Quercus Publishing A Sea of Unspoken Things the new magical mystery from the bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting.

by Adrienne Young

The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James's deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition - she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she's alone - truly alone - for the first time in her life.

When James arrives in the rural town of Hawthorne, California to settle her brother's affairs, she's forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He's also the only man she's ever loved.

But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn't quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he's not the only one.

What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny's death, but in the end, she'll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Thriller

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2025

About the author

Adrienne Young is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the Sky and Sea duology, the Fable series, and Spells for Forgetting. When she’s not writing, you can find Adrienne on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/

Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks

Reviews

[Clace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75!

“We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.

It's embarrassing when you think a book by an author you love would be 5 stars but it ends up being only 3.....anyways, this wasn't bad, there was a time when I was contemplating giving this book a 4 but there was just nothing that pushed me to give this book a jump. The first half was so slow like I wanted it to pick up it's pace because I was loosing interest like I honestly did not like the first half's pacing. Yes, the writing was good and you would expect that because it's Adrienne young but that still did not excuse how boring the book got at one point but then came the second half and it was sooo good, like the second half was definitely the saving grace of this book because the pacing picked up a lot the stakes were high and it just became so much better.

“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”

The plot twists were okay like one of them was unpredictable and the other I saw coming but both of them were executed well and I also liked the atmosphere that this book created, it really made the book much better because you could really feel the vibe being set up and the sense of mystery also had me intrigued. I also liked how the past was revealed slowly and I loved how satisfying it was to see all the puzzles connect and be put in place. The investigation was I think the star of the story because it really did made me wonder who and I was very invested in that part of the book.

“Maybe we were made in the dark, like Johnny said, but we'd found a way to create our own kind of light.”

James, our main character who's also a girl (stupid me went three chapters thinking she was a boy) goes back to town to solve her brothers murder. Honestly she was enjoyable to read but it was nothing memorable because out of all the Adrienne's characters I have read she's the one I would forget easily because I feel like so much of her emotions could have been explored like her grief, it could have been explored so much and to be honest I didn't feel the connection when it came to her but it was still enjoyable to read her pov. Micah, his character had the same problem that James's character had, I just didn't feel anything. I liked the quotes that they shared but as a character alone I feel like we barely knew anything about him and as her brothers best friend I imagined him to be more emotional but he wasn't lol

“We were standing only inches apart, but I could feel the canyon that stretched between us. We'd ripped open the seams of a years-old wound, and it didn't matter how much time had passed, it would never heal. I was beginning to understand that now”

James and Micah together also felt okay to me because I didn't feel the chemistry and usually second chances work for me because of the groveling and angst but there was barely any of that in this book, their emotions were not well described. The characters themselves should've been more in depth. I liked some of the moments that they shared and them solving the book together was good as well but I just wanted more. I feel like if their relationship was built in the first half with the story it would have been so much more enjoyable so I am a little sad that it didnt happen.

Overall, not my favorite Adrienne book because I know that she can write wayyy better but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

My ratings for Adrienne's books:
The Unmaking of June Farrow: 5 stars!
Fable: 5 stars!
Namesake; 4.75
The Last Legacy: 4.45
Saint; 4.50
Sky in the deep: 4.25
Spells for forgetting: 4 stars!
A sea of unspoken things: 3.75
The girl the sea gave back: 3.05
___
If there's one person who I know I'll give five stars to, it's Adrienne so 🙏🏻 help me out
___
FOAMING AT THE FUCKING MOUTH FOR THIS BECAUSE ADRIENNE CAN DO NO WRONG AND HER STORIES AND COVERS ARE A HIT!! EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. 😭

[Sara Carrolli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very pretty/descriptive writing & a super atmospheric read, but the style was definitely more telling rather than showing - I felt like I didn’t KNOW any of the characters or their motives for anything

(The summary: our FMC lost her brother tragically & came back to her small town to figure out what really happened + a mini tiny microscopic subplot of romance) We would get a piece of the mystery & then it would be a LONNGGGG boring while until the next one. Not very suspenseful & my theories were more satisfying than what we got 🥲 I would recommend the audiobook though!

