Stories That

Feel Like Home.

Contemporary fiction exploring love, identity,

and the beautiful mess of being human.

With a touch of magic!

the year we became more

Senior year is supposed to be unforgettable.

For Addie, it’s just another year of blending into the background—something she’s mastered after years of whispers and stares. She’s brilliant, careful, and determined to keep her world small enough that no one can hurt her again.

Jackson has spent just as long trying to forget. A new school is just another chance to outrun the ghosts that follow him and the mistakes he can’t undo.

Neither expects to find someone who sees through their walls. But when their paths cross one night, everything they thought they knew about themselves—and each other—begins to unravel.

words of praise

An emotionally honest story that understands grief without romanticizing it.

A deeply human novel about becoming more than what hurt you.

Tender, unflinching, and full of heart. This story stays with you.

Hi, I’m Amber.

I write stories about people learning how to live with what they’ve lost and discovering who they are on the other side of it.

The Year We Became More began as a memoir, but became fiction when I realized that telling the truth sometimes requires a different shape. Through characters like Addie and Jax, I found a way to speak about grief, addiction, love, and healing without disappearing inside the pain.

When I’m not writing, you can usually find me wandering bookshops, drinking coffee, or crying over underdog victories in anime. I believe stories save us, especially the ones that tell the truth quietly.

Reader Pathway

FOR THE ROMANTICS

Stories of first love, slow burns, and the moments that change everything.

FOR THE BOOK CLUBBERS

Emotionally layered fiction that sparks conversation and stays with you long after the final page.

FOR THE DREAMERS

Stories about surviving, healing, and choosing yourself even when it’s hard.

INSPIRATION & LIFE

Join the Story Club

Be the first to hear about new projects, bonus scenes, events, and behind-the-scenes reflections. You’ll also receive occasional exclusive writing and curated playlists from the world of The Year We Became More.

No spam. Just stories, heart, and the occasional tear.

Amber Irene writes emotionally honest fiction about grief,

love, resilience, and becoming more than what hurt you.