Cora Carmack

Dallas Cole struggles with her identity after her Texas high school football coach father accepts a job at her University in this new novel from the New York Times best-selling author of Losing It. Original. 50,000 first printing.

A Rusk University Novel

All Lined Up

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.

Lover of Romance 

Review-All Lined Up Summary 
Dallas Cole hates football, her father raised her and she always came second to his coaching. But when she dates a football player in high school, and got her heart-broken, she knew that she could never be with anything that was connected to the sport. She is determined to focus on her studies and her dancing. Football is her past, and dancing is her future. When her roommate drags her to a party, she finds herself in a bad position, facing her ex, and she meets Carson McClain. Carson, loves football, and will do anything to succeed. He needs the scholarship so he can stay in college, and he needs to focus all of his attention on his classes and football…he can’t afford any distractions…and Dallas is one big distraction. But he can’t resist her, and on one evening where they share the most sensual kiss of his life, he definitely knows he is about to be tested, because not only is she smart and sexy, there is one problem….she is the Head Coach Cole’s daughter, and if they are found out it could mean he can’t play football anymore.
The Hero 
Carson McClain, needs to succeed at Rusk University…this is his only chance to make something of himself. All he knows if farming and football, he doesn’t believe he can do anything else. Carson is driven to become more than he is. Carson is willing to do whatever it takes to make it on the team, no matter how many hours he has to train and lift weights, or run…he will do anything. Carson is a hero to love, he has such drive and passion, to be good at something. He doesn’t have much self-esteem at first, but as his confidence builds, he starts to believe he has talent…and that he can do something more than farming. I love how determined he is…I mean boy is he determined to do what needs to be done.
The Heroine 
Dallas was raised by her father, a father whose sole attention was on football rather than raising his daughter. She has always felt like she was second to everything else in his life. Her mother abandoned her when she was little, and her father refuses to let her even leave the state to go to a New York dancing school, but keeps her here in Texas, at a university he approves of, and is coaching at. Dallas knows he is just being over protective, but she wants to dance professionally, and in order to do that she needs to leave Texas and go to a program that will be a benefit to her. Dallas is more reserved and focused. What I enjoyed about Dallas is when she wants to she can relax and have a good time…with the right people. I enjoyed seeing her stand up to her father through the story, and fight for what she wants in her life.
Plot and Story Line 
This is first book in a fabulous New Adult series that just has me hooked. I have been wanting to try this author out for quite a while, and so I finally got the first book, and already bought the other two books in the series after reading this one….I loved it that much. What I enjoyed about this one…its not your typical New Adult romance…there is some conflict and drama, but its the type that you can easily relate to. I felt a kinship to Dallas, she is smart and talented, but not the most outgoing person in the world, she is more reserved and doesn’t mind keeping to herself once in a while…I totally related with her on that level. The hero just won my heart from the beginning, you see how much he is struggling to be something more, and he has compassion and a drive to admire. He doesn’t let anyone get him down and is so stubborn and I loved seeing his truer qualities shine through in this story. We definitely see a caterpillar blossom into a butterfly (star football player), he has what it takes to succeed and it was so fun to see him do it. The romance is sweet and romantic, and they do deal with some conflict, but they also come together when it matters most, and fight for each other…everything you need in a solid romance!!
The Cover 
I like it quite a bit…its a bit different, but many New Adult covers now are…I love the pose, its like they are so well fit together, they just relax into each other. It hints at the friendship they build throughout the book.
Overall View 
All Line Up is a friendship to lover romance….a story to know and love, a truly emotional and tender story. TRULY UNFORGETTABLE!!

Sven Test

Ever since I was in high school, I loved football. My love for football started with the movie Facing The Giants--it's what got me into the world of football. I never had a specific team I would root for because in Puerto Rico we don't have football teams, sadly. 

All Lined Up is the first book I have read from Cora Carmack and now I want all of her books (which I will buy tomorrow because I won $25 Amazon Gift Card while at the Pep Rally for All Broke Down) :D

I have to say I am frustrated with Dallas. I was getting antsy of when she would tell her dad she wanted to date Carson and she would do dancing because it was what she wanted. I'm not a patient person so waiting for that to happen had me on edge. 