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (Semi-Hiatus-attempting return) · Rating 5 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 5 𝔹𝕖𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕗𝕦𝕝 - 𝕆𝕓𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕊𝕝𝕦𝕞𝕡 𝕥𝕠 𝔻𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

👏 Adrienne 👏 Young 👏 Does 👏 Not 👏 Miss! 👏

Lemme just start by saying that I really took my time reading this and savored each page. This is one of those books that you can read in one sitting, sure. But the prose is just so exquisite that I wanted to take my time and just relish in the beauty of the story.

₊⊹⁀➴ ✴ .` ⋆⁺ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

We follow our FMC, James (yes, James - she has a traditionally male name) who is headed back to the small lush forest of a small town home after her twin brother was killed in what local law enforcement believe to be a hunting accident.

Once she arrives and starts combing through his things... something seems off. Not only is she finding physical and tangible evidence that something is amiss, but James has always had a sort of twin telepathy with her brother Johnny. But when they were younger there was a time where it had seemed that they could actually FEEL what the other was feeling.

Since he had past, James expected to not feel so consumed with her brother's presence... but she could feel him and sense him... as if he was giving her clues, or trying to tell her something...

Was it an accident? Was it revenge for something in their past? What is really going on in the forest town? What happened to Johnny?

₊⊹⁀➴ ✴ .` ⋆⁺ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

I've gotta say... so The Unmaking of June Farrow is still my favorite Adrienne Young book so far... but this book. Whew - this book is now my second favorite, knocking Spells for Forgetting into the third spot lol. I will never get sick of these small town, magical realism, atmospheric books from Young. They are EXACTLY MY CUP OF TEA.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ This story was chilling, exciting, melancholic, haunting and beautiful. I had tears streaming by the end. I was just so moved by the whole story. There's even a dash of romance in here that abso-freaking-lutely made my heart melt.

Speaking of which, the love interest, Michah - ugh he's just the sweetest. All of the characters were done so well. I did have my suspicions early on. Everyone is a little suspicious. But I was pleased with how everything was tied together.

This isn't a romance and this isn't a fantasy. It's a mystery with magical realism. There is a dash of a love story and some magical realism elements.

Highly recommend!

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Adrienne - please never stop writing these beautiful stories! You're amazing! Thank you so much for another 5 star read!

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
And this cover!! 🤌🏻💋

Anticipated Release Date - 01/07/25

This is going to look so gorgeous on my shelf next to Spells for Forgetting and The Unmaking of June Farrow!!

Buddy reading with my perfume buying hoardingcollecting partner/bestie in crime Meagan 🥰😘💘


⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹


A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced digital copy; All thoughts and opinions are my own. 💐💖

[jessica yeung · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very solid and compelling story!

and i think one of the reasons i enjoyed this so much is because, ever since i was young, i have always wondered what it would be like to have a twin brother. i have a brother - i just always wished he was my twin. lol. i find the relationship between twins, particularly brother/sister twins, so fascinating. i loved reading about james’ connection to johnny and her desperation in trying to find sense in his death. i thought the vibes of the sleepy northern california town and the way nature is so predominate in the story a good writing choice. its the kind of atmospheric narrative that sucks you right into the page.

so if this was such a positive reading experience, why isnt it getting 5 stars? and the only reason is because i just dont see myself picking this back up for a reread in the future. its a story that effectively held my attention for the time i was reading it, but its not one that i will continue to think about after that. so i guess the story only invoked temporary emotions, not long-lasting ones, if that makes sense.

but, when i was reading this, i was thoroughly enjoying it. the atmosphere, the writing, the characters, the investigation - all of it creates a very well-crafted and captivating story.

↠ 4.5 stars

[bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

➸ 3.25/5 stars

This book, in my opinion, is 100% a thriller and it absolutely delivers on that front. I went into it not knowing much about the author, but based on the covers of her previous books, I expected something more along the lines of literary fiction. I don’t even know why I thought that, but I guess I was expecting something more introspective or character driven this was pure, gripping suspense. Mind you i dived in 100% blind without reading tropes or a blurb.

