LEAVE THE NIGHT ON is book four in Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom series. This is the first book I've read by Laura Trentham, but LEAVE THE NIGHT ON has made me a fan. This is a book that will appeal to readers who love character-driven romances with sweet and sexy heroes. Sutton Mize is dealt a double-whammy when she discovers that her fiancé is cheating on her with her BFF. The discovery of the betrayal ends up being something of a blessing in disguise because it helps Sutton find a new direction in life and allows a romance to blossom with Wyatt Abbott. The shock of the betrayal causes Sutton to panic and Wyatt soon becomes her fake boyfriend to save face. This is one of the most charming fake romance- turned-real stories I've ever read, and lots of fun.

The characters in LEAVE THE NIGHT ON are the heart and soul of this book. Wyatt and Sutton are both realistically flawed, but you root for and want to spend time with them. Despite being known as a ladies' man in the past, Wyatt is honest with Sutton and considerate of her feelings. The same cannot be said of her ex, so Wyatt is a refreshing change. He doesn't want to indulge in anything too hot and heavy too soon, and just be Sutton's rebound guy. There are a lot of stories out there about a woman devastated by a cheating ex. What I like about Sutton is that, rather than fall to pieces and contemplate taking back her ex-fiancé, she uses the time to re-evaluate what she wants most in life and who she wants to be. Much to her surprise, Sutton finds the betrayal by her friend to be the biggest blow. While Sutton works through her friendship issues in LEAVE THE NIGHT ON, Wyatt deals with the drama of working in a family-run business, and the lingering grief over the death of his father. I love how Wyatt and Sutton support each other.

As Wyatt tries to give Sutton space to sort her emotions out, while going on "fake dates" with her, the sexual tension is amazing. The sensual awareness Wyatt and Sutton have of each other is delicious, making the moment they finally give in to their attraction that much more explosive. I'm a sucker for nice guy heroes and Wyatt is the cream of the crop. Laura Trentham balances the tension and emotional wow with the steamy fabulousness.

LEAVE THE NIGHT ON is a must-read for contemporary romance fans that fires on all cylinders. Laura Trentham does a wonderful job of creating a sense of place in LEAVE THE NIGHT ON and painting a picture that is both beautiful and poignant. The characters in LEAVE THE NIGHT ON don't always act how you'd expect -- in both good ways and bad. I can't wait to read Jackson's book next!

Book Summary

Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge―life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .

Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .

Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage―and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?