Adrienne Young does it again with A Sea of Unspoken Things, a moody small-town mystery packed with family drama, romance, and just a touch of the paranormal. This one pulls you in slowly but keeps you hooked until the end, making it perfect for fans of her previous books or anyone who loves a layered story.

The book follows James, a woman forced to return to her small hometown of Hawthorne, California, nearly 20 years after leaving everything—and everyone—behind. She’s back to deal with her twin brother Johnny’s death and finish his environmental project. But James knows his death wasn’t the hunting accident everyone claims it was. Feeling connected to Johnny even in death, she’s determined to find out the truth about what happened.

James’s journey isn’t just about solving the mystery, though. She’s also coming to terms with her complicated relationship with Johnny, her guilt over leaving, and her unresolved feelings for Micah, the guy she left behind. The tension between her and Micah is palpable, and their shared history adds a lot of heart to the story.

Young’s writing is absolutely stunning, as always. Her descriptions make you feel like you’re right there in the foggy, atmospheric town of Hawthorne. The relationships are messy and real, and the mystery unfolds slowly but surely, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. That said, the pacing is definitely on the slower side, and it takes a while for the story to really get going.

While the plot isn’t quite as gripping as Spells for Forgetting or The Unmaking of June Farrow, the emotional depth and beautiful writing more than make up for it. If you’re looking for something with a strong sense of place, heartfelt relationships, and a good dose of small-town drama, this one’s a great pick.

Definitely worth a read—especially for fans of Adrienne Young. And seriously, can we talk about that gorgeous cover? Stunning.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was so so good. When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it. Her writing is sooo atmospheric I felt like I was in this little town solving the mystery too :) going to read everything else she’s written now. Thank you netgalley for the early copy!!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Randomhouse, and Delacorte Press for this advanced copy.

James Golden is returning the tucked away Northern California logging town, and the past she's spent the last twenty years trying to forget, after the accidental shooting death of her twin brother Johnny. But as she spends more time in Six Rivers trying to wrap up her brother's work her inexplicable connection with her brother is becoming even more pronounced, almost as if he's trying to tell her his death wasn't an accident. Further, being back in town draws her back to old connections and reopens old wounds.

This is my first foray into Adrienne Young's adult books, though I did particularly enjoy the Fable series/The World of the Narrows. Young absolutely succeeds in creating a closed-in sometimes oppressive atmosphere of a small town that closes ranks to protect their own, in a forest that at times feels alive. And even though we only learn about Johnny in his absence, you can feel the strong bond between Johnny and James and I think the magical realism of their connection added to that well. The tension between Micah and James was also really well done in my opinion, though I do think overall the relationship could have been further developed.

The book did start off fairly slowly, but I would say sped up at about the 60% mark, maybe a bit earlier. Overall if a small town mystery is something that you enjoy, I think that this book would be for you.

Thank you to Net galley for a chance to read this! The Unmaking of June Farrow was an unexpected high for me, and I knew this was going to be an auto read for me. Truly loved this story and I think everyone needs to add it to the top of their TBR!

I really enjoyed this book. James returns home for the first time in 20 years after the sudden death of her twin brother Johnny. Things seem cut and dry…at first. I loved the atmosphere, location and *most* of the characters. I predicted one part of the story but my theory about the other part could not have been more wrong. This is only the second Adrienne Young book I’ve read but it won’t be the last.

I'm usually a fan of Adrienne Young, but this one didn't quite hit the mark with me. It was still a good read, but I felt like it wasn't as good as her other books.
In this book, James goes back to her hometown to look into the mysterious death of her twin brother, Johnny. While there, she has to confront her past and the life she left behind. James has always had a strong connection to her twin, but while looking into his death, she starts seeing and hearing things others cannot. Along the way, she starts realizing that people she knew most of her life might not be who she thought they were.
The atmosphere of this book was set up really well. It felt really dark, moody, and mysterious. I feel like this really added to the story.
However, I felt that the pacing of the story was off. It felt like it dragged in the first half of the book, and I wasn't totally invested in the characters, so it took me a while to get into the book. It does pick up more in the second half, but I feel like it ended a bit too abruptly.
Overall, this was a good read once I got through the first half. I recommend this book to fans of Young's other works and fans of mysteries that take place in small towns with tight-knit communities with some magical realism thrown in. I'm looking forward to what Young writes next!

