Immerse yourself in the dark of the forest…

James escaped her small hometown deep in the woods of Northern California & has built a life over the course of the past two decades roughly 350 miles south of it in San Francisco. But when her twin brother is killed, she heads back into her past & realizes that her connection with Johnny isn’t completely gone…

This is my second Adrienne Young book & let’s just say I’m a fan! Wow can she weave a complex plot, & the setting is phenomenal. The characters in this town came to life, the supernatural aspect of the twins’ relationship was mysterious & intriguing, & the romantic element of interacting with her first love again had me invested.

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5⭐️s This is my first book by Adrienne Young. Personally, very pleased with her writing style. A Sea of Unspoken Things is a soft romance with a murder mystery. Not my typical read. Highly recommend if you want to branch into a murder mystery but appreciate a romantic element.

James’ twin brother Johnny has died. Everyone says it was probably an accident. Johnny was always going into the wood for his research. James doesn’t feel right about an accident though. She’s always had a different bond with Johnny. More than they typically say twins have. He’s not left her. Not yet. James believes Johnny may be leading her to something or someone. With the help of Micah; the only other person they both trusted, James goes searching for answers in the town she ran away from twenty years ago.

Thank you to @netgalley @adrienneyoungbooks, and @randomhouse for the advanced reader copy. It was such a pleasure to be able to read A Sea of Unspoken Things.
#aseaofunspokenthings #adrienneyoung #netgalley #mystreythriller #romance #scifielements #advancedreader #bookreview

A Sea of Unspoken Things is not your typical magical realism cozy mysterious read we usually get from Adrienne, BUT I honestly think it is time we stop putting her wriitng in a box and take this book for what it is. I absolutely enjoyed this one. It is a small town mystery that has similar vibes to her other books where there is a mystery to be solved, a deep connection to nature, and intense family dynamics. The writing I felt like was well done and I enjoyed the predictability and also the twists (what I failed to predict).

I think this book is rating low simply because too many people are going into this with different expectations that failed to deliver, but for those of you who enjoyed The Paper Palace, Bear, Where the Crawdads Sing, or even The God of the Woods, I would happily recommend this one.

We come into the story starting with a death announcement of the twin brother of our protagonist (James) who travels to the small town of Six Rivers to collect his things. She (James) discovers that Johnny's death may not have been related to a hunting accident after all, and stirs up past dirt that the town has silently kept hidden. Neighbors and even an old beau has a secret- and this was definitely a slower paced book but overall I enjoyed the final reveals near 25%.

Content: fade to black, a few f-words (not too bad), mystery/crime

I absolutely loved this book. I had high expectations since I also loved the Unmaking of June Farrow, but I enjoyed A Sea of Unspoken Things even more. We follow James as she returns to her small Northern CA hometown after many years away to deal with the death of her twin brother. I thought the pacing was perfect - I was immediately sucked in and though there were some slower parts throughout the book, I still could not put it down. Adrienne Young's prose is also beautiful and I loved the description of the forest and how it really felt alive. I would describe this as a mystery novel with supernatural and romantic aspects. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for the ARC!

Adrienne Young has once again delivered a masterpiece in A Sea of Unspoken Things. This atmospheric and gripping novel plunges readers into a world where familial bonds, haunting secrets, and the relentless pursuit of truth converge.

The story follows James, a woman tethered to her twin brother Johnny by a connection that goes beyond mere intuition. When Johnny dies in a tragic accident, James is drawn back to Six Rivers, to settle his affairs. However, her arrival is anything but simple. Confronted by their shared ominous past and Micah—the only man she’s ever loved—James is forced to unravel Johnny’s mysterious life and the secrets he kept. As she delves deeper, she discovers that her connection to her brother isn’t entirely gone, raising questions about the days leading up to his death and forcing her to confront which truths should be revealed and which are better left buried.

In true Adrienne Young fashion, the setting of Six Rivers felt alive. Her vivid and transportive descriptions make the town feel both enchanting and foreboding. The characters are intricately crafted—relatable, complex, and unforgettable. James’s journey is one of pain and resilience, and her interactions with Micah bring depth and tension that heighten the story's stakes.

The pacing of the novel is perfectly executed. I was on the edge of my seat, devouring page after page as new revelations came to light. Just when I thought I’d figured something out, Young masterfully twisted the narrative, proving me wrong in the most satisfying way. Her writing style is immersive and evocative, seamlessly weaving together elements of surprise with a cohesive storyline that grips you from the first page to the last.

This is not a book to read in multiple sittings—it demands to be consumed in one. Everything fits together like a perfectly constructed puzzle, leaving no loose threads. A Sea of Unspoken Things is a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries and emotionally charged stories. It’s a book that will linger in your mind long after you’ve closed its pages.

Twins, James and Jonny Golden, have always had an unusual connection. When Johnny is killed in a tragic accident James knows he is gone before her phone even rings. Now she finds herself heading back to a town she swore she would never return to and a past she wishes she could forget. With the help of her first love, she begins to put her brother’s affairs in order only to discover Johnny may have had some secrets of his own. James soon realizes that her and Johnnys connection isn’t severed…is it her inability to let him go or is he trying to warn her from the other side.

