Bottled by Stephanie Ellis has an intriguing premise and an atmosphere that promises a chilling exploration of the consequences of long-held family secrets and supernatural hauntings. However, while the book has its strengths, such as its eerie tone and vivid descriptions, it falls short in a few key areas.

The pacing feels uneven at times, with stretches of slow, meandering narrative that detract from the tension the story tries to build. The characters, though developed enough to carry the plot, often lack the depth or complexity to make their struggles feel fully engaging or relatable. This makes it hard to connect emotionally with the stakes of the story.

Additionally, while the supernatural elements are central to the plot, they sometimes feel underexplored or overly familiar, relying on tropes that might not satisfy readers looking for fresh takes on the horror genre. The resolution, too, leaves something to be desired, as it doesn’t entirely deliver on the chilling potential set up earlier in the book.

Overall, Bottled is a decent read for fans of atmospheric horror, but it doesn’t quite stand out among other books in the genre. It’s an ambitious effort that might appeal to readers new to supernatural thrillers but could disappoint those seeking more originality and narrative depth.

This story definitely has the creep vibes. Deep family secrets, anger, abuse, the Nanny (ew) and bugs..why were there bug! I finished this book and 2 days later I'm still feelin icky.. perfect!

I loved this! It was so good! I wasn't expecting any of that! It's definitely a different type of spooky book, gives you the creepies.

A delightfully creepy and disturbing horror novella. The house and family are cursed because of a deal with the devil. The backstory is great and the way the house takes control is awful. The creepy crawlies were a nice (gruesome) touch. So glad I got a chance to read this. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy