Adrienne Young is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. A Sea of Unspoken Things explores the mysterious and almost supernatural bonds between twins, and I could feel the story coming alive from the very start.

Much less science fiction than her last, A Sea of Unspoken Things follows the story of James Golden as she returns home after over twenty years to understand how her twin brother came to die in the Trentham Gorge. Many miles away, her bond with her twin had her supernaturally feeling and seeing what he saw as he died, and what she knew with certainty was that her brother had been afraid when he was shot and that this couldn’t have been an accident. But as she starts to unravel the web weaved around her brother, she’s not sure she wants to know what happened because nothing is adding up.

This book is perfect to snuggle up with by the fire in the mountains somewhere cold. It’s an emotionally intense mystery that was very satisfying to untangle. I really enjoyed this one!!

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read two of Adrienne Young’s books before A Sea of Unspoken Things. I have enjoyed her books and how she balances a thriller/mystery plot, a love story and supernatural elements that take you on a ride that make her books so bingeable.
I sometimes struggle with mysteries because I feel that they are predictable, or the reveals are out of nowhere to shock the reader and make little sense for the characters and plot.
However, A Sea of Unspoken Things, is neither of those things. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and could not put it down. But I also could not predict how it would end.
Adrienne also has a way of writing that is so atmospheric and makes the reader feel like you are in this beautiful but haunting mountain town.

I think this story is my favorite of hers yet and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next. I’ll read anything she writes at this point!

4.25 ⭐️

Adrienne is a pro at setting a descriptive scene. You immediately get the feel that James is being compelled to return to the small town in the forest after being gone for 20 years, like the forest is a sentient thing for the people that reside there. She returns after the passing of her brother, Johnny, who was killed in a shooting accident, or was it? James has this supernatural connection to her twin brother and she could feel when he shot, feel his fear. She can feel and see him around town, and knows there’s a story to unravel.

The pacing is what took this down a little for me as it did have its slow parts, but another part of me also thought it fit the haunting and darker vibe of this book. Adrienne always has a bit of magical realism and a lost love where you’re not sure how or if they’ll return to each other. The mystery in this though? I trusted *NO ONE* and when I thought I had the answer, no I didn’t. It picked up a lot more steam around the 70% mark, but I think it also took James some time to reconcile that maybe she didn’t know her brother like she thought, and it was time to put that fear aside and start digging deeper, even if it hurt.

Overall I really enjoyed my time reading this, and I’m excited that I already have this preordered to have a stunning copy in my hands. Adrienne Young will remain an autobuy author for me!


This was my very first ARC approved through NetGalley and couldn’t be more thrilled that it was Adrienne’s. This is my honest review and all thoughts are my own. Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I went into this read completely blind. I love The Unmaking of June Farrow so much that I had high hopes for this one. Adrienne Young’s writing is so completely poetic. It’s truly something magical.

The story follows James, a 37 year old artist, who travels back home to handle her dead brother’s affairs. What was supposed to be a quick trip, turned into something much more. Johnny’s death was ruled an accident, but was it? The special bond between twins proves to be the strongest connection imaginable, leading the some pretty great twists and turns.

This is certainly a suspenseful fictional story with a touch of paranormal. But not in the creepy way. The story was far from scary, but kept me on my toes the entire time. Wondering who was the liar and who could be trusted.

I will agree that it was slower paced, but it was wonderful. I loved every minute of this and cannot wait to make all my friends read it when it’s released.

Great job Adrienne. Another beautiful piece of art from you.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: January 07, 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

I adore Adrienne Youngs’ writing and when I saw this was out and I had the chance to read it early, I got so very excited. This was a wonderful story that takes you on quite the ride. Twisty and mysterious and keeps you on your toes the entire time. I know some may find this book a little slow to start but I feel as though I was sucked right in from the first page. The characters in our story are well written, developed and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationships, connections and them interact with one another. Our story is a little mysterious, a little dark and asks you the question — just how far would you go. This needs to be on your TBR and a must read.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Magical Realism, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Small Town, Second Chance Romance, Sibling Bonding

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for this e-arc copy.

When people describe a book as cozy it generally means nothing much happens. Adrienne’s writing is cozy in the sense that it feels familiar, like your friends with the fictional world’s she creates; almost as if you’ve been there. On the surface this book is about a girl investigating her twin brother’s death. But really it’s about everything underneath. It’s about the things we don’t say, the stories we tell ourselves and others. It’s about how well we can ever really know someone and two things being true at once. It’s about the secrets we keep from others, the secrets we keep from our selves. It’s about desire and passion and fleeing. It’s not high stakes, heart pounding drama, but it’s emotional and moving in a way that’s unique to Adrienne’s writing.

This was my first time reading a book by Adrienne Young. I don't usually read many pure mystery novels, but I found this book enjoyable. The writing was beautifully done, almost like poetry like. I liked the great descriptions of the atmosphere and how easily I could understand James's feelings throughout the story. The mystery was great, but I felt the pacing was slightly off.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press for giving me a copy.

