Thanks for the free audiobook @PRHAudio #PRHAudioPartner and to Netgalley, Random House, and the author for the ARC.

“I wasn’t ever actually scared of Johnny. I knew he’d open his own veins before he ever let anything happen to me. But I was scared, I was terrified, of finding out who he really was.”

There is a reason why Adrienne Young is an auto-buy author for me as she never disappoints. I’m not sure if it was the audiobook narration, the writing, the subject matter, or a combination of the three…but I was IN this forest. I was there with James and Johnny. I could smell the embers and pine and feel that crisp fresh woodsy air. Simply put, I was transported.

This book was so atmospheric and weaved the topics of family, home, magical realism, and the bond of twins seamlessly. These characters felt very real and the murder mystery was just an added bonus to the story. It always amazes me how someone can take the same words we all know in the English language and string them together so that you FEEL something when you read them. Adrienne Young is that type of author for me. 10/10 I highly recommend!

Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly this was one of the bigger disappointments I’ve had this year. I really thought I’d like this because a) I love Young’s writing style, b) I’ve enjoyed her other books, and c) this is getting very good reviews. So I was very surprised when I as bored out of my mind reading this.

It fell so flat for me. I was intrigued by the supernatural connection, but it is not really explored. The twists were predictable and unexciting. The past plot line was not pivotal to the present plot at all and I was confused why it was even in there. The characters were underdeveloped and lackluster. And it all just seemed too easy? Everything as solved and wrapped up with no danger and no urgency.

I will say, as always, I did like her prose. She’s a great writer. I just found this story bland sadly. Maybe her next one will be more of a hit.

2.5/5

Adrienne Young writes atmospheric books like nothing else I’ve read. Her settings and scenery feel alive in such a captivating way. Whatever thoughts or feelings there are about the story being told are fully impacted by the atmosphere her words have the ability to create.

In this book, as soon as James is back in Six Rivers it’s like you can feel the woods and the town pressing in. Her connection with her late twin brother feels like a living, breathing thing. As she faces her past, her memories, her questions about her brother, it all appears guided by something physical and tangible rather than the feeling it is. There’s a mystery to be unraveled and, as the title implies, many things people won’t or believe they can’t say. The unspoken words also linger between James and her first love, Micah, who also knew her brother better than anyone besides herself. There are years worth of history and separation to unpack while trying to answer questions that they may not actually want answers to.

The story drew me in as I tried to follow the breadcrumb trails that were being left in the pages. I did have my own assumptions that proved to be true, but there were other events and surprises revealed along the way. Some felt more anticlimactic than others, yet still in a way that naturally fit into the story being told.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was instantly hooked by the synopsis of this book, which promised a small town mystery novel. What I enjoyed most about this book was the writing. It was atmospheric and it felt like you were there in the woods in the cabin with James. While the writing was gorgeous, the storyline and pacing fell flat for me. It was a bit of a slower pace and there were parts that dragged on. Also I wish we got more Micah?! He was there but also not and I wished there was more of him. I didn’t feel as connected to the characters, which is why I think it fell short for me. Otherwise, it was definitely interesting and kept me guessing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review!

“You were right you know. That we could fill an ocean with the things we never said.”

I really liked this book for so many reasons! The elements of magic, grief, and mystery and a little romance, created such a unique reading experience. The first 25% of the book moved a little slower, building up some of the mystery and emotional attachment to the characters but quickly picked up pace and I finished the second half in one sitting! Adrienne Young is an auto buy author for me at this point!

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

ARC Review
The Sea of Unspoken Things
By Adrienne Young
Release Date 1.7.2025

Thank you William Morrow for an e-ARC of one my most anticipated 2025 new releases!

Our main character, James Golden, grew up in a small town with a few close friends and her twin brother, Johnny. But the town is limiting when it comes to her dreams and is one of the very few who is able to leave the small town for greener pastures.

Fast forward, James is forced to revisit the town she worked so hard to move on from to investigate the unexpected passing of Johnny. In the process of tackling her own ghosts, James uncovers those of some others in the community.

