Scan barcode
A review by namjhyuns
All Played Out by Cora Carmack
4.0
"Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." - Brian Tracey
Welcome back to Rusk University! You know you missed the Wildcats, you just know it.
Cora Carmack made a strong beginning with the fun and sweet All Lined Up, but she really solidify the Rusk University series as one of the best NA books today with the edgier and sexy All Broke Down. Both stories presented us a tangible world with characters that feel so real that it's really hard not to fall in love with them. Their personalities, their friendships, their romance. Everything about Rusk University sometimes feels like a part of my own experiences (or my friends) and that's why I enjoy it so much.
All Played Out was like a breath of fresh air, but also the most insightful out of the three so far. Not that the other two stories didn't have depth, because they did but I found myself thinking that Carson and Dallas had what they wanted and needed to make it work in All Lined Up. And on the other hand, Silas and Dylan already knew what they wanted and only needed to reach for it.
Nell and Mateo, I feel, start their story not knowing at all what they wanted, what they are searching for, how to make it work to be happy and missing out on lots of experiences. Which is why Carmack made a brilliant move by making Nell question herself by presenting the possibility of that "something more" in the form of the relationship Dylan shares with Silas. Just by watching her roommate fall deeply in love, fast and hard, and be so sure about her relationship with someone who is -in appearance- the opposite of her, makes Nell feel like she's not getting the entire picture, that there's something odd in the equation that is her life.
And so she goes to do what she does best: a list of chores. Or in this case, a list of "normal" college experiences that inevitably make her step out of her comfort zone and right into the storm. She didn't just take baby steps, she jumped with both feet and landed right into Mateo Torres shameless flirty territory.
On the surface, Mateo is the heart of the party. Always ready to have a good time with his friends, to have a girl to spend the night, to play hard and fast on the field, but it's really all a façade. Very much like Nell, he's doing all these things to protect himself from heartbreak, from forming a true relationship with someone. Because sharing yourself is truly something scary and leaves you vulnerable.
But Nell is a brave person and she allows herself to be open and vulnerable with him by sharing her list, and off the go into adventure. Hilarity ensues. Also some very hot scenes. *fans herself* Mateo and Nell were made for each other. Their chemistry is off charts since their very first interaction and it just doesn't sizzle down. It keeps on rising and rising, in the best possible way. They push the other to be better and support each other's dreams, working as a team. Isn't that the best kind of love?
I won't got into the details of their story or the things they share with each other because I want you, reader, to experience it yourself. But go in knowing this is a very personal and intimate story, and Mateo's outgoing personality in contrast with Nell's introvert one makes it hilarious and full of giddy moments.
Another great thing I loved about the book is Nell stubbornness about what name to use when talking to people. It seems like she never knows how to call someone because she's sensing that people use different versions of their names for different occasions. And so she's pointing out that we don't really share our true selves at times but more like how we want to be perceived by others. I thought it was an interesting point.
The interactions between the characters we already know and love from the other books is so good. Carson, Dallas, Ryan, Stella, Silas, Dylan and Brookes are a fun and strong support system. I was really happy to see where Carson and Dallas were standing, get some glimpses of Coach Cole, Dylan and Silas very much in love, and Brookes! Oh, I do love me some Isaiah Brookes. Hopefully he will get his own book, a girl can dream. *fingers crossed*
But this group of friends also lacks in some points and it was crystal clear when it came to everything related to Stella. And I absolutely get why, I understand, but still pissed me off at times the way Ryan was hovering around her, or how everyone else treated her like a china doll. All frail and with no spine, they should know better. That is not Stella.
If you have read All Broke Down, you know some heavy events took place at one point of the story. They are barely mentioned but hang in the air like some invisible pull changing the dynamics of the group. This is clearly a set up for Carmack's next book and I was glad she choose not to get into it. It wouldn't be right, it needs to be treated with care and time. Stella is a rock star and she deserves her story to be told.
I said it once and I will say it again, Cora Carmack is one of the best NA authors because she's not afraid to tackle subjects that affect today's youth deeply. And for that she's one of my favorites.
All Played Out is an incredibly fun, flashy and shameless start for this year's Rusk University season. You don't want to miss it, so get your Wildcat pride on and come sit with me in Big Daddy's Rusk palm. It's awesome.