A Sea of Unspoken Things explores family connections, lost loves, and the many secrets of a small town and its residents. As with many of Young’s novels the story combines past and present events as the full plot is slowly revealed. The novel provides a tense atmospheric setting among a small group of well developed characters. If you are a fan of Young’s work then this novel will not disappoint. There were definitely some twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the last page.

The Unmaking of June Farrow was one of my favorite books, so I had very high hopes for this new one. Unfortunately, I think I set my expectations a little too high.

It was an intriguing plot, but it became convoluted with too many characters, secrets and storylines. I loved the twin connection, but that’s kind of where the love ended for me.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5, rounded up to 3 stars.

This was my first Adrienne Young book and honestly, I am regretting this being the first from her. I think this book was trying to do too much, and fell extremely flat for me. I get that a murder mystery isn't suppose to be predictable but there was too much twisting and turning for my liking. The potential age gap relationship, the random flashback murder that really didn't fuel the plot the way I thought it was going to (Johnny murdering the owls made more of an impact then the "accidental death").

Also, absolutely lost that .5 rating for the random ass pregnancy at the end. Women don't need to have children, and as the main character was 37, I'm not sure why that was needed when it was never expressed as something she wanted throughout the whole book. James and Micah could have happily been a family with the two of them and smoke and it would have been just as much of a true family without the random baby.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Sea of Unspoken Things
Author: Adrienne Young
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date:  January 7, 2025

It is always good to start the New Year with a 5-star book. The title and photo don’t make sense since this book is set in Northern California, deep in the forest, but I’ll let that go. The story was compelling and tragic. Twins James (a girl) and Johnny (a boy) were raised in this lonely, isolated, and small town by their father, who eventually disappeared and left them to raise each other. It was not a town where many stayed, and those who did were loyal to each other. They had to be. A bullet kills Johnny, a wildlife conservation observer and photographer, and the lethargic police department considers it a hunting accident. However, he was not hunting and was experienced in hunting safety. His sister, James, an artist living in San Francisco, is compelled to return home 8 years after she left because her “twin senses” told her something was wrong. I have a twin brother, and my husband has twin brothers. I can tell you that some have the “gift” and some do not, but twins are unique. This story is about the surviving twin, James, investigating her brother’s murder as she works to make sense of his death. She reunited with her first love, reunited with the people she abandoned, and works on solving a number of the tragic questions surrounding multiple deaths. The story was well-told, atmospheric, and with excellent pacing. The ending was terrific, and I thought the whole book was hard to put down. I enjoy Ms. Young’s books, and this is another great read by her to start the New Year. You will love it. #murder #mountains #death #endangeredSpecies #feralChildren #loss #isolatedlocation #smallTown #insular #tragic #love #twins @netgalley @adrienneyoungbooks #Aseaofunspokenthings @delacortepress
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.
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Adrienne Young’s writing is truly captivating. When I pick up one of her books, I know I’m in for gorgeously atmospheric settings, complicated, yet lovable characters, and a touch of magic.
The story of James & Johnny is no exception. The connection between the twins is deeper than what meets the eye, and James knows before her phone even rings that Johnny is gone. Returning to her small northern California town to settle her brother’s affairs, James is forced to reckon with old secrets and come to terms with who her brother really was, and what he was involved in during his final days.
The descriptive settings Adrienne Young is known for are on full display- I could almost see the fog rolling in and hear the crunch of branches underfoot. The author was inspired by her own relationship with her twin brother in this powerful exploration of identity and family, and she has really found her niche in moody suspense with supernatural elements. Both fans of her work, and those that are new to her writing, will undoubtedly enjoy this beautifully eerie small-town mystery.

I don't know if this book has an identity crisis or if I just completely misinterpreted the while thing? Is this a mystery or intellectual fiction, like you-can't-outrun-your-past kind of thing? From the beginning I wasn't connected to the characters and it took so long to get into the story. This was a big miss for me. First book of the year and I had heard good things about this author's previous works I was just left disappointed.

My first Adrienne Young story and definitely not my last.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved every minute of this. A bit slow at first but that's how I feel small town stories are. I love the small town mystery element. I grew up in a very small town so the connections between the characters and the town felt right at home for me.

Having two brothers myself, I loved the bond between James and her twin. Loved the ghost aspect of the story as well.

“I’d never liked the feeling that I couldn’t see into the distance, like the whole world might have ended on the other side of those trees and I wouldn’t know it.”

This book starts out with James returning to her hometown after the death of her twin brother, Johnny. As she ties up the last of his affairs, the connection she has always felt with Johnny gets stronger, almost as if he is trying to tell her something, like maybe his death wasn't an accident after all…

This book was amazing. Adrienne young does such a great job pulling you into the story immediately. I found myself not being able to put this book down. She makes it so easy to connect with any characters she writes. I felt as if I was in James’ mind trying to figure out the puzzle surrounding Johnny's death along side her. The mystery aspect of this book was also so great. I absolutely love when you can't really pin down exactly what happened until it's revealed. Where you feel like you can't trust anyone in the story or feel like you're second guessing everything.

