I am not much of a mystery reader, but I enjoyed this quite a bit, and was honestly pretty engrossed. The paranormal aspect made me like it more.

I wish I could rate this one higher, because Adrienne Young is an autobuy author for me, but I just didn’t find myself connecting with these characters very much. She did a great job at setting the story and the atmosphere though, as always.

This book didn’t feel like her normal writing and I feel like it’s been advertised differently than it should be.

Thank you Delacorte Press and Netgalley for the digital copy.

A Sea of Unspoken Things
Adrienne Young
Publishing Date: January 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This is my second book by Adrienne Young and her writing is just stunning. Her prose is lovely and she writes in a way that is so atmospheric. It is easy to get lost in the beauty of her writing regardless of the story.

But books are generally about the story, and while this was a good one, I do wish that it was a bit longer in order to further develop the characters and relationships. The heart of this story lies with twins Johnny and James. Johnny has died under suspicious circumstances and James has returned home looking for answers. Here we get a taste of magical realism in James’ apparent telepathic/spiritual connection to Johnny, even after his death. We meet a cast of side characters in this small PNW town, and everyone seems to have a secret or two. There is a second chance romance side story that honestly had me more invested than the murder mystery. I wanted a happy ending love story in the worst way.

This novel was really enjoyable and I flew through it in a matter of 48 hours. I just wish it had been longer as I wanted more of Johnny’s story, more depth in the side characters, and more of the romance. That being said, Adrienne Young is solidly on my auto-buy author list as her writing style is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

A Sea of Unspoken Things weaves a tale of grief, love, and secrets as James navigates the aftermath of her twin brother’s death. The powerful, almost supernatural connection she shared with Johnny provides a unique lens through which she uncovers hidden truths about how his life in the rural town of Hawthorne, California went on after a tragic event occurred which caused James to leave town. The setting enhances the eerie, slow-burning tension as James digs deeper into Johnny’s secrets, all while facing the complicated dynamics with Micah, the man who holds his own knowledge of their shared past.

I enjoyed Young's use of magical realism in her last book The Unmaking of June Farrow. I enjoyed the magical realism aspect of this book as well; it added an intriguing layer, making the emotional beats even more poignant as James is forced to confront the dark truths of her twin’s life. The story unfolds at a slow and steady pace but the ending feels rushed in comparison, with many questions resolved quickly. This sense of a hasty conclusion left me wanting more depth to the final revelations, but the book still succeeds in its exploration of familial bonds and the complexities of identity.

My rating 3.5 stars. Special thanks to @netgalley and @prha for the ARC/ALC.

My immediate thought when I started this book was: the writing in this is really good. Maybe my standards are low because of what I usually read but I off the bat enjoyed the writing.

Kind of slow to start - not in a I’m a struggling to pick this up kind of way but I didn’t feel like much was happening. Because of that I actually wanted to keep reading to see what would happen and what major revelation would come (the first third of the book consisted of a lot of meetings of characters and small hints towards things that happened in the past).

By the second third of the book, I didn’t want to put it down. There are so many loose ends to this puzzle and so many secrets between the twins that need unraveling. There were some insinuations of what could have been going on but I’ve read enough mysteries to know what a half truth could possibly signal instead and yet there were still surprises.

I know this takes place in Northern California but I totally pictured this like Forks…half expected one of those owls to actually be a vampire. Overall, I liked this book and I would definitely read more from this author, but I can’t say it changed my life or I will be thinking about it much more now that I’m done.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Overall Rating: 3 / 5 Stars

Adrienne Young's 'A Sea of Unspoken Things' follows James Golden as she returns to her childhood home in Six Rivers, California, to grapple with the unexpected death of her twin brother, Johnny. Their bond was extraordinary – James could feel what Johnny felt, a connection now tragically severed.

As James delves into Johnny's life, she discovers hidden facets of his personality and uncovers secrets he had kept from her. The official ruling of an accident fails to satisfy James, who suspects a darker truth. The investigation leads her down a path of unsettling revelations, forcing her to confront the ghosts of her past and question the very nature of their unique connection.

This story has all the elements that I typically would expect from this author – a small town, atmospheric setting, a romantic subplot, and a sprinkle of magical realism elements. While all plot lines technically received closure by the end of the book, I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied with the journey there.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the eARC of this title.

I love Adrienne Young's writing style and I was so excited to get this title in my hot little hands. Young always has a fantastic backdrop with a mysterious slow burn. I always feel incredibly immersed into the story and this one with the greenery and forest was a perfect setting for early winter.

I do feel that this particular book missed the mark for what I have come to expect from Young, however, it still was enjoyable read. I had a hard time feeling like James 'ran away and left life behind' when she was a couple hours drive away and never had a chance to meet/engage with Johnny. Additionally, for the slow burn/build up of the mystery it wrapped up extremely quickly at the end. I would recommend this book for anyone in Adrienne Young's audience her prose is one of the best out there today.

