Bibliophile Amber's Book Reviews

​ Title: The Biology of Trauma  Author: Aimie Apigian Published: September 30,2025 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Genre: Nonfiction; Health; Self-Help; Mental Help; Psychology; Audiobook Pages: 320 pages  Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review:  Listening to The Biology of Trauma was a genuinely illuminating experience. Dr. Aimie Apigian delves deeply into the intricate relationship between the body, the nervous system, and the lingering imprint of trauma on both physical and emotional well-being. I found myself pausing often just to sit with her words — the book is filled with insights that gently prompt you to consider the ways your own body might be holding stress or past experiences. What resonated with me most was her ability to translate complex scientific concepts into something profoundly human and accessible. Her explanations feel grounded and compassionate, and there’s a comforting sense of empowerment that comes through, especially when she offers practical tools for healing at ...

​ 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 ...