Category Archives: Cottonbloom Series

July 29, 2018 · 11:57 pm

Review: Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham

Title: Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham
Cottonbloom Series Book Six
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Cottonbloom is the perfect place for starting over, finding your way back home—and falling head over heels. . .

Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes—and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcée who shows up to the garage in stilettos—and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?

Review:

Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham is a charming enemies to lovers romance. This sixth installment in the delightful Cottonbloom series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the previous novels as well.

Following her divorce, Ella Boudreaux moved to Cottonbloom to start over. She has made incredible strides overcoming the damage wrought on her self-esteem and self-confidence by her ex-husband.  Ella is a highly intelligent, savvy businesswoman and she has very quietly amassed a fortune through her keen business investments. Her most recent business acquisition means Ella now owns a quarter of the Abbott brothers’ car restoration and garage. She immediately butts heads with Mack Abbott, who is furious with his brother Ford for selling his shares of the family owned business. Ella has plenty of backbone and she refuses to allow Mack to intimidate her and a surprising attraction catches both of them off guard. Will  Mack’s animosity toward her prevent them from giving into their scorching hot passion?

Mack is the de facto boss of the garage and Ella’s purchase of Ford’s shares grates on him. He has finally come to terms with the sudden death of their father two years earlier but he cannot quite bring himself to forgive Ford’s betrayal. Mack is also dealing with the sudden reappearance of his mother, whom he has not seen since she walked out on their family when he was a child. Needless to say, the last thing Mack needs is unwanted business partner, but will he give Ella a chance to implement her shrewd ideas for growing and streamlining their business?

The relationship between Ella and Mack is contentious but neither of them can deny their sizzling attraction for one another. Much to Mack’s frustration, Ella remains undaunted by his attempts to browbeat her into staying away from the garage.  She is plucky and resourceful and she rises to whatever task he throws her way. Mack’s brothers, Jackson and Wyatt, genuinely like Ella and they become her unlikely champions with Mack. The transition from business foes to a wary friendship paves the way for their budding romance but a misunderstanding threatens the future of their relationship.

Set the Night on Fire is a fun-filled, heart-felt romance that is fast-paced and engaging. Ella is a feisty, compassionate woman whose recovery from an emotionally abusive marriage is inspiring. Mack is a gruff yet immensely appealing man who is in danger of repeating the same mistakes of his beloved father. Ella and Mack are a sweet couple whose fiery attraction leads to some blazing hot love scenes. Despite some drama late in the novel, Laura Trentham brings this newest addition to her beloved Cottonbloom series to a sigh-worthy conclusion. A captivating read that I great enjoyed and highly recommend to readers of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cottonbloom Series, Laura Trentham, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Set the Night on Fire, St Martin's Paperbacks

January 29, 2018 · 11:56 pm

Review: When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham

Title: When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham
Cottonbloom Series Book Five
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Cottonbloom. A beautiful, faraway place where a woman can escape her past—and find reason to stay forever in Laura Trentham’s When the Stars Come Out. . .

Willa Brown never planned to stay in Cottonbloom. She was on the way to somewhere else when she landed there and found work at the Abbot brothers’ garage. . .and a sense of comfort and safety that she had never known. The same holds true for Jackson Abbott himself. With one glance in her direction, he can make Willa’s heart melt. But what begins as an unrequited crush turns into something far more powerful than Willa could have ever imagined. . .

Jackson’s most meaningful relationship has always been with his car—and he’s not afraid to admit it. Still, he can’t help but become emotionally entangled with his new star mechanic Willa, who is definitely hiding some dark secrets of her own beneath the hood. Jackson desperately wants Willa to trust him, and to seek protection in his arms. But even as the two slowly surrender to their shared attraction, the danger lurking in Willa’s past remains a stubborn obstacle. Can she open up enough to give them both a chance at having real and lasting love?

Review:

When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham is a heartfelt and engaging romance. This latest addition to the beloved Cottonbloom  series easily stands on its own, but I highly recommend the previous installments as well.

Willa Brown loves her job at the Abbot brothers garage but she has worked hard to remain under the radar for the past two years. She is more comfortable in her coveralls and blue jeans than frilly, feminine clothes and when not working, she keeps to herself. Maintaining a low profile in town, she has formed an unexpected but very touching friendship with librarian Marigold Dunlap. Willa has also been crushing on one of the co-owners of the garage, Jackson Abbot, ever since they met but she would never act on her attraction for him.

