A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS by Adrienne Young ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book has a little bit of everything! Chilling vibes, a slow burn mystery, endearing love story, and unpredictable twists. Although the focus of this book is on her brothers death, the second chance romance really won my heart! The first third of this book felt a little bit slow to me, but it definitely picked up and by the end I couldn’t put it down! Not my favorite book by Adrienne Young, but still highly recommend reading it! I 100% did not predict how this one was going to end.

After the loss of her twin brother, James returns to her hometown to tie up loose ends. When she gets there, she finds herself trying to find answers to questions surrounding his death.

Pub. Date: January 7, 2025.

Perfect if you like:
•Slow burn mystery.
•Unpredictable twists.
•Family secrets.
•Second chance romance.
•Moody and atmospheric vibes.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (implied intimacy)
Mood: 🍿🫗

⚠️: explicit language.

3.5 stars rounded up

After her twin brother’s death from a hunting accident, James returns to her hometown to unravel the mysteries surrounding the event.

This one was just okay for me. I loved that it was really different from the Unmaking of June Farrow and incorporated the mystery aspects in a different way. The setting was woodsy and atmospheric, and lent itself really well to the unfolding plot points. I didn’t feel like I got to know a lot about the main character and her brother, but I think that kind of worked for the story, which largely revolved around what we think we know about someone vs what they are actually like. I didn’t feel particularly connected to any of the characters, but I did enjoy finding out little pieces about the cast within the small town.

I found the pacing to be really slow, and there was a lot of emphasis placed on description. By the end, I felt like there were missing or unnecessary pieces that contributed to a lot of eggs in different baskets without resolution.

“That we could fill an ocean with the things we never said.”

This is slightly how I felt about the characters and A Sea of Unspoken Things. Out of Adrienne’s three latest releases, I felt a little more disconnected from the characters in this one. Of course it was a mystery with romance in it, so you’re meant to be in the dark until you have the knowing! Her writing is so atmospheric which is why I love her books, writing style, and storytelling. I always appreciate the mystery aspect, I definitely appreciated the sibling relationship, and loved the ending. She knows how to wrap a book! No one writes stories like Adrienne does, she’s unique to her own genre and I love that. She has yet to disappoint me! Definitely recommend, it’s a perfect winter read.

I devoured this book!!! I was not expecting that ending and it was so. GOOD! I really love Adrienne Young's writing style and these small town mysteries that she's been releasing are amazing!! I almost cried at work when I got approved for the ARC of this and I was not disappointed!! Thank you so much to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!! ❤️

I almost dnfed this 50% in because the book was so slow moving but once you hit the actual plot of the book at 60% it’s so good. I love this authors writing and the ending was amazing. I just wish we got to the plot faster.

I am a forever buy Adrienne Young fan! I loved her first two books and was so pumped when this showed up on NetGalley! I over this beautiful, tragic story.

James finds out her twin brother has been killed, shot in an accidental hunting accident. but, she already knew…they share a connection that’s deeper than most twins, she can feel what he feels. Now she’s back in her rural hometown to finish his business and find out what really is going on…

This was a beautiful story about siblings, first loves, truth & lies. I love Adrienne Young's writing. No one can build a setting like she can. I FELT the forest, just like James did. I loved this whole story, mystery mixed with family drama and some romance. A nearly perfect book!

My only hesitation with this book was that I never felt like a really “knew” Johnny…like maybe he was really a figment the whole time. I wish there was just a little more to get to know him.

Thanks for letting me read it early! Cannot wait to share it all over socials!

Adrienne Young writes in a style that completely ensnares you. I was hard-pressed to put this book down.

James Golden has always had a connection with her twin brother Johnny. When James receives the phone call that Johnny was killed in an accident, she already knew. She had already felt the change. Its been 20 years since she has step foot in her small hometown. Being back is dredging up a lot of the past and forcing her to confront things she had left behind… namely Micah.

This story was expertly woven; showing sides of grief, regret, pain, longing, and mystery. I loved the power of connection that defied the laws of death. Each character was perfectly crafted and vital to the story. Every time I thought this story would zig, it zagged. And every time I thought it would zag, it zigged. You will not be disappointed in this book – pick it up today!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this story.

thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc read!

one thing about miss young is, SHE HITS THE MARK. EVERY. TIME. am i properly obsessed with her? yes. would i sell my soul for her? also yes.

after falling head over heels for tuojf i went into this read hesitant. i desperately did not want to be disappointed and was worried it wouldn’t hit the same. i am here to say, it absolutely hit the same.

james is faced with a shocking loss, and is forced to navigate coping this loss, while coming to terms with the reality behind her deepest and longest relationship. with the help of an old friend and love of her life, she investigates further into her brothers life, the secrets of her hometown, and her past that she has worked so hard to run from.

adrienne has once again beautifully tied together the supernatural with realism, in this book filled with hard truths and acceptance.