I cannot say enough about the writing style by this author. It's so rhythmic and beautiful. I would recommend this as a slow and steady read to truly appreciate the atmosphere and character build up.

*Subtle paranormal elements
*Second chance romance
*Small town mystery

Although the author gives us some answers and closure, I was left wanting more. Possibly a secondary POV to fill in some of the gaps.

I’ll start by saying Adrienne Young is phenomenal writer. Her writing style leads to such captivating stories. I adored James and Micah- their messy history, their fierce protectiveness of Johnny even after his death. I felt like I needed more magic in this one. Her connection to Johnny was so intriguing, but I felt like it never really went anywhere. I wanted to feel like I did when I read June Farrow and this just wasn’t all the way there.

Wow. This is such a remarkable and atmospheric novel. I really felt transported to this small town surrounded by these larger than life trees. Adrienne Young has one of the most engaging writing styles ever.

This story follows James as she tries to put together the puzzle that was her late
twin, Johnny’s, last few days. The mystery is so good, a little spooky, and well developed.

I both wish we got more of Johnny and also understand why we wouldn’t.

The ending was good. I’m left wanting more from these characters and this town only because I loved it so much, but the story came to a perfect conclusion. Five stars!

4.5 🌟

Once again an amazing book by Adrienne Young who never disappoints. It was such an atmospheric, dark mysterious book. Her writing is always so impeccable and hits you hard. This book was no exception.

I must say the first 30% were hard to get through for me but then I read the entire thing in one sitting up until 1am. Hits hard as i’ve said. Honestly I was so intrigued by the mystery part of the plot and invested in the romance which makes the perfect mix. The ending did not disappoint, I loved it all.

Adrienna Young is such a talented author and has the amazing ability to seamlessly blend mystery and fantasy into one incredibly atmospheric story. So good!

4.5 stars: I love the way this author writes! This book definitely moved more slowly than a typical mystery/thriller, but I was in the mood to enjoy the storytelling so I didn’t mind. It all came together at the end in a way that I didn’t imagine, so I was hooked until the last page. The magical realism aspect was believable and the setting felt like a secondary character at times. Read when you’re in the mood for an atmospheric mystery, and you won’t mind a slower pace.

A mysterious and atmospheric narrative that delves into sacred bonds.

I had to exercise self-control to not devour this in a single sitting. I managed to stretch my reading out across a whopping two-day time frame. 😆 When magical realism is done right it elevates a storyline and that is definitely the case here.

James knows the moment her brother Johnny is killed though they are miles apart thanks to a twin telepathy bond. This bond functions in a nuanced manner so the reader isn't hit over the head with it, but it's strong in that Johnny's death doesn't erase the echos of it. When James returns to her hometown to get Johnny's affairs in order, she begins to suspect her brother's death wasn't an accident after all.

Will a search for answers yield difficult truths?

There is a sweet romance rekindled with her brother's best friend, Micah. His character was steadfast and added a tremendous amount to the novel.

I love mysteries that take place in rural settings with salt of the earth characters. The prose has a rich haunting quality. I believe Young has another winner on her hands with this beautiful poignant book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine Publishing for providing an Advance Readers Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.

Young’s writing is enchanting and she is a magnificent storyteller. This story was intriguing, mysterious, and a little bit magical, a combination that Young seems to love and excel at. I really enjoyed it and felt fully immersed in the atmosphere and narrative. For me, it took one turn too many and that’s why I took off one star, but otherwise I think if you’ve loved Young’s other work you’ll love this one!

So happy that I got approved for a copy of this book, I literally squealed out loud when I opened my email. I absolutely love Adrienne Young's writing style and her stories. This book sucked me in right away and I could not stop reading. I could feel James's grief for losing her twin through the pages so strongly. Her writing brought all the characters to life and I got so invested into James and Micah's rekindling romance. Her writing of the book's setting was so hauntingly atmospheric and beautiful. I felt like I was deep in the forest and at the gorge. I highly recommend giving this one a read !!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

A Sea of Unspoken things had so many things I love: atmospheric writing, a little bit of magical realism, family secrets, and a dash of a love story.

