If one word could aptly describe a book it would be PHENOMENAL!!!
The fourth book in the Cottonbloom series but can also be read as a standalone.
This is Wyatt and Sutton's story-Wyatt owns a car restoration garage and Sutton is the owner of fine women's lingerie.
As a surprise to her fiancé Sutton takes his Camaro for some restoration work and never expected to find betrayal!
The damning piece of evidence -a thong from her boutique that she had sold to her best friend!!!
Wyatt cannot believe that any man could do such a thing to Sutton to him she's everything that a man could possibly wish for- she's been his secret fantasy since forever maybe even had a small piece of his heart!
So when Sutton breaks off the engagement and schemes to dish out the same in her ex-fiancé's face Wyatt is more than happy to play her FAKE lover!
But what started out as a fake relationship turns out into something much more than they both ever expected!
A love just as hot and strong as the Mississippi heat!!
I totally enjoyed this book it's hero and heroine were absolutely great together, Wyatt is the perfect gentleman supportive and loving to her. Sutton realizes how different her relationship is with Wyatt and that this is a man who she can rely on and worthy of her heart.

I received a complimentary copy from the author via NetGalley for my unbiased review.

I agreed to review this book for one reason... fake relationship! Also, it's set down south on the Mississippi and Louisiana border and I do have a thing about books set in the southern states of America. I fully blame X-Men for this fascination but that's a whole other conversation.

I agreed to this book because I saw mention of a good old fake relationship, and a revenge/saving face fake relationship at that. Poor Sutton discovers another woman's underwear under the seat of the classic car of her fiancé she is intending to get restored as an engagement present. It is also underwear she recognises as she sold it so knowing the 'other woman' definitely doesn't help matters. Instead of being broken hearted she gets angry and she gets even angrier when she learns her (soon to be ex) fiancé is going to try and turn it around on her so she does what any self-respecting woman does: she lies. She lies and says screw you I've been cheating too and quite conveniently she has just been dropped home by sexy mechanic Wyatt and has his number. They are old acquaintances so she is only very mortified to drag him into the lie and really, it is obvious where it goes from there.

Fake relationship stories are predictable so I do have slightly discerning tastes when it comes to them. I can put up with the usual plot points as long as it's done well and this book does it right. Both Wyatt and Sutton have their own reasons for faking a relationship. Sutton needs to save face with friends (and not be discovered as lying to her ex) and Wyatt can get word out about the garage and the restoration business he runs with his brothers. But both of them are attracted to one another and think the other doesn't care. It's a whole thing and it's written well. Sure, it was slightly frustrating that Sutton assumed things about Wyatt based off of gossip but who isn't guilty of that? The two had obvious chemistry from the start and were enjoyable to read about.

Sutton is very straight-laced. She's always done as her parents wanted and never rocked the boat so I liked seeing some of her personality shine through. I often get bored of nice girls in books because they are beige (as Sutton says about herself) they are boring and you don't care about them so seeing bits of Sutton break through and show she is more than a nice girl from a nice family was good. It was Wyatt which drove the book for me, though. He was sexy and charming and completely unaware of how nice he came across to everyone. He is from the wrong side of the tracks (or the river) and so some folks look down on him and make him feel bad, but very few because he is a nice guy who can smile at an awkward teenage girl and make her blush and flash those braces. He learns he can take a chance and ask for what he wants and doesn't have to accept his lot in life. He has his own life to live and got I loved him.

So, from this slightly rambly review (or word vomit of initial thoughts) I can say this was an enjoyable romance which had me swooning. I got frustrated at Sutton in the book but even her hesitance to trust was understandable because the girl had just been burned. There are the usual romance dramas to be seen (and family dramas) but it was a good book that I sped through and I really enjoyed it. Now to find the rest of the series and see if it's as good.

An interesting take on a small town, Romeo and Juliet type plot. An easy going read that should appeal to readers looking for a nice summery beach read.

