Bibliophile Amber's Book Reviews

Title: The Other Sister Author: Jessica R. Patch Published: April 21,2025 Publisher: Harlequin Audio Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Suspense Pages: 321 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: After a lifetime in foster care, Charlotte isn't shocked to learn her biological mother died of an overdose. What does shock her, however, is what she discovers while clearing out her mother's apartment—she had a twin sister she never knew about. Intrigued and desperate for connection, Charlotte tracks her down and reaches out. The sisters quickly arrange to meet, and their reunion leads to a fun night out on the town. But the excitement is cut short when Charlotte receives a frantic call from her foster brother begging for help. She rushes to him, but it’s too late—he’s murdered right in front of her. Shaken and desperate to escape the trauma, Charlotte asks her newly found sister if she can leave town with her. Her sister agrees. But when Charlotte arrives to meet her, tragedy strikes again—her sister i...

Title: My Best Friend’s Honeymoon Author: Meryl Wilsner Expected Publication: April 29,2025 Publishers: Macmillan Audio/ St. Martin’s Press Genre: Romance/ LBQT/ Queer/Lesbian/ Contemporary/ Fiction Pages: 304 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Friends to Lover's trope! Elise is engaged to Derrick and has been for the past year and a half. While she knows he treats her well and everything, she is still on the fence about getting married. She's indecisive about getting married because it seems so final. Derrick's quick wedding planning forces Elise to realize she doesn't want that. Breaking off the engagement, Derrick still wants Elise to go on the Honeymoon because it's nonrefundable. Ginny has been Elise's best friend since grade school, and she has watched Elise always do for others and never do anything for herself. Genny thinks it's time to change that, so she goes on the honeymoon with Elise, hoping to help Elise realize what she wants. Ginny will do what E...

Title: Sparrow and Vine Author: Sophie Lark Expected Publication: April 22,2025 Publisher: Bloom Books/ Source Fire Books Genre: Romance/Enemies to Lovers/ Forced Proximity/ Contemporary Romance Pages: 320 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Wow! What an exciting new installment in this captivating series! Just imagine a Romeo and Juliet-style story unfolding! We have two rival families, each claiming an overgrown winery and its beautiful fields. The Sparrow family has lovingly tended to the winery for decades, but the Vine family holds a longstanding grudge that began when the Sparrow girls’ father and the Vine boys’ mother were once engaged—an engagement that fell apart and has fueled tension ever since! Now, with Monroe's grandfather on his deathbed, the future of the winery hangs in the balance. Monroe's mother is determined to liquidate it as a final act of revenge, but Monroe and Sadie are firmly against it. When Monroe proposes a meeting with Sadie, things take a surprising...

Title: The Locked Ward Author: Sarah Pekkanen Expected Publication: August 5,2025 Publisher: St. Martins Press Genre: Thriller/ Mystery/ Mystery Thriller/ Fiction/ Suspense/ Psychological Thriller/ Family Pages: 320 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Amanda was raised by two loving parents who left her a thriving bar, and she always believed they were the best parents anyone could have. Their deaths turned her world upside down, as she had only known their affection and the family business. However, there was a significant secret they had kept from her: she was adopted. To make matters more complicated, Amanda has a twin sister named Georgia, who was aware of Amanda's existence but had never had the opportunity to meet her. Georgia even hired a private investigator to learn more about her long-lost sister, but until now, their paths had never crossed. Georgia's arrest for her sister's murder changed everything, leaving her with only Amanda to turn to. Although Amanda is initial...

Title: Such A Good Mom Author: Julia Spiro Expected Publication: April 29,2025 Publisher: Macmillan Audio/ Minotaur Books/ St Martins Press Genre: Suspense/ Fiction/ Mystery/ Thriller/ Mystery Thriller/ Suspense/ Fiction Pages: 304 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Wow! I do not know where to start! This is a emotional rollercoaster but was an insane ride too!  Anyone who has had a newborn knows the first few months are insane, stressful, emotional and everything in between! Brynn is a new mother, an author, and she's about to go through a lifetime of changes in a moment's notice! While Brynn is out with a group of parents at the park, she hears about the death of one of the servers from a popular place. Then her husband, Ross, text her an ominous text and she assumes it's about the murder and automatically thinks that there is something that is connecting the two. While her mind is reeling and she cannot get her husband to answer the phone, she drives to his workplace and tri...

