A Sea of Unspoken Things is an atmospheric novel that immerses readers in a small town brimming with secrets, heartbreak, and quiet resilience.

The story follows a young woman, James Golden navigating the aftermath of loss while uncovering long-buried truths that threaten to reshape her understanding of love, family, and herself. I found the characters to be deeply layered, each carrying their own burdens.

Young’s vivid descriptions of the rugged cliffs bring a tangible depth to the narrative. A Sea Od Unspoken Things is a poignant reminder of the power of silence, the weight of what’s left unsaid, and the courage it takes to finally speak your truth.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This was such an atmospheric, eerie setting in this mystery. I also liked the description of the twin connection the narrator had with her brother. I did not guess who the killer was the entire time until the end.

“But that’s what this forest did, wasn’t it? Tell the same stories over and over?”
The ghost of a dead twin, leading his sister to unveil the truth behind his mysterious and untimely death? Said twin, uncovering a gaggle of secrets along the way? Yes, A Sea of Unspoken Things is just that enticing—and set in a town not unsimilar to that of HBO’s Big Little Lies, where every character is interconnected to a slew of dark, brooding undertones underneath. Adrienne Young drew me to this arc-I adored Spells for Forgetting, and though I haven’t read the Unmaking of June Farrow (it’s high up on my list!), this arc absolutely quenched my need for the atmospheric, page turning prose that Young is so distinctly known for.
The novel opens with a twin, James, returning to her town of origin, Hawthorne, to seek answers about her brother’s tragic passing. James is led on by a supernatural tug-a connection she’s had with her twin, Johnny, since birth. Every intense feeling he’s experienced, from nearly drowning to bouts of rage, she’s felt in tandem in her own skin. Consequently, she feels the lingering presence of his ghost-still with her as she mourns, leading her to clues surrounding his death. James traveled to Hawthorne hoping to sort out the undertakings of his passing. But as she returns to as the town she fled for a new life, James runs into far more paramount issues than sorting out his ashes and recovering his things. James believes that Johnny’s death wasn’t an accident and is bent on unearthing the treacherous secrets that led to it.
I adored this novel—from the fast-paced plot, the heart wrenching romance, to the roller coaster of emotions James’s grieving journey takes you on. Young paints a narrative that reflects all facets of grief-from anger, to doubt, even to the idealistic way in which we memorialize those we’ve loved that we’ve lost. This book captivated me from start to finish. The compelling way in which James narrated the novel, and the devastating trail in which she’s forced to follow along to find answers…it was incredibly moving.
If you enjoyed Spells for Forgetting, you’ll also enjoy this small-town, supernatural mystery laced with unraveled secrets. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the arc!

This is my second read by Adrienne Young. I loved A Spell for Forgetting, and A Sea of Unspoken Things reminded me of that book with its small-town setting, mystery, and excellent atmosphere. This story features a subtle touch of magical realism, focusing on twins and their unseen sixth sense connection.

I also enjoyed the second-chance romance in this book; it was just the right amount and balanced the story beautifully. Although the pacing was on the slower side, I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read.

James returns home after the sudden death of her twin Johnny. She plans to finish his ongoing research project and clean up his life in the small town, but once she starts looking through his photos from the project she gets the feeling that Johnny's death may not have been an accident.

Adrienne Young always writes top tier atmospheric writing and this book was no different. You can feel the mist on your skin and the wind in your hair. I was immediately hooked from chapter one. There were a lot of twists and turns and the penultimate chapter had me smiling like an idiot as I read the final reveals. I thought everything was wrapped up but it was not and I was so pleased. I also enjoyed the romance between James and Micah, though I would've liked if there was even more.

My only critiques of the book was that the general premise felt pretty similar to Spells for Forgetting. I loved that book too, but I wish this one was a little more distinctive. I also found the character of Johnny kind of confusing, which I think was intentional, but from the start I wish he'd come across as more volatile than scatterbrained.

3.5 stars rounded down.