Adrienne Young’s writing never fails to captivate and immerse me into the worlds she creates. She is masterful in weaving together such vivid imagery and intricate storylines. She writes mysterious storylines in a way that feels natural and believable, with her signature touch of magic to transport you into something that feels wholly new.

My only criticisms, and what kept me from rating this book as highly as her previous works, are that the solution to one of the mysteries fell very flat. The motivation, while it made sense, seemed a bit of a stretch for the gravity of the situation. There was also one plot line left unresolved in a way that made it feel forgotten rather than intentional.

Review posted to Goodreads presently and will be shared to Instagram @courtsnovellife the week of publication.

Ok Adrienne Young…you’ve done it again! This is my fifth book by you and my fifth FIVE STAR!!!

I love how all of her books are so atmospheric! This one is set a small logging community and the forest is a character in its self.

The story is centered around an accidental shooting death of a man named Johnny.. His twin sister, James, came to deal with his estate. She is an artist and escaped the town leaving everything behind including her brother and first love.

She has more questions than answers when she begins unraveling the circumstances of his death. They have always had a unique bond and she feels he is trying to lead her to the truth.

So good! Mystery with a touch of thriller and second chance romance! I 100% recommend this book and this author!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

James and Johnny are twins who, when they were young were dependent on each other (since they raised themselves), telepathically can feel each other’s joy and pain and were a integral part of the small town in which they grew up. James left suddenly after a tragic event, leaving Johnny and her high school love Micah behind. Now Johnny has been killed (the police say it’s an accident, but James does not believe them) and James must return for the first time to her town and Micah. She begins to unravel the mystery surrounding Johnny, his work, and death and through that she begins to realize that a piece of her has been missing while she has been gone.

I loved the author’s last work The Unmaking of June Farrow and was so excited to see that there was a new novel, but I just didn’t connect to this one like I did to June Farrow. The pacing for the first half of the novel was far too slow for me and I was constantly getting distracted while reading. The second half was much better and I did eventually enjoy the story holistically. This book gave me The Nature of Disappearing vibes and little bit of North Woods as well. While I ended up liking the story, the pacing of the first half just made me not love this one.

3.75 stars

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC

Reading Adrienne Young is always such a haunting experience. A Sea of Unspoken Things is an atmospheric and moody read. Mystery, slight romance, and some unexplained supernatural elements will pull you forward through this story. I couldn't read it fast enough!

Adrienne Young delivers another emotional and atmospheric story in A Sea of Unspoken Things. The bond between James and her twin brother Johnny is the heart of the novel—deep, unspoken, and almost supernatural. When Johnny dies suddenly, James is left unraveling the secrets he left behind in the eerie town of Six Rivers.

The pacing starts slow, but once it picks up, it’s completely gripping. The connection between James and Johnny is beautifully written, and Johnny and Micah’s love story adds a bittersweet layer to the mystery. As James confronts her past and her feelings for Micah, the story explores love, grief, and the truths we choose to bury.

Rich in emotion and atmosphere, this is a haunting and memorable read.

This book was phenomenally written and has a super secure spot in the top books of ‘24 for me. Adrienne just has a way of telling a story so so well!

It felt like I was physically there, alongside the characters in this amazing book. I didn’t want it to end (not shocked) and will definitely be back to re-read again.

I would recommend this book to everyone. 👏🏼

Probably my favorite book by Adrienne Young so far. James returns home after 20 years after learning her twin brother has died. She is soon asking questions about what really happened and unraveling some town rumors and secrets. Sometimes this type of story can feel very contrived, but this felt honest and real. I also really liked James and her journey in the story.

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

Reading A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young felt like being wrapped in the misty, secretive embrace of a small town shrouded in mystery. James Golden, the protagonist, is both relatable and hauntingly introspective as she returns to her hometown to untangle the threads of her twin brother Johnny’s life—and death. Their supernatural connection adds a fascinating layer to the story, making it more than just a mystery; it’s also about the ties that bind and the echoes of grief.

