Title: Ten Mile Bottom
Author: Teodora Kostova
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (127pgs)
ISBN: B07BJBJFXY
Publisher: Teodora Kostova (19th March 2018)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Hitting rock bottom is just the beginning…
I’m a son, a brother, a friend.
A writer.
An addict.
Dead.
Cardiac arrest isn’t enough to keep me dead, though. The doctors brought me back, but for what?
At twenty four I’ve already achieved what most people do in a life time. I’m a successful author, own a flat in the heart of London and drive my dream sports car.
Or at least that’s what people see.
Once the spotlight fades, I’m left alone with my overactive mind, alcohol and drugs the only way to quiet down the noise.
Until an overdose nearly kills me and drags everyone I love down with me.
With the help of my best friend, I leave London and its toxic influence behind, moving to a small town in the outskirts of Cambridge to try and put my life back together again.
If only it were that easy.
Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK
Review: Finn hits rock bottom the night of his father’s funeral, a night of partying leaves him in the hospital and heading for rehab with a warning ringing in his head… get clean or next time you might die for good. Getting away from London is his only option and quiet Ten Mile Bottom is just what he needs, and meeting the sexy mechanic Ben is a perk.
Ten Mile Bottom is a story that shows a man who has his demons to fight and lay to rest, who discovers love in unexpected places, and who begins to make peace with his past.
This story is beautifully written, it doesn’t pull any punches about addiction or the recovery from addiction, or from showing the emotional trauma of a toxic, dysfunctional family. It shows that even after hitting rock bottom there can still be a glimmer of light to look to.
Finn’s relationship with his mother is extremely toxic, it eats away at Finn even during his recovery but it also eats at his mother. There’s no bad guy in this story just a very complex family dynamic.
Finn’s relationship with Ben starts slowly; building up until it develops into something special. They have some emotional times as they both bare their souls to each other; they connect on a level far deeper than any sexual longing.
This story also doesn’t have a miraculous recovery from addiction, it a long process that Finn works hard to achieve. Ben is a wonderful character who is supportive and sweet, he has a wonderful supportive family who embrace him completely.
Ten Mile Bottom has some fantastic supporting characters from Aiden, Finn’s best friend, Rose, Finn’s young neighbour, and Ben’s family. These characters help build a superb story that is a joy to read, and I can’t wait for Aiden’s story.
I recommend this to those who adore characters who fight their way back from rock bottom, who love an angsty interesting storyline, who love a slow love story and who adore fantastic endings.