Latest Read: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1) by Cora Carmack
Publication date: May 13, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Category: New Adult - Contemporary Romance
Source: Received via Edelweiss from publisher (Thanks!)
Summary: Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College was her time to step out of the bleachers. But 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 as the new head coach at Rusk University. 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 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. (Adapted goodreads.com)

My Thoughts

Any book that’s compared to Friday Night Lights is a book I want to read. So it should come as no surprise that I wanted to read All Lined Up. It’s a new adult book which didn’t stray into the genre’s typical stereotypes. It was all about two people who are pursuing their dreams and want each other but don’t know how to make it work. It surprisingly wasn’t heavy-handed with the drama (which was a good thing!) but focused more on the actual relationship, their hot chemistry and of course, football. Dallas Cole has always felt like she came second to her father’s career as a great football coach so she’s not a big fan of the sport. Especially when her father takes a coaching job at her college, Rusk University, where her ex-boyfriend (and quarterback) also attends. It’s like high school all over again, which is exactly what she doesn’t want. On the flip side, Carson McClain is a second-string quarterback who wants to start and is in need of a scholarship. That means training hard, studying hard and having no distractions. But then he and Dallas literally collide and before knowing who the other really is, start to give in to the attraction. Until they find out the truth and then the drama (and some super hot chemistry) begins!

I got pulled into this world of Texas and football because of Dallas and Carson more than anything else. They’re both down-to-earth and it was easy to find something to relate to in each of them. She loves to dance and wants to pursue that as a major and career but her overprotective father won’t let her. She’s smart, talented, a good friend and tends to lean more towards the introverted side but her best friend Stella (who I’m pretty sure is Filipino!) helps to bring her wilder side out a bit. Her personality and the dynamic with her BFF was something I liked right off the bat. Then Carson is a genuinely nice guy who works hard but has this charm about him that is so, so attractive (Dallas, I totally understand why you couldn’t resist the man the first time you met him!). Even though their meet-cute (or rather meet-steamy) could’ve easily set the tone of their relationship, it didn’t. I mean yes there was still a ton of chemistry but they also become friends and get to know each other and don’t jump straight into bed.

(Minor) Reservations

I was a bit iffy on the epilogue and felt torn between thinking it ended the story well and hoping that scene had been written in earlier. Plus certain parts of the plot felt rushed (like a pivotal football game) and I wanted more about Dalla's love of dance.

Do I recommend?

I do! If you like NA and Friday Night Lights plus you want something that’s a quick read, check this one out.

Happy reading!