Book Review of 'The Rock at the Bottom' by Cynthia Hilston

Happy Wednesday Bookworms!

To continue highlighting my spring break reads, today I am featuring a book that is more on the heavy side, but quite immersive. The Rock at the Bottom by Cynthia Hilston is the third book in the Lorna & Tristan series and it packs quite the powerful punch. Continue scrolling to read my thoughts on this deep read, as well as to enter for your chance to win the entire series!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Rock at the Bottom by Cynthia Hilston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Rock at the Bottom

Series: Lorna & Tristan Series #3

Author: Cynthia Hilston

Publisher: Independently Published

Release Date: March 18, 2023

Genre: 20th-century Historical fiction/Christian fiction/Romance

A big dreamer and successful novelist carries the sins of his father and a secret that leaves him wondering if he is the author or killer of love.

Stephen feels he is marked from day one to lose the ones he loves. His mother dies giving birth to him, and his alcoholic father makes sure Stephen never forgets it. To block out his father’s hate, fists, and belt, young Stephen loses himself in his imagination. Stories become his closest companions and barricades against a family that never wanted him. Once he can look his father in the eye, Stephen swears he will never be the monster his old man is. He vows he will become a published author, if for no other reason than to prove his father wrong.

While his dreams of being a bestselling novelist and falling in love come true, Stephen has much to prove to himself before he can write his own happy ending. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era Cleveland, Stephen fights the same alcoholic demons that plagued his father as he tries to begin a life free from his family. He meets equally headstrong Julie and is smitten, but their marriage is as fractured as his career is solid. He can find ten ways to write about being in love, but he has a hard time translating love on the page to love in real life. Julie slips between his fingers like sand, and Stephen sees his father staring back when he looks in the mirror.

Try as he might to rewrite his life, even going so far as to change his name, he has to wonder if he is the author or the killer of love.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

☆ Amazon ebook sale March 21-22 $0.99 ☆

My Review

A few years ago I read Rocks and Flowers in a Box, the second book in the Lorna & Tristan series, and sadly, though I tried to love it, I struggled to connect with the characters, especially Tristan. It was with this trepidation that I began The Rocks at the Bottom and, let me tell you, I was blown away with the difference a revamp can do to a series.

I must warn you, this is a triggering book for those that have ever struggled with any type of physical or emotional abuse, whether at the hands of another, or by your own accord. This was a much more depressing read than I was expecting, and I found myself triggered at times, but I don’t regret reading for a second. The heart of this novel is raw and real and if you can look past your own trauma and see into Stephen’s journey then I’m sure you will be as touched as I was.

The novel starts off right in Stephen’s hurt as an adolescent. He is abused by his family for something that was out of his control, bullied in school, and his only solace is writing on little scraps of paper that he randomly finds, and creating stories in his mind. I related so much to that as stories have always been my way of escaping the harshness of life as well.

The novel takes us through Stephen’s life, through his tumultuous first marriage, all the way to the story that was revamped from the second book, his story with Lorna. I thought the changes were perfect, as they truly elevated Stephen (Tristan’s) story. Though there is a happy ending it is a dark, tortured ride to get there, which is something many of us can identify with. To witness such self sabotage, and not be able to do anything to help this poor man was gut wrenching, but to see faith and the love of a good woman pull him out of the mire was inspiring.

Though The Rocks at the Bottom is not a happy, feel-good read it is one I would still recommend, though I would caution to read it when you’re in a good headspace. It helped remind me of all the darkness I have overcame in my past and how, just like Tristian, I made it to the sunny other side. Coming from Stephen’s first person point of view helped me connect to this characters in ways I wasn’t able to in the previous book, and though being with him and his journey was tough at times I don’t regret it for second.

My Rating: ★★★★

More Books in this Series

About the Author

Cynthia Hilston is a stay-at-home mom of three young kids, happily married, and lives in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction, although she still dabbles in fan fiction.

In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books, shamelessly watches Hallmark movies and When Calls the Heart, pets her orange and black kitties, looks at the stars, drinks wine or coffee with good friends, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.

Connect with Cynthia by visiting cynthiahilston.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a book bundle including Lorna versus Laura, Rocks and Flowers, and The Rock at the Bottom!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 21, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 28, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.