Author: Cora Carmack
Published: May 13th 2014
Read: June 23 to 26, 2014
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
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.
Started this on a random morning while taking the bus to work. Figured it wouldn't hurt to try a New Adult novel since Cora is amazing! Her writing suits me so well and I missed some steam and smexy from the YA reads I had going on lately. Truly glad I started it since already during the first 20%, I couldn't wipe this silly grin off my face. One could say that I fell hard for Carson and Dallas, their adorable chemistry and intense attraction. And you know what? They're absolutely right!
No love triangles, people! YAAAAS. It was so refreshing to see that and I completely adored the two MCs. Dallas is the kind of girl you want to be friends with: kind, respectful, smart, fun and friendly. She’s totes adorbs! And let’s on even start on Carson who is just too dreamy and swoon-worthy for his own good. Cora writes awkward and funny the best! Her writing is always full of chemistry and these two most definitely had some.
Don’t let the previous paragraph fool you though. In addition to a gorgeous and developed romance, All Lined Up deals with family, a great father-daughter relationship, explores the theme of reaching and going after your dreams, getting comfortable in your own skin and nature. It’s a wonderful New Adult novel that has a great grasp on themes that really matter for new adults. I enjoyed the cute, friendly banter a lot and was glad to see that both MCs have a good head on their shoulders. Also, this book contained minimal drama which suited well with the theme and the characters.
All in all, it was a tad predictable here and there, a ton of cliché scenes and lines, but it was still really good and Cora manages to put her own fun spin on things for sure. I can’t wait to get to know Silas some more in the companion sequel since he was totally awesome! There are so many characters and different arcs to explore for different people. I’m not sure who will be the MCs in the last book, but I’m keeping my fingers tightly crossed for Ryan and Dallas’s best friend ;) They had some great chemistry and Ryan is just reallllly awesome. If you’re looking for a good summer read with great chemistry and a little fluff here and there, pick this up! Totally worth your time.
Overall rating: 4.1 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★★
I'm so glad you've been reading a lot of New Adult recently that I have been putting off reading, I'd definitely trust your opinion in what you enjoy! Too bad there's a few cliches, but at least both MCs were awesome. I love it when books explore different character arcs and stuff too, especially when they do it well Sounds like a great romance and some great themes especially to do with family and being true to yourself. Great review Siiri!
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ReplyDeleteYOU LOVE SMUTTY BOOKS. You, uhm, smut-lover? (Is that a thing?) What if an old lady on the bus asks what your books are about? Do you say, 'the birds and the bees?' Hehe.
ReplyDeleteNO TRIANGLES. YAY. You have spoken the magic words *fist pumps*
I kind of expected the cliché parts, but I think that's what makes these books so fun. They are a bit cheesy in parts and you can guess what's going to happen, but there's a comfort in that :)
(Totally just deleted and reposted my comment because TYPOS. Hahaha)
Hahha, I love when readers have reactions while reading a good and having a grin is the best of all ;) hehehheh. Also blushing and having our heart beat fast ;) LOL. This does seem like a god story and if there is chemistry and good writing that makes it a cute enjoyable read. ^^ I've finished one on my own with a predictable and clichéd story as well but the author too managed to make it bearable and quite enjoyable too. Fab review, my friend. :D
ReplyDeleteSilly grins within the first 20% of a book is usually a pretty good indicator that you'll be grinning from ear-to-ear by the end. I can deal with a few clichés just so long as the story is good. I've been reading more and more New Adult stories lately, so thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteSiiri, I enjoyed this one too and liked that it had to do with family too. So glad this made you grin!
ReplyDeleteI have this book but I have yet to read it. I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much, Siiri. Cora Carmack definitely is one of those authors who excels at writing nice drama-free NA romances. I love the sound of the characters and I have to say that I'm excited to hear about the great themes going on in the book.
ReplyDeleteI also have to meet this Silas! Who is he?! Guess I have to read it to find out.