If you are a fan of small town mysteries, single POV, rekindling old relationships, and a cozy atmosphere, you will enjoy this book.

 Adrienne Young has done it again. This is the third book from Adrienne that I have really enjoyed. I was hooked on her other books with the sprinkle of magical realism she would incorporate into the story. This book didn’t really have that heavy magical realism within the story.  It had more so a paranormal twin-telepathy aspect to it with a touch of a magical feel. 

Growing up, James would go to just about any measure to protect her twin brother. Even if it means reconnecting with an old love to get to the bottom of what happened to her brother. I thought I had everything figured out towards the end. However, the twist did get me. I was also feeling disappointed because I thought we weren’t going to have answers. That last final twist, though, brought the whole story together. I’m thankful for my opportunity to read this and will also add Adrienne’s future books to my TBR immediately.

This book was breathtaking. I could visualize every landscape, every emotion, every glance between characters. What a magical, eerie story full of life and loss. Adrienne has a way with words and her MC, James was relatable and raw in a way that seems impossible to write.

Having been a huge fan of Adrienne after Spells For Forgetting, I was so excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley & Random House. It was an honor and a privilege to go on this incredible journey with James, Johnny, and Micah. Happy reading, friends!

Oh my heart - I LOVED this book!! Adrienne Young never disappoints and her latest might be my favorite. I loved the characters, the setting and the way the story developed. The bond between James and Johnny was fascinating to read and to understand the unique connection they shared. Loved this book and highly recommend!

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

I read this book quickly which is always a good sign, but I didn't love it. In her past books, I've enjoyed the subtle magical elements that exist in the world, but I liked it less in this one. I think I either needed more explanation or less, I don't know, belief in this magical element. Or maybe just less of it. To be honest, I don't really think the plot needed it. It didn't really help with the story and it felt out of place.

Otherwise, I did enjoy the characters and the mystery element with flashbacks.

THIS BOOK. People need to run to get in on release day. I really had no idea what to expect when I started this. I recently read June Farrow and loved it, but this was so different and SO SO GOOD. The mystery of this whole book had me on edge until the very last page. There were twists and turns until 97% in! I couldn’t put this down. Adrienne has such a way of tying up all the loose ends, there were no cracks the story. It was one of the best mystery books I’ve ever read. I will be recommending this book all the way until pub day!

A perfect example of atmospheric tale with an eerie vibe constantly reminding the readers to feel more than the simple words. Like some of her other books, the author brings in barely there magical element with the twin concept with James back in her hometown on finding out the death of her twin brother in mysterious circumstances. Neither her past connection with the town nor its people has settled for her and now more than ever, it is time for past secrets to be unraveled. The love story of James and Micah had me rooting for right in between the mystery investigation.

I cant get enough of Adrienne Young. This book was nothing short of what I expected. Her writing is simple and easy to follow yet atmospheric, moody, and eerie. I love how she weaves several mysteries into one story and everything comes together at the end just how you hope with all the answers. I also love the romance subplot. The eerie mood always makes it more romantic without trying to hard or overdoing it. I flew through this book and wish I didn't have to wait until January to get my book shelf trophy! (Lots of typos, grammar issues, and double typed words but I know this will probably go through editing a few more times before being officially published)

Rating: 4 stars
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC ebook.


WOW--Adrienne Young--her writing *never* misses! The atmosphere is stunning. I love the touch of magical realism in all of her books, and this one with the "twin connection," was so well done. Also, just the way it reflects the grieving process. I loved James character, and kind of seeing Johnny through her eyes/the connection best. I will say my only complaint, and this from reading most of Young's works now--is that while the romance is always well written at heart...it's just missing something? The men never have much character development. There isn't much substance, they're these kind of stoic characters who just stand by the FMC. While there's nothing wrong with that; the romance just feels kind of pointless each time to me.

The mystery itself was well done for Autumn, but the plot twist for her brother was very lackluster w/ the reveal and the conclusion was wrapped a little quickly. I knocked down half a star because it just kind of took away from the novel itself. Still a wonderful read, especially for fall.

Adrienne Young has done it again with *A Sea of Unspoken Things*. This atmospheric tale will keep you guessing until the very end, immersing you in a world rich with tension and intrigue. The story follows a twin returning to her hometown to investigate the mysterious death of her brother, a journey that forces her to confront unsettling truths and question whether she ever truly knew him. Young's beautiful, engaging writing pulls you deep into the characters' lives, making every moment feel vivid and real. As secrets unravel and connections deepen, prepare for a haunting exploration of memory and identity that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Delacorte Press for this ARC

Adrienne Young's "The Unmaking of June Farrow" was one of my favorite books of last year, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of "A Sea of Unspoken Things." Overall, I give this one a solid 4.5 stars!

