Sunday, October 26, 2014

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway:All Broke Down by Cora Carmack

 

About ALL BROKE DOWN:

In this second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack’s New Adult, Texas-set Rusk University series, which began with All Lined Up, a young woman discovers that you can’t only fight for what you believe in . . . sometimes you have to fight for what you love

Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and infuriating, she can’t help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.

Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it’s trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He’s met girls like her before—fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn’t think he’s broken, and he definitely doesn’t need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about, his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

BUY LINKS:




What I thought about All Broke Down


I've got the Silas virus. 

When I saw this book was going to be about Silas Moore, I wasn't quite sure how that was going to work out, considering he was a fairly unlikable character for a good part of the first book in this series.

Silas has anger issues. It builds inside him until he explodes on someone and everything comes roaring to a head very quickly in All Broke Down.  Not only is he forced into dealing with an unwelcome family member in front of his friends and teammates, he ends up getting thrown in jail for fighting Levi in a dive bar.  Yeah, he's not having a good day.

Neither is Dylan.  She's in jail with her friend Matt after a student activism event gone bad. Silas and Dylan strike up some conversation while they wait for someone to bail them out, and it sparks enough chemistry between them that Silas ends up using his own money to get Dylan and her friend out of jail. I loved Matt's reaction when he realizes that he's just been sprung by the quarterback and running back of the Rusk University football team. 

Silas takes Dylan back to his house, and he doesn't waste much time using his considerable talents with women on Dylan. Her first exposure to the Silas virus is smoking hot and super sexy as he attempts to treat Dylan like the other hookups he's had. But Silas realizes quickly that it's different with Dylan. After a difficult weekend that ends with a one week, two game suspension from the team, he turns to Dylan to help "fix him".

The "falling in love" part isn't rushed in All Broke Down, at least I didn't think so.  He spends his week suspension with Dylan, helping her with her various causes and falling for her hard. I love how he talks about her effect on him, his amazement over what he feels for her.  It comes through so clearly in his POV when they have sex for the first time, and by this time the Silas virus was firmly entrenched in my heart. 

When Dylan makes a serious mistake that threatens their relationship, it was one of those "no-no-no" moments for me. To get him back, she has to stand up for herself and take some chances. There's tons  of emotions here which I loved, and my heart was hurting for them both. It's a good thing that the Silas virus isn't easy to shake.   

There's a lot more to All Broke Down than just Dylan and Silas's love story. It takes on some social issues such as student activism and sexual assault.  I'm hoping that part of the story will be continued in future offerings in this series.
 
I love the Rusk University world for its realism, and this just might be my favorite book so far! There's humor, drama and great writing that makes you feel right along with the characters. All Broke Down will be one of those "go-to" books for me when I need a comfort read.  Silas definitely has a place on my book boyfriend list!

Recommended. 

ARC provided for review.



a Rafflecopter giveaway




And don’t forget to grab your copy of ALL LINED UP Today!



About Cora Carmack:


Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.


Links:


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great review. I can't wait to read this one. I really liked All Lined Up.
And if I'm responding to the Giveaway question - I'm not a huge fan of reading about sports, but if any, I like reading football and basketball (not many of those out there).
I enjoy watching most anything, though. Except the All American Baseball. Bores me to tears. lol

Trader Mare said...

I think you are going to love this one! I've already read it twice, giving time I should be reading something else for review to have another go with Silas!

Blog Tour Review & Excerpt: Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher

  GOOD HALF GONE Author: Tarryn Fisher ISBN: 9781525804885 Publication Date: March 19, 2024 Publisher: Graydon House 18.99 US | 23.99 CA...