{Review} All Lined Up (Rusk University #1) by Cora Carmack

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 13th, 2014
Finished Date: January 14th, 2015

Publishers: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Bought
Format: Kindle

Pages: 320

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack follows up her trio of hits—Losing It, Faking It, and Finding It—with this thrilling first novel in an explosive series bursting with the Texas flavor, edge, and steamy romance of Friday Night Lights.

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

The Review: I’d been wanting to read All Lined Up since it was first released and eventually managed to snag it a couple of months ago on kindle really cheap – I’m sure it was like 59p – so you know I couldn’t say no to that. But it was a very well spent 59p because All Lined Up was just as good as I was hoping it would be.

Dallas Cole has grown up around nothing but football. Her father coach football and her ex-boyfriend is a quarterback but for Dallas, she hates the sport because she’s always comes second to it. Moving to Rusk University is supposed to be her way out but when her father takes a new coaching job and her ex-boyfriend gets a scholarship there, football seems to be following her everywhere. So when she meets Carson McClain – someone she has an instant connection to – she’s devastated when she finds out he plays football too but can’t deny the attraction between them.

Carson McClain needs to become Rusk University’s staring line up to get the scholarship he needs to continue school. But when Dallas Cole comes into his life he is determined to not get distracted and more importantly finding out that she’s the new coach’s daughter should turn him away but it doesn’t. No matter what Dallas has Carson’s full attention and soon these two discover what it’s like to have something else to focus on.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a new adult story because I find I have to be in the right mood for a new adult story but Cora Carmack did a great job with All Lined Up. I find myself hoping I can get around to reading All Broke Down sometime soon.

I really enjoyed both Dallas and Carson and the fact that it’s told in a dual narrative is a bonus to. I liked Dallas, I loved that she was head strong and determined. But I think I liked Carson more. What surprised me was he’s not your typical football player. He doesn’t play around with girls. He’s not a player. He’s quiet and dedicated. And most of all he’s honest. He surprised me. I was expecting another bad boy that reforms because of the girl but Carson really isn’t that. He’s already a good guy and that was totally unexpected.

In all, All Lined Up is a good and easy read and one that makes you invest in the characters. I can’t wait to read more from Cora Carmack.

A Joint Review for Losing It (Losing It #1) by Cora Cormack

Posted by Donna & Jess
Release Date: February 26th, 2013

Publishers: Ebury Digital
Source: For Review

Format: Kindle

Pages:  288 
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Love. 
Romance. 
Sex. 
There’s a first time for everything...

As far as Bliss Edwards can tell, she’s the last virgin standing, certainly amongst her friends. And she’s determined to deal with the ‘problem’ as quickly and simply as possible.

But her plan for a no-strings one night stand turns out to be anything but simple. Especially when she arrives for her first class and recognises her hot new British professor.

She'd left him naked in her bed just 8 hours earlier...

General Thoughts: 

Donna: This is another great addition to the New Adult genre. Losing It is a intense and sexy read - one I really enjoyed. The story starts with a kick and I loved how quickly it pulled me in. I loved the relationship between Bliss and Garrick - even though it was a teacher/student relationship - which I'm not a huge fan of, I'm glad the author didn't play up their relationship. They still had the struggles of a student/teacher relationship but I was glad it wasn't a 'getting caught' story. Bliss provides so many humour moments that she made parts of the story very funny. 

Jess: Really enjoyed this book. It was great to finally have a British love interest, you don't get them often. I liked that the story dealt with the student/teacher relationship and dealt with really well even though the characters are college age. I did feel that it lacked a little drama, when dealing with student teacher relationships I think it needs drama, and this kind of lacked a lot. I loved both Garrick and Bliss, although she annoyed me a little in parts. Overall, it's a great story, with great characters and a wonderful HEA. I laughed a helluva lot in this book. Start to finish it really tickled me with the banter and situations Bliss found herself in. She's a funny chick.

Favourite character:

Donna: It's a toss up between Garrick and Bliss. And even though I loved Bliss - I loved how funny she was, I'll go with Garrick. Not just because he's hot but he was a very well rounded character. He's very open and I also loved that his was British too.  And that epilogue in his POV really was the icing on the cake! 

Jess: Ha! This is a hard one. I'm going with Garrick. I don't know, maybe I'm biased because he's British, but I loved everything about him. Who he was, what he represents, how he handled his and Bliss's situation. Plus he's hot. So yeah, Garrick most definitely! 

Favourite quotes:

Donna: "What? Just because I can't have you right now, doesn't mean I'm okay with him having you." 
My brain tripped over that right now phrase again, but I forced my thoughts away from it. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just refer to me like property to be owned." 
"Can't we own each other?" 

Jess: I have a couple of quotes actually, there were so many good ones:

“What cat? Oh! MY CAT. The cat… that is mine. Oh, she’s... ” I had said it was a she, right? “She’s fine. All meowing and purring and other cat things.” -Bliss

“What's your name, love?" Love? LOVE! Still dying, here. "Bliss." "Is that a line?" I blushed crimson. "No, it's my name.” "Lovely name for a lovely girl.” -Bliss and Garrick

“Bliss, I don’t normally do things like that. But I was second-guessing everything about coming here, and you were everything I needed. I don’t know how many times I’ve stopped myself from coming over here and knocking on your door. And yes, seeing you with Cade was definitely motivation, but more than that… I just like you, Bliss. As a teacher. As a person. As a guy” - Garrick

After thoughts and final rating: 

Donna: Losing It is a story about finding love for the first time and it's one that really left a mark on my heart. It's the perfect read if you're looking for drama with a intense and passionate relationship. 4.5 stars! 

Jess: I pretty much said all in general thoughts.  Overall a good story, great characters and and a HEA. Although it lacked in some parts, and Bliss annoyed me a little, it was generally a great read and one I'd recommend to everyone. Especially our US followers who enjoy a good British male lead :). My final rating is 4/5 stars due to the lack of drama in parts.