To be fair, I enjoyed this book more than I didn't. There's something about Adrienne Young's writing that transports you directly into the story she has crafted, making your own reality drift away while reading. While this is mostly meandering and plotless, the atmospheric vibes of A Sea of Unspoken Things made it difficult for me to put down, so much that I read the entire thing in just over 24 hours. When I began my journey back into reading, one of Ms. Young's books were among the first I picked up at that time (Sky in the Deep), and as a result her stories have a special place in my heart. This one is no different.

While I was swept away by the atmosphere, and captivated by the almost environmental horror-esque vibes of the overarching plot, there were a few things that fell apart for me. Among them was the relationship between James and Micah, which felt bland and - dare I say - boring. It was apparent they had barely spoken in nearly two decades, because the entire time I only got acquaintance vibes between the two of them. All that history amounted to a few awkward conversations, at least until the epilogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.

A Sea of Unspoken Things
I really enjoyed Adrienne Young’s writing style. I love the moody atmospheric feel and if you enjoyed A Spell for Forgetting, then you will enjoy this one as well. It didn’t grip me the same way June Farrow or Fable/Namesake did but it suck me in. I wanted more of the romance and it was on the shorter side, so a quick read for sure.
A woman named James returns home after 20 years to understand and look into the death of her twin brother Johnny. The siblings have a supernatural connection that appears to transcend death. Johnny (in a way) guides her to figuring out what happened to him. I wanted more of the ghostly connection, and more of Johnny. Their connection, even as they had drifted apart was still hauntingly beautiful.
Micah is the love she left behind and as the small town mystery unfolds, James is reaching out for their second chance. I was hooked and had to discover how it all unfolded, and to see if my predictions were accurate (which they were ❤️). Another solid read from this author but not in my top three by her.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young is a captivating blend of mystery and magical realism, set in the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of a remote Northern California town.

The story follows James Golden, an artist living a successful life in San Francisco, who returns to her hometown after nearly two decades when she receives the news of her twin brother Johnny’s unexpected death. James, who has long left behind her past and her twin brother, must face a reality she never anticipated. Reconnecting with her old family cabin, James finds herself drawn to her brother’s belongings and memories, trying to piece together the mystery of his death.

James and Johnny have always had the “twin connection” where they could feel each other’s mood and emotions. Going through his belongings, James starts to connect with Johnny again and begins seeing images of her brother as well as other places she can’t recall. James then has the realization that she didn’t know her brother as well as she thought she did and the string of clues left behind may point to a new theory. This then raises the question if his death was just an accident or if he was a target.

This was a quick and easy read that started off slow but the pacing of the story starts to pick up at the 60% mark, drawing you deeper into the unraveling mystery. This is the second book I’ve read from Adrienne Young and it definitely won’t be my last!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Young’s work, but I’m mostly lukewarm about this one. The first 50% of the book dragged, and I found it hard to become invested in the story. The characters all felt superficial.

However, once I hit the halfway mark, the story and pacing picked up, and it became a much more enjoyable read. So this one had some ups and downs, but overall, it finished strongly and became an enjoyable read.

This book had me captivated in the middle of it but it was a bit hard to get into in the beginning for me. The ending did not go the way I expected it to. I had a good time with it!

This one was great. I couldn’t stop reading it and trying to figure out what happened in the woods. It’s a slow unraveling with good characters and even better atmosphere.

Pick this up if you like a slow burn atmospheric read that will have you fully engaged from beginning to end.

A moody atmospheric novel of long held secrets, lies, and death in a small town. James left Hawthorne and never looked back after...no spoilers- but she's come back because her twin Johnny was killed in the forest-shot in the chest. Everything is the same and everything is different but she wants answers because his death doesn't make sense in more ways than one. And then she discovers there was another death. Can she trust their old pal Micah? What about others in town? And why is her dog pawing at the closet? This is almost ponderous at first and I came close to giving up because the bones of the plot felt familiar but I kept reading because I was intrigued. Glad I did. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

3.5 rounded up.
I am a huge fan of Adrienne Young’s writing and adored The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting! Her books are so rich and atmospheric that I really feel that I am there with the characters. That being said, this was not my favorite of hers. It was beautifully written and had a couple of great twists, but was slow to start before picking up at about the halfway point. I loved the characters and seeing their relationships grow after years apart.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

