Free goes into a bit more detail on Amanda's time in prison, her life outside of prison as well as some mental health struggles and her second trial.
Amanda has had a pretty rough time - I can't imagine going through what she has.
I will say Free is a little more repetitive. I didn't love it the way i was fascinated by Waiting to Be Heard. Even with Free being released soon, more has happened in her case that isn't included.

If you're interested in Amanda's story, I recommend reading her memoirs.

Thank you netgalley for this Arc. Amanda Knox's story is one that has stuck with me for years. this memoir was insightful and made me self reflect on how I absorb information from the media regarding people's individual lives. Also its on sight if I ever see Giuliano Mignini

I'm actually very glad to see Amanda Knox taking control of her own story again—so much was written about her as a young woman in an impossible, terrible situation, that her voice seemed to matter least of anyone. This is less the story of what happened (or didn't happen) in Italy, and more about a famous person, with a famous name for all the wrong reasons, reintegrating into a society that is full of opinions about her. The sections on her life in prison are also fascinating and again, totally unique to her experience. If you had any experience of the media melee around her case, I would highly recommend reading this book to hear from the person at the center of it. RIP Meredith Kercher.

I had always been curious about the “journey” and story of Amanda Knox, but never really dove into it. This book definitely gave a glimpse into the life and mind of Amanda Knox. This book is more so dealing with life post arrest and the trauma that happened after.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley, Amanda Knox, and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Going into Free, I knew very little about the Amanda Knox case. In this memoir, she touches on the trial, her life incarcerated, and her personal search for true freedom. I learned so much about what she endured, and I could deeply feel the yearning she had to reclaim her life.

Free is beautifully written, with flowing prose and a raw, introspective tone. Amanda tells her story with remarkable grace—without bitterness, but with an undeniable strength that makes this book both compelling and heartbreaking. Her ability to reflect on her experience with honesty and depth is truly moving.

This is a powerful read that I highly recommend.

It's nearly impossible to imagine what it might be like to walk in Amanda Knox's shoes, but her new book "Free: My Search for Meaning" is certainly a good place to start.

Knox goes into some detail about the crime that unfortunately made her famous—the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher while they both studied in Italy as college students—but that's not what the book is primarily about. Knox spends most of the time reckoning with the realities of prison, unwanted (and unwarranted) fame, and the continuing attempt to reclaim her truth and her life. It's brutally honest, moving, hard to relate to, but ultimately enlightening and inspiring. I'm totally baffled by people convinced of Amanda's guilt; Rudy Guede 100% murdered Meredith, and there's evidence to prove it! So why are there people who don't even KNOW his name, but DO know of and blame Amanda Knox?! If that question interest you—or you're one of those people!—you should pick this one up and be prepared to do some introspection.

The most inspiring part of this book to me, surprisingly, centered around her experience in prison. In this early section of the book, Amanda ruminates on the idea of freedom, and what it can mean to live a meaningful life regardless of your physical circumstances. She emphasizes that freedom can sometimes be more of an idea than a condition, and acceptance and purpose can exist even in the most traditionally un-free-seeming situations. And in fact, she confesses that she at times felt more of a prisoner once she was released because of all the media attention on her. She comes to the conclusion that she can't really win in the court of public opinion, and there comes a point where she shouldn't really try. All she can do is continue speaking the truth, and speaking out against the injustice that she faced to try to bring attention and hope to those in the same situation.

Amanda also spends a lot of time detailing the evolving relationship between her and her one-time prosecutor, and her drive to understand him and reconcile their adversarial positions. She accepts that though she may not ever get him to admit he was wrong or declare her innocence, she can meet him where he is and lead with empathy for his position. Empathy seems to be a main driver of mosts of her actions and interactions, and this informs her worldview and what she tries to communicate to us throughout this book.

So even though Amanda Knox's life has been extraordinary, her book "Free" tells a supremely human story full of heartbreak and healing. I really felt that I got to know her through this book, and I highly recommended giving it a read if you're at all interested in themes of wrongful conviction, trial by media, human connection, overcoming trauma and redemption. And a lot of other things too. 4.5/5 stars and a lot to unpack.

[Thanks for NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance reader copy of this book!]

A definite testament to human strength, condition, and resilience. I’ve always had a misrepresentation of Knox’s character from what I’ve seen and read in the media and her true character shines all throughout the pages. This is a very well written memoir by a well read and educated person.
I can only hope others can extend her the same grace she has been able to afford others, even the ones responsible for her demise. This book, aside from the facts, holds something everyone needs to hear. The small truths and kindness we often devoid ourselves of. Though her situation is incredibly unique, the lessons throughout certainly apply to our own struggles and traumas. Knox’s future is endless and I am completely rooting for her.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

arc book review!

free by amanda knox

i've been fascinated with the amanda knox case for years, so when i saw this on netgalley, i was immediately interested.

but... i DNFed at 50%. not because it wasn’t well-written—amanda is a fantastic writer, and her reflections on trauma, and healing were valid. there were moments i really connected with, but overall, i struggled to stay engaged.

maybe i’ll pick it back up at a later date, but for now, it just wasn’t holding my attention the way i hoped.

thank you to netgalley and grand central publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is allll about perspective. I think Amanda Knox has given herself the gift of time and separation from the tragic events that unfolded and tossed her into the spotlight. Each chapter told both a story, from her time in prison to years later, meeting the prosecutor who worked to convict her. But with each story, she also offers us insight into the life lessons that have led to her finally feeling….Free.