“Maybe we were made in the dark, like Johnny said, but we'd found a way to create our own kind of light”

The story centers on James, and her journey is packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. I actually finished it in under three hours because I couldn’t put it down. The first 60% of the book was solid, with a slower build up that worked really well for me. But then, after that, things started speeding up a lot, and the reveals started coming at a breakneck pace. it felt a little rushed toward the end, and I would have liked the mystery to unfold at a more measured pace to really savor those twists and discoveries.

"We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.”
this quote hurts.

One thing that stuck with me is how much I wanted more depth from James. I was hoping for more of an emotional exploration like some self discovery, or healing on her part. her life felt pretty empty to me, and I’m not sure if that was intentional to reflect her inner state or if I just couldn’t connect with her. She just came across as… lifeless, which made it harder for me to fully invest in her journey.

"Guess I figured out I can be anything if I'm with you."

Another thing that felt lacking was her relationship with Micah. It wasn’t explored in any meaningful way. We’re told they were close in the past and that they get back together quickly, but there’s no real deep dive into their history or why they still care for each other. I get that this book isn’t a romance, but if you’re going to introduce a relationship, at least give us a little more context or depth to understand why these characters are together, especially when James herself feels so distant and disconnected already.

"Both of us had always been trying to capture moments and keep them. Him with the camera, me with my pen. But in the end, we somehow always saw things differently"

That said, the book was still really fun overall. The writing was beautiful and lush, and the author definitely has a knack for creating atmosphere. The mystery itself was great even though the pacing picked up a bit too quickly at the end, the plot was so immersive. Each chapter fed you just enough information to keep you wanting more, and I found myself completely engrossed in the twists. It was one of those books that pulls you in, and even though the ending felt a little rushed for my taste, I still really enjoyed the experience. In the end, I think this was a fun, addictive read with a strong narrative. It wasn't perfect (I definitely had some expectations that weren't fully met), but I’m glad I read it. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and sometimes that’s all you really need.


***ARC Provided by the Publisher Quercus Books.***

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adrienne Young has delivered yet another captivating, twisty, heart-throbbing small-town mystery that you’ll want to devour in one sitting! How could I resist? I just had to request an ARC and ended up enjoying every second of it!

The supernatural elements, like the ghost of a loved one leading you to their killer, or the victim being potentially involved, make for a highly intriguing plot, don’t they?

One of the interesting aspects of the book is the heroine’s name—James—which initially led me to think this might be an LGBTQ mystery. But when I discovered that James is a woman named after a man, I couldn’t help but shrug and blame her parents. In this case, it’s the fault of the twins' young mother, who not only gave her daughter a traditionally male name but also abandoned her children, feeling trapped in their small town.

Another fascinating part of the story is the connection between James and her twin brother Johnny Golden. They are like yin and yang—James’s brightness balancing Johnny’s darkness. Johnny creates chaos, and James is always there to clean up the mess and take the blame. This has been their dynamic ever since a tragic event drove James to leave town to pursue her artistic talents, never looking back. But she didn’t just leave behind her troubled brother; she also left the love of her life, Micah, and started anew in San Francisco.

Now, nearly two decades later, she is forced to return to the small town she once fled, bringing her brother's ashes and completing the important environmental project he started. But she has another reason for returning—a secret she’s kept to herself. She felt the exact moment her brother died, shot by what was presumed to be an accidental bullet during hunting season, even though the shooter’s identity remains unknown. James is convinced her brother’s death was no accident, and she’s determined to do what she’s always done: fix her brother’s problems and uncover the dangerous situations he may have been involved in. After all, she knows firsthand how far Johnny would go to protect those he loved.

Her investigation brings her face-to-face with a young art student who may have had a connection to her brother, uncovering more secrets hidden by the townspeople. Could her brother have gone too far, perhaps even hurting someone? As James digs deeper into his death, she may find herself not just searching for his killer, but also confronting the man Johnny had become—and wondering if he had already crossed a line that led to his demise.

There’s only one person she can turn to for help in facing the truth: Micah, the man whose heart she broke. Micah had become her brother’s protector after she left town, and now, as buried secrets begin to resurface, they must face them together. But can they also bury their own unresolved past?

