What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bottom
What does it really mean to start from The Bottom?
For Kadeem Barnes, aka KB… it’s not just a place…it’s a mindset. And in Clarksvegas, Tennessee, only the hungry climb out.
KB is a young man about to graduate high school with grown-man ambitions. Most of the city knows him as an all-star basketball player with unlimited options for college, and even the potential to go pro. But in the streets? He’s quietly pushing product, stacking his bread, and plotting his way outta the bottom. His circle is smaller than a cheerio, with his friends, Tion and Lamar, beside him. Together, they’re grinding for more than survival.
But climbing outta the bottom is easier said than done.
Every king has a rival in different forms ready to take him out. You just don’t know what form they’ll appear.
And soon, temptation becomes one of KB’s biggest obstacles.
Cindy, the quiet ‘Cinderella’ nobody notices, looks to be his peace, offering to give her all to him.
Ciana, the eye of everyone in school, is determined to use her beauty and body to lock KB down.
Toya, a woman seeking to make her own come up in the game, has plans for KB that could put him on, and she’ll be damned if anyone gets in the way of what, or who, she wants.
And when a powerful drug lord, Rivera Diaz, sets her eyes on KB…the gloves are off.
As love, lust, and ambition collide, KB lands in the center of a dangerous game. Loyalty is tested and one wrong move can cost him everything he’s quietly worked to build.
From car washes to club nights, from high school gyms to cartel connects, the city’s watching.
Everyone has their eye on the top, but in order to get there…you have to make it outta THE BOTTOM…
For Kadeem Barnes, aka KB… it’s not just a place…it’s a mindset. And in Clarksvegas, Tennessee, only the hungry climb out.
KB is a young man about to graduate high school with grown-man ambitions. Most of the city knows him as an all-star basketball player with unlimited options for college, and even the potential to go pro. But in the streets? He’s quietly pushing product, stacking his bread, and plotting his way outta the bottom. His circle is smaller than a cheerio, with his friends, Tion and Lamar, beside him. Together, they’re grinding for more than survival.
But climbing outta the bottom is easier said than done.
Every king has a rival in different forms ready to take him out. You just don’t know what form they’ll appear.
And soon, temptation becomes one of KB’s biggest obstacles.
Cindy, the quiet ‘Cinderella’ nobody notices, looks to be his peace, offering to give her all to him.
Ciana, the eye of everyone in school, is determined to use her beauty and body to lock KB down.
Toya, a woman seeking to make her own come up in the game, has plans for KB that could put him on, and she’ll be damned if anyone gets in the way of what, or who, she wants.
And when a powerful drug lord, Rivera Diaz, sets her eyes on KB…the gloves are off.
As love, lust, and ambition collide, KB lands in the center of a dangerous game. Loyalty is tested and one wrong move can cost him everything he’s quietly worked to build.
From car washes to club nights, from high school gyms to cartel connects, the city’s watching.
Everyone has their eye on the top, but in order to get there…you have to make it outta THE BOTTOM…
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 11, 2025
It’s no secret that Kold is one of my go-to authors. If he writes it, I’m locked in. Period. And The Bottom? Whew, this one had me all caught up and clutching my invisible pearls.
We meet KB, who’s not just a hoop star but also got his hands all up in them streets. Getting money, making moves, and having all the lil’ young girls on his top like he’s the last piece of candy at the bottom of the jar. His story pulled me in from the very beginning, like, you think you know where it’s going… then boom! Left turn outta nowhere.
For a minute, it seemed like things were sweet. He had the game in a chokehold. But that age-old saying “more money, more problems” was ringing loud and clear. Because just when you think he’s up, life starts throwing them curveballs.
You’ve got a cartel princess sliding in trying to offer him the "good life."
Then there’s Toyya, who is NOT playing fair, she wants him all to herself and has no issue pulling every move out the book.
And don’t sleep on Cindy...she’s the one offering that real love, that loyalty, that ride-or-die until the wheels fall off type of vibe.
All I’m gonna say is: this book was a full experience. Twists. Drama. Loyalty. And Kold gave us a main character that you couldn’t help but root for even when he was making choices that had you yelling at the pages.
🔥 Bottom line (see what I did there?): Go read The Bottom. If you’re not already tapped into the Koldiverse, you are absolutely missing out.
