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.

Growing up, the only person James Golden could rely on was her twin brother, Johnny. The pair always had a deep connection, almost able to see into each other's very thoughts and feelings, and it's that intuitiveness that alerts James to Johnny's passing before getting the call. With Johnny gone, James is left truly alone, and that feeling grows stronger when she arrives back in their small hometown to straighten out her brother's affairs.

James hasn't been back to Hawthorne since she was a teenager, and every suppressed memory comes racing back to the surface, forcing her to rethink how well she knew Johnny. Once James starts digging into his job and parts of his life hidden from her, she begins to think something about Johnny's death doesn't feel right. James has no choice but to work with Micah, Johnny's best friend and the only man she's ever loved, to uncover what happened to Johnny. James knew her brother was keeping secrets; she'd kept most of them for him over the years, but she'd discover that some secrets should stay buried.

One thing you can always count on from an Adrienne Young book is the atmosphere. She has a way of crafting a story that makes you feel like you're in it with the characters. It felt cold and gloomy and enhanced the heaviness of the plot. Her depiction of familial ties and the lengths we go to for our loved ones was so interesting. I loved James and Johnny's connection; it felt almost spiritual. There were also so many secrets woven throughout, and I was intrigued to find out how everything would play out. I also liked seeing James reconnect with Micah, and I thought the romance between them was subtle and sweet. My issue was with the pacing. It crept by at a snail's pace. That may have been purposeful to increase the tension, but it made me feel bored instead. I got more invested once the action started unfolding, but the middle bit dragged. I'd still recommend this, especially if you enjoyed Spells for Forgetting, since it gives off the same vibe as that book.

I really enjoyed the story itself and the writing was absolutely wonderful. The twists and turns were shocking, the pacing was a bit off for me at first so it took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did I was fully engaged and really invested in the story! I will be reading more from this author!

Adrienne Young has done it again for me. I just love her writing! I am very thankful that I was able to read this when I did. I was having the biggest reading slump and nothing was working and I knew when I received this book it would help get me over that hump. I definitely could relate to the FMC going back to her hometown after being away for so long. In the last year, I have had to do the same by going back to my hometown and facing some difficult areas in my life. This really helped me connect with her and understand what she was going through.

Adrienne Young delivers a haunting and emotional tale in A Sea of Unspoken Things, where grief, love, and mystery intertwine. James Golden returns to the rural town of Six Rivers after the tragic death of her twin brother, Johnny. Their unique, almost psychic bond pulls her into the secrets he left behind, forcing her to confront not only Johnny’s shadowed past but also her own.

The twin connection is beautifully portrayed, with James’s light balancing Johnny’s darkness. Her journey to uncover the truth about his death is both suspenseful and heart-wrenching, as she digs into a web of hidden motives and forgotten loyalties. Her strained yet magnetic reunion with Micah, her first love, adds an emotional depth that complements the mystery.

Young’s vivid writing captures the eerie charm of Six Rivers, building tension with each revelation. Though the story starts at a slow burn, it crescendos into a gripping finale filled with unexpected twists.

A Sea of Unspoken Things is a compelling blend of small-town mystery and emotional drama, perfect for fans of atmospheric, character-driven stories.

Adrienne Young has really mastered this genre of adult mysteries with a fantastical element to them. I think I enjoyed this one more than Spells for Forgetting, but less than the Unmaking of June Farrow (which is one of my favorites).

This book is super fast paced and also relatively short, so I flew through it. Towards the end I could not put it down, the mystery really captivated me. This author excels at writing atmospheric books and this one was no exception. There was also a dash of romance of course, which wasn’t the highlight of the book for me, but is still an enjoyable subplot. Would highly recommend and I would definitely read anything Adrienne Young writes!

Super atmospheric like the other books I’ve read of hers. This one gave a little more eerie vibes I think. Definitely a slower pace than I prefer. It took me a while to get into this. I also found a lot of the first half was so repetitive, constantly mentioning how things “didn’t seem right”. I don’t think there was much of anything “magical” about this one. I don’t even know if I could consider this magical realism. The very minimal “magical” parts almost seemed like the character James is just really in her head and imagining things.

It was the last 20% or so that really kept me interested and had all of the twists in the murder mystery within the story. Although there were some surprising things, some were quite predictable. This book overall had an underwhelming plot and that was disappointing. Unfortunately I think this was my least favorite between it and June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting.

I have recently read all of Adrienne Young's adult books and I love her writing style. It sweeps you up and is so atmospheric. This is my favorite read by her so far. I loved the setting and the plot kept me engaged.

This story follows James, a 37 year old woman, who is forced to go back to her hometown of Six Rivers after finding out her twin brother, Johnny, was killed. Through no intention of her own, she is led to discovering more and more clues that indicate her brother’s death might not have been accidental.

There are elements of the supernatural (strange twin bond stuff) mixed in with small town secrets that add to the suspense and intrigue. There’s even a romance sub plot that gave off Rip and Beth vibes from Yellowstone.

What I’ve really come to admire about Adrienne Young’s writing is how she describes the scenes and sets it up so you feel like you’re there. This book takes place in a National Forest and after reading it I really want to travel and go hiking.

While this is a mystery/suspense, it is ultimately about loss, loyalty, and love.
“I wanted to believe that we didn’t just stop with our pulse or our brain waves, and that there was more to all of this than the carbon and water that made up our skin and bones.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. It was fast paced and started strong right from the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for offering me this arc!

This one starts with James coming home after 20 years to investigate her twin’s mysterious death. It was a bit slow for me at first, but when it picked up I was entranced. It was dark, moody, mysterious and as is usual with Adrienne Young’s books, there was a touch of magical realism.
There was so much imagery in the writing that it was so easy to picture the setting. It was a very immersive story that had me continually guessing while rooting for Micah and James the entire time. Things didn’t begin to wrap up until the very end and I was on the edge of my seat. The ending was satisfying. It was the perfect moody read.


Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

a sea of unspoken things | adrienne young

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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“Johnny had always had secrets, I just didn’t want to see them. And now, standing in the aftermath of his life, all I could do was wait for the smoke to clear.”
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The small town she wanted nothing more than to escape, is calling her back.
After a town tragedy in her youth, James left her hometown -and her twin- behind for good. But when Johnny dies suddenly in a hunting accident, she’s drawn home to untangle the events leading up to his death. A paranormal connection with his memories is hinting that not everything happened the way local law enforcement believes.

I know what you’re dying to ask! Does this deliver what we’ve come to know and love in an Adrienne Young story? For me, the answer is yes, and no.

The pacing and storytelling lean more toward that in Spells for Forgetting, and the gritty small drama/suspense is reminiscent of June Farrow. Adrienne’s tell-tale ability to immerse you in the setting is still soaring. That vibrancy in character and imagery, and the twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat!

For me, there was something missing. While it was easy to fly through and I enjoyed every chapter, I did find it the teeniest bit predictable, and the sparkly, bubbly feeling I usually have while reading her novels wasn’t quite as strong.

But don’t get me wrong! You should absolutely, definitely read this book. My Adrienne Young autobuy-fangirl status is still going strong, not to worry!

THINGS TO LOVE:
+ moody small town mystery
+ touch of paranormal
+ woodsy setting
+ twin senses
+ gritty imagery
+ twisty and heart pounding
+ light romance
+ twists, turns, family drama

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“I’d grown up feeling like the trees had eyes, each a tangle of roots like a brain that held memories. I could feel, even now, that they remembered me.”

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{a gigantic thank you to Adrienne Young, Delacorte Press, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy!! Out 1/7/2025}

I'm a big fan of Adrienne Young, she's become an automatic read author for me. While this wasn't my favorite of her books it still had that special brand of magic where the story is quick and compelling yet deep and emotional. It was cozy and it was moving. At times I found it to move a little slow and descriptions and settings to not to shine they have in some of her other books. It did make sense because we are shown the world through our main character who is battling grief and a bleak outlook on life, but it occasionally it made the book drag a little. Overall I did really enjoy and do recommend!

This book had me from page one! The writing was very engaging and the character development was perfection. I loved reading a mystery that was not a police procedural type of book. I can't wait until this book is published so I can have my book club read it. Overall, this book is excellent and I will recommend it to all my friends.

Thank you for the Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read this early with an arc! Adrienne Young has some of the most beautiful and atmospheric writing I have ever read. Now through March will be the best times to read this one! It’s so nice to read characters that are flawed. A lot of the time you just hear about how perfect everyone was and this book isn’t that. My only complaint is that the pacing seemed slow at some points through the story, but there was enough mysteries(yes, more than one) to keep me going.

Anticipated Release Date is 01/07/25