Young has used lush atmospheric language that sets the scene perfectly for this slow burn, small time mystery steeped in wilderness, raw passion and secrets. It’s similar in tone to Spells for Forgetting (mystery, small town romance, secrets of youth etc) but there’s no magical realism like we’d expect from Young.

I was totally engrossed from the beginning, even if the first 50% is slower paced, I never wanted to put it down, but I also never wanted it to end. I loved the complexity of the relationships, the bonds that tied them together in the past and present, and I could see the story going in so many directions that at times I thought I knew how it ended and at others I was hoping I was wrong.

The end, however, felt rushed after all that build up and slow burn mystery - everything was wrapped up too neatly and quickly considering the tension. I also think the ending was a bit anticlimactic, Young could have done so much more with it, so many interesting pathways barely explored. It had the makings of a juicy, dramatic mystery, and yet it was basic and simplistic by the end.

That being said I still really enjoyed reading it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this early advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Maybe we were made in the dark. But we’d found a way to create our own kind of light.”

Adrienne Young has such a beautiful and captivating way of bringing stories to life, and A Sea of Unspoken Things is certainly not the exception. From the very first page I was swept into a world of forests and melancholy and I immediately felt engulfed in James’ narrative. The setting was giving early Riverdale vibes and I loved the premise from the start.

I loved the way that Young describes the connection between James and her twin brother Johnny and the supernatural elements were impressively done. I could picture every part of this book like a movie playing in my head and that is truly a testament to her incredible world building and writing style. This was more thriller based than the previous stories of hers that I’ve read but I liked that this felt different to books like The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting (which are also favourites of mine), although similar themes like small town communities and past loves rekindled persisted.

There were times when I felt like this story could have been slowed down and expanded upon, hence the 4*, but the reveal(s) were satisfying. I’d have loved to have seen more of the supernatural elements too!

Once again I feel honoured to be able to read this authors stories and I am truly a fan of her work; if Young writes it, I will read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

"A soft soul with a wild heart"


Twin siblings James and Johnny, were born and raised in the small town of Hawthorne, inside California's Six Rivers National Forest. Having been deserted when they were young, by a mother who felt trapped and stifled by the small town mentality, where logging and hunting were about the only industries around, the pair are raised by their father, although they mostly find themselves needing to be dependent on and able to protect, one another. However, it almost always falls to James and Micah to bail out a very volatile Johnny, when he gets himself into trouble, which seems to happen on a fairly regular basis.

James excels at art and wins a much coveted place at an art college in the city. This means breaking her ties with Johnny and their friends Micah, Griffin, Olivia and Sadie. By this time, her clandestine relationship with Micah, events surrounding Griffin's death and Johnny's increasingly manic, almost psychotic behaviour, have helped shape James's decision to be the only one of the group of friends to leave Hawthorne and not look back. Now almost two decades later, a successful artist living in San Francisco and in an arms-length relationship with distinguished businessman Quinn Fraser, James continues to be connected to Johnny, not in a physical way, as she has never made a return visit to her hometown since the day she left, but by an almost telepathic bond, so strong that she feels exactly what he feels and can often 'see' him filling a physical space in her life.

In as far as he was able, Johnny had also turned his life around, leaving the logging trade after discovering his true niche as a photographer, working on a CAS project in the forest, coincidentally managed by Quinn, as well as helping out with photography sessions at the local school, where Olivia now works as an art teacher.

When James has a terrible premonition, the call to tell her that Johnny has died under apparently non-suspicious circumstances, comes as no surprise. A planned short trip home to tie up Johnny's affairs and finish collating his final submission for Quinn, doesn't go quite according to schedule however and James finds that Hawthorne's only law enforcement officer and new to both the post and the town itself, Amelia Travis, is not only concerned about Johnny's 'accident', but also that of Griffin, all those years ago.

When one of Olivia's students Autumn, who had become something of a protégée for Johnny, also goes missing, all eyes are trained on James, with the whole town lining up to condemn Johnny, who is no longer able to defend himself. As James organises Johnny's CAS data sheets and photographs, she becomes evermore alarmed by the anomalies she discovers and the increasing strength with which she feels Johnny's presence all around her, almost guiding her to the truth about how his life had been shaped and ultimately ended.

James unavoidably finds herself re-kindling her romantic relationship with a still single Micah, so when she manages to clear Johnny's name and has once again been accepted back into the community, she has to decide where her future really lies.