Meeting Carson was definitely refreshing. He is a very sweet and hot guy with goals ahead of him. He pushes himself to be better at football and he tries to be a good student and get good grades. When he meets Dallas, he meets his distraction. I'd like to believe that Dallas was Carson's breath of fresh air. Like he stated in the book, Dallas is the one that pulls him together and I believe that. The reader gets to experience how, for her, he does his best and is trying to be there for her whenever she needs it, even when she pushes him away.

Dallas and Carson's story had a semi-rocky start. Their love wasn't forbidden, but it was hard for Dallas to date a football player, especially one that was on her dad's coaching team. Eventually, she let go of her fears and took a leap of faith. I am glad that everything worked out and Dallas and Carson got their happy ending, along with Dallas relationship with her dad.

If you aren't into sports or into football, give this story a chance. It will change your mind. I know it got me hooked on football again--it might hook you up too :)

Samantha 

Camila 

2.75 
Esperaba mucho más de Cora, luego de Faking It

Kelly Casey

As far as college romances goes I really liked this. I'm not into sports or dance, but I appreciated that the characters each had their own unique hobbies that they cared about outside of each other. Some romances don't develop the characters enough, but that isn't the case in this book. Both of the characters experience some growth, and I especially liked how Dallas and her father's relationship grew as well. Carson was just a total sweetheart, and there is one scene in particular where Dallas is upset and pushing their physical relationship as a way to deal with it, and he stops her and actually tries to make sure that she works through her emotions in a healthy way and so that they won't regret taking things further. I absolutely loved that about his character. I just thought it was such a sweet relationship start to finish, and even the conflicts didn't mess that up. I fully plan to continue the series, and recommend others give the series a try.

b.andherbooks

Friday Nights flavored college New Adult romance. I much preferred Cora Carmack's previous series, as I felt this one lost some balance with the attempts to imbue it with football lessons. I did enjoy the characters; both were strong and while there was tension and drama, it wasn't unrealistic or overblown.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
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Ok, I'll admit it. I have been putting off writing this review forever because I know no words can do this book justice. If it were up to me, I would just gush endlessly about how much I love-love-loved everything about this book and the story and the characters in lieu of a review. My review will probably be more of a ramble than anything resembling a coherent review, so stick with me while I go total fangirl on you. 

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

I was absolutely thrilled to learn that one of my favorite new adult authors was writing a series about football, Texas and love. Because, does it really get any better than that? I'm a total football addict. On Saturdays during football season, you can expect to find me camped out on the couch from noon until at least 10 PM watching game after game after game. I watch Sportscenter at the gym. I follow a TON of my alma mater's players (and former players) on Twitter. I watch the draft. Friday Night Lights will always be one of my all-time favorite shows. Yes, my name is Kim and I am a football addict. So, of course I was ecstatic to find out about this series, especially once I realized Cora's a coach's daughter and would bring that perspective to the book, making it even more real. 

  
    “I don't know that dancing fixes anything. I don't feel magically happy because of it. My problems don't disappear when the music ends. But I understand life better when I dance, and understanding is half the fight of surviving.”
  


  
    "You really want to have a conversation about what's not healthy?" She leans on the high-top table next to me and mimics, "Oh, Stella, he's so sweet and so nice. And I think I really like him. OH... JK HE PLAYS FOOTBALL. HE'S DEAD TO ME."
  

If you asked me what I loved most about All Lined Up, I wouldn't even begin to be able to narrow it to one thing. If I had to, however, I would say it was the characters. They feel more like friends than characters in a book. They were all just so realistic and multi-faceted and amazing. I would totally be friends with them in real life. The ladies of Rusk University are strong and sassy and among some of my favorite in NA lit. First off, you have Dallas, the dancer, reader, no-time-for-other-people's-bullshit, coach's daughter who hates football. I connected with Dallas. Hard. Minus that whole football-hating thing however, but even that made sense to me. I could understand her mixed feelings about football and the players. It would be expected. Her best friend Stella was all kinds of awesome. She's the life of the party, constantly trying to get Dallas to break out of her shell and loosen up. She reminded me so much of my best friend and roommate – except for the obvious differences like her being a tiny Asian pixie and him being a 6'3" gay man. Other than that, they could be the same person. 

