Oh yes this is what I like about reading. A debut book by Kimberly Nixon that I did not want to finish. We get to read about Ruby from the time she was born and all the trials she goes through in Rock Bottom, Tennessee. Such a hard life to endure but Ruby stays strong and wishes for someone to love her. The writing was splendid and the characters were brought to life.

I enjoyed this books that while fiction and set in Tennessee not Kentucky kind of mirrored my on family history a bit.

Tennessee ~ Loneliness ~ Rural setting ~ Abandonment ~ School life ~ Marriage ~ Children ~ Prohibition ~ Bad decisions ~ Elusive happiness ~ Debut author ~ Recommended book

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Rock Bottom, Tennessee is a debut novel by Kimberly Nixon. This historical story takes place in the 1920's in the Appalachia and is based loosely off of the author's grandmother.

Our main character, Ruby, was born into poverty and has a hard life. Her father passed away when she was born and her mom abandoned her when she was nine. Ruby then lives with her grandparents, working on the farm. Despite her hardships, Ruby is smart and shows much promise for her future, even though she constantly feels she is undeserving. This book was really good and I enjoyed seeing Ruby's character grow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story was based on a young girl’s upbringing in the 1920’s hills of Appalachia Tennessee. The trials and hardships she endured as the author takes us on her journey are intriguing. This was a new to me author and I enjoyed this historical fiction book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

This is a true story. Kimberly Nixon tells the story of her grandmother (Ruby) )life growing up in the east Tennessee mountains during the early 1900's. This story will have you laughing and crying from all the funny things as well as the sad times Ruby went through. I couldn't put the book down. I gas to see what was going to happen. I recommend this book. I also think it would make a great mini series on Netflex. JS.

Rock Botton, Tennessee left me NEEDING to know more about the life of the woman this book is based on. Ruby made so many bad choices, it was difficult for me to root for her. Even up until the very end: awful choices! I don’t know. If this were a strictly fictional story, maybe we could have gotten a better ending.

A really interesting story -- the idea is based on the author's grandmother's life.

Set in Appalachia TN, Ruby is born into a life of poverty - and finds a way out. However, as I think this book really brought to life. life is cyclical and cynical The characters are so well developed and comfortable, and the storyline is really interesting. I wanted to feel badly for Ruby's lot in life, but when she had a chance to get out of the circle, she let herself get sucked back in.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of Rock Bottom Tennessee ebook for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This debut novel based on the real life of the authors grandmother is an excellent view into the hardships and struggles of a young girl growing up in a prohibition era mountain community.

Ruby’s father dies the night she was born and her mother left them when she was a young girl. Stranded in a tiny farmhouse with her grandparents and much older brothers, Ruby strives to find something to look forward to or dream of. Constantly getting teased in school for her appearance and poor lifestyle, the one thing Ruby excels at is school.

A local boy Leon, helps around her grandparents farm when her brothers leave and Ruby and Leon strike up a friendship born of similar circumstances. Leon lives life on the edge and often is in the middle of some sort of criminal activity.

Ruby eventually marries a kind and decent local man but can’t seem to get comfortable in her new lifestyle. Always feeling she isn’t deserving or doesn’t quite fit in, she struggles with this life and Leon is always lurking in the background.

Really enjoyed this book from about the middle to the end. I felt like the first half of the book spent too much time setting up the main plot and dragged quite a bit. It eventually picked up and really kept me hooked. I was invested in Ruby and really wanted to see her make good choices and turn her life around.

Rating this book 3.5 stars rounded to 4. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

#rockbottomtennessee #netgalley #kimberleynixon