This follows James, who’s in her Northern California hometown to tie up loose ends after her twin brother, Johnny, was killed in an accident. As she gets deeper into his life, more and more secrets are uncovered, and she begins to wonder how well she knew her brother.

This book was a wild ride, full of twists and turns, and I especially couldn’t put it down once I got to the second half.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Delacorte press for an advanced copy!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/14
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Huge thank you to NetGalley, PRH Audio, Adrienne Young and Ballantine Publishing and Delacorte Press for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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James and her twin brother Johnny were once inseparable twins. That is until James went to art school, and they lost touch. Now that Johnny is dead, James returns to their home town to try to figure out what exactly happened to Johnny.
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I recently read Spells for Forgetting, and I absolutely fell in love with Young's atmospheric writing style. A Sea of Unspoken Things was no different, this story was so atmospheric and just beautifully written that you cannot help but get roped into this story. I felt like I was transported into this story and that I was right with James as she tried to navigate all of the changes that were going on in her life, while also coming to terms with her past. I loved the mystery surrounding Johnny. I loved the characters and the town. I loved this story. This is a steady paced story, and you won't be able to put it down. I love where Young went with the ending in this one as well.
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I listened to this one while reading on my kindle and it was read by Christine Laken who was absolutely phenomenal for this role. I feel like she really helped create the perfect atmosphere for this one. The audiobook is absolutely superb! Check it out!
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Overall, this was a huge win for me. You need to pick up this book - do not sit on it!

James gets a call that her twin brother Johnny was killed, and she has to go back to their hometown of Six Rivers, California to settle his affairs. She hasn't been back since she graduated from high school, and isn't eager to revisit the past, and possibly reopen old wounds. As she is going through his things, she realizes she didn't know him as well as she thought. Johnny had secrets, and she isn't sure whether she should dig deeper to unravel the days leading up to his death, or let the past be buried with him.

I normally love this author's books, but this one was a miss for me. It wasn't a bad book - just not as good as her other books have been. This one was a slow burn for almost the entire book. Right at the very end, there were several reveals and twists and turns, but up until that point the story was very slow moving. This book also lacked the mysticism or fantasy element that the other books I have read by her have contained. This book was purely a mystery. The mystery did keep me guessing, which was a bonus. Overall, this is a solid 4 out of 5.

Adrienne Young really flourishes in the mystical small-town, magical realism realm of subgenre of fantasy. They've established themselves within these pages with their intricate plotline, slow-aced unravelling of mysteries, and characters that are as real as you. I really enjoyed their other book, The Unmaking of June Farrow, and if you enjoyed that too, then I'd suggest reading this book, It follows the similar pace of storytelling, large cast with threads intertwined with each other, What it comes down to is that if you're looking for characters that could be your neighbour or your friend and a small town vibe with rainy days and walks beside the trees as you contemplate all that has happened in your life and what might happen next, then this is the book for you.

Adrienne Young's A Sea of Unspoken Things is a hauntingly lyrical exploration of love, loss, and the intangible threads that bind us to one another. Set against the backdrop of a stormy coastal town, the novel dives deep into the inner lives of its characters, crafting a story that feels both timeless and achingly personal.

Young's prose is a standout feature, weaving vivid imagery with emotional depth. The way she describes the sea—at once beautiful and menacing—acts as a perfect metaphor for the complexities of human relationships. The characters, particularly the introspective protagonist, are deeply layered, and their struggles with vulnerability and truth feel relatable and genuine.

4.25 stars

When news of her twin brother's passing reaches James, she had already known deep in her bones. James and Johnny have an almost magical connection to each other, and even though Johnny is gone James can still feel him, and that only grows stronger when she's forced to return to her small hometown to finish out the photography project Johnny was working on. The official story is that Johnny got hit from a stray bullet during hunting season, but that explanation doesn't sit right with James. Slowly, with help from Micah (the one who got away), James will unravel all the secrets that exist in this small town.

This is one of the slower paced mysteries I've read, but with Young's writing I was enjoying every second of it. I could picture this town so vividly, and I could feel every emotion that James was having trying to find the truth. If you're looking for a slower paced mystery with small town secrets, I think you have to add this to your TBR!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!