3.5 stars rounded up.

now, mind you, im in a reading slump-its the first book ive finished in a bit. i was hesitant going in because, again, reading slump, so i didn't know how it would go. would i like it? hate it? would i even be able to finish it or would my slump worsen?

well, good news fellas. my slump did *not* worsen (although it might still be here?), and i DID finish the book.

we start the book with james going back to the small town she grew up in and left twenty years ago. her brother died, and she has the suspicion it might not have been an accident. after all, they're twins. she felt him die. helped with people from her past, james tries to figure out what happened to her brother, but when accidentally digs secrets up, she wonders if she really knew him.

this is my first adrienne young book ever. and honestly, it was quite good, and a nice introduction to this author. i know she primarily writes YA fantast, but this one is an adult mystery/magical realism thriller? it was a fun read, and while it was a slow one, it did pick up towards the ending. the characters were good and interesting to read about, and the plot was easy to get through and nice, although the mystery and "twist" were a tad obvious.

thank you to netgalley for giving me an arc. all thoughts are my own.

I absolutely loved! From the very beginning, the story pulled me in with its beautiful writing and the way it captures all those little emotions we don’t always know how to say out loud. The characters felt so real—like people I might know—and their struggles, hopes, and quiet moments.

What stood out the most to me was how the story felt so raw and human. It’s not just about the big events but also the smaller, quieter moments that shape who we are. It’s bittersweet but also hopeful, which I really appreciated.

Thank you to NetGalley and for letting me read an advanced copy of this one! It’s such a moving book, and it’s will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of a sea of unspoken things in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved Adrienne Youngs last book the unmaking of June Farrow so I could not wait to dive right into this one, Adrienne has a lovely writing style that keeps the reader engaged and looking forward to finding out what is going to happen next. James and Johnny are twins raised in a small logging town, They share a special connection that helps them feel when their twin is in trouble.
Unfortunately Johnny dies and his death is ruled an accident as he was shot outside during hunting season. James feels like Johnny is speaking to her from beyond the grave to find out what really happened to him. Many mysteries are unfolded along the way. Four stars.

This book was amazing.
Honestly, I was blown away by this entire tale.
The approach to the story telling was so well orchestrated. The way we were being told the story and being just as confused as James was GENIUS.
Playing into the dream of detaching from your hometown and becoming an outsider to the town, the people, your own brother, the house, and recent events brought up all the nerves. Feeling out of place, judged, and confused made the whole story feel uneasy in the best possible way. Waiting until the very end for TWO separate reveals caused you to second guess yourself and your theories until the very end… AND I STILL GOT IT WRONG.

Will be recommending this book by screaming from the rooftops how amazing Adrienne Young is!

I went into this book expecting the fantasy element that is typically a major part of Adrienne’s Young’s novels. This book had just the slightest bit of magical realism, but was primarily a mystery with elements of sibling connections, second chance relationships, and returning home. I enjoyed the writing, as I always do with Young’s books!

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young is a captivating, atmospheric mystery that blends elements of magical realism with a haunting small-town tale. When James Golden returns to her remote hometown to investigate her twin brother's mysterious death, she's forced to confront both her grief and a long-buried secret from her past. As she uncovers hidden truths about her brother’s life, a deep, almost supernatural bond between them resurfaces, making her question everything she thought she knew.

Adrienne Young masterfully creates a gripping sense of place with the eerie, fog-drenched town of Six Rivers, and she skillfully weaves a mix of mystery, romance, and family drama. The pacing is slow but deliberate, allowing readers to really get absorbed in the emotional depth of the story. The mystery builds at a steady pace, and the psychological tension keeps you turning pages, eager to uncover the truth. This book is perfect for fans of atmospheric, character-driven tales with a touch of the supernatural. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy complex emotional journeys and unraveling dark secrets. ★★★★☆

No one sets a scene quite like Adrienne Young - I always feel so enveloped in the environments she creates. A Sea of Unspoken Things has a similar vibe to some of her other books; think small tight knit town, big secrets. I liked this a lot, and will continue to read anything Young writes in the future!