3.5/5 rounded up to a 4

A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS is another atmospheric, twisty, deep romantic suspense novel with a touch of magical realism from Adrienne Young. This novel explores grief, love, family, truth, and the different versions that exist of ourselves and others. If you like fast-paced small-town murder mysteries with a hint of supernatural happenings and a second-chance romance, this book is for you!

Adrienne Young is a master at her craft--I love the way she creates a setting that acts as a character and has deep emotional plots that connect back to her protagonist. In A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS, James Golden is confronted with her past when she returns to her small hometown of Six Rivers after the unsettling death of her twin brother, Johnny. She's determined to find the truth, haunted by a deep, somewhat supernatural connection she has to her brother. She also reconnects with the only man she's ever loved--Micah.

I enjoy how Adrienne Young is able to blend several genres into a mix that feels entirely her own! If you liked SPELLS FOR FORGETTING or THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW, you'll like this one too! Also, this cover?! Stunning.

I decided to give this book a try as I’ve heard a lot of buzz about the Unmaking of June Farrow by the same author, which I have not read.

The parts that I enjoyed about this book were the focus on a “supernatural” relationship between the main character and her twin brother. It was interesting and kept my interest. Even though the brother was not perfect and to be honest, kind of seemed like a bum at times, it was a good telling about a strong bond.

While the writing and storytelling was good, the book just did not do a whole lot for me, I believe it just wasn't to my taste. I felt that it took a while for anything interesting to happen, which probably started at about 50% in. The twists were okay, but I didn’t think they were anything too special.

All in all not a bad read at all, but it took me a bit to get through because I wasn’t super captivated. Like I mentioned earlier, the storytelling is very good, Young’s prose was well-done!

I really enjoyed A Sea of Unspoken Things! Thrillers are one of my favorite genres, and this book had just the right amount of twists to keep me hooked from start to finish. Adrienne Young did an amazing job building suspense and weaving in surprises that I didn’t see coming. It’s the kind of story that keeps you thinking long after you’ve turned the final page.

My only complaint is that it could’ve been longer! The town and its residents felt so intriguing, and I wish we had more time to uncover their secrets. The main character was captivating, and I wanted to dive deeper into their backstory and inner thoughts. The book does an excellent job of keeping the pace tight, but a little extra exploration of the setting and characters would’ve made it even more compelling.

This was my first book by Adrienne Young, and I’m officially hooked. I’ve already added three more of her books to my TBR because I loved this one so much. If you’re a fan of thrillers with unpredictable twists and layered characters, A Sea of Unspoken Things is a must-read!

I loved this book!!! The beginning was a bit slow but essential to building the plot and to show the character development. A major theme throughout this book is how well do we really know those we love and how far would we go to protect them? I absolutely LOVED the ending it was everything I needed and more!! Thank you for the arc copy🥰

Adrienne Young is the queen of atmospheric reads! She perfectly crafts details that immerse the reader in the setting. It's the mood. The emotion of a place.

This time she transports us to a small town in Northern California where the Golden twins grew up. Johnny stayed while James escaped for life in the city. But Johnny's unexpected death has brought James back to Hawthorne and she quickly becomes engrossed with unraveling her brother's life...and secrets.

Love getting lost in a Young book! Always a must read author for me. Wasn't disappointed. She always delivers. While this wasn't my favorite of her books, I really liked this one!

Thank you to Adrienne Young and Netgalley for a ARC of "A Sea of Unspoken Things." I have been an Adrienne Young fan since her debut novel many years ago. When an opportunity to read this book came up I jumped on it and it did not disappoint. The hard thing for me was knowing this book would be a sad book and choosing the right time to read it to avoid being sad at the wrong time. I should not have worried about that, to be honest. Adrienne Young writes in such a lyrical, mood setting way that you cannot, not be present in her words without being drowned by sadness or emotion. I think the way she handled grief and family drama and the dynamics of returning to a town after twenty years was wonderful. There were a few typos in the ARC that were distinctly noticeable and hopefully are caught before final publication. As usual, I devoured the words Adrienne Young wrote and I cannot wait for her next novel.

Adrienne Young has a way of transporting her readers into the pages of her books and A Sea of Unspoken Things might be my favorite of her universes into which to be dropped.

James and Johnny Golden are twins. They’ve been connected their entire lives, with James always knowing what her brother was thinking. James also knew the very minute Johnny left the earth, even before the phone call came.

James returns to Six Rivers, unable to quiet the feeling that Johnny’s death was more than a mere hunting accident. Unbeknownst to James, her search for answers will lead to the past being unearthed and old feelings between her and the love of her life being reignited.

Adrienne’s books have a way of settling deep into my bones and never leaving. This may sound odd, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. A book that never leaves you is a book to be treasured for life.

