The Unspoken

Riley Stone, a teenage girl with a selective mutism disability, moves to a new town with her family after a devastating loss. Her inability to speak in most social situations makes starting over at a small-town high school particularly challenging. When Riley discovers she can communicate telepathically with Sawyer, a classmate who is also dealing with trauma, an unexpected connection forms between them. Their unique bond leads them into an investigation of mysterious events occurring in their community. As Riley and Sawyer work together to uncover the truth, they must confront their own past wounds while navigating high school social dynamics and family relationships. Their search puts them at the center of escalating danger. The story explores themes of healing, the power of connection, and finding one's voice - both literally and metaphorically. Through Riley's journey, the narrative examines how trauma affects communication and the different ways people choose to express themselves.

Readers consistently note this is a solid teen paranormal romance/suspense novel that follows familiar genre patterns. Readers appreciated: - Brisk pacing that holds interest - Chemistry between the main characters - Integration of deaf culture and ASL - Clear, accessible writing style - Balance of romance and mystery elements Common criticisms: - Predictable plot twists - Character development feels rushed - Some found the romance cliché - Resolution wraps up too neatly Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (40+ ratings) One reader called it "a quick, entertaining read but nothing groundbreaking." Another noted it was "perfect for fans of paranormal YA who don't mind familiar tropes." Multiple reviews praised the deaf representation but wished for deeper exploration of those themes.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A psychotherapist works to unravel the mystery behind a woman who refuses to speak after being accused of murdering her husband.

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender A teen inherits a former asylum and becomes trapped as a ghost, uncovering dark secrets while searching for answers about her death.

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas Two childhood friends reunite to face the truth about a murder testimony they gave as children and confront the killer who still walks free.

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes A teenage girl with natural profiling abilities joins an FBI program for gifted teens and becomes entangled in a serial killer investigation.

Don't Tell a Soul by Kirsten Miller A girl moves to a mansion with a haunted past and uncovers connections between recent disappearances and an asylum that burned down decades ago.

🌟 Author C.C. Hunter (real name Christie Craig) worked as a professional photographer before becoming a full-time writer, which influences her vivid descriptive style 🎭 The book explores psychometry - the alleged ability to gain information about an object or person by touching items associated with them 💫 While "The Unspoken" is a young adult paranormal novel, C.C. Hunter drew inspiration from real-life cold cases to create the mystery elements 🌙 The author has synesthesia, a neurological condition where senses blend together, which she sometimes incorporates into her characters' experiences 📚 "The Unspoken" is part of a larger collection of standalone paranormal teen novels by C.C. Hunter, including "This Heart of Mine" and "In Another Life," each featuring different supernatural elements