Member Reviews
This is the 1st book of this series I've read and a stand alone romance. With that being said, I do think maybe I would have benefitted had I read the earlier books, just to get a better feel of all the secondary characters and situations.
I had no problems feeling Mack and Ella as they try to deny their attraction.
Each with their own set of family problems, there is an underlying theme which I really liked and helped them just to face their issues and move on, hopefully with each other.
Ella is a strong, but subtle heroine who keeps Mack in check when he needs it.
This one had all the feels for me and I did enjoy it.
I received an ARC thru Netgalley and am happily giving my honest review
The author takes us back to Cottonbloom and the Abbott brothers. This time, the story belongs to Mack. The brother who has dedicated himself to the garage and his brothers. The older brother, Ford, has not only left Cottonbloom, his brothers and the garage but he has also sold his share of the garage. Needless to say, this has created a great deal of stress and upheaval. Especially when the new partner is a strong woman determined to get involved and make a mark. This new development throws Mack off, not only for the implications, but because he is attracted to her.
The plot is engaging and the characters complex. But above all , it’s a story about family, forgiveness, and hope. As well as overcoming obstacles in life.
Kudos to the author for reminding us that even though families can disappoint us and we them, that bond is one to be cherished.
The epilogue and the subsequent addition to the story were great. Can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for us.
I voluntarily read this this copy obtained from Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham
Contemporary romance. Sixth book in the series. Can be read as a standalone romance. I had not read the previous and the only background not included was how the heroine originally bought into the garage and the supposed conflicts at the time. This book opens with her first visit to the garage. Since I love romance and loved this one too, I will go back and read the first five. Good writing and robust characters that deal with life upfront.
The heroine, Ella, lusts after Mack’s hot bod throughout the story. She is constantly distracted by his arms, his muscles, his shirtless back...it’s amusing how flustered she gets.
In their first make out session, he spanks her a couple of times and she gets rattled. Her ex husband had been abusive and the domination in this new situation was confusing. So she ran away. Acceptable in the moment of fear. Even better, she addresses it directly the next time they discussed their attraction. This to me was the ultimate power of a woman. Of Ella. And that the two actually talked about the situation like adults, both on this and a few other issues was amazing and so smart.
A truly wonderful romance of life and family. Two very touching epilogues. I can’t wait to read more of this author.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
Well here we are at book #6 (last book?) and we have successfully conquered all the Abbott brothers except Mack but Ella may be his match, she is not as intimidated as others are by his rough style and of course we have that illusive attraction neither can understand LOL.
The story proceeds is a fashion much like the other books in this series (I skipped the first 3 and have only read the Abbott brothers books #4-5-6 with no loss) and the thing that made it a bit different was the ex-husband (which I thought was handled poorly) and the love/hate thing that made it more of a romantic challenge.
There is a epilogue which amounts to a short story at the end detailing the wedding of Sutton and Wyatt which was very entertaining and seemed to possibly put a cap on the series but then again there was a hint of maybe another romance with a hereto unknown relative, we shall see.
4 Stars for a decent story that did keep me up a bit late to finish, as with all of her books I did some scanning but still enjoyed the story.
I love this series and yes you can read them as standalones, but I’m sure you want to get to know each brother one by one !
This is the story Mack Abbott, the most serious brother, the one who feels everything rests in his shoulders , has he finally met his match in Ella!
Ella does not take no for an answer, and wants to help turn the Abbott Brothers garage into a household name , but Mack won’t give her an inch because she’s not an Abbott!
I love Ella, she’s sassy, smart, and has risen above her circumstances to turn her life around !
Another Great Laura Trentham read! I
Can’t wait for Fords story and another visit to Cottonbloom!
The years of hard work and long hours are paying off for Abbott Brothers Garage and Restoration, having gained a reputation for high quality work. To ensure complete control of the brothers’ business moving forward, more than ever, the family-owned enterprise needs to stay in the family. But things get messy when brother Ford sells his quarter of the business to an outsider, a wealthy uptown girl with zero knowledge of cars. No one takes the harsh news harder than gruff and moody Mack Abbott.
Elle Boudreaux is the first to admit she can’t even change a tire, but she knows a good investment when she sees one. Buying into the garage was a smart business move, with no thought of meddling in its operation. She’d be perfectly content to market the garage to further enhance its value. But despite her good intentions, her arrival is met with cold suspicion from the brothers. Mack and Elle are at odds from the start, and he makes no secret of the fact she’s intruding on family turf. The sooner he can buy out her shares and send her on her way, the better.
The tension between Mack and Elle is relentless as she struggles to find her place in the tight-knit group. Abbott family dynamics contribute a wonderful mixture of humor and angst to the entertaining plot. And to further complicate things, a bit of old baggage keeps turning up on Elle’s doorstep. Lots happening in tiny Cottonbloom, Mississippi. Especially when things begin to thaw between Mack and Elle. A delightful summertime read.
“Set the Night on Fire” by Laura Trentham is Mack Abbott’s story.