I was so excited to get the ARC of this book, and it did not disappoint! I was immediately struck by the beauty of the prose. The story is dark, captivating, and haunting, and there is stunning depth to the characters. I loved the magical realism, mystery, and suspense. The story examines the long lasting and varied impact of trauma and loss and how it shapes one’s choices and identity, the power that family holds, and the very human struggle to reconcile how good and bad can coexist in a single being.

I can’t wait to read what’s next for this author because I am a fan! Thank you to NetGalley, Adrienne Young, and Delacorte Press for sharing this free ARC digital copy.

“Maybe we were made in the dark…but we’d found a way to create our own kind of light”

I’m a big fan of Adrienne Young, and I find her prose to be incredibly beautiful. She has an exceptional ability to create atmosphere and truly transport readers to the settings of her stories. Her use of magical realism is always perfectly executed, adding an extra layer of mystery that makes her tales feel just a little more special compared to others.

Overall, A Sea of Unspoken Things was another moody, atmospheric story from Young. The writing easily earns a solid 5 stars from me. The plot follows the female main character, James, who is forced to return to her small hometown—set in a lush forest, perfect for a little mystery—after her twin brother is found dead. Upon returning, James quickly realizes that things aren’t as they seem, and her brother seems to be trying to tell her there’s more to his death than meets the eye.

While the atmosphere and writing were fantastic, I did find the plot to be a bit slow at times. I also didn’t feel as connected to James or her brother, Johnny, as I hoped I would. The last 30% of the book, however, really picks up the pace, and I wish the plot had been more engaging in the earlier parts. Still, I would definitely read it again because the prose and atmosphere are simply immaculate. I listened to this via audio while reading along and I will say that the narrator did an absolute perfect job bringing this story to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine -Delacorte Press for the advanced e-arc, as well as Penguin Random House Audio for the advanced audiobook.

3.5/5 stars

First, thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Adrienne Young for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a crazy, powerful story of two siblings and their ties to their home town and to each other. James and Johnny are twins and are raised by their dad. Their mom left when they were young and then later in life their dad dies so it is just the two of them. James leaves their home town though for college and never comes back. While Johnny stays but he has always been a bit of a wild one and while they keep in touch some, James doesn't really know much about Johnny's life.

On day James gets a phone call that Johnny has died and she knew before she even answered the phone that something wasn't right. Her connection to Johnny has always been a deep one...she can feel what he feels. So she goes back home to get his things in order. He was working on a job she had gotten for him and things need to be tied up in order to finish the project.

While James is there she is forced to revisit things from the past and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it all. And he's the only man she's ever truly loved. But James comes to find out that her strange connection to Johnny isn't gone and the more she dives into his world the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew.

Johnny was keeping secrets...but he's not the only one. As James uncovers things from Johnny's past the truth about what happened in the days leading to Johnny's death slowly unravel and the twists and turns that James uncovers will shake up the town that already has a not so great image of the Golden siblings.

The bond of siblings is truly remarkable, especially twins and I felt for James so much. What she went through to uncover the truth was quite the journey. Such an amazingly written book.

This was my first read by Adriene Young and definitely not my last!

This was an awesome fast paced small-town mystery. I really liked reading the relationship of James and her twin brother. James seems to love him unconditionally but cover for him when he finds himself in a bind. However, a tragic event leads James to leave the town and pursue her dreams. She not only leaves her brother but someone she loves deeply. James knew the moment her brother had dies. It was believed to be a hunting accident, but she feels like that is a coverup for what really happened. She is determined to fix her brothers problems and uncover the dangerous situations he was involved it.

I like that the author is descriptive in her writing. It always helps when picturing the different locations or what is going on. I love being able to Invision a scene I am reading. This is a great blend of magical realism and mystery.

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group and Delacorte Press for the ARC!

I just want to start by saying that I LOVED the previous two books I've read by Adrienne Young, "Spells for Forgetting" and "The Unmaking of June Farrow". Both hooked me from the beginning and kept me entranced throughout the whole story.

With "A Sea of Unspoken Things" I didn't feel that immediate pull in. The beginning gelt a bit repetitive and almost like our wheels were just churning, stuck in mud. However, I am glad I stuck with it because once I got to about 40% things really started clicking for me and then I didn't want to put it down.

While this novel may have lacked that initial pull for me, it had such a cozy, mystical atmosphere that I have come to love from Young's novels. Her books feel so immersive which I thought fit very nicely with the plot of this book especially. I thought the mystery unfolded nicely, with the twists not being out of left field, but ones that I couldn't catch on to until our main character was figuring them out-which is rare for me.

Overall, I am glad I kept with this one and would probably give it a 4 star as opposed to my 5 stars for her other two. This would be a great pairing with a nice blanket, cup of tea, and a rainy day.


Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Net Galley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book. I went about 40% and still nothing was happening. A very slow start. I could only listen to so much about the small town without any more information. There is an obvious tie to the boy who died earlier in there town but I am still waiting.,