Overall, this fast-paced small-town mystery with paranormal and romantic elements keeps you hooked. I’m rounding my 3.5 stars to 4 owlish stars and eagerly awaiting more of Young's books in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a digital review copy of this
unputdownable mystery in exchange for my honest thoughts

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[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

How far would you go to help your sibling?

Synopsis: Growing up, James Golden spent her life covering her twin brother Johnny’s mistakes with the help of his best friend and her high school boyfriend, Micah. After a tragic event that the trio swore to secrecy, she left small logging community Six Rivers for a life in San Francisco, leaving both Johnny and Micah behind. Now, twenty years later, Johnny has been found dead and she’s been pulled back to a place and history she thought was behind her, including hers with Micah.

Is Johnny’s death an accident as she’s being told? James isn’t convinced and the deeper she digs the more things don’t add up. It doesn’t help that not everyone in town seems happy she’s back. As certain suspicious facts start to add up, James is less sure she ever knew her brother at all. When she starts seeing glimpses of him around town and hearing his voice, she wonders if he’s trying to tell her his secrets from beyond the grave.

My feelings: After my first experience with Adrienne Young’s writing in The Unmaking of June Farrow, I was an instant fan of her beautiful prose, immersive setting, and the threads of magical realism and sci-fi/fantasy, which were fully present here as well. It’s just a small touch in this one regarding the heightened sense of each other that some twins seem to share. It was cool to read in the author’s note that Adrienne Young has a twin brother herself!

The story is told from James’ POV, and she’s processing a lot of questions and confusion about Johnny and her past, so you're in her head for the whole book. That's not a bad thing. It was refreshing to see a character struggle to understand their sibling and not just blindly defend them. Those questions added excellent tension to the story, as I dreaded what she might discover!

The romance is there but it’s secondary to the slow-burn mystery of Johnny's death. It’s also a character drama as James reckons with the town and people she left behind, who were fascinating characters in their own right. She has to honestly confront why she left and what life she wants for her future. I should also mention she has a cool wolf-like dog named Smoke. 🐺

Besides Johnny's death, there are two more compelling mysteries in the story and while I liked them all, I would say the reveals could’ve been just a little more dynamic and not so quick and easy after all that tension and waiting for the reveals. A small complaint overall as the writing was just so good.

I read this on my Kindle while listening to the audio narrated by Christine Lakin who did an excellent job with all the characters. This was another wonderful story which solidified why Adrienne Young will remain an auto request author for me. She’s such a gifted storyteller!

★★★★

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press, NetGalley and author Adrienne Young for the digital ARC to honestly review and to my library/Libby for the audio. It’s out now.

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✩ 3 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Magical Realism
➼ Supernatural Twin Connection
➼ Murder Mystery
➼ Buried Secrets
➼ Small Town
➼ Romance Subplot
➼ Second Chance
➼ Atmospheric
➼ First Person POV

As much as I love Adrienne Young, this one just didn’t really do it for me. I’m really not a mystery thriller girly and this is definitely a mystery thriller. I’m wondering if many of her other fans would agree with that sentiment based on the lower ratings. For the genre, I think this was a decent book, but I’m wondering if it‘s just not finding the right readers.

The Magical Realism genre is also a little hit or miss for me and this was not the type I’m looking for. Their connection felt more eerie and almost like a haunting which is not what I gravitate towards at all. The romance was very much a subplot so not much there for me either.

I don’t think it was the book’s fault this time, I just wasn’t the target audience for this one. 🤷🏼‍♀️

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: Trying to curb my expectations since the ratings haven’t been the highest. I do love me some Adrienne Young though so I’m still hopeful! 💗

A new Adrienne Young 😍😍😍

[L A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about a woman investigating her brother's footsteps before his mysterious death. James (a 37 year old female) comes back to her rural hometown Hawthorne, CA. to find closure with her twin brother Johnny's death. What appears as a tragic hunting accident, their twin telepathy tells something else has happened. When she begins to investigate, she finds out she doesn't know her brother like she thought she did. Some things are better left unknown when she asks too many questions.
The atmosphere becomes haunting as his presence dwells among her, almost guiding her to the answers. "Both of us had always been trying to capture moments and keep them. Him with the camera, me with my pen. But in the end, we somehow always saw things differently."
Was his death revenge or an accident? The suspicions are thick in town with whispers behind her back and suspects creep out of the crevices of their lies. Well-done and I cannot wait to read more from this author!