I put off reading this book for awhile since Adrienne young is one of my absolute favorite authors and I knew I wouldn't be able to get over this book easily.

Anyway, another 5 star read for me. This was such a good way to start the year.

Thank you to netgalley, random house publishing-ballantine and delacorte press for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars — I have never read any thing by this author but I can see why she is well-loved! Her writing style was very digestible and was able to keep my attention. I enjoyed reading about James and Johnny’s complicated relationship. Sibling relationships are one of my favorite storylines. My only complaint is I guessed the ending within the first 25% of the book. The author was still able to keep my attention after this! If you are looking to read this author, I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks, Net Galley and Random House for providing me with the ARC for my honest review ❤️

I first became a fan of Adrienne Young after reading Spells For Forgetting then The Unmaking of June Farrow. I devoured these books! When the ARC became available for A Sea of Unspoken Things, I quickly jumped at the chance! Once again, Adrienne Young creates a unique story that centers on the special bond between a twin brother and sister. James returns to her hometown after her brother Johnny is tragically killed. As she investigates the days leading up to his death, past and present secrets collide! While this story took a little more time to grab my attention than her previous two that I have read, James's adventure into her past was a captivating read with unexpected revelations!

First off, I'm so grateful for this arc! I absolutely loved Spells for Forgetting and The Unmaking of June Farrow so I had high hopes for this one.

The way I connected with this story is indescribable. I felt so much while reading. Adrienne Young does an incredible job of giving just the right details for the reader to feel and imagine exactly what the characters are experiencing.
From the start, the heartbreak of losing someone that is truly half of your soul. But, to wonder through everything, if you ever really knew them. My thriller loving self really appreciated the mystery side of this story about James following her gut instinct to dig further to find the truth about what really happened in the forest the night she felt her twin brother Johnny slip away. And Micah... Oohh Micah.
So many twists and true characters revealed in this one. Even her own true character.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing for- Ballantine for the ARC of this novel.

I loved this book so much. The writing, the atmosphere the characters all were so beautiful and so well written. I cannot stop thinking about this book.

I fell in love with James and Micah. I think their story was so beautiful. Just like her other novels the writing and descriptions in this novel just drew me in right away. I couldn’t put the book down and read the entire thing in 24 hours.

My one complaint was that I didn’t love the twist(s) I didn’t necessarily see them coming but I also just didn’t love how it played out.

But the ending really sold me on the entire book. It just ended so perfectly. I will be recommending this book to everyone I talk to.

4.5/5 stars

Adrienne Young does not disappoint. I have been dying to read this for months and was thrilled to get approved for an early copy. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

What can I really say about this novel? The prose is beautiful as always. Adrienne Young has a way of weaving words that wrap around your heart. There were twists I never saw coming and that kept me reading every spare second. I fear I am left with quite the book hangover from this wonderful novel.

4.5 stars!
Adrienne Young does it again! I recently read “The Unmaking of June Farrow” and loved it so much. So I knew I had to read her upcoming release and I’m glad that I did. I have a twin myself so when James talked about her connection with her twin brother,
I related a lot to it. I kept trying to figure out the reason for Johnny’s death. Coming up with reasons people would have to hurt him etc. I was fully invested in the story. There was also the mystery of the past and why she chose to leave the town 20 years prior. The book also has a magical feel to it. Like somehow the sleepy, middle of nowhere town was alive. The town reminded me a little of Riverdale. I was not sure how this would end. But I was definitely surprised! I highly suggest picking this up!

Fast Facts:
—Genre: mystery/thriller, fantasy, women’s fiction
—Publication date: January 6, 2025
—My rating: 5/5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summary:
Everyone has heard about the special bond between two twins, but no one could ever understand the full depth of the twin connection that James and her brother Johnny have. So, when Johnny dies in what is deemed as a hunting accident, James can’t ignore the internal pull back to her hometown of Six Rivers, CA to investigate for herself. While James pores through Johnny’s life, she realizes the twin brother she thought she knew isn’t quite the same person as the James who actually excited. As she untangles the circumstances of his death, she finds her own sordid past tightening around her, reopening old wounds even though the new, Johnny-shaped wounds are still fresh.

Review:
I’m typically not a mystery book kind of girl, but this book was so beautifully written and the plot was so compelling, that I absolutely gobbled it up. The characters are raw and flawed, creating a story built around truth rather than fluff. Adrienne Young also knows how to exist right on the edge of magical realism in the best way, as made evident in her book The Unmaking of June Farrow, and this one was no different. This book is likely going to be on people’s end-of-year favorite recaps. It will certainly be on mine.

I’m so grateful for NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this Advance Reader Copy.