Jackson and Willa make a formidable team while working and although he knows she is clearly hiding something, he has never really tried to persuade her to confide in him. Once Jackson allows himself to really notice how attractive she is under her unflattering but serviceable clothes, he cannot stop thinking about her. Despite not wanting to cross a line that might make her feel uncomfortable, Jackson cannot resist helping her once he knows a little more about her life outside the garage.

Jackson and Willa are one of those couples who are just made for each other. They truly “get” what makes the other person tick and they both enjoy the same activities. They are also incredibly supportive of one another when it comes to the things they are dealing with outside of work.  However, Willa has deep trust issues and she is extremely reluctant to divulge her secrets. Jackson truly wants to help Willa, but in his frustration over her inability to completely open up, he makes a decision that might end up jeopardizing their future together.  Has Willa grown enough to forgive him when she finds out the truth? Or will she revert to her old pattern of running from problems instead of facing them head on?

When the Stars Come Out is an absolutely delightful romance between two emotionally damaged people. Willa is extremely closed off and incredibly skittish of making another mistake. Jackson has never quite dealt with his mother’s abandonment and he and his brothers are also facing uncertainty over the future of the garage. Willa and Jackson have a bit of an uneasy transition from co-workers to lovers but their longstanding acquaintance provides a rock solid foundation for their fledgling relationship. Both Willa and Jackson undergo significant growth individually as they finally face the baggage from their respective pasts. Old and new fans of Laura Trentham will absolutely love this newest addition to the charming Cottonbloom series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cottonbloom Series, Laura Trentham, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks, When the Stars Come Out

July 30, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: Leave the Night On by Laura Trentham

Title: Leave the Night On by Laura Trentham
Cottonbloom Series Book Four
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge—life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage—and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?

Review:

Laura Trentham tugs on reader’s heartstrings with Leave the Night On, the latest addition to her heartwarming Cottonbloom series. Although this newest release is the fourth full length novel in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

After Sutton Mize discovers her fiancé Andrew Tarwater and her best friend Bree Randall have betrayed her in the worst possible way, she panics and invents a relationship of her own to save face.  From a prominent Cottonbloom family, she is finally beginning to chafe under the weight of her parents’ expectations.  However after a lifetime of never rocking the boat, Sutton finds it difficult to make choices based on her needs instead doing what other people want her to do. After she comes to the realization that she is living a somewhat bland life, Sutton is ready to take a bit of a walk on the wild side, but will she be able to overcome a lifetime of  worrying about what other people think of her?

Wyatt Abbott co-owns a garage with his three brothers and nearly a year after their father’s unexpected death, everyone is somewhat out of sorts. He is feeling a bit restless but he cannot quite pinpoint the cause of his dissatisfaction. Wyatt has absolutely no qualms about agreeing to help Sutton salvage her reputation, but his longtime crush on her quickly complicates things for him.

Despite their very different childhoods, socioeconomic backgrounds and careers, Wyatt is comfortable in his own skin so he has no difficulty fitting into Sutton’s life.  While Sutton is pretty keen to expand her horizons, she is a bit unsettled when confronted with new experiences.  Wyatt’s confidence in her is instrumental in helping her step out of her comfort zone both personally and professionally as she attempts to make positive and long overdue changes in her life. She has several misconceptions about Wyatt and although these negative assumptions do bother him, Wyatt never hesitates to set Sutton straight when she misjudges him. A sizzling hot attractions underlies their easygoing camaraderie but will either of them find the courage to turn their fake relationship into a real one?

Readers’ interest will be piqued by several tantalizing glimpses into Wyatt’s brothers’ lives. Mace has the weight of the world resting on his shoulders as he worries about the future of their business. Wyatt’s  twin brother Jackson is embroiled in a very intriguing situation with co-worker Willa Brown.  Ford has fallen WAY out his brothers’ good graces with his secretive behavior and it will be very interesting to how their relationship with him will fare in the future.

