Love this series and this book doesn’t disappoint!! Can’t wait for the next! I couldn’t put it down!

I love small town romances so I knew my visit to Cottonbloom would be wonderful! Laura Trentham's sixth installment in the series, Set the Night on Fire, is filled with two headstrong characters. Ella and Mack butt heads from the beginning, but their working relationship turns into something more as they truly get to know each other and resolve their issues. I really loved that they had separate issues to work out with other people. For Ella it was her cheating ex-husband's new wife and for Mack it was his older brother. It made for a lively, compelling contemporary novel that sucked me in until the characters figured out their problems! I wish had made a visit to Cottonbloom sooner!
*ARC provided in consideration for review*

For me, each book in Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom series is like a trip home to visit family and friends. Cottonbloom isn't idyllic, with its divided loyalties between the wealthy Mississippi side of the river and the blue-collar Louisiana side, yet it calls to me. Each side brings something unique to the table and the quirky characters plus the crossover couples whose stories have been told in this series continue to bridge the gap and steer their shared-but-separate communities to a brighter future, making Cottonbloom one of my favorite fictional destinations.

One of the things I most enjoy about Trentham's books is her ability to create multi-layered characters who are intriguing and relatable then place them into situations that challenge them. They have to dig deep, evolve, and overcome the obstacles life places in their path, before claiming their happy ending. With each story, I find myself more immersed in their world. I care about these people and I'm totally invested in what happens to them.

Based on page time in the previous two Cottonbloom books (Mack's twin brothers' stories), I wasn't sure what to expect from grouchy, set-in-his-ways, Mack and the rich, apparently snooty Ella who shocks the Abbotts by buying one-quarter of their family garage and restoration business from their estranged brother. I discovered that there is so much more to both Mack and Ella than first appearances would suggest and watching those layers peel away to reveal the truth of their hearts was pure delight.

Trentham doesn't shy away from tough topics - betrayal, abuse, abandonment - but neither does she allow her stories to become too heavy. There's plenty of spark, humor, and hope...not to mention sensual sexy times...in this story. Love triumphs, as does forgiveness, reconciliation, and breaking free from past emotional chains to claim one's own power and happiness.

If you enjoy quirky small towns, witty banter, rich, emotional stories, plenty of sexy times, and characters who will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page, a trip to Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom should be in your future. While there are six books in the series, they are actually two sets of trilogies. Each trilogy stands on its own but I recommend reading the three books within each trilogy in order.

4.5 stars

I love the romance between Ella and Mack!!! Such a sweet romance!!! I look forward to Laura's next book!!! Read and enjoy!!!

Discovering Laura Trentham and her Cottonbloom series can only be described as love at first page. She lured me in with Leave the Light On, had me coming back for more with When the Stars Come Out, and became one of my new favorite authors with the final book in the Cottonbloom series, Set the Night on Fire. The series is about the love, forgiveness, and what that means to those around you. I loved the family aspect surrounding the Abbott brothers. It took a lot for them to make it to this point in their relationship and following that rocky ride was amazing.

Out of the Abbott brothers, Mack felt the most betrayed when Ford sold his share of the family garage to Ella. In his mind, the garage has to stay in the Abbott family. What would Ella know about running a garage anyway? Ella knows more than Mack thinks. Working in the garage brings back fond memories for Ella and she wants to bring it into the 21st century. Mack is determined to make Ella sell her share and he starts to challenge her. What he wasn't expecting was the attraction between them igniting as she stood tall against him. An attraction so potent is bound to set the night on fire.

I loved Set the Night on Fire and as sad as I am that it is the final book in the Cottonbloom series, it couldn't have been a more perfect conclusion. It was an amazingly heartfelt book that stuck with me for awhile. The whole idea of forgiveness and striving to reconnect with family is something that hits very close to home. It was a tough ride and the journey isn't done, but there's hope and a spark that made me believe things will be okay. Set the Night on Fire made me swoon, cry, and giggle the night away. Loved every moment of it.

