I got a free advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. Thanks NetGalley and Silver Shamrock Publishing!

I loved the cover of this book. Bottled was an old-fashioned horror story and the feelings evoked throughout the book were showcased on the image in front of this book.

Tyler Torrence grew up without a father, something his bitter mother won't let him forget. However, his paternal grandfather stepped in as a male role model, or so his mother thought. Visits to his grandfather's house were mandatory, no matter how much Tyler detested them. His grandfather and housekeeper tortured him, with his only reprieve being the bottles. Tyler would spend hours getting lost in the tiny worlds contained within the bottles. However, he always suspected there was another sinister being present in the house and bottles. Now that he's an adult and his grandfather is dead, he is required to spend one night in the house. He doesn't think much of it. After all, he is way too old for childhood fears. But the house is not willing to let go of him now that it has finally got hold of him again.

The house had a gothic horror feel which I loved. If it was a movie, most of its scenes would have had an organ playing spooky music in the background. The plot moved quickly, which I expected considering it is a novella.

Tyler was not very likable. I was hoping he would redeem himself eventually but he was too attached to alcohol. Mrs Waites, the housekeeper, was right to call him a coward.

The only downside of the book for me was that the line blurred between dreams and reality. It made me take a bit longer to finish than I planned.

The book was exactly what a horror story should be in my opinion. The feeling of dread started at the beginning and did not let up until the end. I would definitely try more books by Stephanie Ellis based on this book

Suitable audience: Adults and older teens who enjoy horrors. Younger children should not read this because there are some very disturbing scenes.

Recurrent themes: Haunted house. Death. Necromancy. Black magic. The Devil. Evil

Violence: There was a gruesome scene with the housekeeper. There were also some disturbing scenes which involved beetles (that is all I can say. Read the book if you want to find out more).
Sexual Content: None
Profanity: Some instances of obscene language.
Religious Themes: There is mention of a deal made with the Devil.
Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: A character is an alcoholic

Memories of Tyler's childhood visits to grandpa were so horrific that spending one single night in that house in order to claim his inheritance caused his stomach to turn. If not for the pressure from his ex-wife and his mother he would have said "good riddance" and walked away. Instead, Tyler thought surely he could spend one night, put his demons to rest, leave in the morning and then have the god-forsaken place destroyed. Obviously this did not go as planned for Tyler.
The predictability ends there. Tyler's grandfather was a master at creating hand-carved, imaginative little worlds inside of glass bottles. The detail was exquisite. These bottles, family history, humanity, magic and escape....these elements weave through the story like weeds in a garden.
The premise is very unique and interesting. This is not your typical "one last night in a haunted house" story. Not one little bit. A slow burn yes...but then the dread really sets in and you're trapped, so to speak, in the story. Thank you #netgalley for sharing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #Bottled