Rating: ★★★★½

Chemistry: ❤❤❤ ½

I have a lot of love for Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom series - it is wonderfully written and gives a great insight into Southern life. The first book in this second trilogy got me well and truly intrigued as to Willa's backstory and how things would progress between her and Jackson.

Needless to say, this book lived up to the expectation. I just wanted to give Willa a big hug for a lot of it and loved watching her and Jackson's relationship develop plus great set up for Mack's book which I really can't wait to read!

This book loses half a star simply because the reason behind the Abbott mother abandoning them was just all too similar to the storyline in Laura Drewry's Fishing For Trouble series.

I am truly intrigued whether there's going to be an additional book after Mack's showing Ford-the-Black-Sheep's redemption? At the moment he would certainly have a long road ahead of him before he can get to "Hero" status ....

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and this is honestly the exact type of book I hope for when requesting a book to review. A title that I love to pieces that introduces me to an author that I have never heard of with a backlist of titles just waiting for me to devour.

I really loved this book. I had no real expectations when I started it but everything clicked for me. Mostly I loved the characters. I loved Willa and Jackson especially prickly Willa. I love the Abbott brothers and their aunts (oh how I love their aunts with their made up car problems). I liked the story about finding trust and forgiveness. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

I am voluntarily reviewing this arc of this book. She is a great Mechanic who is working at this shop in Cottonwood. She is running from everyone. Her Best friend overdoses and she takes the blame for it. She has been asked to become a regular employee so now she is plotting her next getaway. Jackson is her boss/co worker he has been trying to keep his feelings for her buried. There is a storm coming just before christmas and he goes to her trailer. He notices some things and he tells her to pack herself a bag and come with him. When she reveals some things he is shocked.
I enjoyed reading this book.

Love the men of Cottonbloom and especially Abot's Garage. Jackson is the more quiet brother who prefers his car to most everything. Willa Brown is the dumpy mechanic that is majorly talented and hiding not only under her ballcap but dangerous secrets. Willa has been in town and working for the Abot's for 2 years when Jackson fears she might take her talent elsewhere and decides to entice Willa into staying with a raise. But now that the thought is in Jackson's mind that Willa might leave he begins to actually see WIlla as a person- a female- and likes what he sees.

Willa has harbored a crush on Jackson since she set eyes on him 2 years ago. Needing her job and liking the town she's in, WIlla keeps that crush quite along with many other secrets that threaten her. WIlla is a strong female and struggling desperately. I felt for her attempts at remaining strong and realizing it was okay to accept help- she was very stubborn. WIlla is afraid to get involved with anyone out of fear that her past will cause them danger, but Jackson isn't going to allow her to push him away. Sutton is determined as well to get WIlla to relax and trust others all the while showing her true beautiful self.

I enjoyed the chemistry between WIlla and Jackson. Jackson is like a new person that someone flipped the ON switch to all because of WIlla. He struggles to get her to trust him and allow him to help her. He understands she has fear and is trying to get her trust in the same manner Willa is trying to get River's trust. The parallel of those two relationships was great.

WIll Jackson be able to know down the walls Willa has put up or will Willa's past cause the irreparable harm. Can Jackson focus on Willa's problems when his flight brother Ford goes off the rails? The lead up to the next book in this series is exciting.

Mr. Reliable, Jackson Abbott, has always been too busy being their for his family and running their shop to make time to date, let alone even notice a woman... but then Willa Brown wanders into his shop and he suddenly finds looking under the hood of a car just isn't as appealing as it once was. He knows mixing business with pleasure probably isn't the best idea, but Willa is just too damn tempting to ignore. She is guarded and he is certain she is hiding from someone or something, and damned if he doesn't want to be the one to help her face it head on, and offer up his shoulder for her to lean on when it all gets too tough. But before that can happen he needs to figure out a way to get her to trust him enough to share her secrets...

