Adrienne Young does it again with her signature atmospheric storytelling! At first, I found it a bit challenging to get into, but as the story unfolded, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to uncover the secrets of the gorge.

The book follows James, who returns to her hometown after her twin brother dies in what she refuses to believe was an accident. As she digs into the past, she unravels buried secrets and confronts a truth that could change everything.

Adrienne Young has quickly become one of my favorite authors—her ability to create immersive, emotional, and suspenseful worlds is unmatched.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric suspense and deeply layered storytelling, this one’s a must-read!

📖A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young (ARC) 4.5⭐️

📚Grief
📚Small town mystery
📚Magical realism
📚Second chances

Synopsis:
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.
✨📚✨

The pacing was perfection; it never dragged, never slowed, never got boring. The grief was palpable and the story was completely immersive.

We truly don’t know everything about our family members or even our closest friends. I’ve lived this sibling relationship, close friends to strangers because of distance. And now that I’ve lived an unimaginable loss through James, I am forever changed.

I really thought she was going to leave us hanging near the end, but everything was wrapped up beautifully. My only wish, was for a little more intensity on the big reveals and more scenes with Smoke. 😍

Overall I enjoyed this book and am so thankful to have received an ARC! I really loved Adrienne Young's The Unmaking of June Farrow and I could catch moments from this book that reminded me of that one. I think she is great at writing about magical realism and I think she does a great job of tying up all the loose ends at the end. For this book specifically, I think the best parts were the plot twists at the end and the parts where different pieces of the puzzle were revealed along the way. I do think there were moments that felt a bit repetitive which also made some parts feel a bit boring for me. I also felt myself wanting a bit more from the romance aspect of the plot, but overall I would recommend this book!

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of “A Sea of Unspoken Things.” This was a mystery set in a rural small town as James, the FMC, tries to find out what happened to her twin brother, Johnny. Along the way, she reconnects with past relationships and events that she tried to bury in the past. This book was beautifully written and the author completely sets the atmosphere and vibe of the small logging town. There were lots of secrets that James and her bother were keeping, both from the town and each other; however, the exposition to the reader seemed a little slow in the beginning. However, the second half of the book really picks up and I found the conclusion satisfying and unexpected. The magical elements were not as prominent as in the author’s previous works, but it made sense for this plot. If you enjoy mystery novels with a hint of romance, I think you will enjoy this one as well. 4 stars.

I'm going to read whatever Adrienne Young writes. In everything she does, she transports you right into the setting. Six Rivers is a small town kept alive by loggers and local fishing/hunting outfitters. And you are brought right into this picturesque town surrounded by beautiful forest. A Sea of Unspoken Things follows James, who is focused on finding out what truly happened to her brother. This forces her to return to her hometown of Six Rivers and face some past secrets, as well as new ones. You get little nuggets of information throughout the book as you figure out "who done it," but you also really get to know the townspeople and James herself. You can't help but get dragged in when Young writes such great characters. A Sea of Unspoken Things is a great character driven mystery for you to add to the TBR! A huge thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced e-copy.

Adrienne Young is an auto read author for me and this book was not a disappointment. With a look at sibling connections, especially a twin bond, I was woven through this story and this mystery. I was completely immersed in the story and didn't want it to end but also wanted to know how it was going to resolve. I enjoyed the use of the flashbacks to gather a better understanding of James, Johnny and the community members. Thank you to Delacorte Press for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have loved the writing style of this author for many books! This one continues her vibe with a dash of supernatural woven into a deep and moving story. This one seemed to be more of a clean cut mystery with a romance subplot than the multi-genre nature of her other books.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I liked following the investigation, but you have to be willing to slowly unwind the story vs. a fast-paced or hard-hitting story. I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the experience! The narrator had the perfect voice for the FMC and put forth an excellent performance. I’d recommend this format!

