4.5 🌟 I actually loved this one so much more than I expected! In typical Adrienne Young fashion, you have no idea what you’re getting into when you start. What seems like one story turns into multiple and somehow she brings them all together.

The setting was immaculate - she does an amazing job setting up the town and the characters that you truly feel like this could be a real place. I keep seeing the word “atmospheric” and I think that’s the best way to describe this one. Every character had a spot in the story and I think that’s what makes her books feel so complete. I also love that she keeps parts of the ending semi-ambiguous.

There were so many different scenarios that played out in my head but I can honestly say, I didn’t anticipate the entirety of what actually happened.

As someone who found the ending of June Farrow to be so confusing to the point that I SWEAR it actually didn’t make sense (don’t come for me!!), this kind of magical realism just worked so much better for me. It was subtle and didn’t dominate the storyline at all which is the sweet spot for me most of the time. A twin connection is something that has always fascinated me so that aspect of it intrigued me right from the start.

I've loved every book by Adrienne Young until this one. There wasn't anything necessarily wrong with it. I just never connected to the story. The writing was beautiful and melancholy but perhaps too slow.

I would have liked if the magical realism aspects had been played up a bit more. I think that's a part of what made her past books so special. Overall, though, this was still a good story, and I was invested in learning the truth behind Johnny's death.

I eagerly await whatever comes next from Adrienne Young.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I am so thankful to have gotten this book!!! I love anything Adrienne Young writes and I loved it. She has such a way of writing a deeply emotional and captivating story. She is the best magical realism author there is and I enjoy each one of the story lines. Again, I am so thankful to have received this book early.

I love Adrienne Young and feel like this might be one of her strongest works. Drawing on so many themes - family relationships, difficult feelings, grief etc. that she does so well, I absolutely loved this.

“𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬. 𝘐 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦…⁣
⁣
𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦.”⁣
⁣
I didn’t think it was possible for me to appreciate @adrienneyoungbooks anymore as an author, but I was mistaken. I loved all her previous YA and adult novels, but this one hit me harder. I think her prose in this one regarding grief and regret was heart wrenching in how unflinching it was. Like her other novels it’s also palpably atmospheric, and whereas Fable made me want to go diving into the nearest ocean, this one had me yearning for the misty Pacific coast.

“He’d earned himself a reputation for being fearless, but that day was the first time I began to realize that we weren’t immortal. That I could lose him. And that terror had opened a kind of doorway between us.”

I always look forward to the work of Adrienne Young, as her adult novels are just so whimsical and atmospheric. Her work has these elements of relationships, mystery, and sprinkled with bits of Fantasy and magical realism. Her writing invokes this menagerie of cozy mystery, immersed with deep connections to earth and nature. And can we also take a brief moment to appreciate her book covers for her adult novels, they are these fantastical depictions of nature, and are truly remarkable.

Her latest installment depicts a woman, James, returning to her hometown to settle the estate of her twin, Johnny. Insert the mutual friend of both twins, and past love interest of James, Micah. There is a rocky past involving James when she was younger that ultimately takes her away from everyone for years. She learns things of her brother while uncovering details surrounding his death, and revisits this seemingly twin telepathy that has always been there between her and her brother. If you enjoy any of her books, pick this one up as it’s worth reading! If you haven’t read any of her books, this one is a good place to start!

What’s On The Pages:
-twins
-elements of mystery
-magical realism
-relationships

✨Rating✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A special thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this eARC! A Sea Of Unspoken Things is out now!

Atmospheric & captivating!

Adrienne has a knack for painting a picture with her words and really bringing life to her characters and her beautifully crafted settings. She’ll forever be an auto buy author for me.

Tropes:
📖 Sibling bonds/ twin telepathy
📖 Magical realism
📖 Second chance romance
📖 Mystery
📖 Small town

After receiving the tragic news that her twin brother has been killed, James (yes, James is our FMC) returns to her hometown in the forest of Six Rivers. Local authorities believe Johnny’s death was a tragic hunting accident, but once James begins to sort through Johnny’s belongings she begins to find evidence that may contradict the idea of her brother’s death being an accident.