One thing that I love about Adrienne Young's books is that there is often a slightly magical/supernatural element. In this particular book, the main character has a ghostly connection with her now-dead twin brother. Is it a twin thing? Is it a ghosty thing? You'll have to read to find out. In this book, the main character (James) has returned to her hometown of Six Rivers in the aftermath of her brother's death. She can't help but feel that there was something strange about his death. Was it an accident? Or foul play? She reconnects with people from her hometown, including her first love Micah, as she investigates and discovers entangled mysteries that are more complex than she originally thought.

One thing that makes this book a stand-out is the sense of place. Six Rivers feels like a California version of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls and I am here for it!

I think readers who enjoyed this author's previous books will find this one to be equally enjoyable. I also would recommend it to readers who enjoyed Kimi Cunningham Grant's These Silent Woods or any of Peter Heller's books.

Huge thanks to the publisher for granting me the ARC!

I’ll say it again, Adrienne’s writing is, exquisite. There’s truly nothing else like it. The beginning of the story felt like a very slow burn for me, a lot of back story and build up, and then at just over 60% it started to ramp up. Then all the twists and turns came into play and I found my breathing faltering, turning anxious as the scenes unfolded. There were a few times that I thought I had things pegged, but then I didn’t, but then I did again. One twist I absolutely did not see coming. What a roller coaster the end of this book was! Micah and James were such a beautiful love story interwoven in this mystery. There was so much emotion, and for me personally, a lot of small parallels to my own life that brought me my own, deeper connection to the characters and setting. I truly loved how it all turned out, even if there was a lot of sadness, it was beautiful; it was taking the darkness and finding the light.

I want to preface this review by saying I fell in love with Adrienne Young's adult fiction novels last year. The Unmaking of June Farrow was a five star read, with Spells for Forgetting a close second. So I was highly anticipating this one, but it unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.

Firstly, it's almost too similar to Spells for Forgetting. Main character leaves small town, returns after a death in the family to face the friends and high school boyfriend she left behind... plus a shared secret about a mutual friend's death that has been covered up for years. The same questions drive the story: what actually happened to the teen who died, and will the old flame rekindle? But, there are also two more murder/missing people cases to solve as well in the present day.

When we finally got to what happened to Griffin back in high school, it was kind of... less intense than I felt it was led on to be. But it also didn't end up playing a part in the plot as a whole besides maybe serving as a trauma bonding experience between Micah and James. It's teased in the beginning that Amelia is looking into everything in the town's history that was brushed over by the previous officer, so I assumed this would be looked into and uncovered as well. But, the story would have been pretty much the same without it.

My main issue with this novel was the pacing. I'm used to Young's novels starting out a bit slow as she world-builds, but this one was slowwwwww until the 60-70% mark where it started moving at a breakneck speed. If I hadn't already been a fan of hers, I may have given up. With that said, there were some great twists at the end, I just felt like everything was so crammed in the last 20% of the book.

Another problem that kept me disconnected was that I didn't really feel like I knew Johnny very well, or enough to care. Johnny was clearly meant to be an enigmatic character, and that's what drives the mystery of James second guessing his life and actions in Six Rivers while she was away, but I just couldn't grasp the foundation of their relationship. We were told several stories where she felt she had a duty to "protect" him from himself, but without any super positive memories. So the sibling love-- especially being twins-- didn't seem fleshed out enough. They never really seemed close to me throughout the flashbacks, only protective. I didn't really care what happened to Johnny until Autumn was a part of it.

I think Young tried to add more emphasis on the romance aspect of this book versus the magical realism, perhaps trying to get more of that booktok audience. But even the chemistry between James and Micah seemed stiff because of, well, the sea of unspoken things. They were dancing around each other the first half of the book but not really in a sexy way. I also hate the trope of conflict caused by withholding information which there was a bit of with Micah keeping things from James that could have sped things along in the investigation of her brother's death.

There were a few plot holes that I felt should have been addressed to help the ending seem more realistic that will be mentioned in my GoodReads review, since I can't hide them here.

Minor complaint but in the beginning, I kept getting really confused keeping characters straight because of all the gender neutral/gender-bending name use. James is a woman, Quinn and Micah are men. It took me a few chapters to grasp who was who. It also took me a while to realize that James' visions were actually the magical realism part with real visual manifestations, and not just an active imagination.

With June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting having such different plot points but the common theme of magical realism, I was expecting another super original story. I just didn't feel the same gripping engagement as the other two.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House for the ARC! I will still be following Young and look forward to the next one.

If you liked Spells for Forgetting, I think you’re sure to like this one too. The story initially felt similar, highlighting so many things Young does beautifully — intense small town communities, stunning nature descriptions, clouded pasts, and a once insider returning “home” after a long time away. The writing was stunning and the mystery immediately grabbed me and kept me reading. It was a beautifully written mystery and insight into the closeness of siblings, with just a touch of uncanny magic.