Perfect for you if you like:
Investigative mystery
Small town secrets
Secrets from the past
Twin connection
Tiniest dash of supernatural
Romance subplot

While Adrienne Young’s prose is undeniably beautiful, A Sea of Unspoken Things was not for me.
The story’s emotional core is strong, but the pacing lagged, and the characters lacked the depth I’ve come to expect from her work. The themes of grief and healing were compelling, but it was hard for me to stay engaged. I kept waiting for a turning point that never truly arrived. Fans of lyrical writing might enjoy it, but this one didn’t quite live up to its potential for me.

3.5 rounded up

"That's what Johnny had always believed, too. That we were made in the dark. Forged from the shadows of this forest as creatures that were made to only survive here. I'd felt that, too. In fact, I was sure that was what was wrong with me. Why I'd never been able to feel like I belonged anywhere else."

I really REALLY wanted to absolutely LOVE this book. I was so excited to read it.

A Sea of Unspoken Things follows main character James Golden returning to her small “everybody knows everybody” town of Six Rivers after she learns that her twin brother, Johnny, passed away in a hunting accident. she left Six Rivers after high school when she got accepted to an art school in San Francisco and has been living there ever since, so unfortunately, she became a bit estranged from her brother and their friends in her time away.

James and Johnny have always shared a deep connection. after his passing, James begins to see flashes of what she believes are Johnny’s memories, leading her to believe that there was more to his death than a simple hunting accident.

James begins trying to uncover the truth, eventually with the help of Micah, who was James’ boyfriend up until she left for college.

this book was INCREDIBLE at creating tension and painting the scene of this isolated town with little-to-no connection to the rest of the world.

unfortunately, the pacing struggled a lot and the writing became repetitive in this relatively short book. it felt like we were moving in circles over and over again until about 70% into the book. it felt like every other page, James was reflecting about how she never really knew Johnny at all. after setting the stage for the book, nothing really happened. the ending didn’t feel very satisfying either. like there was a little too much left unresolved for me to feel good about putting the book down. spoilers:
- I didn’t like leaving Ben’s resolution of who his father was unresolved, even if it was HEAVILY implied that it was Johnny.
- I didn’t like the added drama of Warren and Rhett, just for Warren’s death to stay a secret. the animosity from Rhett felt pointless, and it seems like the entire plot point was only there to prove that Johnny had the desire to hurt someone one time.
- Olivia’s “twist” felt empty. her motivations were weak and the fact that what happened to Autumn is still a “mystery”, but Olivia was still arrested for murdering her was like ??? huh???

all in all, A Sea of Unspoken Things was beautifully written, but ultimately feels like it should have been condensed into a short story instead of a full-length novel. or fleshed out a little more to fill out the story better if it was going to remain a full-length novel. I could see this being a good book club choice book because of how open ended a lot of things were, it does leave a lot open to speculation/discussion.

plot: ★★★☆☆
the plot centered around Johnny’s death and the surrounding aftermath, but not much plot really happened until close to the end. the plot was interesting and had tons of potential, but I think it fell a little flat due to the execution.

writing: ★★★★☆ (3.5 rounded up)
I kind of think the story would have been more impactful if it had been written in a dual timeline format. like James/Johnny/Micah in high school and then the present day story after Johnny’s death.

starting the story with his death and filling in the gaps from childhood as it went along didn’t work the greatest here in my opinion. I think returning to the town after such a long time would have hit more if we had more of the history of James’ relationships with these people she left behind.

the writing itself is stunning though. it’s just the execution and the world building that I struggled to enjoy.

pacing: ★★☆☆☆
the pacing was brutal. this is an incredibly slow story. it’s still interesting enough to keep you moving forward, but I really struggled to “immerse” myself into the story for a proper reading session whenever I sat down to read. every time I opened the book, I would get maybe 2 paragraphs in, and my mind would start to wander or I’d want to play with my phone. it was difficult to focus on the story.