Sutton and Wyatt began as just a way to get payback. Neither was expecting to find the experience to be so bonding. This small-town romance has a taste of this and a hint of that. Cottonbloom has made its presence known. Watching Sutton and Wyatt get to know each other while at the same time stirring a bit of a ruckus in town was fun and entertaining.

This was my first read from Trentham in this series. I found this small-town life had captured my attention, gave me laughs, good people, and a sense of home. This read gave me good writing, well rounded characters, a few laughs, and a sweet building romance between two people that have seen each other but didn’t really see each other. Watching then grow closer was beautiful.

This is Book #4 in the Cottonbloom series.  Sutton has been through a lot in such a short period of time.  She not only finds out that her fiancé has been cheating, but with her best friend.  Now Sutton is not sure about anything in her life.  She asks Wyatt to be her fake boyfriend.  I love storylines like this because as a reader the fake boyfriend turns into something real, but each of them don't want to say how they really feel.  Wyatt has always been a player.  Love them and leave them type.  Well, until Sutton.  Something inside him changed when he is with her.  Will Sutton open her heart to a man that would never hurt her like her ex fiancé?

This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be my last.  I want to go back to read the other books in this series.


☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

4 Stars

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, pain, betrayal, revenge, and heartbreak.

Before reading this story please read the below books first:
Kiss Me That Way (Cottonbloom, #1)
Then He Kissed Me (Cottonbloom, #2)
Till I Kissed You (Cottonbloom, #3)
Candy Cane Christmas (Cottonbloom #3.5)
Light Up the Night (Cottonbloom #3.75)

This is Sutton and Wyatt‘s story. Sutton is engaged but when she finds a lacy thong in her man’s car that is not hers she knows things are about to change. Since she runs a store that sold that thong she knows just who’s thong it is. Now how is she going to get back at her fiancé and her best friend? Wyatt has had a crush on Sutton for years. He is around when she finds the thong. When she comes up with a crazy plan that she needs Wyatt’s help with. What starts out as revenge turns into a whole lot more than they bargained for. Now what will she do? She was engaged to one man but she is falling for a different one. Could she have been wrong about who she thought was in her future? Is Wyatt the right one for her?

I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

Wyatt and Sutton were perfect. Both had elements of the wrong side of the tracks (state line) trope, both were relatable in different ways, and they had serious chemistry, even when just pretending. Loved it!

A most enjoyable contemporary romance. Right from the first pages we want Sutton and Wyatt to get together. Sutton’s former fiancé is a cad and we delight that she is getting rid of him. Sutton’s BFF is so double-crossing that we have trouble with Sutton wanting to forgive her. There are steamy moments and villainous doings. This is a well written page turner perfect for all contemporary romance fans. I do wonder about the title, still can’t figure how one leaves the night on.

YAY! The Cottonbloom series continues! I'm so happy this series wasn't over with the last book. Book four of Laura Trentham's series starts with a different family arc, The Abbott brothers. Once again we met a family on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom. The Abbott brothers were raised by their father and their two aunts, their mother having ran off on them when the two youngest, twins, were still little. The boys grew up in their Dad's garage. Abbott Brother's Garage became popular for it's restorations on older model cars and by the time their dad died the boys were all grown up and ready to handle their share of the garage, well except the oldest. Wyatt is one of the twins and he's happiest when he's working on a new project.

From the Mississippi side of the river we met Sutton Mize the judge's daughter and owner of the town's boutique engaged to an up and comer lawyer, Andrew Tarwater. That all changes when Sutton takes Andrew's Camaro to Abbott's to get the interior overhauled and restored as an engagement gift, when she is cleaning out the car she finds a pair of underwear that is not hers and she knows exactly whose they are because she special ordered them for her best friend. Emotionally devastated and betrayed Sutton finds an unlikely friendship with Wyatt who was with her when she found them and since she was just betrayed by her best friend Wyatt was there for her to vent at and talk too. Sutton during her confrontation with the both of them she did something stupid she blurted out that she had been cheating on Andrew with Wyatt. Sutton then talks Wyatt into a fake relationship, she doesn't have to try too hard because Wyatt has had a crush on Sutton for longer than he can remember and he's willing to spend any time with her.