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has a fascinating premise, a mysterious twin connection. Johnny is dead, and his twin, James, is left to finish the research he started. Along the way, James uncovers even more than expected, which kept the book interesting.
It’s definitely a slow burn, and while that suits the atmosphere of the story, I personally wished for a bit more vroom. James was a solid character, easy to follow and well written. Even though Johnny is gone and doesn’t get his own POV, his presence is strongly felt throughout the book, and the way his character unfolds adds some twists by the end.
One of my favorite details was the film development scenes in the darkroom, they added a touch of nostalgia that fit perfectly. The setting itself was uniquely described and gave the story its own personality.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read, a little quiet, thoughtful, and intriguing. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press for the ARC (though my review is a little late).

[Maddie Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 4⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4⭐️

My favorite thing about Adrienne Young's books is that she blends the contemporary romance and thriller genres so well. There is a gripping plot outside the romance, and the romances have this grounded complicated feel that are so satisfying in the end. I also adore the main characters in their thirties, and the underbelly of small towns that she captures.

This one is super solid. While it smacks of some of her other work, it did avoid being formulaic. I was happy with the unpredictability of the mystery, and the setting was eerie like Spells for Forgetting. It got the vibe check so well!

I would love to see Adrienne Young keep exploring this vein of books, but get bolder. She's got a formula that works, but her books risk becoming repetitive if she doesn't explore something uncharted in future work.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

While enjoyable, I didn't feel a strong connection to these characters unfortunately.

I highly recommend reading The Unmaking of June Farrow by this author instead if you haven't already. That one was fantastic and one of my favorite reads from last year.

[Jaime Fok · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was unfortunately quite disappointing for me. I LOVED The Unmaking of June Farrow & enjoyed Spells for Forgetting- but this one was a miss. The writing is beautiful and atmospheric, but the plot & characters all really fell flat in my opinion.

First of all, the characters had no personality. Apart from wanting to find out what happened to Johnny, we didn’t get any personal touches to them so I couldn’t get myself to care :( and because of this, the romance fell flat as well.

Everything we knew about Johnny was also just… terrible? So I couldn’t get myself to care about his death either.

And then for our “mystery solved” moments. I feel like we didn’t have enough substantial evidence or reasoning by the end for these reveals to feel satisfying.

Again, the writing is beautiful - but this was sadly a miss for me!

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! 💫 This was my first Adrienne Young book, and after all the buzz about her magical realism vibe, my expectations were sky-high. Did it live up to the hype? Kinda. Let me spill the tea. 🍵

First off, let’s talk atmosphere. Adrienne’s writing is so rich and moody, I could practically feel the misty, eerie small-town vibes wrapping around me. The setting? Immaculate. The prose? Chef’s kiss. The pacing? Uh, that first 40% dragged harder than me trying to escape Monday mornings.

James (yes, she’s a girl—thanks, Mom!) is our haunted, complex lead, and I loved her. Her connection with her twin brother, Johnny, was so intense—like, next-level sibling telepathy. But Johnny’s death and the so-called “mystery” surrounding it? Let’s just say it tested my patience. Once the story finally picked up, though? I was tearing through pages like my phone was on fire.

The second half was everything! Twists, secrets, buried truths—I was hooked. And Micah, the brooding ex-love-turned-protector? Ugh, hello, angst! Their unresolved tension gave me all the feels. 🖤

Tropes you’ll love:
✧ Small-town secrets 🏡
✧ Grieving heroine 🌫️
✧ Rekindled romance 💔
✧ Twisty sibling bond 🤝
✧ Atmospheric mystery 🔍

What worked:

✧ The writing: Lush, immersive, and dripping with emotion.

✧ The suspense: Once it hit its stride, it really hit.

✧ The ending: Wrapped things up nicely, even if I guessed a couple twists.

What didn’t:

✧ The slow burn (of the plot, not the romance): Those early chapters? Drag city.

✧ Less magical realism than expected: I was hoping for more mystical vibes.