Ella Boudreaux managed to leave an abusive marriage and settle in Cottonbloom, a small town straddling the Mississippi River. She invested money in the Abbot Garage, hoping to help get it into the modern era and evoke some of her happiest memories. Unfortunately, buying out a portion of the garage set off Mack Abbott, who wants to keep the garage all family owned. The two are at odds but still attracted to each other.

I hadn't read other Cottonbloom novels, but this one really makes me want to hunt them down and read them all. We have the usual trope of a pair initially at odds with each other and are attracted to each other physically, then learn more about each other and fall in love. It's a fun one, and the setting of the Southern town with all of its characters rounds it out nicely. Ella is a great character, unsure of herself after her divorce and getting her snark and confidence back. She's at her best helping others but doesn't see that as a positive quality. This is what creates some of the conflict in her budding relationship with Mack, who has a hard time letting go of the past and what he thinks things should be. The two actually bring out the best in each other, even if they don't have the greatest communication skills initially.

We also get a bonus epilogue of sorts to see the wedding between Mack's younger brother and his fiancee that is mentioned throughout the actual novel. It adds to the feeling of family and a few more laughs as the Abbots discuss the "curse" of weddings in their family. There's also a possible set up for another novel set in this town, which I will absolutely read if it's available.

Coming off a rather horrible marriage, Ella invests in her hometown's local garage, the same garage that Mack Abbot works for and partially owns. Furious that his brother would sell his half to a woman no less, Mack has to fix his issues before this business venture and possible relationship goes any further. Of course, it might go smoother if the heat from their tension would settle down.

A fun and rather hot romance that centers around the love of a business and the difficulties of being a woman in a man's world, Set the Night on Fire is both endearing and delightful. With strong characters and supporting case, you will love each and every page.

Ella Boudreaux buys a share in Abbott Brothers Garage and Restoration and begins working on site every day. Mack Abbott was not happy about his brother, Ford, selling his share of the business to Ella and he would be a lot happier if Ella were a "silent" partner. Soon, Ella and Mack are looking differently at friendships and at family and they're doing it together! I thought that they made a very good couple once they overcome a few misunderstandings.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Most likely, I would have been able to read this book in one sitting; if I had the time to devote to it. This was a "quick" read; meaning the story flowed very well, and it was engaging. I felt that the characters were well developed and had depth. The setting for the story is "small town southern America". The author packed a lot of content into a relatively standard book. She touched on so many things that occur in everyday life to a multitude of people: postpartum depression (baby blues), domestic violence (verbal and physical), addiction, therapy, stereotypes, proud neighbors in need, family dynamics, non-demonstrative father.

I liked the family dynamics and how the pasts that shaped the two main characters are what helps them deal with the present. The male main character, Mack, is a confident man used to being in-charge and feels like he is the one responsible for the "family". This makes him appear to have a no-nonsense gruff exterior and helps him keep unwanted people from interfering in his/his family's business. Ella, the main female character, has built her own business and recently gotten out of a bad marriage. She comes into Mack's family business, owning a share of it, and it immediately sets him off to want to get rid of her.

I loved this book Ella Boudreaux was a Rockstar. I already knew that I would love Mack but Ella was a great surprise. You think that she will be one way when you read the book description or the previous books in the series but in the end she is sooo much more.

Overall this book and this series was amazing. It kind of went full circle and answered a lot of questions and hopefully opened the door to more books in the series... because I am not ready for it to end.

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book.

Set the night on fire, was a little more risque than I usually like to read. I prefer clean romance reads. The plot was cute, but the intense details and innuendos were constant throughout the book. If you're looking for a clean read, this is not it.

Award-winning author Laura Trentham takes us back to Cottonbloom with Set the Night on Fire, the latest enchanting installment of her terrific series. Heartwarming, tender and wonderfully romantic, Laura Trentham’s books are must-reads for fans of small town romances.