I was very intrigued to read all about Amanda Knox and the trial in addition to what came after, but all I was left with was a dull book. I don't like to typically rate memoirs as I don't want to discount anyone's experiences; however, this one was hard to get through.

Definitely my own fault — I didn't realize this was the second memoir written by Amanda Knox and coming in, I had expectations of her recounting her experiences with the trial and how she was wrongfully convicted. But even without that knowledge, this book was still heavy in terms of how Knox recounts her transformation past the trial and having been exonerated.

This case was an interesting one to follow when it happened and I'm happy Amanda Knox is living a life she truly deserves.

I was looking forward to reading Amanda's recollection of what she went through and how she was able to find the strength to rebuild her life.
I was thinking this would start at the beginning but it starts after she is "Free". I didn't read her first book and wished I' would have before reading this book. I thought this book became repetitive and it felt that it made the book extra long. I appreciate her sharing her experience but this book wasn't for me..

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

“Part of being human is confronting tragedy and getting through it.”

I didn’t read Amanda Knox’s first memoir, but, having followed her case throughout high school and college, I was instantly intrigued by her newest book. This book is not a play-by-play of Meredith’s murder investigation and Amanda’s trials, but it recounts her own transformation through her time in jail, after release, and throughout her exoneration.

Amanda says towards the conclusion of her book, “I don’t want to be returning over and over to the well of my pain. And yet I tear open my stitches whenever I give a walk to support the Innocence Project, or when I’m vulnerable on my podcast with another human who knows how it feels to be utterly lost.”

I could feel the stitches tearing open at certain moments in the book. It is raw at times. There were several times throughout the novel that her anger or pain was visceral. However, by the conclusion of the novel, there was a hopeful catharsis.

I hope that writing this book helped Amanda to face her tragedy and to get through it. I believe that her vulnerability and willingness to revisit her trauma will be helpful for those who read this.

I've been fascinated with the Amanda Knox case for years now, so I jumped on this when I saw it available on NetGalley. I feel for all parties involved in the case. This book centers on what came after the trial and Knox's attempts to live a normal life. Memoirs are tricky to review for me; I don't want to discount anyone's experience of anything. The writing, however, did seem repetitive. And who am I to question the choices someone makes after experiencing a significant trauma, but I did find myself questioning her need for a relationship with her prosecutor years after the case.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

Glimmers with potential, and will provide some relief for the wrongfully convicted. Many chapters, however, are filled with narcissistic thoughts . “Waiting to Be Heard” is still far more empowering.

2.75 stars
I wanted to like this book much more than I did. It doesn't center on the trial so much as what comes after, and that is the aspect that appealed to me the most. However, I thought the book was about 100 pages too long and VERY repetitive during the last half. Overall very disappointing.
I will not be recommending this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
I was hoping this would be more intriguing but it's just endless random disconnected thoughts. I just found myself not caring at all to pick it back up.

Amanda Knox spent nearly four years in prison and eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit—and became a notorious tabloid story in the process. Though she was exonerated, it’s taken more than a decade for her to reclaim her identity and truly feel free.

Reading about how she has tried to live a normal life again, and the struggles associated with that, was very interesting. Plus, she shares how she’s forged a complicated friendship with the Italian prosecutor who was determined to pin the murder on her, despite evidence to the contrary. Highly recommend this one!

Thanks for the review copy. This is an amazing memory.
Knox is a strong woman. I can't imagine going through what she went through.

I recently had the privilege of reading My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley. This powerful memoir, set to be published on March 25th, offers a raw and personal insight into Amanda’s story beyond the media’s portrayal of her wrongful conviction and four-year imprisonment.

Before this book, I knew little about Amanda’s case. My introduction to her story came through a YouTube interview, and I was drawn to learn more about how someone could survive such profound injustice. Amanda’s memoir exceeded my expectations, offering not only the truth of her experiences but also a profound message of resilience and self-discovery.

One of the book’s most impactful aspects is Amanda’s journey to find meaning in her suffering. The second half of the memoir is particularly powerful, focusing on her attempt to reconcile with the judge who sentenced her. While initially seeking an apology or acknowledgment of his mistake, Amanda ultimately learns how to thrive and find peace without external validation.

This book is not just for those familiar with Amanda’s story—it’s for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood or struggled through difficult times. Amanda’s journey is a testament to the strength it takes to hold onto your truth, reclaim your voice, and find meaning even when the world seems against you.

This book has not only made it into my top reads of 2025 but also stands out among my favorite reads from last year. I hope everyone gives Amanda’s story a chance—her voice deserves to be heard, and this memoir is a beautiful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.