What stood out most for me was how vividly the redwood forests came alive. They’re not just a backdrop but almost a character themselves, framing the emotional and spiritual landscape of the narrative. The pacing is steady, revealing clues and character development with an almost meditative rhythm. It felt deeply personal as James unearths not only Johnny’s secrets but also her own buried truths, particularly her complex feelings for Micah, the boy she left behind.

If you enjoy stories where the atmosphere is as compelling as the plot and where relationships—familial and romantic—drive the narrative, you’ll likely be enchanted. It left me reflective about the stories we tell ourselves and those we choose to uncover.

Rating: 5
Author: Adrienne Young
Publisher: Dell

A gripping and emotional journey that delves deep into grief, secrets, and the complicated bonds between family members. The story follows James, a young woman struggling to move forward after the tragic death of her twin brother, Johnny. The novel explores James's painful quest back to her hometown to uncover the truth behind Johnny’s death, a mystery shrouded in silence and unspoken words.

The narrative takes us through James’s emotional turmoil as she confronts the trauma of losing her twin and the unresolved past they shared together. As she begins to unravel the secrets surrounding that fateful day, she pieces together the clues and confronts the people who were closest to her brother. James is forced to face not just the truth about what happened to Johnny, but also the layers of pain, betrayal, and unspoken feelings that she left behind in Six Rivers..

The pacing of the novel is steady, allowing the emotional stakes to build gradually as James moves closer to the truth. While the journey is heavy with emotional weight, it’s ultimately a story about healing, redemption, and the courage it takes to confront the past.

This book had beautifully crafted characters with so many layers to each personality and relationships. There was deeply rich character development, and beautiful atmospheric descriptions that make this novel an unforgettable read for anyone who enjoys deeply emotional and character-driven stories.

Quotes:
“Those two were like family and family’s like that. Just as likely to kill them as you are to kill for them.”

“That was the way of grief, I was realizing. It was a barrage of pain that was so unbearable that it made you numb. And then out of nowhere, something made you feel again and the cycle started over from the beginning.”

“I couldn’t even pretend to know how you could take a whole life, a whole person, and put it into words. Goodbye is a lost language. A silent one.”

I thought this book was so well written. I was so curious to figure out what happened to James right alongside Johnny. And then you bring in another suspicious disappearance.

As things started to unravel I was so surprised. I didn't really see anything coming, I was just enjoying the ride.

Having heard so many positive things about this author, I felt a bit let down in some ways. I really thought I would end up giving this a higher rating and that it would become one of my favorite reads of the year but that wasn't the case.

The story revolves around a twin named James who returns to her hometown after her brother's tragic death. As she settles back in, she begins to sense that his death might not have been an accident, prompting her to dig deeper and ask questions. In a small town, this curiosity can be quite perilous. As James seeks to understand her brother better, she uncovers layers to Johnny's life that she was previously unaware of, leading her to question whether she truly knew him at all. The portrayal of grief is poignant, capturing the struggle to make sense of loss and the mysteries that linger after someone passes away. I found myself compelled to uncover the truth due to the intriguing nature of the story.

While I appreciated the narrative, I felt that the conclusion wrapped up too quickly. Even though some issues seemed resolved, it didn't provide that satisfying sense of closure where everything fits together seamlessly. I did enjoy the actual ending and how it brought everything full circle, but the plot felt a bit erratic, like a rollercoaster ride. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am excited to read her other book!

5 ⭐ 1 🌶️

Gahhhhhh I absolutely love Adrienne Young's stories. Last year's June Farrow is one of my all time favorites and A Sea of Unspoken Things just climbed up and joined her up there. This one is spice free (closed door), but full of second chance, first love romantic elements that had me swooning. It also had my heart pumping as we watch James dig into her brother's death and the mysteries surrounding him.

At its heart this is a story about family. It was a bit of a roller-coaster as James navigated not only her feelings about Johnny's truths, but her guilt about those feelings. Loving someone who wasn't perfect isn't a task for the faint of heart, especially when you've spent your life covering for them and wondering if you shouldn't have....

I don't want to spoil anything, so if you want to go in completely blind stop here.
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The twists about gave me whiplash. I guessed right on two occasions only to find out I was wrong, but then also right again. I was almost disappointed as the first twist wound down, only for Adrienne to twist us up again and give me the ending I was hoping for. This is absolutely one of my favorite books of the year and I can't wait to see what she brings us next.