REVIEW: Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham

In Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham, there are two sides to the town of Cottonbloom: Cottonbloom, LA, which was poor, and Cottonbloom, MS, where the wealthier people lived. Monroe Kirby, a child from the “right” side of the river, runs away from her house when her mother’s boyfriend tries to assault her. She hides out in Cade Fournette’s boat and, once discovered, develops an unlikely friendship with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Every full moon she would meet him in their spot, until one day he stopped showing up.

Cade had it rough; not only was he poor, he was a teenager trying to raise his younger brother and sister after the death of his parents. He had no choice but to drop out of school and steal to support his siblings, but when he was caught too many times, the Chief of Police gave him an option: go to jail or leave town. Cade took off and never looked back, until an accident causes his brother, Sawyer, to force him to return home to heal. Needing physical therapy, his therapist turns out to be the one person he didn’t expect–Monroe.

I liked Cade and Monroe. Their friendship picks up again as they learn about each other as adults. Neither is the same person they were when he left. Monroe is not only a physical therapist, but she also teaches self-defense classes at the gym Cade’s sister, Tally, owns. Cade is no longer poor but a successful entrepreneur, yet he still feels like the people from the MS side of town still look down at him despite his success. His own siblings, not knowing the real reason he left town, harbor resentment towards him, even though they were the ones who forced him home.

There were times I disliked Cade’s brother, Sawyer. He was angry towards Cade because he had left, but he never asked why he took off. He acted like none of the sacrifices that Cade made for him mattered; instead, Cade was simply the bad guy for leaving. Eventually they talk everything out, but it probably should have happened much sooner than it did. I did like the interaction and competitiveness between Sawyer and the mayor of Cottonbloom, MS, Regan, and I look forward to see who wins the contest between the two Cottonblooms. I’m also interested in learning what happened between the two of them to cause the hostility they seem to have for one another.

Kiss Me That Way is a well-written story about old friends reconnecting and reuniting as lovers. If you enjoy stories about small town romances or people from the opposite sides of the tracks finding love with one another despite the obstacles they face, then you should consider reading this book.

Book Info:

Publication: May 31, 2016 | St. Martin’s Paperbacks | Cottonbloom Novels #1

A river divides Cottonbloom in two: the upscale enclave on the Mississippi side and the rundown, rough and tumble side in Louisiana. They’re worlds apart—but nothing can build a bridge like love…

Cade Fournette never had it easy Cottonbloom. He stuck around long enough to raise his orphaned siblings and then hightailed it out West—and never looked back. Even though he’s made a success of himself in Seattle, Cade never lost the toughness and the angry edge that helped him survive down South. His only weak spot: the girl he left behind…

Monroe Kirby came from the wealthy side of town, but that didn’t protect her from her mother’s drinking—or her mother’s boyfriend. It was Cade who did that, on a long-ago hot September night, before he disappeared…along with a piece of her heart. Now Monroe is a physical therapist who can fight for herself, and it’s Cade who could use some conditioning when he makes an unexpected return back home. Will he and Monroe pick up where they left off and finally explore their mutual passion—or will the scars and secrets of the past divide them once more?