…

Listed on one popular retail site as a fantasy story, for me, although there are definite paranormal, mystical, almost magical elements at play, this is essentially a many-layered, totally immersive, slow-burning murder/mystery, combined with some beautifully written passages centring on the many complex personalities, relationships and haunting romances, which elevate it to the realms of literary fiction. This made all the more plausible by the fact that the author is herself, one of twin siblings, making it easy or her to draw on some of her own shared experiences and emotions.

Set mostly in the present time, with just a couple of short flash-back memories, the chapters were short and well-signposted. The crimes, suspects and plot twists and turns, were often quite dark and sinister, always intriguing and kept me on my toes throughout, with unravelling this small-town, closed-ranks culture, becoming compulsive and definitely adding to the challenge.

Johnny and James were always like two sides of the same coin, one good and one bad and as she spends more time digging into Johnny's life, James realises that there is so much she has missed by her walking away to her new chosen life, with her distress at the broken connection between them becoming more and more acute. It is only at the ninth hour that James realises that Johnny has only ever wanted justice for himself and that in fact, over the years, he had become at peace with himself and his world, in his own way and to the full extent that he was able. This leaves James, now and for the first time, with her own separate and individual identity to forge, wondering where exactly her dreams for the future lay, and for just how long she could keep her own deeply buried secrets safe rom prying eyes.

As a confirmed 'townie', I found it quite difficult to relate to the small-minded and tight-knit residents of Hawthorne, where everyone knew everyone else and all their business, and judgement was passed on neighbours and friends with an instant and alarming alacrity. This made none of them particularly appealing to me and I felt no real or genuine connection with them, although each was well-suited to their role in such a dour, almost morose community.

As a confirmed 'armchair traveller', this story really hit the sweet spot for me. Despite having a relatively small physical footprint, all the places were real and easy for me to track and check out, which I eagerly did. I quickly found myself becoming immersed in this insular community of folks who seldom left the town's boundaries and were quick to judge those who dared to do so. The descriptive power of the narrative, set the atmospheric scene out in the rocky canyons and forest areas wonderfully, as a beautiful, if oppressive and slightly haunting backdrop, mirroring its community exactly.

Adrienne writes books that feel like Taylor Swift songs. This one? This was folklore. This was evermore. The atmosphere was amazing. I really felt the town of six rivers come to life (very reminiscent of Forks from twilight, in the best way). This was a quieter type of novel and better for it as it allowed us to really get sucked into the town and the story. I actually enjoyed the mystery element a lot. The romance was a secondary storyline for me but it made total sense for the story. I do wish we had seen a little more of James and Micah's development in the past in order to emotionally invest in their present story but I still enjoyed it for what it was.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Adrienne Young writes in a way that claws just gently enough at the heart, quietly slips into the soul.

This book felt like a love letter to a past shut away, and like grief. The mystery in the plot sprung up unexpectedly at times and was gripping. But the magic was in what was caught at the periphery. The ephemeral where what was painted on the page would almost draw into focus and there would be a jolt of raw feeling.

I loved the blend of the tense pages of mystery/crime that really pulled me forward as a reader, and the bulk of prose, poetic and puzzling and enigmatic, that pulled me into the evocative forest of the character’s mind. The long winding internal thoughts, of feeling stuck and lost and at home and like home had changed enough to feel tenuous, is something I’ve felt (for different reasons (on the surface) and the same reasons (confronting the pace and fragility of life and whether the choices made decades ago, in the dark, have set up the life we want to live in the light of day) and felt congruent, if verging on harrowing at points.
The atmosphere of the book was evocative and beautiful and while reading I could often feel that deep sense of wrong and rightness that comes with the feeling of being out deep in nature, walking a leaf strewn, knotted roots floor, trying to find the way (by being brave, following the feelings and knowledge that often gets pushed down and ignored, letting ourselves see the almost formed silhouette of whatever haunts us.)

Thankyou to NetGalley and Quercus books for the arc to review. Thankyou Adrienne Young for the book therapy.

