REVIEW: Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham

In Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham, Ford Abbott has followed through on his threat to sell his portion of the garage his brothers owned to Ella Boudreaux. Mack, the oldest brother, is furious and determined to get the garage completely back into Abbott-only hands. Ella, having gotten out of an abusive relationship with her ex-husband, has her own reasons for wanting in on the garage. She refuses to let Mack scare her away. As they spend time together, Mack acknowledges that Ella isn’t so bad, but will he be willing to let her keep her portion of the garage?

First, I recommend reading books four and five of the series (Leave the Light On and When the Stars Come Out) before this one. These books feature the other Abbott brothers and they build up to Ford selling his portion of the garage. You could probably read this as a standalone, but I feel it would help you get a better understanding of the brothers, their relationship, and why Mack is so angry with Ford.

That being said, I really enjoyed this addition to the series. I felt for both Ella and Mack. Ella is a successful business woman, even though most people don’t know that. They assume she’s living off the money she received from her divorce settlement, and she’s ok with that. No one knows why Ella wants to invest in a garage when it’s clear she has no knowledge of how to even do an oil change, but she has a sentimental reason for it.

Mack is carrying around anger and disappointment in Ford, but also for his mother as well, who left the four boys when they were young. He struggles to find peace with both of them. I liked how Ella encourages him to do what’s best for him, not for everyone else.

Mack and Ella butt heads constantly, but find one thing they can agree on–hosting a fundraiser to help a local couple struggling with bills since the husband’s cancer diagnosis. It really opens their eyes to one another and they begin to see each other in a new light and gain a new appreciation for one another.

While Ella is dealing with Mack, she also has to deal with her ex’s current wife–the woman he cheated on Ella with. Even though she has every reason to hate the woman, Ella takes her in and helps her learn how to stand on her own two feet, which only shows how generous of a person she was.

Despite Ford coming across as the bad guy in what went down, he clearly had some issues. I hope he’ll get his own book so he can have his HEA, because, despite what he put his brothers through, he deserves to find some happiness, too.

Of course the Abbott aunts are back, meddling in their nephews lives once again. In addition to the other Abbott brothers and their significant others, there are also appearances from other people in Cottonbloom, from both the Mississippi and Louisiana sides, who have been in previous books. While one side of the river is affluent and the other is not, they always band together and become one Cottonbloom when one of their own needs help; this book is no exception.

If you’re new to the series, you’re in for a treat. I can’t recommend this series enough. With small town charm and enjoyable characters, it’s definitely worth a read.
 

Book Info:

Publication: July 31, 2018 | St. Martin’s Press | Cottonbloom #6

Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes–and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcee who shows up to the garage in stilettos–and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?