I’m still processing what I’ve just gone through reading this book. Adrienne Young has such a way with writing thats its quite immersive. A perfect blend of a small-town mystery with a slice of romance. After her brother is killed in an accident, James comes back to small town Hawthorne, California to settle her brother’s affairs. In the process, her resurfacing past comes back to haunt her as connections are made in present. This book had me all over the place with plot-twists and unpredictable storyline. Was a bit of a slow hook in the beginning before it really drags you in. However, reading this story has made Adrienne Young an auto-buy author for me personally. Top read this year!

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

This book is another perfectly moody Adrienne Young book. I love how you’re dropped into such a rich world with her books. The story itself was beautiful and kept me guessing the “who done it” until the very end.

I am conflicted in reviewing this book. Once it got going at about 30%, it was banging. The first 30% is a bit of a drag to get through. The spooky vibes were spot on. Overall, Micah felt like a shadow of a character and not fully developed . I would have appreciated more fleshed out character. Overall, I think this was an enjoyable read and think many will agree. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Right from the opening line, this story hooked me. It’s part mystery, part psychological thriller, with a slow-burn tension that pulls you in as the layers unfold. The small-town murder mystery is satisfyingly twisty, with enough suspense to keep you turning pages. The supernatural and family drama elements were interwoven seamlessly, adding depth to the mystery and emotion to the story. A fantastic read for fans of supernatural/magical realism, mysteries, and small-town secrets.

AY simply does not miss. From the very first page, I was completely entranced by this cozy mystery with a soft paranormal edge to it. I’ve always been fascinated by twins and that innate connection they all seem to possess that is so different from other mere siblings, and I loved the way Young explored that in this one. I loved how losing her brother allowed James to find herself. This mystery wasn’t loud and thrilling—it was quiet and as steady as snowflakes falling on the ground. I loved the side characters and how they all wove into the tapestry of this story, and how the town and the forest seemed as much characters themselves as the real people were. All said, I loved this one. Easily my favorite AY book to date!

I'll be honest it took until the 70% mark for me to really get into this one, it's definitely a slower novel but I love Young's writing and stories so much it's still worthy of four stars. James (who is a girl) heads back to her small town after 20 years away to clean up the aftermath of her brother's death. At first ruled a hunting accident but as James gets nosey and snoopy she starts to think it wasn't an accident at all. Along with Micah, her high school boyfriend she hasn't spoken to in 20 years but somehow still has feelings for (??? like no), they investigate his death. I loved the mystery, the forest vibes, and the storylines about wildlife and owls.

The most unrealistic thing in this book is missing your high school boyfriend at 38 years old, be SO for real right now. I would like to let authors know that it's okay to let a character actually move on with their life when they leave a small town they had zero prospects and future in <3. But that's just my pet peeve and overall I think Young's typical readers will really like this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for an early copy.

Adrienne Young has yet to disappoint me, and her latest work is no exception. Her storytelling prowess, the vibrancy she instills in her characters, and the new worlds she introduces are captivating. "A Sea of Unspoken Things" surpassed my expectations, delivering even more than I anticipated.
James returns home to solve the enigma of her twin brother's death. Arriving in Hawthorne, California, she's compelled to settle his affairs, confront her daunting past, and the love she abandoned. The bond with her brother persists, and as she delves into his life, she uncovers more questions than answers about the sibling she thought she knew. Her discoveries compel her to untangle the events leading up to his demise, deciding which truths should be revealed and which secrets should remain hidden.
Although the book begins at a measured pace, it quickly captivates and ensnares the reader. For those who cherish a small-town mystery blended with romance and a hint of the paranormal, this book is a perfect choice. Adrienne Young consistently delivers.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much for Random Publishing Group- Ballantine for this arc. My opinions are my own.

I've been trying to get through this book for 9 plus days and have unfortunately decided to dnf this one. I find the story so incredibly slow and I'm struggling for it to keep my attention. I also find the main character to lack a personality. The mystery itself is ok, but I'm finding myself not caring about it at all.

Overall, it's just not for me. I'm sorry!

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

This book was incredibly well written and had me hooked from the first chapter! Adrienne Young is such a talented writer and I love how her books transport you somewhere-in this case-a tiny forest town where mysteries abound. Read this for the:

-twists and turns in said mystery. So dang good.
-return to hometown vibes
-atmospheric and moody setting with small town grumps and mysteries!
-a beautiful second chance romance with all the feels. Stoic, quiet, & strong fictional man? Sign me up
-plenty of tension and clues left as you read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“We were connected in places that no one could see, in ways that I still didn’t understand.”

A Sea of Unspoken Things follows James Golden as she returns to her hometown after her twin brother died in an accident.

