This was too dry and clinical for me; I prefer a more easy going and less clinical “self-help” book. It also felt unnecessarily long, which was frustrating. The bulk of the book can be summarized in a short chapter. Perhaps that is how the book should start and then have the deeper research or patient examples after it to be demonstrative, should the reader need or want that. Instead you have to do quite the slog before you can get to the pre-steps of help. This is not helpful or enjoyable to the reader. I was also put off by the expensive and hard-to-obtain treatment options. Most readers of this book will not have those privileges and may feel hopeless.

I think this book offers a strong starting point and will likely resonate with many readers. That said, I personally found the abundance of anecdotes and stories detracted from the core messages. It felt unnecessarily padded. In terms of content, I didn’t feel it added much beyond what I’ve already explored through Our Polyvagal World, The Body Keeps the Score, or other resources on complex PTSD/ PTSD. For those already familiar with trauma-informed frameworks, this may feel more like a recap than a deepening.

Thank you for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

This book offers a deeply insightful look at how trauma affects the body — not just emotionally, but biologically and physiologically. I appreciated the way it explains complex concepts like neuroception, chronic inflammation, and survival responses in a way that connects the dots between mind and body. It’s especially valuable for anyone interested in trauma-informed care, holistic health, or understanding how early experiences shape lifelong patterns.

That said, I did find the writing a bit dry at times, more clinical than narrative, which made it harder to stay fully absorbed. Still, the information is incredibly useful, and I walked away with a stronger understanding of how trauma can be “reset” at a cellular and nervous system level. A worthwhile read for professionals and curious readers alike.

Thank you NetGalley and BenBella Books and Brillance Audio for the ARC and ALC! (The narration was fantastic)