ARC Review (very exciting!!! I desperately love Adrienne Young)

Can a book make you feel physically cold? This one certainly did. A captivating and chilling small-town mystery set in the deeply atmospheric Six Rivers National Park. Adrienne has a rare gift for bringing her surroundings to life, and once again, she didn’t disappoint. The story may have started off a bit slow, but by the halfway point, I was completely hooked! The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, and after an emotional rollercoaster, we were rewarded with a bittersweet ending 🖤

Adrienne Young's novels have a way of burrowing under your skin and into your soul. Her narrative is simple, yet eloquent. Her understanding of human relationships, especially love, is insightful and engaging. She's managed this again in A sea of unspoken things, where artist James Golden has returned home following the strange death of her twin brother. When she gets back, the link that tethers her to the town and her brother is reignited as she attempts to tie up loose ends and discover the truth about what happened to her twin.
This was a short, wonderfully atmospheric read that I struggled to put down. The small town, the residents and other characters burst off the page.
A wonderful read that I highly recommend, especially if you enjoyed Young's other adult novels.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

As a big fan of Adrienne Young’s new adult books I’m surprised that this wasn’t a bigger hit with me. The writing itself is beautiful and atmospheric but I felt there were too many recycled concepts from Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting. Such as the mysterious small town with a big mystery, one character who left and one who stayed, and a special fated romantic connection between them.

The reader is constantly told that Jonny and his sister James share a special connection but James doesn’t really seem to know much about her brother at all, which put these ideas at odds for me. When you find out about their past and why James left I was expecting that fairly major incident to be more important to the plot in the current timeline, but it was very much glossed over.

There’s also no explanation at all for any of the supernatural events in the book, unlike Young’s previous work. Not even a vague allusion to what’s causing it other than twin magic. It would have been nice to have a little more depth when it came to this and the lore of the town.

That being said the prose was a delight to read as always. I felt like I was watching a movie when I was reading it was so vivid. Most questions I had about the plot wrapped up very well in the end, and it was a satisfying read from start to finish. A Sea of Unspoken Things is a good book. It just lacked some of the magic of Young’s previous two books for me.

A Sea Of Unspoken Things

- Mystery
- Thriller
- Family
- Small town secrets
- Atmospheric
- Fade to grey romance

James' twin brother has died and she needs to return home to settle his affairs. But returning to the small town raises more questions than answers. What really happened to her brother? And who knows about it?

Adrienne Young really likes my least favourite trope ever. I've noticed a few trends in her books, but honestly if there's a format that works for her that's great because her books are amazing.

Great mystery, very twisty, unexpected ending. I loved how you never knew where this book was going to end up. I definitely did not see the ending coming. Would definitely recommend this book. Minus a star for my least favourite trop ever.

I enjoyed this well enough. It was a quick and easy read, but ultimately I found it pretty underwhelming. I wasn’t attached to any of the characters and the pacing was so incredibly slow. I had hoped the second half of the book would compensate for the slow build up but it really didn’t. I liked James as our heroine but again, I just wasn’t attached to her or felt really any emotions towards her. Her romance with Micah was underwhelming and lacklustre, too. They’re painted as these star-crossed childhood sweethearts but I just felt nothing towards them.

The writing was beautiful, however. Young knows how to build up an atmospheric energy incredibly well, but I just didn’t get the emotional payoff I had hoped for, sadly.

*thank you to net galley for providing me with an e-arc in return of an honest review*

“We could fill a f**king ocean with all the things we never said to each other “

I won’t lie I read the first 15% and thought, oh no am I going to like this? But wow it turned around. I loved how twisty and mysterious this book was, with so many deep messages of how grief can affect people and the importance of our human connections, tied up in a bow at times of light heartedness and joy.

4.75 ⭐️ rounded up to a 5! Adrienne Young’s writing is so hauntingly beautiful I couldn’t put this book down! While it is a very slow paced book and doesn’t really pick up until around the 60% mark each chapter still had me needing to continue reading and it was impossible to stop.
I loved the relationship between the characters and the setting of this book was perfect. The mystery was so intriguing I was instantly hooked and I love how everything unfolded and was tied together in the end. Don’t let the fact this is slow paced put you off reading, if you love small town mysteries I highly recommend this book!
Anticipated release date 07/01/25.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. All thoughts are my own.

Another great book from Adrienne Young! Her writing is so hauntingly enchanting that I immediately feel immersed in the world, it was impossible to stop reading!

The connection between James and Johnny was so interesting to read about, the relationships and characters were definitely my favourite part of this book. The incorporation of a supernatural element really amplified James and Johnny’s relationship, ensuring this book was never boring.

However, the mystery was also interesting! I enjoyed the pace at which it unfolded as it kept me consistently engaged. I also thought the setting was perfect! I love reading small-town books, and the relationship between all characters made the sense of mystery feel even more sinister.

Overall, while I didn’t enjoy this as much as ‘The Unmaking of June Farrow’, I would definitely still recommend it!

You know an author is good (and one of your favourites) when the first half of the book is slow yet you're in love with it anyway because the writing is so beautiful.

I've said it at least 5 times by now, but I'd read anything this woman wrote. Her skill at bringing words to life is insane. I love how atmospheric her books are, and although this one was a lot lighter on the magical elements than Spells for Forgetting and The Unmaking of June Farrow, I really appreciated the subtle, supernatural elements woven through this one. It was just enough to make you a little uneasy and intrigued, but realistic enough that you wouldn't discount it as being possible.

It was a cosy yet chilling small town murder mystery with a little second chance romance thrown in that I honestly really liked, which surprised me because I'm not normally a fan of them. I think it's the way Young doesn't write perfect FMC's. They're flawed in the realest ways. It's strangely refreshing to have FMC's that did "wrong" and are the one that need to prove themselves to the guy they left behind. It's a nice change from it always being the guy that fucked up.

I'll pay her good money to keep these books coming because I'm in love with them all.

This was just such a classic, perfect book written by someone who knows how to keep her readers hooked from page one.

I truly loved this story, the setting and the mystery and the connection between the main characters.

This is a small town mystery ,and although the story truly starts developing after the second half of the book, I feel that the slower start to it was necessary to give the reader context and give them the "when are things going to truly happen" feeling without delaying this moment.

Adrienne Young's ability to describe scenes and make sure you're part of the story is incredible, make sure you read this book as soon as it comes out! I can't recomment it enough!

Thank you @netgalley @QuercusBook for the opportunity to read this Arc.

This was and shame to say the first book I have read from Adrienne Young don’t know why I waited so long. This book was rather special.

It was beautifully written and yet so suspenseful.
A story about family, grief, guilt and dealing with life decisions. A bond about two twins living separate lives a choice of staying with the norm and or moving away with guilt but loving a life you always wanted

. I loved how this story followed a union of mending relationships between the twins and getting to know each other again although not in the happy occasion we might want and it’s shows special Bonds are never broken and you would do anything for your loved ones. Emotional story with so much meaning behind it - it gripped me from start to Finish and I did not see how this story would conclude. Really enjoyed it thank you

Thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this advance readers copy.

Adrienne Young has done it again. A glorious work of fantasy mystery, with such stunning settings and strong family relationships. This book focuses on James and Johnny - two twins - in the aftermath of Johnny's death. The police tell James his death was an accident, he was shot in the woods while working on a research project during hunting season, but James isn't so sure. She returns back to her hometown - somewhere she hasn't been in a longggg time - to look at her brother's life and find the answers about his death.

I raced through this book within a day or two. Young writes such strong mysteries that I can't resist flipping through the pages. This one did keep me on my toes as we raced through twists and turns, and I was happy with the ending. However, The Unmaking of June Farrow still remains my favourite book of Young's - but this was still stellar.

James never thought she'd be going back home after leaving her small town 20 years ago, but the death of her twin brother, Johnny, means she feels obliged to go back and sort out the last of the project he was working on

But it's not just this hard task that awaits James, she has to confront everything she left behind from her childhood and teen years, including the first man she loved, Micah.

James also feels that things just don't add up with Johnny's accidental death and feels through their twin connection that something was not right before he died, and that maybe she can maybe find out what he was doing in the days before this to help uncover some answers

But maybe some stones are best left unturned as dragging up history isn't always a good thing, especially when you thought you'd left it behind long ago!...

I really enjoyed this newest story from Adrienne, always refreshing to have a MC encroaching on the later stages in life, with the teen years being a distant memory but also a big part of who we are as we age.

Was really excited for this having loved all of the authors previous work, and it didn't disappoint. Finished it one sitting! Out January 06 2025 so you've time to get those preorders in!

Thanks to NetGalley and Querqus books for the early review copy, all opinions my own

Like other Adrienne Young books you’re given a very brief overview of a story (in this case it’s woman returns to her small hometown after the death of her twin brother) but as the book goes on more and more history and depth unfolds and fills in the blanks. It was a gripping read as you get such small tidbits of information and are finding out a lot of the story alongside our main character James. I will say the supernatural/magical elements are a lot less in this book than I was expecting based on the authors previous work, this doesn’t affect the story except it’s more of a mystery than the magical realism I assumed it would be.

Wow. As always Adrienne Young has well and truly knocked it out of the park. with this one. The writing in this book is absolutely mesmerising, right from the beginning she has you immersed in the landscape and hooked on the story of her poor deceased twin brother. This really was a piece of art, anyone who enjoyed The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting will adore this book and its writing.