  
    "I'm kidding, little lioness. I'm not looking to hook up with you. I just find your honest refreshing. That makes you better company than every person I've run across tonight."
  

The guys of Rusk U are nothing to sneeze at either. Of course, Carson is my favorite. I fully suspect I'll change favorites at least twice as I read the rest of the series, but Carson will always have a place in my heart. The best part about him? He wasn't a stereotypical football player! Yay! Whether this is because he's second string or because he worked hard to get where he was, or just because he was a down home country boy who was raised right, I don't know. But he was unlike the other football player characters I've read in other books and I loved it. He was sweet (and hella sexy) and driven. He had goals and took nothing for granted. Ryan is probably my second favorite male in the story. The team manager who is smart, funny and cute. He's a charmer and he's right up my alley. Levi, the starting QB and Dallas's DB (douchebag not defensive back) ex, is someone who will have to work pretty hard to redeem himself in my eyes, but if he doesn't, I'm ok with that. The other bad boy of RU, Silas, has me all kinds of curious. I have a wee bit of a crush on him and I can't wait for his book. 

  
    "And I... I'm still stuck. In my father's shadow. In Texas. In this lame state school with a joke of a dance program. And now I'm stuck at my first frat party with the ex who broke my heart. Yay college."
  

In All Lined Up, Dallas is away at college, trying to make a name for herself and find herself. It's not easy when you live in the shadow of a football coach father. While she would be beyond content to stay home and read or watch a movie, her friend Stella insists on dragging her out to a party. It's at that party she not only runs into her ex, but is hit on by a total player and ultimately winds up meeting Carson in an attempt to escape from the other two. They forge a quick connection without really knowing much about the other. Carson is trying to stay focused, which of course means staying away from girls, but something about Dallas makes him rethink that. Dallas learns he's a football player and has mixed feelings because she swore she'd never date another football player, but there's something special about him that makes her want to give him a chance. What happens between them? Well, you'll just have to read and find out. 

  
    "My voice is little more than a growl as I say, "You cannot do things like that, Daredevil, and expect me not to pull you onto my lap and kiss you senseless."
  


  
    "I can't walk away from you because I don't want to. There are a thousand things I want and need to do, but you trump all of them. You drive me to distraction, and all I want to do is get lost in you. All I want to do is make you lose it, too."
  

I think it could go without saying that I absolutely loved Dallas and Carson together, but there, I said it anyhow. They made a fantastic pair. They had a TON of chemistry and it went beyond just the physical stuff. If you're looking for really steamy scenes, you won't find an abundance of them in this book. The ones that are there do have a fair bit of heat though. There was no doubt to me that what Dallas and Carson was real and worth fighting for, if both of them could get out of their heads long enough to give in and let it happen. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a book that's overly dramatic or riddled with angst. Thank goodness. I don't think my heart could have taken it. It still gave me a huge case of the feels though. 

  
    "I loved the way one person could start a chant, and soon a stadium of thousands had picked it up and were screaming in unison. I loved that kids who didn't give a crap about school were suddenly belting the school song from the top of their lungs. I loved those tense moments before the start of a play when everyone is wishing and hoping exactly the same thing, and the whole stadium holds its breath."
  

The world-building in All Lined Up was fantastic. I felt like I was back at college, especially during the football game and party scenes. I was completely into the world of Rusk and nearly ready to trade my old gold and blue Mountaineers gear for maroon and gray. It didn't feel like I was reading about these characters and this fictional university. It felt like I was living it, or at the very least, watching it on a big screen. 

  
    "God, do they make WD-40 for flirting? Because I am rusty."
  