Wyatt falls easily in love with Sutton but he's has a curse hanging over his head, twins run in the family and the twins have never gotten married. So both Sutton and Wyatt are trying to talk themselves out of falling in love with each other; the more time they spend together the more they realize just how perfect they are for each other. But between Wyatt's older brother and Andrew and the fact that they come from different sides of the river Sutton and Wyatt have a lot to overcome before they can get their HEA.

Overall, Loved it! Sutton had more issues than you'd think and she does take advantage a little with Wyatt and Wyatt is full on even if he doesn't realize it at first. Laura Trentham writes great small town romance and I love this divided little town, I can't wait for the other books.

For something more familiar, Leave The Night On by Laura Trentham is a sweet small-town romance and the fourth book in her Cottonbloom series. Sutton Mize is the perfect small-town Southern girl: She's engaged to the "right" man, owns a boutique on the upscale side of town, and is a well-behaved Daddy's girl. That is, until she finds a pair of panties in her fiancé's vintage Camaro and discovers that he's cheating on her with her best friend.

Wyatt Abbott is a mechanic at his family's garage and he'd really been looking forward to fixing up that Camaro. But then he finds himself comforting Sutton as her world collapses — and he doesn't mind, since he's always had a crush on her. One thing leads to another and soon they're "pretending" to date to help her save face. To the surprise of no readers anywhere, Sutton and Wyatt find they hit it off, whether pretending to be on a date in town or getting cozy at home. One of the sexiest things about Wyatt is the way he adores Sutton and is determined to help her succeed, whether it's their grand fauxmance or her secret dream of designing dresses for her shop. Oh, he's got his own angst, and a few brooding moments — but he never takes it out on the heroine in the manner of some romance heroes. This is a romance that shows that simple and sweet can be just the love you need.

This is my first introduction to Laura Trentham. I LOVED the Abbott Brothers!!! Except. For. Ford. JERK.
Anyway, Wyatt and Sutton were good together. I say good because Sutton was just a little too, passive with her family. This book was a little too much "high society" meets "across the tracks" for me. I loved the opening! That's what caught my eye and made me pick the book up. I'm definitely interested in reading more of the Abbott brothers. I would love to dive into more of the small town of Cottonbloom.

I dug into this book eagerly and with some popcorn by my side. The premise of the book is that Sutton Mize wants to get her fiance something as an engagement/wedding gift...so she takes his Camaro in to have it restored - to Wyatt (who is an awesome book boyfriend y'all) who finds a thong that doesn't belong to Sutton in her boyfriends car!! He unknowingly thinks it's hers and offers it back to her, all the while she's been cataloguing receipts for expensive dinners out and add in the "mystery thong" and you have a cheater! Sutton devises a plan after finding out that Andrews been cheating with her best friend Bree, that she's going to need Wyatt a lot more than he needs her. She wants him to "fake" date her in order to get revenge and what begins is a beautiful love story between the two. What I found myself loving the most was that Wyatt wasn't a rich, worldly guy who had all the answers. He was just a guy who fell in love with Sutton when she was little and has been trying to get her attention ever since. At times, my heart broke for him because he wore his feelings like a badge of honor and Sutton's been betrayed by the two people who should have had her back that she's given up on love. Wyatt really never gave up on her and loved her through everything. I'm hoping that Mack or Jackson's book is next...I could care less if Ford jumped off the ledge of a high rise building - he's such a prick. There was some angst, some heat and some sex, but not overwhelmingly so much that it made it a DNF. This for me was a refreshing story and I loved the aunt's, along with Sutton's parents and sister. It was nice not to have all the OTT drama with family. I would recommend this to everyone...even my mom!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and do not reflect anyone else's.

Omg i adore this story. I can't wait for more of the brothers. Im dying

Sutton and Wyatt aren't strangers, but they are from different sides of Cottonbloom. When Sutton discovers her fiance has been cheating with her best friend, she lies that she and Wyatt have been involved as well. Wyatt agrees to go along with it because of his childhood crush on Sutton.

