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.,

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.

Another captivating small town mystery by Adrienne Young. Don’t walk but RUN to pick this one up on January 7th.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the E-ARC.

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.