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literaryhaylee's review against another edition
4.0
The last book in the Rusk Series. I love this author; however, I did not like one of the characters Mateo Torres. With that being said, this football and genius girl trope was super sweet and entertaining.
yche09's review against another edition
4.0
I'm all for TEAM NEO! Best couple of this series so far!
Nell and Mateo couldn't be more different from each other...
But they make it work. They friggin make it look awesome!
What can we, romance readers expect from this book?
Suffice to say those are the things that I kind of expected and GOT!!!!!!
What else can I say?
The story's oh so cute though I didn't like the first dilemma about the other girl. That's the only reason that I'm not giving this a five. It revolves around a girl and a boy with such different interests you'd think they wouldn't even bump into one another. Let's start with the girl... Nell built her entire life in facts and statistics. She's one smart girl, I tell you that. However, while she was building this life, she missed out on a lot of things that comes out naturally for many people. She set out to do this and finds.. well.. finds her self in the middle of something she totally didn't imagine! It's more that what she expected and that's not necessarily bad. :) Now the boy... Mateo.. He's clueless, to me at least. Mateo wants things, but isn't sure if he's out to get it or not so he plays safe. He jokes all the time and just like everyone else who does it, he has a reason for it. Little by little, he opens up to Nell. They both learn how to not let the past dictate their futures and when the worst is over, they manage to find each other. :)
The characters are actually well rounded. There were so many things that the main characters thought at the start of the book that all turned around in the end. I have missed the other characters, so I really thank this book for giving me glimpses of them. STELLA, my Stella... I really wish for her happily ever after. :)
This one's actually quite a light read. If you want to just feel good and fall in love, read this!!!
All I can say at this point is....
Nell & Mateo!!!
An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Nell and Mateo couldn't be more different from each other...
But they make it work. They friggin make it look awesome!
What can we, romance readers expect from this book?
Suffice to say those are the things that I kind of expected and GOT!!!!!!
What else can I say?
The story's oh so cute though I didn't like the first dilemma about the other girl. That's the only reason that I'm not giving this a five. It revolves around a girl and a boy with such different interests you'd think they wouldn't even bump into one another. Let's start with the girl... Nell built her entire life in facts and statistics. She's one smart girl, I tell you that. However, while she was building this life, she missed out on a lot of things that comes out naturally for many people. She set out to do this and finds.. well.. finds her self in the middle of something she totally didn't imagine! It's more that what she expected and that's not necessarily bad. :) Now the boy... Mateo.. He's clueless, to me at least. Mateo wants things, but isn't sure if he's out to get it or not so he plays safe. He jokes all the time and just like everyone else who does it, he has a reason for it. Little by little, he opens up to Nell. They both learn how to not let the past dictate their futures and when the worst is over, they manage to find each other. :)
The characters are actually well rounded. There were so many things that the main characters thought at the start of the book that all turned around in the end. I have missed the other characters, so I really thank this book for giving me glimpses of them. STELLA, my Stella... I really wish for her happily ever after. :)
This one's actually quite a light read. If you want to just feel good and fall in love, read this!!!
All I can say at this point is....
Nell & Mateo!!!
An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
amandakoz's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little unsure at first how I felt about nell, she was a little hard to relate too. As time went on I really liked their dynamic and the concept of her list. probably became my favorite rusk book by the end.
lenoreo's review against another edition
5.0
http://celebrityreaders.com/2018/07/16/all-played-out-by-cora-carmack/
4.5 stars — This was definitely my favourite of the Rusk University series!!
Mateo was just as adorable as I was expecting…and he was covering such a big hurt, my heart felt for him. Wish the fact he was hispanic had played into it somehow…never really knew much about him outside of Lina…except that one glimpse into wanting to have something of his own. I loved that. He was bright, effervescent, he just knew how to put others at ease. And he could be hilarious. I was worried about the medical stuff, but so glad he figured it out.
Nell was not at all what I was expecting, though I’m not sure *what* I was expecting, you know? I loved that she was so different from both Dallas and Dylan. I loved that we got to see someone not as comfortable in social situations, a definite introvert…and someone with damage from being on the outside in high school. I could vibe with parts of her, she was just a more extreme example. Occasionally it felt like she almost changed as the book went on, and it was a shame to lose those parts of her. But really she was just growing. I loved how straightforward she could be, even if it came with the negative side effect of occasionally being too honest and hurting people.
The standout in this book was definitely the chemistry between Mateo and Nell. It was PALPABLE. Like, the whole skinny dipping section was tingle city. FUCK, just thinking about it, hoowee!!! Seriously, I loved them together. I loved how Mateo was able to bring Nell out of her shell, and he just wouldn’t let up on the flirting! And I love a man who can appreciate a smart woman. I also loved that Nell really tried to understand Mateo, what made him tick, what was important to him. Their steamy chemistry was obviously off the charts, but I also loved the friendship chemistry they developed.
I also appreciated the sis-mance that developed between Stella and Nell. Makes me want Stella’s story even more, which is a bummer since it seems to be on a long term hold. Ah well.
4.5 stars — This was definitely my favourite of the Rusk University series!!
Mateo was just as adorable as I was expecting…and he was covering such a big hurt, my heart felt for him. Wish the fact he was hispanic had played into it somehow…never really knew much about him outside of Lina…except that one glimpse into wanting to have something of his own. I loved that. He was bright, effervescent, he just knew how to put others at ease. And he could be hilarious. I was worried about the medical stuff, but so glad he figured it out.
