Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Rusk University Series

Other books in the series:

SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Favourite Author
Series: Rusk University Trilogy
Author: Cora Cormack
# of Books: 5 (All Lined Up, All Broke Down, All Played Up, All Closed Off,TBD)
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: No, All Closed Off will be published in the near future
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Football, Coming of Age, University Life, The South
Heat Rating: really warm
Point of View: First Person, Alternating

Thoughts:

I loved Cora Cormack’s Losing It Trilogy and when I read the synopsis for All Lined Up, I knew I had to read it!

All Lined Up really reminded me of Losing It. Both follow a similar set up but I think All Lined Up improves upon my complaint that we didn’t get to see much of the relationship develop between the two leads. It definitely gets more of a focus here but it isn’t the only thing the book is about. What I really love about Cormack’s New Adult reads is that each lead character develops independently throughout the novel. They don’t become this person who relies so much on their significant other that it gets to the point of becoming nauseating to me. This book is just as much a coming of age novel as it is a romance.

I found All Lined Up to be a super quick and fun read. I loved the chemistry between Dallas and Carson–it was there from beginning to end. Dallas was a smart heroine who also had her funny moments as well. I really loved that she didn’t create senseless drama by jumping to conclusions (which is a very rare find in New Adult novels that are set in The South and/or deal with football players). They were both also very real characters and I think that most readers can identify in some capacity to each other them one way or another.

The only thing really lacking for me was a dramatic plot line–and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think I was just expecting more drama based on the assumptions I drew from the synopsis. Instead, this book focuses on the growth of the characters instead of petty drama which is rather refreshing when I look back on it.

I’m surprised at who the hero is in the next novel, All Broke Down, but nevertheless I am super excited to read it! I hope that the third book, All Played Out focuses on two characters introduced in All Lined Up (Though NewsFlash, it doesn’t!). Regardless, I will be picking both of these books up!

–December 5, 2015–Book 2: All Broke Down

I just finished All Broke Down and I have to say, I enjoyed it more than All Lined Up by just a smidgen. While the feelings for the two leads progressed more quickly than I normally like (not quite love at first sight but more insta-connection) I really felt like they were a good pair. The sexual tension was even better than All Lined Up and I loved watching everything unfolding. Before I new it I was halfway through the book and just kept plowing through it. While I feel like some things were left a little unresolved, it wasn’t enough to truly upset me and I have a feeling the next book will help wrap everything up.

Again, I’m surprised at who the leads are for All Played Up but given what we have seen of them so far and the plot synopsis, it promises to be a very fun and sexy ride. There is one particular character that I hope we get to see more of but I’m not sure if we will given the fact that the initial deal for this series was 3 books. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get something because I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants her story to be told 😉

–September 6, 2015– Book 3: All Played Out

I was really excited to read this one and after a few failed attempts at the library checkout system , I FINALLY got my hands on a copy!

All Played Out was exactly what I expected: a sexy but heartwarming read. The leads had fantastic chemistry together–both physical and emotional–so it made for a really easy read. So easy in fact that I stayed on the couch all day to finish it.

It’s my favourite of the series…so far…

As it turns out, this series has been extended to include at least 5 books which is fantastic! That means the particular character I wanted to read about will get their own book! It is the next book to be published as well so I simply CANNOT WAIT! I’ve been looking forward to the story we are about to get in All Closed Off since All Lined Up so this has been a long time coming!

Series Rating: 4/5

All Lined Up 4/5 | All Broke Down 4/5 | All Played Out 5/5

Cora Cormack fans will love this new series as will fans of football themed New Adult novels. A quick, fun and romantic series that has that dash of reality that is often rare in this genre. For those who like New Adult novels that focus more on the coming of age aspect of the genre, this is a great one to pick up.

Read if You Like: coming of age, realistic New Adult, football
Avoid if You: dislike New Adult

• Crash by Nicole Williams (Crash Trilogy #1)
• Losing It by Cora Cormack (Losing It Trilogy #1)
• The List by Kate L Mary (College of Charleston Series #1)
  

  Synopsis for All Lined Up (from Goodreads):
  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.