There is a bit of a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING between Sutton and Wyatt, just as their true love starts to take hold, thanks to something said by Wyatt's oldest brother, Ford. I'll be interested to see how Ford is portrayed in future books.

It's always fun to visit Cottonbloom - both sides! - and see characters from the previous series. The Abbotts of Cottonbloom, Louisiana, have a lot of tension simmering between them, so I'm excited to see where this new series goes.

Don't you love finding a new author? Laura Trentham is another author that I've heard of and one that I've wanted to read. First off, her covers are gorgeous. I love how rich and eye-catching they are. I would want to live there and find myself a hunky Abbott. Secondly, I love the idea of two sides of Cottonbloom that are connected by love. I'm not sure which side of the river I'd want to live on since both sides sound beautiful. In Leave the Night On, we meet Sutton and Wyatt. Sutton is the judge's good-girl daughter that's ready to get a little crazy after the end of her engagement to cheating Andrew. Wyatt is the boy from the other side of town that's had a childhood crush on Sutton. He did everything boys do when they like a girl... When she tells a little white lie about her and Wyatt, how can he just walk away now that he may get a chance with her? What starts out as harmless fun quickly turns into something more.

It has been a long time since I've read a true southern romance and I freaking loved it! I loved Laura's writing style, especially her choice of words. It probably sounded like a true southern romance since Laura herself is from Tennessee. I didn't know what type of book this was going to be. Would there be sexy time? Or will it happen behind closed doors? For you sexy time fans, you'll be happy to know that Wyatt and Sutton are all for having a good time. I had such a fun time reading Leave the Night On that I wanted to live in the pages. I wanted to be friends with Sutton. I wanted to go to the bonfire with their friends. I wanted to watch them fall in love. And it is killing me that Ford is up to no good! What is going on there?! I adored this book so much that I just might have to go back and start the series from the beginning while we wait for the next book. I want more!

So I have the great honor of reviewing Leave The Night on by Laura Trentham, and even though this is the fourth book in the Cottonbloom series, it didn't matter, as the book can be read as a stand alone.

Everything was going to plan in Sutton Mize life, daughter of the judge, engaged to an attorney, and the co-owner of a high end boutique in Cottonbloom, Mississippi. That is until she found her best friends thong in her fiancé car, did it all come crashing down around her feet. But thankfully, she was not alone when the discovery was made, she had an unlikely ally in Wyatt Abbott.

Wyatt Abbott always had a thing for Sutton, and when he saw what pain and embarrassment she went through when she discovered the underwear, Wyatt was determined to defend her, and was equally happy to help her save face, by pretending to be her boyfriend, but will it just stay a presence?

There are so many things that I really like about this book, from the characters to the setting, but what stole it for my, was the fact that Wyatt and Sutton don't come from the same background. Sutton came from money and a place in society, and Wyatt came from a working class family and is a self made man. Most of these story lines fall flat, but not with this book, I was enchanted by it. I know it's a tough one for people to read, when the women is wealthier than the man; but it's acceptable for a women to be poorer? But this book could truly change you way of thinking.

I really enjoyed Wyatt and Sutton's characters, each of them bring so much to their relationship, that you can't choose between them. The writing and plot were well written and truly a delight to read, and I plan to get the other 3 books as well, as I really enjoyed the authors writing.


I give Leave The Night On 5 stars!

Hot of the press...Released on August 1.
LEAVE THE NIGHT ON, the first book I have read by Laura Trentham, is #4 in THE COTTONBLOOM Series and can easily be read as a standalone.

A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They are two worlds apart. Can the gap be bridged?

The cover is beautiful and the story is about a lovely beautiful young boutique owner from the rich side of the river and how she copes with a shocking discovery of betrayal.

I liked Sutton Mize and had mixed feelings when her betrayal was revealed. Wanting Sutton to know the truth, but not wanting her to be hurt had me cheering for Wyatt Abbott, part owner and mechanic of Abbott Brothers Garage and Restoration. I also liked Wyatt's twin brother, Jackson, their older brother, Mack and their Aunt Hazel and her twin sister, Hyacinth.

Andrew Tarwater, Bree Randall and Ford
Abbott were characters I loved to dislike.

I enjoyed reading this romantic story with a twist or two. The similes were very astute.

"...it incited annoyance like a swarm of no-see-ums."

"It's like talking to a termite-riddled tree stump."

"When he entered, she locked eyes with him, and everything inside of her settled down like a cat finding its favorite spot in the sun."

"The hurt in her voice was like a foot long paper cut on his heart."

"Wyatt looked around, feeling like a freshwater fish dumped in the ocean."

If you are looking for a light read between some heavy reading or enjoy romance books, I recommend LEAVE THE NIGHT ON by Laura Trentham.

A digital galley of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

3.5 stars

When I signed up to review Leave the Night On I didn't realize it was book 4 in the series but there is no problem reading it as a standalone. I didn't even realize who the couples from the previous three books were until I looked them up on Goodreads.

This was a really cute story. It's not the most original but I still enjoyed reading it and seeing Sutton blossom after recovering from the shock of finding out her best friend and fiance were having an affair. She's a sweet character and I felt bad for her though she was a little too sweet and forgiving for my tastes but that's just me being vindictive on her part. lol. I loved Wyatt's character and seeing how he was the glue among his brothers. Their relationship was sweet and predictable. Still the writing was sweet enough that I would love to see Wyatt's twin brother's story next!

I am going to confess to being a little less than excited about reading and reviewing this book, because recently I came to the following realization: the fake relationship trope isn't my favorite. There's too much non-communication between the hero and heroine, which just frustrates the bejeebers out of me. And that was definitely the case in Leave the Night On.

However, I didn't even care!!!

This book is absolutely delightful. For starters, the humor is plentiful and effortless. Sometimes it can feel like the author is trying too hard to make a story (or the characters) funny, with the end result being a book that isn't. I don’t think the author was trying to write a funny book, but she did! The characters are charming - especially the hero, Wyatt - and his conversations with the heroine, Sutton, are witty and clever.

But even more than the couple, I loved the heroine and hero as themselves. Sutton is a sweet, quietly spunky southern girl, and Wyatt is a manly mechanic with a heart that personifies the saying “still waters run deep.”

Sutton Mize has been dealt a huge blow - she's just discovered her fiancé has been having an affair with her closest friend. The good southern upbringing she was raised with prohibits her from throwing an all-out tantrum, but she did allow herself some choice words to her former best friend.

Her words hit their target, and the petty, humiliated part of her celebrated with jazz hands and high kicks…. The role of forgiving nice girl who never rocked the boat would have to go to her understudy tonight.

But before she reigns her mouth back in, she's announced to her ex-fiancé and ex-best friend that she's been seeing someone else, too.

Wyatt is part owner of an auto-restoration and repair garage. He's know Sutton most of his life, but grew up on the other side of the river. He's the total opposite of the lawyer-fiancé who cheated on her, and the last person anyone in the town of Cottonbloom believes will catch Sutton’s eye. But because of his kindness during her humiliation, he does. He knows there's little chance she'll stay around for the long run, but he's determined to do his best to show her how she should be treated.

“You look real pretty in your dress and heels, but I like you a little messy and wild. Makes me feel like home.”

Gah, I really like Wyatt!

What I didn't like is all the internal dialogue about how they both liked each other but knew their relationship would end after three weeks, blah blah blah… But that's my hang-up with this trope, and despite it, I still really liked this book. There was also a side-plot with Wyatt’s mother that never went anywhere. I'm not sure if that will be addressed further along in the series, but it seemed odd to include it if it's not going to be developed - which I really wish it would have been.

Laura Trentham is a new author to me, and I'll definitely be looking to read more from her in the future. This Cottonbloom series has all the things I love: a small town, close families, and plenty of humor. The writing is excellent, and made a book that I wouldn’t usually enjoy a total joy to read. And I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

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