Nell was not at all what I was expecting, though I’m not sure *what* I was expecting, you know? I loved that she was so different from both Dallas and Dylan. I loved that we got to see someone not as comfortable in social situations, a definite introvert…and someone with damage from being on the outside in high school. I could vibe with parts of her, she was just a more extreme example. Occasionally it felt like she almost changed as the book went on, and it was a shame to lose those parts of her. But really she was just growing. I loved how straightforward she could be, even if it came with the negative side effect of occasionally being too honest and hurting people.
The standout in this book was definitely the chemistry between Mateo and Nell. It was PALPABLE. Like, the whole skinny dipping section was tingle city. FUCK, just thinking about it, hoowee!!! Seriously, I loved them together. I loved how Mateo was able to bring Nell out of her shell, and he just wouldn’t let up on the flirting! And I love a man who can appreciate a smart woman. I also loved that Nell really tried to understand Mateo, what made him tick, what was important to him. Their steamy chemistry was obviously off the charts, but I also loved the friendship chemistry they developed.
I also appreciated the sis-mance that developed between Stella and Nell. Makes me want Stella’s story even more, which is a bummer since it seems to be on a long term hold. Ah well.
brookishbrunette's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED IT! Can't want for the next Rusk University novel!! :))
andiabcs's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs
I can’t lie. All Played Out was in a tough spot from the start. It was a given that I would read it and enjoy it, but there was no way it would live up to my love for Silas’ story in All Lined Up. And truthfully, it didn’t. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. Actually I liked it more than I had anticipated.
All Played Out continues the story of the boys on the Rusk University football team focusing on wide receiver Mateo Torres. Torres is anything but serious. He’s a party guy that can never be tied down. The only thing he takes seriously is football and he’s happy that way. That is until Antonella DeLuca is brought into the fold. Nell is anything but a party girl. She has had one goal from the get go and that is to finish college (early even) and move on to the real world. But Nell has missed out on one thing, the true college experience. When she makes a list of things to do before she graduates and Torres offers his services, Nell may be in for more than she bargained for. And Torres may find out it could be time to get serious about something else…love.
True that Silas is still my favorite I found Torres very endearing in All Played Out. He was totally goofy and light hearted, but he also had a really emotional side to him that he kept hidden. I liked learning that layer of him. And I really liked him dynamic with Nell. They were definitely a ying and yang, but they somehow balance each other out. They also has great banter which made them going through Nell’s list a really fun experience. But what I really likes was how Nell brought out the serious side of Torres and how Torres made Nell relax and actually enjoy college and not be so perfect.
Although All Played Out could never live up to my love of All Lined Up, it found a new place in my heart. Torres and Nell told a story of their own and it was a story I liked. It wasn’t my favorite in the series but one I was happy to read. Now can I finally have Stella’s story??!!
I can’t lie. All Played Out was in a tough spot from the start. It was a given that I would read it and enjoy it, but there was no way it would live up to my love for Silas’ story in All Lined Up. And truthfully, it didn’t. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. Actually I liked it more than I had anticipated.
All Played Out continues the story of the boys on the Rusk University football team focusing on wide receiver Mateo Torres. Torres is anything but serious. He’s a party guy that can never be tied down. The only thing he takes seriously is football and he’s happy that way. That is until Antonella DeLuca is brought into the fold. Nell is anything but a party girl. She has had one goal from the get go and that is to finish college (early even) and move on to the real world. But Nell has missed out on one thing, the true college experience. When she makes a list of things to do before she graduates and Torres offers his services, Nell may be in for more than she bargained for. And Torres may find out it could be time to get serious about something else…love.
True that Silas is still my favorite I found Torres very endearing in All Played Out. He was totally goofy and light hearted, but he also had a really emotional side to him that he kept hidden. I liked learning that layer of him. And I really liked him dynamic with Nell. They were definitely a ying and yang, but they somehow balance each other out. They also has great banter which made them going through Nell’s list a really fun experience. But what I really likes was how Nell brought out the serious side of Torres and how Torres made Nell relax and actually enjoy college and not be so perfect.
Although All Played Out could never live up to my love of All Lined Up, it found a new place in my heart. Torres and Nell told a story of their own and it was a story I liked. It wasn’t my favorite in the series but one I was happy to read. Now can I finally have Stella’s story??!!
justenjoy's review against another edition
3.0
“Making a stupid decision doesn’t make you stupid. Just as making a smart decision doesn’t necessarily make someone smart.”
katrinamarie's review against another edition
4.0
lizs_book_nook's review against another edition
5.0
If I could give this book an infinite number of stars I would. This book is hands down, no joke, no exaggeration, one of my all time favorite reads ever! There are so many things I loved about this book. Firstly, I like the idea that I could/can connect with Nell on a number of levels, and to be able to relate to a character in some way is a nice surprise. Second, I LOVE MATEO!!!! He's quirky, flirting, sexy, loyal and extremely loveable (with many more ways to describe him). I love the connection Nell and Mateo have from the beginning. It's like they are drawn together by some unexplainable force and they can't stay away. I love the fact that even though Nell is beyond uncomfortable she steps outside of her comfort zone and makes a list of things she wants to accomplish. Things she wants to do to fully get her college experience they way she wants, even if they weren't things she realized she wanted to do in the first place. I also loved how slowly you see how Torres coaxes Nell out of her shell, but also how Nell changes Mateo too. How she gets him to let go of his past and believe in himself, but also be the one to believe in him as well. Overall I f**king loved this story from beginning to end. All I could think was I never wanted this book to end and I got slower and slower toward the end of the book because I didn't want to finish it and their story be over. One hing is for sure though...Cora Carmack knocks it out of the park AGAIN! This woman is a pure genius! Love this book and all of her others. She will always be my go to author!