Willa Brown has a troubled past that she hopes never catches up to her, it's what made her go on the run in the first place, and brought her to the town of Cottonbloom. Her plan was to hideout for a few days and then commence to running, but the charm of the little town and it's residents lured her in, and convinced her to stay a while, and truth be told it is one of the first good things to happen to her in a long while. Her boss Jackson is a kind man, that gives off an air of unwavering strength, and is also extremely good looking, each time he looks at her she can't help but smile. But this little crush she has on him can never go any farther than that, he is too good of a man to get mixed up with the likes of someone like her and there is just no way she could bring him into her disastrous world.
Returning to Cottonbloom has never been sweeter, When The Stars Come Out is pure literary magic, it's sure to have readers mesmerized from start to finish!! I have been looking forward to making a return to this series and getting better acquainted with the Abbott family matriarch, Jackson, for sometime now and I have to say his story was everything I hoped it would be and so much more! His relationship with Willa was something I could see brewing in previous installments and I knew once they got together it would produce some serious fireworks, and I have to say my instincts were on point...there were lots of dazzling sparks there!! This delightful tale will bring you many moments to treasure, the passionate moments that will make you swoon, the tender moments that will warm your heart, the brave moments that will inspire, and the suspenseful moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I highly recommend you give this read a chance, the moment you crack the cover these endearing characters will pull you into their world and take you on a truly unforgettable literary escape!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

When the Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham is an emotionally charged tale. It was deep, sad, intense, and heartfelt. The main characters from the previous book are visited again in this one. I was excited. Once I met these characters, I feel in love with them. They each have their own journey to follow and learn. Their hearts are made of gold and their personalities are fun to follow. There is always a drama in Laura Trentham's books. In this title, Ford, a fourth brother of the Abbotts ends up causing trouble for his family's garage. There, another character, Willa, hides from the world. In her past, she got into troubled situations and might have made them worse. She left home, leaving her father behind. Thinking she could keep him safe...instead her life was empty, sad, and frustrating. Feeling alone, she has no one. Until, one of her bosses really takes notice of her. When that happens, their fate is sealed.

When the Stars Come Out is a story about love, redemption, and forgiveness. Second chances is another major theme explored here. I loved how protective the brothers are over their family garage and of each other. Plus, they extended that to one of their best mechanics, Willa. The brothers know she's hiding from something bad. But until she trusts them enough to let them in, all they can do is keep watch and offer their help. Willa is a strong independent woman. She's handy with cars and is easy to get along with among the brothers. Humor, friendship, and more made this an interesting read. I enjoyed reading this book. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere.

Jackson Abbott is serious, strong, reliable, loyal to his brothers. When he finally opens his pretty peepers and really notices Willa for the first time (obviously he was buried in a hole to not fully appreciate all that is Willa), his legendary control goes out the door. And man, did I love seeing Jackson unravel! Discovering his well of emotions was amusing and messy, yet cathartic fo a guy whose mom abandoned the family as children.

Willa Brown was one character I loved analyzing. She was this complex dichotomy of prickly barbs, sassy humor, and carried an innate innocence that I found absolutely fascinating! She had a few hard knocks with reality, yet I appreciated her ability to maintain that shred of innocence. It gave her character an edge that had me sympathizing for her from the get go..something I don’t think I’d have done otherwise.

So these two actually had to work at their relationship and I mean that in a good way. Their romance was an understated complexity of sexy, tender, hot, and vulnerable. When someone says hard work pays off? Yeah, Jackson and Willa would qualify with the emotional efforts they expended on the other!

There’s a lot going on in this book besides Jackson and Willa. Catching up with previous characters, learning more about the Abbott brother’s past, and having a few other surprises crop up just made the book that much more enjoyable!

It’s no secret I’m in love with the Cottonbloom series. Laura Trentham has captured small town life-in all its up and down glory-in such a charming way that it makes me want to live there and befriend the locals! When an author can accomplish that, I say they’ve done their job exceptionally well!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Why did she run away from home?

He's claustrophobic, but he races cars?

There's a difference between having pride and being stupid.

Honestly, it sounds like they were better off that their mom left.

He has good brothers. Except Ford. Ford sucks.

Book Review of When The Stars Come Out by Laura Trentham

I was lucky enough to be able to read this book before it is released, and as a massive fan of the Cottonbloom series, I was desperate to read more about Willa and Jackson.

Reading the previous books, the reader is aware Willa is hiding something, and my heart broke for her as we discover the loneliness, fear and guilt she has being carrying over the last few years. Showing weakness, or asking for help isn't something she is willing to do. It's sad to think, that while this is fiction, the experiences Willa encountered from her male bosses, are relevant, and true for so many woman. With all this baggage, you would have the find the perfect hero....a boy is Jackson perfectly imperfect.

Dealing with his own issues, he is very much a loner, working side by side Willa, but oblivious to what is happening, it's not till the thought of losing her, does Jackson see her as more of an employee. Patient, kind, sexy, funny and flawed, he's there always ready to give a hand, even knowing it's not always welcome.

I loved this book, and can't wait too see who will be next to fall in love

5*****

This series is one of my absolute favorites. I cant wait for the next cottonbloom book.