romance: ★★☆☆☆
the romance definitely wasn’t a primary focus of the story, but the romance that was included wasn’t very impactful. I was hoping for a little bit more to be honest.

characters: ★★☆☆☆
the characters fell pretty flat for me. as mentioned before, I think if we had gotten to know everyone earlier in the story then I would have had stronger feelings about them. I also think it would have been nice to see more of Johnny when he was alive. I’m sure that would take some of the mystery of him away, but since we are following James’ POV, I think we deserve to know at least as much as she knew.

a lot of the characters also felt kind of pointless. Warren/Rhett were fine but didn’t really feel necessary to the plot. Josie felt completely pointless. like this entire character was introduced just to give James one morsel of background information.

over-all: ★★★★☆ (3.5 rounded up)
I loved the WAY the story was written, but not so much the story itself. I think the suspense and the tension that was woven into the story had me expecting some shocking twists and reveals, and I didn’t feel like I got that. I think I just wanted a little bit more out of this.

3.5/5

One thing is for sure, Adrienne Young always has lovely and atmospheric writing. I liked the thriller meets a bit of magical realism vibes. A Sea of Unspoken Things is the kind of book you can read in one sitting because you become so immersed in the mysterious atmosphere. There’s also a lot of suspense that makes you want to keep turning the page. However, two things were a miss for me. The characters and the pacing. The beginning and the end moved at a nice pace, but the middle felt like it dragged. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. I was intrigued by the twin connection and the romance side plot, but the characters fell flat for me. If you already love this author’s other books, you’ll probably enjoy this one too!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 1/2 STARS

Although she had hoped to never return to the small California town where she grew up, James is forced to return home when she learns her twin brother Johnny has been killed. When she arrives, James realizes that the circumstances surrounding Johnny’s death are quite mysterious. While she tries to piece together what happened to her brother, James also finally has to come to terms with her own haunting past, which she has chosen to avoid up until now.

I’m a big fan of Adrienne Young’s books, specifically because her writing is just so gorgeous and so atmospheric. She is just a master when it comes to creating these moody, atmospheric settings that practically come alive as characters in their own right, and she does exactly that with this little town, its characters and their many layers and secrets.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot since it reads like a mystery/thriller and I don’t want to spoil the reveal. I will say though that it’s a bit of a slow burn to get to that reveal. I didn’t mind the slow burn though, as there was plenty going on to hold my attention, including a hint of romance between James and Micah, who was James’ first love and also Johnny’s best friend. I was also fully invested in learning the truth about what made James run away from home all those years ago.

If, like me, you’re a fan of Young’s other books, you’ve probably come to associate her stories with magical realism, and while I’d say there’s a hint of it in this book, mainly in the near telepathic twin bond between James and Johnny, I didn’t find it used to the same extent as with The Unmaking of June Farrow. I would have loved a little more, but even without it, A Sea of Unspoken Things is still a beautifully written mystery.

James has an undeniable connection with her twin brother Johnny. So much so, she feels the pain in the exact spot and moment when he is tragically killed. Returning to her small hometown for the first time in decades, she must relive the past while figuring out what happened to her brother - was it a hunting accident or murder? As she learns more about the life her brother had that she knew very little about while reconnecting with her old flame, another person becomes intertwined…a recently graduated student Autumn with a very similar to her own and ties to her brother. As they unearth more secrets, they’re brought back to their own secret 20 years before that they vowed to take to the grave…and in Johnny’s case, he did.
This was an interesting mystery that is a quick read and yet still leaves the reader with questions and little resolution in some parts (ie the incident years before, Johnny’s behavior, etc). It felt too open ended for a finale but it was still a good read.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ahh I love Adrienne Young so much! She's one of the queens of magical realism and this was no exception. This book kind of gave Bear Town vibes, which I loved! A really fun read and GREAT listen. Definitely recommend and shared with my followers!

My second Adrienne Young and I’m totally addicted.
Her story telling is gorgeous and her language magical.
I love the way her characters come to life on page, and make you truly invest in what they are going through.
When James finds out her twin brother Johnny was found dead in the woods, she returns to her hometown, covered in wounds and bad memories. James tries to settle Johnny’s affairs and return to San Francisco as quickly as possible, but events begin to show their true light, and James is caught up.
The mystery factor is high here. And in normal Young fashion there is an element of the supernatural.
Loved this book. Love her. Excited to read more of her backlist.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC.

My first Adrienne Young novel did not disappoint! Really descriptive, beautiful writing. Dark & moody, immersive setting that was written in a way that I was able to feel like I was seeing the story play out in my head, scene by scene. Also a perfect combo of mystery & suspense with a dash of a romantic sub plot, which I always thoroughly enjoy. And several “tab worthy” quotes throughout the book. Will be looking forward to checking out more of her books asap!

*thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!*

Although, I have loved Young's work previously, the middle of this one lagged and felt mellow dramatic. I largely skimmed section until finally the ending picked it back up

First five star of the year and not surprised it's an Adrienne Young book.

I think having the idea that this is going to be around the same level of magical realism as her previous books would be misleading. It’s not about the otherworldly magic, instead this book focuses more about the connection between the siblings, the unsettling feeling surrounding the death of Johnny and the lengths the siblings have gone or will go to protect one another.

Something else I think it’s important to mention, this book also isn’t as romance heavy as her previous book, and I think it’s important for people to be aware before being disappointed (if you’re under the impression it would have the same level of romance as her previous book), if I had to put a number on it, I would say its 15% romance and 85% mystery. But as someone that could be given crumbs of romance, and still treat it like a five-course meal I would say I was satisfied with the level of romance, because the author captures the longing and past history perfectly.

Lastly, I avoid books that have the story jump from the past and present (and back and forth) mostly because I get more interested in one timeline and without fail eagerly await to get back to that storyline. I’m happy to report that that doesn’t happen. In this book we’re alluded to the fact that something happened, causing our FMC to never return, but not really told what happens until later in the book. And I loved this slow reveal because it feels like when we finally know what happened is when the FMC can be honest to what truly happened that night that lead to the events of her going away, it was a way of her acknowledging the past to confront her present



Solid 5 stars



Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley!

When her twin brother dies under mysterious circumstances, James takes it upon herself to find out what really happened to Johnny. The more she digs, one mystery becomes two, and anyone in town could be a suspect.

A Sea of Unspoken Things is a stand-alone thriller. It does have a sprinkle of magical realism/paranormal but not nearly as much as the author’s previous books. The overall theme is much darker (heavy on the thriller element) than her prior adult books as well.

Adrienne Young absolutely threw the gauntlet down for 2025 releases. I was absolutely consumed by this book and ended up finishing it in a single day. I thought this was going to be a fairly straightforward mystery that I'd be able to work out quickly but I was wrong. This author has some of the most beautiful, poetic-like prose that I have come across. Her descriptions are lush and picturable without info dumping.

If you’re hoping for the slightly witchy, magical realism that this author has produced in the past, this book may not be for you. If you enjoy a good thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end, I highly recommend this book. I hope to see more books in this genre from Adrienne Young in the future.

I found it pretty boring but I think it may strike a cord with the right crowd. The writing flows well and characters are well thought out.

A Haunting and Atmospheric Mystery

Rating: 5/5 stars

A Sea of Unspoken Things is a mesmerizing novel exploring family, love, and loyalty. With rich prose and nuanced magical realism, this suspenseful story follows James as she navigates her twin brother's mysterious death.

Young masterfully weaves secrets, lies, and small-town mysteries, crafting a complex narrative with sweet romance and well-crafted characters. The rural setting adds charm, making this a must-read for fans of mystery, magical realism, and atmospheric fiction.

Recommendation: Perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries with magical realism, complex characters, and rural settings.

Thank you Netgally!!