The family garage has been the most important thing in Mack’s life for as long as he can remember. Now, thanks to his brother, Ford, part of the ownership belongs to someone other than an Abbott.
Ella Boudreaux bought Ford’s share as a way to remember her brother and to reclaim her independence after being made to feel less by her ex-husband.
Mack has to come to terms with all the changes in his life. His brothers-Wyatt and Jackson-finding happiness after thinking they never would, Ford’s betrayal, and learning to forgive his mother for leaving when he was a kid.
Ella is finding her place in Cottonbloom by meeting new people, helping resident Marigold by holding a fundraiser, and helping her ex-husband’s current wife, Megan, find her way.
Sparks fly as Mack and Ella heat up the night and learn to trust each other.
“Set the Night on Fire” is a very satisfying ending to the Abbott Brothers trilogy.
Mack and Ella set the atmosphere on fire with the sparks of anger, attraction between them. They make the trip to Cottonbloom pretty exciting and happy. I thoroughly enjoyed the story from the beginning to end.
Set the Night on Fire is a good romance. I enjoyed the plot and the character interaction. A good quick read. Recommend to fans of romance.
This was an enjoyable read about two people needing to prove themselves while also fighting the attraction they feel for each other. Ella Boudreaux has moved to this small town on the Mississippi-Louisiana border to recover from a bad marriage. She’s a successful investor and her latest investment is buying a fourth ownership in a garage owned by the Abbott brothers. One of the older brothers, Mack, is furious to have to share ownership with an outsider, especially a spunky, sexy woman who doesn’t know much about car repair.
This makes Ella determined to work at the garage and prove her ability to contribute to its success. Complications ensue, but Ella doesn’t back down even in the face of an intimidatingly large, angry man. Mack has his own problems and doubts, but it turns out that Ella is just what he needs.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.
I’m on the fence with this book. I have been waiting to read Mack’s story and I’m not sure how I feel.
He is such a wish washy character that I find myself shaking my head at his behaviour. One minute he hates Ella the next he can’t stop thinking about her. They fight with so much anger and bite but the next they are they smitten.
Ella’s character was not that well developed in my eyes. At the very start of the book she was dead against men. Hated them all with a vengeance only to fall madly in love and start obsessing with Mack two pages past that. Compared to the first two books in this series this one fell flat. This was not a healthy relationship, there was nothing sweet or magical about this romance. This was basically two mentally broken people being thrown together in a blending machine. I can’t even say it was sexual tension. As a mental health councillor, I CANNOT CONDONE this relationship. I get it is a book but authors need to remember that people read and take from it.
I loved Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham. This was book 6 in the Cottonbloom series, one of my favorites. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Ella and Mack develop. They detested each other at first, and it was fun to watch that change. The relationships between all the characters are well written and developed. This was one of those books that you don't want to put down. Such a great read!
These characters who just jump right out at you, beg you to come get the best bbq of your life and fall in love. I enjoyed this book so much I finished it in a day and a half. I'm ready for the next one Laura!!
Ella and Mack have a cantankerous relationship in the beginning of this book. She has bought his brother, Ford, out of his one-quarter share of their family garage, Abbott Brothers. Ella shows up at the garage to stake her claim (literally and figuratively) and things do not go smoothly between her and Mack. Mack doesn't want an outsider part of their business and he informs her that he wants to buy her out. Ella wants to retain her share out of some sense of tribute to her deceased brother. Ella doesn't explain her interest in the business, just plows right in and tries to make changes. Mack is not in the mood for change, especially in light of his struggles since his father's suicide and his brother, Ford's, underhanded dealings with Ella. I had not read any previous books in this series and I think that might have taken away from the book for me. I didn't really know the backstory on all of these characters and I felt that would have helped me understand some of the dynamics better. I had a hard time connecting with Ella and actually felt sorry for Mack for most of this book. Every time Ella faced criticism or thought she may face criticism, she would lash out like a toddler. It got old pretty quick and I was over it by the end of the book. I think if you have read and enjoyed the other books in this series you may find this one to be a better read than I did.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
What an absolutely wonderful romantic story. It's in the "Cottonbloom" series. This time it's the love story of Ella and Mack. Since Ford, one of the Abbott brothers was in debt he sold his share in the garage to Ella. She wants to be involved in the daily running of the business however Mack has vowed to get back her share. Sparks start to fly between them leading to a sizzling story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Laura Trentham is a new to me author and I will definitely be reading more of her work. After I finished reading Set the Night on Fire, I discovered it is the 6th book in the Cottonbloom series - it reads like a stand alone. I loved the characters and the setting and the story line. There was plenty of romance and empowerment and teasing throughout. I had a hard time putting it down and I'm sure it will stay with me for a while. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for recommending it to me!
Back in Cottonbloom with the Abbot brothers! This is one of my favorite series. Cottonbloom, Mississippi is one of those small southern towns where everyone not only knows your name but pretty much all of your business!
So when the new woman in town, Ella Boudreaux, meets up with the Abbotts after Ford sold her his stake in the garage, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. More like fireworks and a lot of snarling on both sides.