Ella Boudreaux might look like a woman who has got it all, but beneath the designer clothes and expensive stilettos lies a woman with a lot to prove. When her marriage ended, Ella found herself alone and desperate to inject back into her life some of the happiness, fulfillment and contentment that was sadly lacking of late. When she thinks about her life and what made her happy, her memories take her to Cottonbloom and to the Abbott brothers’ garage. Ella has never forgotten all the laughter and joy which she had enjoyed all those years ago. She is determined to reclaim some of that happiness, so she decides to invest all of her time and money into the garage. However, she hadn’t counted on Mack Abbott being far from pleased about Ella’s investment in his business!

Mack is absolutely furious when he hears that his brother has sold his share of his business. What on earth does wealthy divorcee Ella know about cars and engines? Mack does not want Ella’s help and he is determined to let her know that he does not need her to tell him how to run a successful business as he can do that for himself! Ella should stick to shopping for designer dresses and leave him and his garage alone – especially as the more time he spends in her company, the more Mack finds himself attracted to her!

Ella knows that Mack does not want her anywhere near him, but what the hunky mechanic doesn’t know is that once she puts her mind to something, she does not quit until she has succeeded – and she is determined to make a success out of the Abbott brothers’ garage! As she and Mack begin to spend more and more time together, Ella begins to let down her guard, allowing Mack to breach the walls she has hidden behind and break through the defenses which she has built around herself.

Mack quickly realises that he was wrong about Ella. She is not a flighty and bored socialite looking for a project, but a woman who has had her fair share of heartache and unhappiness. When attraction and desire begin to rev up between the two of them, will Mack and Ella take a leap of faith and a chance on love? Or are they too scared to put their hearts on the line?

Set the Night on Fire is a magical contemporary romance that is funny, engrossing, dramatic, powerful and absolutely unputdownable. As always, Laura Trentham writes with flair, sensitivity and heart and she has penned a story about second chances, coming home and the power of love that will make you laugh as well as shed a tear or two.

I really enjoyed reading Mack and Ella’s love story. They were terrific characters who were well-drawn, believable and flawed. Their chemistry was off the charts, their banter funny and the romance between the two of them magical. Theirs was a story full of love and laughter that kept me hooked from start to finish.

A fantastic read from this immensely talented writer, whether this is your first visit to Cottonbloom or the latest of many, one thing is for certain, when you pick up Set the Night on Fire you will be swept away by this hugely enjoyable romantic read!

3.5 stars

Ella and Mack have both been burned by love and find trusting each other hard to do, but it makes it all the sweeter when they do!

Ella’s life has been turned upside down and shes finding her footing among the crew at the Abbott’s shop. Determined to make herself part of the garage, she finds it harder and harder to fight the pull she has with Mack, a grumbling auto restorer with a hard toned body. Only Mack continues to fight Ella’s place in the shop. The town has become home to Ella, seeking solitude after a personal decisions change her life. Mack is the only Abbott holding out, the one who refuses to accept change. Accepting Ella into the garage means he will have to find a way to let her in. Each day she manages to chip away at his defenses and show how valuable she is to the shop and how desirable she is to him.

The Abbott’s shop is like a second home to readers, the Aunt’s and previous couples are a great crew to welcome us back. Ella and Mack turn up the intensity of the novel, each one is a strong leading character who could easily give in a walk away but choose to stay and battle. Their chemistry starts as a simmer and boils over half way through the novel. Readers will enjoy seeing the healing between Mack and his family, it gives readers hope for Ford and Mack’s mom. Set the Night on Fire is a sweet, yet intense novel that easily kept my attention and the pages turning. Ms. Trentham has me anxiously awaiting to read more about the Abbotts.

A delectable story of starting over and finding what you never knew you were looking for! Who knew middle brother Mack with all of his gruff surliness would turn out to be my favorite?? I've really loved this series and all of the Abbott brothers that we've had put before us so far, but Mack just stole my heart. I didn't expect to like him so much, but the way he took to Ella even though he didn't want to, it was just a touching story. Really enjoyed it, and hope we get Ford's story one day!