Welcome back to Rusk University! You know you missed the Wildcats, you just know it.
Cora Carmack made a strong beginning with the fun and sweet All Lined Up, but she really solidify the Rusk University series as one of the best NA books today with the edgier and sexy All Broke Down. Both stories presented us a tangible world with characters that feel so real that it's really hard not to fall in love with them. Their personalities, their friendships, their romance. Everything about Rusk University sometimes feels like a part of my own experiences (or my friends) and that's why I enjoy it so much.
All Played Out was like a breath of fresh air, but also the most insightful out of the three so far. Not that the other two stories didn't have depth, because they did but I found myself thinking that Carson and Dallas had what they wanted and needed to make it work in All Lined Up. And on the other hand, Silas and Dylan already knew what they wanted and only needed to reach for it.
Nell and Mateo, I feel, start their story not knowing at all what they wanted, what they are searching for, how to make it work to be happy and missing out on lots of experiences. Which is why Carmack made a brilliant move by making Nell question herself by presenting the possibility of that "something more" in the form of the relationship Dylan shares with Silas. Just by watching her roommate fall deeply in love, fast and hard, and be so sure about her relationship with someone who is -in appearance- the opposite of her, makes Nell feel like she's not getting the entire picture, that there's something odd in the equation that is her life.
And so she goes to do what she does best: a list of chores. Or in this case, a list of "normal" college experiences that inevitably make her step out of her comfort zone and right into the storm. She didn't just take baby steps, she jumped with both feet and landed right into Mateo Torres shameless flirty territory.
On the surface, Mateo is the heart of the party. Always ready to have a good time with his friends, to have a girl to spend the night, to play hard and fast on the field, but it's really all a façade. Very much like Nell, he's doing all these things to protect himself from heartbreak, from forming a true relationship with someone. Because sharing yourself is truly something scary and leaves you vulnerable.
But Nell is a brave person and she allows herself to be open and vulnerable with him by sharing her list, and off the go into adventure. Hilarity ensues. Also some very hot scenes. *fans herself* Mateo and Nell were made for each other. Their chemistry is off charts since their very first interaction and it just doesn't sizzle down. It keeps on rising and rising, in the best possible way. They push the other to be better and support each other's dreams, working as a team. Isn't that the best kind of love?
I won't got into the details of their story or the things they share with each other because I want you, reader, to experience it yourself. But go in knowing this is a very personal and intimate story, and Mateo's outgoing personality in contrast with Nell's introvert one makes it hilarious and full of giddy moments.
Another great thing I loved about the book is Nell stubbornness about what name to use when talking to people. It seems like she never knows how to call someone because she's sensing that people use different versions of their names for different occasions. And so she's pointing out that we don't really share our true selves at times but more like how we want to be perceived by others. I thought it was an interesting point.
The interactions between the characters we already know and love from the other books is so good. Carson, Dallas, Ryan, Stella, Silas, Dylan and Brookes are a fun and strong support system. I was really happy to see where Carson and Dallas were standing, get some glimpses of Coach Cole, Dylan and Silas very much in love, and Brookes! Oh, I do love me some Isaiah Brookes. Hopefully he will get his own book, a girl can dream. *fingers crossed*
But this group of friends also lacks in some points and it was crystal clear when it came to everything related to Stella. And I absolutely get why, I understand, but still pissed me off at times the way Ryan was hovering around her, or how everyone else treated her like a china doll. All frail and with no spine, they should know better. That is not Stella.
If you have read All Broke Down, you know some heavy events took place at one point of the story. They are barely mentioned but hang in the air like some invisible pull changing the dynamics of the group. This is clearly a set up for Carmack's next book and I was glad she choose not to get into it. It wouldn't be right, it needs to be treated with care and time. Stella is a rock star and she deserves her story to be told.
I said it once and I will say it again, Cora Carmack is one of the best NA authors because she's not afraid to tackle subjects that affect today's youth deeply. And for that she's one of my favorites.
All Played Out is an incredibly fun, flashy and shameless start for this year's Rusk University season. You don't want to miss it, so get your Wildcat pride on and come sit with me in Big Daddy's Rusk palm. It's awesome.