Will Mack finally find love and heal his family? Will Ella open up enough to trust another man? This is a tale of forgiveness, love and family. There are always two sides at least to every story and it is going to take a big man and a big woman to get past these walls built of loss, abandanment and emotional abuse.
But if anyone can do it it will be those Abbott boys!
Netgalley/St.Martin's July 31, 2018
Set the Night on Fire is the 6th book in the Cottonbloom Series by Laura Trentham. This is my first time reading this author. Even though Set the Night on Fire is #6 it can also be read as a standalone. I would suggest reading the first 5 in the series so that you aren’t missing anything. I didn’t feel lost and thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a great read from start to finish.
Ella Boudreaux is a wealthy woman who understands investments and how to make money. She has just purchased ¼ interest in a garage and auto restoration business in Cottonbloom The problem is, the other 3 owners – are the Abbott brothers; Jackson and Wyatt are twins and the eldest of the 3 is Mack.
The Abbotts are not happy that even ¼ of the business they love belongs to a stranger.
Ella is a powerful and intelligent woman, but she has been battered by life. She presents an appearance of confidence, but inside she is pretending as fast as she can. She presents ideas for the garage which would benefit the business. She has knowledge and skills to benefit the business. The twins are open to her ideas, Mack not so much.
In spite of himself, Mack is immediately drawn to her beauty, her wit and her humor. Slowly he is learning that having Ella as part of the business and his life is not such a bad idea.
Ella finds Mack frustrating and sexy and interesting and attractive and sexy....yes twice as sexy as most men.
This is part of a series. It is the first book I have read in the series and by this author. I enjoyed the book very much and had no problem getting up to speed with the characters and the plot.
Each of the Abbott brothers are strong characters. It is evident that there is a great deal of love in the family. They have overcome difficult times and come out of the difficulties with kind, loving and caring natures. Each of them are strong masculine men, but there is underlying tenderness in each of them. That is because since they were all small, they have had to depend on one another for affection and support.
The relationship between Ella and Mack grows slowly. They are a perfect balance for one another. He is anxious about change, she is impetuous and moves forward quickly. They have ups and downs, but each step forward makes them realize the feelings they have for one another is very strong and growing stronger.
The secondary characters add a great deal to the story. Abbott relatives, Ella's ex-husband, and the ex-husband's most recent wife are all very human people. Each of them present problems which must be faced and solved. Each of them are important parts of the texture of Cottonbloom.
The plot is about family relationships. Every family has stories. Some of the stories are happy and some of them are sad and some of them are heartrending. Ella and Mack have all three kinds of stories in their families.
This is the first book I have read by Ms Trentham. She is a very talented writer who creates characters who draw the reader into their stories. I became invested in Ella and Mack and I was hoping for their Happily Ever After. This book has been a very good read for me.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review. All opinions are my own.
Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham is the 6th book in her Cottonbloom series. I have enjoyed every book in this series, and this book is no different….I loved Set the Night on Fire. We met our heroine, Ella Boudreaux at the end of the previous book, as Ella became part owner of the Abbott Garage. All the Abbot Brothers were not too happy that Ford, their estranged brother sold out his share of the business to Ella, but Mack, the oldest brother is still furious. In Set the Night on Fire, when Ella shows up at the garage to help, Mack treats her badly.
Ella is very smart and work oriented, having helped her ex-abusive husband build his successful business. She came away from her divorce with a nice settlement, as she was the reason the business excelled. Ella knows everyone questions why she would buy into a garage, but she did so in memory of her deceased older brother.
Though Mack is cold and sarcastic to Ella, his brothers Wyatt and Jackson, as well as Willa ( Jackson’s wife), do their best to accept Ella, who is determined to help with the marketing of the business. In a short time, Mack realizes that Ella has some good ideas, and he finds himself attracted to her, though he still gives her a hard time. Mack, who finds himself turned on by Ella’s stubborn and feisty attitude with him, also notices that Ella hides something from her past, especially seeing that she is deathly afraid of dogs, and learns more about her rough childhood. Their romance begins to heat up quickly, though there are barriers that stand between them; Mack trying to reconcile with his mother (who left them years before ), as well as coming to terms with Ford’s betrayal; Ella’s sensitivity & vulnerability due to her previous abusive marriage, not trusting her own judgment. It was so much fun to watch both of them fall hard for each other, as their chemistry sizzled.
Cottonbloom is a wonderful and fun series, which Trentham continues to give us heartwarming stories in each and every book I really loved Mack and Ella together; as their romance was not only sexy, but also emotional. It was a wonderful storyline, and great to see all the other characters that we have come to know from the previous books. There was also two epilogues that I loved.
Set The Night on Fire reads very well as a standalone, but to get to know all of the family, including their mother and Ford, I suggest you start with the first book of this series. Laura Trentham once again gives us a wonderful heartwarming story, great characters, fabulous couple, great secondary characters, charming small town atmosphere, and a sweet wonderful romance. You should be reading this series, as I look forward to the next book and return to Cottonbloom.