Leave the Night On is a delightfully charming romance that is fast-paced and engaging. Wyatt is a sigh worthy hero with enormous appeal.  Sutton undergoes the biggest transformation as she finally begins to discover who she is and what she wants out life.  One of Laura Trentham’s greatest strengths as an author is her uncanny ability to bring the town and residents of Cottonbloom vibrantly and realistically to life through her vivid descriptions and brilliant dialogue.  This latest installment of the Cottonbloom series is absolutely marvelous and will leave readers impatiently awaiting the release of When the Stars Come Out early next year.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cottonbloom Series, Laura Trentham, Leave the Night On, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks

August 1, 2016 · 11:56 pm

Review: Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham

Title: Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham
Cottonbloom Series Book Three
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

It’s summertime in Cottonbloom, where two lovers find themselves at a crossroads just as things start to heat up. . .

Regan Lovell grew up on the wealthy Mississippi side of Cottonbloom—and now, as mayor, she’s determined to save it from the fate of so many small towns. Part of her plan to help the local economy is the Labor Day tomato festival. If only she wasn’t being undermined by Sawyer Fournette, who’s planning a crayfish-themed celebration on the Louisiana side of the river on the very same weekend. The pranks and sabotage are getting out of hand, and she’s had it with him—no matter how much she enjoyed those stolen hours in his truck bed, so many years ago…

Sawyer knows that Regan’s never forgiven him for breaking her heart—but despite his reputation as a low-class swamp rat, he’d never hurt the woman who still secretly drives him crazy with desire. Someone in Cottonbloom has it out for her, though, and Sawyer intends to watch her back…and the rest of her too, if she can ever let go of her distrust. But will a common enemy be enough to unite them—and finally fulfill the promises they made one passionate night under the stars?

Review:

Till I Kissed You, the final novel in Laura Trentham’s wonderful Cottonbloom series, is a beautiful second chance at love romance.

Regan Lovell and Sawyer Fournette’s complicated past is a major factor in their tempestuous relationship in the present.  Their teenage romance ended due to parental interference and a major misunderstanding and although they have avoided one another for years, Regan and Sawyer are joining forces to discover who is trying to sabotage their upcoming festivals. They are currently embroiled in a heated competition to win the contest that would provided much needed funds for projects for the winner’s town. Every time they seem to make progress in putting their animosity behind them, their unresolved issues and personal baggage put Regan and Sawyer at odds time and again.

Regan is the mayor of the Mississippi side of Cottonbloom which is much more affluent than the Louisiana side.  In addition to her mayoral duties, she also owns a thriving interior design business.  Regan is down to earth, smart and dedicated to improving conditions for her town.  She is a little unreasonable when it comes to her failed romance with Sawyer and she is quick to blame him for the vandalism that seems to be targeting the upcoming festival. Their previous relationship remains a sore spot for both of them but until they discuss the most troubling aspects of their break up, misunderstandings frequently arise.

Sawyer is charming, persuasive and well-liked by most everyone who knows him.  Although he has come a long way from his humble childhood, he has never quite gotten over feeling like he is not good enough for Regan.  While he has put the most of these insecurities behind him, he is surprised when these uncomfortable emotions return and he is never quite certain where he stands with Regan now they are back on speaking terms.  Sawyer and Regan frequently walk on egg shells trying to maintain the fragile truce between them.   This sometimes leads to each of them jumping to conclusions about the other and their relationship remains quite volatile.

As Sawyer and Regan spend time together, both of them are surprised by the resurgence of those long ago feelings.  There is plenty of sexual tension between them and their intense attraction results in some explosive encounters.  However, as soon as their passion is sated, uncertainty returns since there is little in depth communication between them. Old hurts and misunderstandings lead to some ugly scenes as Sawyer and Regan lash out in anger which then leads to a cycle of making and breaking up.  Childhood insecurities are also a problem for both Sawyer and Regan as is their conviction the other is at fault for their painful break up all those years ago.  Who will finally work up the courage to broach these uncomfortable subjects?  Will their fragile peace hold long enough to work through their issues?  And equally important, can Sawyer and Regan put aside their personal differences long enough to uncover the identity of the person trying to sabotage their festivals?