Overall, this is one of those books where patience is key—the payoff is worth it, but you gotta stick with it. While it didn’t fully blow my mind, I’m definitely diving into Adrienne Young’s backlist (next stop: The Unmaking of June Farrow). Oh, and can we talk about the cover? 10/10 for vibes alone. 😍

Would I recommend? Totally, but prepare yourself for a slow start!

[Flora (Helia's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only Adrienne can do this ISTG
.
👀 I love this era of Adrienne

[Linz_loves_books (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐Happy Publication Day🥳🥳🥳

“Both of us had always been trying to capture moments and keep them. Him with the camera, me with my pen. But in the end, we somehow always saw things differently”

Adrienne Young stole my heart in 2024 when I read, "Spells for Forgetting" and "The Unmaking of June Farrow". From that point on I knew she was an auto-buy author for me, and I would run to buy anything she published. When I was given the opportunity to read the arc, I was ecstatic with anticipation and let's just say Adrienne Young DELIVERED once again! To me this one was a little different then I went in expecting based off of her other two novels, but it was still such an amazing read! Adrienne Young is known for her magical realism, and I felt this story was heavy on the thriller aspect with hints of magical realism. The only reason this was not a 5-star read for me is the first 40% dragged and I had no idea where the story was going to go, the pacing was just slow in the beginning. However, with that being said as soon as the storyline picked up, I absolutely could not put it down. The last half of the book kept me guessing and I still never expected that ending!

This story follows James and her twin brother Johnny. Most twins have a deep connection but theirs were one of a kind. James could feel what her twin brother was feeling. When Johnny passes away in a tragic accident, James feels it before she even gets a phone call. However, something doesn't sit right with James. In search of answers, James decides to travel back to her hometown to face her and her twin brothers past as well as the only man James has ever loved... Micah. James soon finds out that she didn't know her brother as well as she thought and in the search of answers what secrets will she unveil.

“Maybe we were made in the dark, like Johnny said, but we'd found a way to create our own kind of light”

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As twins, James and Johnny Golden have always shared a deep connection. But when Johnny dies in an accident, James must return to their small hometown in rural California to settle his affairs. It’s her first time back in twenty years, forcing her to confront the past she tried so hard to escape.

When she returns home, she realizes that the strange connection she shared with Johnny isn’t gone—she can still feel him. The more she uncovers about her brother’s life, the more questions arise, making her doubt whether his death was truly an accident.

There’s an undercurrent of magical realism, but it’s subtle and never heavy-handed, serving more as a reflection of the special bond between twins. Adrienne Young's storytelling always pulls me in and keeps me captivated. Her writing is consistent and beautifully crafted without feeling excessive.

Having now read seven of her books, I appreciate that they never feel formulaic. I also prefer plausibility over dramatic, far-fetched twists, which is another reason I enjoy her writing. 4 stars

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My heart is broken to have to tell you this new one by our beloved Adrienne is not the book we were all hoping and praying for. It was atmospheric and beautifully written, yes. But the story was weak and the plot moved at a glacier pace to ultimately have a floppy ending. I’m so sad to report back that this one is definitely a library book.

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*

3.75 out of 5 stars!

I’ve read all of Adrienne Young’s adult mystery novels, so when I saw the announcement for A Sea of Unspoken Things, I added it to my TBR list without hesitation. I was also fortunate to receive an early copy of this book, which was already one of my most anticipated reads of 2025.

Mystery novels like this one are my absolute favorite, and I realized how much I’d missed this genre after diving into it. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book like this, and it was refreshing to reconnect with it.

The pacing was a bit slower at first, and it took me some time to truly connect with the story. However, once I got into it, I couldn’t put the book down. As always, I ended up finishing it in the middle of the night.

When it came to solving the mysteries, my mind was all over the place. While the plot twists were still unexpected, I was hoping for something a bit more mind-blowing. Don’t get me wrong—it was still incredible, but I had anticipated something even more intense and spooky. There were also a few lingering questions for me, but they didn’t detract from the story, as everything else wrapped up quite nicely.

If you’re a fan of Adrienne Young’s previous adult novels, you’ll definitely enjoy A Sea of Unspoken Things!
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I'll try to read this book before the end of this year, as well.
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This is so bizarre. I can’t believe that I actually received an early copy for one of my anticipated books of next year!!!