A big thank you to @netgalley and @delacortepress for the advance reader copy!

I feel like Adrienne Young can write anything. I fell in love with the magical realism and second chance romance in The Unmaking of June Farrow. This book is a whole different vibe but I love it just as much. An unexpected death and long-buried secrets are wrapped into a multilayered mystery. What these two books do have in common is how vividly atmospheric they are! I was immediately sucked into the story and felt like a resident of the small town of Six Rivers, California. The prose is beautiful which gave the narrator the perfect words to pour all of her emotions into. This one was easy to binge and the ending honestly had me baffled. This is the perfect read for a rainy day!

Adrienne Young’s “A Sea of Unspoken Things” is a slow-building mystery that gradually unveils layers of the past within the present.

Twenty years ago, after the mysterious death of a local classmate, Griffin Walker, James Golden left Six Rivers, California, to attend Byron School of the Arts in San Francisco. Since then, she has established herself as a successful artist, filling galleries and selling out shows. James also began an unofficial relationship with Quinn Fraser, the director of biology at the California Academy of Sciences. When Quinn needs a photographer to document and collect data on five types of northern spotted owls in Six Rivers, James pitches her brother Johnny for the job.

However, James’s return to Six Rivers comes under tragic circumstances: she receives a call informing her that Johnny has died in a hunting accident. After nearly twenty years of absence, James returns to her hometown. But as she revisits the place that shaped her, she begins to experience visions of Johnny, feeling his presence as if he were still there, guiding her through his last days. Convinced that his death was not accidental and burdened with guilt, she begins to investigate, sifting through his photographs and notes in an attempt to uncover the truth.

James and Johnny shared a strong twin telepathy, a connection that makes James acutely aware of Johnny’s final moments. When Johnny jumped from a rock into a river, James felt as if she were drowning. On the day of his death, before receiving the phone call, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Now, as she delves deeper into the investigation, she begins to see apparitions of Johnny and hear his voice. It’s as though he is trying to lead her toward the truth of what happened in the forest, almost as if he’s pointing to his attacker.

Unable to unravel the mystery alone, James seeks help from Micah Rhodes, Johnny’s best friend and James’s ex-lover—the only man she’s ever truly loved. The two haven’t spoken since James left, and there’s much unresolved between them. As they work together to uncover the truth, their personal feelings become tangled in the investigation, adding complexity to their relationship.

The novel is a slow-paced mystery, with a roster of potential suspects and a missing person complicating the investigation. Young’s prose is lush and poetic, and she beautifully captures the grief James feels as she reconnects with her past. The vivid descriptions of the forest and the strong psychic link between James and Johnny create a haunting atmosphere. However, despite the eloquent writing, the novel can feel repetitive. The constant reminders that James has been absent from Johnny’s life and doesn’t fully understand him drag the pacing, making the novel’s sub-300-page length feel longer than it is.

While the characters are distinct, and there are no overt red herrings, the romance between James and Micah feels forced and rushed. The novel would have benefited from more context around their past and Johnny’s death to deepen the emotional impact. Additionally, the mystery itself is somewhat predictable; I guessed the culprit early on, and I suspect many readers will as well. For me, a satisfying mystery thrives on a twist or surprise, and in this case, the reveal lacked the shock I was hoping for.

The Sea of Unspoken Things
By Adrienne Young

🌟🌟🌟✨/5

First off, I really don’t understand how the name fits the book. Am I alone in this? We were in a forest the whole time, right? The unspoken things part makes sense though, for sure.

📖 The Sea of Unspoken Things follows James’s return to her small forest town after the accidental shooting of her brother. But was it really an accident?

✨ I love Young’s atmospheric writing in her previous two (non YA) novels and this one gives that same quality. The setting feels like a character and is so well described without overdoing it. ✨

Sadly, the rest of the story fell a bit flat for me in the beginning/middle. Once we got more into the mystery, I was much more engaged, but this slow character study mystery just left me a little underwhelmed.

That being said, I still love Young’s writing style and enjoyed the atmosphere and the bits of magical realism thrown in.

✨ Thanks so much to the publisher, NetGalley, and to PRHA for the gifted copies. I read the first half and listened to the rest and enjoyed both versions. ✨

(4.25⭐-ARC) I am definitely a fan of Adrienne's writing and the hypnotic way she lays out a story. Although I didn't love this quite as much as June Farrow, I was still entranced throughout this read. I do think the beginning was a bit slow and repetitive, dragging the mystery in front of the reader a few too many times. But, once things start to fall into place around halfway in, it was hard to put down.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you for the Arc! Adrienne Young is one of my favorite authors and I love getting the opportunity to read anything she writes. Her books continue to mix all of my favorite things; a thrilling mystery, magic, nature and just a dash of romance. A Sea of Unspoken Things highlights Young’s uncanny ability to bring the misty Pacific Northwest to life. The settings of her novels are a character in their own right. I definitely recommend picking this up and checking out her other works if you have done so already!

This was a great filler book for me. I enjoyed the plot and the setting of the book. There were some moments that fell flat personally that impacted my rating. Overall this book met my expectations and I would recommend.

3.5

This being my first read of hers, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I admit I had gone into this blind, thinking it was going to some kind of fantasy like her other works I’ve heard people talk about.

This is definitely not that, it’s a mystery. That being said, it was still a really nice story about grief & family & realizing that sometimes those closest to you aren’t who they seem. It was well written & wont be the last I read of hers.

“We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.”

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up
James and Johnny Golden are twins who share a connection. James felt the moment that Johnny died. James returns to her hometown to figure out what happened and finish the project Johnny was working on.

This was a different read than I was expecting. The writing was sad and kind of made me feel a tad depressed. It took me a long time to read. The mystery of the death of Johnny Golden kept me vested because I wanted to know the truth. I felt a grand relief when I finished this book.

ARC provided by NetGalley: 3.75⭐️ rounded up

This was a lovely, atmospheric book, that kept me guessing right up until the end. Some of the character motives didn’t feel as convincing as I would have liked, but it was easy enough to ignore and immerse myself in the story. The romance was also cute, while not taking center stage. I’m glad I had a chance to read this.

It’s release day for A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young. This is my second book from this author and once again she created an atmosphere perfect for this time of year. She is very descriptive in her writing and it will take you to that place that makes you feel like you are there in a small town trying to solve the mysteries that lie within.

After reading The Unmaking of June Farrow I was ready to dive into one of her books again. The reason for my rated on this one was the pacing. I felt slow paced for the majority of the book and then the ending just felt rushed.

Aside from that, Adrienne once again created a story with a magical mystery that will keep you guessing!
3.5 🌟🌟🌟💫

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young was immersive, magical and beautiful.
I really love Adrienne Young’s storytelling and this one was done very well.
This story was just wonderful. The plot was perfect, the characters were perfect.
The writing is so beautiful. It was magical and atmospheric.
This book really was so captivating.

Thank You NetGalley and Delacorte Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was unlike any book I’ve ever read! I wanted to read it because I absolutely loved The Unmaking of June Farrow. Adrienne’s writing was once again phenomenal. However, this one took a bit longer to pique my interest. It had a very slow start and I didn’t get super invested until about 70% in. I did love how everything tied together and the ending was a surprise to me. I would give this 3.5 stars!

Happy release day to A Sea of Unspoken Things.

Eerie, layered, atmospheric, with touches of magical realism. This story explores the relationship between twins James and Johnny Golden and how their connection stretches between them even after Johnny’s death. It’s also a second chance romance with Micah, the man James left behind.

Adrienne Young knocked this one out of the park. She creates a connection with nature you can feel through this story. This is my favorite book of hers so far. Better than June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting. If you liked either of those books, definitely pick this up. It hits a sweet spot being under 300 pages.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. I will be buying a physical copy!