Till I Kissed You is a poignant novel of healing for both Sawyer and Regan.  Emotional, vibrant and filled with passion, this final installment in Laura Trentham’s Cottonbloom series is a heartwarming romance between two wounded yet lovable characters.  A sweet epilogue wraps up all of the loose ends and although it is difficult to leave Cottonbloom and its inhabitants behind, this final novel is incredibly uplifting and heartfelt.  A must read for fans of small town romances.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cottonbloom Series, Laura Trentham, Rated B+, Review, Romance, St Martin's Paperbacks, Till I Kissed You

July 18, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham

Title: Then He Kissed Me by Laura Trentham
Cottonbloom Series Book Two
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Can two hearts come together in one divided town?

As a boy, Nash Hawthorne spent countless afternoons on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom with Tally Fournette, wading in the river, peeling oranges and catching frogs. When illness stole his mother, Nash yearned to take Tally and run away—for good. Instead, he crossed the state line to live with his aunt. It was a short distance as the crow flies, but it swept him into a whole new world…

After Nash left, Tally managed to struggle through her own losses without him. But now that she’s crossed paths with him again—at Cottonbloom College, where the grown-up, gorgeous Nash teaches history—she is reminded of their cherished youthful connection…and an attraction that has only gotten stronger with age. Between Tally’s possessive ex and Nash’s snobbish aunt, no one thinks they belong together. In a town torn apart by old resentments and rivalries, can they find their way back to the life they once shared—and turn their long-lost dreams into a real and lasting love?

Review:

Although the plot has plenty of depth and substance, Then He Kissed Me, the second installment in  Laura Trentham’s Cottonbloom series, is an overall light-hearted, feel-good small town romance.

As children, Nash Hawthorne and Tallulah “Tally” Fournette were the best of friends until tragedy struck both their families.  Within just a few days, Nash lost his mom to cancer and both of Tally’s parents were killed in a car accident.  Nash went to live with his aunt on the wealthier Mississippi side of Cottonbloom while Tally and her brothers remained on the much poorer Louisiana side.  With their lives taking vastly different paths, Nash and Tally lost touch but when Nash moves back to town to care for his ailing aunt, their friendship picks up right where it left off.  With a sizzling attraction simmering under the surface of their renewed relationship, will Tally’s unresolved issues from her past ruin her future with Nash?

Despite owning her own business, Tally’s deep-seated insecurities still continue to define her. She downplays her attributes and she refuses to see how far she has come since leaving high school.  Tally holds her secrets close and she maintains an emotional distance from everyone, including her brothers, Cade and Sawyer.  Her happiest childhood memories are the times she spent with Nash and as they reminisce about those long ago days, Tally slowly realizes her feelings for him are much deeper than just friendship.  But her lack of confidence and inability to open up become a  huge stumbling block in their burgeoning romance.  Plagued with self-doubts, Tally continually backs away every time she and Nash try to move forward.  Nash is patient and understanding, but how long will it take for him to grown weary of Tally’s unhealthy way of coping with her fears?

Nash had his own set of problems following his mother’s death, but he has managed to overcome the worst of his issues. He is a history professor at the local college but he still has an unmitigated love for comic books and super heroes. Although he is no longer a scrawny, nerdy kid, Nash is completely unaware of how good looking and sexy he is.  He is a genuinely kind-hearted, decent man who is now comfortable in his own skin and embraces everything life has to offer him.  Nash treasures the memories of his childhood friendship with Tally but he also cherishes the woman she has become.

Despite the years that have passed since they last saw one another, Tally and Nash’s childhood friendship is a strong foundation for their unfolding romance.  Tally is a little skittish and uneasy when she realizes their relationship goes deeper than friendship and attraction.  Nash is quick to pick up on her wariness and he has no trouble giving her the time and space she needs to adjust as they transition from friends to lovers.  But even the most patient person eventually reaches their breaking point but how will Tally react when Nash grows tired of her inability to move forward?

With an abundance of witty banter, plenty of sexual tension and a realistic storyline, Then He Kissed Me is an absolutely delightful romance with a marvelous cast of characters. Tally and Nash are multi-faceted, complex protagonists that are quite likable despite their flaws and insecurities. A sentimental, charming addition to Laura Trentham’s Cottonbloom series that old and new fans are sure to love.

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Filed under Contemporary, Cottonbloom Series, Laura Trentham, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Then He Kissed Me