Another adult book by Adrienne Young? You know this is an instant add to my tbr-list moment.

[Teres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young's The Unmaking of June Farrow (2023) was a 5-star read for me. Her Spells for Forgetting (2022) 4 stars.

But, honestly, A Sea of Unspoken Things was a disappointment. Not that it was bad. Just...meh. Not her finest.

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so intriguing and just grabs you from the start. This is essentially a murder mystery with a little bit of magical realism, at least I think it is. It's not so magical as The Unmaking of June Farrow, but it had bits and pieces that were more fantastical imo.

But I will say that I had some issues with this story being heavy in description and introspection. There was a lot of pages where nothing was really happening, it was just the FMC working through stuff in her head or thinking about to stuff that happened in the past. That made my reading of this book slow down a bit because it didn't flow quite as much as I think it could have.

And I also think that the FMC came across a little flat at times, not a lot of personality to speak of. It got better as the book progressed, and they may have just been a byproduct of what was happening in the book and her kind of shutting down, but I wish she had a little more spark to her.

But those issues aside, I was totally invested in the story and figuring out what happened so still incredibly enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[emilybookedup · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this one—i’m a big fan of Adrienne Young’s work! can we also have a moment for this cover? truly her prettiest yet!!!

while i enjoyed this, it fell a bit flat compared to SPELLS FOR FORGETTING and THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW for me. those were very highly enjoyable and 4.5+ star books that were hard to put down, so sadly this got a bit of the comparison game.

if you’re new to her work, this is what you can expect:
- incredible description and absolutely beautiful prose. seriously, her writing style is incredible and one of my favorites. the way she can make you feel + picture the setting and characters so effortlessly is a huge round of applause
- great settings. mentioned above, but i always feel like i’m a part of the story and i love that
- slow burns and mysteries. her books are like an onion—you gotta peel back a lot of layers to get to the final punch but it’s almost always worth the wait and slow burn
- multiple genres. she does such a great job of bending suspense, romance, general fiction, and even magical realism at times into one. that is no easy feat!
- atmospheric and moody vibes. in a good way!

so, what fell short on this one for me? really the plot. the writing and execution was 5 stars and the plot was a 3 for me. it took me quite awhile to feel super invested in the mystery of this. i think a few chapters of having Johnny alive could have been more impactful for me personally to feel connected to the character and loss. i also think the pacing was verrrrry slow. by 60% i was desperate for something to happen, and then when it did pick up i figured out the ending twists quite quickly.

heads up that this one has much less (if any at all) magical realism like SPELLS + JUNE FARROW have, so i was missing a bit of that too. just didn’t know that going in so here’s your heads up.

all that said, the ending made me happy and i liked how it all pulled together.

thanks to the publisher for a gifted early copy! this cover is STUNNING and it’s certainly still worth the read + pre order :)

my ranking:
1) SPELLS FOR FORGETTING
2) THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW
3) A SEA OF UNSPOKEN THINGS

now on to the FABLE series i go!!

[Meagan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with my boo Heather 🥳 thanks for holding my hand while reading this, because I was so lost at one point LMFAO

Adrienne Young has done it again! A Sea of Unspoken Things is an absolute triumph, a mesmerizing blend of mystery, nostalgia, and hauntingly beautiful magical realism that will pull you in from the very first page. With this novel, the author masterfully crafts a gripping, emotionally charged story about a woman who returns to her hometown after a decade, haunted by the tragic death of her twin brother—a death she believes was no accident. As she unravels the layers of grief and confronts long-buried memories, James must also face the chilling, unresolved mystery that drove her away all those years ago.

The authors writing is nothing short of spellbinding. She creates an atmosphere so rich and immersive that you can almost feel the cool, eerie mist hanging over the town, a place that feels both unsettling and strangely familiar. The blend of magical realism with sharp emotional depth is utterly captivating—twisting the narrative in unexpected ways while keeping you on the edge of your seat. Each page turns with delicious tension, balancing moments of suspense with poignant reflection, and keeping readers guessing until the very end.

