Bibliophile Amber's Book Reviews

​ Title: Wild For Austen Author: Devoney Looser Published: September 2,2025 Publisher: St Martins Press Genre: Nonfiction; Historical; Literary; History; Biography; Biography Memoir  Pages: 327 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: I had such a great time reading Wild for Austen! Devoney Looser offers this really fresh, engaging look at Jane Austen — the side of her that doesn’t always show up in the usual polished biographies. It made me think about Austen not just as a literary icon, but as a sharp, witty, and wonderfully complicated woman who lived with way more boldness than we tend to give her credit for. Looser’s storytelling really brought Austen’s world to life. I loved getting a glimpse into the social circles, family dynamics, and small acts of rebellion that shaped her writing. The research is clearly impressive, but what struck me most was how personal the book felt. It reminded me that all of Austen’s clever, layered characters came from someone who was just as clever and lay...

​ Title: The Midnight Knock Author: John Fram Published: October 21,2025 Publisher: Atria Books Genre: Horror; Horror Suspense Pages: 416 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review:  Okay, let’s talk about The Midnight Knock — because this book didn’t just creep me out; it moved in and took up residency in the back of my mind. For an entire week, every harmless thump in my house had me freezing like, “Well… this is how it ends.” John Fram clearly knows how to tap straight into that primal, 2 a.m. dread — the kind where the darkness feels a little too alive, and you’re suddenly aware of every shadow that wasn’t there a second ago. The atmosphere? Absolute perfection. Fram threads this slow-burning tension through every chapter until you swear you’re the one waiting for that dreaded knock. There’s this mix of small-town secrets, eerie silences, and a whisper of something not-quite-natural that makes you keep the lights on but pretend you’re totally fine. (You’re not. It’s fine. None of us are.) W...

​ Title: Throne Of Secrets Author: Kerri Maniscalco Published: October 29,2024 Publisher: Littlr Brown & Company Genre: Fantasy; Romantic Fantasy; Enemies to Lovers; Epic Fantasy; Romantasy; Dark Romance Pages: 512 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Rave Review for  Throne of Secrets  by Kerri Maniscalco I devoured  Throne of Secrets  and I’m still not over how good it was. From the very first chapter, Kerri Maniscalco pulls you into a world so lush, dangerous, and irresistibly magical that you forget you’re reading — you’re  living  it. Her writing is sharp and cinematic, but it’s the emotion woven into every scene that really got me. The characters feel real in that imperfect, messy, lovable way that makes you genuinely root for them. I laughed with them, stressed over them, and—let’s be honest—fell a little bit in love with them. The plot is a perfect balance of secrets, slow-burn tension, and oh-my-god-what-just-happened twists that ...

Title: Bad Words Author: Rioghnach Robinson Expected Publication: Fall 2026 Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Genre: Enemies to Lovers, Romance, Fiction Pages: 400 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Absolutely electric! *Bad Words* is a sizzling, clever, and emotionally charged enemies-to-lovers romance that had me hooked from the very first page. The chemistry between Parker Navarro and Selina Chan is off the charts — witty, sharp, and full of tension that slowly simmer into something irresistible. Selina’s sharp review of Parker’s latest novel sets the stage for a fiery confrontation that explodes into an internet frenzy, with fans taking sides and drama unfolding in real time. But what truly makes this story shine is the banter — clever, biting, and full of heart. Watching Parker and Selina navigate their messy, public feud while gradually unraveling each other’s defenses was pure joy. Rioghnach Robinson nails the slow-burn romance, developing it with nuance and emotional depth. It’s not ...

Title: The Biology of Trauma Author: Aimie Apigian MD Published: September 30,2025 Publisher: Brilliance Publishing Genre: Nonfiction, Health, Selfhelp, Psychology Pages: 336 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Listening to  The Biology of Trauma  was such an eye-opening experience. Dr. Aimie Apigian dives deep into the connection between the body, the nervous system, and how trauma shapes both our physical and emotional health. I found myself pausing often to really think about what she was saying — it’s packed with insights that make you reflect on how your own body might be carrying stress or past experiences. What I loved most was how she explained complex scientific ideas in a way that felt human and relatable. Her approach made me feel both understood and empowered, especially when she talked about practical ways to start healing at the biological level. The audiobook narration had a calm, reassuring tone that made even the heavier topics easier to absorb. That said, I did no...

Title: Silent Creek Author: Tony Wirt Published: October 7,2025 Publisher: Thomas & Mercer/ Brilliance Publishing Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Suspense Pages: 253 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: I just finished reading  Silent Creek  by Tony Wirt, and wow — this book was definitely creepy, but in a really good way! From the first few chapters, it had this dark, unsettling vibe that totally pulled me in. The small-town setting felt so real that I could almost picture being there, which made the scary moments even more intense. What I liked most was how the story kept building tension little by little. There weren’t a ton of jump scares, but that made it even creepier — the kind of story that makes you glance over your shoulder while you’re reading. The characters were interesting too, especially because you’re never quite sure who to trust. Even though some parts honestly gave me goosebumps, I really enjoyed it. The mix of mystery, suspense, and those eerie details ma...