We meet KB, who’s not just a hoop star but also got his hands all up in them streets. Getting money, making moves, and having all the lil’ young girls on his top like he’s the last piece of candy at the bottom of the jar. His story pulled me in from the very beginning, like, you think you know where it’s going… then boom! Left turn outta nowhere.
For a minute, it seemed like things were sweet. He had the game in a chokehold. But that age-old saying “more money, more problems” was ringing loud and clear. Because just when you think he’s up, life starts throwing them curveballs.
You’ve got a cartel princess sliding in trying to offer him the "good life."
Then there’s Toyya, who is NOT playing fair, she wants him all to herself and has no issue pulling every move out the book.
And don’t sleep on Cindy...she’s the one offering that real love, that loyalty, that ride-or-die until the wheels fall off type of vibe.
All I’m gonna say is: this book was a full experience. Twists. Drama. Loyalty. And Kold gave us a main character that you couldn’t help but root for even when he was making choices that had you yelling at the pages.
🔥 Bottom line (see what I did there?): Go read The Bottom. If you’re not already tapped into the Koldiverse, you are absolutely missing out.
September 16, 2025
I need part 2 asap
Whewww that ending!! Kold did his thang with this story; the grit, the storyline, the characters are all flawed but kept you engaged! This was a book I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for part 2
Whewww that ending!! Kold did his thang with this story; the grit, the storyline, the characters are all flawed but kept you engaged! This was a book I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for part 2
June 14, 2026
This Should be Titled Season 1 Episode 1
This is the beginning of everything. Welcome to Kadeem's story! IYKYK If you are a KOLD fan, you absolutely must read this series. I wish this is the book I had stumbled on first. I love all of KOLD's books. They all play out like a hit action/ drama tv series. This story had everything I have come to expect from a KOLD production; so much suspense building in a ton of messy drama with the action coming from all sides at once. I am stunned that this was his first book, the story is superb. KOLD says this is street lit not romance, but people have love interests and so book characters do, too. There is a ton of spicy scenes and some jaw dropping violent ones as well, which is exactly how his books still are. I am so glad I went ahead and jumped into this book when I saw he just released book 3. KOLD doesn't do a trigger list but I will tell you there are definitely triggers in his books and several in this one, so know thyself. I am diving into book 2 and plan to read these straight on through book 3. I'm binging this show. For real, I don't know how all these books have not become a major hit TV series yet! I hope they do one day because they are excellent.
This is the beginning of everything. Welcome to Kadeem's story! IYKYK If you are a KOLD fan, you absolutely must read this series. I wish this is the book I had stumbled on first. I love all of KOLD's books. They all play out like a hit action/ drama tv series. This story had everything I have come to expect from a KOLD production; so much suspense building in a ton of messy drama with the action coming from all sides at once. I am stunned that this was his first book, the story is superb. KOLD says this is street lit not romance, but people have love interests and so book characters do, too. There is a ton of spicy scenes and some jaw dropping violent ones as well, which is exactly how his books still are. I am so glad I went ahead and jumped into this book when I saw he just released book 3. KOLD doesn't do a trigger list but I will tell you there are definitely triggers in his books and several in this one, so know thyself. I am diving into book 2 and plan to read these straight on through book 3. I'm binging this show. For real, I don't know how all these books have not become a major hit TV series yet! I hope they do one day because they are excellent.
September 16, 2025
Street Life
When you are in the street, you always have to look out for everything.
The crew showed what it was like to live.
Life, death, money, power, love, jail, and war are always the things that go on when you are in the streets. Someone is always going to lose.
KOLD has shown what went on the world of Clarksville. It is happening throughout the country. People say we ignore it because it becomes normal.
I look forward to part 2 to see what happens in the world of KD.
I want to add that KOLD has grown in his writing since he wrote this book.
When you are in the street, you always have to look out for everything.
The crew showed what it was like to live.
Life, death, money, power, love, jail, and war are always the things that go on when you are in the streets. Someone is always going to lose.
KOLD has shown what went on the world of Clarksville. It is happening throughout the country. People say we ignore it because it becomes normal.
I look forward to part 2 to see what happens in the world of KD.
I want to add that KOLD has grown in his writing since he wrote this book.
February 9, 2026
Sheesh!
Drama, drama and more drama. This book was all roller-coaster ride. I felt like I was watching a movie and waiting to see what happens next. On to part two.
Drama, drama and more drama. This book was all roller-coaster ride. I felt like I was watching a movie and waiting to see what happens next. On to part two.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews