When the Stars Come Out is a good fit for readers seeking a contemporary romance between two characters with a deep emotional connection, as they navigate past traumas and find solace in each other.

WHEN THE STARS COME OUT - Laura Trentham

#5 in the Cottonbloom romance series

GREAT CHARACTERS! - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Willa Brown was on the way to somewhere else when she landed in Cottonbloom and found work at the Abbot brothers’ garage. . .and a sense of comfort and safety that she had never known. What begins as an unrequited crush for Jackson Abbott turns into something far more powerful than Willa could have ever imagined. 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?

Writing - 4 stars - As always, Trentham is able to create a scenario that makes sense, filled with people that I'd love to hang out with. The garage is a warm place, filled with family and caring, and Willa fits there well.

Characters - 4.5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Jackson is the quiet, intense twin that we met, briefly, in the previous book. He grew up in Louisiana as a wild child with little supervision. But he's good at what he does and is extremely loyal to friends and family. He's also a sexy hero--the strong, silent type but not alpha. Willa has been working for the garage for two years, but she's never really been "seen" by Jackson. For some reason, though, he now is interested, and he can't understand why he's been pretty much ignoring her for so long. Now he can't see anything without her. Their chemistry has been dormant, but now it's hot and growing. I loved them together. Both are quiet and isolated, but they make a strong and excellent team once they decide to get together.

Title - 3 stars - I'm not sure what this refers to, just that it fits into the previous series books referring to stars.

Cover - 4 stars - One of the covers, showing an embrace, is fairly typical for this genre, but the bright color draws the eye. Another cover, showing a bridge, is a beautiful night scene that is very attractive.

Overall - 4 stars - Although a typical romance, this book felt especially warm, with broken and uncertain main characters. Both Willa and Jackson are strong and sexy, but neither recognizes their strength and don't appreciate their loyalty and trust. I loved them together and was definitely rooting for their success together. It was good to revisit with the other Abbott brothers, Aunt Hazel and Hyacinth, as well as Sutton (Wyatt's girlfriend) and her dress design capabilities.

Enjoy the whole on the run/in hiding type of premise, so that was entertaining for me. Willa's reasons for running weren't the best though; I like a bit more suspense to the reasons why someone is on the run, but I do enjoy the bit of mystery to the scenario. Willa needed to be stronger sooner and not just run away from her problems, but I liked her. Jackson is a nice guy; he has his own hang-ups that have made him blind to Willa, but they are cute together. I liked that they were friends and worked together; I would've liked for Jackson to be a bit more alpha, but they do have a good chemistry. Some good steam and sweetness. Overall, an interesting, sweet romance.

Willa and Jackson were young, in love, and oblivious. Willa's youth led her to making selfish choices in her past and instead of facing the consequences she ran. Her crush on Jackson was present throughout while Jackson took a couple years to pull his head out of the business' books in order to see his crush on her. Without unrequited love gunking up the works they were able to progress and grow together with love and trust...well, up to a point. Full trust required Willa being open about her past and what led her to Jackson's garage in the first place. They were good together and while Willa's past was overly dramatic and more immaturity rather than mystery, she and Jackson were building something solid. Overall their story was sweet, but the plot was thin and then fizzled away.

A romance that is slightly different from others because Willa is a top mechanic, and has secretly crushed on her boss Jackson. Am I the only one that wished I could see Jackson in person because he sounded so good looking? The story between Willa and Jackson was cute, and the addition of Mack, Wyatt, Sutton, and the aunts was good too. I felt it rambled on a bit with the story of Ford, but it's clear it was all to set up the next story. Overall it was a good book and a fun read.

I have one in this series. I don't know why I haven't read more.
Setting small town on Louisiana border.
I liked that the heroines job was one you don't typically see. She is a mechanic. She has a crush on her boss Jackson.
Secondary characters are charming. Also enjoy the theme of forgiveness

A good story overall, but prefer the author’s Highland series. Would recommend this book and author, especially if you are familiar with this series.

I really liked this book! I thought Willa was a great main character, and the mystery behind her was intriguing during the story. While it was interesting initially, I felt like it drug out too long, and there were too many things that were cautionary that were repeated over and over. This is why I downgraded to four stars. After the fifth time the author said they were worried, I was over it and started skipping sections. However, I was so invested in the characters I had to keep reading. This was book 5 but the first book I read in the series, and I felt like there was nothing missing in my understanding of the characters or the world. Overall good book!

I really like a good romance when the hero has to work a bit harder for the heroine's trust rather than the other way around. This is a good read that has solid characters, hot romance and chemistry and some drama to round it all out.

I liked this one, and the fact that it continued the Cottonwood stories really helped! Willa was a hard character to get to like, and I think it's because the readers couldn't get to know her right away. However, we did know Jackson, and that made him more likable in the beginning. Willa grew on me, and about half way through the story picked up. It was just a bit of a slow start. Overall really good!

This is Book #5 in the Cottonbloom series. I love reading books that are series and set in small town. The town across the street, but in a different state is named the same as Cottonbloom. I love that. I have only read Book #4 (Leave the Light On). Willa is mysterious. Not much is known about her. What happened to this woman before she came to Cottonbloom? Why is she so afraid to use her own name? Jackson did not noticed her for 2 years. I kept thinking why not? Why now? Men!!

This was very well written. This author has definitely captured the small town feel.
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

Absolutely loved this book!!
When Ellie Boudreaux bought out Ford’s share of the Abbott’s garage, she did it for the memories of her brother.
Mack Abbott isn’t happy to say the least and isn’t shy to show his displeasure at an outsider owning part of his family business.
When the sparks fly it isn’t all business but quite a bit of the heat is coming off Ellie and Mack. Can they overcome their differences to run the garage together or will one of them lose out?

YES YES YES YES YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS is my reaction whenever a Cottonbloom novel lands on my Kindle and this one is no exception. While not my favorite of the bunch - the heroine made complete sense for who she was and her back story, but she's not someone I loved spending time with - it was still a damn delight and a recommended read for sure.

Oh, my god. I've never had such a visceral connection with a character like I did with Willa.

Let me set the scene for you...

I'm reading one night when I decide to listen to a little bit of The Greatest Showman soundtrack. I get to a particular scene in When the Stars Come Out just as I get to the song This is Me. Cue the waterworks because I ugly cried. The lyrics in the song fit Willa's emotions during that scene perfectly. Willa is so used to being on her own and when Jackson swoops in wanting to protect her, she doesn't know what to do. Jackson only has her best interest in heart, but Willa desperately wants to maintain her freedom. She is constantly doubting herself and Jackson just wants her to know that she's worthy of love. The scene with the addition of the song... It's a good thing this happened when the house was quiet because I sobbed. I know the book was written way before the movie even came out, but I've never experienced a connection between a book and a song this strong before. These lines in particular...

and I know that I deserve your love
(Oh-oh-oh-oh) 'cause there's nothing I'm not worthy of
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh)
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
This is brave, this is proof
This is who I'm meant to be, this is me

After just reading two books, I want Laura on my favorite authors list. I need to read her earlier books. I love her writing style. There were moments where I laughed out loud and moments that made me tear up. Her characters are so friggin' adorable. Willa... I wanted to be her friend. I loved how Jackson's family rallied around her. Jackson will for sure be one of my favorite book boyfriends for 2018. Everything about this book was so friggin' good.

Loved it, have to go read the ones I missed.

This is a voluntary review and I do not get paid for this review.

a delightfully entertaining read!!!!

This is the first book I have read in the six book Cottonbloom series. This is book 5 in the series. It thoroughly enjoyable, and you are not disadvantaged not reading the earlier books. It's a delightful tale of 2 mechanics coming to their realization of their interest in each other, which overcomes obstacles, blossoming into trust and love.

I have voluntarily posted a review consisting of my honest opinions. I received this product for free from Netgalley.

We met the characters of this book in the last book and in this book the chemistry is off the charts!! I loved Willa. We find out that in this book that the reason that she keeps to herself is a really good reason. She's also the only female mechanic at Abbott Brothers Garage and Jackson Abbott doesn't dislike her as much as he says or act as he does. He likes her, in fact - he likes her a lot!! I also found the reasonings for Willa believing she was in the situation she was, a little weak, that-said I pretty much read the book in one sitting. I can't wait for the next book. I liked this book but I liked the other ones a little better.

This author never disappoints! This book grabbed my interest and held it from start to finish. It's a very emotional book, full of drama, a bit of suspense and lots of wonderful romance with some humor mixed in. Well written story that moved at a very good pace. I loved the Abbott brothers! I'm looking forward to reading more!

Title: When The Stars Come Out
Series: Cottonbloom Book #5
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Laura Trentham
Genre: Romance
Blurb: Cottonbloom. A beautiful, faraway place where a woman can escape her past—and find reason to stay forever. . .

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?
Thoughts: This was my first book by Laura Trentham, and I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything having not read the prior books in the series. Oddly enough, this book reminded me a bit of the Body Shop Bad Boy series by Marie Harte....not just the small town mechanic shop vibe of the book, but the writing style as well. Willa was a tragic but interesting character and she is what really made the book for me. Jackson was a good character, but a bit oblivious at times. Nevertheless, I enjoyed their story, and would happily read more books by this author…
Rating: B
Other books in this series: Kiss Me That Way (Book #1), Then He Kissed Me (Book #2), Till I Kissed You (Book #3), Candy Cane Christmas (novella book 3.5), Light Up The Night (novella book 3.75), Leave The Light On Book #4)

I haven't read the first four books in this series but you honestly don't need to read them. Although, I do plan on going back and catching up because I enjoyed the story.

Willa Brown finds herself stranded in Cottonbloom and trust there's not much going on in this town, or is there? When she's suddenly employed by the Abbott brothers she tries to fight off an attraction to Jackson Abbot. Jackson, wants nothing to do with her, or is he hiding his feelings.

When Willa's past catches up to her, only Jackson can help her.