into their history or why they still care for each other. I get that this book isn’t a romance, but if you’re going to introduce a relationship, at least give us a little more context or depth to understand why these characters are together, especially when James herself feels so distant and disconnected imo.

That said, the book was still really fun overall. The writing was beautiful and lush, and the author definitely has a knack for creating atmosphere. The mystery itself was great — even though the pacing picked up a bit too quickly at the end, the plot was so immersive. Each chapter fed you just enough information to keep you wanting more, and I found myself completely engrossed in the twists. It was one of those books that pulls you in, and even though the ending felt a little rushed for my taste, I still really enjoyed the experience. In the end, I think this was a fun, addictive read with a strong narrative. It wasn't perfect (I definitely had some expectations that weren't fully met), but I’m glad I read it. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and sometimes that’s all you really need for a good thriller.

✨ Book Review✨

A Sea of Unspoken Things
By Adrienne Young
Publishes: 1/7/25
Genre: mystery (supernatural thread)

I thought this was a great small town mystery with a neatly woven thread of the supernatural. It is mainly a “whodunit” storyline, but it’s also about coping with grief and trauma, rekindling old relationships, and coming back home again. I definitely felt engaged in finding out the truth, but part of me wasn’t totally satisfied with the outcome. I rated this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Thanks @netgalley for the opportunity to read the digital arc of this novel! It was a great add-on pick from @bookofthemonth for January!

#mysterybook #bookreview #bookrecommendation #supernaturalmysterybook #whodunitnovel #bookofthemonth #januarybooks #netgalley #bookstagram

I really enjoyed this fiction/thriller/magical realism book from Adrienne Young! Young really sets herself apart in this type of genre, as I feel like she always delivers in writing the types of thrillers that have a huge character focus and read more like a fiction book. There definitely were some magical realism/fantasy elements in this book too which gave it the signature Young feel. I actually was so hooked when reading this book and truly found myself gasping at the different reveals at the end of the book, I had no clue what was coming.

A Sea of Unspoken Things is about James and Johnny, two twins that have only ever had themselves. James has always been able to intuitively feel everything that Johnny feels, and knows before she gets the phone call that he is dead. James returns to their hometown to try and work out the mystery of what happened to Johnny, which leads to her digging up the past that she had ran from and kept buried for years. As James unravels the last few days of Johnny's life, she begins to learn how many others were entangled in this tragedy and who was responsible for so much of the death and tragedy in their town.

I listened to A Sea of Unspoken Things on audio and I LOVED the audiobook, it was so atmospheric and really made me feel like I was in the small town, in the forest, with James, trying to uncover the mystery of who killed her twin brother. I definitely would recommend listening to this one if you can get the audiobook, it made the book go by so fast and really pulled me into the mystery! This was a super fast read and I didn't get bored in any part of it, as there were so many main characters that each had a unique backstory and role in the main plot, and I loved how the ending brought all these characters together! I had so much fun reading this one and if you like Adrienne Young's books, or love a good fiction/thriller book, you aren't going to want to miss this one!! Thanks to Delacorte Press for the free book!!

A Sea of Unspoken Things is a story about love, grief, family, and friendship. James learns of her twin brother Johnny's death, which forces her to return to her hometown, Six Rivers—a place she has avoided for 20 years. Upon her return, she discovers that Johnny's death may not have been an accident but possibly a murder.

This book left me with a whirlwind of emotions. I felt giddy and happy for James, yet confused and full of unanswered questions. I craved closure, which the story didn’t fully provide. The fast-paced nature of the book made me wish it had been longer—I would have devoured every bit of an expanded version.

What earned this book 4 stars from me was its captivating blend of thriller, mystery, horror, and romance. However, the mystery remained unresolved, leaving me hoping for a sequel. I believe the characters and their stories need the closure they deserve.

Overall, this book evoked powerful emotions that I’m still trying to process. I loved it, yet it left me questioning my sanity. It felt like pieces of a puzzle were missing, and I’m eagerly hoping for a sequel to solve it all.

A huge thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Delacorte Press for giving me the chance to read this incredible story of James, Johnny, and Micah.

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 The friendship between Johnny, James, and Micah was heartwarming.
📌 Micah is the epitome of a true friend.
📌 Although it’s a thriller/mystery, I couldn’t help but get giddy about the chemistry between Micah and James—it’s absolutely overflowing!

✨TROPES:
📌 Slow - Burn Romance
📌 Love Triangle
📌 Sibling Bond
📌 Found Family/Friendship
📌 Grief and Loss
📌 A Subtle Hint of Spice

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7161050338

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.com/2025/01/03/arc-review-a-sea-of-unspoken-things/

LINKEDIN REVIEW: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kinanahmanalao_arc-review-a-sea-of-unspokenthings-activity-7280703406032220163-3iWP?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Oh my gosh Adrienne Young does it again with a brilliantly atmospheric story that will captivate you and have you hooked from the first few chapters!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for sharing this ARC!