All Lined Up has the humor and heart I've come to expect from Cora. There were quite a few lines that made me literally laugh out loud and even more that left me grinning. There are some phrases I have decided I need to incorporate into my daily life ("dear, sweet Jesus riding a unicorn" anyone?). I know this story is personal and special to Cora and her passion for it came through in every word. Make sure you read the "behind the book" portion after you've finished the story. I think it will give you an even deeper appreciation for how she put herself out there with this book and that glimpse into her background made the book that much more meaningful to me. 

  
    "No easy days."
  

I seriously can't recommend this book highly enough. There's a little something for everyone in All Lined Up. With characters I adored, great friendships and sweet and sexy romance, all built around a sport I love in a fictional setting that felt beyond real, it was the total package for me. I will reread this one for years to come, particularly during my least favorite months of the year (you know, the off season) when I'm desperately looking for anything to hold me over until football is back. To say I can't wait for the next book in the series would be a HUGEmungous understatement. 

  
    "Go Red. Fight Red. Bleed Red."
  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review. Quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

This book was jointly reviewed by myself and my co-blogger, Becca!

Our eagerness to read this book together brought on another joint review. We couldn’t wait to discuss this book with you guys! :)

THE STORY:

Becca: I am such a huge Cora Carmack fan. The characters she develops and the settings she creates are always so unique and inviting. All Lined Up was no different, I was immediately pulled into the world of Rusk university and Texas Football. I really liked the story of the coaches daughter and the Quarterback, which I suppose could be cliche, but I think that Carmack did an excellent job making it different. Starting with an impromptu meeting I was pulled into the story of Dallas and Carson and couldn’t wait to see how they could maneuver through cocky ex-boyfriends, southern gossip and an overprotective Father who just happens to be the Head Football Coach.

Lisa: I totally agree with Becca on everything stated. :) Cora’s stories are unique. I think that’s what I like most about them. I first fell in love with Cora while reading Losing It. Could that book be any better?! From there I’ve sworn to read everything Cora writes, and thus far I’ve been pretty successful with that. I like that no two stories are the same. And I especially like that though her books are in a series, the characters aren’t the same. I much prefer companion novels over a straight series any day.

I was first drawn to this story because of the football reference. Similar to Becca, I really enjoy football and thought it would be great to have that added into this romance. Cora did her research too, adding in football lingo and procedures accurately whenever possible. A good romance involving football is hard to come by.

THE CHARACTERS:

Lisa: Dallas (love that name!) and Carson weren’t my favorite of Cora’s characters, but I did really enjoy their interactions. Cora’s stories always seem to have a little twist involved as well, and this one sprung out early on. I was so sure someone was who I thought they were, then nope… I was wrong. I love that! I really enjoyed the alternating POVs of Dallas and Carson too. It’s always great to hear both of their voices to make the story complete. I ended up really liking Carson, despite his controlling and overly-protective nature at times. Dallas was super-sweet and seemed like she just wanted to please her dad, which wasn’t altogether an easy task. Together, the two were a great team. Their relationship had the realistic drama we would expect (and so love!), but wasn’t over-the-top dysfunctional, as we sometimes see in NA books. It was sweet and filled with love.

Dallas’ father, the insanely overprotective man that he was, was also the football coach. Poor Dallas. He definitely bugged me at times, though I was able to see where he was coming from as a single father of a college student. The confrontations he had with Dallas though didn’t sit right with me. View Spoiler »

Becca: As usual, Lisa and I are in agreement :) I have loved all of Carmack’s characters on different levels (my favorites being Max and Cade from Faking It) and although it took a bit for Dallas and Carson to grow on me they definitely did. There were things that I really liked about Dallas and Carson and things that I didn’t. I agree with Lisa on Dallas’ meek and then suddenly feisty persona, but in the end I was glad she found her voice. I also wasn’t too sure about Carson and would yell at him “lighten up buddy” he must have heard me because he listened! I liked that they both had dreams and I really admired their perseverance, they fought so hard for the things that they loved. Carmack really focused on their dreams and made you believe in them and their ability. That is something new she brought to these characters. I actually liked Dallas’ Dad, having a 17 year old stepdaughter about to go to college helped me to identify with his fear and over-protectiveness. Let’s not forget Stella! She was crazy and silly and totally feisty… she was the yin to Dallas’ yang. The perfect best friend compliment! And Silas… swoon! I am curious to see if we will see more of him in the future! Once again awesome, unique and lovable characters from Carmack!