Ella Boudreaux might have recently lost a cheating husband, but she's gained the means and freedom to do what she pleases. One of the happiest times in her life revolved around cars, so when she's handed the opportunity to buy into Abbott Brother's Garage, she jumps at the chance. She plans to use her marketing skills to aid the guys in building their classic car restoration persona. She wasn't counting on the negative attitude and downright hatred of the situation from one of the Abbotts though!

Mack Abbott will do just about anything to make sure the garage his father started and spent his life tending to remains a success. He's been trying for months to get Ford to buckle under and be a help to him and his other brothers in the day to day running of the shop, but all Ford seemed to want to do was gallivant here and there until he up and betrayed them by selling his quarter of the business to some trophy wife has been. He's furious ... and he's going to get back that 25 percent ownership if it's the last thing he does!

Mack Abbott was livid when his older brother, Ford, sold his portion of the family garage to Ella Boudreaux. Ever since his father had died, Mack had become almost obsessed with keeping things just the way they had been, and Ford’s decision felt like a betrayal of that desire. After a difficult divorce from Trevor, Ella needed to carve out a place of her own, and with her love of cars, nurtured by the memory of her brother Grayson; she felt this was a perfect opportunity.

Ella and Mack’s open warfare affected the day to day operations of the garage, with Mack’s twin brothers, Jackson and Wyatt, watching closely. Ella was great at marketing and computers, skills none of the Abbott brothers had, but Mack’s animosity towards Ella threatened to unravel all the good. Added into the mix is Megan, Ella’s former husband’s current wife, who had left Trevor and moved in with Ella in Cottonbloom, desperate to start her life over as well. The townspeople are kind and caring, the Abbott brothers are hard-working young men with a successful garage, and Ella has great ideas to market the garage while putting together a fundraiser for a couple in town. After reading several of Laura Trentham’s Cottonbloom books, I knew I was in for a treat, and I wasn’t disappointed.

This is a true laugh out loud book. The 6th book in the series yet can be read as a stand alone. I just happen to have read the previous book, “When the Stars Come Out”. The series is getting better with each installment. The Abbott brothers Mack, Jackson, Wyatt and Ford inherented and now run Abbott’s Garage and Restoration. The business their father started and was his life’s obsession. When Ford has problems he sells his share of the business to rich, divorced and beautiful Ella Boudreaux without the brothers knowledge. The saga explodes when Mack wants the business to stay in the family, alone.

The book continues the storyline from the previous book with the planning of Wyatt and Sutton’s wedding. Being from Texas I related to this conversation of the brothers discussion the up coming wedding. “All I have to do is show up, according to Sutton. Her mom is going a little crazy. She has mentioned a harp player and doves.” “Good Lord, one of the Abbott cousins might pull out a shotgun and shoot a dove if they’re in season.” Mack found a chuckle, and Wyatt joined him.” Now that is a laugh out loud line. Well worth picking up and reading.

It’s always a joy to revisit a favorite town, and Cottonbloom holds a special place in my heart. It’s a place where the women are sweet and little bit sassy, and the men are manly and whole bunch grumpy - but you learn to love them anyway. Set the Night on Fire is book six in Laura Trentham’s Cottonbloom series, and continues the story of the four Abbott brothers and their garage.

At the end of book five (When the Stars Come Out), we learn that Ford, the estranged oldest Abbott brother, has sold his one-quarter share of the family garage to Ella Boudreaux. None of the brothers are particularly happy about it, but second-oldest Mack is pissed off. It’s Abbott Garage and Restoration, damn it, and shouldn’t be owned by someone else. Let alone some random woman who’s new in town.

Ella Boudreaux has her own reasons for wanting to be part-owner of a garage. After divorcing her philandering husband and leaving Jackson, Mississippi for a new start, she’s excited about the challenge of helping the Abbott Garage grow. Even if she knows her presence at the garage is going to be less than welcomed.

In case anyone was watching, she pasted on a smile flavored with more than a bit of “I don’t give a damn what you think of me.” It was a smile she’d perfected since leaving her childhood home in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi, and it served her well.

And her fake-it-’til-you-make-it attitude was needed abundantly when dealing with Mack. Her beauty pageant looks hide a brain that is brilliant at business, and she has some great ideas for the garage. They were not met with enthusiasm.

“We don’t need help.” He shook his head and re-chinked the breaks in his wall of grump.

But the more determined Ella is to not be pushed out, the more Mack sees a woman who is smart, and kind, and maybe not so terrible to have around after all.

The thing I loved most about this book though, was not watching Mack’s heart thaw towards Ella - although watching them go from enemies, to friends, to lovers was delightful (I LOVE when a relationship develops in a natural way at a realistic pace). It was watching Wyatt and Jackson’s relationship with Mack (no one can give you crap about your crap better than a younger brother!) as they dealt with their past, and their estranged mother and brother.

Hard times either broke a person or applied a maturing lacquer.

I love how sometimes fiction can impart truths about life that are important for us all to learn. Like sometimes the things you think you know about your past, may not be all that accurate. And it’s never too late to mend bridges.

I continue to enjoy this Cottonbloom series. Ms. Trentham is a master at wordplay, frequently causing me to laugh out loud one minute, and then be teary the next. I love her characters, I love her dialog, I love her narration. These are enjoyable, feel-good stories with relatable characters. And I am looking forward to the next one!

* thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham is an interesting tale of brothers who own a garage specializing in classic car restorations. The location setting is even very interesting as the town is split by a river and one side considers itself superior to the other. The story opens with a young woman, Ella Boudreaux, owning a share of the garage which she has bought from one of the brothers who had no desire to be involved with the garage anymore. Matt Abbott, the brother most involved with the ownership of the garage, is not happy with the situation and makes it quite known to Ella. But the lady is bound and determined to make her part ownership work. Matt likes things the way they are and Ella is all about change and making things better. So the clash of wills fuels the romantic feelings of both. The story is more involved as Ella, who is divorced, also deals with her ex-husband and his new wife and Matt is dealing with the loss of his father, the brother who sold his share and his belief that his mother, who he believes has abandoned the brothers, is not worthy of loving. Mix in an interesting cast of characters and this story is quite interesting as the brothers resolve their problems, Ella takes on helping her ex's wife take a stand against him and the town rallies around a family in need of their help..

Laura Trentham did it again, she wrote yet another wonderful installment to the Cottonbloom series. Ella and Mack were perfect together, their story was beautiful, emotional and hooked me from the first page, this author really has a way of making me fall in love with her characters and her small town setting. The build-up Laura Trentham created for this couple was simply captivating. They can’t stand each other at first, Mack sees Ella as a threat. He doesn’t trust her and is convinced she has an ulterior motive. Their relationship is definitely rocky from the start, but it was wonderful to see that change slowly. These two have such undeniable chemistry. The contrasts and similarities in their personalities were fantastic. There is an intriguing backstory for both these characters and I enjoyed the inclusion of the entire Abbott family in their story. The family element just brought so much to the story, with humor and witty dialogue.

Ella is feisty, sassy and self-assured although she has had obstacles in her life that would weaken a lesser character. She is lonely and has denied herself emotional closeness and friendship, but she wants a fresh start in Cottonbloom. Her sentimental love of cars melts Mack’s heart. Ella is an agitator, she is determined and never backs down from a fight.

Mack is a wonderful character, he is somewhat rough around the edges, but also caring and gentle. He has shouldered a lot of the responsibility of his family’s business. He likes safe and familiar. And yet his relationship with Ella has changed him. She challenges him and triggers positive changes in his life.

This story is a believable romance between two memorable characters. Mack and Ella’s story was sweet and lighthearted yet intense and vibrant. It is a well written and engaging story from beginning to end. 4.5 stars

This was such a great read!😁💖 I love the kind of novel that just makes you smile and you get attached to the characters, welll this was one of them! It was fun and I loved the romance between the duo. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a smile and a little bit of laughter too!😁,