Title: It Was Her House First Author: Cherie Priest Expected Publication: July 22,2025 Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Genre: Horror/ Fiction/ Thriller/ Supernatural Pages: 352 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: This was an intriguing and unique style of book compared to what I have read before. The story incorporates several different media styles, which keeps it engaging and fresh! I love a good ghost story, and this one delivered. With multiple POVs, we get Ronnie's perspective as she recently bought a home and is grieving. I enjoyed Ronnie's chapters. Bart's chapters, however, were rather dull and sometimes moved at a snail's pace, although they did have some spooky moments, albeit toned down. Lastly, Sloane's chapters were the highlight. I loved getting inside the ghost's mind and that aspect was fascinating! The beginning of the book was a bit of a struggle, but if you push through, the ending is strong and absolutely amazing! If you're looking for a differe...

Title: The Birthday Party Author: Shalini Boland Expected Publication: May 14,2025 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Genre: Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller/ Mystery Thriller Pages: 272 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: This novel begins with what seems like a joyful occasion: a child's birthday party filled with laughter, cake, and happy children. However, what should have been a day filled with cherished memories quickly spirals into a nightmare for Natalie. On that fateful day, her niece disappeared, and since then, a living nightmare has trapped Natalie. When the police become involved, there's no sign of Elle, and witnesses seem scarce, leaving them to piece together Jo's life with her daughter missing. Fast forward to the twentieth anniversary of Elle's disappearance, and Natalie, along with the private investigator she discreetly consulted years ago, uncovers clues that suggest someone must know something. When the shocking twist finally emerges, it’s nothing short of earth-sh...

Title: ZomCom’ics Author: Emi Mena Garrucho Expected Publication: April 15,2025 Publisher: Andrew’s McMeel Publishing Genre: Comics/ Graphic Novels/ Fantasy/ Comie Pages: 272 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: This is a Hoot! While this is not a story, it's more of a snippet of glances at the life of Zom. I loved how even with the silent formatting, the reader can tell how and what is going on, and it's humorous and enjoyable!  You can tell the distinctly distinct personalities of the characters via their facial expressions, body language, and quirky actions!  The artist drew all the comics and pictures perfectly, and they are colorful! This is AMAZING!! I loved the supernatural characters and setting of all the comics!  I adored the whole spooky aspect, that is full of charming little comics! While this is the first thing that I have viewed or read from this author this is not the last one I am sure! I'm already looking for the next installment or more comics from this aut...

Title: The Sirens Author: Emilia Hart Published: April 1,2025 Publisher: St. Martins Press Genre: Historical Fiction/ Fiction/ Fantasy/ Magical Realism/ Mystery/ Historical Pages: 352 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: I hardly know where to start, but this novel is truly an exhilarating adventure! It weaves between three timelines: Lucy in 2019, Jess in 1999, and Mary and Eliza in the 1800s. Each character offers a unique perspective and story, and I genuinely enjoyed how all their narratives intertwined seamlessly. They are all connected by the sea, specifically one particular side of it, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that draws you in! Jess is the baby who was saved from the Cove in 1982 and later adopted by her parents. Although her origins remained a mystery, there was much speculation. Growing up, she always felt different, and an older teacher eventually groomed her, marking the beginning of her troubles. Lucy, on the other hand, is at university and has found a guy she li...

Title: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House Author: Laurie Gilmore Published: March 18,2025 Publisher: Harper 360 Genre: Romance/Contemporary Romance/ Fiction/ Forced Proximity/ Small Town Romance/ Contemporary Pages: 361 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: This one kicked off with a bang and threw Archer an unexpected twist right from the start.  Archer was living his dream across the sea, fully immersed in his passion for cooking. As a dedicated chef, he had spent years honing his craft, constantly learning and perfecting his skills. But an unexpected phone call turned his world upside down. An old fling had tragically passed away in an accident—but that wasn’t the only shock. She had been keeping a life-altering secret from him. Olive. The five-year-old daughter he never knew he had. Iris is no stranger to struggle. Holding a job for more than a month feels impossible, making ends meet is a constant battle, and life itself often seems like an uphill climb. On the verge of eviction, she...

Title: Nine Month Contract Author: Amy Daws Published: March 18,2025 Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing Genre: Romcom/Romance/Contemporary Romance/ Fiction/ Romance/ Small Town Romance Pages: 358 pages Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: This is a unique, sweet-to-spicy tale about a compassionate, animal-loving surrogate and a gruff mountain man who slowly develops feelings for each other while struggling to admit their growing attraction. Life has not dealt Trista, an animal-loving woman, the best hand. Her rough childhood seems to haunt her and is always in the back of her mind. She decided to become a surrogate to finally give herself a leg up in life, having dreams of opening her animal shelter and struggling financially.  Wyatt is a grumpy mountain man, however, he also has a big heart. When his only niece is getting ready to graduate and go overseas to college he realizes how much he wants to become a dad. He tries the surrogacy center, but after twelve interviews, they reject him, l...