Cora Carmack Books in Order

Where to Start with Cora Carmack

Cora Carmack is celebrated for her versatility, bridging the gap between hilarious, high-emotion New Adult contemporary romance and epic Young Adult fantasy. Because her books span different genres and tones, the best place to start depends on what you enjoy reading:

• For Contemporary Romance Fans: Start with Losing It (2012). This was Carmack's self-published debut that took the book world by storm, introducing readers to her signature blend of relatable, awkward humor, heart, and steamy romance.
• For Sports Romance Fans: Start with All Lined Up (2014), the first book in the Rusk University series. It captures the high-stakes drama of Texas college football culture, complicated relationships, and self-discovery.
• For Fantasy Lovers: Start with Roar (2017), the opening installment of the Stormheart series. It is a high-concept YA fantasy filled with powerful storms, hidden identities, and a slow-burn romance.

Losing It Series: Publication and Chronological Order

The Losing It series follows a group of friends navigating the transition from college to adulthood. While the main books focus on different couples and can technically be read as standalones, they share a tight-knit timeline and cast. Reading them in order offers the best character development and context. The series also includes several companion novellas that fit directly between the novels.

Recommended Reading Order for the Losing It Universe:

1. Losing It (2012) – The novel that starts it all, focusing on Bliss Edwards, a college senior determined to lose her virginity, and her unexpected romance with her British drama professor, Garrick Taylor.
2. Faking It (2013) – Focuses on Cade Winston (introduced in the first book) and Max Miller, a tattoo artist who needs a fake boyfriend to appease her conservative parents.
3. Keeping Her (2013, Novella) – A follow-up novella that returns to Bliss and Garrick as they navigate the challenges of their post-college life and family expectations.
4. Finding It (2013) – Follows Kelsey Summers as she travels through Europe trying to find herself, only to cross paths with Jackson Hunt, a mysterious guide hired to watch over her.
5. Seeking Her (2014, Novella) – A companion novella that explores the backstory of Jackson Hunt and his perspective during the events of Finding It.
6. Inking Him (2014, Short Story) – A short bonus story featuring Bliss and Garrick, written by Carmack as a tribute to a terminally ill reader and hosted as free bonus content on her official website.

Rusk University Series: Publication and Reading Order

Set against the backdrop of a fictional, football-crazy Texas university, the Rusk University series delivers high-energy sports romance. Each book focuses on a different couple, but characters cross over frequently. We recommend reading them in order of publication to follow the overarching campus timeline:

1. All Lined Up (2014) – Follows Dallas Cole, the football coach's daughter, and Carson Ortiz, a player trying to secure his future. Their forbidden attraction sets the stage for the series.
2. All Broke Down (2014) – Focuses on Dylan Fenn, a good girl looking for a fresh start, and Silas Moore, a bad-boy football player with a troubled past who is trying to stay on the team.
3. All Played Out (2015) – The story of Anton Carter, a wide receiver who prides himself on his control, and Nell Beckett, a quiet academic who wants to step out of her comfort zone.

Stormheart Series: Epic Fantasy

Carmack made her YA fantasy debut with the Stormheart series, a trilogy set in a land where storms possess magical elements and are harvested by humans. It must be read in strict chronological order:

1. Roar (2017) – Introduces Princess Aurora Pavan, who lacks the storm magic of her lineage and flees her home to join a band of storm hunters under an alias to find a way to claim her own power.
2. Rage (2019) – Aurora struggles to lead her people and harness her newfound abilities while facing an escalating threat of war and destructive storms.
3. Reign (Delayed / Pending Release) – The highly anticipated third and final book.

Caveat Regarding Reign's Release Status

Readers should note that Reign has experienced significant delays. While automated book retailers and tracking databases have frequently listed placeholder dates (ranging from 2025 to late 2026), the book has not yet been published. Cora Carmack has shared in her personal updates that chronic health conditions (specifically POTS) caused severe brain fog and delayed her writing. She continues to work on the draft to ensure it meets her standards, but there is currently no official, publisher-confirmed release date. Fantasy readers may want to wait until the final volume is officially out before diving into the trilogy.

The Muse Series

In 2014, Carmack released Inspire, a New Adult paranormal romance featuring Kalliope, a literal Greek muse who seeks to live a normal mortal life despite her overwhelming powers. While a sequel titled Inflict was originally planned and remains listed on various book catalogs, it was never published. As a result, Inspire functions as a standalone paranormal romance.

What to Know Before You Start

Cora Carmack's contemporary works are widely recognized for pioneering the New Adult genre alongside authors like Colleen Hoover and J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout). If you enjoy contemporary romances with college-aged protagonists, low-angst comedy, and high steam, her books are highly satisfying. If you prefer high-concept magic systems and action, her fantasy works under the Stormheart umbrella are a better fit. Regardless of the genre, Carmack specializes in writing characters who feel genuinely flawed and beautifully human.