All Lined Up by Cora Carmack--A Review

SYNOPSIS:

New York Times an
d 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.

FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

This was a first read for me of Cora Carmack's writing, but it darned sure won't be the last!

Ok, I surrender and must admit I like reading quirky author's books and I am classifying Cora Cormack as a quirky author who writes a fantastically good story with quirky characters.   There I said it.

What a nice little story premise...a daughter of a football coach who has been somewhat neglected for the love of football.  She's also been used by teammates and potential players to score points with her dad.   She hates football.   The guy she meets as she escapes a party scene, is a fellow student and a non-player on the football team.  He doesn't know she is the coaches daughter.....an explosion in the making when all is revealed...even for the coach.

The characters are flawed, but grow and reach a new maturity as the story progresses and that includes Coach Cole as well.   I loved the way Carmack brought the story to a climax and then resolved the issues so smoothly.   I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters and their journey.

There were plenty of adult and explicit romantic scenes in the story, but I think some of 
this was necessary to explain Dallas's internal issues and the strength of character that Carson exhibited.

A very nice read that had me reading into the wee hours of the night.   I gave All  Lined Up 5 Winks!

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  I purchased this book for my personal Kindle Library.