My favorite of hers with just enough mystery and a little less magical realism than June Farrow which I enjoyed more with this book. Very descriptive of the setting and I actually wanted the story to be a little longer. I'd recommend!!

I love how Adrienne Young's writing sucks me in with the atmosphere. I felt like I was swallowed up by the forest. The combination of mystery, thriller, light romance, and small-town drama was an engaging mix, and I could not put it down, especially in the second half. The first quarter was a slow build, but the payoff was worth it.

adrienne young you have delivered a GEM! i loved this book so much. i don’t feel like it particularly fits one genre — it’s a mix of mystery, magical realism, and thriller(kind of) with a tiny romantic undercurrent. the plot was so well written and interesting and i was invested from start to finish. this is the definition of a book you don’t want to put down. i loved that there were honestly like 3 mysteries going on at the same time but they all involved the same small town and same main cast of characters. the backstories run deep and discovering pieces of the past that provide context for the present here and there was so much fun. i just really had a great time reading this and felt like it was an adrenaline rush of plot twists.

Another beautiful book by Adirenne Young. Her writing style is so enjoyable to read and she creates characters and storyline that sweep you into her world. This was another wonderful mystery story and the only thing holding me back from a 5 star review was the pacing at the beginning. I loved the 2nd half, but it took a minute before I couldn't put this one down. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story was really unexpected! I loved Adrienne’s last two adult magical realism books and honestly they’re my favorites from her! This one had a little bit different of a vibe and I wasn’t sure how I felt about the main character James for a while but I love a mystery and so I ended up really enjoying this book!
Definitely will recommend it to people, thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

As always, Adrienne Young has a way of telling a story that is very captivating and makes your mind reel to figure out the hidden mystery in her stories. This book is like a murder mystery with a hint of magic. I enjoyed this book a lot! ❤️

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing for giving me an ARC of this book. 😊

This is my first read by Adrienne Young, and I understand why so many love her books! It was a small town mystery, with paranormal / “magical” elements, and a dash of second chance romance. I loved the writing, as I could vividly picture each scene as I was reading. It was a bit slow at first, but the last 40% had me hooked in and you could really feel the “small town mystery” aspect. I loved James’ and Johnny’s twin connection, and her determination to figure out what happened to him. Overall, O really enjoyed this and cannot wait to read Adrienne’s backlist!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this arc!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press for an ARC copy of A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young. This is the second book I've read by Adrienne Young, and I really enjoyed it. Her writing is beautiful, and she's created a captivating, small-town mystery that draws you in from the first chapter.

James (female) and Johnny are twins. James is forced to return to the small town she left and never wanted to come back to, because of her brother's death. As she works to complete her brother's important environmental project, a mystery builds, and she thinks maybe her brother's death wasn't an accident like she'd been told.

I can't wait to read Adrienne Young's next book!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I had a great time with this read! As usual, the author excels at creating a haunting atmosphere with her writing and setting. The pages exuded a creepy vibe that left me feeling haunted.

The book starts off slowly, taking its time to put together the pieces of the story, which seemed to hamper the book’s progress. If I hadn’t had the time to dedicate to reading it, I might have struggled getting towards the second half.

I found myself conflicted about the character of Johnny. His presence looms large throughout the book, but there was too much buildup for too little resolution. I wish the author had provided more details earlier to help understand his character better as it might have helped some of the pacing issues early in the book.

The mystery element was exciting, and I didn't anticipate the ending at all, having guessed one aspect completely wrong. I am excited to reread this someday to see if I can catch any details I missed the first time.

Overall, this is a well-crafted and intriguing story, though not my favorite among the author's recent standalone works. I would have appreciated more fantasy elements, similar to what was found in "June Farrow,” but this book leans more magical realism. Still, it's a solid four-star read.

Review will publish on Goodreads on November 16

Another fantastic read by Adrienne Young. I love her ability to weave in the magic realism in a way that really feels authentic and not forced. James had so many layers that made you root for her, worry for her, and be wary of her. I did find the pace a bit slow at times, but once I sat down and got immersed in it the story flowed so well. I was really thrown at the end but there's so many clues throughout the novel that make it believable. Great read.

This was an absolutely beautiful, and at times, heartbreaking story.