Lovely review, Siiri! :)
YAY SIIRI!!!! I was nervous to click on your review because I loved this book, but I'm so glad to see you really enjoyed it as well. And I'm with you in yelling out YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS to no love triangle! HAPPY DANCE! I love Cora's other series, but I think this one might turn into my favorite of hers. I loved all the characters, and like you, can't wait for Silas's story. *HIGH FIVE FOR THIS BOOK*
ReplyDeleteThis author is such a force to reckon with in this genre, but I still wish she had a better cover. It's not bad, but it somehow looks pretty bland >.< In any case, though, that's not the point of a book, haha. I'm glad this one has awesome chemistry, and that the two characters are pretty much second to none when it comes to awesomeness. And yes, parental relationships for the win! And in a New Adult, too, a genre that's pretty much defined by someone having romance WHILE finding out your individuality as you mature to a more proper adult ;) At least that's what I think it means anyway lol
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato Reviews
It's always a good thing when a book makes you grin all throughout. We get shifty looks but what do they care? :P
ReplyDeleteI love that this book has a lot going for it and can be light and still have substance at the same time. I love friendly banters and awkwardness so I think this book is really right up my alley. I don't mind predictability much on Contemporary novels and I do think this book definitely made up for it in so many other ways. I would definitely pick this up when I'm in need of a good NA fix. Lovely review, Sirii! :)
The chemistry and light feeling of this book makes me like the sound of it. i've seen so much about Cara and want to read one of hers
ReplyDeleteNo love triangles, developed romance, and it deals with family relationships? Okay, I NEED to check out this book, ASAP!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! :)
I wasn't a huge fan of Losing It by this author, but this book sounds really cute and addictive, and probably more like my sort of thing. Plus the mention of no love triangle makes me insanely happy! I will have to check it out when I can. Great review, Siiri! :)
ReplyDeleteI've only read Losing It by this author but it was a fun book! I don't have this yet but I think I saw they have it on audio :)
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to think that maybe I should stay away from reading your reviews for a while until I've finished reading your list of recommendations. Every time I see your review on a book that you like, I feel torn on which book I should read next/first! Aaaaaa! It's my never ending dilemma.
ReplyDeletePredictable and cliche seem par for the course, in any genre. I've had this one for quite a while, but maybe will finally give it a try. Thanks, Siiri!
ReplyDeleteI'm really new to NA. Lol, I think I've only read Easy by Tammara Webber (which I actually quite enjoyed) and Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines which was just awful in my eyes and frankly turned me off NA completely. Lol I've heard there's a lot of good books hiding in NA though so maybe I should be more open and try more :]
ReplyDeleteWoooo for no love triangles! Honestly we got enough of those in YA lol, they usually tend to be so one sided and really contrived. I'm glad to hear that there's not even a hint of geometric shapes in this one [; Both the MC and the love interest sound like they had great characterization, so it's good that we could focus on their relationship and not a love triangle in the way of things. I feel like I'm a person who prefers more awkward and funny with characters rather than broody and angst, so I'm glad this one had more awkward/funny.
This one really sounds like a great NA novel for me to try. I'm glad that it's not soley just the relationship, but also has elements of family and themes like reaching for your dreams.
Woooo cliche things! definitely my faves [; Lol I think I can handle a few cliches as long as there well done.
Great review Siiri! I'm totally considering picking this one up now for my little jaunt into NA haha
Wonderful review, Siiri. I liked this but didn't love it. It may have been my mood but Dallas' internal struggle didn't move me and I thought they went on and on! I wish they would've been cut down. I did appreciated that there was little drama and no love triangles! Yay for that. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been reading a lot of NA lately either, and Cora is definitely my go to for it. I think your review has definitely convinced me to pick this one up soon to get that extra squeeze of smexy romance :P Glad you enjoyed it lovely xx
ReplyDeleteYou just KNOW how happy this review makes me!! A NA book that puts a smile on my face is always my favorite kind, and that's all I pretty much did when I read this. Carson? Adorable. Dallas and her father? Heartbreaking but adorable. Football? Not exactly adorable, but it brings back Friday Night Light memories and it also happens to be my favorite sport ever. Basically I wish this series would just go on and on. We should totes buddy read Silas' book, btw. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Siiri. <3
Fabulous review, Siiri! I love Carmack, so this has been on my kindle staring at me right underneath Addicted. SERIOUSLY--the next time I get on a contemporary kick, I'ma knock those suckers out. And really--there's not much in romance any more that isn't a cliche, so it's all about the fun, new spin. For me anyway ;)
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