After adoring The Unmaking of June Farrow last year, I was so excited to receive an advance copy of A Sea of Unspoken Things. Adrienne Young is an excellent atmospheric writer. Her books are all vibes all the time, and this one is no exception. The mysterious and supernatural premise of this book was incredibly intriguing and for about 60% of the book I was on pins and needles with anticipation on how everything would resolve. Unfortunately, there were too many twists and turns that didn't make sense, and one major piece of the mystery is so unrealistic that I can't believe it didn't get edited. The writing is still enjoyable, so if you loved June Farrow and enjoy atmospheric stories, give this one a try.

what a beautiful slow burn mystery of a women coming back home to find her twin brother. adrienne always writes with a touch of magical realism thats leaves you breath taken. this is one to keep you hooked with paranormal and romantic themes throughout. big thanks to penguin random house for the arc and netgalley as always!
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young will be available on January 7.

Through her words, Adrienne paints a world of a small, rural town tucked in a forest of secrets and mystery. James loves her twin brother Johnny and often feels his presence in the world until he is killed. James returns home to a tight knit community where she grew up to search for the clues and answers to Johnny’s untimely death. Past friendships, relationships and secrets resurface, hooking a reader into story where they do not want to put down the book. How far will a sister’s love go? In just under 300 pages, this is a perfect, quick read.

This book just wasn’t for me, unfortunately. The plot felt very forced and I was having a hard time feeling like I could really care about our main character and her role in this story.

That said, I do believe the author did a great job portraying the depths and complexities of grief, so I appreciated that angle quite a bit!

After the sudden death of her twin brother, an artist returns home to the Pacific Northwest to wrap up his affairs. She begins a journey to solve the mystery of his death and how it could possibly be tied to a young photographer.
The pacing of the plot was a bit slow but picked up at about the 60% mark. Lots of descriptive passages with little dialogue in the first half of the book. The book felt dark throughout.

This book follows the same kind of vibes as Adrienne Young's prior two adult books, so if you liked those you'll like this one. I think this one may be the one that sticks with me the least of the three, but that does not mean it's not good. I did read the majority of it in one sitting, because once you get going you CANNOT STOP.

A Sea of Unspoken Things follows James, an artist in San Francisco, as she goes back to her small town in northern California to deal with the aftermath of her twin brother's accidental death - or at least that's what she's told. She has a sneaking feeling that something is off about his death, and she is trying to learn more about the life her brother was leading before he died. This book deals with grief in a beautiful way. particularly when you are mourning someone who was not quite the perfect person everyone seems to become once their obituary is written. Young does a great job of giving you little crumbs of the characters' history to keep you intrigued but out of the know, and it really gets you hooked. However, I do think we could have used a bit more in James' relationships with the people from her home town, to make them feel a bit more life like.

I really enjoyed this book, and I think readers of Young's past work will enjoy it as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5🌟s rounded down!

I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Adrienne Young and this one was no different 🙂‍↕️

This was so perfectly atmospheric and Young’s prose is just incredible!! You get a lot of small town mystery with a little romance and a little subtle magical realism thrown in there as well. I was engaged from the start and could have easily binged this if I had the opportunity.

I loved the setting, the characters, the twists, and of course the writing. I truly never knew where this was going even when I thought I did. And the way everything ends up connecting in the end — incredible!!

This is less magical than her other adult books, which I think is important to know before going in. However, that didn’t bother me one bit because I still ate this book up!!

Adrienne Young has become one of my favorite authors. Maybe of all time. She has a way of bringing her novels to life. It’s hard NOT to have a strong emotional response to her stories.

I had tears streaming down my face and I don’t even have a twin?

I thought this was erie and absolutely brilliant. I could feel the red wood woods alive and could feel her deceased brother over my shoulder. Her writing is just storytelling at its finest. Stories brought to life and makes you so invested, it’s hard to come back to reality. The ending had my mouth on the floor. I never in my whole life would’ve guessed the plot twist. So beautifully done. Makes me teary thinking about it, even weeks later.

Isn’t that the kind of story we all want to get wrapped up in? One that makes us mourn siblings we’ve never had. A love we never lost. And a place we’ve never been. This book is exactly why I read.

I loved the setting of this book and felt like I was really there: the forest, in Six Rivers. Great descriptive writing. Unfortunately though this story fell a little flat. Was not emotionally invested. Could not connect with James. The first half was a little slow with most of the action towards the end.