If you’re a fan of Young’s previous books, or if you just love a story that is as beautifully written as it is mysterious, A Sea of Unspoken Things is an absolute must-read.

My Adrienne Young Ratings-
A Sea Of Unspoken Things- 4 Stars
Spells For Forgetting- 3.85 Stars


✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Random House Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I was expecting more from the plot and the characters but sadly I was disappointed. The pacing in the beginning was very slow and the plot was boring during the first half of the book. The writing was descriptive and poetic, I enjoyed the descriptions of the small town. The mystery in the second half of the book was great and there were a few shocking plot twists, although I did guess one plot twist. The characters felt underdeveloped and flat. I didn’t connect to James, and I didn’t particularly like her much, she felt flat and more of a shadow of a person. I was hoping to understand her and feel for her, but she was underdeveloped. I also felt the same way for Micah I didn’t know him enough to like him or feel connected to him. The side characters were okay but they were even less developed than Micah and James. The chemistry and romance between Micah and James was nonexistent. I didn’t understand why they got together and there wasn’t much expression of their feelings. The ending was okay, I’m glad the mystery was resolved but it was a bit underwhelming. Overall the mystery was well done, but I didn’t connect to the characters, the pacing was very slow and the sub plot romance was underdeveloped.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrienne Young is pure magic. Savoring every single bit of this one. 🖤✨ full RTC!

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ *]

dnf @ 11%

my first dnf of 2025, i’m surprised we made it this far actually but honestly it was just very boring like i can’t 😭

[Laura (Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted this to be something wowing but it wasnt so I was bummed at that, but it was pretty enjoyable to read.

[vicky ꨄ︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25***

I was in tears by the end of it
rtc when i get to it










ೀ preread ᡣ𐭩

I’m currently sadly in a reading slump so I decided to take a break from rebel witch and read what I’m in the mood for right now. This is me reading this book and praying that I’ll love it since I nearly spent €21 on this!!! Like why does this book cost that much 😭

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4⭐️ Twins James and Johnny Golden have only ever had one another. When Johnny is killed in a hunting accident, and James returns to the town and friends she left behind in order to settle his affairs, she begins to wonder if there is something more sinister at play. But coming back to Hawthorne means confronting unresolved feelings towards Micah, the only man she’s ever loved.

As has been said many times over, this book feels quite a bit different from Adrienne Young’s previous adult novels, both having relied more heavily on the magical realism element. While I do so enjoy her broader use of it, the inclusion of a paranormal aspect here gave me just enough of what I was expecting to feel fully satisfied.

"A Sea of Unspoken Things" is very much a character-driven story, and I think the characters are all unique, engaging and fully fleshed out. I loved the gritty, atmospheric nature she presents, as well as her beautiful prose. I was so intrigued with not just one, but the multiple mysteries woven in throughout. The romance was not center stage, but that felt right for a story that was more so focused on the dynamics of the twin connection, as well as their shared and individual traumas and the ways in which that impacted each of their lives. However, the scenes we did get between James and Micah were some of my favorites. It was second chance romance at its best.

My only issue with this book was that the pacing felt a bit wonky. I was heavily invested in the beginning, but somewhere along the 30% mark, it began to drag a tiny bit for about another 30%. There were also quite a few characters, some with very similar names, and I got slightly confused as to who was who. That said, I still enjoyed the story overall, especially the romance, and would recommend it.

Read if you like:
▪️literary mysteries
▪️women’s fiction
▪️paranormal vibes
▪️family dramas
▪️second chance romance
▪️atmospheric writing

Thank you Delacorte Press and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At its core A Sea of Unspoken Things is a slow-burn mystery centered around a woman returning to her hometown after losing her twin brother. Filled with secrets and long-buried traumas, this slow-burn tale calls the reader to slowly savor the beautiful writing.

Atmospheric with a touch of magical realism seems to be Adrienne Young’s trademark. I like how the author sets her stories in rural small towns. These small towns become characters themselves in her stories.

I enjoyed following James as she unraveled the mystery of her brother’s life. I did predict the outcome but I still liked reading how it all played out. This is my third read by Adrienne and I can't wait to see what magical tale she comes up with next!

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Christine Lakin. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young will be available on January 7. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted copy!