This book is Adrienne’s adult debut and is a fantasy thriller. There are a lot of suspenseful moments that had me stressed.

While the suspense/thriller element isn’t my preferred genre, the book features more of Adrienne’s immersive writing style.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young is a beautifully crafted novel that dives deep into themes of love, secrets, and redemption. The story follows Isla, who returns to her coastal hometown, only to face long-buried emotions and unresolved mysteries that have shaped her life. Young’s writing is both lyrical and evocative, with a vivid sense of place that makes the ocean feel like its own character, brimming with secrets.

I loved how Young portrays the complexities of human relationships and the ways unspoken words can linger. This book is a powerful reminder that sometimes, healing means confronting the past—even when it’s painful.

If you’re drawn to emotionally rich stories with a touch of mystery, A Sea of Unspoken Things is for you!

Adrienne Young does a wonderful job writing an atmosphere that you feel enveloped in making it easy to be invested in her stories, although, with A Sea of Unspoken Things I had a harder time diving into the story than previous works I've read. This was slower paced for the first half of the book and had many similarities to Spells for Forgetting that it felt too familiar for me after just finishing that book. The second half of the book picks up the pace though and more of the mystery truly starts to unfold allowing for exploration of grief and how those who are left behind attempt to come to terms with their loss as well as a second chance at love. While I did still enjoy this, of the three books I've read by Adrienne Young this is my least favorite.

Content:
- Ch. 12 fade to black intimacy
- Language: low
- 3.5/5 stars

Adrienne Young has delivered another solid, atmospheric novel. Although I am not usually a mystery reader, Adrienne’s combination of magical realism and fantasy captivate me. The fast-paced reveals in the second half of the book were exciting and gripped me. I felt like as soon as I had my own working theory, we got more information that twisted up that idea. Outside of the more official twin telepathy, there was no magical elements in this book. I personally was yearning for more magic and even more, magic that contributed to the plot. This magic almost could have been written off as hallucinations and conjurings in James’ head rather than actual magic. As always, the writing, characters, and pacing were great. I’d truly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for an atmospheric, mystery but would caution anyone that the fantasy aspect is minimal.

A small town mystery that's giving Practical Magic. Worth a read for any fans of Alice Hoffman - it's a slow burn but well worth the build.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was my first book by Adrienne Young and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I think the slower pace was perfect for this book and the storyline. The mysteries and twists kept me reading till the end. I love a suspenseful and book full of twists. The storyline was interesting yet very intriguing when it came to James and Johnny. Young's writing is unique and provides what the reader is looking for. I am excited to pick up more from her as I truly have been captivated by his writing.

A Sea of Unspoken Things is a haunting tale of the things we do for those we love and the bonds that can't be severed, even by death. The story has an otherwordly feel with touches of the supernatural, and it was the perfect read for the last days of fall.

Once again, Adrienne Young's lyrical writing created a vivid setting, pulled me into her world, and took me on an unforgettable journey. The story was compelling, but the standout elements of this book were the melancholic mood and eerie atmosphere. The first half unfolds at a leisurely pace, but the vibe of this story had me captivated to such a degree that I didn't mind the slower pace. I just wanted to soak up all the dark, moody vibes and spend more time in the misty forests and backroads of Six Rivers.

Adrienne Young remains one of the most immersive authors I've ever read. I felt the atmosphere, experienced the emotions, invested in the characters, and lived the story. Another favorite book from a favorite author!

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley.

This book follows James who comes back to her hometown to take care of the loss of her twin brother, Johnny. In doing so, she finds herself ensnared in trying to solve the mystery surround his death and the disappearance of a young girl.

I really enjoyed this book. It was captivating and well written. Adrienne Young is my "I'll buy it if she writes it" author and time and time again she has proven to me why. This book is no exception. If you want a story that is going to pull you in and get you invested from the moment you turn the first page, please pick this up. I loved the mystery, the romance, the journey we went on with James while dealing with her grief. Small town drama and more than one moment of, "You're absolutely kidding me, right?!" My honest opinion on this book is that it's worth the read, it's one hell of a journey and I am 100% here for it.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, & Adrienne Young for the ARC of A Sea of Unspoken Things.

I am a HUGE fan of Adrienne Young & this book is another hit. I read this book in one sitting and I’m already ready to read another book by Adrienne! Also, the book covers are always so dreamy.

A Sea of Unspoken Things is an small town mystery that started off with a slower burn, but picked up the pacing towards the end. This book had lots of family drama and an atmospheric setting and unique that I really enjoyed. The twists were unexpected, and worked really well in this story. The only trouble I had was the pacing in the beginning was a little slower and I wasn't as engaged as I would have liked to have been. The ending really made up for that, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review. I really enjoyed this book.