The way Young creates the atmosphere for her stories is breathtaking. At every page, I found myself being able to truly see the environment where James and Johnny lived. Feeling the winter chill against my skin, my breath fogging the air, and hearing the crunch of snow as I turned the page. Not many authors can do that.
When I began this book, only a short time after finishing “The Unmaking Of June Farrow”, I was expecting another fantastical tale of wonder and magic.

I’m glad to say I fell into something completely different.

James was elusive and secretive, coming from a life of protecting one person, while denying herself the happiness she deserves. This seems to be quite the norm for many people who grow up in small, secluded areas of the world. Only knowing what is right in front of them, and unable to see the future they deserve.
From the beginning, James is determined to pack away the remainders of Johnnys life, and to quickly return back to her own. But, this soon becomes a near impossible task. Things that shatter her ideas of her brother, the town, and the people within it begin to question everything she’s known.

For me personally, this was a solid 5⭐️ read. I found myself absolutely engrossed, and flying through the story, anticipating how it would end.
The secrets, lies, misdirections, and surprises were plentiful, and at times, absolutely irritating! With each chapter, I was questioning who I believed, who was responsible for every misfortune, and who was still hiding their story. As answers, true answers, began making their appearance, I physically found myself sighing in relief. Another weight off my shoulders, and those of James and Micah.

There was not a single sentence within this book that felt like “fluff” or useless information. Every word was so well thought out, and perfectly placed to keep the flow of the story, while also directing me toward new questions.

This will be one I recommend to anyone. It has a little bit of every genre; thriller, romance, mystery… and while it doesn’t have a fantasy element, the story itself is written in a very fantastical way. Even though this is a very slow, building story, it is evenly paced and doesn’t hold back. I never felt as though I was skimming through, waiting for the good part, or finding myself bored while waiting for the action. Another aspect that is hard to come by.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Random House Publishing, for allowing me the chance to read this beautiful piece of art! I truly cannot wait to read more from Adrienne Young!

Adrienne’s storytelling is incredible to me. I have loved her previous books, and this one is no different. This story was atmospheric and captivating and it was so easy to get lost in her words.

I loved the mix of genres in this one from small town mystery to some romance and a touch of paranormal. The search for answers, the truths revealed, buried secrets, protecting the ones you love, it was all beautifully revealed at a slow, steady pace throughout the story. There weren’t any over the top, shocking moments or reveals for me, but the beauty in the storytelling itself was enough to really enjoy the journey in this one.

+ suspense
+ family drama
+ atmospheric & moody
+ beautiful setting

This book was fantastic. One of my most anticipated reads of the year. Adrienne Young delivered another twisty, small town mystery that I devoured in one night. This story was so heartbreakingly beautiful. There was so many secrets to uncover in this story.

A Sea of Unspoken Things is about twins James and Johnny Golden and the lengths people go to protect those they love. Johnny and James were yin and yang and because of her twin instincts and something else she cannot put into words, James Golden returns to her small town to investigate how her twin, Johnny died. As she begins to uncover his secrets she learns that she cannot run from her own past which involves her childhood friend and lover, Micah.

The author did an amazing job spinning the mystery of Johnny Golden and how his life and the secrets he kept were very similar to what lead James to run from her small town 20 years ago. The story kept me on my toes wondering how James, Johnny and Micahs past was tied to the newest story.

The whole book I thought I knew what was going to happen but the story had so many twists that I did not see coming and made the story more mysterious. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a mystery read.

-ARC READ. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book for my honest review.

Adrienne Young’s writing is as beautiful as always. Rich and emotive, the words will whisk you away. Like her prior adult books, this one offers a small-town setting, a second-chance romance, family drama, past trauma, magical realism, and a murder mystery. It’s the perfect read for a cozy autumn or winter weekend.

This has very similar vibes to Spells for Forgetting. Unlike that book, I feel like this one focuses more on the main character’s relationship with her brother, and in turn the romance with her childhood sweetheart is underdeveloped. Also, some math isn’t mathing: a dog is well over 20 years old, no one notices a certain character is missing (including their mother?) for months, this seemingly impoverished rural town has a gorgeous public school with a top-of-the-line art room, everyone uses film and no one takes digital photos (this is set in the present day). I thought the magical realism was just supposed to be about the main character’s ghostly connection with her brother lol.