OVERALL:

Becca: Cora Carmack has done it again! I have fallen in love with her characters, her settings and her writing style over and over again. I think that in some ways my love for Garrick and Bliss and Max and Cade clouds my vision when I read her new books. So I try to take a step back and enjoy these new characters in a different way. If you are a Carmack lover like I am, then you will enjoy All Lined Up too! The atmosphere of Rusk University is so inviting and I cannot wait to see what Carmack has in store for some of the other characters that we met in All Lined Up!

Lisa: I agree, it was a pretty fun book. I think I went into this book with higher hopes, seeing as though I loved Cora’s other books so much, so I was a little disappointed that it didn’t have the Wow! factor I was hoping for. I do plan to continue on with this series though, especially seeing as though All Broke Down is Silas’ story. I wasn’t a huge fan of Silas at first, but he definitely started to grow on me by the end. I’m looking forward to continuing on with this series. Overall, another enjoyable book from Cora!

(Thanks to InkslingerPR and Cora William Morrow Paperbacks for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

All Lined Up is too much cuteness! It’s such a sweet, quick, fun read, and I zipped through it in one sitting. I was already a fan of Cora Carmack’s after reading the Losing It series, and All Lined Up impressed me even more! Cora Carmack is spot-on as a new adult writer–I loved the way she portrayed her characters and I fell in love with her writing.

It was so easy to immerse myself into the world of All Lined Up, and into Rusk University. Football is, of course, one of the main aspects of the story, and even though i know next to nothing about football, the author was able to explain just how much football means to people without making me feel disconnected. Dallas is the daughter of one of the new coaches at Rusk University, and she’s a bit of a goody two-shoes. Her main passion has always been dancing, but she lets her father control her life and center it around football. Dallas is incredibly likable and relatable–she’s a girl who’s been stuck under her parent’s thumb for too long and doesn’t know the way out.

And I find myself thinking that church is like my kid’s sermon… It parallels my life as a whole. I show up, but I’m not in it. I go through the motions, but my mind wanders elsewhere. I dress and behave in the ways I know won’t get me in trouble. I get by. I bide my time waiting for the moment when it all ends.
But life isn’t church. It isn’t one hour during one day in the week. It’s everything, and I’m wasting it.

Carson is a transfer student trying to succeed through football, because it’s pretty much the only thing he can do. He needs to get a good spot on the football team and get a scholarship–otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to afford college. Carson is incredibly dedicated and determined, both of which are qualities that made me fall for him. He’s a good guy through and through, and even though he tries to make football his number one priority, the moment Dallas walks into his life, he can’t get her out of his mind–and he doesn’t want to.

The two of them don’t realize their relationship with one another–that Dallas is Carson’s coach’s daughter–so when they meet, sparks fly, and they allow a small moment of freedom to express their wants and desires for one another. They have this undeniable connection with one another that they’ve never experienced before, and it’s so sweet to see the two of them together.

But once the ball drops and they find out who they are, they try to become friends, but they can never get rid of their attraction to one another. Carson and Dallas spend more and more time together, and it’s easy to see how they fall for each other. I loved their relationship and how it grew slowly. They both knew there were risks to being together, so they were mature and cautious about it. But at then end of the day, they can’t deny the chemistry between them, and I wanted them to get together so badly! Carson and Dallas complement each other so well and make the perfect couple.

I loved the fact that even as their relationship developed, Dallas and Carson developed as characters as well. Individually, they have much more to learn and to grow to be the person they are most comfortable with.

All in all, All Lined Up shouldn’t be missed. It’s the perfect new adult novel with great writing, characters who have great emotional depth, and a story that keeps you hooked.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

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All Lined Up A Rusk University Novel

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